Despite solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common medical problem in the clinic,the managements can be quite complex.The aetiological agent is largely unknown.Making a definitive diagnosis for SPNs before the operation has been a clinical challenge.A major problem for clinicians and radiologists were to identify the nature of benign and malignant SPNs at an early stage,and let the patients receive therapies timely and effectively.At present,many clinical features and detect methods of SPNs have been applied for differentiating the nodules,but these are not fully to distinguish it.Recently,some progressions had brought qualitative improvements to the diagnosis and treatment of SPNs.Therefore,in this paper,the research status and progresses of SPNs were reviewed.

There is a high incidence of esophageal cancer(EC) in China.The survival and prognosis of EC is unoptimistic due to the lack of efficient early diagnostic markers.There is an urgent demand of novel biomarkers with more stability,sensitivity and specificity.miRNAs are a class of small non-coding single stranded RNAs consisting of 21-23 nucleotides,which are involved in the pathological and physiological process of life activities.miRNAs are stable not only in tumor tissues,but also in serum/plasma.There are significant differences in the expression patterns of circulating miRNAs between two main types of EC.They are closely related to the occurrence and progression of EC,which make circulating miRNAs a novel kind of biomarkers for differential diagnosis,early supervision of esophageal cancer,and prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of comprehensive treatment in young women with cervical car-cinoma.Methods A total of 52 young women with cervical carcinoma were treated with uterine artery chemoembolization.50 cases underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy after interventional therapy.The patients with pathological risk factors were given supplementary radiotherapy.Results The clinical overall response rate was 88.5%.96.2% of patients underwent sur-gery and lymph node metastasis rate was 26.9%.The 2,5 year overall survival rates of patients were 91.5%,71.2% respectively. Conclusion The comprehensive treatment can improve overall survival rate and quality of life for young woman with cervical carci-noma.Postoperative patients with pathologically related risk factors should be treated with supplement chemoradiotherapy.

Objective To compare the efficacy and side-effects of preoperative neoadjuvant uterine arterial chemoembolization and venous chemotherapy in treating cervical cancer in young female patients. Methods A total of 241 young females(≤35 years old) with cervical cancer were enrolled in this study. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into group A (n=63) and group B (n=57). Patients in group A received preoperative neoadjuvant uterine arterial chemoembolization with subsequent surgery, while patients in group B were treated with preoperative neoadjuvant intravenous chemotherapy followed by surgery. The chemotherapy scheme included carboplatin (50 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1 000 mg/m2). The short-term effect, the amount of blood loss during the surgery, pathological findings and the side-effects of the two groups were compared. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis. Results The short-term response rate of group A was 90.5%, which was significantly higher than that of group B (71.9%), the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=7.5, P<0.05). The resection rate of group A was 95.2%, which was higher than that of group B (84.2%). The amount of intra-operative blood loss of group A and group B was (443±263) ml and (695±312) ml respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=4.802, P<0.05). The pathological complete remission of group A and group B was 9.5%(6/63) and 5.3%(3/57)respectively; the differences in postoperative pathological results between the two groups were statistically significant (χ2=12.3, P<0.05). The side effect of group A was milder than that of group B (P<0.05). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of group A and group B was 73.0% and 54.4% respectively (χ2=4.471, P<0.05);and the overall survival (OS) rate of group A and group B was 77.8%and 63.2%respectively (χ2=3.022, P>0.05). In both groups, the clinical stage, the pathological grade and the size (≥ 4 cm) of the tumor were the main factors that could influence the prognosis in young females with cervical cancer (P<0.05). Conclusion The short-term efficacy of preoperative uterine artery chemoembolization is better than that of preoperative intravenous chemotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer in young female patients. Besides, this therapy carries mild side effect, and it can improve the 5-year progression-free survival rate, although the long-term survival rate has not been obviously improved.

Objective To investigate the effect of diabetes on clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of non-viral hepatitis hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 367 non-hepatitis virus HCC patients treated by TACE, included 153 diabetes mellitus cases (test group) and blood glucose of 214 patients was normal (control group). To assess the treatment effect after 1 month of TACE based on response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, include complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD), and calculate the disease control rate. Through 6 to 75 months follow-up to observed long-term efficacy, record the time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) time. Survival rate were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank analysis by SPSS 16.0. The single-factor analysis was used to analyze variables which variables that differed were analyzed by Cox regression. Results The disease control rate of test group was 69.9%(107/153) and control group was 74.3%(159/214), the difference was no statistically significant (P=0.125). The median time to progression (mTTP) and median overall survival (mOS) of test group were 10.0 and 15.0 months;and the mTTP and mOS of control group were 14.0 and 19.0 months, the difference were statistically significant (P=0.023 and P= 0.026). Tumor diameter ≥4.5 cm, numbers of tumor ≥3, invasion of blood vessels, α-fetoprotein≥200 μg/L, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score and diabetes were risk factors for OS of HCC patients. Conclusion Diabetes is unfavorable factors for overall survival of non-hepatitis HCC tread by TACE.

Objective　Investigate the sensitivity and accuracy of the denaturing high performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) technique for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP). Methods　 Forty-one samples were detected by both DHPLC and direct sequencing. Results　 The comparison demonstrated that DHPLC detected all heterozygous sequences found by direct sequencing. No false-positive signals were seen in the cases of homozygous sequences. Furthermore, no false-negative results were ever obtained with heterozygous mutations or polymorphisms, or both. Conclusion　 DHPLC is a potent method for SNP identification especially SNP typing in large scale screening.

For expression of foreign genes in plant, plant virus vector provides many advantages, such as high expression level, short expression period and wider plant hosts. In the present study, we report the expression of thymosin alpha 1 (Talpha1) in tomato fruits by potato virus X (PVX) vector. Talpha1 gene fragment from plasmid pGEM-T containing Talpha1 gene was cloned into plant virus vector pGR107 and the resulting pGR107-Talpha1 plasmid was confirmed by digestion with Sal I and Cla I. To express the Talpha1 protein, Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 transformed with pGR107-Talpha1 was directly injected into tomato fruits through the fruit stylar apex at different developmental stages. The ELISA results showed that Talpha1 protein was expressed successfully in fruits, and the highest expression level was obtained from 2.5-3 week-old tomato fruits inoculated by bacterium at 1.0 OD600 density.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; Fruit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; metabolism ; Potexvirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombination, Genetic ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To study the curative effect and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP)assisted by bone filling mesh container for the treatment of spinal metastases with vertebral posterior wall destruction.Methods A total of 31 patients with spinal metastasis (43 metastatic vertebrae in total) received PVP with the help of bone filling mesh container.The primary tumors were definitely confirmed in all patients.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain degree at one day before PVP,and at one and 3 days,one and 3 months after PVP as well as at the last follow-up visit.Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI)was adopted to assess patient's activity function status.The occurence of postoperative bone cement leakage was recorded.Results PVP was successfully accomplished for all 43 involved vertebrae,with a technical success rate of 100％.The mean preoperative VAS score was (8.2±0.4) points,which was decreased to (2.5±0.7) points in one day after PVP.The preoperative VAS scores were higher than all the postoperative VAS scores which were determined at one and 3 days,one and 3 months after PVP as well as at the last follow-up visit,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05 for all).All postoperative ODI values were significantly lower than corresponding preoperative ones (P＜0.05).After the treatment,the patient's activity function status was obviously improved.Postoperative imaging examination,including DSA and CT,indicated that no serious leakage of bone cement was observed in all patients.Conclusion With the help of bone filling mesh container,the performance of PVP for spinal metastases with vertebral posterior wall destruction is safe and reliable.Clinical satisfactory analgesic effect can be promptly achieved and the patient's activity function can be effectively improved.

Objective:To discuss the method for establishing the rat models of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by chronic water avoidance stress(WAS)method,and to evaluate its feasibility.Methods:Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10)and model group(n=20).The rats in model group were induced by WAS method for 1 h everyday,lasting for 10 consecutive days;the rats in control group underwent no interventions.After modeling,the general conditions and body weights of the rats in two groups were observed and recorded.The elevated plus maze(EPM)test was used to detect the percentages of the number of open arm entries(OE)and the time spent in open arms(OT)of the rats in two groups;the abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)test was used to assess the visceral sensitivity of the rats in two groups;electrocardiography was used to detect the heart rate variability(HRV)of the rats in two groups;electromyography(EMG)of the external oblique muscle was used to detect the colorectal pain sensitivity thresholds of the rats in two groups;multi-channel physiological signal recorder was used to monitor the slow wave frequency of the colon of the rats in two groups.Results:There were no death rats in both groups during the modeling period.After modeling,the rats in model group exhibited poor mental status,reduced spontaneous activity,hypoactivity,disordered and dull fur,irritability,and unclean anal areas;whereas,the rats in control group showed no significant changes in the mental state,spontaneous activity,fur,and perianal area.Compared with control group,the body weight of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The EPM test results showed that compared with control group,the OE percentage and OT percentage of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The AWR test results showed that 12 rats in model group scored≥3 points,indicating that the successful rate in creating the visceral pain models was 60%.Compared with control group,the low frequency(LF)signals and the ratio of LF/high frequency(HF)of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the HF was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The EMG results showed that compared with control group,the coloretal pain sensitivity threshold of the colon of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the slow wave frequency of the colon was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The WAS method for establishing the rat model of IBS effectively demonstrates the changes in behavior and mental state,increased the visceral sensitivity,accelerated colonic slow wave frequency,and autonomic nervous system imbalance;the WAS method can serve as an effective modeling approach for observing and evaluating the related drugs and interventions on treatment of IBS.

Objective:To monitor and evaluate in vivo dose changes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with cervical cancer in a real-time manner. Methods:Twelve patients with cervical cancer admitted to our hospital were enrolled in this study. The in vivo doses were monitored by PerFRACTION?. Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) were collected in each treatment fraction for two-dimensional in vivo dose verification[γ index and dose difference (DD) index]. Log files were recorded for three-dimensional in vivo dose verification (γ index). The correlation between in vivo dose and treatment duration was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:A total of 206 sets of EPID images and corresponding Log files were collected. The three-dimensional in vivo dose verification γ 1%/1mm of all patients was not correlated with treatment fraction ( P>0.05). Among them, the absolute difference of γ 1%/1mm of 94.66% fractions was< 1%. The mean DD 3% of two-dimensional in vivo dose verification of all patients was negatively correlated with treatment fraction ( P<0.05). Among which, the average γ 3%/3mm of 9 patients was>89% in the treatment fractions, and the average γ 3%/3mm of 98.57% fractions of these 9 patients was>93%. The other 3 patients had an average γ 3%/3mm ranged from 38% to 100%. CBCT images showed that the bladder volume of these 3 patients was significantly decreased with the relative changes by 82.08%, 84.41% and 73.59%, respectively, and the target area was retracted significantly with the relative changes by 38.12%, 59.79% and 24.46%, respectively. Conclusion:Combined with γ index and DD index, PerFRACTION? can monitor the mechanical stability of accelerator and MU delivery accuracy during treatment fractions, and monitor the changes of in vivo dose in patients with cervical cancer, which can improve the safety and quality assurance of IMRT for cervical cancer patients and provide guidance for patients with adaptive radiotherapy.