Adult ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Retroperitoneal Space ; surgery

BACKGROUNDWilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs typically in children and rarely in adults. Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of our study was to discover and identify potential non-invasive and convenient biomarkers for the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor.

METHODSNude mice were used to construct a Wilms' tumor model by injecting nephroblastoma cells into their bilateral abdomen. We collected 94 serum samples from mice consisting of 45 samples with Wilms' tumor and 49 controls. The serum proteomic profiles of the samples were analyzed via surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarkers were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and validated using ProteinChip immunoassays.

RESULTSWe finally retrieved two differential proteins (m/z 4509.2; 6207.9), which were identified as apolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin, respectively. The expression of apolipoprotein A-II was higher in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group (P < 0.01). By contrast, the expression of polyubiquitin was lower in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONApolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin may be used as potential biomarkers for nephroblastoma in children, and the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II may help diagnose and treat Wilms' tumor.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polyubiquitin ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Wilms Tumor ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDNeuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common malignant solid tumors of childhood. It is still not clear whether the apoptosis of tumor cells or the non-tumor cells contributes to the increase of concentration of cytochrome c (Cyt c) in the serum of the cancer patients. The aim of this research was to identify the source of the Cyt c in the serum when the tumor grows up by subcutaneous inoculation of human NB cells into nude mice.

METHODSWe subcutaneously inoculated human NB cells (KP-N-NS) into nude mice and collected the sera of tumor-bearing mice (n = 14) and control mice (n = 25) 4 weeks later in order to screen for and identify differentially expressed proteins in the serum. Differentially expressed proteins in the serum were screened by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.

RESULTSThe relative intensity of a protein having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 11 609 was 3338.37 ± 3410.85 in the tumor group and 59.84 ± 40.74 in the control group, indicating that the expression level of this protein in the tumor group was 55.8 times higher than that in the control group. Serum proteins were separated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to produce peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs). Spectrum analysis and a database search revealed that the highly expressed protein (m/z = 11 605.4) from the serum of tumor-bearing mice was the mouse Cyt c.

CONCLUSIONSIncreased concentration of Cyt c in the serum of tumor-bearing nude mice might be partially attributed to the secretion of this protein by non-tumor cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cytochromes c ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neuroblastoma ; blood ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Aim To study the effects of L-borneol on the chloride channel and cell volume of human umbili-cal vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record chloride currents. The expression of ClC-3 protein was down-regulated by siRNA interference technique. The cell volume was measured by dynamic image analysis. Results 20 nmol·L-1L-borneol significantly activa-ted chloride current in HUVEC (79.59 ± 4.90) pA/pF, which could be inhibited by chloride channel blockers,NPPB and DIDS. The outward current inhib-itory rate of NPPB was (95.57 ± 2.57)%, while that of DIDS was (97.28 ± 6.36)%. The chloride current activated by L-borneol significantly decreased after the silence of ClC-3 (27.03 ± 3.89) pA/pF. Cell volume was markedly reduced by L-borneol (14.38 ± 1.58)%,which was inhibited after NPPB appliance. Conclusion L-borneol can activate ClC-3 chloride channel in HUVECs, which induces Cl- outflow then cell volume decrease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of calsurf, a domestic exogenous pulmonary surfactant, in the treatment of severe neonatal infectious pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 208 neonates with severe infectious pneumonia who hospitalized in 5 hospitals of China were enrolled. According to their parents' wishes on admission, these neonates were administered with conventional treatment (control group; n=81) and calsurf  treatment + conventional treatment (calsurf treatment group, n=127). The two groups were compared in terms of the degree of oxygen dependence on admission, blood gas parameters before and after treatment, lung ultrasound results, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, hospital costs, complications and prognosis. RESULTS: Compared with the control group on admission, the calsurf treatment group had significantly higher inhaled oxygen concentration and partial pressure of carbon dioxide and significantly lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen and oxygenation index (P<0.01). After 1 hour of treatment, both groups had significant improvements in the above indices (P<0.05), and the improvements were more significant in the calsurf treatment group (P<0.05). After 4-6 hours of calsurf administration, there was a significant reduction in the degree of pulmonary consolidation. The calsurf treatment group had significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay than the control group, while there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of complications between the two groups. The neonates of both groups had a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS In neonates with severe infectious pneumonia, calsurf treatment can significantly improve oxygenation, reduce the degree of pulmonary consolidation, and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay. Therefore, it should be considered in neonates with severe infectious pneumonia.
China ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pneumonia ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Respiration, Artificial

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with fever and find out the related factors.MethodsData was collected by the same methods in the past ten years in fifteen hospitals in Jiangsu province and then the data wereretrospectively analyzed.The potentially possible risk factors of fever in SLE were selected and then analyzed by chi-square test,Wilcoxon rank sum test and Logistic regression analysis.ResultsAll 1762 patients were investigated.Seven hundred and twenty-nine had active fever.Age at hospitalization,initially treated patients,photosensitivity,serositis,nervous system involvement,generalized lymphadenopathy/hepatosplenomegaly,white blood cell count (WBC),haemoglobin (HB),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reaction protein (CRP),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),albumin(ALB),serum creatinine (Scr),complement C3,anti-dsDNA antibodies positive rate,anti-Sm antibodies positive rate,SLEDAI score and past therapies were factors associatedwith SLE fever.Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal WBC count (OR=1.396,95％CI 1.114-1.711,P=0.004),CRP(OR=1.005,95％CI 1.002-1.009,P=0.002),ALT(OR=1.003,95％CI 1.001-1.005,P=0.005),Scr (OR=0.997,95％CI0.995-0.999,P=0.007),HB (OR=0.986,95％CI 0.981-0.992,P=0.000),age (OR =0.984,95％ CI 0.974-0.993,P=0.001 ) and past usage of cyclophosphamide (CTX) (OR =0.557,95％CI 0.382-0.813,P=0.002) were correlated with SLE fever.ConclusionFever is one of the most common clinical manifestations of SLE patients.Leucopenia,elevated CRP levels,liver function abnormalities,anemia,younger age are risk factors for SLE fever,while renal impairment and past usage of CTX are protective factors.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and to explore the possible application on the alveolar bone regeneration.

METHODSTo determine the optimum concentration, the effects of ginsenoside Rg-1 ranging from 10 to 100 μmol/L were evaluated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. Expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen alpha-2(I) chain, osteopontin, osteocalcin protein were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, a certain concentration (10 μmol/L) of the Rg-1 solution significantly enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs (P<0.05). However, concentrations that exceeds 100 μmol/L led to cytotoxicity whereas concentrations below 10 nmol/L showed no significant effect as compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rg-1 can enhance the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs at an optimal concentration of 10 μmol/L.

Adolescent ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics of simple testicular yolk sac tumor (YST) in children with those in adults so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the malignance. METHODS: This study included 75 cases of simple testicular YST pathologically confirmed between May 2008 and July 2018, which were divided into groups A (aged <18 years, n = 64) and B (aged ≥18 years, n = 11). We analyzed the clinical data on all the cases and compared the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, pathological findings, clinical stages, treatment methods and prognostic outcomes between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The patients of group A ranged in age from 6 months to 5 years (［1.38 ± 0.89］ yr), with the tumor diameter of 0.9－6.0 (2.48 ± 1.12) cm, while those of group B from 25 to 49 years (median 34 years), with the tumor diameter of 3.5－6.3 (5.16 ± 1.32) cm, most presenting with a painless scrotal mass, 4 (6.2%) in group A and 5 (45.5%) in group B with testis pain. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the tumor diameter and initial manifestations (P < 0.05). All the patients were treated by radical high-level spermatectomy and orchiectomy and, in addition, 1 in group A and 3 in group B by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), 24 in the former and 5 in the latter group followed by chemotherapy. Elevated levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were observed in all the cases. Sixty-five of the patients were followed up for 10－78 (52.00 ± 23.78) months, during which 2 cases of simple metastasis, 3 cases of simple relapse, 3 cases of relapse with metastasis and 5 cases of death were found in group A, and 5 cases of simple metastasis, 1 case of simple relapse, 1 case of relapse with metastasis and 4 cases of death in group B. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in the clinical manifestation, biological behavior, treatment and prognosis of testicular YST between children and adults. In children, most of the testicular YST cases are at clinical stage I and preferably treated by radical high-level spermatectomy and orchiectomy with favorable prognosis. In adults, however, the tumor is highly malignant, with high incidences of recurrence and metastasis and poor prognosis, for the treatment of which the first choice is radical high-level spermatectomy and orchiectomy combined with RPLND and chemotherapy.