[Paratesticular liposarcoma: the clinicopathological features of nineteen cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnoses of paratesticular liposarcoma. Methods: The cases were collected from 2012-2020, from the archives of the Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, with diagnosis confirmed by histology, immunostaining and FISH tests. Results: Totally 19 patients were enrolled (including 11 in-hospital patients and 8 consultant cases). The patients aged 37-84 years (mean 57 years). The preoperative clinical diagnoses were spermatic cord/inguinal masses (nine patients), scrotal masses (seven patients), and inguinal hernia (three patients). Six lesions recurred after local resection, including one case extending from pelvic liposarcoma. Histologically, there were 10 cases of well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) and nine cases of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS). WDLPSs mostly showed the combined features of lipoma-like, inflammatory and sclerosing subtypes (six patients); the other four WDLPSs had pure lipoma-like subtype features. DDLPSs were low-grade (three patients) or high-grade (six patients), with the morphology resembling myxofibrosarcoma, inflammatory myofibroblastoma, spindle cell sarcoma, pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma. Intense inflammatory cells infiltration was commonly observed in five WDLPSs and two DDLPSs. Ossification was observed in three tumors. Immunohistochemically, the tumors were positive for MDM2 (8/10) and CDK4 (10/10), which were expressed in lipo-differentiating cells, spindle cells in WDLPS, and in dediffferentiated components. S-100 was only expressed by lipocytes (10/10). CD34 expression was positive and diffuse in the stromal cells of WDLPSs and focal or diffuse in dedifferentiated areas (10/10). FISH tests with an MDM2 gene probe were positive (12/12). Conclusions: Paratesticular liposarcoma may be overlooked by both clinicians and pathologists. WDLPS and DDLPS predominate, showing various histologic divergences. The presence of amplification of the 12q14-q15 region (containing the MDM2 and CDK4 genes) is helpful for making the correct diagnosis.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve the growth and disease resistance of the invasive plant Wedelia trilobata.

AIMS: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic partners of many invasive plants, however, it is still unclear how AMF contribute to traits that are important for the successful invasion of their host and how environmental factors, such as nutrient conditions, influence this. This study was to explore the effects of Glomus versiforme (GV) and Glomus mosseae (GM) on the growth and disease resistance of the invasive plant Wedelia trilobata under different nutrient conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that GV and GM had higher root colonization rates resulting in faster W. trilobata growth under both low-N and low-P nutrient conditions compared to the normal condition. Also, the colonization of W. trilobata by GV significantly reduced the infection area of the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani under low-N conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that AMF can promote the growth and pathogenic defence of W. trilobata in a nutrient-poor environment, which might contribute to their successful invasion into certain type of habitats. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study, we report for the first time that AMF can promote growth and disease resistance of W. trilobata under nutrient-poor environment, which contribute to a better understanding of plant invasion.

Newborn dopaminergic neurons are associated with the migration and differentiation of SVZ-derived neural progenitors in a 6-hydroxydopamin-injected mouse model.

The use of the existing endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the brains of adult mammalian animals is challenging for cell therapy in treating Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have indicated that there is a low level of neurogenesis in the substantia nigra (SN) of adult mice. To assess the regenerative/neurogenic capacity of NPCs following an intranigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), the proliferation and differentiation of subventricular zone (SVZ)- and midbrain-derived NPCs were investigated, and the origin of SN newborn dopaminergic neurons was traced by using Nestin-CreERTM::ROSA26-LacZ mice and constructing a plasmid CD133-Promoter2-Cre. Our results showed that an intranigral injection of 6-OHDA-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons produced a significant increase in the SVZ-derived NPCs of the third ventricle (3V), cerebral aqueduct (Aq), and their surrounding regions. The SN newly generated dopaminergic neurons might contribute a little to an incomplete recovery of the nigrostriatal system. In addition, we found that SN newborn dopaminergic neurons were mainly derived from the migration and differentiation of the NPCs in the 3V- and Aq-SVZ and their adjacent regions. Thus, it will become an ideal strategy to treat PD by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous NPCs.

Allopregnanolone enhances the neurogenesis of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in APPswe/PSEN1 mice.

An earlier study has demonstrated that exogenous allopregnanolone (APα) can reverse the reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of 3-month-old male triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse (3xTgAD). This paper is focused on further clarifying the origin of these new-born TH-positive neurons induced by exogenous APα treatment. We performed a deeper research in another AD mouse model, 4-month-old male APPswe/PSEN1 double transgenic AD mouse (2xTgAD) by measuring APα concentration and counting immunopositive neurons using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and unbiased stereology. It was found that endogenous APα level and the number of TH-positive neurons were reduced in the 2xTgAD mice, and these reductions were present prior to the appearance of ß-amyloid (Aß)-positive plaques. Furthermore, a single 20mg/kg of exogenous APα treatment prevented the decline of total neurons, TH-positive neurons and TH/bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) double-positive neurons in the SNpc of 2xTgAD mice although the decreased intensity of TH-positive fibers was not rescued in the striatum. It was also noted that exogenous APα administration had an apparent increase in the doublecortin (DCX)-positive neurons and DCX/BrdU double-positive neurons of subventricular zone (SVZ), as well as in the percentage of neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)/BrdU double-positive neurons of the SNpc in the 2xTgAD mice. These findings indicate that a lower level of endogenous APα is implicated in the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the 2xTgAD mice, and exogenous APα-induced a significant increase in the new-born dopaminergic neurons might be derived from the proliferating and differentiation of neural stem niche of SVZ.

Prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Shanghai, China: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: There are ethnic differences in the prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Although there have been several reports on the prevalence and types of AGA in caucasian and Asian populations, there are very few data on a Chinese population that have been derived from a sufficient number of samples. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and types of AGA in a Chinese population, and to compare the results with those in caucasians and Koreans reported previously in the literature. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 7056 subjects (3519 men and 3537 women) from May 2006 to December 2006 in a community of Shanghai. Questionnaires were completed during face-to-face interviews at the subjects' homes. The degree of AGA was classified according to the Norwood and Ludwig classifications. RESULTS: The prevalence of AGA in Chinese men was 19.9%, and the prevalence of female pattern AGA in men was 0.1%. The most common type in men was type III vertex (3.5%). The prevalence of AGA in women was 3.1%, while male pattern AGA was found in those aged over 50 years (0.4%), and the most common type was type I (Ludwig classification) (1.4%). A family history of AGA was present in 55.8% of men and 32.4% of women with AGA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AGA in Chinese men was lower than in caucasian men but was similar to that in Korean men; however, over the age of 60 years it was approaching that in caucasian men but was higher than that in Korean men. The most common type in Chinese men with AGA was type III vertex. Interestingly, the prevalence of AGA in Chinese women was lower than that in Korean women and caucasian women, and type I was the most common type (Ludwig classification).

[Clinical evaluation of intermittent strophanthin K therapy for congestive heart failure combined coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and safety of intermittent strophanthin K therapy (ISKT) for congestive heart failure combined coronary artery disease with sinus rhythm. METHODS: Two hundred patients divided into Group A (98 cases with maintenance digoxin therapy) and Group B (102 cases with ISKT). They were studied for 3 months and some of them for longer period. RESULTS: Comparing the pretreatment data: 1. heart rate (HR, bpm), 2. left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 3. blood pressure (Bp, mmHg, calculated values as mean Bp for statistics). In group A, item 1. and 2. were significantly improved (item 1. 88 +/- 12 and 68 +/- 12, P < 0.01; item 2. 0.32 +/- 0.12 and 0.40 +/- 0.12, P < 0.01; item 3. showed no significant difference (126 +/- 21/90 +/- 6 and 128 +/- 21/80 +/- 5, P > 0.05). In group B, item 1., 2. and 3. were significantly improved (item 1. 90 +/- 10 and 70 +/- 11, item 2. 0.32 +/- 0.10 and 0.45 +/- 0.10, item 3. 128 +/- +/- 20/91 +/- 7 and 110 +/- 10/76 +/- 10, the p valves are the same < 0.01). As compared with the posttreatment data of both group A and B, HR, P > 0.05, there was no significant difference, LVEF, P < 0.05, there was significant difference, Bp, P < 0.01, there was significant difference. It showed no significant difference in total occurrence rate of digitalis overload or toxication between two groups also. CONCLUSION: ISKT for congestive heart failure combined coronary artery disease with sinus rhythm is effective and safe, with better improvement of heart function and Bp level.

[Radiofrequency catheter abaltion of right atrioventricular accessory pathway by superior vena cava approach].

The radiofrequency ablation effect was observed in 21 patients with single right atrioventricular accessory pathway by superior vena cava approach. Because of many factors, radiofrequency ablation by routine inferior vena cava approach failed. However, all of these accessory pathways were successfully ablated by the superior vena cava approach with could significantly reduce operation and radiofrequency ablation time and exposed time in x-ray, and there were not any complications. The success was probably related to the good contact between the ablation catheter tip and ablation target point. It is suggested that radiofrequency ablation of right atrioventricular accessory pathways by superior vena cava approach is effective and safe when the routine inferior vena cava approach is difficult or unsuccessful.

[Effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting on QT dispersion in patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to approach the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting on QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: PTCA and stenting were performed successfully on 42 patients with coronary heart disease. QTd and corrected QTd (QTcd) were obtained with a standard 12-lead ECG before and after PTCA + Stent. RESULTS: QTd and QTcd after PTCA + Stent were reduced significantly compared to those before PTCA + Stent (P < 0.01). There were no significant difference in QTd and QTcd before PTCA + Stent between single vessel lesion and multi-vessel lesion, but after PTCA + Stent, QTd and QTcd in single vessel lesion were decreased significantly compared to those in multi-vessel lesion. The ventricular arrhythmia in 9 patients was over after PTCA + Stent. CONCLUSIONS: QTd and QTcd were decreased significantly after PTCA + Stent because of the improvement of myocardial ischemia and heterogeneous repolarization in patients with coronary heart disease. The degree in decreasing QTd and QTcd was associated with compensatory circulation in coronary artery.

[Value of the association of partial surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in the management of tumors of the hypopharynx. A study of 141 T1-T2 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer treated by partial surgery, radical surgery or radiotherapy alone]. / Intérêt de l'association chirurgie partielle-radiothérapie postopératoire pour le traitement des tumeurs de l'hypopharynx. Etude à propos de 142 T1-T2 traités par chirurgie partielle, chirurgie radicale ou radiothérapie exclusive.

A retrospective study of 142 T1-T2 hypopharyngeal cancers treated from 1977 to 1988 was carried out. Forty-seven patients were treated by local conservative surgery, curage and postoperative radiotherapy of the remaining pharyngolarynx and cervical node areas (group 1), 48 by radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (group 2) and 47 by radiotherapy alone (group 3). There were more T1 tumors in group 1 (64%), than in group 2 (33%), and group 3 (40%). Sixty two percent of the patients of group 1 had clinical nodes, 56% of group 2 and 49% of group 3. There were 70% N+ and 30% N+ with extracapsular invasion (N+ RC+) in group 1, 81% N+ and 35% N+ RC+ in group 2. A histologically non-satisfactory resection was observed in 21% of patients of group 1 and 6% in group 2. Patients more than seventy years old comprised 11% in group 1, 15% in group 2 and 26% in group 3. Indications for radiotherapy alone was for 75% an impossibility for surgery (surgical contraindications or refusal by the patients). Overall survival was 34% at 5 years and 18% at 10 years. Five-year survival for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48%, 33.5% and 22%. Deaths by cancer evolution was as frequent in group 2 as in group 3 (43%) but deaths by metastatic evolutions were twice as frequent in group 2 and deaths by local regional evolution twice as frequent in group 1 (2%). Treatment of group 1 was recommended because of the good survival at 5 years, 48%, and the good voice conservation, 100% (despite non-satisfactory resections and N+ RC+). At present, some of these conservative surgeries would be replaced by radiotherapy alone in case of complete response after initial chemotherapy, which would be an advantage for cases with an indication for radical surgery, but not necessarily so for cases with an indication for partial surgery, taking into account the good results that we have achieved with an association of partial surgery and radiotherapy.