BACKGROUND:Gene-modified stem cel s can increase the secretion of peptides and ful-length proteins to protect spinal cord injury and promote recovery of neuronal function, which thus become a research hotspot in recent years. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor-modified adipose derived stem cel s in repairing spinal cord injury in rats. METHODS:Adipose derived stem cel s were primarily cultured by adherent culture method and cel surface markers were detected by immunofluorescence method, while spinal cord injury models were set by modified Al en method. Nerve growth factor plasmid was transfected into adipose derived stem cel s with Lipofectamine2000 and the expression of nerve growth factor was detected by real-time PCR and western blot. The modified adipose derived stem cel s intervened by nerve growth factor were injected into the injured part of spinal cord injury rat models. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score was used to evaluate the repairing effect. Models rats were sacrificed at 3 weeks after cel transplantation. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to testify nerve growth factor expression in the injured spinal segment after cel transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Adipose derived stem cel s were successful y cultured primarily, and positive for CD29 and CD44;the mRNA and protein expression of nerve growth factor was elevated after plasmid transfection. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score was elevated after transplantation of adipose derived stem cel s intervened by nerve growth factor modification compared to control group;and the expression of nerve growth factor in the injured segment of the spinal cord was up-regulated detected by real-time PCR and western blot. These findings indicate that the nerve growth factor-modified adipose derived stem cel s have repairing effects on spinal cord injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the mechanism and clinical characteristics of rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma in children. Methods The clinical data of 9 children with rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma were retrospective analyzed. Results Subdural hematoma of three cases were completely dissolved within 8 h, while those of the other 6 cases were significantly reduced which were completely dissolved in 48-72 h. Conclusions Rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma in children is rare in clinical practice. The redistribution and dilution of hematoma and the anatomical characteristics of the children patient determine the possibility of hematoma dissipation. The conservative treatment can get a good prognosis.

BACKGROUNDSelection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains controversial. Since there is a trend to expand the transplant criteria for HCC patients, we reviewed the data of patients with HCC who had received OLT at our institute to determine their survival and prognostic factors.

METHODSA total of 67 patients with HCC who had undergone OLT from April 2001 through December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Selection OLT candidates with HCC was dependent on the anatomical characteristics and/or the severity of underlying liver cirrhosis. The 67 patients were followed up for more than 6 months after transplantation. Their survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards regression model were performed to reveal the factors affecting the survival rate.

RESULTSNo perioperative death occurred in this series. The 1- and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 90.0% and 65.6%, and the disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 77.5% and 62.5% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed the tumor size, portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), serum alpha-fetoprotein level, bilobular distribution of tumors, pTNM stage and histological differentiation were statistically significant factors affecting the DFS (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed tumor size and PVTT were independent and statistically significant factors affecting the DFS (P = 0.005 and 0.010, respectively). In this series, all but 2 received systemic chemotherapy, among them 13 had tumor recurrence within 8 months after OLT.

CONCLUSIONSOLT is indicated for patients with HCC, even for some patients with end-stage liver disease who may survive longer without tumor recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy may decrease the recurrence of HCC after OLT.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate