Identification and biological characteristics of a pathogen causing leaf blight of Rehmannia glutinosa / 中国中药杂志

Leaf blight outbroke in Rehmannia glutinosa plantation in Wenxian county, Henan province in 2019. R. glutinosa plants with diseased leaves were collected from the plantation, and three strains were isolated from the diseased leaf samples. Pathogenicity test, morphological observation, and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, EF1-α, and Tub suggested that they were respectively Fusarium proliferatum, F. oxysporum, and F.acuminatum. Among them, F. acuminatum, as a pathogen of R. glutinosa leaf disease, had never been reported. To clarify the biological characteristics of F. acuminatum, this study tested the influence of light, pH, temperature, medium, carbon source, and nitrogen source on the mycelial growth rate of the pathogen during a 5-day culture period, and explored the lethal temperature. The results showed that the mycelia grew well under the photoperiod of 12 h light/12 h darkness, at 5-40 ℃(optimal temperature: 25 ℃), at pH 4-11(optimal pH: 7.0), on a variety of media(optimal medium: oatmeal agar), and in the presence of diverse carbon and nitrogen sources(optimal carbon source: soluble starch; optimal nitrogen source: sodium nitrate). The lethal temperature was verified to be 51 ℃(10 min). The conclusion is expected to lay a scientific basis for diagnosis and control of R. glutinosa leaf diseases caused by F. acuminatum.

Reversal effect of peptide-modified chitosan tetramethylpyrazine nanoparticles on multidrug resistance in tumor cells / 中国中药杂志

To prepare peptide-modified chitosan tetramethylprazine nanoparticles(FGF-CS-TMP-NPS) and investigate its reversal effect on multidrug resistance in tumor cells. The pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs were prepared by ion crosslinking method, and their physicochemical properties were investigated. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)(MCF-7, MCF-7/ADR, K562 and K562/ADR) and drug-resistant related protein P-gp. MCF-7/ADR and K562/ADR were selected as cell models. The cytotoxicity of pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs, the multiple of cell resistance to adriamycin, the reversal resistance index of pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs to doxorubicin and the sensitization of pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs to doxorubicin were detected by MTT assay. After MCF-7/ADR and K562/ADR were treated with pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs, the expression changes of P-gp were detected by Western blot. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs were 37.66%± 0.53% and 3.25%± 0.34% respectively in HPLC. The nanoparticles showed an average particle size of(150.50±9.3) nm, polymer dispersity index of(0.059±0.007) and Zeta potential of(19.30±2.02) mV as detected by laser particle size analyzer. The nanoparticles were spherical and well dispersed under transmission electron microscope. Western blot results showed that EGFR was positively expressed in MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR cells, while negatively expressed in K562 and K562/ADR cells. P-gp was highly expressed in MCF-7/ADR and K562/ADR, while negatively expressed in MCF-7 and K562. pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs had a weak effect on MCF-7/ADR and K562/ADR. The adriamycin resistance of MCF-7/ADR cells was 108.36 times, and that of K562/ADR cells was more than 100 times. When IC_(85) of pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs was used as the administration concentration, the reversion index of MCF-7/ADR and K562/ADR cells was 3.68 and 1.87, respectively. pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs could enhance the sensitivity of adriamycin to MCF-7/ADR cells in a positive correlation with the concentration, and the sensitivity was significantly higher than that of K562/ADR cells. Western blot results showed that the expression level of P-gp in MCF-7/ADR cells decreased significantly after treatment with pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs, while the expression level of P-gp in K562/ADR cells did not change significantly. Experimental results show that pEGF-CS-TMP-NPs have an active targeting effect on MCF-7/ADR cells with high EGFR expression, and can effectively reverse the multidrug resistance of MCF-7/ADR cells. Active targeting effect is related to the peptides modification of nanoparticles, and the mechanism of reversing tumor MDR may be achieved by down-regulating the expression level of P-gp.

Mechanism of Wdpcp in regulating coronary artery development / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Wdpcp, a planar cell polarity (PCP) effector gene, plays essential roles in organogenesis during embryonic development through regulating collective cell movement and ciliogenesis. WDPCP mutations are associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Meckel-Gruber syndrome in human. This study revealed a novel role of Wdpcp in regulating coronary artery development in mouse, demonstrating a new pathogenic phenotype associated with mutations of this gene in human. Results of this study may help us to understand the etiology of coronary artery disease.

Three-dimensional simulation and simulated mechanical test of individual femoral prosthesis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: A study combined medical CT technology and digital three-dimensional (3D) interactive control system Mimics software and computer simulation software tools for 3D reconstruction and simulation reconstruction of the femur. Customized individualized femoral prosthesis has high matching degree with human body structure, and has high application value in clinical research. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of 3D simulation of femoral prosthesis in artificial femoral prosthesis replacement. METHODS: Totally 82 cases, who received femoral prosthesis replacement from July 2014 to June 2016 in Taihe Hospital of Shiyan, were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: personalized group (n=28), cementless group (n=27) and cemented group (n=27). Different types of femoral prosthesis were designed in each group. 3D model reconstruction in femur was designed using medical CT technology combined with computer. Prosthesis implantation was simulated in computer, and the relevant information was recorded. Simulated operation was conducted on the mechanical experiment of femoral prosthesis in the biped and single foot loads so as to provide the most suitable operation plan. The possible risk was forecasted and assessed for preoperative preparation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the simulation of mechanical experiment, under double foot and single foot loads, after prosthetic replacement, stress in the femur was significantly better in the personalized group than in the cementless group and cemented group (P <0.05). (2) After replacement, normal stress and shear stress were significantly better in the personalized group than in the cementless group and cemented group (P < 0.05). (3) The initial, horizontal and vertical micromovement was significantly better in the personalized group than in the cementless group and cemented group (P < 0.05). (4) In summary, the use of computer technology and 3D CT software can make individualized femoral prosthesis for patients. Compared with the cementless and cemented prostheses, personalized prosthesis has obvious advantages in stress distribution, interface stress and initial micromovement.

Mechanism of Wdpcp in regulating coronary artery development / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Wdpcp,a planar cell polarity (PCP) effector gene,plays essential roles in organogenesis during embryonic development through regulating collective cell movement and ciliogenesis.WDPCP mutations are associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Meckel-Gruber syndrome in human.This study revealed a novel role of Wdpcp in regulating coronary artery development in mouse,demonstrating a new pathogenic phenotype associated with mutations of this gene in human.Results of this study may help us to understand the etiology of coronary artery disease.

Three-column reconstruction via posterior approach for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fracture accompanied by posterior column injury / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinical effects of three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2008 to May 2010,three-column reconstruction via posterior approach was implemented to 21 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries. There were 13 males and 8 females, ranging in age from 23 to 54 years old(averaged,35.5 years old). Injured vertebrae: 1 patient had injury in T11, 4 patients had injuries in T12, 8 patients had injuries in L1, 5 patients had injuries in L2, 3 patients had injuries in L3. The Cobb angle was (25.34 +/- 3.42) degrees. The operation time,blood loss during operation, Cobb angle and the bony fusion were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-one patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 24 to 27 years old, with an average of 25.6 months. The operation time ranged from 135 to 275 min, with a mean of 185 min. The blood loss during operation ranged from 700 to 1 650 ml (averaged, 870 ml). All the patients had complete decompression. Postoperative Cobb angle was (4.01 +/- 2.03) degrees, and (4.34 +/- 2.38) degrees at the latest follow-up. All the patients got bony fusion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To the patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries, three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach has both anterior approach and posterior approach advantages, which can obtain excellent clinical outcomes.</p>

Role of conventional pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk thoracic cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate and compare the value of cardiopulmonary exercise test and conventional pulmonary function tests in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk patients with chest malignant tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2006 to January 2009, 216 consecutive patients with thoracic malignant tumors underwent conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT, spirometry + DLCOsb for diffusion capacity) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET were retrospectively analyzed using Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and logistic regression analysis. The P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 216 patients, 57 did not receive operation due to advanced stage diseases or poor cardiopulmonary function in most of them. The remaining 159 underwent different modes of operations. Thirty-six patients (22.6%) in this operated group had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and 10 patients (6.3%) developed operation-related complications. Three patients (1.9%) died of the complications within 30 days postoperatively. The patients were stratified into groups based on V(O(2)) max/pred (≥ 65.0%, < 65.0%); V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) (≥ 20 ml, 15 - 19.9 ml, < 15 ml) and FEV1 (≥ 2.0 L, 1.2 - 1.99 L, < 1.2 L) according to the criteria in reported papers. There was statistically significant difference among these groups in the parameters (P < 0.05), the rates of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were much higher in the groups with poor cardiopulmonary function (V(O(2)) max/pred < 65.0%; V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) < 15 ml or FEV1 < 1.2 L). It was shown by logistic regression analysis that postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were significantly correlated with age, associated diseases, poor results of PFT or CPET, operation modes and operation-related complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FEV1 in spirometry, V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) and V(O(2)) max/pred in cardiopulmonary exercise test can be used to stratify the patients' cardiopulmonary function status and is correlated well with FEV1. V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) is the best parameter among these three parameters to predict the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in patients with chest malignant tumors and borderline cardiopulmonary function.</p>

Comparison of the results of lymph node dissection via left versus right thoracotomy / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Up to now surgical treatment has been still the most effective treatment for esophageal cancer. However, postoperative lymph node recurrence is still a frequent event and affects long term survival considerably. The aim of this study is to compare the results of lymph node dissection via left vs. right thoracotomies and to verify whether there is any essential difference in lymphadenectomy between these two approaches.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five hundred and fifty-nine cases with thoracic esophageal cancer were randomly selected from the database of esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between May 2005 and January 2011, including 282 cases through left thoracotomy and 277 cases through right thoracotomy. This series consisted of 449 males and 110 females with a mean age of 58.8 years (age range: 36 - 78 years). The pathological types were mainly squamous cell carcinoma (548 cases) and other rare types (11 cases). The data were analyzed and compared using Chi-square test. The P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The actual 5-year survival rate was calculated based on the recent follow-up data of the patients who underwent surgery at least 5 years ago.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 23.4 via left versus 24.6 via right thoracotomies. The overall lymph node metastasis rate was 48.9% via left thoracotomy and 53.8% via right thoracotomy, and 34.8% vs. 50.5% in the chest (P < 0.001), 29.1% vs. 17.7% in the abdomen (P = 0.001). The pathologically confirmed lymph node metastasis rate was 45.9%, 44.0% and 34.9% in the upper, middle and lower segments of thoracic esophagus, respectively. The lymph node metastasis rates detected via left and right thoracotomy in the stage T1 cases were 14.7% (5/34) vs. 42.9% (12/28) (P < 0.001), and in the stage T2 cases were 35.4% (17/48) vs. 52.8% (28/53) (P = 0.007); in the station of para-thoracic esophagus were 9.6% vs. 13.4%, in the left upper mediastinum were 2.1% vs. 7.6%, and in the right upper mediastinum were 1.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively. The preliminary actual 5-year survival rate was 38.2% in the cases via left thoracotomy vs. 42.1% in those via right thoracotomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of this study demonstrate that lymph node dissection is more complete via right thoracotomy than via left thoracotomy, especially for the tracheoesophageal groove and para-recurrent laryngeal nerve nodes, which may eventually improve the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, surgical treatment via right thoracotomy by Ivor-Lewis (two incisions) mode or Levis-Tanner (three incisions) mode with two-field or three-field complete lymph node dissection may become prevalent in the future.</p>

Surgical treatment of sternal tumors: resection of the tumors and reconstruction of the chest wall defects / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of surgical treatment of sternal tumors and repairing methods of the chest wall defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen patients with sternal tumors were diagnosed and underwent resection of the sternal tumors according to the en-bolck principle and repair of the chest wall defects using various materials from January 1968 to December 2010 in our hospital.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 6 patients with sternal manubrim tumors, one patient had reconstruction only with steel wire, other 5 patients healed completely after repair with soft materials. Of 7 patients with sternal body tumors, one patient recovered quickly without reconstruction because he had only partial resection; four patients had chest wall repair with soft materials, but they breathed hardly; and two patients had chest wall reconstruction with rigid materials. One patient had ventilatory support, another patient recovered quickly. Ventilatory support was needed in two patients treated by subtotal sternectomy because they had chest wall repair with soft materials.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In surgical treatment of sternal tumors by manubrim sternetomy, the chest wall defects can be constructed with soft materials. After resection of sternal body tumors and subtotal sternectomy, the thoracic wall defects need to be reconstructed with rigid materials.</p>

Clinical analysis of 19 cases of adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathoclinical features of adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma and their correlation with the prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 19 patients with adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma who were treated in our hospital between 1970 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighteen patients underwent open thoracic tumor excisions for at least one time, and the remaining one patient only received biopsy surgery. Histopathological results after surgery revealed that 6 well-differentiated type tumors, 6 myxoid type tumors, 3 pleomorphic type tumors, 2 mixed type tumors, and 2 un-classified tumors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 6 patients with well-differentiated type tumors, 1 died after having been survived for 10 years; 5 were still alive, with a mean duration of 126.2 months,the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Among 6 patients with myxoid type tumors, 5 patients had follow-up data, with a mean survival of 26.2 months. Among 3 patients with pleomorphic type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient finally died, with a survival of 34 months. Of 2 patients with mixed type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient survived 8 months and died. Of 2 patients with un-classified type tumors, one had follow-up data: the patient lived for 24 months and died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mediastinal liposarcoma is a rare disease. Surgery is the primary therapeutic modality. Different pathological subtypes have different epidemiological features, biological behaviors, and malignant potentials. Pathological subtype is an important prognosis factor. Patients with well-differentiated tumors have much better prognosis than those with other subtypes.</p>

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of high risk patients with lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It is still unclear whether pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are sufficient for predicting perioperative risk, and whether all patients or only a subset of them need a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) for further assessment. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the CPET and compare the results of CPET and conventional PFTs to identify which parameters are more reliable and valuable in predicting perioperative risks for high risk patients with lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to August 2008, 297 consecutive lung cancer patients underwent conventional PFTs (spirometry + single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCOsb) for diffusion capacity) and CPET preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET was retrospectively analyzed using the chi-square test, independent sample t test and binary Logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 297 patients, 78 did not receive operation due to advanced disease stage or poor cardiopulmonary function. The remaining 219 underwent different modes of operations. Twenty-one cases were excluded from this study due to exploration alone (15 cases) and operation-related complications (6 cases). Thus, 198 cases were eligible for evaluation. Fifty of the 198 patients (25.2%) had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Three patients (1.5%) died of complications within 30 postoperative days. The patients were stratified into groups based on VO(2)max/pred (≥ 70.0%, < 70.0%); VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) (≥ 20.0 ml, 15.0 - 19.9 ml, < 15.0 ml) and FEV1 (≥ 2.0 L, 1.2 - 1.99 L, < 1.2 L), respectively. The rate of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications was significantly higher in the group with VO(2)max/pred< 70.0% or VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) < 15.0 ml or FEV1 < 1.2 L than that in the group with VO(2)max/pred ≥ 70.0% or VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) ≥ 15.0 ml or FEV1 ≥ 1.2 L, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were significantly correlated with age, comorbidities, and poor PFT and CPET results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FEV1 in spirometry, VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) and VO(2)max/pred in cardiopulmonary exercise tests can all be used to stratify the patients' cardiopulmonary function status and to predict the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications for the high risk patients with lung cancer. FEV1 and VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) are better than VO(2)max/pred in predicting perioperative risk. If available, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is strongly suggested for high-risk lung cancer patients in addition to conventional pulmonary function tests, and both should be combined to assess cardiopulmonary function status.</p>

Recombinant human growth hormone secreted from tissue-engineered bioartificial muscle improves left ventricular function in rat with acute myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Experimental studies and preliminary clinical studies have suggested that growth hormone (GH) treatment may improve cardiovascular parameters in chronic heart failure (CHF). Recombinant human GH (rhGH) has been delivered by a recombinant protein, by plasmid DNA, and by genetically engineered cells with different pharmacokinetic and physiological properties. The present study aimed to examine a new method for delivery of rhGH using genetically modified bioartificial muscles (BAMs), and investigate whether the rhGH delivered by this technique improves left ventricular (LV) function in rats with CHF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary skeletal myoblasts were isolated from several Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, cultured, purified, and retrovirally transduced to synthesize and secrete human rhGH, and tissue-engineered into implantable BAMs. Ligation of the left coronary artery or sham operation was performed. The rats that underwent ligation were randomly assigned to 2 groups: CHF control group (n = 6) and CHF treatment group (n = 6). The CHF control group received non-rhGH-secreting BAM (GFP-BAMs) transplantation, and the CHF treatment group received rhGH-secreting BAM (GH-BAMs) transplantation. Another group of rats served as the sham operation group, which was also randomly assigned to 2 subgroups: sham control group (n = 6) and sham treatment group (n = 6). The sham control group underwent GFP-BAM transplantation, and the sham treatment group underwent GH-BAM transplantation. GH-BAMs and GFP-BAMs were implanted subcutaneously into syngeneic rats with ligation of the left coronary artery or sham operation was performed. Eight weeks after the treatment, echocardiography was performed. hGH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and TNF-alpha levels in rat serum were measured by radioimmunoassay and ELISA, and then the rats were killed and ventricular samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Primary rat myoblasts were retrovirally transduced to secrete rhGH and tissue-engineered into implantable BAMs containing parallel arrays of postmitotic myofibers. In vitro, they secreted 1 to 2 microg of bioactive rhGH per day. When implanted into syngeneic rat, GH-BAMs secreted and delivered rhGH. Eight weeks after therapy, LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were significantly higher in CHF rats treated with GH-BAMs than in those treated with GFP-BAMs ((65.0 +/- 6.5)% vs (48.1 +/- 6.8)%, P < 0.05), ((41.3 +/- 7.4)% vs (26.5 +/- 7.1)%, P < 0.05). LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) was significantly lower in CHF rats treated with GH-BAM than in CHF rats treated with GFP-BAM (P < 0.05). The levels of serum GH and IGF-1 were increased significantly in both CHF and sham rats treated with GH-BAM. The level of serum TNF-alpha decreased more significantly in the CHF treatment group than in the CHF control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>rhGH significantly improves LV function and prevents cardiac remodeling in rats with CHF. Genetically modified tissue-engineered bioartificial muscle provides a method delivering recombinant protein for the treatment of heart failure.</p>

The rule of lymph node metastasis of adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the rule of lymph node metastasis of adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 361 surgically treated patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung from October 1965 to June 2003 were collected and retrospectively reviewed. The classification of regional lymph node stations and TNM stage were determined according to the UICC criteria (1997). The route and patterns as well as influencing factors of lymph node metastasis were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 software. The median follow-up period was 5.5 years (range, 1.4 to 23.4 years).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The analysis of the route of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in the 361 cases showed that the tumor originated in the left upper lobe firstly metastasized to station 5 (A-P window), tumor in the right upper lobe to the station 4 (lower paratracheal), then secondly to station 7 (subcarinal), lastly to station 3 from the tumor in the left upper lobe or to the station 2 from the tumor in the right upper lobe. It was found that the tumors originated from the lower lobe, firstly metastasized to station 7, secondly to station 9 or 4 from the right lobe; or station 5 from left lower lobe, lastly to station 3 or 2 in the mediastinum. For the tumor in the middle lobe, mainly metastasized to station 7, 4 and 2. The skip mediastinal lymph node metastasis but N1 negative most commonly metastasized to station 7, then to station 4 from the tumor in the right lung and 5 from the tumor in the left lung. The prognosis of patients with a single skipping metastasis to mediastinal lymph node (N1-, SMLN) was better than that in the other patients with mediastinal lymph node metastases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lung cancer growing in a different location has a different route and skipping metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes. The patterns of lymph node metastasis affect prognosis. The prognosis of patients with single skipping metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes but negative pulmonary hilar lymph node is better than that in the other patients with multiple station mediastinal lymph node metastases. The "N1-, SMLN" pattern ought to be considered as a special lymph nodal metastasis with better prognosis.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on premenstrual syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare clinical therapeutic effects of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and medicine on premenstrual syndrome, so as to search for the best method for this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-eight cases were randomly divided into a catgut embedding group and a medication group. The catgut embedding group were treated with main points, Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiso (SP 6), Danzhong (CV 17), Guanyuan (CV 4), Taichong (LR 3), and aduvant points, Back-shu, and the medicine group with oral administration of fluoxetine. After treatment of 3 months, their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The therapeutic effect of the catgut embedding group was better than that of the medication group with a very statistically significant difference (P < 0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint catgut embedding is a better therapy for premenstrual syndrome.</p>

Construction of human growth hormone lentiviral vector and its expression in murine skeletal myoblasts / 生物工程学报

The aim of this study is to construct a lentiviral vector encoding human growth hormone, and to achieve the long, efficient and stable expression in murine skeletal myoblasts. Primary skeletal myoblasts were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured by enzymatic digestion. We tested them by Desmin immunohistochemistry stains and found their viability was up to 94% by Trypan blue. Human growth hormone (hGH) cDNA was subcloned into expression vector pLenti6/V5-D-TOPO to construct recombinant pLenti6/V5-hGH. The pLenti6/V5-hGH and the contructed pLenti6/V5-EGFP were transfected into murine skeletal myoblasts by the Lipofectamin 2000. Through counting by the Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope, we identified the transfection efficency. We added the blasticidin to the 6-well plate with lids and obtained stable myoblasts expressing hGH. The concentration of human growth hormone (hGH) in cell culture medium was detected by Radioimmunoassay (RIA). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence showed hGH cDNA had been correctly inserted into pLenti6/V5-D-TOPO vector. Bright green fluorescence of the transfected cells could be observed under the Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope after 24 h transfection with pLenti6/V5-EGFP plasmids, and the transfection rate reached 40%. The difference was distinct (P < 0.01) between the pLenti6/V5- hGH groups and control groups in the secretive level of human growth hormone. After 8 weeks, the expression of human growth hormone was still stable. Then, we validated the biological characterization of the rhGH by the enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1). These results demonstrate we have successfully constructed the recombinant pLenti6/V5-hGH plasmids and accomplished rhGH long, efficient and stable expression ectopic in skeletal muscle myoblasts.

Prognostic significance of micropapillary pattern in pulmonary adenocarcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the prognostic significance of micropapillary pattern (MPP) in adenocarcinoma of lung.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-one consecutively excised cases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, including follow-up data, were retrospectively studied. These tumors were divided into 2 major groups: those with MPP and those without MPP. The former was further subdivided according to extent of the micropapillary component, as follows: MPP + (constituting 1% to 10% of the tumor), MPP ++ (constituting 11% to 30% of the tumor) and MPP +++ (constituting more than 30% of the tumor).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 5-year survival rate was 64.8%. The 5-year survival rates were 88.9% for stage I tumors, 46.2% for stage II tumors, and 23.8% for stage III tumor respectively (P = 0.000). The extent of micropapillary component showed no correlation with tumor stage, size and 5-year survival rate (P = 0.065, 0.358 and 0.206, respectively). On the other hand, the 5-year survival rate was 41.5% for patients in the MPP-positive group (number = 41) and 84.0% for patients in the MPP-negative group (number = 50). The percentage of nodal metastasis in MPP-positive group was also higher than that in MPP-negative group (P = 0.000). In pulmonary adenocarcinoma, this characteristic histology correlated with tumor stage and size, but not with patient's gender and smoking history. Within the same stage, the 5-year survival rates of MPP-positive and MPP-negative groups were as follows: for stage I, 78.6% versus 92.6% (P = 0.1548), for stage II, 30.0% versus 100% (P = 0.0598), and for stage III, 17.7% versus 28.6% (P = 0.4045).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MPP in primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma, even when only constituting a minor component, predicts an aggressive clinical behavior and is associated with poor prognosis. Although it may not be an independent prognostic factor, presence of this histologic pattern should alert clinicians for more active treatment and closer follow up.</p>

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of metachronous second primary lung cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the experience of the diagnosis, surgical treatment and prognosis of metachronous second primary lung cancers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 1983 and April 2004, 32 patients with metachronous second primary lung cancers were operated in our department. Clinical data of all these patients were reviewed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The initial procedures for their first primary lung cancers were lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Lobectomy or completion pneumonectomy for the second primary lung cancers were performed in 17 cases, limited pulmonary resection was done in 14 cases and exploration was in 1 case. The postoperative morbidity and mortality were 12% (4/32) and 3% (1/32), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate after second operation were 66% (19/29), 32% (9/28) and 19% (4/21), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of metachronous second primary lung cancers has been increasing gradually during recent years. The closely follow-up for patients undergoing resection for their first primary lung cancers is most important factor for improvement of the diagnosis of metachronous second primary lung cancers. Limited resection and incomplete lymph node dissection might be the factors contributing to the poor prognosis.</p>

Altered expression of the HSD17B4 gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and loss of heterozygosity analysis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the alteration of the gene HSD17B4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its potential significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA expression and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of HSD17B4 in 40 primary esophageal tumors were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and microsatellite analysis with the intragenic marker D5S1384 of the gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of allelic loss of D5S1384 and the rate of down-regulation of gene HSD17B4 were 46.2% and 62.5%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HSD17B4 may be a candidate tumor suppressor gene associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.</p>