Objective To compare iso-osmolar iodixanol and low-osmolar iohexol for the incidence of contrast- induced nephropathy(CIN) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure undergoing coronary interventional therapy. Methods The study included 220 consecutive patients with chronic congestive heart failure and undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) bewteen Janurary 2015 and May 2016. Study participants were divided into two groups by random digits table:iso-osmolar group (110 patients) and low-osmolar group (110 patients). The patients in iso-osmolar group were given iodixanol, and the patients in low-osmolar group were given iohexol. Serum creatinine (SCr), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cystatin C (CysC) were detected before the procedure and on the first, third day after the procedure. Then, the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in two groups within 72 h of the procedure were observed and compared. Results The levels of SCr, GFR, CysC before operation had no significant differences (P>0.05). The levels of SCr in two groups on the first day after operation were increased, but there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). On the first day after operation, the level of GFR in iso-osmolar group was higher than that in low-osmolar group, the level of CysC in iso-osmolar group was lower than that in low-osmolar group, and there were significant differences (P<0.05). On the third day after operation, the level of GFR in iso-osmolar group was higher than that in low-osmolar group, the level of CysC in iso-osmolar group was lower than that in low-osmolar group, and there were significant differences (P<0.01). The overall incidence of CIN was 20.9%(46/220). The incidence of CIN in low-osmolar group was 29.1%(32/110), in iso-osmolar group was 12.7%(14/110), and there was significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions In chronic congestive heart failure patients undergoing coronary interventional therapy, the iso-osmolar contrast iodixanol is associated with a lower incidence of CIN compared with low-osmolar iohexol.

BACKGROUND: In the field of intervertebral disc tissue engineering, seed cells primarily consist of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). NPCs have been known to have several shortcomings: limited source, inconvenient collection, poor proliferative capacity, and difficult in vitro culture.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation of MSCs after co-culture with NPCs in alginate beads-simulated three-dimensional environment.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell observation was performed at the Laboratory of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between December 2007 and October 2008.MATERIALS: Six healthy New Zealand rabbits of 4 months old were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and were used for the present study.METHODS: Rabbit MSCs were isolated and purified using density gradient centrifugation and adherence methods. Rabbit NPCs were isolated and purified using collagenase Ⅱ digestion and adherence methods. Following liposome-mediated green fluorescent protein tranfection and G418 screening, MSCs of passage 3 were cultured either alone (control group) or with NPCs at a ratio of 1:1 (co-culture group) in alginate beads. After 14 days of culture, alginate beads were dissolved and MSCs were collected by flow cytometry sorting.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan in MSCs was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot techniques.RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan was observed in the co-culture group, but not in the control group, after 14 days of culture.CONCLUSION: MSC differentiation towards nucleus pulposus-like cells can be induced by co-culture with NPCs in a three-dimensional environment.

BACKGROUND:Labeling was commonly used to further trace bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).OBJECTIVE:To label rabbit BMSCs by green fluorescent protein,and then to observe the potency of multi-directional differentiation by osteoblast and lipoblast formation induction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Cell observational study was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopaedics,Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from December 2007 to October 2008.MATERIALS:Totally 6 healthy New Zealand rabbits aged 4 months were purchased from the Animal Experimental Center,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from the femurs of rabbits,purified and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture.BMSCs at the third passage were obtained.Green fluorescent protein plasmid was transfected into BMSCs using Lipofectamine.The stable transfection cells were obtained using G418 selection after transfection.The stable transfected BMSCs were induced to osteoblasts and lipoblasts by osteogenic inductor and adipogenic inductor.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The following parameters were measured:BMSC morphology,surface marker expression,green fluorescent protein labeling,the differentiation potential of BMSCs into osteoblasts and lipoblasts.RESULTS:The BMSCs were mostly fusiform in shape,to be similar to fibroblast cell after cultivation of primary and subculture.The flow cytometer analysis showed that the membrane mark CD44 was positive,CD34 was negative.Following G418 screening,BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein were apparent calcium mineralization after 21 days osteogenic induction.Alizarin red staining showed positive with red.Intra-cellular lipid droplet appeared after 3 days adipogenic induction.2 weeks later,oil red O staining showed a great quantity lipid deposition.CONCLUSION:Rabbit BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein using Upofectamine have the potency of multi-directional differentiation after induction.

The cancer stem cells (CSCs) from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified. The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension, and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel. Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium. Epirubicin (0.8 mug/mL) was added to the medium to enrich CSCs. After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days, most of cells suspended in alginate gel were killed by epirubicin. But few cells survived and some single-cell cloning spheres formed. Immunofluorescent staining for Oct3/4 and Nanog was implemented to find cells with properties of self-renewal and multi-potential differentiation. Cells from cloning spheres were transplanted into BALB/c mice to detect the tumorigenicity in vivo. The results showed that some cells positive for Oct3/4 (TRITC) and Nanog (TRITC) were found in single-cell cloning spheres, and most of positive cells were concentrated in the core of sphere. Cells from spheres could form osteosarcoma in the body of mice. It was concluded that cells from single-cell cloning spheres had the properties of the expression of parts of stem cell genes (Oct3/4 and Nanog), resisting anti-cancer drugs, and tumorigenicity in vivo. To sum up, it is believed that cells obtained from osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs are cancer stem cells.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc protrusion remains unclear.A stable and feasible intervertebral disc degeneration model is required to validate the pathology and imaging performance and to reveal intemal factors.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the feasibility of building rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using aspiration method,as well as the convenience and stability of model establishment through the performance of pathology and imaging.MATERlALS:A total of 4210-month-old healthy New Zealand rabbits,irrespective of genders,were randomly divided into control group and experiment group with 21 rabbits in each group.Sumianxin was offered by Veterinary Institute,Quartermaster University of Chinese PLA in Changchun City.METHODS:The disc height index(DHI)of all rabbit swas set as 100%.A21-gauge hypodermic needle was used to aspirate nucleus pulposus 8-12 mg from L4-5 disc of rabbits in the experiment group,while control group received no management. At 4,12.20 weeks,7 rabbits were selected from each group for index determination.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:DHI percent,X-ray plain film,MRI and Alcian blue staining were used to observe the changes in the intervertebral disc degeneration.RESULTS:The DHI percentage of experiment group at 4,12 and 20 weeks respectively was(81.0±3.2)%,(75.0±2.5)%and (71.0±1.8)%,with significant difference compared to control group(P＜0.05).T2-weighted image showed that the signal of the discs was significantly decreased,and Alcian blue staining showed that the content of aggrecan was also significantly decreased.CONCLUSI0N:The aspiration is a reliable and convenient way to construct rabbit models of intervertebral disc degeneration.and these models exhibit the similar pathology and imaging performance with human intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To explore the features of leukoencephalopathy with cerebral calcifications and cysts (LCC) in clinic, radiology and pathology in order to improve skills in diagnosis. Methods Two female patients had CT and/or MRI scan, and case 2 had contrast enhancement MRI scan additionally. Both cases had blood biochemistry examinations including calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase et al. Case 2 had lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid test. The major cystic lesion was surgically removed in both patients and offered a histopathological examination. Results CT scan reveaed diffuse calcifications in the bilateral basal ganglia, white matter of frontal lobe and/or dentate nuclei of cerebellum in both cases, and major cystic lesion in right frontal lobe (case 1) and the left parietal lobe (case 2). The rim of enhancement was observed in cystic lesion on MRI. Histopatbological examination revealed angiomatous rearrangements of the microvessels with fibroid, hyaline degeneration and haemosiderin deposits, brain tissue associated with areas of demyelinization, some Rosenthal fibers, gliosis, calcium deposits and hemorrhage, fibrinoid necrosis occurs in partial vessels associated with thrombogenesis and stenosis as changes in arteriolitis. Blood biochemistry examination showed normal. Cerebrospinal fluid test in case 2 showed increased intracranial pressure(350 mm H_2O,I mm H_2O =0. 0098 kPa). Conclusions The onset of LCC varies and occurs from early infancy to adult. The asymmetrical calcification is characteristic in LCC. Hemorrhage could be involved in the pathogenesis of cystic formation. LCC is characterized by a cerebral obliterative microangiopathy, both demyelinization and the edematous changes could probably result in white matter abnormalities on neuroimaging.

UNLABELLEDThis study was conducted to reconstruct three-dimensional medical images based on web and to achieve highly realistic display. Using the volume rendering techniques to reconstruct and display three-dimensional images in Java Applet program and utilizing signed Applets for solving security problem, We got two-dimensional images of human organs from ultrafast CT as sources and reconstructed the organs configuration of heart, coronary artery, head, cervical vertebrae, and pelvis. This reconstruction can be run in Web browser on different kinds of computers and for virtual surgical planning.

CONCLUSIONS1. Three-dimensional medical image reconstruction in Web browser implemented by Java Applet is feasible, which will prompt clinical use of three-dimensional images. 2. The solid conformation of human organs, especially the anatomic structure of the coronary artery, can be displayed by using three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, which may offer more information to clinics.

Objective To explore possible associations between host polymorphism of HLA classⅡgenotypes and advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis japonica.Methods 45 advanced schistosomiasis patients(experimental group) and 44 age,and sex,matched patients with chronic schistosomiasis(control group) from the same area were investigated for their HLA class II gene DRB genotypes by genotyping the alleles using microarray DNA chip.The correlation of allele frequencies to advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis was compared for the two groups.Results HLA,DRB1*04x exhibited markedly higher frequency in advanced patients than that in control group(P

Objective To detect the immune effect of FbaAmAb2 against the surface protein of group A Straptococcus (GAS),and explore the pathogenesis and therapy of GAS infections.Methods By subclonal and bacterial ELISA,the positive hybridoma cells were screened that can produce better titers of FbaAmAb2 against GAS-surface FbaA protein,and were injected into the peritoneal cavities of BALB/c mice to produce ascites.The collected ascites were performed to dilute,as follows,original ascite,1:2,1:4,1:8,and 1:16 to test tube agglutination.Based on the results,we selected appropriate dilution to passively immunize mice,and then challenged the mice with GAS,evaluating FbaAmAb2 neutralizing ability with GAS in mice by the survival rate of the immunized mice.Whether FbaAmAb2 could inhibit the binding of factor H to GAS was confirmed by the invasive inhibition assay.Results The IgG titer of bacteria solution ELISA is 1:160 and the titer of tube agglutination is 1∶8.The protect rates of FbaAmAb2 on preventing mice with GAS infections are as follows:66.67％ in original ascite and 1:2 diluted groups,and 50％ in 1:4 diluted group.Mice in each experimental group were evoked significantly protective immune responses compared with the PBS control by SPSS analysis.FbaAmAb2 can competitively inhibit factor H binding to the surface proteins FbaA of GAS,which decreased the entry of GAS into the cytoplasm of human epithelial cells through the binding of factor H.Conclusion FbaAmAb2 is promising to be used in emergent prevention or the clinical therapy for GAS infection and it is promising starting points for pharmacologic targeting and further development of new therapeutic agents for GAS.

The cancer stem cells(CSCs)from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified.The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension,and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel.Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium.Epirubicin(0.8 μg/mL)was added to the medium to enrich CSCs.After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days,most of cells suspended in alginate gel were killed by epirubicin.But few cells survived and some single-cell cloning spheres formed.Immunofluorescent staining for Oct3/4 and Nanog was implemented to find cells with properties of self-renewal and multi-potential differentiation.Cells from cloning spheres were transplanted into BALB/c mice to detect the tumorigenicity in vivo.The results showed that some cells positive for Oct3/4(TRITC)and Nanog(TRITC)were found in single-cell cloning spheres,and most of positive cells were concentrated in the core of sphere.Cells from spheres could form osteosarcoma in the body of mice.It was concluded that cells from single-cell cloning spheres had the properties of the expression of parts of stem cell genes(Oct3/4 and Nanog),resisting anti-cancer drugs,and tumorigenicity in vivo.To sum up,it is believed that cells obtained from osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs are cancer stem cells.