Objective:Follistatin(FST)inhibits the action of activin by interfering with the binding of activin to its receptor.Although the prognostic value of FST in various cancers has been investigated previously,studies rare...Objective:Follistatin(FST)inhibits the action of activin by interfering with the binding of activin to its receptor.Although the prognostic value of FST in various cancers has been investigated previously,studies rarely focused on hypopharyngeal carcinoma(HPC).In our study,the effect of FST expression on HPC tissues and cell lines was investigated.Methods:A total of 60 patients with HPC were recruited for this study.Levels of FST mRNA and protein were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and immunohistochemistry in HPC tissue samples and by qPCR in the HPC FaDu cells,as well as immortal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP-69 cells.After silencing the FST expression in FaDu cells using lentivirus-mediated siRNA that was specific for FST mRNA,cell proliferation was determined by a Celigo assay.Tumor growth was monitored in nude mice and viability was determined by a methylthiazoletetrazolium assay.The ratio of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry.The colony formation ability was performed using Giemsa staining.In addition,wound healing and Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed for the analysis of cell motility.Results:FST expression was significantly higher in human HPC tissue and FaDu cells than in normal tissue and NP-69 cells.A higher expression of FST in HPC samples was positively correlated with advanced tumors.Moreover,FST knockdown by shRNA significantly decreased cell growth,colony formation,migration and invasion.Furthermore,FST silencing increased the cell apoptosis percentage,and arrested cell cycle in the S phase in FaDu cells.In addition,FST silencing suppressed tumor growth in vivo.Conclusions:Our results indicated that the FST gene was associated with HPC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HPC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Spontaneous esophageal rupture or Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare and acute disease with a high incidence of misdiagnosis and mortality.Here,we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatm...BACKGROUND Spontaneous esophageal rupture or Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare and acute disease with a high incidence of misdiagnosis and mortality.Here,we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of spontaneous esophageal rupture,and to analyze the causes of misdiagnosis during the treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture.CASE SUMMARY The clinical features of the patient with spontaneous esophageal rupture misdiagnosed earlier as pleural effusion were retrospectively analyzed and the reasons for misdiagnosis are discussed based on a current review of the literature.The patient was admitted to a local hospital due to shortness of breath accompanied by vomiting and abdominal distension for five hours.Based on the computed tomography(CT)scan analysis,clinically,right pleural effusion was diagnosed.However,the patient was unwilling to undergo right closed thoracic drainage.The patient also had intermittent fevers against infection,and during the course of treatment,he complained of chest pain,following which,he was transferred to our hospital.Grapefruit-like residue drainage fluid was observed.Re-examination of the chest CT scans suggested the presence of spontaneous perforation in the upper left esophagus.Therefore,the patient underwent an urgent esophageal hiatus repair.Unfortunately,the patient died of infection and respiratory failure due to progressive dyspnea after surgery.CONCLUSION Spontaneous esophageal rupture is a rare disease associated with high fatality.The patients do not present typical clinical symptoms and the disease progresses rapidly.This case report highlights the importance of a dynamic review of chest CT scan,not only for the initial identification of segmental injury but also for prioritizing subsequent treatment strategies.Moreover,we have presented some clues for clinicians to recognize and diagnose spontaneous esophageal rupture at rare sites(upper-esophageal segment)through this case report of spontaneous esophageal rupture that caused the patient’s death.We have also summarized the reasons for the misdiagnosis and lessons learned.展开更多
Spinal epidural hemorrhages(SEDH)caused by spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas(SEAVFs)are rare;thus,their specific pathogenesis has not been explained.Furthermore,the standard treatment for SEAVFs has not yet been ...Spinal epidural hemorrhages(SEDH)caused by spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas(SEAVFs)are rare;thus,their specific pathogenesis has not been explained.Furthermore,the standard treatment for SEAVFs has not yet been defined.Here we report the case of a 36-year-old Chinese man who experienced acute onset chest pain and tightness.His symptoms rapidly aggravated until the lower limbs were unable to support him.Spinal magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)revealed a localized SEAVF and a secondary spinal cord lesion at the T4 level.Digital subtraction angiography(DSA)confirmed the presence of the SEDH/SEAVF at the T3–4 level with the left radicular artery feeding the fistula.Based on DSA and MRA findings,SEDH,local spinal cord infarction,and spinal venous reflux disorder were conditionally diagnosed.Using the arterial route,Onyx-34 was injected into the fistula to embolize the feeding arteries and the venous system.Angiography was performed after the microcatheter was withdrawn,and no residual fistula or anterior spinal artery was observed.The six-week follow-up MRI showed acceptable healing of the SEAVF,and the patient improved neurologically.This case suggests that endovascular treatment with Onyx-34 embolization should be considered a promising treatment strategy for this type of complicated SEAVF.展开更多
A general framework for observatory control software would help to improve the efficiency of observation and operation of telescopes, and would also be advantageous for remote and joint observations. We describe a gen...A general framework for observatory control software would help to improve the efficiency of observation and operation of telescopes, and would also be advantageous for remote and joint observations. We describe a general framework for observatory control software, which considers principles of flexibility and inheritance to meet the expectations from observers and technical personnel. This framework includes observation scheduling, device control and data storage. The design is based on a finite state machine that controls the whole process.展开更多
A dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) is an abnormal linkage connecting the arterial and venous systems within the intracranial dura mater. A basicranial emissary vein DAVF drains into the cavernous sinus and the ophtha...A dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) is an abnormal linkage connecting the arterial and venous systems within the intracranial dura mater. A basicranial emissary vein DAVF drains into the cavernous sinus and the ophthalmic vein, similar to a cavernous sinus DAVF. Precise preoperative identification of the DAVF location is a prerequisite for appropriate treatment. Treatment options include microsurgical disconnection, endovascular transarterial embolization(TAE), transvenous embolization(TVE), or a combination thereof. TVE is an increasingly popular approach for the treatment of DAVFs and the preferred approach for skull base locations, due to the risk of cranial neuropathy caused by dangerous anastomosis from arterial approaches. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) can provide anatomical and hemodynamic information for TVE. The therapeutic target must be precisely embolized in the emissary vein, which requires guidance via multimodal MRI. Here, we report a rare case of successful TVE for a basicranial emissary vein DAVF, utilizing multimodal MRI assistance. The fistula had vanished, pterygoid plexus drainage had improved, and the inferior petrosal sinus had recanalized, as observed on 8-month follow-up angiography. Symptoms and signs of double vision, caused by abduction deficiency, disappeared. Detailed anatomic and hemodynamic assessment by multimodal MRI is the key to guiding successful diagnosis and treatment.展开更多
基金supported by the Project of Young and Middle-aged Scientific Research Fund of Wannan Medical College(No.WK2019F11).
文摘Objective:Follistatin(FST)inhibits the action of activin by interfering with the binding of activin to its receptor.Although the prognostic value of FST in various cancers has been investigated previously,studies rarely focused on hypopharyngeal carcinoma(HPC).In our study,the effect of FST expression on HPC tissues and cell lines was investigated.Methods:A total of 60 patients with HPC were recruited for this study.Levels of FST mRNA and protein were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and immunohistochemistry in HPC tissue samples and by qPCR in the HPC FaDu cells,as well as immortal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP-69 cells.After silencing the FST expression in FaDu cells using lentivirus-mediated siRNA that was specific for FST mRNA,cell proliferation was determined by a Celigo assay.Tumor growth was monitored in nude mice and viability was determined by a methylthiazoletetrazolium assay.The ratio of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry.The colony formation ability was performed using Giemsa staining.In addition,wound healing and Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed for the analysis of cell motility.Results:FST expression was significantly higher in human HPC tissue and FaDu cells than in normal tissue and NP-69 cells.A higher expression of FST in HPC samples was positively correlated with advanced tumors.Moreover,FST knockdown by shRNA significantly decreased cell growth,colony formation,migration and invasion.Furthermore,FST silencing increased the cell apoptosis percentage,and arrested cell cycle in the S phase in FaDu cells.In addition,FST silencing suppressed tumor growth in vivo.Conclusions:Our results indicated that the FST gene was associated with HPC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HPC.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province,No.2019CFB798。
文摘BACKGROUND Spontaneous esophageal rupture or Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare and acute disease with a high incidence of misdiagnosis and mortality.Here,we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of spontaneous esophageal rupture,and to analyze the causes of misdiagnosis during the treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture.CASE SUMMARY The clinical features of the patient with spontaneous esophageal rupture misdiagnosed earlier as pleural effusion were retrospectively analyzed and the reasons for misdiagnosis are discussed based on a current review of the literature.The patient was admitted to a local hospital due to shortness of breath accompanied by vomiting and abdominal distension for five hours.Based on the computed tomography(CT)scan analysis,clinically,right pleural effusion was diagnosed.However,the patient was unwilling to undergo right closed thoracic drainage.The patient also had intermittent fevers against infection,and during the course of treatment,he complained of chest pain,following which,he was transferred to our hospital.Grapefruit-like residue drainage fluid was observed.Re-examination of the chest CT scans suggested the presence of spontaneous perforation in the upper left esophagus.Therefore,the patient underwent an urgent esophageal hiatus repair.Unfortunately,the patient died of infection and respiratory failure due to progressive dyspnea after surgery.CONCLUSION Spontaneous esophageal rupture is a rare disease associated with high fatality.The patients do not present typical clinical symptoms and the disease progresses rapidly.This case report highlights the importance of a dynamic review of chest CT scan,not only for the initial identification of segmental injury but also for prioritizing subsequent treatment strategies.Moreover,we have presented some clues for clinicians to recognize and diagnose spontaneous esophageal rupture at rare sites(upper-esophageal segment)through this case report of spontaneous esophageal rupture that caused the patient’s death.We have also summarized the reasons for the misdiagnosis and lessons learned.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81771242)。
文摘Spinal epidural hemorrhages(SEDH)caused by spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas(SEAVFs)are rare;thus,their specific pathogenesis has not been explained.Furthermore,the standard treatment for SEAVFs has not yet been defined.Here we report the case of a 36-year-old Chinese man who experienced acute onset chest pain and tightness.His symptoms rapidly aggravated until the lower limbs were unable to support him.Spinal magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)revealed a localized SEAVF and a secondary spinal cord lesion at the T4 level.Digital subtraction angiography(DSA)confirmed the presence of the SEDH/SEAVF at the T3–4 level with the left radicular artery feeding the fistula.Based on DSA and MRA findings,SEDH,local spinal cord infarction,and spinal venous reflux disorder were conditionally diagnosed.Using the arterial route,Onyx-34 was injected into the fistula to embolize the feeding arteries and the venous system.Angiography was performed after the microcatheter was withdrawn,and no residual fistula or anterior spinal artery was observed.The six-week follow-up MRI showed acceptable healing of the SEAVF,and the patient improved neurologically.This case suggests that endovascular treatment with Onyx-34 embolization should be considered a promising treatment strategy for this type of complicated SEAVF.
文摘A general framework for observatory control software would help to improve the efficiency of observation and operation of telescopes, and would also be advantageous for remote and joint observations. We describe a general framework for observatory control software, which considers principles of flexibility and inheritance to meet the expectations from observers and technical personnel. This framework includes observation scheduling, device control and data storage. The design is based on a finite state machine that controls the whole process.
基金funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.81771242)the Shanghai Pujiang Program (Grant No.20PJ1402200)。
文摘A dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) is an abnormal linkage connecting the arterial and venous systems within the intracranial dura mater. A basicranial emissary vein DAVF drains into the cavernous sinus and the ophthalmic vein, similar to a cavernous sinus DAVF. Precise preoperative identification of the DAVF location is a prerequisite for appropriate treatment. Treatment options include microsurgical disconnection, endovascular transarterial embolization(TAE), transvenous embolization(TVE), or a combination thereof. TVE is an increasingly popular approach for the treatment of DAVFs and the preferred approach for skull base locations, due to the risk of cranial neuropathy caused by dangerous anastomosis from arterial approaches. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) can provide anatomical and hemodynamic information for TVE. The therapeutic target must be precisely embolized in the emissary vein, which requires guidance via multimodal MRI. Here, we report a rare case of successful TVE for a basicranial emissary vein DAVF, utilizing multimodal MRI assistance. The fistula had vanished, pterygoid plexus drainage had improved, and the inferior petrosal sinus had recanalized, as observed on 8-month follow-up angiography. Symptoms and signs of double vision, caused by abduction deficiency, disappeared. Detailed anatomic and hemodynamic assessment by multimodal MRI is the key to guiding successful diagnosis and treatment.