[Multiple pulmonary nodules with cavity formation].

A 64-year-old female patient was admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital on February 21, 2023 because of right-sided chest pain for more than 4 years and left-sided chest pain for more than 9 months. She had a past medical history of previous tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. A chest CT in October 2018 revealed multiple pulmonary nodules. A CT-guided biopsy showed no tumors, and adenosine deaminase levels in the pleural effusion were elevated, suggesting a high likelihood of tuberculosis. As a result, anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated in March 2019. In December 2019, she underwent a right lower lobe resection due to localized hydropneumothorax on the right side. Postoperative pathology unveiled granulomatous inflammation with necrosis. A chest CT in May 2020 showed a significant increase in nodules and cavities. In January 2023, a diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia was considered, and she was prescribed oral fluconazole. Finally, the diagnosis of pulmonary rheumatoid nodules was confirmed after a pathological consultation of the postoperative specimen. After one month of treatment with oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil, a follow-up chest CT showed improvement. It was recommended that she continue with her current treatment and undergo regular chest CT scans.

[Secondary non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection in patients with bronchiectasis caused by Marfan syndrome].

In this article, we reported a 28-year-old female patient who presented with intermittent hemoptysis, cough, and sputum production. Laboratory tests showed no abnormalities in the blood counts or inflammatory markers, and the sputum cultures were negative. A chest computed tomography scan showed bronchiectasis associated with infection in the middle and lower lobes of the right lung and right pleural thickening. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage by bronchoscopy in the dorsal segment of the right lower lobe and found Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The patient's symptoms improved significantly after anti-mycobacterium treatment and the extent of infection was reduced on imaging. To further identify the cause of bronchiectasis, the patient is tall and thin, with slender limbs. Cardiac color ultrasound showed the widening of aortic sinus. Her genetic testing of blood samples revealed the gene mutation in the FBN1 gene (c.4349G>A). Based on these results, she was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

[Multiple pulmonary nodules with interstitial changes].

A 53-year-old female patient with pulmonary nodules for more than 3 years was admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital because of cough and sputum with shortness of breath after exercise for 4 months. In the first two and a half years, her pulmonary nodules remained stable, after that the nodules increased obviously with interstitial changes. After admission, a venous thromboembolic (VTE) event was quickly detected with a marked increase in D-dimer. Then, based on the clues of VTE examination, bronchoscopy, gastroscope, positron emission tomography-CT, head magnetic resonance and other examinations were performed. The final pathological diagnosis was lung adenocarcinoma, mainly solid with mucus secretion, with mediastinal hilar lymph node metastasis, intrapulmonary metastasis and gastric metastasis. Gene detection of lung and stomach histopathological tissues showed positive EML4-ALK fusion gene. The patient received therapies with crizotinib, alectinib in sequence and anticoagulation. After 20-month treatment, a telephone follow-up showed that there was no significant limitation in her daily activities.

Knockdown of FBP1 enhances radiosensitivity in prostate cancer cells by activating autophagy.

For patients with clinically early-stage localized prostate cancer, radiotherapy is another treatment that can achieve radical treatment in addition to radical prostatectomy. Despite this, there are still a large number of patients with prostate cancer who have a biochemical recurrence after undergoing radiotherapy, or even clinical recurrence, leading to treatment failure. Although the expression of the fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) gene has been found to be absent in various tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis in tumor patients. However, the expression and role of FBP1 in prostate cancer are not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of FBP1 in the radiotherapy resistance of prostate cancer. By analyzing the microarray data of prostate cancer radiotherapy resistant cells and parental cells (GSE53902), we found that FBP1 expression in DU145 radiotherapy resistant cells was significantly higher than in the DU145 parental cells. In addition, we searched for the expression of FBP1 in 492 prostate cancer samples from TCGA and found that its expression in prostate cancer was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Knockdown of FBP1 expression significantly inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, promoted DNA damage-mediated apoptosis, and enhanced the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to radiotherapy. Further mechanism analysis revealed that FBP1 knockdown could activate autophagy mediated by the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway, while inhibition of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway could reverse FBP1 knockdown-mediated autophagy and apoptosis, as well as radiosensitization. In conclusion, this study clarified that FBP1 is an oncogene in prostate cancer, and the main mechanism for knockdown of FBP1 to increase radiosensitivity is to enhance autophagy mediated by the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, FBP1 may be a potential target for enhancing prostate cancer radiotherapy.

[Design of cross-sectional anatomical model focused on drainage pathways of paranasal sinuses].

Objective:To design and produce cross-sectional anatomical models of paranasal sinuses for the purpose of demonstrating drainage pathways of each nasal sinus for the young doctors. Method:We reconstructed the three-dimensional model of sinuses area based on CT scan data, and divided it into 5 thick cross-sectional anatomy models by 4 coronal plane，which cross middle points of agger nasi cell, ethmoid bulla, posterior ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinus respectively. Then a 3D printerwas used to make anatomical cross-sectional anatomical models.Result:Successfully produced a digital 3D printing cross-sectional models of paranasal sinuses. Sinus drainage pathways were observed on the models. Conclusion:The cross-sectional anatomical models made by us can exactly and intuitively demonstrate the ostia of each sinus cell and they can help the young doctors to understand and master the key anatomies and relationships which are important to the endoscopic sinus surgery.

Determination of six organophosphorus pesticides in water samples by three-dimensional graphene aerogel-based solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

In the present study, a three-dimensional graphene aerogel (3D-GA), synthesised by chemical reduction of an aqueous solution of graphene oxides (GOs) with ethylenediaminethermal by a simple water bath method followed by freeze-drying treatment, was used for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of six organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (i.e. trichlorfon, dimethoate, ethoprophos, parathion, fenitrothion and fenthion) from water samples. The target analytes were extracted using packed SPE cartridges and then eluted with tetrahydrofuran. The eluate was collected and dried with high-purity nitrogen gas at room temperature. After redissolving in acetone, the residue was analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The proposed method demonstrated a good linearity between 0.5 and 500 µg L-1 with the correlation coefficient of 0.9990-0.9998. The limits of detection (LODs) (S/N = 3) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) (S/N = 10) for the six OPPs pesticides were in the range of 0.12-0.58 µg L-1 and 0.41-1.96 µg L-1, respectively. The accuracy of the present method was evaluated by measuring the recovery of the spiked samples, which ranged from 93.8% to 104.2% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.1-5.6%. The established method was successfully applied to the determination of the target analytes in environmental water samples including tap water, river water, drinking water and lake water, demonstrating its great potential for the determination of OPPs in water.

[Clinical significance of acute gastrointestinal injury grades in inflammatory response of critically ill patients].

Objective: To explore the value of acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) grades in inflammatory response of critically ill patients. Methods: Ptients with AGI severity from Ⅰ to Ⅳ were randomly selected(20 for each)from July 2014 to June 2015 in ICU of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital. The expression of NF-κB were detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Procalcitonin (PCT) and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out. Results: For AGI grade Ⅰ and AGI grade Ⅱ patients, NF- κB p65 were located mainly in cytoplasm. For AGI grade Ⅲ and AGI grade Ⅳ patients, NF-κB p65 were mainly located in the nucleus, indicating that inflammatory stimulation induces nuclear translocation of NF-κB. With the higher grade of AGI, TNF-α and IL-6 secretion increased significantly.For AGI grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅳ patients, TNF-α were expressed as (89.76±19.78)ng/L, (130.54±23.18)ng/L, (224.65±39.02)ng/L, (293.17±36.79)ng/L, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) respectively. IL-6 were expressed as (45.96±9.62)ng/L, (89.26±12.77)ng/L, (203.71±58.26)ng/L, (331.18±64.28) ng/L, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). With the higher grade of AGI, PCT and CRP levels were significantly increased.For AGI grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅳ patients, PCT levels were (2.65±1.78) µg/L, (3.92±2.14) µg/L, (9.92±3.89) µg/L, (27.34±8.45) µg/L, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CRP levels were (13.82±4.93) mg/L, (32.14±8.97) mg/L, (93.49±25.72) mg/L, (183.05±51.36) mg/L, and the difference between each group was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: There is a certain correlation between AGI classification and inflammatory markers in critically ill patients, which shows that gastrointestinal dysfunction may be the promoter and stimulating factor in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This provides a clinical basis for judging the severity of inflammatory response in critically ill patients according to AGI grades.

NtBRC1 suppresses axillary branching in tobacco after decapitation.

Axillary branching is controlled by a very complex mechanism involving various endogenous and environmental factors. Previous studies have shown that Tb1/BRC1 is the point of integration in the network of molecular mechanisms regulating axillary branching in plants. In this study, we cloned the Tb1/BRC1 ortholog, NtBRC1, from Nicotiana tabacum and functionally analyzed its role in the control of axillary branching in tobacco. Overexpression of NtBRC1 resulted in significant retardation of axillary branching, and downregulation of this gene resulted in significant acceleration of axillary branching after decapitation. This indicates a negative role for this gene in the regulation of axillary branching. In-line with previous reports, NtBRC1 was found to be expressed predominantly in axillary buds. Additionally, as expected, expression was decreased 8 h following decapitation, which further confirms its role in the suppression of axillary branching. Furthermore, the expression of NtBRC1 was significantly downregulated by cytokinin, but was not affected by GR24, a synthetic strigolactone. Based on the data collected in the present study, we demonstrate that NtBRC1 negatively regulates axillary branching in tobacco after decapitation and functions downstream of the cytokinin signaling pathway inside axillary buds.

[Analysis on causes of death of residents in Beijing, 1965-1974].

OBJECTIVE: To fill up the absence of data on causes of death of urban residents in Beijing during 1965-1974 and provide evidence for the similar study in other areas. METHODS: All possible sources for death data during 1965-1974 were identified through expert consultations and record search. Stratified sampling was conducted to collect the death data of urban residents during this period in Beijing. The mortality rate, death cause constituent and rank of death causes were used in this descriptive analysis. RESULTS: A total of 11 668 records of deaths from 1965 to 1974 were collected from 10 local police stations in urban area of Beijing. The top 10 death causes in the urban residents were heart disease, tumor, cerebrovascular disease, accidental injury, respiratory system disease, digestive system disease, communicable disease and parasitic disease, nervous system disease, urogenital and reproductive system disease, endocrine and nutrition metabolic diseases. The deaths caused by these diseases accounted for 84.19% of the total deaths. Accidental injury accounted for 13.22% of the total deaths, which was significantly higher than that in either 1964 or 1975, two years before and after this period(P<0.01). Suicide accounted for 54.47% of the total accidental injury deaths. For men, accidental injury was the leading death cause, followed by cancer and heart disease; for women, heart disease, cancer and cerebrovascular disease were the top three death causes. CONCLUSION: The major death cause in urban residents changed from infectious diseases to chronic and non-communicable diseases during 1965-1974. A remarkable high proportion of deaths caused by accidental injury was due to the historical background during that period in Beijing, China.

The expression of osteopontin in breast cancer tissue and its relationship with p21ras and CD44V6 expression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression of osteopontin (OPN), p2lras, and CD44V6 in breast cancer tissues, and to analyze the relationships between their expression and a patient's clinicopathological characteristics and five-year survival rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of OPN, p2lras, and CD44V6 in tissue samples from 96 breast cancer patients, and the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (mCOX-PHM) was used to analyze the factors that affect prognosis. RESULTS: Among the 96 breast cancer patients studied, positive staining for OPN, CD44V6, and p21ras was observed in 54.2%, 58.3%, and 43.8% of samples, respectively. The expression of OPN and CD44V6 were positively correlated (r = 0.58), and the expression of OPN and p21ras were also positively correlated (r = 0.25). Coexpression OPN, CD44V6, and p21ras was negatively correlated with a patient's five-year survival rate (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that a patient without OPN, CD44V6, or p21ras expression had an improved survival (p < 0.05). Results from the mCOX-PHM analysis indicated that CD44V6 expression, the degree of tumor differentiation, and lymph node metastasis were all independent factors that indicate prognosis. The combined detection of OPN, CD44V6, and p21ras could contribute to a more accurate assessment of the biological behavior of breast cancers, and could help to indicate the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Tobacco serine/threonine protein kinase gene NrSTK enhances black shank resistance.

A serine/threonine protein kinase gene (NrSTK) was cloned from Nicotiana repanda based on the sequence of a previously isolated resistance gene analog (RGA). Expression of RGA was induced by challenge with the pathogen black shank. The NrSTK gene was predicted to encode a protein kinase that contained an ATP binding site at residues 41-69 and a serine/threonine protein kinase activation sequence spanning the region 161-173. Overexpression of NrSTK in the susceptible tobacco variety Honghuadajinyuan significantly enhanced resistance to black shank, indicating that NrSTK plays a role in incompatibility reactions between tobacco and the pathogen. Characterization of NrSTK will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in black shank resistance in N. repanda.

Initial experiences with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy combination pyeloplasty in management of ectopic pelvic kidney with stone and ureter-pelvic junction obstruction.

To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of combine laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy to treat ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and stones. 16 patients of ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and stones were treated with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). The operative time, required dose of tramadol, visual analog pain scale (VAPS), postoperative day, stone-free rates (SFRs), perioperative complications, and serum creatinine were evaluated. The SFRs were evaluated with noncontrasted renal computed tomography (CT). Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and CT scan were used to evaluate the UPJO. Stone-free status was defined as absence of stone fragments in kidney or the size of that is less than 3 mm. Operation time from 118 to 225 min, average time (171 ± 28) min; lithotomy time from 16 to 45 min, average time (32 ± 6) min. Average tramadol required at the first day postoperation was (118 ± 49.6) mg; at the second day was (78 ± 24.8) mg. VAPS score at 24 h (5.0 ± 0.7), VAPS score at 48 h (2.5 ± 0.8). Postoperative day (3.9 ± 0.6) days. Stone-free rate was 100%. Average serum creatinine was (88.7 ± 24.3) mol/L before surgery and (92.8 ± 21.6) mol/L after surgery. No major complication. No stone and obstruction recurrence in the follow-up of average 29.3 months. Combined FUR and LC is a good option for patient of ectopic pelvic kidney with renal stone and UPJO. From our initial experience, the SFRs and the effect of pyeloplasty are satisfactory and without major complication, the operative time is acceptable.

gammadelta T cells express activation markers in the central nervous system of mice with chronic-relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

In this study, we assessed the expression of activation markers on gammadelta T cells in central nervous system (CNS) lesions of SJL mice adoptively sensitized to develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) using myelin basic protein-reactive T cells. Although disease expression is known to be dependent upon T cells that express the alphabeta T cell receptor (TCR), a role for gammadelta T cells has been implicated in some studies but not in others. Using three-color flow cytometric analysis of both total and gammadelta T cells in spleen and CNS, the data showed that expression of CD69 (early activation marker), CD62L (lymphocyte homing receptor), CD25 (IL-2Ralpha), CD122 (IL-2Rbeta) and CD95/CD95L (Fas/FasL), fluctuated on gammadelta T cells in EAE lesions in a disease-related fashion. Furthermore, the pattern of expression for these markers on gammadelta T cells was distinct from that found on the total lymphocyte population. Cytokine analysis of gammadelta T cells in the CNS demonstrated a bias towards a Th1-like cytokine profile. From these data, we conclude that gammadelta T cells in EAE lesions display an activated phenotype and form a dynamic component of the total lymphocyte population in the CNS, supporting a contributory role for these cells.

Evidence for gammadelta T cells with a restricted Vgamma6 junctional region in the normal mouse central nervous system.

In this study we present evidence that gammadelta T cells are present in the normal mouse central nervous system (CNS). Compared with matching spleen gammadelta T cells, CNS gammadelta T cells expressed only the CD45RBlow phenotype, suggesting that CNS gammadelta T cells belong to the memory cell population. Approximately 20% expressed exclusively the CD8alphabeta heterodimer, consistent with a thymic origin. Gammadelta T cells in both spleen and CNS expressed higher levels of the IL-2rbeta (CD122), as well as Fas and FasL, than alphabeta T cells, suggesting that these cells function as immunoregulatory T cells. RT-PCR analysis showed almost exclusive use of Vdelta6 in the CNS whereas more Vdelta genes were expressed in the spleen. Sequencing of Vdelta6 RT-PCR products demonstrated a polyclonal population of T cells in the spleen but a more clonal population within the CNS. The predominant CNS sequence was found in all animals studied and was also detected in the spleen. From these data we conclude that a selective component of circulating gammadelta T cells traffics through the CNS. Thus, all major populations of lymphocytes can be detected in the normal CNS and as such may play specific roles in the immunological surveillance of that organ.

Cell death during autoimmune demyelination: effector but not target cells are eliminated by apoptosis.

The Fas and FasL apoptotic pathway was investigated by protein immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis to assess whether it is involved in the elimination of target and/or effector cells from the central nervous system (CNS) during adoptively transferred chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis. In addition to Fas and FasL, we studied Bax, an intracellular protein of the apoptotic cascade, the Bax antagonist and anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2, and DNA fragmentation, the final step in the apoptotic pathway. Infiltrating CD4+ T cells and parenchymal microglia expressed Fas, FasL, and Bax, and about half of these cells showed DNA fragmentation, a combination indicative of ongoing apoptosis. Using flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-PCR, a positive correlation was seen between disease activity and up-regulation of the Fas system; in fact, Fas and FasL were expressed at low levels at the onset of EAE and increased at the height of disease to involve about one-third of all infiltrating lymphocytes. In the normal CNS, Fas immunoreactivity was constitutively present at low levels on oligodendrocytes and was up-regulated in the CNS during the course of EAE. However, oligodendrocytes showed no Bax reactivity or DNA fragmentation and expressed high levels of Bcl-2, as did the majority of infiltrating CD3+ cells, a pattern inconsistent with apoptosis. Thus, while molecules of the apoptotic cascade are well represented in the CNS during EAE, their expression correlates with elimination of infiltrating cells and microglia, not the myelinating cell, the oligodendrocyte.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Qualitative and semiquantitative differences in heat shock protein 60 expression in the central nervous system.

The factors that contribute to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are not known. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with altered expression of heat shock proteins (hsp) that may function as a target in the development of chronic disease. In normal mouse spinal cord, hsp 60 immunoreactivity was localized exclusively to its constitutive site in mitochondria. In animals with acute EAE, lesions were accentuated by increased expression of hsp 60, primarily by infiltrating cells. In chronic EAE, hsp 60 was found predominantly on CNS components, particularly oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. In both acute and chronic lesions, hsp 60 was located in the cytoplasm of cells, but in non-lesion areas, it was mitochondrial. By semiquantitative Western blotting, hsp 60 in normal mouse spinal cord (n = 6) was 0.99 +/- 0.09% of total protein. In acute EAE (n = 6), the value was 1.08 +/- 0.1%, and in chronic EAE (n = 8), 1.39 +/- 0.39%. FACS analysis showed that a subpopulation of CD3+ cells expressed hsp 60 on the cell surface, an observation confirmed by cell surface labeling and immunoprecipitation. In chronic EAE lesions, gamma delta T cells colocalized with areas of increased hsp 60 immunoreactivity. The results support the conclusion that development of autoimmune-directed inflammation in the CNS is associated with differences in hsp 60 expression that may act as an additional target and/or modulator of the immune response.

[The antimetastatic effects of BJA-II on nude mice with highly metastatic human ovarian carcinoma].

Nude mice with highly metastatic human ovarian carcinoma were treated with BJA-II. This new agent was made in our institute. Twenty-four experimental mice were divided into 4 groups with 6 mice each. The mice, according to the treatment given them, were designated as: the BJA-II group, the cisplatin group, the group with combination therapy and the control group. Treatment began on the 2nd day after tumor transplantation. For BJA-II, a dose of 16 mg per mouse per day was administered orally. The total dose each mouse received by the 53rd day was 848mg. The tumor growth inhibition rate was found to be 63.7% in the BJA-II group; the transplanted tumors disappeared in 2 mice. No significant difference in average tumor weight was found between the BJA-II group and the control group (P < 0.05). The antimetastatic effect of BJA-II (1 mouse with metastasis) was higher than that of the control group (4 mice with metastasis). The influences on the immunofunction of the host were observed: the increase of the peripheral WBC count, the increase of NK cell activity, the increase in the ratio of spleen weight to body weight, and the histiocyte increase in the lymph node sinuses, etc. All of these findings were better demonstrated in the BJA-II group than in the cisplatin group. The results indicate that BJA-II is provided with the effectiveness of inhibiting tumor growth, is antimetastatic and is capable of increasing the immunofunction of the host.

Pelvic lymphadenectomy with stripping technique in 43 cases.

Pelvic lymphadenectomy with stripping technique--Gao's stripping pelvic lymphadenectomy (GSPL) was introduced. From January to December 1989, this operation was performed on 43 patients (36 patients with cervical carcinoma, 5 endometrial carcinoma and 2 ovarian carcinoma). The mean time of the operation was 12.56 minutes for the left side, and 13.33 minutes for the right side. No severe complications were found. The bleeding during operation was minimal. The main advantages of GSPL include high-speed operation, clean and integral lymphnodes stripped, less bleeding and complications, and easy performance of operation.

[Stripping technique in radical pelvic lymphadenectomy].

An improved pelvic lymphadenectomy technique by stripping of the lymphatic tissue was introduced. From January to December, 1989, this technique was performed in 43 patients, consisting of 36 cases of cervical carcinoma, 5 cases of endometrial carcinoma and 2 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The mean operative time was 12.6 minutes for the left pelvic lymphadenectomy and 13.3 minutes for the right side. The bleeding during operation was insignificant and no severe complication was observed.