Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is the result of persistent and repeated aggravation of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, leading to the gradual development of heart failure of chronic ischemic heart disease. Triptolide (TPL) is identified to be involved in the treatment for MF. This study aims to explore the mechanism of TPL in the treatment of MF. The MF rat model was established, subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol and treated by subcutaneous injection of TPL. The cardiac function of each group was evaluated, including LVEF, LVFS, LVES, and LVED. The expressions of ANP, BNP, inflammatory related factors (IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, MCP-1, VCAM-1), NLRP3 inflammasome factors (NLRP3, ASC) and fibrosis related factors (TGF-β1, COL1, and COL3) in rats were dete cted. H&E staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial cell inflammation and fibrosis of rats. Western blot was used to detect the p-P65 and t-P65 levels in nucleoprotein of rat myocardial tissues. LVED and LVES of MF group were significantly upregulated, LVEF and LVFS were significantly downregulated, while TPL treatment reversed these trends; TPL treatment downregulated the tissue injury and improved the pathological damage of MF rats. TPL treatment downregulated the levels of inflammatory factors and fibrosis factors, and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome or NF-κB pathway reversed the effect of TPL on MF. Collectively, TPL inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting NF-κB pathway, and improved MF in MF rats.

Morinda genus of Rubiaceae has been widely used in medicine at home and abroad. Many parts of Morinda tree are utilized in research, mainly including roots, stems, leaves, branches and seeds. Through the research of online databases, the chemical components and biological activities of the iridoids in Morinda genus were summarized in this paper. Up to now, more than 50 kinds of iridoids have been identified. In addition, more and more studies proved that Morinda iridoids might benefit human via such anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor and bone protection. The theoretical basis was provided for the further development and utilization of the iridoids in Morinda genus.

Objective To analyze the clinical effect of rotator cuff humeral ending shift under arthroscopy for massive rotator cuff tear. Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with massive rotator cuff tear from May 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were treated with rotator cuff humeral ending shift under arthroscopy. Results All the patients were followed up for more than 6 months. Before operation, 18 patients had obvious pain and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was poor; 6 months after operation, VAS score was excellent in 12 cases, good in 4 cases and fair in 2 cases. Before operation, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score of all patients was poor;6 months after operation, UCLA score was excellent in 4 cases, good in 13 cases and fair in 3 cases. Conclusions Rotator cuff humeral ending shift under arthroscopy in treatment of massive rotator cuff tear can obtain good short-term effect, pain relief and functional recovery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment.

METHODSWe assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time-dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR < 60 ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻² function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean eGFR values (ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻²) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51.4 ± 12.6, 52.1 ± 17.8, 53.2 ± 19.5, 54.6 ± 20.2, 53.8 ± 16.6, 52.7 ± 22.3 and 51.5 ± 18.4 in the RN group and 69.6 ± 18.3, 70.3 ± 19.5, 71.5 ± 21.4, 76.2 ± 22.8, 75.4 ± 19.7, 74.3 ± 16.3 and 73.1 ± 23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONSRenal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR < 60 ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻² impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Age Factors ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Nephrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; physiopathology ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors

Background and purpose:Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy makes access to the adrenal glands easier and less invasive than open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efifcacy of laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.Methods:A total of 130 patients who underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal mass from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2012 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively assessed. Their clinicopathological factors, perioperative complications and short-term prognostic data were retrieved from the medical records.Results:One hundred and twenty-seven of 130 patients underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy successfully, and 3 patients were converted to open surgery due to severe bleeding. Among 130 patients, 63 were male and 67 were female, with the mean age 50.0 years. The pathological results of the 130 patients indicated adrenocortical adenoma in 68, pheochromocytoma in 15, medullary lipoma in 13, adrenal cysts in 10 , ganglioneuroma in 7, metastatic cancer in 5, adrenal hyperplasia in 4, schwannoma in 3, lymphangioma in 2, adrenal hematoma in 1, adrenal cortical carcinoma in 1, adrenal angiosarcoma in 1 and the deputy spleen in 1 (one patient suffering from both pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma). The maximum diameters were ranging from 0.5 to 9.0 cm, and mean diameter was 3.48 cm. The average blood loss in surgery was 62.73 mL. Mean length of stay in hospital was 7 d. GradeⅠ complications occurred in 5 patients, including 2 of fever, 1 of food allergy, 1 of drug allergy and 1 of hypokalemia.Conclusion: Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for the resection of most adrenal tumors in skilled centers with the advantages of minimal invasion, increased safety and faster recovery.

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective To validate the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center(MSKCC)score model and evaluate the clinical efficacy of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-targeted agents in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma(RCC)in China.Methods Three hundred and forty-five patients with advanced RCC and average age of 57(17-90)years were treated with VEGF-targeted agents.There were 306 cases of clear cell RCC,20 cases of papillary RCC,4 cases of chromophobe RCC,5 cases of renal collecting duct carcinoma,3 cases of medullary carcinoma and 7 cases of unclassified RCC.The main metastatic lesions were located at lung,bone and lymph nodes.Of them,205 cases were given the treatment of sorafenib 400 mg bid without off treatment,while 140 cases received sunitinib treatment in repeated six week cycles consisting of four weeks of sunitinib 50 mg daily followed by two weeks off treatment.Overall survival(OS)was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Log-rank test and Harrell concordance index analysis were used to validate the MSKCC score model.Results The median follow-up period were 23(1-68)months in the whole group.The OS was 33 months,and survival rates at 1,2,3 year were 77.6％,59.3％,46.6％,respectively.According to the MSKCC score model,the patients were segregated into three risk categories: the favorable-risk group(no prognostic factors;n =169;49.0％),in which median OS(mOS)was 46 months and 2 year OS was 75.8％;the imtermediate-risk group(one or two prognostic factors;n =150;43.5％),in which mOS was 24 months and 2 year OS was 47.7％;and the poorrisk group(three to five prognostic factors;n =26;7.5％),in which mOS was 8 months and 2 year OS was 10.1％(log-rank P ＜ 0.01).The concordance index was 0.687.Conclusions VEGF-targeted agents are effective in Chinese advanced RCC patients.The MSKCC score model can be incorporated into judging individualizing tumor prognosis and communicating about the treatment options with patients who are using VEGF-targeted agents.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic values of direct lymphangiography for the thoracic duct outlet obstruction.Methods The image data of direct lymphangiography were retrospectively analyzed in 124 patients with lymphedema,Chylothorax,chylous ascites,chyluria and intestinal lymphangiectasis,and compared with the results of neck thoracic duct surgical exploration,2 radiologists reviewed DLG DSA images in a double blind manner.The number of neck stem,subclavian stem,bronchialmediastinal stem and TD terminal into blood obstruction on the operation side showed by DLG were assessed using Kappa analysis.Results Of 124 patients,80 patients had the left cervical lymphatic stem reflux on DLG,75 patients with the left subclavian lymphatic stem reflux,30 patients with the left bronchial-mediastinal lymphatie stem reflux,118 patients showed the thoracic duct outlet barrier into the blood.The consistency rate of DLG were 89.9％ (80/89),92.6％ (75/81),90.9％ (30/33) and 95.2％ (118/124) compared with the neck thoracic duct surgical exploration.Tow radiologists had a high degree of diagnostic consistency (K =0.82,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,114 patients (91.9％) had tortuous,dilated waist lymphatic stem,only 10 patients (8.1％) were normal.The cisterna chyli reflux were found in 92 patients (74.2％),intestinal stem reflux in 16 patients (12.9％),reflux to the kidney area in 11 patients (8.9％),to the pericardium reflux in 5 patients (4.0％),vaginal lymphatic leakage in 7 patients (5.6％),retroperitoneal lymph leakage in 2 patients (1.6％),pleural lymphatic leakage in 3 patients (2.4％),tracheal lymph leakage in 1 patient (0.8％).Conclusion Direct lymphangiography has a high consistency with the cervical thoracic duct surgical exploration in displaying thoracic duct outlet obstruction.

Background and purpose: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an important factor reflected systematic inflammation. The clinical value of PLR has not been confirmed. The present study was to explore the value of preoperative PLR in predicting clinical stage and prognosis in upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Methods:Patients who underwent surgical therapy with postoperative pathology upper tract urothelial carcinoma without metastasis from Jan. 2007 to Mar. 2012, were collected. Following up was done by telephone and clinic work, 150 vs 1 was taken as the threshold value of PLR, and the association of PLR with tumor stage, whether suffered bladder cancer as comorbidity, recurrent or metastasis, overall survival, tumor lesion, preoperative hematuria, gender and age was analyzed. We further analyzed the association difference of disease free survival (DFS) time and overall survival (OS) time between different PLR groups. Results:Fifty-one cases of UTUC were collected, and the postoperative mean following up time is 21 (9–51) months. Twenty cases recurred or metastasis and 9 cases died. The mean DFS time was 15 (2–51) months,and the mean OS time was 21 (9–51) months. One-factor analysis of variance showed that preoperative PLR was associated with tumor stage, overall survival rate, hematuria and gender, and the P value were 0.028, 0.008, 0.045, 0.036 respectively. High PLR group was intended to be non-organ confined disease, the sensitivity was 57%and the specificity was 74%. Survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier method showed there is no statistical difference in DFS between high and low PLR groups (P=0.155). But OS time in high PLR group was significantly less than that in low PLR group (P=0.006). Cox regression confirmed that only tumor stage is an independent prognostic factor of OS (P=0.029). Conclusion:PLR has potential clinical value in predicting advanced stage disease and Cox regression confirmed that only tumor stage is an independent prognostic factor of OS.