Objective To observe the effect of Twist gene interference on the migration and pAkt protein expression of Rhesus retinal vascular endothelial cell line. Methods The Rhesus retinal vascular endothelial cells (RF/6A) were divided into Twist interference plasmid group, negative control group, and phosphate buffered solution (PBS) group; plasmid vectors were transfected via liposome gene transfection method. Migrated endothelial cells was detected and counted by Transwell chamber assay. Matrigel was used in endothelialcell tube formation; the inhibitory effect of Twist gene interference on endothelial cell tube formation was observed.The effect of Twist gene interference on the expression of pAkt protein in RF/6Acells was measured by Western blot. Results The number of migrated endothelial cells in Twist interference plasmid group was lower than that in the negative control and PBS group (F=23.786，P=0.000).The number of endothelial cell tubes in Twist interference plasmid group was apparently less than that in the negative control and PBS gorup (F=7.159，P=0.014). The expression of pAkt protein in Twist interference plasmid group decreased markedly.Conclusion Twist gene interference can suppress the migration of retinal endothelial cells via inhibiting the expression of pAkt protein.
Objective To observe the expression of Twist in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyze the relationship between positive expression of Twist and disease-free survival, and to provide clinical evidence for reducing tumor recurrence, prolonging disease-free survival and improving prognosis. Methods Retrospective analysis of 70 ESCC patients receiving thoracic surgery from June 2010 to June 2012 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital was done, including 39 males and 31 females with an average age of 63.6 years. The expression of Twist in normal esophageal tissue, tumor tissue and vascular tumor emboli was observed by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin specimens. Results The positive rate of Twist in normal esophageal tissues was 42.9%, and in tumor tissue was 77.1% (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Twist in tumor cells was 74.3% in patients with vascular tumor emboli and 80.0% in patients without vascular tumor emboli (P>0.05). The positive expression rate of Twist in tumor cells and in vascular tumor emboli was 74.3% and 71.4%, respectively (P>0.05). The expression of Twist in lymphatic vessels and blood vessels of patients with vascular tumor emboli was 56.0% and 72.0%, respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion Twist expression in esophageal cancer tissues is significantly higher than that in normal tissues, but there is no significant difference in the positive expression of Twist between tumor cells and the mean disease-free survival (P>0.05). At present, Twist expression can not be used as a prognostic indicator of esophageal cancer, and more researches need be further implemented.
Objective To compare the advantages and disadvantages of the PercuTwist technique．Methods Clinical data of patients undergoing PercuTwist and traditional tracheostomy during Jan 2007 to Feb 2008 in the department of pulmonary disease of Changhai Hospital were collected and analyzed．Results Of 16 patients with PercuTwist，12 were males and 4 were females．The minimum platelet before operation was 15 X 109／L The mean operating time f from local anesthesia to connecting ventilator)was(4.3±1.0)min，and complications occurred in 2 cases with 2 incidences．Of the 12 patients with traditional tracheostomy，8 were males and 4 were females．The minimum platelet before operation was 85 X 109／L．The mean operating time was(33.3±8.6)min，and complications occurred in 8 cases with11 incidences．There were significant differences in complications and operating time between the patients with PercuTwist and the patients with traditional tracheostomy(P lt;0.001 or 0.01)．Conclusions Compared with the traditional surgical tracheostomy，the PercuTwist technique takes less operating time and causes fewer complications．
The purpose of this study is to analyze the biomechanics of ankle cartilage and ligaments during a typical Tai Chi movement–Brush Knee and Twist Step (BKTS). The kinematic and kinetic data were acquired in one experienced male Tai Chi practitioner while performing BKTS and in normal walking. The measured parameters were used as loading and boundary conditions for further finite element analysis. This study showed that the contact stress of the ankle joint during BKTS was generally less than that during walking. However, the maximum tensile force of the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament and the posterior talofibular ligament during BKTS was 130 N, 169 N and 89 N, respectively, while it was only 57 N, 119 N and 48 N during walking. Therefore, patients with arthritis of the ankle can properly practice Tai Chi. Practitioners with sprained lateral ligaments of the ankle joint were suggested to properly reduce the ankle movement range during BKTS.