ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the degenerative mechanisms of lumbar intervertebral disc (LID) and apoptosis.MethodsThe total RNAs were isolated from human LID tissues. Both the mRNAs from the degeneration and normal LID were reversely transcribed to the cDNAs. The cDNAs were labeled with the incorporations of fluorescent dUTP, for preparing the hybridization probes. The mixed probes were then hybridized to the cDNA microarray. After high-stringent washing, the cDNA microarray was scanned for the fluorescent signals and analyzed by computer image analysis. The apoptotic status and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in 12 cases of degenerative LID and 10 cases of normal LID were detected with TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry methods.ResultsAmong the 4096 targets, there were 10 genes related to apoptosis. The expression related to Bax protein gene was up-regulated and it was down-regulated for Bcl-2 protein. In group of normal LID, the average apoptotic index (AI) was (24.897±3.620); percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells was (31.440±4.150)%; percentage of Bax positive cells was (29.372±2.588)%, average optical density (OD) values of positive particles were (0.183± 0.010 ), ( 0.203 ±0.012) and (0.169±0.005) respectively. In group of degenerative LID, the average AI was (49.232±3.440); percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells was (18.239±2.470)%; percentage of Bax positive cells was (52.349±3.764)%; average OD values of positive particles were (0.152±0.003), (0.310±0.008) and (0.262±0.014) respectively. There were significantly differences in AI and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins between normal LID and degenerative LID (P<0.05).ConclusionCell apoptosis plays an important role in the process of LID degeneration. Both Bcl-2 and Bax take part in the occurrence and progression of LID.

The study aimed to retrospectively evaluate surgical treatment outcomes after delayed parotid gland and duct injuries.Nine patients subjected to parotid gland and duct injuries with 1-to 3-month treatment delay were retrospectively evaluated with special reference of etiology,past medical history,and injury location.Conservative treatment,microsurgical anastomosis,and diversion of salivary flow or ligation were chosen for delayed parotid gland and duct injuries concerning to their site of injury,time of repair and procedures.Assistant treatment as pressure dressing was adopted thereafter.All patients experienced an uneventful recovery at the time of finalizing the study.Two patients received Stensen's duct ligation,5 received microsurgical anastomosis and 2 accepted salivary flow diversion for 5 patients with sialoceles and 4 patients with fistulas,and no re-occurrence was found.Facial paralysis occurred after surgery in 4 patients,and 3 of them recovered after the nerve nutrition treatment.Our study suggested that appropriate surgical treatment is efficient for the re-establishment of the tissue function and facial aesthetic for delayed injury of the parotid and its duct.

Abstract: Objective To follow up and evaluate the stability testing status of γ stereotactic radiotherapy system (hereinafter γ knife WS 582-2017 Specifications for Testing of Quality Control in X and γ referred to ) in medical institutions based on the RayStereotactic Radiotherapy System WS 582-2017 Methods (hereinafter referred to ). A total of 43 medical institutions using γ knife and 54 medical physics personnel were recruited as the research subjects by random sampling method. Based on the - - standard tracking evaluation method, we followed up the evaluation of γ knife stability testing based on WS 582 2017. Results - Only 66.7% of the 54 subjects preformed WS 582 2017 in their daily work. Only 30.2% (all were tertiary hospital) of 43 medical institutions were equipped with complete quality control and testing equipment. The implementation rate of γ knife stability test was 67.4%, and it was not carried out in strict accordance with the test events and test cycle requirements - specified in the WS 582 2017. There were incomplete test events, incomplete records or test cycles that did not meet the Conclusion standard requirements in γ knife stability test. Medical institutions did not carry out γ knife stability tests in strict - accordance with the projects and cycle required by the WS 582 2017. The reasons are related to medical institutions are not equipped with complete testing equipment, the personnel are lack of understanding of relevant national standards, the poor publicity and implementation of the standards, the lack of standardized training channels and inadequate health supervision.

OBJECTIVETO establish a RP-HPLC method for the determination of calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside in Radix Astragali, and to analyse the calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside content of ten samples of Radix Astragali, collected from different regions.

METHODA Polaris C18(250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microns) column was used and a mixture of methanol-water (30:70) was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL.min-1. The column temperature was 25 degrees C and the UV detection wavelength was 254 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curve was in good linearity over the range of 0.0106-2.12 micrograms with the regression equation Y = 3035. 97 X - 14.85(r = 0.9999). The average recovery was 95.8% (n = 5, RSD = 1.3%).

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, quick, sensitive and reproducible. In all of the samples, the calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside contents differ markedly.

Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; classification ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ecosystem ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Species Specificity

With increasing age in women, the ovarian function declines, which leads to decreased follicle generation, declined female fertility and age-related diseases ultimately. Female germline stem cells are epithelial cells existing on the ovarian surface, which can divide into new stem cells symmetrically and differentiate into germ cells and granulosa cells asymmetrically. The discovery of female germline stem cells brings much hope for the post-natal renewal of oocytes and solving female infertility problems. Ovarian germline stem cell niche in which female germline stem cells live is the surrounding microenvironment which plays an essential role in maintaining the function of female germline stem cells. Many factors including nutrition supply, protein, cytokines and signaling pathways can control the biological characters of female germline stem cells, and also influence their proliferation and differentiation. This paper reviewed the knowledge about the influencing factors and regulatory mechanisms of the function of ovarian germline stem cell niche.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect and safety of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in 50 patients. METHODS: Fifty patients were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. To perform the operation, transthoracic echocardiography and X ray were used continuously to monitor the procedure. Transthoracic echocardiography and ECG were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation to evaluate the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: The VSD diameter ranged from 1.8 to 13.4 (5.54 +/- 2. 75) mm. The successful rate of the operation was 96.0%, and the complication rate of the operation was 16.7%. A 3 month follow-up was completed in 20 patients, and the median left ventricle end-diastolic dimension significantly decreased from (40.20 +/- 8.80) mm to (32.90 +/- 8.36) mm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects is a good method with a high success rate of placement, fewer complications, and a good occlusion effect.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the positioning error of conical beam CT(CBCT)radiotherapy and the occurrence of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer fixed by cervical and thoracic integrated membrane in order to provide a basis for personalized out-target external boundary,selec-tion of fixed mode and guidance of radiodermatitis clinical practice work.Methods A total of 147 patients with breast cancer in this hospital from June 2022 to October 2023 were selected as the study subjects,inclu-ding 74 cases of breast conserving operation and 73 cases of modified radical(excision)operation.During the treatment period,CBCT scanning once a week obtained the image and conducted the grey match with the planned CT images to acquire the translational error of X(left and right),Y(head and foot)and Z(abdominal and dorsal)and the rotational posing error of X(pitch),Y(roll)and Z(yaw)axis,and at the same time,the acute radiodermatitis in nearly 3 months during radiotherapeutic period was recorded.Results Compared with the Z axis,the translation error of X axis and Y axis was greater,the rotation error was smaller,and the differ-ences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The PTV external boundary of X,Y and Z axis calculated by the formula was 0.70,0.76,0.46 cm respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the posi-tioning error of each direction of left and right breast between breast conservation operation and breast resec-tion operation(P＞0.05).The correlation between the age with X,Y and Z axis translation errors was-0.14,0.18 and 0.10 respectively,which of the age with X,Y and Z axis rotation errors was 0.12,＜0.01,0.02 respectively.The occurrence of grade 1 acute radiodermatitis in the patients with breast conserving oper-ation was 100.0％(74/74),which in the patients with excision operation was 13.7％(10/73),the occurrence of grade 2 was 82.2％,which of grade 3 was 4.1％(3/73),and the difference between them was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion In the every day positioning and target area external expansion,particular attention should be paid to the X and Y axis translational directions and the Z axis rotation direction.Using the integrated cervicothoracic thermoplastic membrane for fixing breast cancer is not affected by the operation mode,affected side position and age.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the correlation of clinical features with pathology in chronic viral hepatitis (CH).

METHODSAnalyses of single factor and multiple factors of serum biochemical indices, imaging examination results, symptoms and signs with degree of pathological lesion of hepatic tissue in 973 cases of CH were conducted. Meanwhile, the hepatic functional index (AAPEA index) was used to investigate the role of serum biochemical indices in diagnosis of CH.

RESULTSIn these patients with CH,the severity of hepatic lesion was closely correlated to symptoms and signs, biochemical indices such as PTA, ALT, TBIL, ALB, A/G, gamma-globulin (gamma-G) by electrophoresis, AST and cholinesterase (CHE) as well as splenic thickness. AST was superior to ALT in reflecting degree of hepatic inflammatory activity. The total mistaken judgment rate of multiple factor analysis was 28.1%. The correlation coefficient of AAPEA index to degrees of hepatic inflammatory activity, fibrosis and pathological grading was 0.559, 0.545 and 0.529, respectively (P<0.000 1)

CONCLUSIONSThe biochemical indices such as PTA, ALT, TBIL, ALB, A/G, gammaG, AST, CHE and the determination of splenic thickness by ultrasonography B could reflect hepatic pathological changes to certain extent. AST was superior to ALT in reflecting degree of hepatic inflammatory activity. Incorrect judgment rate was high in determination of moderate and severe CH by multiple factor analysis. Conformity rate between AAPEA index and pathological diagnosis was better than any of them alone in diagnosing CH.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of azosemide in patients with edema and ascites.

METHODSA multicentral, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was applied. All 223 patients (cardiac edema 92, hepatogenic edema 63, renal edema 68) were randomized to azoesmide and furosemide group, and all patients were treated for 2 weeks. Patients with cardiac or renal edema took azosemide (30 mg/d) or furosemide (20 mg/d); patients with hepatogenic edema took azosemide (60 mg/d) or furosemide (40 mg/d). The dosage were adjusted to azosemide 60 mg/d (cardiac, renal edema), 90 mg (hepatogeic edema); or furosemide 40 mg/d (cardiac, renal edema), 60 mg (hepatogeic edema), if diuretic effects were not obtained at the end of third day.

RESULTSAt the end of the study, the weight changes were (2.87+/-3.10) kg and (2.81 +/-2.84) kg; the total effective rate of edema lessen was 89.19% and 89.81%; the total effective rate of heart function improvement was 64.44% and 66.66%; the 24 h urine output increased (321.85 +/-669.52) ml and (273.80 +/-645.72) ml for azosemide and furosemide, respectively. The total effective rate of ascites lessen (tested by B-ultrasound) was 89.28% and 86.66%; abdominal girth decreased (5.20 +/-3.58) cm and (5.03 +/-3.74) cm for azosemide and furosemide, respectively. The adverse event rate was 23.01% in azosemide group and 21.01% in furosemide group; the main adverse effects were hypokalemia, hyperuricemia, hypertriglyceridemia and thirsty.

CONCLUSIONAzosemide could effectively lessen edema, improve heart function and decrease ascitesûit is well tolerated and is particularly useful for the diuretic treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ascites ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Diuretics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Edema, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Heart Failure ; complications ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sulfanilamides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) is a significant cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an incidence of up to 166 cases per 100 000 population. It arises in the skin, upper aerodigestive tract, lung, and cervix and affects more than 200 000 Americans each year. We report here that a microarray experiment comparing 41 SCC and 13 normal tissue specimens showed that Id2, a gene that controls the cell cycle, was significantly up-regulated in SCC. Enforced expression of Id2 in vitro stimulated the proliferation of SCC cells and up-regulated the transcription of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclin D1. Enhancement of the NF-κB activity with p65 significantly increased the cell proliferation and the transcription of cyclin D1, whereas inhibition of the NF-κB activity with I kappa B alpha mutant (IκBαM) and pyrroline dithiocarbamate (PDTC) abrogated cell proliferation and transcription of cyclin D1. Furthermore, a mutated NF-κB binding site in the cyclin D1 promoter fully abrogated the Id2-induced transcription of cyclin D1. Taken together, these data indicate that Id2 induces SCC tumor growth and proliferation through the NF-κB/cyclin D1 pathway.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; Up-Regulation