Objective To explore the relative factors of unstable plaques of carotid atherosclerosis in ischemic eerebrovascular patients.Methods Carotid arteries of a total of 132 cases with ischemic cerebrovascular disease of carotid artery system were inspected by color Doppler ultrasound.The plaques discovered were classified according to ultrasonic appearance and their stability was judged.The relation between hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipemia, smoking and unstable plaques of carotid atheroselerosis was analyzed.Results The most common site of plaque for- mation was the bifurcate of the common carotid artery(56.99%),and the second commonest was carotid artery (23.12%).The incidence of unstable plaques in the patients with smoking,hypertension and diabetes was higher than those without them(P

Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency ultrasound (LFU) on the proliferation and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in rabbits with carotid atherosclerosis(CA).Methods CA models were established in 30 New Zealand rabbits using a high fat diet and air-drying.They were randomly divided into a control group and four LFU groups:group A received 0.5 W/cm~2 LFU for 5 min/d,group B 0.5 W/cm~2 for 10 min/d, group C 1 W/cm~2,5 min/d,and group D 1 W/cm~2,10 min/d.The rabbits' carotid arteries were autopsied after 20 d of the LFU treatment.The expression of PCNA and TUNEL staining were used to explore the proliferation and apopto- sis of SMCs,and the proliferation rates (PRs) and apoptosis rates (ARs) were calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the PRs in groups B,C and D were significantly lower,while the ARs in groups B,C and D were significantly higher.There was no significant difference in ARs or PRs among groups B,C and D.Con- clusion LFU can induce SMC apoptosis and inhibit SMC proliferation in rabbits with CA.

Objective To evaluate the applied value of percutaneous oxygen-ozone injection in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation under open 0.23 T MRI guidance.Methods Mounted with ipath 200 optical tracking system,MR-guided injection of oxygen-ozone were performed via a medial border of the articular processes approach in 73 patients with clinically diagnosed LDH.MR compatible 19.5G or 21.0 G biopsy needle was used. Discography was performed in order to select indication before injection oxygen- ozone into nucleus pulposus in 26 patients.Sixty-four patients were injected to three sites:(1)Six to 10 ml oxygen-ozone was injected into discs centers,injected and suctioned alternately in order to make nucleus pulposus oxidation thoroughly.(2)The needle was withdrawn according to the scale of biopsy needle and optical tracking.Then,10 ml oxygen-ozone was injected into disc herniation. (3)After that,needle was withdrawn further about 1.0—1.5 cm to outside of annulus fibrosus.Fifteen to 20 ml oxygen-ozone was injected into intervertebral foramina around nerve roots.The oxygen-ozone concentration was 35—45?g/ml. Nine patients were only performed injection of oxygen-ozone into around nerve root,while not injection oxygen-ozone to nucleus pulposus for considering bad curative effect after discography.Results All of 73 patients were successfully local targeted and treated under MRI guidance without serious complications, such as nerve root injury.After 3—6 months follow-up,total overall efficacy was 91.3% with the excellent in 28,good in 39,and poor in 6,respectively.Conclusion Open MR-guided injection of oxygen-ozone, mounted with optical tracking system,is a safe and effective minimally invasive therapy for treating LDH.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bifidobacterium genomic DNA on umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC), and investigate the immunoregulation of bifidobacterium DNA and explore possible mechanisms by which bifidobacterium acts against allergic reaction.

METHODSBifidobacterium genomic DNA (bDNA) and human DNA (hDNA) were extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol and stored at -20 degrees C for later use. Parts of bDNA were completely digested with DNaseI (d-bDNA) at 37 degrees C. CBMCs were isolated with Ficoll from umbilical cord blood and incubated at 37 degrees C in a 5% CO2 humidified incubator. These cells were divided into four groups, control group: without any stimulant; bDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml bDNA; d-bDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml d-bDNA; hDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml hDNA. The cells were stimulated with different stimulants in vitro, at the end of incubation culture supernatant and cells were collected. IL-12 and IL-10 levels in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA); cells secreting IL-4 and IFN-gamma were counted by enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay; and total RNA was isolated from the cells to assay T-bet and GATA3 mRNA expression levels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSix hours after stimulation there was no significant difference in IL-12 level in supernatant among the four groups; 12 hours after stimulation, IL-12 level in supernatant of bDNA treated group was significantly higher than that of each of the other groups, so were the results obtained at 24 hours and 48 hours after stimulation (P < 0.05). No significant difference could be detected in IL-12 level in supernatant among the other 3 groups. On the other hand, 6 hours after stimulation there was no significant difference in IL-10 level in supernatant among the four groups. But 12 and 24 hours after stimulation IL-10 level in supernatant of bDNA treated group was lower than that of each of the other groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. The count of IFN-gamma secreting cells of bDNA treated group was higher than that of the other groups, while IL-4 secteting cells of bDNA treated group were lower than that of the other groups. After bDNA stimulation, nuclear factor T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) mRNA expression was conspicuously enhanced as compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). GATA3 mRNA transcription in CBMC had no significant change after bDNA stimulation.

CONCLUSIONbDNA could promote secretion of Th1 type cytokine IL-12, while Th2 type cytokine IL-10 level of cell supernatant was decreased. bDNA could stimulate secretion of IFN-gamma by CBMC and inhibit secretion of IL-4. T-bet mRNA expression was highly enhanced after bDNA stimulation. bDNA could upregulate Th1 type response, which may be one of important mechanisms by which bifidobacterium inhibit allergic response.

Bifidobacterium ; cytology ; genetics ; Cell Culture Techniques ; DNA, Bacterial ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; immunology ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-12 ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; secretion ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum cytokines concentrations and A- PACHE scores in evaluating the illness state for critical trauma patients.Methods A clinical prospective self-control trial was performed,in which 36 patients admitted to ICU by SIRS were enrolled.Objects were divided into mild and severe trauma group according to APACHE score.The TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of admission,the APACHE score were assessed at the same time.Statistic analysis was performed according to this group.Results The TNF-?concentrations decreased continuously in the following days while IL-6 decreased from the 7th day in the mild trauma group.In the severe trauma group the TNF-?and IL-6,APACHE score concentrations kept increasing.There was a significant difference of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations between severe trauma and mild trauma group.Conclusion Dynamic measurement of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations with APACHE score provide great help to evaluate the illness state and predict the prognosis.

By means of genetic cloning and recombinant techniques, full genome cDNA sequences of rotavirus strain TB-Chen were isolated from an infantile hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Nucleotide sequences analyses showed that the full genome of strain TB-Chen contains 18613 nucleotides, encoding 5791 amino acids. Genotyping results showed that the strain TB-Chen belongs to genotype G2P[4]/NSp4[A]. This is the first report on a full genome of Group A rotavirus in China, and has important significance for deep understanding structure and functions of rotaviruses and developing rotavirus vaccines.

Objective To study the prevalence of esophageal cancer and various lesions of esophagus in high risk areas through a screening program for early diagnosis and treatment.Methods Random cluster sampling method was used to select some portions of a natural village as screening object in the high risk areas of esophageal cancer,from 2006 to 2011.Endoscope iodine staining and index biopsy screening methods were used on people with high risk and followed by pathological exams for confirmation.Results The detection rates regarding mild esophageal hyperplasia,moderate and severe esophageal hyperplasia were 5.33％ (803/15 065),1.28％( 193/15 065 ),0.68％( 102/15 065 ) respectively while the detection rates on carcinoma in situ,intramucosal carcinoma and invasive cancer were 0.15％(22/15 065),0.06％(9/15 065),0.29％(43/15 065)respectively.The detection rate in male esophageal hyperplasia was higher than in female.People younger than 65 years old,the detection rates on mild,moderate or severe esophageal hyperplasia and invasive cancer showed an increase with age,with the 60- year-olds group reaching the highest.The detection rates on the above said diseases were 7.72％( 198/2565 ),2.07％(53/2565),1.29％( 33/2565 ),0.51％ ( 13/2565 ) respectively.The detection rates on mild,moderate or severe esophageal hyperplasia varied in different years and with statistically significant differences (P＜0.001) but did not show any obvious trend of changing.Geographical distribution of mild esophageal hyperplasia,moderate esophageal hyperplasia,severe esophageal hyperplasia also significantly varied in different villages (P＜0.001).The highest detection rate in the mountainous villages was seen the highest while the detection rate of village from hilly areas was the lowest.Conclusion There were considerable numbers of patients with precancerous lesions in the general population from the high risk areas.The detection rate of esophageal cancer in the mountain residents was higher than the rate in the hilly areas.Men and the elderly were the key populations calling for esophageal cancer prevention programs to be carried out.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography in the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis.Methods Fourteen patients underwent MSCT angiography with use of 90 ml contrast media at a rate of 3.5 ml/s.Images were generated for vascular assessment with various reconstructional techniques,including multi-planar reformat(MPR),maximum intensity projection(MIP), volume rendering(VR),CT virtual endoscopy(CTVE)and advanced vessel analysis(AVA).Results MSCT angiography findings was consistent with the clinical changes of Takayasu's arteritis in all cases.The integrated information including reconstructional and transverse images clearly presented various luminal abnormalities,such as stenosis,occlusion and dilatation in the affected aorta,as well as its major branches and collateral circulation.Furthermore,it depicted mural abnormities,especially concentric arterial wall thickening.Steno-occlusive type(8/14)was more common than mixed type(6/14).According to Lupi- Herrea's classification,type Ⅰ in 5 cases,type Ⅱ in 2,type Ⅲ in 6 and type Ⅳ in 1 were recorded in the present study.Conclusion MSCT angiography is reliable imaging modality for the detection of Takayasu's arteritis.It is useful for early diagnosis because it allows evaluation of wall thickness rather than merely the luminal diameter,which is especially important for prognosis.It might be used as the first choice in the diagnosis of this disease as a simple,convenient and noninvasive method.

Objective To investigate the relationship of blood pressure variability (BPV) with cerebral artery stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods Two hundred and six consecutive patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease,admitted to our hospital from November 2006 to June 2010, were chosen in our study; these patients underwent arcus aorta and cerebral angiographies, and were monitored the ambulatory blood pressure. And then, according to the angiographic findings, the risk factors and relevant clinical data of different groups were analyzed.Results (1) Seventy-five of the 206 patients had normal findings in angiography and 131 had occlusive lesions of different degrees,among which 32.1％ (42) had only extracranial artery disease (EAD),29.0％(38) had only intracranial artery disease (IAD),and 38.9％ (51) had both EAD and IAD.In total,the incidence of EAD was 71.0％ (93),which was higher than that of IAD (67.9％,89).(2) As compared with those in the normal group,standard deviation of 24 h systolic blood pressure (24hSBPSD),standard deviation of 24 h diastolic blood pressure (24hDBPSD),day SBPSD (dSBPSD),day DBPSD (dDBPSD),night SBPSD (nSBPSD) and night DBPSD (nDBPSD) were significantly higher in the cerebral artery stenosis group (P＜0.05). (3) The prevalence of cerebral artery steonsis was positively correlated with coefficient of systolic variation (r=0.918, P=0.002); no significant correlation was noted between coefficient of 24 h diastolic variation and the prevalence of cerebral artery stenosis (P＞0.05); coefficient of 24 h mean systolic variation was positively correlated with prevalence of cerebral artery stenosis (r=0.936,P=0.001); and 24 h mean diastolic blood pressure was negatively correlated with prevalence of cerebral artery stenosis (P＞0.05). (4) Multivariate regression analysis indicated that cerebral steno-occlusive lesion was positively associated with 24 h mean systolic blood pressure and coefficient of variation of 24 h blood pressure.(5) Hyperlipidemia was the independent risk factor for EAD; advanced age was the independent risk factor for IAD; and smoke was the independent risk factor for EAD and IAD; coronary artery disease was the independent risk factor for EAD,and EAD combined with IAD.Conclusion Cerebral artery stenosis is independently associated with standard deviation of mean of blood pressure and coefficient of variation systolic blood pressure; the contribution of various risk factors,including hypertension,hyperlipidemia,coronary artery disease,smoking,advanced age,diabetes and hyperho-mocysteinemia, have some correlation with the distribution mode of stenosis; BPV is an independent risk factor for cerebral artery stenosis,but not related to the distribution mode of stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of two abbreviated protocols (AP) of MRI in breast cancer screening of dense breast tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study in 356 participants with dense breast tissue and negative mammography results. The study was approved by the Nanjing Medical University Ethics Committee. Patients were imaged with a full diagnostic protocol (FDP) of MRI. Two APs (AP-1 consisting of the first post-contrast subtracted [FAST] and maximum-intensity projection [MIP] images, and AP-2 consisting of AP-1 combined with diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI]) and FDP images were analyzed separately, and the sensitivities and specificities of breast cancer detection were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 356 women, 67 lesions were detected in 67 women (18.8%) by standard MR protocol, and histological examination revealed 14 malignant lesions and 53 benign lesions. The average interpretation time of AP-1 and AP-2 were 37 seconds and 54 seconds, respectively, while the average interpretation time of the FDP was 3 minutes and 25 seconds. The sensitivities of the AP-1, AP-2, and FDP were 92.9, 100, and 100%, respectively, and the specificities of the three MR protocols were 86.5, 95.0, and 96.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference among the three MR protocols in the diagnosis of breast cancer (p > 0.05). However, the specificity of AP-1 was significantly lower than that of AP-2 (p = 0.031) and FDP (p = 0.035), while there was no difference between AP-2 and FDP (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AP may be efficient in the breast cancer screening of dense breast tissue. FAST and MIP images combined with DWI of MRI are helpful to improve the specificity of breast cancer detection.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Ethics Committees ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcription Factor AP-1