ObjectiveTo investigate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).MethodsThis retrospective study used data from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University of Medicine during November 2012 to December 2013. A total of 111 small thyroid nodules (75 PTMC/36 benign nodules) with 107 HT cases which were pathologically conifrmed were included in this study. The sonographic characteristics of nodules were investigated, including nodule aspect ratio, shape, border, margin, acoustic halo, internal structure, echo level, microcalciifcations, rear acoustic attenuation, vascular pattern and extent of the blood supply and the types of thyroid tissue echogenicity. Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact probability method was used to compare the differences of the sonographic characteristics between the benign nodules and malignant nodules. With surgical pathology as the gold standard, computing the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of PTMC with HT, including the sensitivity, speciifcity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.ResultsA total of 111 thyroid tiny nodules (75 PTMC/36 benign nodules) with 107 HT cases which were pathologically conifrmed were included in this study. The results showed 111 small thyroid nodules as solid hypoechoic. Four indexes between PTMC and benign nodules had statistical signiifcance, such as margin, microcalciifcations, vascular pattern and extent of the blood supply. The other six indexes between PTMC and benign nodules had no statistical significance, such as aspect ratio, shape, border, acoustic halo, rear acoustic attenuation and the types of thyroid tissue echogenicity. Ultrasound diagnostic accuracy of small tyroid nodules in patients with HT was 74.77% (83/111). The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the ultrasound diagnosis of PTMC were 93.33% (70/75), 36.11% (13/36), 74.77% (83/111), 75.27% (70/93), and 72.22% (13/18), respectively.ConclusionsCompared with general population, some classic ultrasound features became less effective in patients with HT. However, ultrasonography has some differential diagnostic value in these cases.

Objective To study the expression of survivin and its relationship with the proliferative activity in hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Using immunohistochemistry ABC methods, the expression of survivin and PCNA were evaluated in 31 hepatocellular carcinoma, 8 cirrhosis of liver and 4 normal livers tissues.Results No expression of survivin were detected in normal livers and cirrhosis of liver. In contrast, survivin protein was expressed in 19 of 31 patients with HCC(61.3%). When compared with normal livers and cirrhosis of liver, hepatocellular carcinoma had significantly more frequencies of survivin expression(P

Objective To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on the CD4+regulatory T cells in the patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults(LADA).Methods The CIM+T cells from IADA patients were isolated with anti-CD4-dynal magnetic beads.The expression of Foxp3 mRNA,along with peroxisome proliferators activator receptors gamma(PPARγ)mRNA and TGF-131 mRNA was determined.The effect of rosiglitazone on CD4+T cells was measured,after treated with rosiglitazone for 48 h.Cell viability was assessed by Mtit assay.The proliferation was assayed with 3 H-TdR.Two-color staining(anti-CD4,anti-CD25)flow cytometric analysis was employed to measure the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells of Deriph eral blood.Resuits PPARγmRNA was expressed in peripheral CD4+T lymphocytes.RosiglitazoBe inhibited phytohemagglutinin(PHA)-induced human CD4+T cell proliferation in dose dependence.The percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells showed no significant change after the peripheral blood culture with 1 μmol/Land 10μmot/L rosiglitazone.10 μmol/L of rosiglitazone induced Foxp3 mRNA expression in vitro (3.27fold,P<0.05),whereas TGF-β1 mRNA expression did not change.Furthermore,only 1 μmol/L of rosiglitazone could promote Foxp3 mRNA expression if adding IL-2(10 U/m1)in cultures(3.48 fold.P

To train medical students' clinical thinking ability is an important aspect of clinical probation practice and also the common goal of dermartology probation training. This article analyzes the problems around the cultivation of clinical thinking ability during probation practice in our department,and proposes the corresponded measures to improve it.

Objective · To study the electrophysiological effect of (S)-OTS·HCl on the heart. Methods · The conventional intracellular recording, electrocardiograph (ECG) and Langendorff cardiac perfusion technique were employed to investigate the effect of (S)-OTS·HCl on in-vivo and in-vitro hearts of guinea pigs and rabbits. Results · (S)-OTS·HCl could bind to M2 muscarinic receptors and dose-dependently prolong the RR intervals significantly in vivo. It had no effect on resting potential (RP), action potential amplitude (APA), and maximum upstroke velocity of phase 0 (Vmax) of ventricular myocytes. Instead, 1×10-5 mol/L (S)-OTS·HCl could shorten the action potential duration at 50 percent repolarization (APD50) and APD90 to 91.6% and 90.9%, respectively. And the spontaneous depolarization rate of phase 4 (SDR) of sinus nodes was reduced to its 13.7% when rabbit sinus nodes were exposed to 1×10-7 mol/L (S)-OTS·HCl. (S)-OTS·HCl could inhibit Ca2+channel effectively. It decreased APA and Vmax of sinus nodes and attenuated the cardiac contractility in vitro. Conclusion · (S)-OTS·HCl is a potent cholinergic agonist and has negative chronotropic, dromotropic, and inotropic effects on hearts via binding to M2 muscarinic receptors.

Objective To observe the morphology of embryonic stem cell-derived neurons after transplanted into A?-injured rat hippocampus. Methods Neural precursor cells (NPCs) were generated from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) expressing EGFP with modified serum-free methods and then transplanted into the hippocampus of A?1-40-injuried rats. The morphology, neurotransmitter phenotypes and receptors of EGFP-positive donor cells were observed with immunofluorescene methods. Results The engrafted NPCs survived and differentiated into glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and expressed both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter receptors. Synaptophysin-positive dots were found surrounding somata and dendrites of transplanted neurons, suggesting the presence of presynaptic terminals adjacent to their membranes. Conclusion NPCs derived from ESCs can differentiate into excitatory and inhibitory neurons after grafted into Alzheimer's disease model rats, and maybe form synapse with the host neurons.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:Toinvestigatetheeffectsofmechanicalstretchontransientoutwardpotassiumcurrent(Ito), inward rectifier potassium current ( IK1 ) and action potential duration ( APD) of cultured neonatal rat atrial myocytes . METHODS:Neonatal rat atrial myocytes were isolated and cultured on silicone sheeting with or without stretch for 24 h. The silicone membrane area was increased by 12%in stretched group.The cells without stretch served as control .Ito, IK1 and APD were recorded by the technique of whole-cell patch clamp.RESULTS:Compared with control group, Ito density in stretched myocytes was significantly reduced [(1.6 ±0.4) pA/pF vs (12.1 ±2.9) pA/pF, P<0.01], whereas IK1 density was increased [(-10.8 ±0.8) pA/pF vs (-8.8 ±0.9) pA/pF, P<0.01].The APDs at 50%and 90%levels of repolarization ( APD50 and APD90 ) in the stretched cells were obviously decreased than those in non-stretched cells [(10.5 ±1.4) ms vs (15.5 ±2.4) ms, (30.0 ±2.8) ms vs (56.3 ±3.6) ms, P<0.01].CONCLUSION: Stretch stimulation leads to the reduction of Ito density, the increase in IK1 density and the shortness of APD in cultured rat atrial neonatal myocytes , which may contribute to atrial electrical remodeling induced by pressure overload .

After human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with various concentrations of exenatide for 24,48,and 72 h under the conditions of5.5 and 33 mmol/L glucose,the cell viability was detected by MTF assay.The apoptosis rate of endothelial cells was measured by flow cytometry.Protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation,Bcl-2,and Bax protein expression were detected by Western blotting.The results showed that the cell viability was decreased after HUVECs were incubated with high glucose for48 and 72 h (P＜0.01).Treatment with 1,10,and 100 nmol/L exenatide for48 h significantly increased the cell viability in the presence of high glucose,in a dose-dependent manner (P＜0.01).High glucose inhibited Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-2 protein expression,stimulated Bax protein expression,with decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and increased apoptosis ratio of cells.After treatment with exenatide,the cell apoptosis reduced,Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-2 protein expression increased,and Bax protein expression decreased,with increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P ＜ 0.01).These effects of exenatide on endothelial cell were abrogated by an inhibitor of phosphotylinosital 3 kinase (PI3K) LY294002 (P ＜ 0.01),suggesting that the exenatide may regulate Bcl-2/Bax protein expression and inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis induced by high glucose through PI3k/Akt signal pathway,and thus may protect endothelial cells.

Objective To identify the features of the NCAM+ c-Kit+ subset of hepatic progenitor cells in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cell line RBE.Method Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to isolate NCAM+ c-Kit+/NCAM-c-Kit-subset cells,which were tested for hepatic progenitor cell properties and proliferation,colony formation,and invasive abilities in nude mice.Resuits The cell proliferation ability of NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells was stronger than that of NCAMc-Kit-subset cells (P＜0.01).In serum-free condition,the number of colonies formed by NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells was more than that of NCAM-c-Kit-cells (P＜0.01).1 × 104 NCAM+c-Kit+ cells were enough to form tumors in nude mice after subcutaneous inoculation for two weeks,while 1 × 106 NCAM-c-Kit-cells were necessary to form tumors for three weeks.The tumor formation rate of NCAM+c-Kit+ cells was higher than that of NCAM-c-Kit-cells (P=0.04).Conclusions It is possible that NCAM+c-Kit+ subset cells in RBE have the properties of hepatic progenitor cells,and NCAM combined with c-Kit might be a valuable marker for isolating and purifying ICC stem/progenitor cells.

AIM: To compare the methods of two currently employed isolation methods for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs): from total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and from enriched CD133~+ cells, by defining the cell morphology, phenotype, reproductive activities and function in vitro, providing a reference for clinic application. METHODS: PBMCs from the healthy subjects were used for CD133~+ sorting or not. The two groups of isolated cells were suspended in complete medium M199 for 7 d to 14 d. EPCs phenotype were characterized by FACS. The proliferation of differentiated EPCs was studied by MTT assay, and VEGF concentration was measured using an ELISA kit. Matrigel experiment and migration assay were imitated vascularization in vivo. RESULTS: PBMCs produced more colony-forming units (CFU) than CD133~+ cells from the same volume of blood (P<0.01). From 7 d to 14 d, the two groups show decreased expression of hematopoietic stem cell markers and increased level of endothelial markers, but CD144~+ cells in CD133~+ group were lower than those in PBMCs groups (P<0.01). Cells in PBMCs group secreted more VEGF than that in CD133~+ group on 7 d (P<0.01). Compared to CD133~+ group, PBMCs group showed more potential of proliferation and vascularization in vitro. CONCLUSION: CD133~+ sorted cells show a lower capacity of differentiation, secretion, proliferation and vascularization in vitro, which is unable to differentiate to mature endothelial cells, indicating that it's not a preferential way to obtain EPCs for clinic therapy.