Changes in biologic characteristics of breast cancer treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound

Proliferation, invasion, immortalization and metastasis are the main malignant characteristics of cancer. Previous studies have shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound (US), or HIFU, can induce irreversible damage both to breast cancer cells and to tumor blood vessels. However, light microscopy alone may not always show this clearly. In this study, molecular biologic techniques were used to examine any changes in molecular markers associated with malignant behavior after exposure to HIFU. A total of 48 women with breast cancer were randomized to a control group (mastectomy) and a HIFU group (HIFU followed by mastectomy). Immunohistochemical staining, messenger RNA (mRNA) in situ hybridization and telomere-repeat amplification protocol-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA) techniques were used to detect tumor expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cell adhesion molecule CD44v6, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), erbB2 mRNA, and to measure telomerase activity in both groups. The results demonstrated that there were significant alterations in expression of PCNA, CD44v6, MMP-9, erbB2 mRNA, and a dramatic decrease in telomerase activity in the HIFU group. It is concluded that malignant tumor characteristics are arrested by HIFU, and that biologic factors are potential markers for assessing HIFU efficacy.     

50例肺癌患者中西医结合治疗后舌脉象参数的变化

目的:观察肺癌患者中西医结合治疗后其舌脉象参数变化情况,探讨舌脉象参数变化在肺癌患者中西医结合治疗过程中的临床意义。方法:于2015年1月至2016年4月,选取该阶段内我院采取中西医结合疗法治疗的50例肺癌患者作为此次研究的对象,分别于治疗前、治疗后1个月、治疗后2个月,采用舌脉象数字化分析仪对肺癌患者的舌象图片和关部脉图进行检测,比较治疗前、治疗后1个月、治疗后2个月患者的舌象参数、脉象参数。结果:与治疗前相比,治疗后1个月、治疗后2个月肺癌患者脉象参数中的PSR1明显增高(P0.05),PSR2明显降低(P0.05);与治疗后1个月相比,治疗后2个月肺癌患者脉象参数中的PSR1明显降低(P0.05),PSR2、PSR3均明显增高(P0.05);治疗前与治疗后相比,肺癌患者的脉象参数CSR1、CSR2、CSR3均未出现明显改变(P0.05)。与治疗前相比,治疗后1个月肺癌患者的舌象润燥指数、腐腻指数、裂纹指数均明显增高(P0.05),厚薄指数明显降低(P0.05);与治疗后1个月相比,治疗后2个月肺癌患者的裂纹指数明显降低(P0.05),厚薄指数明显增高(P0.05),润燥指数和腐腻指数未发生明显改变(P0.05)。结论:在肺癌患者采用中西医结合疗法治疗的过程中,舌脉象参数的变化可有效反映肺癌患者的中西医结合治疗效果,可作为中西医结合治疗肺癌的疗效评估指标。     

Effects of Rubiadin isolated from Prismatomeris connata on anti‐hepatitis B virus activity in vitro

Prismatomeris connata was a kind of Rubiaceae plant for treatment of hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and silicosis. Whereas, the effective components of Prismatomeris connata remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of Rubiadin isolated from Prismatomeris connata against HBV using HepG2.2.15 cells. The levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in the supernatants or cytoplasm were examined using by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HBV DNA was qualified q‐PCR. Rubiadin was isolated by silica gel column. The structure of the compound was elucidated by HPLC, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR and identified as 1,3‐Dihydroxy‐2‐methyl‐9, 10‐anthraquinone. Rubiadin significantly decreased HBeAg,HBcAg secretion level and inhibit HBV DNA replication. Rubiadin inhibits the proliferation of the cells and HBx protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner. The intracellular calcium concentration was significantly reduced. These results demonstrated that Rubiadin could inhibit HepG2.2.15 cells proliferation, reduce the level of HBx expression, and intracellular free calcium, which might become a novel anti‐HBV drug candidate.     

Alterações no nível de TNF‐α após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em idosos com fratura de quadril

Background and objectives

An ultrasound guided femoral nerve block is an established analgesic method in patients with a hip fracture. Elevated cytokine levels correlate with poor patient outcomes after surgery. Hence, the aim of the study was to describe the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α after an ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients having a femoral neck fracture.

Meta-analysis of Early Versus Late Ureteric Stent Removal After Kidney Transplantation

Background

Ureteral stents have been widely used in kidney transplantation to prevent postoperative ureter-related complications such as ureteral stricture, ureteral obstruction, and ureteral leakage; however, a longer indwelling ureteral stent time corresponds to a greater risk of complications such as urinary tract infections. Currently, transplantation centers have not yet reached an agreement on the time to remove ureteral stents. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the optimal removal time for ureteral stents.

Liver Transplantation in Recipients With High Model for End-stage Liver Disease Score

Objectives

The score in the Model of End-stage Liver Disease, or MELD, is a good indicator of the survival in patients on the liver transplant waiting list. In this study, an analysis is performed on the benefits of liver transplant on those patients with a very high MELD score and who thus start from a very severe baseline state that could affect the surgical outcome.

Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection After Renal Transplantation: Literature Review

Background

Resistant cytomegalovirus (R-CMV) is an emerging problem in the renal transplantation population. The most frequent CMVs are high-resistance mutations (UL97 gene).