Objective:The main purpose of this research is an experiment on the application of a comfort nursing model to a stem cell collection of peripheral blood procedure.Methods: The comparison method has been applied in this research. 178 cases have been selected as a whole research group. Then 88 cases are the observed group who will adopt the comfortable nursing model and 90 cases are the control group who will adopt the normal model.Results: The result of the comparison method shows that the observed group has lower mental pressure during the stem cell collection progress. Furthermore, the satisfaction feedback of the observed group is 90.9% but the control group is 67.8%.Conclusion: This research found that the application of the comfortable nursing modeling in stem cell collection of peripheral blood will ensure the collection process is completed smoothly. More importantly, an improvement was made in medical treatment quality and patient satisfaction.

Valproate (VPA) has long been used for the treatment of bipolar mood disorder. VPA is effective in control of mania and depression. Recent studies have demonstrated that VPA has profound neuroprotective effects in against various apoptotic stimuli. Moreover, VPA can promote neurogenesis, neuronal proliferation and differentiation. Although intensive research has been dedicated to VPA′s neuroprotection, the molecular mechanisms by which VPA protects neurons are still not fully understood. In this paper, recent progresses in the study of VPA′s neuroprotection and underlying mechanism are reviewed.

Objective Among the factors affecting embryo implantation, oxidative stress is one that receives much medical attention. The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of H2 O2 on the endometrial stromal cells ( ESCs) in the decidual mouse model of oxidative stress of ESCs. Methods Primary ESCs cultured by enzymatic digestion with a mesh filter were divided into a control, an experimental, and a model group. Decidualization was induced in the mice of the experimental and model groups by inter-vention with 10 nM E2 and 1μmol/L P4 for 72 h in vitro. Then, the animals of the model group were treated with different concentra-tions of H2 O2 for 4 hours. The primary ESCs were identified by immunohistochemistry, the expression of dPRP mRNA determined byRT-PCR, the proliferation of the decidual ESCs treated with H2 O2 analyzed by CCK-8, and the level of ROS detected by flow cytometry. Results Primary mouse ESCs were successfully isolated, cultured, and identified, which were shaped like spindles and polygons, radial-ly aligned under the microscope. Immunofluorescence analysis showed positive expression of vimentin and negative expression of cytokeratin. The purity of the primary mouse ESCs was ( 96. 3 ± 0. 49 )%. Theexpression of dPRP mRNA was significantly higher in the ESCs treated with E2 and P4 than in the control (0.0002±0.0000 vs 1.0010±0.0011, P<0.01). H2O2 at ≥150μmol/L suppressed the proliferation of the decidual ESCs by 6.9% (P<0.05), and in a concen-tration-dependent manner, reaching the maximum inhibition rate of 70.6% at the concentration of 300μmol/L. The level of intracellular ROS was markedly increased in the ESCs treated with H2O2 at 50μmol/L (27.77±4.20) and 100μmol/L (43.57±6.58), with statisti-cally significant difference from that in the control group (17.47±0.61) (P=0.001). Conclusion H2O2 at 100μmol/L can signifi-cantly elevate the intracellar ROS level without affecting the proliferation of decidual primary ESCs, and therefore can be used for estab-lishing the model of oxidative stress of ESCs in decidual mice.

Objective To evaluate the changes of left ventricular (LV) bulk rotation and untwisting in transplanted hearts using 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(STI).Methods Basal and apical LV short-axis images were acquired in 15 heart transplant recipients 3 months post surgery(HT group) and 56 healthy control subjects.Basal and apical rotation versus time profiles were drawn using 2-dimensional STI software.Appropriate values were chosen from the dataset obtained and compared between two groups.Results ①Compared with the control group,the heart rate,anterior-posterior diameter of left atrium,enddiastolic interventricular septum thickness,left ventricular posterior wall thickness,isovolumic relaxation time and E/e ratio were significantly increased,e and a values were decreased significantly in HT group (P ＜ 0.05).② No significant difference was noticed in the peak degrees of LV bulk rotation,the degrees of LV bulk rotation at the time of aortic valve closure and mitral valve opening (P =0.700,0.984,0.495,respectively) between 2 groups.In both groups,systolic rotation reached its maximum at end-systole [(96.1 ± 8.4) ％ in HT group vs (100.5 ± 6.3) ％ in control group,P =0.065].③Significant decreases in untwisting rate and trend untwisting variables were observed in the HT group(P ＜0.001).Conclusions 3 months after transplanted,left ventricular bulk rotation of cardiac allografts remained normal,and significant decreases in both untwisting rate and trend untwisting variables showed that the diastolic function of cardiac allografts was impaired.

Objective To investigate the value of left ventricular global two-dimensional strain and strain rate index measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) in assessing myocardial injury in various degree of rats following acute myocardial infarction. Methods Fifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into myocardial infarction(MI) group ( n =45) and sham-operation(SO) group ( n = 10).To establish rats acute myocardial infarction model with different infarct extent, MI group were randomly divided into MI15 group,MI30 group and ML60 group( n = 15,respectively) which underwent occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery for 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 24 hours after reperfusion. High frame rate twodimensional images were recorded from the left ventricular short-axis views at the papillary muscle level.Left ventricular global circumferential strain(GSc) and strain rate(GSRc) were measured using EchoPAC work station. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDd) and systole ( LVIDs), fractional shortening(FS) and ejection fraction(EF) were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. Area of necrosis(AN) of each segment was measured after triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. Results ① Compared with baseline and SO group, LVIDd and LVIDs of MI15, MI30 and MI60 group significantly increased respectively,whereas FS and EF significantly decreased( P <0. 05). Compared with MI15 group and MI30 group, LVIDd and LVIDs of MI60 group significantly increased, whereas FS and EF significantly decreased(P <0. 05). ② Compared with baseline and SO group,GSc and GSRc of MI15 group, MI30 group and MI60 group significantly decreased. GSc and GSRc of MI group decreased with ischemia duration ( P <0.05). ③ GSc and GSRc significantly correlated with AN respectively ( P <0. 01) while the correlation coefficient was 0. 90 and 0. 88 respectively, and GSc and GSRc were significantly predictors of AN( P <0.01) while the Beta was 0.558 and 0.491 respectively.④AN increased with ischemia duration( P <0.05). Conclusions Left ventricular global circumferential strain and strain rate index measured by 2D-STI,which decreased significantly as the area of necrosis increased, can accurately assess myocardial injury after myocardial infarction in various degree.

Objective To assess left ventricular (LV) global systolic function in patients with essential hypertension with normal geometric LV by 3-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI). Methods Fifty patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in this study, 29 normal subjects matched with age and sex were selected as control groups. LV global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), radial peak systolic strain (GRS), circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), LV global 3-dimentional radial peak systolic strain (3DGRS) were measured in all subjects by 3D-STI from the apical full-volume image and compared between groups. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was acquired from 3D-STI.Results Compared with controls, LV GLS, GRS, GCS and 3DGRS were significantly reduced in patients with hypertension ( P ＜ 0.05 for all). A Pearson correlate revealed that LV GCS, GLS and GRS corresponded with LVEF( r1 =0.930, P1 ＜0.001; r2 = 0.705, P2 ＜0.001; r3 =0.474, P3 =0.001,respectively) in patients with hypertension, and LV GCS, GLS correlated with LVEF( r1 = 0. 838, P1 ＜0. 001; r2 = 0. 697, P2 ＜ 0. 001, respectively) in normal subjects. Conclusions LV global 3D strain decreases in patients with hypertension in the early period,3D-STI could evaluate the early change of heart function in patients with hypertension. LV circumferential movement plays a major role in the LV 3D movement and impacts on LVEF.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gating 320-detectorcomputed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) versus retrospective ECG-gating CTCA. Methods 500consecutive patients suspected coronary artery disease with heart rate of less than 65 bpm were performed coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with prospective (group P)and retrospective (group R) ECG gating in turn. The image quality was divided into four levels. Success rates, effective radiation dose,image quality and diagnosis were evaluated. Results Success rates of examination in group P and R are100%.Mean patient radiation dose was significantly different in group P (3.28±1mSv) and R(14.36 ±2.3 mSv).131 and 142 of 3750 segments (250 patients x 15 segments per patient) were too small(1.5mm)tobe characterized in group P and R. 96. 51% (3619/3750) and 96.12% (3608/3750) characterized segments were not significantly different in group P and R. 95.09% segments received a score of 4 and 1.09% segments received a score of 3 in group P, while 95.23% and 0.74% in group R.The cause of 2 and 3 points in the two groups was motion artifact. Stair-step artifacts and images scored as 1were not found.Compared with CAG,the sensitivity,specificity,false positive andfalse negative value in group P(86. 49% ,98. 70% ,88. 89% ,98.38%) and R(83. 87% ,98.74% ,89. 65%,97.93%) were not significantly different. Conclusion Although the patient radiation exposure was significantly lower, the diagnostic performance of prospective ECG-gating 320-detector CTCA was comparable with that of retrospective ECG-gating 320-detector CTCA on patients with stable heart rates less than 65 bpm.

BACKGROUND:Theoretically, bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from liver fibrosis rats could be filtered by the pathological environment in vivo. These EPCs would be more adapted to the micro-environment of liver fibrosis, and easier to differentiate into mature endothelial cells participating in the intrahepatic vascular remodeling after transplanted into the liver.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effectiveness of transplantation of bone marrow-derived EPCs from the liver fibrosis environment in liver fibrosis rats.METHODS:Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows:normal group (n=8) were injected with olive oil, twice per week; model group (n=10) were infused with carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 3 mL/kg body weight (double doses for the first time), twice per week, and infused with normal saline through the tail vein at 2, 3 and 5 weeks; EPCs transplantation group (n=10) were infused with carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 3 mL/kg body weight (double doses for the first time), twice per week, and infused with EPCs suspension through the tail vein at 2, 3 and 5 weeks. Six weeks after final injection, the angiogenesis, hepatocyte proliferation and pathological changes in the liver tissues were observed. The liver function and coagulation function were tested.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The pathological changes of the liver:in the model group, fatty degeneration and hepatocyte necrosis in the liver tissue were serious, inflammatory cells were infiltrated around the portal and central vein,the portal areas expanded, and fibrous tissues overgrew. Compared with the model group, these changes were significantly relieved in the EPCs transplantation group (P < 0.05). (2) The expressions of liver-related proteins:compared with the normal group, the levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin, type III procollagen, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin and type III procollagen were decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor were increased in the EPCs transplantation group (P < 0.05). (3) Liver function and coagulation function:compared with the normal group, the liver function and blood blotting function of rats were seriously damaged in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group,the liver function and coagulation function were obviously improved in the EPCs transplantation group (P < 0.05). To conclude, transplantation of bone marrow-derived EPCs from the liver fibrosis environment is effective for liver fibrosis in rats. The mechanism may be associated with the promotion of angiogenesis in the liver.

Brain iron deposition has been proposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of brain iron accumulation with the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with AD by using quantitative MR relaxation rate R2' measurements. Fifteen patients with AD, 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and 30 healthy volunteers underwent 1.5T MR multi-echo T2 mapping and T2* mapping for the measurement of transverse relaxation rate R2' (R2'=R2*-R2). We statistically analyzed the R2' and iron concentrations of bilateral hippocampus (HP), parietal cortex (PC), frontal white matter (FWM), putamen (PU), caudate nucleus (CN), thalamus (TH), red nucleus (RN), substantia nigra (SN), and dentate nucleus (DN) of the cerebellum for the correlation with the severity of dementia. Two-tailed t-test, Student-Newman-Keuls test (ANOVA) and linear correlation test were used for statistical analysis. In 30 healthy volunteers, the R2' values of bilateral SN, RN, PU, CN, globus pallidus (GP), TH, and FWM were measured. The correlation with the postmortem iron concentration in normal adults was analyzed in order to establish a formula on the relationship between regional R2' and brain iron concentration. The iron concentration of regions of interest (ROI) in AD patients and controls was calculated by this formula and its correlation with the severity of AD was analyzed. Regional R2' was positively correlated with regional brain iron concentration in normal adults (r=0.977, P<0.01). Iron concentrations in bilateral HP, PC, PU, CN, and DN of patients with AD were significantly higher than those of the controls (P<0.05); Moreover, the brain iron concentrations, especially in parietal cortex and hippocampus at the early stage of AD, were positively correlated with the severity of patients' cognitive impairment (P<0.05). The higher the R2' and iron concentrations were, the more severe the cognitive impairment was. Regional R2' and iron concentration in parietal cortex and hippocampus were positively correlated with the severity of AD patients' cognitive impairment, indicating that it may be used as a biomarker to evaluate the progression of AD.

Background and purpose:The incidence of liver cancer is high in China. Primary liver cancers usually occur in patients with liver cirrhosis, which is a challenge for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. Our purpose is to investigate the efifcacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the early identiifcation and diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regularly tracking and supervising the high risk population. Methods:A total of 320 high risk patients of HCC admitted in our hospital from February 2011 to November 2013 were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent conventional ultrasound and hepatic CEUS. The differential diagnosis of malignant HCCs from benign ones was based on the enhancement patterns of hepatic lesions in different phases on CEUS. Results:Twenty patients were diagnosed as small HCC among 320 HCC high risk patients who were under regular surveillance using CEUS and all were pathologically conifrmed. Seven of the 20 HCC cases were smaller than 1.0 cm and 13 measured 1.1-2.0 cm. There were 6 (30.0%) HCCs presented as“early wash-in and slow wash-out”atypical pattern of HCC. The small size of the lesion and iso-echogenicity were the main factors of atypical pattern of HCC on CEUS.Conclusion:Ultrasonography and CEUS surveillance is a useful strategy for the early detection of small HCCs in high risk patients, which can help them to receive proper therapeutic management in time.