Abstract: Parasites such as schistosome, liver fluke, and echinococcus mainly parasitize or cause diseases in the liver, and liver fibrosis is the main pathological feature and primary cause of morbidity and mortality of hosts after infection. The liver fibrosis caused by these parasites still has a heavy disease burden in the world, and due to its unique disease characteristics, the animal model of liver fibrosis caused by parasites has a unique position in the study of liver fibrosis. The essential distinguishing feature of parasitic infection-induced hepatic fibrosis from other types of hepatic fibrosis is the variety of parasitic-secreted molecules initiating fibrosis, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, metabolic small molecules and other types. These molecules induce the formation of type 2 immunity or inflammatory microenvironment in the host liver. Although in-depth research has been conducted on the initiation, maintenance, and regression of type 2 immunity in the liver after parasitic infection, many core mechanisms remain unclear. Chronic inflammation ultimately activates stellate cells and other types of cells to differentiate into myofibroblasts (MF), thus promoting the formation of liver fibrosis. After clearing parasites, MF may undergo reverse differentiation, apoptosis or senescence, and liver fibers may undergo reversal. Deep research on the activation and regression of MF is the foundation for effective prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the disease burden and pathological characteristics of liver fibrosis caused by parasite infection.

Objective To study the value of imaging characters in diagnosing mediastinal tumors.Methods X-ray and CT findings of pathologically proved mediastinal tumors in 58 cases were analysed,the findings enabling qualitative diagnosis were recommended. Results There were 40 cases of anterior mediastinal tumors including intrathoracic thyroid tumors [n=32,5 tyroid carcinomas and 1 thyroid cyst ,thymomas (n=3) and teratomas (n=5, 3 cases ruptured)]. All the other 18 cases in posterior mediastinum were neurogenic tumors.Conclusion Based on the combination of the mediastinal compartment knowledge, X-ray and CT findings of the tumors and the clinical information, the qualitative diagnosis of mediastinal tumors will be characterized correctly.

DNA vaccine plays an important role in the treatment of cancer, infectious disease and self-immune disease. Further enhancement of immune responses to DNA vaccines is one of the hot spots in the vaccine development. Among the research combining the electroporation with DNA vaccination improves plasmid gene expression in vivo and significantly enhances the immune responses. This review gives an overview of the application, effectiveness and prospect of electroporation in improving the efficacy of DNA vaccine.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the distribution of levofloxacin in lung of mice after intragastric and intravenous adminis-tration of Tanreqing injection combined with levofloxacin. METHODS:144 mice were randomly divided into experimental group and control group,with 72 mice in each group. Both groups were given Tanreqing injection(0.8 ml/kg). 1 h later,control group was given Levofloxacin injection(80 mg/kg)intravenously,and experimental group Levofloxacin tablet solution(80 mg/kg)intra-gastrically;every 8 mice were sacrificed for lung tissue collection at the time points of 0.05,0.083,0.17,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0, 12.0 h and 0.083,0.17,0.33,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0,12.0 h,respectively. Using ciprofloxacin as internal standard,the content of levofloxacin in lung tissue was determined by HPLC,and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 3p97 program. RE-SULTS:The concentration-time curves of levofloxacin in lung tissue were in line with two-compartment model in 2 groups. The main pharmacokinetics of experimental group and control group were as follows as t1/2β of(4.17±0.84)h and(4.10±0.55)h;CL of(0.66±0.049)L/h and(0.71±0.21)L/h;AUC0-t of(109.48±12.34)mg·h/kg and(113.04±29.43)mg·h/kg;cmax of(38.76± 1.62) mg/kg and (42.28 ± 2.03) mg/kg,respectively. There was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Absolute bioavailability of levofloxacin was(96.85±17.39)% in experimental group with intragastric administration. CONCLUSIONS:After intravenous injec-tion of Tanreqing injection,the distribution of levofloxacin in lung tissue of mice are similiar between intragastric administration and intragastric administration.

Cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT) was used to analyze the anatomic morphology of maxillary canine fossa of different sagittal skeletal patterns patients;implants of various dimensions were virtually placed into the maxillary premolars region.The relationships among maxillary canine fossa and implant were analyzed.The depth of the maxillary canine fossa was(4.33±0.73),(3.77±0.58),(5.18±0.93)mm in the 1st premolar region of class Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively.The depth of the maxillary canine fossa was(3.20±0.63),(2.81±0.58),(3.90±0.79)mm in the 2nd premolar region of class Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively.There were no significant statistical differences in genders,sides,and loss of tooth.And there were significant statistical differences in three classes(P<0.05).The length of the implants was (10.30±1.70)mm(d=3.3 mm) and (8.77±1.58)mm(d=4.1 mm) in the 1st premolar region and (8.09±1.51)mm(d=3.3 mm),(6.69±1.35)mm(d=4.1 mm) in the 2nd premolar region in patients with teeth and buccal perforation;the length of the implants was (8.98±1.54)mm(d=3.3 mm) and (7.67±1.52)mm(d=4.1 mm) in the 1st premolar region and(7.09±1.59)mm(d=3.3 mm) and (5.79±1.34)mm(d=4.1 mm) in the 2nd premolar region in patients with tooth loss,respectively.There were significant statistical differences in loss of tooth(P<0.05).Analyzing of spatial relationships among maxillary canine fossa and implants of different sagittal skeletal patterns patients especially class Ⅲ patients,by using CBCT has important significance in guiding dental implants.

The hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor, which produces multiple biological effects by binding to the c-Met acceptor. This article reviews the biological properties of HGF, particularly those correlated with male reproduction, including its abilities to promote testis embryonic development, spermatogenesis, and testosterone synthesis of Leydig cells. HGF may provide a new insight into the treatment of male hypogonadism and infertility.
Embryonic Development ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; physiology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; metabolism ; Reproduction ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; embryology ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects and related mechanism of S100A4 gene silencing on oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization.Methods 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups including normal group,normal-S100A4 group,oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) group,OIR-S100A4 group,OIR-green fluorescent protein (GFP) group.To establish the OIR model,mice from all groups except normal one were exposed to (75±2) ％ oxygen for 5 days and then to room air.In the OIR-S100A4 group and OIR-GFP group,the OIR mice were given an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of 1.0 × 109 PFU/ml adenovirus of Ad-S100A4-RNAi or Ad-GFP at P12,and then returned to normoxia for the next 5 days.In the OIR group,OIR was induced in C57bl/6J mice from P7 to P17.In the normal-S100A4 group,the normal P12 mice were give an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of Ad-S100A4-RNAi adenovirus,and maintained in room air from P12 to P17.In normal group,newborn mouse litters were maintained in room air from P0 to P17 without any treatment.Mice in all five groups were euthanized at P17,and retinas were collected for biochemical assays and morphological study.Retinal neovascularization (RNV) was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and the whole mount immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina.Protein and mRNA expression levels of S100A4,cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB),B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2),Caspase-3 were determined with western blot and real-time PCR.Results The number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei in retinas from OIR-S100A4 group were obviously lower than those in the retinas from OIR group and OIR-GFP group (t=13.61,14.64;P＜0.05).In OIR-S100A4 group,the retinal neovascular tufts area and the vaso-oblitertion area were both significantly smaller than those in OIR group and OIR-GFP group (P＜0.05).Protein level of CREB and bcl-2 were significantly down-regulated in OIR-S100A4 group than those in OIR and OIR-GFP group (P＜0.05).On the contrary,protein levels of Caspase-3 were up-regulated in OIR-S100A4 group than those in OIR and OIR-GFP group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Ad-S100A4-RNAi transfer ameliorates RNV in mouse model of OIR maybe through down-regulating the expression of bcl-2 and CREB,and up-regulating the Caspase-3.

Objective:To evaluate the expression of IMP3 and CD44 proteins in recurrent urothelial carcinoma (UC) and to deter-mine the correlation between the two proteins. Methods: Data from transurethral resection of bladder (TURB) cancer cases between January 2002 and December 2012 were reviewed. Of the 54 UC recurrent cases in this study, one group of 25 had experienced recur-rence within 6 months after surgery, and the other group of 29 had their first recurrence after more than 3 years. IMP3 and CD44 immu-noreactivities were increased, which correlated with the clinicopathologic parameters. The relationship between IMP3 and CD44 pro-tein expressions was also explored. Results:Six of the 25 short-term recurrent UC cases were tested positive for IMP3 and all belonged to high-grade UC. Among the 29 long-term recurrent patients, only one case of low-grade UC tested positive for IMP3. IMP3 expres-sion rate [24%(6/25)] and intensity [weak staining at 16%(4/25) and strong staining at 8%(2/25)] were higher in the short-term recur-rent group than those in the long-term group, which had an expression rate of 3.45% (1/29) and intensity rates for weak staining at 3.45%(1/29) and without strong staining (0/29). No difference was observed in the CD44 expression between the two groups. In addi-tion, the high expression of IMP3 correlated with higher tumor stage and grade, whereas the CD44 expression tended to be inversely correlated with the tumor grade in recurrent UC patients. Furthermore, no correlation existed between the expression of IMP3 and CD44 proteins in the bladder carcinoma specimens. Conclusion:IMP3 exhibited a significantly higher expression rate in short-term re-current UC specimens than in the long-term recurrent cases. Therefore, IMP3 could be used as a novel marker, together with the other factors including tumor stage and grade, for predicting the high risk of short-term recurrence in UC patients who underwent TURB.

Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangioendothelioma ; pathology ; Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; pathology ; Hemangiosarcoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Sarcoma ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vascular Neoplasms ; pathology

Objectives To evaluate the therapeutic effect of argon laser photocoagulation combined with intravitreous injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods Argon laser photocoagulation combined with intravitreous injection of TA was performed on 17 patients (17 eyes) with CRVO between December 2003 and July 2004. Results During the follow-up of 4-10 months, the visual acuity improved in 16 patients, including alleviated or even disappeared cystoid macular edema (CME) in 5, and recurred macular edema in 5 with decreased visual acuity after 3 months. Six patients had increased ocular pressure after intra-ocular injection which alleviated after treated suitably. No neovascularization in angle or secondary neovascular glaucoma was found. Conclusion [WTBZ]Argon laser photocoagulation combined with intravitreous injection of TA may improve the visual acuity and reduce complications in ischemic CRVO, though macular edema may recur in some cases.