To evaluate the clinical significance of mRNA expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and lung-specific X protein (LUNX), a total of 42 patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by pathology were studied retrospectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of CK19, EGFR and LUNX in the peripheral blood were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of CK19 mRNA did not differ significantly according to the location, size, clinical stage or differentiation of the primary tumor (all P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the level of CK19 mRNA expression between squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The positive rates of EGFR mRNA in the patient and the healthy control groups were 69.0 and 12.5%, respectively, and were significantly different (P<0.05). The positive rates of LUNX mRNA in the two groups were 40.5 and 0%, respectively, and were significantly different (P<0.05). The results indicate that the mRNA expression of CK19, EGFR and LUNX in the peripheral blood is of significant clinical value for the diagnosis of micrometastasis and the prognosis of lung cancer.
BACKGROUND: Increasing reports on new cement formulations that address the shortcomings of PMMA bone cements and various active components have been introduced to improve the biological activity of PMMA cement. OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the biological properties of PMMA cements reinforced with Bio-Gene allogeneic bone. METHODS: The MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblast-like cells were utilized to determine the effects of Bio-Gene + PMMA on osteoblast viability, adhesion and differentiation. RESULTS: The combination of allogeneic bone and PMMA increased the number of adherent live cells compared to both control group and PMMA or Bio-Gene group. Scanning electron microscopy observed that the number of cells adhered to Bio-Gene + PMMA was larger than Bio-Gene and PMMA group. Compared with the control and PMMA or Bio-Gene group, the level of ALP and the number of calcium nodules after osteoinduction was remarkably enhanced in Bio-Gene + PMMA group. Additionally, the combination of Bio-Gene and PMMA induced the protein expression of osteocalcin, osterix and collagen I. CONCLUSION: The composition of PMMA and allogeneic bone could provide a more beneficial microenvironment for osteoblast proliferation, adhesion and differentiation. PMMA bone cement reinforced with Bio-Gene allogeneic bone may act as a novel bone substitute to improve the biological activity of PMMA cement.
Purpose To evaluate the therapeutic effect of incorporating continuous administration of voriconazole in the treatment of recalcitrant fungal keratitis. Methods In this prospective case study, 5 consecutive patients (5 eyes) with fungal keratitis were treated with a standard protocol after the failing maximal conventional medical treatment. The protocol involved continuous lavage of the ulcer with 1% voriconazole through an irrigator for 2 h, twice a day, combined with local and systemic antifungals. Visual acuity, slit lamp findings of the ulcer, and fungal hyphae density by confocal microscope were documented, respectively. Results In 4 patients, the clinical symptoms and slit lamp examination were significantly improved after only 3 days of treatment. The hyphae were shown to decrease in number and morphologically fragmented in corneal stroma by confocal microscopy. After the infection was controlled, 2 cases required further keratoplasty. In one case, the treatment was deemed ineffective and a conjunctival flap had to be created to help control the infection. In all 5 patients, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity had improved after treatment. With more than 3 months of follow-up, no recurrence of infection was seen in any cases. Conclusion Our treatment protocol demonstrated improvement in the treatment of clinically resistant fungal keratitis. Continuous lavage of voriconazole is easy to be implemented and well-tolerated by patients. Modification of the current protocol should be further explored to optimize the therapeutic effectiveness in future.
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