Objective To evaluate the role of mTOR in spinal cord in the development of diabetic neuropathic pain in rats.Methods Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2 months,weighing 180-220 g,were used in the study.Forty-five rats among them were chosen randomly and diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose ＞ 16.7 mmol/L on day 3 after STZ injection.The left 15 rats received intraperitoneal injection of the equal volume of citric acid-sodium citrate buffer and served as normal control group (group C).Paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation was measured in the right hind paw before STZ injection and on 3,6,9,12,15,18,and 21 days after STZ injection.The diabetic rats with mechanical pain threshold decreasing by more than 50％ of the baseline were allocated to diabetic neuropathic pain group (group DP),and by less than 25 ％ of the baseline were allocated to diabetic non-neuropathic pain group (group NP).The rats were sacrificed at 21 days after STZ injection,and their lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of mTOR and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) by Western blot.Results The expression of mTOR was significantly up-regulated in DP and NP groups when compared with group C (P ＜ 0.05),the expression of p-mTOR was up-regulated in DP group,and no significant change was found in the expression of p-mTOR in group NP (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group NP,the expression of p-mTOR was significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the expression of mTOR in group DP (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Activation of mTOR in the spinal cord is involved in the development of diabetic neuropathic pain in rats.

Objective To evaluate the level changes of serum WASP-family verprolin homologous protein-1 (WAVE1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and their clinical significance in patients with advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after chemotherapy.Methods Serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C were measured in 43 patients with advanced NSCLC by ELISA,and the results were compared with 43 healthy volunteers.Results The levels of serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C before chemotherapy in patients group were (0.573±0.082) ng/ml and (947.3±125.4) pg/ml respectively,while in healthy volunteers group,they were (0.256±0.064) ng/ml and (425.5±110.1) pg/ml respectively,which suggested that before chemotherapy the levels of serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C in NSCLC group were significantly higher than those of in the control (P ＜ 0.05).The serum levels of WAVE1 and VEGF-C in advanced NSCLC patients were closely related to lymph node metastasis status and distant metastasis status (P ＜ 0.05),but not to the gender,age,tumor length,histology type,differentiation grade and C-TNM stage (P ＞ 0.05).The serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C levels of the effective treatment group was (0.290±0.037) ng/ml and (596.1±127.5) pg/ml after chemotherapy respectively,which decreased obviously compared with the group before chemotherapy which levels were (0.517±0.051) ng/ml and (964.6±100.3) pg/ml (both P ＜ 0.05).But the serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C levels of the ineffective treatment group were (0.547±0.065) ng/ml and (957.0±111.2) pg/ml after treatment,which had no difference compared with the group before chemotherapy which levels were (0.517±0.051) ng/ml and (964.6±100.3) pg/ml (both P ＞ 0.05).Furthermore,statistically significant relationship was found between the serum WAVE1 and the VEGF-C levels (r =0.331,r =0.540,both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Serum WAVE1 and VEGF-C may be used as indicators for prediction of the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term outcomes of carotid endarterectomy versus carotid artery stenting for carotid stenosis.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases were retrieved.The randomized controlled trials of comparing CEA with CAS in patients with carotid artery stenosis were enrolled.The data such as the research basic characteristics and the long-term outcomes including stroke or death combined endpoints, any stroke or any death were extracted.The Stata software was used to conduct statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 7 randomized controlled trials and 8 210 patients were included.The median follow-up time was 2-7.4 years.The overall quality of the included studies was high and the risk of bias was low.The meta-analysis showed that the risks of the combined endpoint of stroke or death (hazard risk [HR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.39), any stroke (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15-1.51) and ipsilateral stroke (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.55) in the CAS group were significantly higher than those in the CEA group;the risks of death (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.95-1.18), disabling stroke (HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.95-1.60), non-ipsilateral stroke (HR 1.12,95% CI 0.81-1.55) and restenosis (HR 1.18,95% CI 0.91-1.52) were not significantly different between between the CAS group and the CEA group.Conclusions CAS and CEA are associated with similar risks of long-term death, disabling stroke, non-ipsilateral stroke and restenosis.The risks of long-term combined endpoint of stroke or death, any stroke and ipsilateral stroke significantly higher with CAS.These results suggest that CEA remains the treatment of choice for carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic cystitis remains a common complication of hematopoietlc stem cell transplantation.Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) affects proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, adjusts functions of monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes and endothelial cells.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of GM-CSF bladder irrigation in hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem call transplantation.DESIGN: Case analysis.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15 hematopathy patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the Zhongshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2004 to August 2006 (routine treatment group). A total of 16 hematopathy patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from September 2006 to December 2008 (GM-CSF group).METHODS: In the routine treatment group, patients received mesna, hydration, alkalization and forced diuresis in the prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis. In the GM-CSF group, GM-CSF was infused into the bladder in addition to mesna,hydration, alkalization and forced diuresis in the prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis 24 hours before cyclophosphamide treatment. Catheter was extracted 3 days following cyclophosphamide withdraw. Following washing with saline, the bladder was emptied. 10 mL of saline and 5 mL of lidocaine were added into 300 μg of GM-CSF. The mixture was infused into the bladder for 60-120 minutes.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were measured: occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis and its correlation to graft versus host disease, as well as the occurrence of cytomegalovirus infection and urinary system infection.RESULTS: Compared with routine treatment group, the occurrence rate of hemorrhagic cystitis was significantly decreased in the GM-CSF group (x2=4.39, P < 0.05), mean duration of hemorrhagic cystitis and duration of hospitalization were significantly shortened (t=3.97, P < 0.05; t=3.13, P < 0.05), and the occurrence rate of over grade HI hemorrhagic cystitis was significantly reduced (x2=5.04, P < 0.05). Cystitis degree was associated with degree and duration of graft-versus-host disease (r = 0.76).Compared with the routine treatment group, cytomegalovirus infection rate was slightly decreased in the GM-CSF group (x2=0.28, P> 0.05), and occurrence rate of over grade Ⅲ hemorrhagic cystitis was higher in patients with cytomegalovirus infection.Compared with the routine treatment group, the occurrence rate of urinary system infection was slightly reduced in the GM-CSF group (x2=0.28, P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: GM-CSF bladder irrigation is well tolerated and often effective, and should be considered as a preparative regimen of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem call transplantation.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of different methods of dressing on the wound after local debridement of dia-betic foot. Methods A total of 53 patients which underwent local debridement of diabetic foot were divided into control group and treatment group. Patients in control group were dressed on traditional measurement,while patients in the treatment group were dressed on the external medicinal wine for the diabetic foot basic on the traditional treatment. The local transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure,ulcer healing rate,av-erage healing time and the amputation rate were observed. Results The healing rate and percutaneous oxygen partial pressure of the treat-ment group were significantly increased than those in the control group (P<0. 05). The average healing time and amputation rate of the treat-ment group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Dressing on external medicinal wine after local debridement of diabetic foot can improve the wound healing in the diabetic foot.

Objective To explore the relationship between immune functions of patients with acute leukemia (AL) and invasive fungat infection (IFI). Methods T lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer (NK) cells in 61 AL patients complicated with IFI at first visit, AL remission, the time of IFI onset and 4 weeks after antifungal treatment were measured by flow cytometry. Meanwhile,levels of IgG, IgM and IgA were detected by immunoturbidimetry. The statistical analysis was done using ANOVA, t test and chi-square test. Results CD3+ , CD3+ CD4+ , CD8+ CD28+ T lymphocyte as well as CD4+/CD8+ ratio at the time of IFI onset in AL patients were all lower than those at first visit, AL remission and 4 weeks after antifungal treatment (F= 25.6,26.6,13. 1,167.9; all P＜0.05), while CD8+ CD28- T lymphocyte were higher than those at first visit, AL remission and 4 weeks after antifungal treatment (F= 220.2,P＜0.01). CD3+ , CD3+ CD4+ and CD4 + /CD8+ ratio of patients who responded effectively to antifungal treatment were all higher than those of non-responders (t=3.75,8. 61,3.17; all P＜0.05). The serum levels of IgG, Igm and IgA at first visit, ALremission, the time of IFI onset and 4 weeks after treatment were similar (F=0.78,0.72,0.81; all P ＞0.05). The effect rate of antifungal therapy in AL remission group was higher than that in nonremission group (87% vs 53%,x2 = 7.62, P＜0.05). Conclusions The cellular immune functions are impaired severely in AL patients complicated with IFI, while the levels of IgG, IgM and IgA are similar during IFI. Therefore, the efficacy of antifungal therapy may partly depend on the recovery of cellular immune functions and remission of AL.

ObjectiveTo investigate its dynamic characteristics and pathological mechanism on magnatic resonance diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) after chemoembolization in rabbit liver VX-2 tumor model.MethodsForty New Zealand rabbits were included in the study and forty-seven rabbit VX-2 tumor models were raised by implanting directly and intrahepatically after abdominal cavity was opened.Forty VX-2 tumor models from them were divided into four groups.DWI was performed periodically and respectively for each group after chemoembolization.All VX-2 tumor samples of each group were studied by pathology.The distinction of VX-2 tumors on DWI was assessed by their apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.The statistical significance between different time groups,different area groups,or different b-value groups was calculated using SPSS 12.0 software.ResultsWhen b-value was 100 s/mm2,ADC values in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery,VX-2 tumor central,or normal liver parenchyma around tumor became gradually low in sixteen hours after chemoembolization,and were the lowest at sixteenth hour,and then they increased gradually from sixteenth hour to fourty-eighth hour after chemoembolization.The distinction of ADC between different time groups was significant,respectively ( F =7.325,P ＜ 0.01 ; F =2.496,P ＜ 0.05 ; F =6.856,P ＜0.01 ).Cellular edema in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery or normal liver parenchyma around tumor increased quickly in sixteen hours after chemoembolization; however,from sixteenth hour to forty-eighth hour,cellular edema in the area of normal liver parenchyma around tumor decreased gradually and that in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery decreased lightly at first and then increased continually.Cellular necrosis in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery after chemoembolization was more significant than that before chemoembolization.The areas of dead cells in VX-2 tumors manifested low signal and high ADC value while the areas of viable cells manifested high signal and low ADC value.ConclusionsDWI is able to detect and discriminate tumor necrotic areas from viable cellular areas before and after chemoembolization.ADC of normal liver parenchyma and VX-2 tumor are influenced by intracellular edema,tissue cellular death,and microcirculation disturbance after chemoembolization.

Objective To investigate dynamically characteristics of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the rabbit VX-2 tumor model.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were included in the study and forty-seven rabbit VX-2 tumor models were raised by implanting directly and intrahepatically after abdominal cavity was opened.DWI was carried out periodically and respectively on seventh,fourteenth,and twenty-first day after implantation.Part samples of VX-2 tumors were studied by pathology.The distinction of VX-2 tumors on DWI was assessed by their ADC values.The statistical significance between different time groups,different area groups,or different b-value groups was calculated using SPSS12.0 software,respectively.Results ADC values of 47 VX-2 tumors in the area of tumor periphery,tumor center,and normal parenchyma around tumor were greater when b-value was 100 s/mm2 than those when b-value was 300 s/mm2 and the distinction of VX-2 tumor ADC in the area of tumor periphery,tumor center,and normal parenchyma around tumor between different b-value groups was significant,respectively( F =17.964,P ＜0.01 ; F =13.986,P ＜0.01 ; F =128.681,P ＜0.01 ).The ADC values in the area of normal liver parenchyma around tumor were greater than those in the area of VX-2 tumor periphery and tumor center when the b-value was 100 or 300 s/mm2.When b-value was the same( 100 or 300 s/mm2),the distinction of VX-2 tumor ADC between different areas was significant( F =176.586,P ＜0.01 ; F =55.089,P ＜0.01 ).The ADC of VX-2 tumor in the area of tumor periphery and tumor center became gradually low from seventh to fourteenth or twenty-first day after implantation and the distinction of ADC between different time groups but the area same (?) was significant( b =100 s/mm2,F =48.211,P ＜0.01 ;b =300 s/mm2,F =20.955,P ＜0.01 ).There were not obvious cellular necrosis in VX-2 tumors on seventh and fourteenth day after implantation but ADC of VX-2 tumor decreased unobviously because of cellular edemata in or around tumors.There were obvious cellular necrotic areas in VX-2 tumors on the twenty-first day after implantation.ADC of viable tumor cells in VX-2 tumors were lower on DWI than that in the area of normal liver parenchyma around tumor and ADC of dead tumor cells in VX-2 tumors were unequal,including high values,equal values,and low values but they were higher than that in the area of normal liver parenchyma around tumor after dead tumor cells had been liquified or had become cystic.Conclusions ADC is able to reflect objectively the diffusion of water molecules in the tumor and to reflect indirectly the degree of the growth and liquified necrosis of a tumor.ADC has an important and potential value in monitoring dynamical tumor growth and in evaluating malignant degree and therapeutic effect.

This article reviews the concept and current situation, assessment tools, influencing factors, intervention measures, shortcomings, and prospects of sense of coherence in cancer patients, so as to provide reference and direction for subsequent research on sense of coherence in cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the effect ofdiammonium glycyrrhizinate on neurovascular units in rats after cerebral ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury.Methods Two hundred and forty health SD rats were randomly assigned into normal control group (n=30),sham-operated group (n=30),IR group (n=90) and diammonium glycyrrhizinate group (DG,n=90).The rats in the IR group and DG group were divided into 2,6 and 12 h subgroups after modeling,respectively (n=30).The rats in the IR group and DG group were induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models,and after the models were successfully established,9.11 mL DG sodium chloride injection was given to DG group,while equal saline to normal group,sham-operated group and IR group via the tail vein.The brain tissues of each group were harvested 2,6 and 12 h,resperctively,after modeling.The infraction rate was measured by TTC staining;immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expresions of Claudin-5 and vessel endothelium (VE)-Cadherin;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of Rac-1 and Claudin-5.Results The DG group had signficantly lower infarction rate than IR group 2,6 and 12 h after modeling (P＜0.05).The Claudin-5 expression rates in the 6 h and 12 h DG subgroups were signficantly higher than those in the 6 h and 12 h IR subgroups (P＜0.05).The VE-Cadherin expression rates in the DG group were significantly higher than that in IR group at 2,6 and 12 h after modeling (P＜0.05).Samely,the Claudin-5 relative quantity in DG group was significantly higher than that in IR group at 2,6 and 12 h after modeling (P＜0.05).The Rac-1 quantity in DG group was only statistically higher than IR group at 2 h after modeling (P＜0.05).Conclusion The DG can upregulate the Rac-1,VE-Cadherin and Claduin-5 expressions in neurovascutar units,and partly protect neurovascular units after cere bral acute IR injury.