Objective To detect the expression of metallothionein-3 (MT-3)mRNA in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Five cell lines of human esophageal cancer,TE-1,TE-13,TTN,ECA-109 (cell lines of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma) and OE33 (cell lines of esophageal adenocarcinoma),were used in this study. RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of MT-3 mRNA. Peripheral blood monouclear cells from normal subjects were served as controls. Results Sequencing of RT-PCR product certified the gene of MT-3 mRNA. It was revealed by gel electrophoresis that there was expression of MT-3 mRNA in each cell line. The relative expression of MT-3 mRNA was 0.230?0.023,0.516?0.020,0.140?0.009,0.176?0.015 and 0.085?0.011 in cell lines of TE-1,TE-13,TTN,ECA-109 and OE33,respectively,significantly lower than that in controls (0.762?0.026) (P

Objective:To describe the implementation status of the combination of medical-nursing and health care service and to analyze institutional dilemma,so as to put forward the corresponding policy recommendations.Methods:Based on the field investigation of 21 cities and the questionnaire survey of nursing homes,the implementation of support policy and the provision of the combination of medical-nursing and health care service were analyzed.Results:Relevant policy documents were issued,and the combination of medical care and nursing services were provided in the nursing home.However,the policy execution documents were more superficial and less practical.At the same time,although non-governmental forces was the main provider of the combination of medical care and nursing service.The medical care and nursing service were still in separation state.Conclusion:The mechanism and the reason of "difficult medical care and nursing services" were the existence of administrative isolated island between departments and the lack of incentive mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quantitative relationship between white matter tract (WMT) variation resulting from cerebral tumors and shifting of the fractional anisotropy (FA) index in magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

METHODSFour female and 8 male patients aged from 21 to 62 years with brain malignancies (2 malignant lymphomas, 2 low-grade astrocytomas, and 8 high-grade cerebral gliomas) underwent conventional contrast-enhanced MR and DTI examinations before operation. Routine T(2)-weighted image, fractional anisotropic (FA) map, color-coded directional map, three-dimensional white matter tractography (WMT), and the FA index of bilateral internal capsule were obtained in every patient.

RESULTSFiber tractography derived from DTI was consistent with known white matter fiber anatomy. The DTI patterns in WMT altered by the tumor were categorized on the basis of FA1/FA2 ratio as follows: pattern 1, FA1/FA2> or =75% with normal or only slightly decreased FA; pattern 2, 50%< or =FA1/FA2<75% with WMT displacement; pattern 3, 25%< or =FA1/FA2/50% with WMT involvement; pattern 4, FA1/FA2<25% with WMT destruction.

CONCLUSIONSDTI allows for visualization of WMT and benefits surgical planning for patients with intrinsic brain tumor. There is a positive relationship between the bilateral FA ratio (FA1/FA2) variation and WMT alterations resulting from the tumor.

Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; diagnosis ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Fibers ; diagnostic imaging ; Neural Pathways ; radiation effects ; Preoperative Care ; Radiography ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODSSeventy-one patients with gastric cancer received laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Among them radical total gastrectomy was performed in 8 cases, proximal partial gastrectomy in 16 cases, proximal partial gastrectomy combined with splenectomy in 3 cases, and distal partial gastrectomy in 44 cases.

RESULTSSixty-nine cases had laparoscopic-assisted surgery performed successfully, but 2 cases were converted to open surgery. The mean operation time was (343 +/- 52) min for total gastrectomy, (268 +/- 62) min for proximal gastrectomy, (312 +/- 64) min for proximal gastrectomy combined with splenectomy, and (283 +/- 44) min for distal gastrectomy respectively. The mean volume of blood loss was (267 +/- 220) ml in total gastrectomy, (150 +/- 103) ml in proximal gastrectomy, (333 +/- 116) ml in proximal gastrectomy combined with splenectomy, (139+/- 84) ml in distal gastrectomy respectively. The mean numbers of harvested lymph nodes were (34.3 +/- 11.8). The mean time was (4.1 +/- 1.1) d for gastrointestinal function recovery, (3.5 +/- 1.0) d for patient's taking general activity, (5.0 +/- 1.2) d for taking liquid food. The short-term efficiency was obvious.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy is a feasible, safe and minimally invasive treatment and can achieve the same outcomes as the open operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to further investigate the function of platelet collagen receptor-glycoprotein VI and to screen its specific inhibitor. The extracellular domain of platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) in E. coli was expressed by recombinant technology, the extracellular domain cDNA of GPVI was amplified from pBluescript KS(-)-GPVI plasmid by PCR. Proved by sequencing, the expression vector pET-20b(+)-GPVI was constructed, which was then transformed into E. coli (BL21(DE3)pLysS) and induced by IPTG. The recombinant GPVI was purified on Ni-NTA resin column and renatured in PBS containing GSH and GSSG. The anti-penta His McAb and anti-GPVI polyclonal antibody were used to identify the recombinant GPVI in Western blotting. Collagen binding test was conducted to investigate the biological activity of recombinant GPVI. The results showed that the recombinant GPVI was expressed in E. coli and successfully purified, which was confirmed to be similar to the native GPVI in Western blotting. The recombinant GPVI can bind the type I collagen in dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the recombinant GPVI can be achieved in E. coli and restore its native characteristics after renaturation.
Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Humans ; Integrin alpha2beta1 ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Collagen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification

Bone marrow cells in cultures were divided into four groups and cultured with various cytokines in vitro. These four groups are: control, IL-2 group, CD3-AK group, and CIK group. The morphological (cell volume, nucleus/plasm) changes of bone marrow cells in culture were observed. Immunophenotype analysis (CD34, CD38, CD3, CD56) were done before and after culture in all groups. Cytotoxicity against fresh acute leukemia cells were detected by modified MTT methods. The cell volume became larger with increased nucleus/plasm ratio in IL-2 group, CD3-AK group and CIK group. The plasm filled with PAS positive granules in most of cells in CD3-AK group and CIK group. The positive ratio of CD3, CD56, CD38 in CD3-AK or CIK group increased markedly after culture (P < 0.05), but no significant difference between the two groups. The CD56(+) cell increased in IL-2 group. CD34(+) cells decreased in all groups and there were no significant differences among those four groups. The cytotoxicity to fresh leukemia cells: CD3-AK group and CIK group > IL-2 group > control group. There was no significant difference between CD3-AK group and CIK group. This experiment showed different effect on bone marrow cells by different cytokine combination. The cytokine combination of CD3-AK group or CIK group can make immunocytes of bone marrow proliferating and retained certain amount of stem/progenitor cells.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of white matter fiber tractography based on magnetic resonance diffusion-tensor imaging (MR-DTI), a new noninvasive technique that helps estimate the structural connectivity of the brain, in understanding the anatomy of the white matter fiber tract.

METHODSSix consecutive volunteers received MR-DTI examination using a GE 1.5T Sign CV/I whole-body MR system and version 2.0 Functool software for image processing. The protocol included T1WI for localization and single-shot echo-planner diffusion tensor imaging of the entire brain in axial, sagittal, and /or coronal sections.

RESULTSWhite matter fiber tracts imaged by MR-DTI were consistent with known white matter fiber anatomy. The major fiber tracts were well observed in all the cases. The tracts visualized included the corpus callosum, anterior commissure, uncinate fasciculus superior and inferior longitudinal fascicules, inferior occipito-frontal fasciculus, internal capsule and corona radiate.

CONCLUSIONA set of detailed white matter fiber anatomy maps of the normal brain is obtained by means of single-shot echo-planner diffusion tensor imaging at high resolution. This technique allows rapid visualization of the white matter tracts in vivo, and provides a new reliable means for studying fiber connectivity in the brain.

Adult ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of intracoronary administration of combined high-dose adenosine and tirofiban versus intracoronary tirofiban during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODSConsecutive 258 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent primary PCI, treated with thrombus aspiration and then intracoronary tirofiban, were randomly divided into adenosine group (n = 130) and control group (n = 128). Adenosine group received 2 times intracoronary adenosine (2 mg) after thrombus aspiration and after stenting of the infarct-related artery through the aspiration catheter. Control group received placebo. The primary end point was myocardial blush grade (MBG) after PCI. Secondary end points were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) after PCI, ST-segment elevation resolution (STR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days and 12 months.

RESULTSTIMI flow grade post PCI did not differ between the 2 groups, while CTFC favored the adenosine-treated patients [(21.6 ± 6.5) frames] compared with the placebo-treated patients [(25.1 ± 7.8) frames, P = 0.001]. MBG 3 was more frequently observed in the adenosine compared to the control group [45.1% (55/122) vs.32.0% (39/122), P = 0.035]. Patients in the adenosine group had a trend of higher rate of compete STR after the procedure compared patients in the control group [53.6% (67/125) vs. 41.9% (52/124), P = 0.065]. The incidence of MACE was comparable between patients randomized to adenosine and placebo at 30 days [12.3% (16/130) vs. 17.2% (22/128), P = 0.295] and at 12 months [12.3% (16/130) vs. 18.0% (23/128), P = 0.227].

CONCLUSIONIntracoronary administration of high-dose adenosine combined with tirofiban provides further improvement on myocardial perfusion after primary PCI but does not affect the clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI.

Adenosine ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new Chinese medicine (CM)-based drug and to evaluate its safety and effect for suppressing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A putative ARDS-suppressing drug Keguan-1 was first developed and then evaluated by a randomized, controlled two-arm trial. The two arms of the trial consist of a control therapy (alpha interferon inhalation, 50 µg twice daily; and lopinavir/ritonavir, 400 and 100 mg twice daily, respectively) and a testing therapy (control therapy plus Keguan-1 19.4 g twice daily) by random number table at 1:1 ratio with 24 cases each group. After 2-week treatment, adverse events, time to fever resolution, ARDS development, and lung injury on newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients were assessed. RESULTS: An analysis of the data from the first 30 participants showed that the control arm and the testing arm did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of adverse events. Based on this result, the study was expanded to include a total of 48 participants (24 cases each arm). The results show that compared with the control arm, the testing arm exhibited a significant improvement in time to fever resolution (P=0.035), and a significant reduction in the development of ARDS (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS Keguan-1-based integrative therapy was safe and superior to the standard therapy in suppressing the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients. (Trial registration No. NCT04251871 at www.clinicaltrials.gov ).
Administration, Inhalation ; Adult ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; Lopinavir ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Risk Assessment ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Severity of Illness Index ; Survival Rate

The mammalian epididymis not only plays a fundamental role in the maturation of spermatozoa, but also provides protection against various stressors. The foremost among these is the threat posed by oxidative stress, which arises from an imbalance in reactive oxygen species and can elicit damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In mice, the risk of oxidative damage to spermatozoa is mitigated through the expression and secretion of glutathione peroxidase 5 (GPX5) as a major luminal scavenger in the proximal caput epididymidal segment. Accordingly, the loss of GPX5-mediated protection leads to impaired DNA integrity in the spermatozoa of aged Gpx5