Objective To investigate the effects of total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in rats with insulin resistance. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group(positive drug control group)(n=10).Models of insulin resistance were established by high glucose and high fat diet in model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group.After treatment for 12 weeks,serum glucose,serum lipids,and parameters of insulin resistance,liver function and anti-oxidation capability were detected in each group,and histologic observations of liver tissues were conducted with adipose staining. Results The serum glucose,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),insulin action index(IAI),serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),liver malondialdehyde(MDA) and serum transaminase activity in total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group were significantly lower than those in model group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of the ureteral dilation catheter combined with the balloon catheter under the ureteroscope in the treatment of urethral stricture in men.

METHODSUnder the ureteroscope, 45 male patients with urethral stricture received placement of a zebra guide wire through the strictured urethra into the bladder and then a ureteral dilation catheter along the guide wire, followed by dilation of the urethra from F8 initially to F14 and F16. Again, the ureteroscope was used to determine the length of the strictured urethra, its distance to the external urethral orifice, and whether it was normally located. An F24 balloon catheter and then a metal urethral calibrator was used for the dilation of the strictured urethra. After removal of the F18-F22 urethral catheter at 8 weeks, the urinary flow rate was measured immediately and again at 3 months.

RESULTSAll the operations were successfully performed without serious complications. The maximum urinary flow rate was (13.3-29.9) ml/s (mean [17.7 ± 3.2] ml/s) at the removal of the catheter and (15.2-30.8) ml/s (mean [19.8 ± 3.9] ml/s) at 3 months after it. Smooth urination was found in all the patients during the 6-24 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThe application of the ureteral dilation catheter combined with, the balloon catheter under the ureteroscope is a good option for the treatment of male urethral stricture for its advantages of uncomplicatedness, safety, effectiveness, few complications, less pain, high success rate, and repeatable operation.

Catheterization ; Humans ; Male ; Ureteroscopes ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture ; therapy ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheters ; Urination

Aim To study the effect of genistein on apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Methods MTT as-say was used to observe the inhibitory rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Colony assay was used to determine the cell colony formation rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3,NF-κB, ERK, p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Results The results of MTT assay showed that genistein inhibited the viability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in a time- and concentration-de-pendent manner. Colony assay suggested that genistein had an antiproliferative effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB and p-ERK were significantly down-regulated compared with con-trol(P < 0.01). However, the expression of Bax, caspase-3 and p-JNK was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). Conclusions Genistein could inhibit the growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB, ERK/MAPK signaling path-ways and the activation of JNK/MAPK signaling path-way.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical value of gastric tube esophagoplasty for complicated corrosive stricture of the esophagus in children.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed to study 7 patients with complicated corrosive stricture of the esophagus who were treated with gastric tube esophagoplasty via retrosternal route between March 2010 and October 2011.

RESULTSThree patients had a stricture longer than 2.5 cm, and 4 patients had more than one stricture. All the operations went well. The average time for mechanical ventilation postoperatively was 6 hours. No patients showed insufficient ventilation after withdraw of ventilator. There was 1 patient developed anastomotic leak which was healed a week later. One patient had anastomotic leak with pyloric obstruction, and the leak was healed 3 weeks after intraoperative placement of duodenal feeding tube and pyloric obstruction became patent 4 weeks later. There were 2 patients developed anastomotic stricture and they resumed normal diet after balloon dilatation. The average follow-up duration was 10.5 months. The quality of life was improved and no other complications were found.

CONCLUSIONGastric tube esophagoplasty is a effective alternative for complicated corrosive stricture of the esophagus and the short-term outcomes are favorable.

Burns, Chemical ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; complications ; Esophageal Stenosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Esophagoplasty ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To study the apoptosis-inducing effect of rosmarinic acid derivative RAD-9 on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods MTT assay was taken to detect the survival of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells effected by RAD-9.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The apoptotic morphology of MGC-803 cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,Akt,p-Akt,p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot.Results The results of MTT assay showed that RAD-9 inhibited the viability of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that RAD-9 significantly promoted apoptotic cell percentage in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells (P ＜ 0.01).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the nucleus of MGC-803 cells could be observed with typical apoptotic morphological changes after RAD-9 administration.Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Akt,p-Akt were significantly down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01),while those of Bax,caspase-3,p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK were significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion RAD-9 can inhibit the growth and further induce apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells,which may involve inhibiting PI3K/Akt and activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is required for the generation of antibody diversity through initiating both somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination. A few research groups have successfully used the feature of AID for generating mutant libraries in directed evolution of target proteins in B cells in vitro. B cells, cultured in suspension, are not convenient for transfection and cloning. In this study, we established an AID-based mutant accumulation and sorting system in adherent human cells. Mouse AID gene was first transfected into the human non-small cell lung carcinoma H1299 cells, and a stable cell clone (H1299-AID) was selected. Afterwards, anti-hTNF-α scFv (ATscFv) was transfected into H1299-AID cells and ATscFv was displayed on the surface of H1299-AID cells. By 4-round amplification/flow cytometric sorting for cells with the highest affinities to hTNF-alpha, two ATscFv mutant gene clones were isolated. Compared with the wild type ATscFv, the two mutants were much more efficient in neutralizing cytotoxicity of hTNF-alpha. The results indicate that directed evolution by somatic hypermutation can be carried out in adherent non-B cells, which makes directed evolution in mammalian cells easier and more efficient.
Animals ; Antibody Affinity ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytidine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mutation ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin ; genetics ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

The aim of this study was to investigate how patterns of lymph nodes recurrence after radical surgery impact on survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. One hundred eighty consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent radical surgery, and the tumors were staged as pT1-3N0M0 by postoperative pathology. Lymph nodes recurrence was detected with computed tomography 3-120 months after the treatment. The patterns of lymph nodes recurrence including stations, fields and locations of recurrent lymph nodes, and impacts on patterns of survival were statistically analyzed. There was a decreasing trend of overall survival with increasing stations or fields of postoperative lymph nodes involved (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that stations or fields of lymph nodes recurrence, and abdominal or cervical lymph nodes involved were prognostic factors for survival (all P<0.05). Cox analyses revealed that the field was an independent factor (P<0.05, odds ratio=2.73). Lymph nodes involved occurred predominantly in cervix and upper mediastinum (P<0.05). In conclusion, patterns of lymph node recurrence especially the fields of lymph nodes involved are significant prognostic factors for survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality/pathology/*surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes/*pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Odds Ratio ; Postoperative Period ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To evaluate the antibody persistence following rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with 2-1-1 regimen and antibody response to two booster doses. Methods A total of 314 healthy volunteers at year 1, year 2, year 3 who had received a complete rabies PEP using 2-1-1 regimen were recruited. Two booster doses of rabies vaccine were inoculated, and blood samples were obtained before and 14 days after two booster doses. Human rabies virus IgG antibody was evaluated by ELISA, and the antibody levels and antibody positive rates were analyzed. Results The antibody GMC of 303 people at year 1, year 2, year 3 after a complete immunization was 1.33 IU/mL, 1.04 IU/mL and 0.72 IU/mL, with an antibody positive rate of 77.78%, 66.67% and 55.56%, respectively. Among 282 people who received 2 doses for booster immunization, the antibody GMC at day 14 of 1 year, 2 year and 3 year immunization group was 16.83 IU/mL, 19.37 IU/mL and 21.05 IU/mL respectively, which was higher than that before booster immunization (t=16.54, P<0.001; t=13.85, P<0.001; t=16.02, P<0.001). The antibody positive rate was 100.00%, 99.00% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions The immune persistence of rabies antibody after PEP with antirabies vaccine using the 2-1-1 regimen is good so as to the immune response after 2 doses of booster immunization in 3 years is effective.

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestation, pathological type, treatment and prognosis of primary lung tumors in children. Methods: We collected and retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestation, pathological type, therapeutic method and prognosis of 56 primary lung tumors patients who diagnosed from 2009 to 2019 in Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center. Results: There were 56 patients identified as the primary lung tumors, including pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB, n=28), pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT, n=20), mucoepidermoid carcinoma(n=6), infantile hemangioma (n=1), pulmonary sclerosing hermangioma(n=1). Respiratory symptoms were the most manifestation at the time of diagnosis including 26 patients with cough, 3 with hemoptysis, and 17 with dyspnea. Others included 15 with fever, 3 with chest pain, and 2 with epigastiric pain. The primary tumor of 18 cases were located in the lower lobe of left lung, 11 cases in the lower lobe of right lung, 10 cases in the upper lobe of left lung, 7 cases in the upper lobe of right lung, 6 cases in the middle lobe of right lung, and 4 cases in pulmonary hilum. Among the 56 patients, 41 patients underwent thoracotomy, 13 thoracoscopy, and 2 fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Five patients with type Ⅰ PPB were still alive at the end of follow-up without chemotherapy. Among 5 patients with type Ⅱ PPB, 2 patients without chemotherapy died after recurrence, 3 patients suffered postoperative chemotherapy were still alive at the end of follow-up. All of the 18 patients with type Ⅲ PPB underwent postoperative chemotherapy with IVADo regimen. Recurrence occurred in 6 cases, distant metastasis occurred in 3 cases, and cancer-related deaths occurred in 8 cases. For 20 patients with IMT, recurrence occurred in 5 of 13 patients experienced wedge resection, 1 of 6 patients experienced lobectomy and 1 of 6 underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy, respectively. For 6 mucoepidermoid carcinoma patients, lobectomy was carried on 5 patients, wedge resection on 1 patient, all of them were still alive at the end of follow-up. One hermangioma patient underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and other 1 sclerosing hermangioma patient underwent wedge resection, both of them were still alive at the end of follow-up. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of the primary lung tumors in children are nonspecific. Complete resection and achieving negative marginattribute to the excellent outcome. Adjunctive treatment such as chemotherapy is necessary for patients with type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ PPB.
Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/surgery* ; Pulmonary Blastoma/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods The patients with PTC treated by surgery in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to January 2021 were selected for analysis.All the patients underwent preoperative ultrasound and CT examinations,the diagnostic values of which for CLNM were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 322 PTC patients were enrolled in this study,including 242 with CLNM and 80 with non-CLNM.The CLNM group and non-CLNM group had significant differences in age,tumor size,and maximum size of lateral CLNM (χ²=20.34,27.34,and 4.30,respectively,all P<0.001).For the central compartment,lateral compartment,and overall compartment,ultrasound diagnosis showed higher sensitivity (χ ²=82.26,P<0.001;χ²=114.01,P<0.001;χ²=82.26,P<0.001) and accuracy (χ²=20.27,P<0.001;χ²=15.56,P<0.001;χ²=44.00,P<0.001) than CT,and had no significant differences from ultrasound combined with CT (all P>0.05).However,ultrasound diagnosis had lower specificity than CT (χ²=17.01,P<0.001;χ²=21.29,P<0.001) in the central compartment and lateral compartment.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that in the central compartment,lateral compartment,and overall compartment,ultrasound diagnosis had larger AUC than CT (Z=2.99,P=0.003;Z=3.86,P<0.001;Z=4.47,P<0.001) and had no significant difference from ultrasound combined with CT (Z=1.87,P=0.062;Z=1.68,P=0.093;Z=1.61,P=0.107). Conclusions Ultrasound and CT have their own advantages in the diagnosis of central and lateral CLNM.In general,ultrasound has better performance than CT in the diagnosis of CLNM.
Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography/methods*