Objective To evaluate the CT findings of pancreatic carcinoid tumors.Methods The CT imaging data of five patients with pancreatic carcinoid tumors confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results The tumors ranged in maximum diameter from 2.0 to 11.0 cm with a mean of 6.4 cm. On unenhanced CT,the tumors were slightly hypodense relative to the pancreatic parenchyma,homogenous in 2 cases,and heterogenous in 3 cases.One tumor showed calcification.After contrast material injection, the solid component of the tumor showed marked heterogenous enhancement on the arterial phase scanning in 3 cases,and mild heterogenous enhancement in 2 cases.The degree of tumor enhancement was less intense than the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma due to necrosis of various degree,which led to the cystic appearance of the tumor in 1 ease.On the portal phase scanning,all tumors showed marked enhancement similar to that of the pancreatic parenchyma.On the delayed phase scanning,the degree of enhancement was more intense than the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma in 1 case.Liver metastases with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and peripancreatic vessels invasion were seen in 1 case.No dilatation of the biliary tract or pancreatic duct was present.Conclusion The CT features of pancreatic carcinoid tumors included infrequent dilatation of the biliary tract or pancreatic duct and unusual vascular involvement,calcification within the mass,marked enhancement similar to that of the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma during the portal phase scanning and more intense during the delayed phase scanning.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 subunit (CHRNA7) gene and schizophrenia.

METHODSThe three polymorphisms rs2337980, rs1909884, rs883473 in CHRNA7 gene were detected based on PCR and polyacrylamide gel microarray in 129 schizophrenic trios. The results of genotyping were analyzed by haplotype relative risk analysis based on haplotype(HHRR), transmission disequilibrium test(TDT) and hyplotype analysis.

RESULTS(1)The HHRR analysis suggested that there was significant differences in rs2337980 allele frequencies between schizophrenia group and dummy control group(P= 0.017); (2)In TDT test, there may be transmission disequilibrium between rs2337980 and schizophrenia, the heterozygous parents excessively transferred the C allele to patients (P= 0.021); (3)The haplotype between rs2337980 and rs1909884 as well as the hyplotype among rs2337980, rs1909884 and rs883473 may have significant association with schizophrenia (global P= 0.034; global P= 0.027), the T-C and T-C-T hyplotype may have transmission disequilibrium with schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONThere may be association between CHRNA7 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia, the variant allele T in rs2337980 may have a protective effect to schizophrenia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Young Adult ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Poly I:C in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cells were treated with different doses of Poly I:C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the cell growth inhibition rate was analyzed with CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle and the apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin-V and PI staining, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expression of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta mRNA in cells.

RESULTSIn the cells exposed to Poly I:C at low, moderate, and high doses, the inhibitory rates was the highest in high-dose Poly I:C group, and at a given Poly I:C dose, prolonged exposure resulted in significantly increased cell growth inhibition rate (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that Poly I:C induced cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly increased the percentage of G1-phase cells as compared with that in the control group. The mRNA level of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta were also increased following Poly I:C treatment in comparison with the control group.

CONCLUSIONPoly I:C can induce significant growth inhibition and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner possibly by causing cell cycle arrest and TLR3 signaling pathway activation that leads to IFN-beta production and cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness of Tongjiang Granule (TJG) in treating non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) of Gan-Wei incoordination syndrome (GWIS).

METHODSTotally 128 NERD patients of GWIS were recruited from outpatients or inpatients at Department of Digestive Disease, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from February 2009 to November 2010. They were randomly assigned to two groups using the block group in the ratio of 1:1, 64 cases in each group. Patients in the experiment group were treated with TJG, 10 g each time, three times a day, while those in the control group were treated with Omeprazole Tablet, 20 mg each time, two times a day. The treatment course of both groups was 4 weeks. The symptoms questionnaires and SF-36 quality of life scale were observed.

RESULTSFinally 114 patients completed the trial. There was statistical difference in epigastric upset, pharyngeal foreign body sensation, abdominal swelling or abdominal pain, and integral of excrement between the two groups before treatment (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the rest indices between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the scores of each symptom or the total symptoms were somewhat improved in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in the rest scores (P > 0.05) except the score of mental health in the experiment group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in the rest scores (P > 0.05) except the score of physical function in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in post-treatment acid reflux, irritability, depression, body pain, roles of emotions (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total effective rate was higher in the experimental group, showing no statistical difference when compared with that of the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTJG had confirmative efficacy in treating NERD patients of GWIS. Meanwhile, it could improve their quality of life, with no obvious adverse reaction.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method for controlling nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.

METHODSEighty-eight cases of hepatic cancer with interventional therapy of Cisplatin were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 44 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with an antiemetic and electroacupuncture at Yongquan (KI 1), and the control group only with the antiementic. The controlling rates for nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe controlling rates for acute nausea, vomiting and delayed vomiting in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at Yongquan (KI 1) can better prevent and improve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in the patient with chemotherapy of Cisplatin.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; prevention & control ; Vomiting ; prevention & control

Objective:To explore the effect of interleukin-1α (IL-1 α) on the senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the function of high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB 1).Methods:HUVECs were randomly divided into a control group,a IL-1α group (10 ng/mL IL-1α),a HMGB 1 group (100 ng/mL HMGB 1),and a HMGB 1 +IL-1α group (100 ng/mL of HMGB 1 plus 10 ng/mL of IL-lα).Senescence associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) staining was used to assess the number of senescent cells,Western blot were performed to detect the protein levels of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA levels of p53,p21 and p 16.Restlts:Compared with the control group,the number of SA β-gal positive cells were significantly increased in the IL-1α group (P＜0.05),while the expression of SIRT1 protein significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Compared with the IL-1 α group,the expression of SA β-gal positive cells in the HMGB 1+IL-1α group was decreased and the mRNA levels of p21 and p53 were down-regulated (all P＜0.05),however,there was no statistical significance in the mRNA expression ofp16 (P＞0.05).Conclusion:IL-1α can induce the senescence of HUVECs,and HMGB1 may inhibit IL-1α-induced endothelial cell senescence via p53-p21 pathway.

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process by which components of the cell are degraded in lysosomes, may facilitate survival of cancer cells under stress conditions. 8-Azaguanine (8-AG), an inhibitor of purine nucleotide biosynthesis, shows antineoplastic activity in multiple tumor cells. However, chemoresistance has restricted its development as an anticancer agent, and the mechanism of 8-AG resistance is not fully understood. We report here that 8-AG induces a protective autophagy to eliminate its cytotoxicity, and inhibition of autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment. Using HepG2 or SMMC-7721 hepatic cancer cell lines, we found that 8-AG inhibited cell viability and induced intrinsic apoptosis, accompanied by the up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein BimS, one of Bim (also known as BCL-2-like protein 11, BCL2L11) isoforms. Furthermore, 8-AG treatment enhanced the autophagy flux by promoting the dephosphorylation and activation of Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) via Akt/mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling inhibition. Depletion of autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) markedly enhanced the level of BimS, and promoted cell death in response to 8-AG. 8-AG in combination with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1) promoted the 8-AG-induced apoptosis in hepatic cancer cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that autophagy promotes chemoresistance of cancer cells for 8-AG, and blocking autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment.

AIM:To analyze the association of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).METHODS:A retrospective analysis of a case series included in ROP screening from January 2011to December 2015 was performed in Suzhou Municipal Hospital.Totally 2527 children (5054 eyes) underwent screening.According to the gestational age,the data was divided into 4 groups (≤32wk,＞32 and ≤34wk,＞34 and ≤37wk,＞37wk).Every group was divided into two groups (IUGR group and no IUGR group) respectively.We compared the incidence of ROP in IUGR and non IUGR group.RESULTS:Of all the 2527 children,IUGR group were 702 including 78 ROP children,and non IUGR group were 1825 including 329 ROP children.There were 991 children were divided into ≤ 32wk group,including 63 IUGR in which 27 children were screened out ROP(42.9％) and 928 non IUGR in which 274 children were screened out ROP (29.5％),the difference on the incidence of ROP was statistically significant (X2 =4.958,P=0.026).There were 1025 children were divided into ＞ 32 and ≤ 34wk group,including 232 IUGR in which 33 children were screened out ROP(14.2％) and 793 non IUGR in which 51 children were screened out ROP (6.4％) and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =14.488,P＜0.001).There were 464 children were divided into ＞ 34 and ≤ 37wk group,including 374 IUGR in which 18 children were screened out ROP(4.8％) and 90 non IUGR in which 4 children were screened out ROP (4.4％) and the difference was not statistically significant (Fischer exact test,P=1).There were 47 children were divided into ＞37wk group,including 33 IUGR and 14 non IUGR,none were screened out in the two groups.CONCLUSION:Intrauterine growth retardation was closely related to the incidence of ROP.In the preterm infants with gestational age less than 34wk,the incidence of ROP in children with intrauterine growth retardation is significantly higher than that in children without intrauterine growth retardation.

·AIM: To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) in 3471 neonates in Suzhou Municipal Hospital. ·METHODS: A total of 3471 children (1947 males, 1524 females) were screened for ROP in Suzhou Municipal Hospital from January 2010 to September 2016 using binocular ophthalmoscope or ( and) RetCamⅡ. First examination was performed from 4-6wk after birth. The ocular findings were recorded according to the International Classification of ROP and The Early Treatment for ROP. Only the more aggressive eye of bilateral asymmetrical cases was counted for statistical purpose. Children with ROP in both binocular or single eye were counted in 1 case, and the cases required surgeries were defined as severe cases. The prevalence of ROP and severe ROP in recent 6a were analyzed retrospectively. ·RESULTS: The overall relevance ratio of ROP and severe ROP was 17.03% and 1.15%. The relevance ratio of ROP and severe ROP of the males were 16.38% and 1.08%,and of the females were 17.85% and 1.25%, the results were not statistically different (x2= 1. 296, P =0.255). The relevance ratio of ROP and severe ROP of the single birth infants were 17.61% and 1.13%, and of the multiple birth infants were 15.13% and 1.23%,the results were not statistically different (x2=2.706, P=0.100). The children were divided into 5 groups according to the birth weight. The relevance ratio of ROP with birth weight<1000g,1000-1499g,1500-1999g,2000-2499g and ≥2500g were 75. 00%, 36. 17%, 10. 75%, 6. 86% and 3. 77%respectively with significant differences (There were significant differences between the three groups which the birth weight <2000g, P<0.005). The relevance ratio of severe ROP were 36.54%, 1.68%, 0.31%, 0.19% and 0 respectively in these birth weight groups (There were significant differences between the three groups which the birth weight <2000g,P<0.005). The children were divided into 4 groups according to gestational weeks, the relevance ratio of severe ROP of gestational age<28wk,28-31wk, 32-36wk and ≥37wk were 69. 12%, 29. 91%, 8.28% and 3.33% respectively with significant differences (There were significant differences between the three groups which the gestational age <37wk, P<0.005). The relevance ratio of severe ROP were 25%, 1.52%, 0.24% and 0 in these gestational age groups respectively (There were significant differences between the three groups which the gestational age <37wk,P<0.005). · CONCLUSION: The detection rate of ROP in 3471 premature infants was 17. 03%, the severe ROP was 1.15%. There was no evidence that sex and birth were related to ROP, but lower birth weight and smaller gestational age increased the detection rate of ROP.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms of Brugada syndrome through functional analysis of a novel SCN5A gene mutation G1712C.

METHODSA recombinant plasmid pRc

RESULTSAn HEK293 cell line that stably expressed Nachannel β1-subunit was successfully established. After transient transfection with the WT subunit, large Nacurrents were recorded from the stable β1-cell line. Transient transfection with the G1712C subunit, however, did not elicit a Nacurrent in the cells.

CONCLUSIONCompared with normal Nachannel, the wild-type channel exhibits a similar sodium current. The characteristic kinetics of sodium channel of WT-hH1 was identical to that in normal cardiac muscle cell, and the missense mutation (G1712C) in the P-loop region of the domain IV may have caused the failure of sodium channel expression.

Brugada Syndrome ; genetics ; Genotype ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; genetics ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection