The 4-hook anchor coaxial needle with scaled suture is superior to the double spring coil for preoperative localization.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative localization of small size pulmonary nodules is challenging, but it is necessary for surgical resection of early lung cancer. As a new device for preoperative localization, the 4-hook-anchor coaxial needle with scaled suture was tentatively applied in our department to improve the effect of preoperative localization. However, double spring coil, as a proven positioning technology, used to be our preferred method in the past. We did a retrospective single-centre research driven by the interest on which one should be the first choice for preoperative localization among these two approaches. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on 100 patients undergoing surgery with the new coaxial needle from 2019 to 2020, and 98 patients undergoing double spring coil from 2017 to 2019. The duration of localization, success rate, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and positioning-related complications of these two groups of patients were examined in this study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of the success rate. However, the new coaxial needle seemed to be able to shorten the duration of preparative localization and operation time by accelerating the efficiency of exploring small nodules intraoperatively, and also decreased the risk of positioning-related pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage. The logistic analysis indicated that the puncture depth was an independent risk factor for overall complications. Meanwhile, previous lung diseases and positioning time were independent risk factors for pneumothorax, besides pneumorrhagia and depth of penetration as well. CONCLUSIONS: The new coaxial needle can save time for both radiologists and thoracic surgeons, while reducing the risk of positioning-related complications. We support its application clinically instead of the double spring coil.

Increased heat shock transcription factor 1 in the cerebellum reverses the deficiency of Purkinje cells in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most debilitating neurodegenerative nerve diseases, seriously affecting one's ability to carry out daily activities. AD is both progressive and incurable, but molecular studies have begun to shed light on the mechanisms that underlie it. Immunochemical staining showed that cell bodies of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum were significantly reduced in AD rats compared with normal rats. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was found to prevent polyglutamine aggregation in Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and to relieve symptoms in SCAs and Parkinson's disease. Recently, AD-related phenotypes were found to be suppressed in HSP70 transgenic rats. However, the effects of other HSPs and the mechanisms of HSP-triggered changes in AD are unknown. In this study, we found that expression levels of HSP60, -70, and -90 were downregulated in the cerebella of rats with AD. Furthermore, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), a key transcription factor for the expression of HSP genes, was found to be greatly decreased in the cerebella of AD rats. Even more interesting, injection of lentivirus vector-HSF1 into the cerebella of AD rats significantly increased HSF1 and HSP expression levels and induced an increase in the number of Purkinje cell bodies. Our findings provide novel evidence that low expression of HSPs in AD rats is dependent on the low expression of HSF1, and increased expression of HSF1 contributes to the reversal of cerebellar Purkinje cell deficiency in AD. Therefore, increasing HSF1 expression is a potential new strategy for the treatment of AD.

Preparation of infertile male rabbits by local electron beam irradiation for intratesticular transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells.

PURPOSE: To explore an efficient and safe protocol for the preparation of infertile male rabbits from which bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) could be isolated and cultured. METHODS: Autologous BMSCs could be used for intratesticular transplantation and male infertility research. For this model, various doses (e.g., 6, 8, 10, or 12 Gy) of electron beam irradiation from a linear accelerator were locally applied to the scrotum of 5-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits. The effects of irradiation were compared between treatment groups, and with age-matched normal controls. Both morphology and hollow ratios of seminiferous tubules (HRST) were examined two, four, six, eight and 12-weeks post-irradiation. RESULTS: The seminiferous epithelium showed varying degrees of damage in all treatment groups compared with unirradiated controls, yet Sertoli and Leydig cells appeared unaffected. A dose-dependent response in spermatogenesis was also observed. BMSCs that were isolated and cultured from rabbits of the normal control group and the 12 Gy treatment group were compared with respect to morphology and growth. Starting at 6 weeks, HRST of the 12 Gy-treatment group were stable, and were the highest among all the groups. BMSCs from rabbits treated with 12 Gy also exhibited similar growth as the control group. CONCLUSION: Local dose of 12 Gy to the testes of 5-month-old male New Zealand rabbits is a protocol with which to obtain autologous bone marrow stem cells.

Preparation of infertile male rabbits by local electron beam irradiation for intratesticular transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells

PURPOSE: To explore an efficient and safe protocol for the preparation of infertile male rabbits from which bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) could be isolated and cultured. METHODS: Autologous BMSCs could be used for intratesticular transplantation and male infertility research. For this model, various doses (e.g., 6, 8, 10, or 12 Gy) of electron beam irradiation from a linear accelerator were locally applied to the scrotum of 5-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits. The effects of irradiation were compared between treatment groups, and with age-matched normal controls. Both morphology and hollow ratios of seminiferous tubules (HRST) were examined two, four, six, eight and 12-weeks post-irradiation. RESULTS: The seminiferous epithelium showed varying degrees of damage in all treatment groups compared with unirradiated controls, yet Sertoli and Leydig cells appeared unaffected. A dose-dependent response in spermatogenesis was also observed. BMSCs that were isolated and cultured from rabbits of the normal control group and the 12 Gy treatment group were compared with respect to morphology and growth. Starting at 6 weeks, HRST of the 12 Gy-treatment group were stable, and were the highest among all the groups. BMSCs from rabbits treated with 12 Gy also exhibited similar growth as the control group. CONCLUSION: Local dose of 12 Gy to the testes of 5-month-old male New Zealand rabbits is a protocol with which to obtain autologous bone marrow stem cells.

[The animal research of recombinant adenovirus controlled by human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter in the treatment of human prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To approach the treatment efficiency of replication defective adenovirus carrying HSV-tk gene under control of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter in a mouse xenografts model of prostate cancer. METHODS: It was erected that the model of human prostate cancer in BALB/C nude mouse followed by locally injecting Ad-hTERT-HSV-tk and peritoneal injection of GCV. The anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated by index of tumor volume, tumor weight, relative tumor curative, and tumor growth curve. Afterwards, the TUNEL and transmission electron microscope to overview apoptosis of tumor cells were used. Finally, immunohistochemistry for detecting PCNA of tumor cells were applied. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, all viruses treatment groups demonstrated tumor growth inhibition. Among 3 treatment groups, antitumoral effect of Ad-hTERT-HSV-tk/GCV was much stronger than other two groups (P < 0.05). Obvious necrosis and apoptosis was observed by TUNEL, and PCNA was detected by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues in all viruses treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Ad-hTERT-HSV-tk/GCV system is highly efficacious to inhabit the growth of human prostate cancer.

[Effects of epidermal growth factor on cellular expression of estrogen and androgen receptors in mouse prostate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse prostate cells and explore the putative role of EGF in prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: Sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two EGF groups and one control group (n=20) and subjected to subcutaneous injection of 1 and 2 microg/day EGF and distilled water, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The cellular expression of ER and AR in the prostate of mice in different groups was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the positivity rate of ER and its expression level were significantly increased in the mouse prostate after EGF treatment (P<0.01), and the ER expression level was significantly higher in mouse with 2 microg/day EGF treatment than in those treated with 2 microg/day EGF (P<0.01). AR positivity rate and expression level also increased significantly in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but no significant variation was found between 1 microg/day and 2 microg/day EGF groups. CONCLUSION: EGF can increase the cellular expression of ER and AR in mice prostate and may play a role in the pathogenesis of prostatic hyperplasia.

Endomorphins, endogenous opioid peptides, provide antioxidant defense in the brain against free radical-induced damage.

Oxidative stress has been considered to be a major cause of cellular injuries in a variety of chronic health problems, such as carcinogenesis and neurodegenerative disorders. The brain appears to be more susceptible to oxidative damage than other organs. Therefore, the existence of antioxidants may be essential in brain protective systems. The antioxidative and free radical scavenging effects of endomorphin 1 (EM1) and endomorphin 2 (EM2), endogenous opioid peptides in the brain, have been investigated in vitro. The oxidative damage was initiated by a water-soluble initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane hydrocholoride) (AAPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The linoleic acid peroxidation, DNA and protein damage were monitored by formation of hydroperoxides, by plasmid pBR 322 DNA nicking assay and single-cell alkaline electrophoresis, and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Endomorphins can inhibit lipid peroxidation, DNA strand breakage, and protein fragmentation induced by free radical. Endomorphins also reacted with galvinoxyl radicals in homogeneous solution, and the pseudo-first-order rate constants were determined spectrophotometrically by following the disappearance of galvinoxyl radicals. In all assay systems, EM1 was more potent than EM2 and GSH, a major intracellular water-soluble antioxidant. We propose that endomorphins are one of the protective systems against free radical-induced damage in the brain.

[Changes of interleukin-6 and Janus kinases in rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Janus kinases (JAKs) in rats with hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups with 12 animals in each: a one-week hypoxic group (H(1) group), a two-week hypoxic group (H(2) group), a three-week hypoxic group (H(3) group), a four-week hypoxic group (H(4) group), a normal oxygen group (N group). The rat model of HPH was replicated in normal baric hypoxic cabin. The levels of IL-6 and JAKs mRNA were measured by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); The expression of JAKs protein and cell morphologic changes were observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: (1) The levels of IL-6 mRNA in H(1) (1.67 +/- 0.09), H(2) (2.26 +/- 0.12) and H(3) (1.55 +/- 0.11) groups were significantly higher than that in N group (1.20 +/- 0.11, all P < 0.01). The levels of JAK1 mRNA in H(1) (2.11 +/- 0.09), H(2) (2.85 +/- 0.12) and H(3) (2.36 +/- 0.13) groups were significantly higher than that in N group (1.62 +/- 0.10, all P < 0.01); The levels of JAK2 mRNA in H(1) (1.41 +/- 0.07), H(2) (2.02 +/- 0.13) and H(3) (1.36 +/- 0.09) groups were significantly higher than that in N group (1.01 +/- 0.09, all P < 0.01); The levels of JAK3 mRNA in H(1) (0.86 +/- 0.11), H(2) (1.45 +/- 0.10) and H(3) (0.91 +/- 0.13) groups were significantly higher than that in N group (0.55 +/- 0.08, all P < 0.01). The levels of TYK2 mRNA in H(1) (1.36 +/- 0.10), H(2) (1.76 +/- 0.11) groups were significantly higher than that in N group (0.57 +/- 0.07, all P < 0.01). The levels of IL-6 and JAKs mRNA in H(2) group were significantly higher than those in H(1) and H(3) groups (all P < 0.01). (2) Histochemical staining of JAK1 and JAK3 in H(3) group showed yellow cytoplasm of alveolar wall cells, bronchial wall cells and small blood wall cells; The active protein contents of JAK1 (5.36 +/- 0.32) and JAK3 (4.88 +/- 0.29) were markedly increased as compared with N group (1.52 +/- 0.18, 1.22 +/- 0.09, respectively; all P < 0.01) by TIGER image analysis method. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of IL-6, JAKs mRNA and protein can increase in pulmonary tissues of rats with HPH. It suggests that IL-6/JAKs pathway may take part in the pathogenesis of HPH.