Objective To investigate the mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate(BITC)combined with sorafenib(Sor)in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC).Methods Two ATC cell lines,8505C and CAL-62,were treated with Sor at concentrations of 0,20,30,40,and 50 μmol/L.The cell survival rate was assessed using CCK-8 assay.The combined dose of BITC and Sor was determined by calculating combination index(CI).CAL-62 and 8505C cells were exposed to 10 μmol/L BITC(BITC group),10 μmol/L Sor(Sor group),or a combination of 10 μmol/L BITC and 10 μmol/L Sor(BITC+Sor group)for 24 hours.The control group was not treated.The effects of Sor and BITC on ATC cell viability were evaluated using the CCK-8 method.Apoptosis was analyzed via flow cytometry.Western blot assay was employed to detect the protein expression levels of LC3B Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and nuclear factor(NF)-κB.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of LC3B.Additionally,CAL-62 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice to establish tumor xenograft model.Mice were treated with BITC(100 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection),Sor(30 mg/kg,intragastric administration)or a combination of BITC and Sor every other day for 21 days.Finally,the expression levels of LC3B Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and NF-κB in tumor tissue were analyzed by Western blot assay.Results Sor significantly inhibited the viability of CAL-62 and 8505C cells in a concentration-dependent manner.The combination index(CI)was 0.710 at BITC 10 μmol/L and Sor 10 μmol/L,indicating a moderate synergistic effect between the two drugs.In both 8505C and CAL-62 cells,compared with the control group,treatment with BITC or Sor resulted in the decreased cell viability,as well as reduced expression levels of Beclin-1 and NF-κB proteins(P＜0.05),and the apoptosis rate,LC3B mRNA and LC3B Ⅱ protein expression levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).When BITC and Sor were combined,the cell viability,Beclin-1 and NF-κB protein expressions were further reduced compared to either drug alone,while the apoptosis rate,LC3B mRNA and LC3B Ⅱ protein expression levels were significantly elevated(P＜0.05).In the mouse xenograft tumor model,the BITC+Sor group exhibited increased LC3B Ⅱ expression,along with decreased Beclin-1 and NF-κB expression levels,tumor volume and tumor mass compared to the BITC or Sor groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of BITC and Sor can inhibit ATC cells through NF-κB pathway,induce autophagy and promote apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate(BITC)combined with sorafenib(Sor)in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC).Methods Two ATC cell lines,8505C and CAL-62,were treated with Sor at concentrations of 0,20,30,40,and 50 μmol/L.The cell survival rate was assessed using CCK-8 assay.The combined dose of BITC and Sor was determined by calculating combination index(CI).CAL-62 and 8505C cells were exposed to 10 μmol/L BITC(BITC group),10 μmol/L Sor(Sor group),or a combination of 10 μmol/L BITC and 10 μmol/L Sor(BITC+Sor group)for 24 hours.The control group was not treated.The effects of Sor and BITC on ATC cell viability were evaluated using the CCK-8 method.Apoptosis was analyzed via flow cytometry.Western blot assay was employed to detect the protein expression levels of LC3B Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and nuclear factor(NF)-κB.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of LC3B.Additionally,CAL-62 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice to establish tumor xenograft model.Mice were treated with BITC(100 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection),Sor(30 mg/kg,intragastric administration)or a combination of BITC and Sor every other day for 21 days.Finally,the expression levels of LC3B Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and NF-κB in tumor tissue were analyzed by Western blot assay.Results Sor significantly inhibited the viability of CAL-62 and 8505C cells in a concentration-dependent manner.The combination index(CI)was 0.710 at BITC 10 μmol/L and Sor 10 μmol/L,indicating a moderate synergistic effect between the two drugs.In both 8505C and CAL-62 cells,compared with the control group,treatment with BITC or Sor resulted in the decreased cell viability,as well as reduced expression levels of Beclin-1 and NF-κB proteins(P＜0.05),and the apoptosis rate,LC3B mRNA and LC3B Ⅱ protein expression levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).When BITC and Sor were combined,the cell viability,Beclin-1 and NF-κB protein expressions were further reduced compared to either drug alone,while the apoptosis rate,LC3B mRNA and LC3B Ⅱ protein expression levels were significantly elevated(P＜0.05).In the mouse xenograft tumor model,the BITC+Sor group exhibited increased LC3B Ⅱ expression,along with decreased Beclin-1 and NF-κB expression levels,tumor volume and tumor mass compared to the BITC or Sor groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of BITC and Sor can inhibit ATC cells through NF-κB pathway,induce autophagy and promote apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Objective To observe the value of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)for assisting endovascular therapy for renal artery stenosis(RAS).Methods Thirty patients with RAS who underwent endovascular therapy were retrospectively analyzed.Parameters of renal artery and plaques in RAS segment measured with CT angiography(CTA)and IVUS before treatment were compared.Bland-Altman diagram was performed to evaluate the consistency of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index between CTA and IVUS.The stent parameters measured with IVUS were recorded immediately after implantation of balloon-expandable covered stents.Results Before treatment,the minimum lumen diameter,lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and stenotic segment length of IVUS were all larger,while maximum lumen diameter and lumen eccentricity index of IVUS were both smaller than those of CTA(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of plaque eccentricity index,plaque type nor stenosis distal remodeling was found between CTA and IVUS(all P＞0.05).The average difference between IVUS and CTA for evaluating lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index was-0.020(-0.096,0.050)and-0.020(-0.130,0.091),respectively.The consistency of IVUS and CTA for evaluating plaque eccentricity index was better than that of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate.The stent symmetry,stent eccentricity index,stent expansion coefficient and stenosis coverage rate immediately after implantation measured with IVUS was(82.69±14.61)%,(1.54±9.16)%,(99.81±10.70)%and 100%,respectively.Among 30 cases,2 cases(2/30,6.67%)underwent postdilation since poor stent apposition.Conclusion IVUS could assist evaluating lumen and plaque parameters of stenotic renal arteries,guiding stent release and real-timely monitoring the effect of endovascular therapy.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate(BITC) in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC).Methods:Using network pharmacological analysis, key targets of BITC and ATC were screened, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. In order to validate the findings, AutoDock software was used to dock BITC and ATC key targets. BITC was applied to two ATC cell lines(8505C and CAL-62). Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis. Autophagy inhibitors hydroxychloroquine sulfate(HCQ) and 3-methyladenine(3MA) were used in combination with BITC. Real-time quantitative PCR was conducted to detect the gene level of LC3B, while Western blotting was utilized to examine the expression of NF-κB, LC3B Ⅱ, Beclin-1, and Bcl-2. In animal experiments, a mouse tumor model was constructed using CAL-62 cells, treated with intraperitoneal injections of BITC(100 mg/kg) and normal saline respectively, administered every other day for a total of 21 days. Immunoblotting of tumor tissue was performed to detect the expression of LC3B Ⅱ, Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and NF-κB.Results:A total of 10 key targets with binding energies≤-4.0 kcal/mol were identified. KEGG analysis showed that these genes are mainly involved in NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis. BITC inhibited ATC cells with IC50 values of 27.56 μmol/L for 8505C and 28.30 μmol/L for CAL-62. The expression levels of NF-κB, Beclin-1, and Bcl-2 decreased, while LC3B Ⅱ and LC3B gene expression increased. Combining 3MA with BITC enhanced cell inhibition LC3B Ⅱ expression. HCQ increased LC3B Ⅱ expression without enhancing cell and viability inhibition. In the mouse tumor model, compared to the control group, the treatment group had higher LC3B Ⅱ and lower Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and NF-κB levels.Conclusion:BITC could inhibit the growth of ATC cells in vitro and in vivo, disrupt the autophagy degradation, and inhibit the NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of bronchial arteriography CT (BA-ACT) combined with bronchoscopy (BS) in bronchial Dieulafoy′s disease (BDD), and the role of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of BDD.Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 5 patients suspected of being BDD treated by BS in Guangzhou First People′s Hospital or Guangzhou Thoracic Hospital from January 2008 to January 2018 due to hemoptysis. Bronchial arteriography (BAG) and BA-ACT were performed during the operation of interventional embolization. BAG rotary acquisition data were post-processed according to BS findings, and BA-ACT reconstruction images of the diseased bronchi and bronchial arteries were obtained. BS reexamination and clinical follow-up observation were carried out after embolization to analyze the effect of embolization.Results:There were one BDD lesion for the five patients respectively, and the BAG lacked characteristic manifestations. Bronchoscopy revealed BDD foci to present as papillary (case 1-case 3), nodular (case 4), or lirellate (case 5) subbronchial submucosal protrusion lesions. On the BA-ACT reconstruction plot, the BDD lesions of papillary, nodular and carination manifested correspondingly as a bronchial artery branches locally " pointed arch" shaped (cases 1-case 4) or " bead-like" (case 5) fold and protruding toward the bronchial lumen. The BDD lesions of the cases 1-case 4 retraction and disappearance after one BAE were observed by BS examination, and no hemoptysis recurrence during the follow-up period (54-91 months). The ridge like BDD lesion of the case 5 remained unchanged after BAE, and hemoptysis recurred at 71 months after the first BAE; the uncollapsed foci were supplied by two collateral vessels that confirmed by second BAG and BA-ACT, and no hemoptysis for 71 months followed up after second BAE.Conclusions:BA-ACT combined with BS enables a locative and qualitative diagnosis of BDD, and BAE is a very effective treatment method for BDD.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the practical and health economical values of non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) in Changsha Municipal Public Welfare Program. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 149 165 women undergoing NIPT test from April 9, 2018 to December 31, 2019. For pregnant women with high risks, invasive prenatal diagnosis and follow-up of pregnancy outcome were conducted. The cost-benefit of NIPT for Down syndrome was analyzed. RESULTS: NIPT was carried out for 149 165 pregnant women and succeeded in 148 749 cases (99.72%), for which outcome were available in 148 538 (99.86%). 90% of pregnant women from the region accepted the screening with NIPT. 415 (0.27%) were diagnosed as high risk. Among these, 381 (91.81%) accepted amniocentesis, which led to the diagnosis of 212 cases of trisomy 21 (PPV=85.14%), 41 cases with trisomy 18 (PPV=48.81%) and 10 cases with trisomy 13 (PPV=20.83%). The sensitivity and specificity of NIPT for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 were (97.70%, 99.98%), (97.62%, 9.97%) and (100%, 99.97%), respectively. In addition, 213 and 30 cases were diagnosed with sex chromosomal aneuploidies (PPV=46.2%) and other autosomal anomalies (PPV=16.57%), respectively. For Down syndrome screening, the cost and benefit of the project was 120.79 million yuan and 1,056.95 million yuan, respectively. The cost-benefit ratio was 1: 8.75, and safety index was 0.0035. CONCLUSION NIPT is a highly accurate screening test for trisomy 21, which was followed by trisomy 18 and sex chromosomal aneuploidies, while it was less accurate for other autosomal aneuploidies. The application of NIPT screening has a high health economical value.
Aneuploidy ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics*

Objective:To analyze the subcellular localization of family of serine hydrolases 1 (FSH1) protein in Microsporum canis. Methods:The FSH1 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) genes were amplified by PCR using the previously constructed plasmid containing the FSH1 gene and the recombinant plasmid pCAMBIA-LRP-EGFP as the template; the vector DNA was obtained by double-enzyme digestion of the recombinant plasmid pCAMBIA-LRP-EGFP with SnaBI/KpnI. Then, the EGFP expression plasmid and Ptrcp-FSH1-EGHP-Ttrcp fusion plasmid were constructed by inserting the amplified EGFP gene and EGFP-FSH1 gene into the vector DNA respectively, and identified by PCR and sequencing. The two recombinant plasmids were transformed into Microsporum canis by an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method, and the gene EGFP and fusion gene FSH1-EGFP were expressed integratedly in Microsporum canis under the regulation by the fungal universal promoter Ptrpc and terminator Ttrpc. The cellular localization of the fusion protein was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results:The Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system and EGFP expression vector in Microsporum canis were successfully constructed; the fusion gene FSH1-EGFP was expressed integratedly in Microsporum canis. Laser confocal microscopy showed that fluorescence signals of the FSH1-EGFP fusion protein were concentrated in the cytoplasm and nuclei of Microsporum canis, with a granular or cluster-like appearance. Conclusion:The FSH1-EGFP fusion protein was successfully localized in the cytoplasm and nuclei of Microsporum canis, providing a basis for further clarifying the function and pathogenic mechanisms of the FSH1 gene in Microsporum canis.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of Kushen Gel and amphotericin B vaginal effervescent tablets in the treatment of postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis.Methods A total of 186 postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis patients in postpartum lactation in our hospital were randomly divided into monotherapy group(n =90) and combination group(n =96),receiving amphotericin B vaginal effervescent tablets alone,and Kushen Gel combined with amphotericin B effervescent tablets treatment,respectively.And vaginal pH value before and after treatment,vaginal flora density,sexual pain after treatment and adverse reactions of two groups were compared.Results There was no significant difference in vaginal pH,vaginal flora density of the two groups before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the leucorrhea was decreased,improvement time of pruritus vulvae,mucosal hyperemia symptoms in the combination group were significantly shorter when compared to the monotherapy group (P ＜ 0.05);Vaginal pH value of the two groups was significantly improved,and showed a significant difference at 3 months of follow-up (P ＜ 0.05);After treatment and 3 months of follow-up,proportions of vaginal flora density for grade 1 of the combined group were significantly higher than that of the monotherapy group (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,grade I sexual pain of the combination group was higher than that of the monotherapy group (63.54％ vs.42.22％,P ＜ 0.05).But there was no significant differences in adverse reactions in two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Amphotericin B effervescent tablets for the treatment of patients with postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis presents certain effect on improvement of symptoms and vaginal micro ecological environment,but has more adverse reactions,so Kushen Gel in combination can enhance the effect and safety.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of Kushen Gel and amphotericin B vaginal effervescent tablets in the treatment of postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis.Methods A total of 186 postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis patients in postpartum lactation in our hospital were randomly divided into monotherapy group(n =90) and combination group(n =96),receiving amphotericin B vaginal effervescent tablets alone,and Kushen Gel combined with amphotericin B effervescent tablets treatment,respectively.And vaginal pH value before and after treatment,vaginal flora density,sexual pain after treatment and adverse reactions of two groups were compared.Results There was no significant difference in vaginal pH,vaginal flora density of the two groups before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the leucorrhea was decreased,improvement time of pruritus vulvae,mucosal hyperemia symptoms in the combination group were significantly shorter when compared to the monotherapy group (P ＜ 0.05);Vaginal pH value of the two groups was significantly improved,and showed a significant difference at 3 months of follow-up (P ＜ 0.05);After treatment and 3 months of follow-up,proportions of vaginal flora density for grade 1 of the combined group were significantly higher than that of the monotherapy group (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,grade I sexual pain of the combination group was higher than that of the monotherapy group (63.54％ vs.42.22％,P ＜ 0.05).But there was no significant differences in adverse reactions in two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Amphotericin B effervescent tablets for the treatment of patients with postpartum vulvovaginal candidiasis presents certain effect on improvement of symptoms and vaginal micro ecological environment,but has more adverse reactions,so Kushen Gel in combination can enhance the effect and safety.

Objective:To analyze the influences of azithromycinantibiotic combined glucocorticoids on the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inflammatory cytokines levels as well as the clinical effect of severe pneumonia mycoplasma.Methods:112 children with severe pneumonia mycoplasma who were treated in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group with 56 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with azithromycinantibiotic,while the patients in the observation group were treated with glucocorticoid on the basis of the control group.Then the levels of ESR,LDH,isoenzyme MB (CK-MB),creatine kinase (CK),aspertate aminotransferase (AST),c-reactive protein (CRP),interleukin 6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-o (TNF-α),CD4+ and CD8+,the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions between two groups were observed and compared before and after the treatment.Results:The effective rate in the observation group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of ESR,LDH,CK-MB,CK,AST,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α and CD8+ in the two groups decreased,which were lower in the observation group than those of the control group (P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of CD4+ in both groups increased,which was higher in the observation group than that of the control group (P＜0.05).The disappearance time of fever,cough relief,lung rale of observation group were shorter than those of the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the adverse reactions between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Azithromycin combined with glucocorticoids was more effective than azithromycin alone in the treatment of severe mycoplasma pneumonia with high safety,which could obviously relieve the myocardial injury and inflammatory response,enhance the immune function.