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Keloid resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy is the most efficacious treatment for keloids. However, for earlobe keloids, an optimal protocol for the total dose and fractions of adjuvant radiation has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of immediate three-fraction electron radiotherapy after operation for resistant earlobe keloids. From 2011 to 2017, three-fraction electron radiotherapy with single dose of 5 Gy was given postoperatively to 23 patients with 30 keloids in our hospital. The first fraction of adjuvant radiotherapy was administered within 2 h of surgery, and the other two sessions were completed within the next day or two. Five (16.7%) primary keloids and 25 (83.3%) recurrent keloids were examined in this study. The primary endpoint was the local control rate, which was 86.7% after a median follow-up of 26 months (14–93 months). Secondary endpoints were acute and late procedure-related complications, and no severe complications were observed after combination therapy. Our results suggest that three-fraction electron radiotherapy after excision within 2 days of surgery is a safe and effective protocol for the prevention of earlobe keloid recurrence that can also improve patient compliance and comfort.

Purpose To investigate how necroptosis (ie, programmed necrosis) is involved in killing of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after ablative hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT). Methods and Materials Deoxyribonucleic acid damage, DNA repair, and the death form of NSCLC cells were assessed after radiation therapy. The overexpression and silencing of receptor-interacting protein kinases 3 (RIP3, a key protein involved activation of necroptosis)-stable NSCLC cell lines were successfully constructed. The form of cell death, the number and area of colonies, and the regulatory proteins of necroptosis were characterized after radiation therapy in vitro. Finally, NSCLC xenografts and patient specimens were used to examine involvement of necroptosis after ablative HFRT in vivo. Results Radiation therapy induced expected DNA damage and repair of NSCLC cell lines, but ablative HFRT at ≥10 Gy per fraction preferentially stimulated necroptosis in NSCLC cells and xenografts with high RIP3 expression, as characterized by induction and activation of RIP3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein and release of immune-activating chemokine high-mobility group box 1. In contrast, RNA interference of RIP3 attenuated ablative HFRT-induced necroptosis and activation of its regulatory proteins. Among central early-stage NSCLC patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy, high expression of RIP3 was associated with improved local control and progression-free survival (all P Conclusions Ablative HFRT at ≥10 Gy per fraction enhances killing of NSCLC with high RIP3 expression via preferential stimulation of necroptosis. RIP3 may serve as a useful biomarker to predict favorable response to stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Calycosin is widely used as a natural active compound for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation activity. Recently, several studies have shown that calycosin can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human cancer cell lines; however, the mechanisms are not completely clarified yet. In this study, we investigated the effects of calycosin on human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells, as well as the mechanisms. SKOV3 cells were treated with calycosin at a series of concentrations for different times. In vitro, the MTT assay showed that calycosin had obvious anti-proliferation effects on SKOV3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell morphological changes which expressed by Hoechst 33258 staining were compared with apoptotic changes detected by fluorescence microscope. Compared with control group, the group treated with calycosin showed a significant increase in apoptosis rate. Expression of apoptosis related Bax/Bcl-2 and caspases proteins were detected by Western blotting. The results demonstrated that calycosin up-regulated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, calycosin might exert anti-growth and induce-apoptosis activity against ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells through activating caspases and Bcl-2 family proteins, therefore presenting as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with cutaneous "Tongluo" (meridian- dredging) stimulation on gastric electrical activities and gastromucosal prostaglandin (PG) level in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of gastric function.A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, CAG model, medication and combined therapy groups, with 10 rats being in each group. CAG model was established by. intragastric administration of deionized water with N-methyl-N '-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) solution (5 mL/kg), once a day, in combination with alternate fasting and full-eating and lavage of 2% sodium salicylate and warm saline (15%) for 12 weeks. For rats of the combined therapy group, EA was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Zhong- wan" (CV 12), "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Pishu" (BL 20), two acupoints for one session, followed by cutaneous "Tongluo" stimulation of ST 25 and BL 20 by using an intelligent Tongluo therapeutic instrument for 20 min, once daily for 2 months. Electrogas- trography (EGG) was recorded using an intelligent gastrointestinal electrographic instrument. Gastromucosal PGE2 and PGF2, contents were assayed by radioimmunoassay.compared to the control group, the mean frequency and amplitude of EGG, and gastromucosal PGE2 and PGF2a contents were obviously decreased while the abnormal rhythm index and frequency-variation- coefficiency levels were markedly increased in the model group (P0. 01). Following treatment, the above-mentioned changes of the 6 indexes were significantly reversed by both medication and combined therapy (P0. 01). No significant differences were found between the medication and combined therapy groups (P0.05).Combined use of EA and intelligent Tongluo stimulation can significantly improve the gastroelectric dysrhythmia in CAG rats, which may be closely associated with its effect in up-regulating gastric mucosal PGE2 and PGF2, levels.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Feishu" (BL13) on lung pathological changes, and levels of pulmonary and serum IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in viral pneumonia mice, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of viral pneumonia.Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication, EA and moxibustion groups, with 10 mice in each group. The viral pneumonia model was established by intra-nose drip of influenza A1 virus FM1 (H1N1). Rats of the EA group were treated by EA stimulation of bilateral BL13, those of the moxibustion group treated by ignited moxa-stick, and those of the medication group treated by intraperitoneal injection of Yanhuning injection (10 mg x Kg(-1) x d(-1), solved in 5% glucose solution, 5 mL/time/mouse, once daily for 1 week). Both EA and moxibustion treatments were conducted for 20 min, twice a day for a week. The lung index [lung weight/body weight x 100%] were calculated after the treatment. Pathological changes of the lung were observed under microscope after H.E. staining, and serum and pulmonary IL-10, TNF-alpha levels were detected using solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Following modeling, the average lung index, serum TNF-alpha, and pulmonary TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05), while after the treatment, the average lung index and serum TNF-alpha and pulmonary IL-10 levels in the EA, moxibustion and medication groups were notably down-regulated (P0.05, P0.01), and serum IL-10 contents of the three treatment groups were obviously up-regulated (P0.01). The effect of the EA group was apparently superior to that of the medication group in down-regulating lung index (P0.05). No significant differences were found among the three treatment groups in the levels of serum TNF-alpha and IL-10, and pulmonary TNF-alpha and IL-10 (P0.05). In addition, results of H. E. stain showed that the treatment of medication, moxibustion and EA might reduce H1N1-induced pulmonary pathological changes.EA stimulation of "Feishu" (BL13) can down-regulate lung index and serum TNF-alpha and up-regulate serum IL-10 level in viral pneumonia mice, which may contribute to its effect in relieving asthma.

To observe the histological changes of juvenile porcine menisci in an in vitro organ culture system. It was hoped that the experiment can provide evidence for the study of menisci in an in vitro organ culture model.Eight juvenile swines of one month old were involves in the study. Thirty-two meniscal specimens with 8 mm in width were obtained from each meniscus in the two posterior extremities. The specimens were incubated in an in vitro organ culture model. At 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after culture, 8 specimens were observed. Hematoxylin eosin staining: the cell density of the inner 1/3 zone was measured. Safranin-O staining:the degree of staining in the inner zone was measured and semi-quantitative scores were obtained.At 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, the cell density were (285.3 +/- 12.0)/HPF, (182.8 +/- 11.2)/HPF, (129.7+/- 9.9)/HPF, (92.3 +/- 9.3)/HPF respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between different time points (P0.05), Paired comparison showed statistical differences (P0.05). At 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, the semi-quantitative scores of Safranin-O staining were 2.0 +/- 0.0,1.5 +/- 0.5, 1.0 +/- 0.0, 0.5 +/- 0.5, statistically differences were found between different time points (P0.05). Paired comparison showed statistical differences (P0.05).In the juvenile meniscus in vitro organ culture model, the cell density and viability diminished along with the cultural time. In vitro organ culture model is suitable for the study of menisci in short-term.

To investigate the surgical techniques and results of open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of Sanders type III, IV calcaneal fractures.From January 2004 to January 2010, 58 feet of Sanders type III, IV in 51 patients were treated with open reduction and plate fixation through L incision. There were 29 males and 22 females,the age ranged from 17 to 58 years with an average of 29.5 years old. The time between injury and operation ranged from 7 to 14 days (mean, 10 days). All the patients underwent systematic CT scan with coronal and horizontal images and sagittal reconstruction. The classification of the fractures by the Sanders scale showed that there were 26 feet of type III, 32 feet of type IV. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were compared before and after operation. The clinical results were evaluated with the Maryland foot score: pain (45 scores), function (55 scores: distance walked 10 scores, stability 4, support 4, limp 4, shoes 10, stairs 4, terrain 4, cosmesis 10, motion 5).All 58 feet in 51 patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 6 to 24 months,with an average of 13 months. The incidence of complications was 13.8% (8/58). Incision superficial necrosis in 2 feet,choronicity pain in 4 feet,subtalar joint arthrositis of advanced stage in 2 feet. According to Maryland foot score, the results were excellent in 23 feet, good in 27, fair in 5, poor in 3.The surgical techniques and results of internal fixation to fractures are related to anatomic features of calcaneus and their injury mechanism. It is an effective method for the treatment of calcaneal fractures with Sanders type III, IV.

To study the clinical results of surgical treatment for Tile C type pelvis fractures with internal fixation by posterior approach.From January 2005 to June 2009, 12 patients with Tile C type pelvis fracture were treated by open reduction through posterior approach. There were 8 males and 4 females, with an average age of 39.5 years ranging from 25 to 58 years. The time from injury to operation was ranged from 7 to 10 days with an average of 9.5 days. All the patients were given X-ray, 3-D CT examinations before operation. The fracture were classified by Tile classification: Type C1 in 5 cases, Type C2 in 2 cases, Type C1 and Type C2 in 4 cases, Type C3 in 1 case. All the posterior rings were fixed by re-establishing steel board without anterior ring fixation after stabilization of body condition. All the patients were treated with skin traction for 3 weeks after operation.All 12 patients were followed up for 6 months to 24 months with an average of 12.6 months. All the incisions healed well, and the fractures got union. No pelvic malunion, low back pain or leg length discrepancy was found. According to Majeed criteria for the evaluation of therapeutic effect, 10 patients were excellent, and 2 were good.In the management of the Tile C type pelvis fractures, a stable pelvis can be reconstructed by fixing posterior ring simply through the posterior approach, so that further sequelae can be reduced.