This study aims to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate(NaBu)on preliminary follicle development of mice,using an in vitro 3D culture system.Preantral follicles were isolated from mouse ovaries(12.5 days post-birth)and cultured in vitro,NaBu was added for treatment during the culture process.Follicle morphology was observed and follicular diameter,survival rate,antral formation rate,oocyte maturation rate and early embryonic development were evaluated.The re-sults showed that an in vitro 3D culture system for preantral follicles of mice was successfully es-tablished.Matured follicles were cultured following an initial induction period of 8 days,after which M Ⅱ-stage oocytes were effectively expelled.During the process of follicle culture,the addition of varying doses(0.05-1.00 mmol/L)of NaBu from 0th day to 8 days had not showed any significant promotion in follicle development at any of the tested concentrations.NaBu at a dose of 0.10 mmol/L significantly increased antral formation rate(treated on 4th day for 2 days).In conclusion,short-term administration of appropriate doses of NaBu could significantly facilitate in vitro preantral follicle development and oocyte maturation by ensuring sustained developmental potential within follicles.This study may provide a theoretical basis for sodium butyrate to improve the reproduc-tive capacity of livestock and poultry in the breeding process.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate(NaBu)on preliminary follicle development of mice,using an in vitro 3D culture system.Preantral follicles were isolated from mouse ovaries(12.5 days post-birth)and cultured in vitro,NaBu was added for treatment during the culture process.Follicle morphology was observed and follicular diameter,survival rate,antral formation rate,oocyte maturation rate and early embryonic development were evaluated.The re-sults showed that an in vitro 3D culture system for preantral follicles of mice was successfully es-tablished.Matured follicles were cultured following an initial induction period of 8 days,after which M Ⅱ-stage oocytes were effectively expelled.During the process of follicle culture,the addition of varying doses(0.05-1.00 mmol/L)of NaBu from 0th day to 8 days had not showed any significant promotion in follicle development at any of the tested concentrations.NaBu at a dose of 0.10 mmol/L significantly increased antral formation rate(treated on 4th day for 2 days).In conclusion,short-term administration of appropriate doses of NaBu could significantly facilitate in vitro preantral follicle development and oocyte maturation by ensuring sustained developmental potential within follicles.This study may provide a theoretical basis for sodium butyrate to improve the reproduc-tive capacity of livestock and poultry in the breeding process.

Objective To investigate the effect of ropivacaine on biological behavior of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells and AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling path-way.Methods Gastric cancer BGC-823 cells were cultured in vitro.When BGC-823 cells were cultured to log-arithmic growth phase,they were divided into control group(routine culture),cisplatin group(medium con-taining 5 mg/L cisplatin),and low-level(medium containing 25 mg/L ropivacaine),medium-level(medium containing 50 mg/L ropivacaine),and high-level(medium containing 100 mg/L ropivacaine)ropivacaine groups.The cells were cultured for 48 h.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)was used to detect the survival rate of BGC-823 cells.Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the invasion ability of BGC-823 cells.The apopto-sis rate of BGC-823 cells was detected by flow cytometry.The mRNA levels of AMPK and Nrf2 in BGC-823 cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).The protein levels of AMPK and Nrf2 in BGC-823 cells were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the survival rate,invasion number,AMPK and Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels of BGC-823 cells in the cisplatin group and the low-level,medium-level and high-level ropivacaine groups were decreased(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the cisplatin group,the survival rate,invasion number,AMPK and Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels of BGC-823 cells in the low-level,medium-level and high-level ropivacaine groups were increased(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-level ropivacaine group,the survival rate,invasion number,AMPK,Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels of BGC-823 cells in the medium-level and high-level ropivacaine groups were decreased in oder(P＜0.05),while the apop-tosis rate was increased in oder(P＜0.05).Conclusion Ropivacaine could inhibit the survival and invasion of BGC-823 cells and promote the apoptosis of BGC-823 cells,which may be related to the inhibition of AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinic and pathologic data of thymic epithelial tumor (TET) and to explore its prognostic factors. METHODS: From June 1997 to September 2007, 137 patients with TET were surgically treated in our hospital. The data included age, gender, symptoms, histological type, stage and grade, pathological findings, and operation reports. The patients were followed up by telephones and mails. The patients were divided into Masaoka I/II group and III/IV group, and WHO A/AB/B1 group and B2/B3/C group. Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and COX regression model were used to analyze the prognostic factors for TET. RESULTS: Among the 137 patients, 124 (90.5%) received complete resection, 9 (6.6%) incomplete resection, and 4 (2.9%) surgical biopsy. The rate of complete resection was significantly higher in Masaoka stages I/II than that in stages III/IV (P<0.001). The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rate was 71.4å and 50.1å, respectively. Patients in stage I/II had better long-term survival than those in stage III/IV (P<0.001). According to WHO histological classification, the 5-year and 10-year survival rate in patients with Type A/AB/B1 TET was significantly higher than that in patients with Type B2/B3/C TET (P<0.001). The 5-year and 10-year survival rate in patients with complete resection was significantly higher than that in patients with incomplete resection and biopsy (P<0.001).Cox regression analysis showed that the prognosis of patients with TET was related to Masaoka stage, WHO histological classification, extent of resection, and age at operation. CONCLUSION Masaoka stage, WHO histological classification, extent of resection, and age at operation are important prognostic factors in patients with TET.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thymus Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To examine the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) on proliferation and apoptosis rates of smooth muscle cells in healing vein bypass grafts.Methods Autogenous vein graft model was established in 40 rats by transplanting the internal branch of the jugular vein to the carotid by end-to-end anastomosis.Animals were divided at random into two groups:atRA group and control group.The animals received atRA(10mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ) or same dosage vehicle(corn oil) from 4 days preoperation to 10 days postoperation.Animals were sacrificed and the grafted veins were harvested at 7,14 days,respectively after the operation .The grafted veins were then processed for staining and measurements.Hyperplasia,smooth muscle cell proliferation were detected by pathological and immunohistochemical methods.All the data were analyzed by a computerized system.The presence of apoptotic smooth muscle cells was demonstrated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method.Results There was a significant decrease in the average intimal thickness at 7,14 days in the atRA group.Immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) indicated decreased positive cells in the atRA group, compared with the control group at 1 or 2 weeks after the operation. Apoptosis of smooth muscle cells was higher in the atRA group than in the control group at 1 week or 14d postoperation.Conclusions These preliminary results demonstrated that atRA (10mg/kg/d) inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and induces smooth muscle cell apoptosis in rats.

Objective To explore the operative method for reconstruction of superior vena cave (SVC) and its branches in the treatment of patients with malignant mediastinal or pulmonary tumors through anterior mediastinotomy. Methods From 2001 to 2004 year, 22 patients with malignant mediastinal tumor or lung cancer received the resection of tumors and the reconstruction of the superior vena cave and its branches through anterior mediastinotomy. The operative efficacy was followed up in all patients. Results There was neither severe operative complications nor operative death in this group of patients, and 2 patients died of tumor recurrence in one year of post-operation, while others survived till now. Only one artificial graft occlusion occurred one month after operation. Conclusion The complete resection of malignant mediastinal or pulmonary tumors and the reconstruction of superior vena cave and its branches through anterior mediastinotomy is simple and reliable, and can remarkably improve the survival time of the short-term and long-term of the patients with malignant mediastinal or pulmonary tumor invading SVC.