Overexpression of lncRNA-MEG3 inhibits endometrial cell proliferation and invasion via miR-21-5p/DNMT3B/Twist

Abstract Recent studies have found that lncRNA-MEG3(MEG3) plays an important role in the development of EMs (Endometriosis), but the specific mechanism needs to be further explored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MEG3 on the proliferation, invasion of EMs cells. The authors used RT-qPCR to detect the expression of MEG3 and miR-21-5p in EMs tissues and hESCs cells, MTT and Transwell to detect cell proliferation and invasion, western blotting assay to detect the expression of DNMT3B and Twist, MSP to detect the methylation of Twist. The present study's detection results showed that MEG3 was lowly expressed in EMs tissues and hESCs cells, and overexpression of MEG3 could down-regulate miR-21-5p and inhibit endometrial cell proliferation and invasion. In addition, overexpression of MEG3 upregulated the expression of DNMT3B and promoted the methylation of TWIST. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that MEG3 is downregulated in EMs tissues, and overexpression of MEG3 can promote the activity of DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B by downregulating miR-21-5p, thereby promoting the methylation of Twist, downregulating Twist level to inhibits hESCs cells proliferation and invasion.

Efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To analyze the value of maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in differentiating the malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) from benign ones. Methods:18F-FDG PET/CT imaging data of 84 patients (39 males, 45 females; age: 34-81(average: 61.1) years) with SPN in the First People′s Hospital of Lianyungang between September 2017 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The pathological results were taken as the gold standard. Differences of SUV max between benign and malignant SPN were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, and the best cut-off value for the diagnosis of benign and malignant SPN was measured by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The diagnostic efficacy was analyzed based on SUV max. Results:The pathological results confirmed 54 patients with malignant SPN, and 30 patients with benign SPN. SUV max of malignant group was significantly higher than that of benign group (5.48±4.08 vs 1.70(0.73, 3.33); U=443.50, P=0.001). The 84 SPN included 58 solid SPN and 26 subsolid SPN. SUV max of malignant subsolid SPN and benign ones were not significantly different ( U=56.00, P>0.05). The diagnostic value of SUV max in 58 cases of solid nodules were analyzed based on ROC curves, and the optimal cut-off value was 1.85. The corresponding diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 97.06%(33/34), 62.50%(15/24), 82.76%(48/58), 15/16, 78.57%(33/42), respectively. Conclusions:18F-FDG uptake of malignant SPN were higher than benign ones. The diagnosis of benign and malignant solid SPNs based on SUV max 1.85 has high sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy. SUV max has limited diagnostic value on subsolid SPN.

Efficacy analysis of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of unresectable non-small cell lung cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of CT-guided 125I seeds implantation combined with gemcitabine + cis-platinum (GP) in the treatment of unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods From January 2013 to January 2017,62 patients with unresectable Ⅱ b-Ⅲb NSCLC were randomly divided into 2 groups.In the study group,32 patients (17 males,15 females,age (62.7± 8.9) years) underwent 125I seeds implantation combined with 4 courses of GP chemotherapy,and 30 patients (18 males,12 females,age (61.9±7.0) years) in the control group underwent concurrent radiotherapy combined with 4 courses of GP chemotherapy.The short-term effects at 3 and 6 months after treatment were compared between 2 groups,as well as the survival time.Log-rank test was used to analyze the data.Results The effective rates at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the study group and control group were statistically significant (90.62％ (29/32) vs 70.00％ (21/30),96.88％ (31/32) vs 66.67％ (20/30);x2 values:3.00 and 7.22,both P＜0.05).The median survival time of the study group and control group were 17 and 15 months (x2 =2.194,P＞0.05).The 1-year survival rates of 2 groups were 87.50％ (28/32) and 76.67％ (23/30),respectively (x2=1.24,P＞0.05),and the 2-year survival rates were 40.62％ (13/32)and 20.00％(6/30),respectively (x2=4.00,P＜0.05).Conclusions 125I seeds implantation combined with GP chemotherapy is a significant treatment for unresectable NSCLC.The short-term efficacy is better than concurrent radiotherapy combined with GP regimen.

Biomechanical study of different fixation with hollow screws in spinal laminoplasty / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Spinal lamina reimplantation assisted hollow screw laminoplasty has achieved good clinical efficacy. The search literature found that there is no research at home and abroad on the biomechanical properties of unilateral and bilateral hollow screw fixation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biomechanical property of different fixation with hollow screws in artificial and goat vertebrate laminoplasty. METHODS: A laminoplasty was conducted by using hollow screws. Based on the artificial vertebrate laminoplasty model, new models were generated by simulating unilateral screws fixation with a depth of screw insertion 5 mm (A group), unilateral screw fixation with a depth of screw insertion 8 mm (B group) and bilateral screw fixation with a depth of screw insertion 5 mm (C group). Based on the goat vertebrate laminoplasty model, new models were generated by simulating unilateral screws fixation (A group) and bilateral screw fixation (B group). The pull-out strength and static pressure were tested in the biomechanical testing machine with a sensor. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the artificial vertebrate model, the average pull-out strength of the group B was stronger than that of the groups A and C (P < 0.01); the average pull-out strength of the group A was stronger than that of group C (P < 0.01), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the average static compression of the group A and group B was similar; the average static compression of the group C was lower than that of the groups A and B, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). (2) In the goat vertebrate model, the average pull-out strength and static compression of the group A were stronger than that of the group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (3) Results suggest that unilateral screw fixation in the artificial and goat vertebrate laminoplasty can provide sufficient pull-out strength and static compression, and the biomechanical strength is positively related to the depth of the screw.

Resistance Reversion of Rapamycin on Ovarian Cancer Cell Line SKOV3/DDP and Its Molecular Mechanisms / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To study the resistance reversion of rapamycin on ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP,and ex-plore its underlying molecular mechanisms.[Methods]MTT method was used to detect the cell toxicity,drug-resistant multi-ple and reversing multiple of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP;Western blot was used to detect the changes of Akt/mTOR Pathway induced by rapamycin.[Results]① MTT detected that when rapamycin concentration was 25,50,100,500 and 1 000 μg/L,its inhibition rates on cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP were 4.48%,25.30%,35.86%,67.82%,81.43%.The concentration of 25 μg/L was selected to be the reversal concentration,be-cause its maximum rate was less than 5%.②The resistant index(RI)of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP was 2.21. ③ The reversal fold of 25 μg/L rapamycin on cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP was 1.63.④Western blot results:After the addition of rapamycin,expression of p-mTOR and its downstream protein p-p70s6k in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP was significantly reduced. Meanwhile,there was a feedback increase in p-Akt.[Conclusions]Rapamycin has a reversal effect on cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3/DDP. Its reversal mechanism may be inhibiting the cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis by depressing the expression of p-mTOR and its downstream pro-tein p-p70s6k in Akt/mTOR Pathway.

Clinical significance of tracing thyroglobulin in predicting metastasis of post-operative patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma before its first pre-ablation with 131I / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To investigate the value of tracing thyroglobulin(Tg)in predicting metastasis of post-operative patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC)before its first pre-ablation with 131I. Methods 106 cases with DTC, undergoing total thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy, were assigned to 2 groups as M0 group (without metastasis)and M1 group(with metastasis). Clinical data including pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg)and pre-operative Tg were determined. sTg, pre-operative Tg, Tg variation(△Tg), and Tg variation rate (△Tg/pre-operative Tg)between 2 groups were compared. The ROC curve and the diagnostic critical point(DCP) were analyzed. Results sTg, Pre-operative Tg, Tg variation, and Tg variation rate were significantly higher than those of M0(all P<0.01). The corresponding areas under the ROC curve(AUC)to differentiate the two groups were 0.913,0.702,0.773,and 0.943,respectively. The best diagnostic value points(DCP)were 40.60 ng/ml and-72.5%. The sensitivity and specificity were 70. 21%, 100. 00%, and 89. 36%, 88. 13%, respectively. Conclusion The pre-ablation sTg seems to be a useful diagnostic marker for predicting metastasis before the first 131I ablation. The sTg value can be effectively corrected by the Tg variation rate,and the sensitivity and accuracy of sTg for metastasis in DTC patients can be improved,finally providing evidence for pre-ablative assessment as well as strategies of 131I therapy.

Postoperative Stimulated Thyroglobulin Level in Predicting Functional Metastasis of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To explore the value of postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) level in predicting functional metastasis in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) before 131I therapy,in order to guide 131I therapy.Materials and Methods 101 DTC patients who accepted total thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy in the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang were retrospectively analyzed.The ps-Tg level after DTC surgery was detected 1 day before 131I therapy,and 131I-SPECT/CT scan was performed 5-7 days after 131I therapy.The presence of functional metastasis was confirmed on the basis of 131I-SPECT/CT imaging,and the patients were assigned into non-metastic (M0) group and metastatic (M1) group.The ROC curve was used to evaluate the value of ps-Tg in predicting functional metastasis.Results The ps-Tg level in M 1 group was higher than that in M0 group,and the difference was statistically significant (U=328.00,P＜0.001).The area of ps-Tg value under the ROC curve was 0.870,and the diagnostic cut-off point was 40.60 ng/ml.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy was 72.34％,100.00％ and 87.13％,respectively.Concltsion The ps-Tg value can be used as an effective indicator to predict functional metastasis,and is able to guide 131I therapy.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab Combined with Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide for Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab combined with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for the treatment of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty cases of CLL patients treated in our hospital from March 2010 to March 2014 years were selected and divided into the observation group (20 cases) and control group (20 cases) by random number table method. The patients in control group were treated with CHOP chemotherapy, the patients in observation group were treated with rituximab combined with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of patients in 2 groups was analyzed according to the peripheral hemogram indexes, symptom and sign disappeared time as well as adverse reaction incidence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>the remission rate in observation group was 90.00%, which was significantly higher than that in control group (70.00%) (P < 0.05); the peripheral hemogram indexes in 2 groups before treatment showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), and were significantly improved after treatment, but the white blood cell count and lymphocyte absolute number were significantly lower in observation group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05); symptom and sign disappeared time in observation group were significantly shorter as compared with the control group (P < 0.05); adverse reaction incidence in obseovation group was significantly lower as compared with control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>application of rituximab combined with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of CLL shows the higher curative effect, can effectively improve the symptoms and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. It is worthy to be popularized.</p>

Can radical parametrectomy be omitted in occult cervical cancer after extrafascial hysterectomy? / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Occult invasive cervical cancer discovered after simple hysterectomy is not common, radical parametrectomy (RP) is a preferred option for young women. However, the morbidity of RP was high. The aim of our study is to assess the incidence of parametrial involvement in patients who underwent radical parametrectomy for occult cervical cancer or radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer and to suggest an algorithm for the triage of patients with occult cervical cancer to avoid RP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 13 patients with occult cervical cancer who had undergone RP with an upper vaginectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were included in this retrospective study. Data on the clinicopathologic characteristics of the cases were collected. The published literature was also reviewed, and low risk factors for parametrial involvement in early-stage cervical cancer were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 13 patients, 9 had a stage IB1 lesion, and 4 had a stage IA2 lesion. There were four patients with grade 1 disease, seven with grade 2 disease, and two with grade 3 disease. The median age of the entire patients was 41 years. The most common indication for extrafascial hysterectomy was cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3. Three patients had visible lesions measuring 10-30 mm, in diameter and ten patients had cervical stromal invasions with depths ranging from 4 to 9 mm; only one patient had more than 50% stromal invasion, and four patients had lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). Perioperative complications included intraoperative bowel injury, blood transfusion, vesico-vaginal fistula, and ileus (1 case for each). Postoperative pathologic examination results did not show residual disease or parametrial involvement. One patient with positive lymph nodes received concurrent radiation therapy. Only one patient experienced recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Perioperative complications following RP were common, whereas the incidence of parametrial involvement was very low among selected early-stage cervical cancer patients. Based on these results, we thought that patients with very low-risk parametrial involvement(tumor size ≤ 2 cm, no LVSI, less than 50% stromal invasion, negative lymph nodes) may benefit from omitting RP. Further prospective data are warranted.</p>

Endovascular interventions for TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus II C and D femoropopliteal lesions / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Peripheral artery disease accounts for more than 400 000 hospitalizations in the USA and results in symptoms ranging from claudication to gangrene. Recent advances in endovascular techniques have led to a more aggressive approach for treating peripheral artery disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular interventions on TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus (TASC) II C and D femoropopliteal occlusive disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data for all patients undergoing endovascular interventions for femoropopliteal occlusive disease from December 2007 through December 2010 were reviewed. Demographic data, risk factor data, preprocedural and postprocedural ankle-brachial indices, technical success rates, and complication rates were obtained. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors adversely affecting primary patency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study group included 52 TASC II C and 106 TASC II D limbs in 126 patients (mean age, (68.0 ± 18.0) years). The technical success rate was 91.1%. Complications occurred in 19 limbs (12.0%), including 8 (5.1%) major complications. The mean follow-up period was (17.6 ± 5.1) months (range, 12.0 - 48.0 months). Primary patency rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 95%, 78%, 74%, and 74% in TASC II C lesions and 89%, 62%, 52%, and 52% in TASC II D lesions, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 97%, 94%, 94%, and 94% in TASC II C lesions and 97%, 95%, 83%, and 83% in TASC II D lesions, respectively. It is significantly different between primary patency rates (P < 0.05) but not secondary patency rates of TASC II C and D groups (P > 0.05). Predictors of restenosis/occlusion included hyperlipidemia, lesion length, and popliteal artery involvement.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endovascular treatment of TASC II C and D femoropopliteal artery occlusion has a high technical success rate with favorable mid-term secondary patency rate. Hyperlipidemia, lesion length, and popliteal artery involvement were independent risk factors for in-stent restenosis.</p>

Comparative study of semi-quantitative value based on different reference point in diagnosis of pulmonary lesions with 18F-FDG coincidence imaging / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To explore the optimal semi-quantitative uptake ratio for differentiation between benign and malignant lung lesions with 18F-FDG coincidence imaging.Methods One hundred and thirty-seven patients (89 males,48 females,age range:33-78 years) with lung diseases underwent 18 FFDG coincidence imaging.The maximum radioactivity counts of the lung lesions (T),normal chest wall soft tissues (NT1) and the contralateral lung tissue (NT2) were measured.The ratios of R1 (T/NT1) and R2(T/NT2) were calculated.The optimal threshold values of R1(cutoff)and R2(cutoff) were identified by ROC curve analysis.Using the optimal threshold,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were calculated.Results The optimal threshold values R1(cutoff)and R2(cutoff) were identified as 3.58 and 4.40.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 90.0％(90/100),89.2％(33/37),89.8％(123/137) according to R1(cutoff) and 90.0％ (90/100),78.4％(29/37),86.9％(119/137) according to R2(cutoff) Conclusion Based on which the chest wall soft tissue is taken as a reference point,the optimal threshold value of T/NT1 is 3.58 in differentiation between benign and malignant lung lesions with 18F-FDG coincidence imaging.

Proteomics analysis of distinct proteins in human atherosclerosis obliterans: identification and verification / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify distinct proteins involved in human atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) by a differential proteomic approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight atherosclerotic femoral arteries with a mean age of 68.6 years (6 male and 2 female) and 5 normal femoral arteries with a mean age of 44.2 years (3 male and 2 female) were obtained from high amputation patients. Then the first 2-dimensional maps of the proteome of human femoral arteries was plotted to compare ASO and control specimens. Proteomic profiling was to differentiate and identify histological proteins that were associated with ASO. The differentially expressed proteins were sequenced by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The result was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ASO was associated with distinct patterns of protein expression in the femoral arteries. A total of 25 distinct spots corresponding to 13 different proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS using the NCBI and IPI databases. These proteins were mainly involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and transformation of SMCs. The low level of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in ASO was verified by IHC and western-blot in accord with the result of MS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Proteomic analysis can be used to investigate differentially expressed proteins, which may provide new insights into ASO pathogenesis, such as HSP27.</p>

KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 potassium channels gene variants in sudden manhood death syndrome / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene variants in the cases of sudden manhood death syndrome (SMDS).@*METHODS@#One hundred and sixteen sporadic cases of SMDS and one hundred and twenty-five healthy controlled samples were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Gene variants of KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 were screened by direct sequencing.@*RESULTS@#A total of 14 mutations and 14 SNP were detected. Two non-synonymous mutations of them were newfound. There was no non-synonymous mutation found in the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#There are KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene variants found in Chinese SMDS cases. KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene mutation may correlate partly with the occurrence of some cases of the SMDS in China.

Endovascular angioplasty for the treatment of long iliac artery chronic total occlusions / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of endovascular angioplasty in treating long iliac artery chronic total occlusions (CTO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data from a consecutive series of patients with long (> 5 cm) iliac artery CTO who treated by endovascular angioplasty from January 2006 to December 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 139 patients (157 limbs) with long iliac artery CTO treated by endovascular angioplasty in this study [male 93 and female 46, mean age (77 ± 10) years]. According to TASC II classification, there were 18 patients in type B, 89 patients in type C and 32 patients in type D. Recanalization of the occluded lesions was attempted with the left brachial and/or femoral access.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ankle brachial index increased from 0.42 ± 0.19 before treatment to 0.81 ± 0.26 after treatment. The rate of technical success was 96.2% (151/157) and the patency rate of iliac artery was 94.1% (111/118) during the follow-up. Significant restenosis or reocclusion was found in 7 iliac lesions and there were no major interventional complications, such as iliac artery rupture, stent displacement, pseudoaneurysms, and arteriovenous fistula.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endovascular angioplasty is an effective, safe and feasible method in treating long iliac CTO with high patency rate. Combined left brachial and femoral access can increase the technical success rate significantly.</p>

Lithium chloride combined with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treatment of spinal cord injury in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of lithium chloride combined with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-SCs) transplantation in the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty female SD rats with complete T9 spinal cord transaction were randomized into 4 groups (n=20), namely the control group (group A), lithium chloride group (group B), hUCB-SCs group (group C) and hUCB-SCs(+) lithium chloride group (group D). On days 1 and 3 and the last days of the following weeks postoperatively, the motor function of the hindlimb of the rats were evaluated according to the BBB scores. At 8 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed and the spinal cords were taken for morphological observation. The spinal cord tissues at the injury site were observed with Brdu nuclear labeling to identify the survival and migration of the transplanted SCs. The regeneration and distribution of the spinal nerve fibers were observed with fluorescent-gold (FG) spinal cord retrograde tracing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Brdu labeling showed that the transplanted hUCB-SCs survived and migrated in the spinal cord 8 weeks postoperatively in groups C and D. FG retrograde tracing identified a small amount of pyramidal cells that migrated across the injury site in groups C and D. The BBB scores of the hindlimb motor function 8 weeks postoperatively were 4.11∓0.14, 4.50∓0.15, 8.31∓0.11 and 11.15∓0.18 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lithium chloride can promote the survival and differentiation of hUCB-SCs into neural cells at the injury site. Lithium chloride combined with hUCB-SCs transplantation may accelerate functional recovery of the hindlimbs in rats with complete transection of the spinal cord.</p>

Immediate effects of acupuncture on gait patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in pain relief and anesthesia, and has been suggested for treating various kinds of functional disabilities in traditional Chinese medicine, including knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of acupuncture on gait patterns in patients with knee OA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty patients with bilateral medial knee OA were assigned evenly and randomly to a sham group and an experimental group. During the experiment, the experimental group underwent a 30-minute formula electro-acupuncture treatment while the sham group received a sham treatment. Before and after treatment, each subject was evaluated for their knee pain using visual analog scales (VAS) and then their performance of level walking using gait analysis. For all the obtained variables, the independent t-test was used for between-group comparisons, while paired t-test was used to investigate the before and after changes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the measured data before acupuncture treatment between the groups were not significantly different. The VAS scores were decreased significantly after acupuncture in both groups, and the mean change of the VAS values of the experiment group was 2 times greater than that of the sham group. After formula acupuncture stimulation, while no significant changes were found in all the gait variables in the sham group, the experimental group had significant increases in the gait speed, step length, as well as in several components of the joint angles and moments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of the study suggest that significantly improved gait performance in the experimental group may be associated with pain relief after treatment, but the relatively small decrease of pain in the sham group was not enough to induce significant improvements in gait patterns. Gait analysis combined with the VAS can be useful for the evaluation of the effect of acupuncture treatment for patients with neuromusculoskeletal diseases and movement disorder.</p>

The changes of interdigestive migrating motor complex in rats with acute liver failure / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes and characteristics of interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in rat models of acute liver failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>30 rat models with acute liver failure were induced with D-galactosamine and another 30 normal rats were used as controls. The indexes of MMC recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant differences found between the two groups in antral and duodenal MMC cycles and frequencies of duodenal and jejunal MMC III phase. Compared with normal controls, the MMC II phase in the acute liver failure rats was significantly prolonged (t=-3.97, -3.85, P<0.05), the MMC III duration of antrum and duodenum (u=-4.99, t=4.66, P<0.05) was shorter and the MMC III frequency of antrum (u=-4.73, P<0.05) was faster. In addition, the MMC cycle and MMC III phase of jejunum were significantly prolonged (u=-1.63, t=-4.94, P<0.05) and the MMC III phase duration was significantly shorter in the acute liver failure rats (t=5.10, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Significantly prolonged MMC II phase characterized by migrating clustered contraction, shortened MMC III phase and extended jejunal MMC cycles were probably the major contributors to the gastrointestinal motility disorders in the rats with acute liver failure.</p>

The role and significance of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway regulating the signaling molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role and significance of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway regulating GSK-3beta, STAT3, Smad3 and TERT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HCC cell line HepG2 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against beta-catenin. Proteins were extracted and the expressions of beta-catenin, GSK-3beta, p-GSK-3beta, STAT3, Smad3 and TERT were detected by Western blot at 72 h and 96 h respectively after transfection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>beta-catenin expression was inhibited at both time points and the expression at 96 h was higher than that at 72 h (t = 4.43, P < 0.05). Interestingly, GSK-3beta and p-GSK-3beta expressions increased gradually at 72 and 96 h (tGSK-3beta= 4.98, tp-GSK-3beta= 29.83, P < 0.05) respectively, and STAT3 expression showed no alteration after transfection (F = 0.49, P > 0.05). Smad3 expression was increased at 72 h (t = 10.67, P < 0.05) and decreased to normal at 96 h (t = 1.26, P < 0.05), while TERT expression decreased at 72 h (t = 4.18, P is less than 0.05) and increased to normal at 96 h (t = 1.26, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is related to the expressions of GSK-3beta, Smad3 and TERT, but perhaps not related to STAT3 protein expression in HCC. It suggested that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway might participate in HCC genesis and development through regulating the above three factors.</p>

The prevention and management of subintimal angioplasty complications / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to assess the prevention and management of subintimal angioplasty (SIA) to treat lower extremity arterial occlusions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2003 to May 2008, 106 lower extremities with arterial occlusions (median length of 10.8 cm, range from 4.5 to 28.0 cm) were treated on an intention-to-treat basis with SIA. Twenty-one lower extremities had disabling claudication and 85 had limb-threatening ischemia. Main outcome measures included the occurrences of SIA complications and their prevention and management. In order to prevent and cure perforation of a vessel and the important collaterals being compromised, the recanalisation of SIA was performed in the "roadmap" of DSA, the guide wire was advanced with top loop through the subintimal plane until the occlusion was passed, the position of the catheter which was confirmed by injection of a small amount of contrast media during the manipulations. In order to prevent and cure acute reocclusion and embolisation, subintimal angioplasty of long occlusion was performed by long suitable diameter balloon catheters, with prolonged (2 to 3 min) inflation, stents were only placed with residual stenoses and intimal flaps. Anticoagulation was administered for 3 to 5 d and then antiplatelet treatment was given for 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The subcutaneous light gore of arterial access sites was seen in five legs, no arterial embolisation occurred. The perforation rate was 6% (7 legs), but no serious outcomes occurred. One patient had been amputated because of important collaterals being compromised. Three legs had acute occlusion in subintimal recanalisation and one patient converted what would have been an above-knee bypass, into a below-knee bypass.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The complications of subintimal angioplasty include perforation, embolisation, acute recanalisation occlusion and important collaterals being compromised. Most of these complications can be prevented and cured, few serious outcomes occur.</p>

Surgical treatment of visceral artery aneurysms / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the experience with diagnosis and surgical treatment of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2003 to December 2008, 8 patients (2 male and 6 female) with 9 VAAs underwent surgical treatment. Mean age was 49 years (ranged from 30 to 72 years). The site of aneurysmal disease was splenic artery in 4 cases, superior mesenteric artery in 2 cases, renal artery in 2 cases (3 aneurysms). In 1 patient of splenic artery aneurysm, portal vein hypertension coexisted. All the VAAs of preoperative diagnostic workup consisted of a ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and digital subtraction angiography. Six patients were operated on and two patients was treated with endovascular procedures. Only one small VAAs was treated with follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No deaths or major complications occurred in the perioperative period. All the patients remained symptom free during a follow-up of 26.5 months (ranged from 2 to 60 months). Follow-up consisted of clinical and ultrasound scan examinations or CT scan at 1 and 6 months, and yearly thereafter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aggressive approach to the treatment of VAAs is essential. Elective open surgical treatment and an endovascular procedure of visceral artery aneurysms are both safe and effective, and offers satisfactory early and long term results. There is some evidence that small (< 2 cm) and asymptomatic VAAs may be safely observed.</p>