ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on autophagy and its effect on Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).MethodsThe cultured HUVECs were divided into either an oxLDL or a control group, and treated with 100 μg/ml oxLDL and equal volume phosphate buffer solution respectively.The cells were collected after 6 h and 12 h.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the autophagosome.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect expression levels of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and p62 mRNA.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of LC3, p62, P-Akt/Akt, P-mTOR/mTOR, and p-p70S6K/p70S6K.Results Compared with the control group, the number of intracellular autophagosome increased obviously (P<0.05), LC3 mRNA and protein expression levels increased significantly (all P<0.05), and p62 mRNA and protein expression levels decreased significantly (all P<0.05) in the oxLDL group.In addition, the phosphorylated protein expression levels of Akt, mTOR and p70S6K in the oxLDL group were significantly decreased than those in the control group (all P<0.01).However, total protein levels of Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K were not significantly different between the oxLDL group and the control group.Conclusion oxLDL may induce the autophagy of HUVECs via inhibiting the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the treatment outcome of patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and related prognostic factors,with a focus of the role of postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of STS.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 203 STS patients who underwent organ preservation surgery in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from July 2000 to July 2010.Of all the patients,76(37.4％) received adjuvant radiotherapy,which was delivered via anterior-posterior parallel opposed fields at a dose of 45-70 Gy.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates,the log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis,and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate,local failure-free survival rate,and distant metastasis-free survival rate were 69.1％,69.2％,and 68.0％,respectively.The multivariate analysis showed that pathological subtype,tumor size,resection margin status,and postoperative radiotherapy were influencing factors for OS.Among these factors,postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of local recurrence in STS patients (HR=0.327,95％ CI 0.177-0.605,P=0.000) and a significantly increased OS rate (HR=0.489,95％ CI 0.266-0.897,P=0.021).Conclusions Postoperative radiotherapy can reduce local recurrence and improve OS in patients with localized STS,and further studies are needed to clarify its role.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the determination of N-isopropylaniline in workplace air.

METHODSN-isopropylaniline in the air was collected by silicone tube, and was then dissolved by acetonitrile and determined by HPLC-UV detector.

RESULTSThere was a linear relationship within the range of 0.0-100.0 µg/ml with the method, and the regression equation was y=22 863x+10 665(r=0.999 9); the detection limit was 0.005 µg/ml, and the minimum detectable concentration was 1.7x10(-3) mg/m3 (3.0 L sampling volume); the average recoveries of standard addition were 96.2%-101.3%. The within-run precision was 2.31%-2.99%, and the between-run precision was 3.21%-4.55%. The average desorption efficiency was 97.6%, the breakthrough volume was more than 8.12 mg, the sampling efficiency waE 100%, and the samples could be stored for at least 7 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe indicators ol the method all meet the requirements of GBZ/T 210.4-2008 (Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace), and can be used for the determination of N-isopropylaniline in workplace air.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Aniline Compounds ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Limit of Detection ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the determination of N-butylbenzene in the workplace atmosphere by gas chromatography.

METHODSN-butylbenzene in the workplace atmosphere was collected by activated charcoal tube, desorbed using carbon disulfide, and determined by capillary column gas chromatography.

RESULTSThe method showed a linear relationship within the range of 0∼100 µg/ml. The regression equation was y = 0.870x-0.014, with the correlation coefficient r being 0.999 9. The limit of detection was 0.32 µg/ml. The minimum detectable concentration was 0.21 mg/m³ (with sampled air volume of 1.5 L). The average spike recovery rate was 97.8%∼102.6%. The within-run precision was 3.06% and the between-run precision was 3.64%. The rate of average desorption was 99.6%. The breakthrough volume was 6.34 mg. The sampling efficiency was 100%. The samples could be stored for at least 7 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONAll parameters of the method meet the requirements of GBZ/T 210.4-2008 "Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace" and can be applied for the determination of N-butylbenzene in workplace atmosphere.

Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Benzene Derivatives ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Linear Models ; Workplace

Objective The frequency and the anatomic distribution of involved regional nodes in recurrent and locally advanced breast cancer were analyzed, in order to evaluate the rational of conventional regional node radiation technique and provide evidence for target definition of breast cancer . Methods Patients with recurrent or locally advanced breast cancer who were treated in our hospital from August 2003 to December 2009 were included in this study. 111 patients had contrast enhanced chest CT images of the whole regional nodes before treatment. The regional nodes were categorized into 8 anatomical substructures including medial and lateral supraclavicular nodes ( SC-M, SC-L), axilla nodes ( ALN )- Ⅰ , Ⅱ , Ⅲ,infraclavicular nodes (IFN), Rotter's nodes (RN) and internal mammary nodes (IMN). The frequency of involvement and anatomical distribution of the involved nodes on CT images were analyzed. Results A total of 111 patients were enrolled this study and 199 anatomical substructures with involved nodes were identified. The frequency of involvement were :SC-M 33, SC-L 21, ALN- Ⅰ 30, ALN-Ⅱ 25, ALN-Ⅲ + IFN 35, RN 27, IMN 28. Supraclavicular region and axilla were the most frequently involved area (72. 3% ).The average depth of the SC-M and SC-L nodes was 33.48 mm ± 10. 57 mm and 45.62 mm ±20. 45 mm,and 51.5% and 71.4% of the SC-M and SC-L nodes were located more than 3 cm deep from the skin. The axilla nodes were located cranial and caudal to the axillary vein in 5 and 20 locally advanced breast cancer patients and in 64 and 28 patients who received prior axillary dissection. The majority of involved IMN was located within the first 3 intercostal spaces (26/28). The average distance between the center of involved IMN and chest skin was 24. 23 mm ± 10. 28 mm. The average distance between the center of involved IMN and midline of the body was 29. 38 mm ±6. 7 mm. The center of involved IMN was 6.19 mm ±5.73 mm lateral and 5.73 mm ± 4. 56 mm posterior to the internal mammary vessels. Conclusions Conventional field design is unlikely to provide sufficient dose to the entire risk region because of individual differences.Individualized treatment planning based on CT would become feasible with increasing knowledge of natural risk of nodal involvement.

Objective To determine the change of tumor bed volume during whole breast irradiation by repeated computed tomography scanning and to analyze the dosimetric impact of boost-planning on different CT images. Methods From July 2008 to Jan 2009, sixteen patients with early-stage breast cancer underwent breast conservative surgery (BCS) were enrolled in the study. All patients received whole breast irradiation and tumor bed boost, no adjuvant chemotherapy was given. Two additional CT scans were acquired in addition to the planning CT ( CT1 ), one in the course of radiotherapy ( CT2 ) and the other before the boost (CT3). Tumor beds were contoured in all CT images. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for tumor bed boost was done on CT1 and CT3 respectively. Results The mean tumor bed volume on CT1, CT2 and CT3 were 49.5 cm3, 25.6 cm3 and 22. 2 cm3 ( F = 5. 63, P = 0. 007 ),respectively. Further analysis found statistically significant difference between CT1 and CT2 ( q = 0. 03, P =0. 010), CT1 and CT3 ( q = 0. 01, P = 0. 004), but not between CT2 and CT3 ( q = 1.00, P = 0. 333 ). The average reduction of tumor bed volume from CT1 to CT3 was 43.4%. A reduction of 20% or above was found in 88% of the patients ( n = 14), 50% or above in 38% of the patients (n = 6). In the boost-planning, the volume of the ipsilateral breast receiving 100% prescribed dose (V100%) on CT1 and CT3 was 183.5 cm3 and 144. 5 cm3, respectively ( t = 3.06, P = 0. 008 ). Conclusions Volume of tumor bed is dynamically reduced in the course of whole breast irradiation after BCS, with more important reduction in the early weeks after the beginning of irradiation. A second CT scan before tumor bed boost is warranted.

The projections of diencephalon onto the rostral part of the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) were investigated by using the method of retrograde transport of HRP in the rat. The results have led to following conclusions:1. The diencephalic afferents to the rostral part of PAG originate mainly from medial preoptic area, anterior hypothalamic area, dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei, dorsal premamillary nucleus, lateral hypothalamic region, Forel's field and zona incerta ipsilaterally, and a few of them originate contralaterally.2. The anterior hypothalamic area, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, dorsal premamillary nucleus and zona incerta project more to the ipsilateral nucleus: lateralis of PAG than to the nucleus medialis and contralateral nucleus lateralis of PAG.3. In the anterior hypothalamic area, a large number of neurons projecting to PAG was located in the lateral anterior nucleus.4. In the lateral hypothalamic region, the lateral preoptic area and anterior division project to both nuclei lateralis and medialis, while its tuberal and mamillary divisions probably project only to nucleus lateralis.

Neurons descending from the griseum centrale mesencephali, nucleus Darkschewitsch and nucleus interstitialis of Cajal to the nucleus raphe magnus and adjacent reticular formation (nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis and nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis) were identified in 9 adult cats with the retrograde HRP method. In the griseum centrale mesencephali, the labeled neurons were found bilaterally but slightly more ipsilaterally. In the nucleus Darkschewitscb and nucleus interstitialis of Cajal, the labeled neurons were consistently found in its rostral part ipsilateral to the injected side at the level of the posterior commissure. In addition, in 5 of the 9 cases, a few labeled neurons were observed in the nucleus raphe dorsalis.