Clinical staging, Gleason score, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been accepted as factors for evaluating the prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). With the in-depth study of iron metabolism and the development of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging technology, we used q-Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the iron content of the PCa patients' lesions, and used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the iron metabolism indicators in the patients' serum samples, combined with the patients' postoperative clinical data for analysis. We found that the serum indexes were correlated with the T2 star values, International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade, and pathological classification in PCa patients (all P < 0.001) but not in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients (all P > 0.05). The utilization of q-Dixon-based MRI and serum indexes allows the noninvasive measurement of iron content in prostate lesions and the assessment of differential iron metabolism between PCa and BPH, which may be helpful for evaluating the prognosis of PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/pathology* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Prostate/pathology* ; Neoplasm Grading ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Iron

Objective To analyze the positive conversion rate of negative spouse and the survival analysis on HIV sero－discordant couples． Methods Data were collected from the case report database of the integrated AIDS prevention and control data and information system． HIV sero－discordant couples diagnosed between September 1，1997 and September 1，2018 were recruited into the cohort． The participants were divided into three groups as untreated subgroup，routine treatment subgroup and early treatment subgroup according to the situation when they started HIV treatment． The positive conversion rate of negative spouse and the survival were compared among the three subgroups． Ｒesults 598 HIV sero－discordant couples were recruited and the overall survival time of the three subgroups were 258. 92，4 987．17 and 862．25 person－year． The rate of positive conversion were 6. 18/100，0. 48/100 and 0. 23/100 person－year． Multivariate Cox regression model showed that the hazard ratio of routine treatment subgroup ( HＲ = 0. 052，95% CI: 0. 037－0. 074) and early treatment subgroup ( HＲ=0. 011，95% CI: 0. 003－0. 035) were lower than untreated subgroup． The risk of death of women was lower than that of men( HＲ=0. 667，95% CI: 0. 472－0. 944) ; the older the age，the higher the risk of death ( HＲ=1. 041，95% CI: 1. 026－1. 056) ; and the risk of death of the unemployed is higher than that of farmers ( HＲ=1. 571，95% CI: 1. 037－2. 381) ． Conclusion Targeted interventions methods and early antiviral therapy should be taken urgently for sero－discordant couples．

Objective To analyze the rates of occurrence,presentations and treatment of coronary intramural hematomas(IMH)after coronary artery stent implantation.Methods Retrospective analysis was carried out in non-chronic total occlusion patients who developed coronary intramural hematomas after coronary artery stent implantation between January 1,2011 to December 31,2016.Statistical analysis was made in the fields clinical data,coronary angiography features,treatment provided,and postoperative follow-up date of the patients.Results Among the 26 IMH patients,the male gender(15/26,57.7％)and existiing hypertension(17/26,65.4％)were more common risk factors for IMH after coronary artery stent implantation.Fourteen patients developed coronary dissection.The coronary intramural hematomas presented as new non-spasm and non-thrombus coronary stenosis.The coronary intramural hematomas were found to have involved the distal segment to the stents in 16 patients.Two patients received balloon dilation,five patients had stents implantation after balloon dilation,13 patients(50.0％)were treated with direct stent implantation and the other 6 patients did not have further intervention.The follow up period after hospital discharge was(2.39±1.68)years.No adverse cardiovascular event occurred.Five patients received follow-up angiography examination.Two patients and another one patient were found to have coronary intramural hematomas fully resolved at three months and one year with coronary angiographic follow up,respectively.Two patients had IMH on angiography at 1 year follow up.Conclusions Coronary intramural hematomas after coronary artery stent implantation often involved the distal segment to the stent in hypertensive patients presenting as new non-spasm and non-thrombus coronary stenosis.Patients at low risk of acute coronary occlusion could receive conservative treatment.Patients with extentsive length of intramural hematomas should consider stent implantation for treatment.

To analyze the characteristics of the results of serum immunological tests and brain CT image examinations of atypical cerebral cysticercosis patients, so as to provide the reference for improving the diagnosis of the disease.Totally 446 suspected cerebral cysticercosis patients were chosen as the study objects, all of them were given experimental treatment with praziquantel, and then the patients with atypical cerebral cysticercosis were diagnosed according to the treatment effect and review results of brain CT or MRI. Meanwhile, all the 446 patients were tested for serum specific IgG and IgG4 antibodies and cysticercus circulating antigen (CAg) by ELISA, McAb ELISA and PEG-ELISA respectively, and the IHA test was also performed. All the patients received the brain CT examinations. The test results were analyzed statistically and the test performances of the methods above-mentioned were calculated.Among the 446 suspected cerebral cysticercosis patients, after the praziquantel treatment, there were 315 patients whose symptoms were alleviated, and they were diagnosed as atypical cerebral cysticercosis. Among the 446 suspected cerebral cysticercosis patients, the positive rates of specific IgG and IgG4 antibodies, and CAg were 15.47%, 15.02%, and 11.21% respectively, and the positive rate of IHA was 28.47% (χ² = 52.45, P ＜ 0.01). The brain CT examinations showed that there were 79.14% (353/446) of patients with suspected cysticercus foci. The sensitivities of ELISA, McAb-ELISA, PEG-ELISA, IHA test and brain CT examination (suspected cysticercus foci) for the diagnosis of atypical cerebral cysticercosis were 15.36%–96.82%, the specificities were 63.36%–99.24%, the positive predictive values were 86.40%–98.52%, the negative predictive values were 32.83%–98.25%, the positive likelihood ratios were 2.64–27.86, the negative likelihood ratios were 0.05–0.81, and the OR values were 7.16–52.80. The consolidation of the five tests above-mentioned showed the OR value was 108.00, which was 2 times of the OR value of CT examination.Atypical cerebral cysticercosis is definitely diagnosed mainly by means of evaluating the effect of the diagnostic therapy (anti-cysticercus), and the serum immunological examinations and brain CT examination also have important reference values.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that electroacupuncture (EA) could effectively inhibit the expression of p38 and Fas mRNA mediated by MAPK signaling pathways, to further inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes. Meanwhile,EA delays the degeneration of articular cartilage mediated by JAK-STAT signaling pathway through upregulating the expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 as well as the mRNA expression levels of STAT3, Smad3 and LepR.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of EA on the cartilage ultrastructure and mRNA expression levels of Ras, Raf,MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the rat with knee osteoarthritis.METHODS: The rat models of knee osteoarthritis were established, and randomized into four groups at 2 weeks after modeling: model group received no interventions; 15- and 30-minute EA groups were given EA at the Hsiyen (medical,extra) of bilateral knee joints for 15 and 30 minutes, respectively; PD98059 group was given the intravenous injection of extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059. The intervention time was 3 months. Those rats received normal feeding served as blank control group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Transmission electron microscopy showed that compared with the model group, the chondrocytes in the 15- and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups changed little, the nucleus was larger, partial endoplasmic reticulum cisterna expanded, and the mitochondria structure was clear. ELISA results showed that the 15-and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups had a significant decrease in the level of tumor necrosis factor α compared with the model group (P < 0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression levels of Ras, Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the 15- and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These results indicate that EA can alleviate chondrocyte injury in the rat osteoarthritic model, reduce the level of tumor necrosis factor α in the synovium, and downregulated the expression levels of Ras, Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA, further delaying the chondrocyte degeneration in osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Telbivudine (LDT) Tablet combined with Jianpi Bushen Recipe (JBR) on serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 90 HBeAg-positive and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive CHB patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 45 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group took LDT Tablet (600 mg, once per day) combined with JBR granule (twice per day), while those in the control group took LDT Tablet alone. The therapeutic course for all was one year. HBV DNA negative conversion rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, and level of HBV specific CTL were compared after 1 year treatment; liver function, drug resistance mutations, and adverse reactions were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1 year treatment, HBV DNA negative conversion rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate were 88.89% (40/45) and 40.00% (18/45) in the treatment group, higher than those of the control group [68.89% (31/45) and 20.00% (9/45)], with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Level of HBV specific CTL in the treatment group was 0.78% +/- 0.09% after treatment, higher than that of the control group after 1 year treatment (0.54% +/- 0.11%) and that before treatment (0.36% +/- 0.07%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Level of HBV specific CTL in 27 patients with HBeAg seroconversion was 0.81% 0.10%, higher than that of 63 patients without HBeAg seroconversion (0.60% +/- 0.09%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). ALT returned to normal in 44 cases of the treatment group (97.78%), while it was 42 cases (93.33%) of the control group, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total bilirubin (TBil) in the two groups all turned to normal. rtM204I variation occurred in 1 case (2.22%) of the treatment group and 2 cases (4.44%) in the control group. No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONLDT Tablet combined with JBR could elevate levels of HBV specific CTL and HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Seroconversion ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tablets ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDMany recipients of implantable cardiac electronic devices have atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrences after device implantation, even if there is no previous history of AF, and some of the episodes are asymptomatic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in AF burden following early AF detection in patients treated with pacemakers equipped with automatic, daily Home Monitoring function.

METHODSBetween February 2009 and December 2010, the registry recruited 701 pacemaker patients (628 dual-chamber, 73 biventricular devices) at 97 clinical centers in China. Daily Home Monitoring data transmissions were analyzed to screen for the AF burden. In-office follow-ups were scheduled for 3 and 6 months after implantation. Upon first AF (i.e., mode-switch) detection in a patient, screening of AF burden by Home Monitoring was extended for the next 180 days.

RESULTSAt least one episode of AF was observed in 22.9% of patients with dual-chamber pacemakers and in 28.8% of patients with biventricular pacemakers. The first AF detection in a patient occurred, on average, about 2 months before scheduled follow-up visits. In both pacemaker groups, mean AF burden decreased significantly (P < 0.05) over 180 days following first AF detection: from 12.0% to 2.5% in dual-chamber and from 12.2% to 0.5% in biventricular pacemaker recipients. The number of patients with an AF burden >10% per month was significantly reduced over 6 months of implantation in both dual chamber (38 patients in the first month vs. 21 patients in month 6, P < 0.05) and biventricular (7 patients in the first month vs. 0 patient in months 4-6, P < 0.05) pacemaker recipients.

CONCLUSIONSAutomatic, daily Home Monitoring of patients treated with cardiac pacemakers allows early detection of AF, and there is a gradual and significant decrease in AF burden.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of familial gastric cancer and to improve the treatment outcome.

METHODSClinical data of 67 patients with familial gastric cancer and 820 patients with sporadic gastric cancer in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 1995 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSCompared to sporadic gastric cancer, the percentage of familial gastric cancer patients less than 45 years old was higher (34.3% vs. 14.6%). Early gastric cancer(23.9% vs. 13.8%), diffuse gastric cancer(79.1% vs. 29.0%), and lymph node metastasis (91.0% vs. 70.9%) were more common in patients with familial cancer(P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate of familial gastric cancer patients was lower than that of patients with sporadic gastric cancer(20.5% vs. 45.1%)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFamilial gastric cancer has characteristics of younger onset age, advanced disease staging, higher positive lymph node ratio and poorer prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis should be emphasized in the management of familial gastric cancer.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo validate the 2007 Partin tables externally, which are based on the population of United States, using a cohort of Chinese prostate cancer patients.

METHODSAll of the patients enrolled and underwent radical prostatectomy between January 2006 and February 2010 were reviewed. The cases without preoperative hormone therapy and pelvic lymph node involvement according to radiologic tests were used for the external validation of the 2007 Partin tables. A comparative analysis of the clinical and pathological parameters of this Chinese cohort and Partin tables cohort was performed. Values of areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess predictive accuracy for the Chinese cohort.

RESULTSThe mean age of the whole cohort was 67 years. The serum prostate specific antigen level, Gleason score and clinical stage of this cohort were higher than the Partin tables cohort. The pathological outcomes analysis revealed that the rates of organ confined disease, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle involvement and lymph node involvement were 62.3%, 16.7%, 12.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for organ confined disease, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle involvement and lymph node involvement were 0.735, 0.653, 0.601 and 0.845.

CONCLUSIONSThe Partin tables discriminate well for Chinese patients at risk for positive lymph node. The discrimination of organ confined disease is also acceptable and the discrimination of capsular penetration and seminal vesicle involvement is more limited.

Aged ; Area Under Curve ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Period ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies