AIM: To investigate the effect of sitagliptin on the autopaghy and the expression of extracellular matrix in mesangial cells induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs).METHODS: The cells were divided into 5 groups: control group, AGE group, and sitagliptin (5, 10 and 20 μmol/L) groups.After 48 h, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the content of collagen (Col) Ⅳ in the supernatant of the cell culture was detected by ELISA.The protein levels of beclin-1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, p70S6K and p-p70S6K were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the viability and the expression of Col IV induced by AGEs in the cultured mesangial cells were significantly increased (P<0.01).Sitagliptin decreased the viability and the expression of Col IV induced by AGEs in the mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner.AGEs significantly inhibited the protein levels of beclin-1 and p-AMPK, but significantly increased the protein level of p-p70S6K.Compared with AGE group, sitagliptin significantly reversed the above results in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: Autophagy may mediate the protective effect of sitagliptin on mesangial cells induced by AGEs.

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of oblique supine position and lithotomy position in suctioning flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Methods 82 patients with upper urinary calculi were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 47 patients who were treated by suctioning flexible ureteroscopy in oblique supine position. Group 2 included 35 patients who were treated in lithotomy position. There was no significant statistical difference in age, gender and complications between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05). The operative time, stone-free rates at postoperative 30 d, renal pelvic pressure (RPP), postoperative complications (graded by the Clavien system) and length of stay were compared. Results Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) was successful in 73 cases, and 9 cases of patients were done successfully after indwelling DJ tube 2 weeks. Compared with lithotomy position, a significantly greater stone-free rate of 30 d, shorter operative time (P < 0.05). There was no difference in complication rate of Clavien grade I and Clavien grade II, RPP and length of stay (P > 0.05). Conclusions Suctioning flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the oblique supine position is safe, and more effective than supine lithotomy position.

Objective To identify microbubbles targeted (MBt) to alpha(v)beta(3) (αvβ3) via biotin-avidin bridge and evaluate the adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.Methods MBt produced via biotin-avidin bridge were validated using fluorescence in vitro.Adhesion of αvβ3-integrin targeted MBt (MBαvβ3) to HUVECs was tested using the parallel plate flow chamber (PPFC) test.Results Bright green fluorescence was observed on the biotinylated microbubbles(MBB) incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled streptavidin (FITC-SA) and on MBB-SA incubated with FITC labeled biotin.There was no fluorescence seen on non-targeted control microbubbles,MBB incubated with FITC labeled protein A and MBB-SA incubated with FITC labeled protein A. The adherent rate of MBαvβ3 was significantly higher than MBt with non-specific antibody (MBN) in PPFC test,with 9.9±3.1 of MBαvβ3 and 0.8±0.3 of MBN adhered to HUVECs,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusions Avβ3 targeted microbubbles using biotin-avidin bridging method is highly efficient and reliable for HUVECs.

Objective To study the efficacy of percutaneous ablative therapy for malignant liver lesions under real-time virtual guidance. Methods Percutaneous ablations were applied to 76 patients with 125 malignant liver lesions under the guidance of a real time virtual system (RVS). 64. 8% (81/ 125) lesions were undetectable on conventional ultrasound (US). The time spent on image fusion and the local treatment response were studied. Results The average time taken to synchronize the ultrasound and CT images was (19. 2±12. 8) min (range 5～55 min). Complete ablations were achieved in 86. 4% (38/44) of distinctly visualized lesions and in 91. 6% (74/81) of poorly visualized lesions on US. No treatment associated complications were found. Conclusion Ablation assisted by RVS and CT was safe and efficacious, especially for lesions undetectable by conventional ultrasound.

Objective To conclude the characterization of renal cellular carcinoma(RCC)with contrast enhanced ultrasound.Methods Seventy patients(seventy-two nodules)with RCC,which were confirmed by operation and biopsy underwent conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Microbubble agents SonoVue and contrast pulse sequence(CPS)were used.The conventional uItrasonographic characterization and the enhancement patterns of lesions were analyzed.Results On baseline sonography,the numbers of lesions that showed hypoechogenicity,isoechogenicity,and hyperechogenicity were 44.4%(32/72),25.0%(18/72)and 30.6%(22/72),respectively.Only 28 lesions(38.9%)showed flow signals on color Doppler sonography,the mean maximum velocity of which WSS(43.7±16.8)cm/s(range,24.8-95 cm/s),and the mean resistance index was 0.635±0.11(range.0.52-0.83).Sixty-three(87.5%)lesions were hyper-vascular in cortical phase.Among them forty-eight(76.2%)lesions were hypo-enhanced,and fifteen(23.8%)lesions were still hyper-vascular in late phase.The remaining nine hypervascular nodules in cortical phase were still hyper-enhancing in late phase.Fifty-four(75.0%)lesions were inhomogeneous enhancement.and pseudocapsule was observed in sixty-three(87.5%)RCC lesions.Conclusions The enhancement patterns of RCC are characteristic,and CEUS may be helpful in differential diagnosis of focal renal lesions.

Objective To prepare targeted micorbubble with low immunogenicity. Methods The microbubbles were produced with different phospholipids and identified by the fluorescent method. Detect the level of C3a after reaction with human serum in vitro with enzyme-linked immunosorboent assay (ELISA) method and the number of microbubble binding with the streptavidin packed on the dish by using the parallel plate flow chamber. Results The level of C3a was (1.037±0.047)ng/ml in MBb group,(1. 326 ± 0. 042)ng/ml in MBe group and ( 1.004 ± 0.031 ) ng/ml in MBc group. The level of C3a in MBb group was significantly lower than that in MBe group( P ＜0.05),and there was no significantly difference between MBb group and MBc group ( P ＞ 0. 05). The parallel plate flow experiments showed that the number of MBb(15.2 ± 11.3) in each field of view binding with the streptavidin packed on the dish was significantly fewer than that of MBe ( 103.2 ± 28.3) ( P＜0.05 ), and there was no significantly difference between MBb and MBc(17.8 ± 11.9) ( P ＞0.05). Conclusions The targeted microbubble with low immunogenicity has been prepared successfully,which can be used for further experiment in vivo.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with ethanol injection with a multipronged needle under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 3 cm in diameter.Methods 65 patients with 67HCC nodules ranging from 3.1 to 7.0 cm in diameter were treated percutaneously under ultrasound guidance.Tumor response and complications after treatment were observed.Results Complete ablation was achieved in 94.0％ (63/67) of HCC nodules.4 residual tumor nodules received complete ablation after additional treatment.Ablation-related major complications was occurred in 3 patients,including liver abscess in 1 case,abdominal bleeding in 1 case and massive ascites in 1 case,all were cured by conservative therapy.After a mean follow-up period of (20.0 ± 7.6) months (6.7-32.6 months),local-tumor progression was observed in 10 (14.9％) of 67 HCC nodules,and distant recurrence was observed in 32 (49.2％) of 65patients.The 1-year and 2-year survival rate were 93.1 ％ and 88.1％,respectively.Conclusions RFA combined with ethanol injetion with a multipronged needle is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 3 cm,especially 3-5 cm in diameter.

Objective To investigate the usefulness of parametric imaging of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in imaging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using dynamic vascular patterns (DVP). Methods Thirty clinically or pathologically proven HCCs that had undergone CEUS were randomly included. SonoLiver CAP sofeware was used to analyze the CEUS images and reconstruct DVP parametric images. Results The rise time, time to peak and mean transit time were (16. 72±11. 07) s, (29. 92±14. 13) s,(115. 03±90. 91)s in HCC versus (26. 59±9. 60) s, (41.67±12. 59) s, (159.26±123. 74) s in the surrounding liver parenchyma (all P <0. 05). The perfusion index was (90. 41±102. 49) % in HCC versus (54. 10±24. 99)% in surrounding liver parenchyma( P = 0.044). DVP curve and DVP parametric image could both be divided into three types:washout,non-washout and cystic type. The percentages of which were 76.7% (23/30), 20.0% (6/30) and 3.3% (1/30) in DVP curves, respectively, and 66.7% (20/30), 30.0% (9/30) and 3.3% (1/30) in DVP parametric images,respectively. Conclusions Parametric image of CEUS could demonstrates the difference of flow perfusion static between HCC and surrounding liver parenchyma dynamically and directly.

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer.

METHODSPatients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer encountered in Nanfang Hospital between December 2012 to January 2014 were included in this study. Ambulatory 24 hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) was applied to obtain LPR and GER events, as well as the reflux properties of substances. Tobacco and alcohol history was also evaluated. Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited as normal controls.

RESULTSThere were 26.3% (5/19) LPR patients in glottic cancer group, 35.3% (6/17) LPR patients in vocal cord leukoplakia group and 12.5% (2/16) LPR volunteers in normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of LPR between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls as well as between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). There was statistically significance in numbers of acid reflux events, time of acid exposure, and time of acid clearance between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls as well as between glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P < 0.05). GER was found in 26.3% (5/19) patients in glottic cancer group and 23.5% (4/17) patients in vocal cord leukoplakia group and 6.3% (1/16) volunteer in normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of GER between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls as well as between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). However, there was statistically significance in DeMeester scores between glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P < 0.05), while no statistically significance between vocal cord leukoplakia patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). Reflux events were dominated by acid and weakly acidic reflux in upright position. Weakly alkaline reflux events in upright position, acid reflux events in supine position, and weakly alkaline reflux events in supine position in vocal cord leukoplakia patients were significantly more than those in normal controls (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference existed in positions and contents between early glottic cancer patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant correlation between happening LPR and GER, smoking and drinking in patients with vocal cord leukoplakia and early glottic cancer (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSReflux events are more in vocal cord leukoplakia patients and early glottic cancer patients, however, the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and canceration of the vocal cord is still needed to be investigated. The significance of mucosal injury induced by nonacid refluxes is needed to be further studies.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; complications ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; complications ; Leukoplakia ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vocal Cords ; pathology

Objective To compare the value of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 patients who received biopsy for cervical lymph node enlargement from January 2015 to May 2017.FNA (n =39) or CNB (n =49) were performed respectively to compare the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the two methods in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph node enlargement.Results 84.6％ (33/39) of FNA cases were successfully collected,and 98％ (48/49) of FNA cases were successfully collected for definite pathological diagnosis (P =0.000).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of FNA and CNB in diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes were 90.9％ and 97.2％,94.1％ and 100％,92.3％ and 98％,respectively.Compared with FNA,there were statistically significant differences in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant lymphatic lesions in cervical enlargement (P ＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity of FNA and CNB in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma were 100％ and 100％,95.2％ and 100％.Compared with FNA,there was no statistically significant difference in the sensitivity to the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma (P =0.102).Conclusions CNB is superior to FNA in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy.However,when metastatic cancer was diagnosed,FNA was not significantly different from CNB in sensitivity (P =0.102),and FNA was recommended as the first choice.