Component analysis and network pharmacology of flavonoids in Sophora flavescens tissues at anthesis / 药学学报

italic>Sophora flavescens is a traditional Chinese medicine rich in flavonoids and has wide application potential in drug development and clinical practice. In this study, a total of 227 flavonoids were detected among five tissues of S. flavescens during anthesis using widely targeted metabolomics techniques. There were 137 flavonoids shared by five S. flavescens tissues and 18 root-specific flavonoids. There were 156, 155, 156 and 150 differentially accumulated metabolites identified in stem, leaf, flower, and young pod, respectively, compared with root. Forty-seven potentially active flavonoid components in S. flavescens were identified using the PubChem and SwissADME databases. The 58 potential target proteins for these potentially active components were predicted to be important in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on the SwissTargetPrediction and GeneCards database. These 58 target proteins were used to construct a protein-protein interaction network through the STRING database, from which we performed GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis. The mechanisms by which S. flavescens flavonoids may be useful in the treatment of T2DM was further explored in a multi-level and systematic way based on a "component-target-pathway" network. Finally, ten key potentially effective components were identified and found to be mainly distributed in the roots, flowers, and pods, and their content varied significantly between tissues. The results predict that the key targets of S. flavescens flavonoids in the treatment of T2DM are AKT1, ESR1, EGFR, PIK3R1, TNF and PTGS2, and that they play a hypoglycemic role through the regulation of endocrine resistance, AGE-RAGE, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and other signaling pathways. This analysis of the tissue distribution and network pharmacology of S. flavescens flavonoids provides a theoretical basis for further studies on S. flavescens metabolites, the rational development and utilization of the S. flavescens aboveground parts, and initiates a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms by which S. flavescens can be used in the treatment of T2DM.

The long-term efficacy of left cardiac sympathetic denervation in long QT syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of left cardiac sympathetic denervation(LCSD) for long QT syndrome(LQTS) patients with either recurrence on drug therapy intolerance/refusal. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. The cases selected from 193 patients with LQTS who were enrolled in the Chinese Channelopathy Registry Study from November 1999 to November 2012. This study selected 28 LQTS patients with either recurrence on drug therapy intolerance/refusal and underwent LCSD surgery in the Peking University People's Hospital or Beijing Tongren Hospital. The patients were allocated into 3 groups: high-risk group(n=13, baseline QTc ≥550 ms or symptomatic in the first year of life or highly malignant genetics); intermediate-risk group(n=10, 500 ms≤baseline QTc<550 ms, symptomatic after the first year and without highly malignant genetics); low-risk group(n=5, baseline QTc<500 ms, symptomatic after the first year and without highly malignant genetics). LCSD was performed with the traditional supraclavicular approach or video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Patients were regularly followed up until 20 years after the surgery. Data were collected before and 1 year after surgery and at the last follow-up. Patients' electrocardiograph(ECG), cardiac events and surgery-related complications were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine the cardiac event-free survival based on different risk stratification and genotypes. Results: A total of 28 LQTS patients, aged 20.5 (15.0, 37.5) and underwent LCSD surgery, were enrolled in this study, including 23(82.1%) women. There were 11(39.3%) patients treated with traditional approach while 17(60.7%) with VATS-LCSD. There were 19(67.9%) patients had positive genetic test results, including 4 LQT1, 12 LQT2, 1 LQT1/LQT2 mixed type, and 2 Jervell-Lange-Nielsen (JLN) syndrome. The median follow-up period was 189.3(138.7, 204.9) months. The dropout rate was 10.7%(3/28) while 3 patients in the intermediate-risk group were lost to follow-up. Horner syndrome occurred in 1 patient (in the high-risk group). Sudden cardiac deaths were observed in 3 (12.0%) patients (all in the high-risk group), and 12 patients (48.0%) had syncope recurrences (2 in low-risk group, 3 in intermediate-risk group and 7 in high-risk group). A significant reduction in the mean yearly episodes of cardiac events was observed, from (3.5±3.3) before LCSD to(0.2±0.1) at one year after LCSD and (0.5±0.8) at last follow up(P<0.001). The mean QTc was shortened from (545.7±51.2)ms before the surgery to (489.0±40.1)ms at the last follow-up (P<0.001). Among the 20 patients with basic QTc ≥500 ms and completing the follow-up, the QTc intervals of 11(55.0%) patients were shortened to below 500 ms. The event free survival rates for any cardiac events after LCSD decreased sequentially in the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=7.24, log-rank P=0.026). No difference was found in the event free survival rates among LQT1, LQT2 and undefined gene patients (χ²=5.20, log-rank P>0.05). Conclusions: LCSD surgery can reduce the incidence of cardiac events and shorten the QTc interval in patients with LQTS after the long-term follow-up. LCSD surgery is effective and safe for patients with LQTS ineffective or intolerant to drug therapy. However, high-risk patients are still at a high risk of sudden death after surgery and should be actively monitored and protected by combined therapies.

Treatment efficiency evaluation of left cardiac sympathetic denervation for patients with inherited arrhythmia by exercise-stress test / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) in inherited arrhythmia patients with adrenergic activity-induced malignant ventricular arrhythmia, and observe exercise-stress test features before and after LCSD. Methods: This retrospective observational study included catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia(CPVT) and long QT syndromes(LQTS) patients who underwent video-assisted LCSD at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital and Peking University People's Hospital from September 2006 to May 2020. The indications for LCSD surgery were intolerant or refractory to beta-blocker medication. Clinical and exercise-stress tests data of included patients were collected before and 1 month after LCSD. Heart rate, exercise tolerance, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia, QTc interval and predictors for sudden cardiac death were analyzed. Patents were regularly followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LCSD and then once every year thereafter. Cardiac events and medication adjustment records were collected. Results: Five patients (2 CPVT, 1 LQT1, and 2 LQT2)were included in the study. All patients experienced syncope as first symptom at the median age of 12(10, 16)years, and underwent LCSD at the median age of 21(16, 26)years, Baseline heart rate was similar before and after LCSD ((65.6±6.5) beats/min vs. (68.0±11.1) beats/min, P=0.57); while maximum workload tended to be lower after LCSD ((12.1±2.8) metabolic equivalents (METS) before surgery vs. (10.5±2.4) METS after surgery, P=0.07). Incidence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia were significantly reduced post LCSD, and the ventricular arrhythmia score was decreased after LCSD in CPVT patients (4 points before LCSD vs. 3 points after LCSD in case 1;5 points before LCSD vs. 3 points after LCSD in case 2). QTc interval was shortened significantly in three LQTs patients (QTc interval at baseline heart rate: (546.6±72.3) ms before surgery vs. (493±61.1) ms after LCSD, P=0.047; QTc interval at maximal exercise heart rate: (516.3±73.7) ms before surgery vs. (486.7±64.2)ms after LCSD, P=0.035). Additionally, sudden cardiac death risk indicator ΔHRR1 (heart rate decreasing value within the first 1 min during recovery phase) decreased from (51.5±21.1) beats/min before surgery to (32.0±13.9) beats/min after surgery (P=0.035). During a median follow-up of 1(1, 4) year, all five patients were on low dosage of propranolol (37.0±21.7) mg/d. Cardiac events free survival was achieved in four out of 5 patients (80%) after sympathectomy, while 1 case suffered from sudden cardiac death after emotional stress. Conclusion: LCSD surgery can be safely and effectively performed in most hereditary arrhythmia patients with adrenergic activity-induced life-threatening cardiac events. Exercise stress test results show that LCSD could reduce malignant arrhythmias and improve sudden cardiac death risk indicators without decreasing heart rate.

Applications, Problems and Countermeasures of Blockchain Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry / 医学信息学杂志

The paper introduces concept,development history and features of blockchain,expatiates on the application of blockchain technology in the pharmaceutical industry from four aspects,including Electronic Health Records (EHR),genetic engineering,anti-counterfeiting of medicine and virtual currency payment,and analyzes the problems in aspects like supervision and technology and the countermeasures in the pharmaceutical industry application.

Correlation of synovectomy with blood loss and knee joint function in primary total knee arthroplasty / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In recent years, knee arthroplasty is a relatively mature method for the treatment of various advanced osteoarthritis, and has good clinical efficacy. However, there is still a lot of controversy about whether to retain the synovial membrane. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of synovectomy in primary total knee arthroplasty on the blood loss and knee joint function in the patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Sixty patents with knee osteoarthritis were included, involving 25 males and 35 females, with an age of 55-70 years, and were then randomly divided into two groups (n=30 per group). The patients underwent total knee arthroplasty with (experimental group) or without (control group) synovectomy. The operation time, dominant, hidden and total bold loss, and hospitalization time were recorded. The Visual Analogue Scale scores at baseline, postoperative 3 days, 4 and 12 months were detected; the Hospital for Special Surgery scores at baseline, postoperative 4 and 12 months were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The operation time, as well as the dominant, hidden and total bold loss in the experimental group were significantly more than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in hospitalization time between two groups (P > 0.05). (2) The Visual Analogue Scale scores at beseline and postoperative different time points showed no significant difference between two groups, and the postoperative scores were significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05). (3) No significant difference was found in the Hospital for Special Surgery scores between two groups at baseline and postoperative different time points, and the postoperative scores in both groups were significantly higher than those at baseline (P < 0.05). (4) These results imply that the removal of synovial membrane during total knee arthroplasty can induce large amount of blood loss, and has no effect on the knee function in the patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Application status of small interfering RNA in spinal cord injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The connection between high-level central nervous system and spinal cord and peripheral nerve under injury level is blocked by traumatic spinal cord injury,and the whole function of the body is thereby influenced.The loss of motor function and feeling both severely affect the patient's life quality in views of physiology,psychology,function and social economics.RNA interference is an effective method to silence target genes,which provides a new treatment strategy for spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE:To explore the application status of RNA interference in spinal cord injury.METHODS:PubMed and CNKI databases were retrieved using the keywords of "RNA interference,RNAi,spinal cord injury" in English and Chinese,respectively.The articles addressing the application of RNA interference in spinal cord injury were collected and reviewed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Totally 44 articles were enrolled.It is urgent to find a new way to treat spinal cord injury.Compared with the traditional gene silencing technology,RNA interference owing to high specificity,high efficiency,high stability and high penetrability is considered to be a new direction for the studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of spinal cord injury.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and its clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb,so as to provide references for ligament repair.Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone-ligament-the first metacarpal bone,of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament,respectively.The ligaments were tested on biomechanical testing machine,and their length,width,thickness,the maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated.Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament,their maximum load was (213.5 ±72.4) and (168.7 ±35.2) N,their elastic modulus was (17.2 ±6.7) and (9.3 ±2.5) MPa,their elongation rate was (116.2 ± 21.3) ％ and (92.7 ± 22.4) ％,respectively.The maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than those of the anterior oblique ligament.Conclusions For the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb,the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness,which plays an important role in maintaining stability of the joint.The anterior obligue ligament is easy to be damaged due to its smaller stiffness and poor toughness.The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints,and materials whose elastic modulus and elongation rate are similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and its clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb,so as to provide references for ligament repair.Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone-ligament-the first metacarpal bone,of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament,respectively.The ligaments were tested on biomechanical testing machine,and their length,width,thickness,the maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated.Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament,their maximum load was (213.5 ±72.4) and (168.7 ±35.2) N,their elastic modulus was (17.2 ±6.7) and (9.3 ±2.5) MPa,their elongation rate was (116.2 ± 21.3) ％ and (92.7 ± 22.4) ％,respectively.The maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than those of the anterior oblique ligament.Conclusions For the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb,the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness,which plays an important role in maintaining stability of the joint.The anterior obligue ligament is easy to be damaged due to its smaller stiffness and poor toughness.The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints,and materials whose elastic modulus and elongation rate are similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb, so as to provide references for ligament repair. Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone- ligament-the first metacarpal bone, of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament, respectively. The ligaments were tested on the biomechanical testing machine, and their length, width, thickness, the maximum load, elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated. Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament, their maximum load was (213.5±72.4) and (168.7±35.2) N, their elastic modulus was (17.2±6.7) and (9.3±2.5) N/mm2, their elongation rate was (116.2±21.3)% and (92.7±22.4)%, respectively. The maximum load, elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than that of the anterior oblique ligament. Conclusions In the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb, the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness, which plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the joint. The stiffness of the anterior oblique ligament is smaller, the toughness is poor, which is easy to be damaged. The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints, and material whose elastic modulus and elongation rate is similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Evaluation and screening for biological activity of components in Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Biological activity evaluation of Chinese materia medica (CMM) composition is one of the main means to explore the active components of CMM. This paper, from the three aspects of whole animal, cellular, and molecular, discusses systematically the technical progress in this area over the past 10 years and the screening of new active ingredients from CMM and monomer compounds based on new technology. At the same time, the different technical strengths and weaknesses have been analyzed in the hope of providing the information and ideas for the research on the new drugs of CMM.

Expression of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and its significance in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 96 very low birth weight infants (gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks) who survived for more than 28 days and were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2010 and December 2012. These subjects were divided into BPD group (n=21) and non-BPD group (n=75). The expression of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in blood was measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in the BPD group increased gradually from the 7th day to the 14th day and then to the 21st day after birth, and were significantly higher than in the non-BPD group at all time points (P<0.01). The TGF-β1 and PAI-1 levels in the non-BPD group on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after birth were not significantly different from each other (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in blood is elevated in premature infants with BPD, which may be associated with the development of BPD.</p>

Completely thoracoscopic lobectomy for the surgical management of bronchiectasis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The feasibility of completing a lobectomy by completely video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (cVATS) in the management of bronchiectasis is unclear. By retrospectively comparing the outcomes from the lobectomies that used thoracotomy vs. cVATS, we determined the appropriateness of the minimally invasive cVATS approach in the management of bronchiectasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between June 2001 and October 2010, 60 patients with bronchiectasis underwent surgery, of which 56 lobectomies were performed. All lobectomies were carried out by either thoracotomy or cVATS approach. Pulmonary vessels and bronchi were manipulated by ligation or stapler in the thoracotomy group, while they were dissected by endo-cutters in the cVATS group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 21 patients in the thoracotomy group and 35 patients in the cVATS group. Two cVATS patients (5.7%) converted. The difference in operation time, chest tube duration, lengths of hospitalization, and morbidity were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). The blood loss was less in the cVATS group (P = 0.015). A total of 52.4% and 62.9% of patients were postoperatively asymptomatic in the thoracotomy and cVATS groups respectively, and symptomatic improvement was obtained in 38.1% patients by thoracotomy vs. 31.4% patients by cVATS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>cVATS lobectomy is safe and effective for the management of bronchiectasis, especially for the patients with localized lesions.</p>

Role of ABCB1 and ABCG2 in the multidrug resistance of hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cell line / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of multidrug resistance gene ABCB1 and ABCG2 in FaDu cells (human hypopharyngeal carcinoma cell line) and the multidrug resistance (MDR) cell lines FaDu/T transformed from FaDu cells by taxol and underlying mechanisms of MDR.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The multidrug resistance sensitivities of FaDu and FaDu/T to cisplatin (DDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin (Dox), and vincristine (VCR) were examined by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of multidrug resistance genes ABCB1 and ABCG2 were analysed with RT-PCR, Western blot and laser confocal microscopy. JNK signal proteins were detected through Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The multidrug resistance of FaDu/T cells to Taxol, DDP, 5-FU, ADM and VCR was more than that of FaDu cells. The expression of ABCB1 in FaDu/T cells was significantly higher than that in FaDu cells (t = 22.42, P < 0.05), but the expression of ABCG2 in FaDu/T cells was significantly lower than that in FaDu cells (t = 10.06, P < 0.05). JNK signal was inhibited in FaDu or FaDu/T cells and the inhibited JNK was reactivated by taxol or anisomycin (an activator for MAPK signal transduction pathways). Anisomycin down-regulated the expression of ABCB1 (F = 33.72, P < 0.05) and up-regulated the expression of ABCG2 (F = 220.16, P < 0.05) in FaDu/T cells, but not in FaDu/T cells pretreated by JNK inhibitor SP600125 (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The overexpression of ABCB1 and the down-regulation of ABCG2 in FaDu/T cells were the main features of MDR in hypopharyngeal carcinomas, in which JNK signal transduction pathways could play an important role.</p>

Activity of heme oxygenase-1 affects expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 gene in vitro / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>One effect of solid tumors is severe hypoxia of local tissues. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is highly expressed in a variety of human tumor tissues; its induction and activity are closely related to growth of solid tumors. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor that regulates hypoxia signal transduction and plays a central role in tumor hypoxia regulation. However, whether and how changes in HO-1 activity affect HIF-1 gene expression has not been reported previously.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hypoxia-inducible models were established using gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901) in a hypoxia incubator. Cells were placed in four groups: Group A, transfected by plasmid harboring HO-1 shRNA; Group B, transfected with scrambled shRNA vector; Group C, treated with hemin; and Group D, exposed to hypoxia only. Expressions of HO-1 and HIF-1 mRNAs were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of HO-1 and HIF-1 proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 and HIF-1 in the control group were significantly higher than in Group A (P < 0.01), but lower than in Group C (P < 0.01). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that HIF-1 was identified as the direct HO-1 target gene.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>While affected by HIF-1, HO-1 up-regulation promotes the expression of HIF-1 and the down-regulation of HO-1 suppresses the expression of HIF-1 gene.</p>

Completely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy versus open lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer greater than 5 cm: a retrospective study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Completely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is a reasonable treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, the indication for this procedure is stage Ia and Ib peripheral lung cancer (≤ 5 cm); however, for larger tumors, it remains controversial whether this surgical technique is comparable to open lobectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, completeness, and efficacy of thoracoscopic lobectomy, and to compare this technique with open lobectomy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer when the tumor's diameter was greater than 5 cm.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2001 to April 2011, 802 patients underwent a lobectomy for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer at our center. In 133 patients, the tumor was > 5 cm. There were 98 men and 35 women, median age 63 years (range: 29 - 81 years). We divided the patients into two groups, group V (completely video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), and group T (open lobectomy), and evaluated the two groups for age, gender, tumor size, pathological type, location, duration of surgery, blood loss, lymph node dissection, pathological stage, time of drainage, hospitalization, complications, overall survival and recurrence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 46 cases in group V and 87 cases in group T. Age, gender, tumor size, location, pathological type and stage were similar between the two groups. Group V had shorter operative duration ((186.5 ± 62.8) minutes vs. (256.7 ± 67.5) minutes, P < 0.001) and reduced bleeding ((218.5 ± 174.6) ml vs. (556.9 ± 187.2) ml, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in complications, lymph node dissection, time of drainage and hospitalization. The recurrence between the two groups was equivalent (2.4% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.670). The overall survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 95.1%, 81.6% and 69.6% for group V and 88.3%, 78.8% and 64.0% for group T. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that there was no significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.129).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Completely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy was similar to open lobectomy in safety, completeness, and efficacy, but had a shorter operative duration, and reduced bleeding. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is feasible for a subset of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with tumor size > 5 cm.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of transient osteoporosis of the hip / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of transient oeteoporods of the hip (TOH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to February 2010, 5 patients with TOH were treated with traditional methods. All the patients were male, with an average age of 38.6 years (ranged, 27 to 46 years). The clinical manifestation, physical examination and imageology characteristic was investigated. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by Harris hip score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up, the duration ranged from 12 to 36 months (averaged, 24 months). The Harris hip score before treatment were 63.1, 86.0, 74.9, 63.6 and 64.8 respectively, while after 6 months treatment, the scores improved to 90.5, 94.5, 89.7, 93.9 and 87.8 respectively. Moreover, 6 months later, the abnormal signal disappeared in MR imaging and X-ray.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transient osteoporosis of the hip is a self-resolving condition and a self-limited disease, the expectant treatment is useful for it.</p>

Twist modulates lymphangiogenesis and correlates with lymph node metastasis in supraglottic carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Twist is a highly conserved epithelial-mesenchymal transcription factor that has been reported to be a key factor in tumor malignancy, including lymph node metastasis. It represents the major step of dissemination and serves as a chief prognostic indicator of disease progression. However, the mechanism by which Twist regulates lymph node metastasis remains incompletely understood. Studies on the mechanism of metastasis are thus required for determining appropriate therapeutic strategies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry for lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor 1 (LYVE-1), Ki-67, Twist, vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) was performed to detect lymphatic vessel density (LVD), cell proliferation levels and the expressions of Twist, VEGF-C, and VEGFR-3 were determined from 66 primary supraglottic carcinoma tissue samples from 36 patients with lymph node metastasis (pathological N+, pN+) and 30 patients without metastasis (pathological N0, pN0). Western blotting analysis of the proteins in pN+ and pN0 primary tumors was used to characterize the expressions of Twist, VEGF-C, and VEGFR-3 further.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The LVD was 22.4 ± 10.3 in pN+ patients and 6.8 ± 4.1 in pN0 ones. For Ki-67, the number of proliferous cells in pN+ patients was greater than that in pN0 ones. Both, however, were associated with their clinical nodal stages. In pN+ patients, Twist, VEGF-C, and VEGFR-3 expressions were 86.11% (31/36), 80.56% (29/36), and 58.33% (21/36), respectively. These values were higher than those found for pN0 patients (i.e., 13/30, 11/30, and 7/30, respectively) (P < 0.05). Among the samples with Twist expression, 88.64% were VEGF-C-positive and 59.09% were VEGFR-3-positive. The pN0 counterparts were 4.55% and 9.09%, respectively (P < 0.05). The expressions of Twist, VEGF-C, and VEGFR-3 in pN+ patients obtained through Western blotting analysis were significantly higher than those in pN0 patients, and the levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were positively correlated with that of Twist.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Twist expression correlates with lymph node metastasis. The mechanism involved in such a correlation may be related to lymphangiogenesis.</p>

Application of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mediastinal lesions are often difficult to diagnose in clinical practice because of the unique anatomical position of the mediastinum, which makes performance of biopsy difficult. The value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of lung cancer and mediastinal lymph node staging has been widely accepted. However, few studies have been conducted on the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The current study was conducted to investigate the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of isolated mediastinal lesions without lung abnormalities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with isolated mediastinal lesions without lung abnormalities for whom endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration examination was performed at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking University People's Hospital, between September 2009 and December 2010. For patients who could not be diagnosed with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, surgical biopsy or more than 6 months of clinical and imaging follow-up was carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was performed for 60 patients with isolated mediastinal lesions. Correct diagnosis was made in 48 cases. Nineteen cases were malignant, and 29 were benign. The rate of correct diagnosis was 80%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal lesions were 95%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. The examination was tolerable for all patients. No associated complications were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is a safe and effective method of diagnosing mediastinal lesions.</p>

Numerical simulation study on effects of ambient temperature on airflow in the nasal cavity / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the aerodynamics of the normal human nasal cavity under different ambient temperatures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on CT scanning, a model of a healthy adult's nasal cavity was established using computational fluid dynamics software from Fluent. Airflow in this model was simulated and calculated at ambient temperatures of 0 °C, 24 °C, and 37 °C during periodic breathing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ambient temperature only had an impact on the temperature in the nasal cavity during the inspiratory phase, and the temperature distribution was not symmetrical in the inspiratory acceleration and deceleration phases. The ambient temperature significantly affected airflow speed in main nasal passages during the inspiratory process, but had little impact on flow status (proportion and streamline of airflow in different nasal passages). Temperature differences increased the irregular air movement within sinuses. The anterior nasal segment, including the area between the valve and the head of the middle turbinate, was the most effective part of the nasal airway in heating the ambient air.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings describe the effects of ambient temperature on airflow parameters in the nasal cavity within a single respiratory cycle. This data is more comprehensively and accurately to determine the relationship between nasal cavity aerodynamics and physiological functions.</p>

Littoral cell angioma of the spleen: report of three cases and a review of the literature / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Littoral cell angioma is a recently described rare vascular tumor of the spleen. The clinical course of this benign tumor is asymptomatic in most patients. Herein, we described three patients with littoral cell angioma detected during physical examination. A brief discussion and review of a handful of cases of splenic littoral cell angioma, which have been previously reported in the English language literature, are performed in this paper.