Objective To explore the change and clinical significance of plasma levels of thrombomodulin(TM) in children with Kawasaki disease(KD)(n=44) before and after treatmen with intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG).Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the plasma levels of TM in children with KD(n=44) before and after treatment with IVIG and in normal control group(n=15),respectively.Children with KD were enrolled from September 2004 to June 2006,one group(n=20) with coronary artery lesions(CALs) and another group(n=24) without CALs.The control were enrolled from heathy children in clinic service.Results The plasma level of TM in KD group before treatment with IVIG was significantly higher than that in control group(P

Background To suppress vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a researching hot topic for the treatment and prevention of retinal neovascularization.Some detectable efficacy of VEGF small interference RNA (VEGF siRNA) in anti-tumor neovascularization has been well-known.But relevant study on VEGF siRNA on retinal neovascularization is seldom.Objective Present study was to investigate the inhibiting effect of VEGF siRNA on retinal neovascularization.Methods The 48 clean C57BL/6J mice aged 7-day-old were randomly divided into normoxia group,hypoxia control group,vector group and VEGF siRNA group and 12 mice for each.Hypoxia models were established by raising the pups with mother mice in the airtight oxygen-cabin for 5 days.The lipofectamineTM 2000 (LF2000)-mediated vector plasmids or VEGF siRNA recombinant plasmids were then injected intravitreally in 12 12-day-old pup mice respectively.The animals were sacrificed in 1 week after intravitreal injection,and the numbers of vascular endothelial cell nuclei extending beyond the internal limiting membrane (ILM) were counted by hematoxylin-eosin stain.The expressions of VEGF protein and mRNA in retina were assayed by immunoinfluorescence technique and RT-PCR.Results The numbers of vascular endothelial cell nuclei extending beyond the ILM were 0.19±0.09,24.89±2.03,23.65±2.15 and 8.83±1.12 in normoxia group,model control group,vector group and VEGF siRNA group separately,showing significant decrease in VEGF siRNA group compared with model control group or vector group (q=5.67,q=4.97,P＜0.01).RT-PCR revealed that VEGF mRNA was faintly expressed in mouse retina in normoxia group.However,in model control group and vector group,the level of VEGF mRNA was 52.3 times and 36.7 times more than that of normoxia group respectively and only 3.5 times in VEGF siRNA group,presenting a inhibitory rate of 43.39% of VEGF siRNA on VEGF.Immunofluorescence showed that the expression of VEGF was weaker in normoxia group and strong positive response in model control group and vector group,but the expression intensity of VEGF protein was significantly weaker in VEGF siRNA group.Conclusion VEGF siRNA recombinant plasmids can efficiently inhibit retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse model through intravitreal injection.

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the behavioral changes, neuron loss of hippocampus and mossy fiber sprouting between pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling model in rats.MethodsAfter two different epilepsy models were made, Vedio was adopted to observe the behavioral changes. Nissl staining and Neo-timms' staining were separately used to observe and compare the neuron loss of hippocampus and mossy fiber sprouting in the dentate gyrus (DG) at different time points during epileptogenisis.ResultsNo recurrent spontaneous seizure, no neuron loss and no mossy fiber sprouting were found in PTZ kindling model; whereas obvious neuron loss was found in CA1, CA3 of hippocampus and hilus of DG, and mossy fiber sprouting were found in pilocarpine model in parallel with recurrent spontaneous seizures. ConclusionPTZ kindling model resembles absence epilepsy in human, while pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus model resembles chronic temporal epilepsy in human. Neuron loss and mossy fiber sprouting may play an important role in epileptogenisis. Pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model can be regarded as an ideal chronic temporal epilepsy model.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at different doses on collagen synthesis and decomposition in cultured cardiac fibroblasts from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat. Cardiac fibroblasts were treated with IL-1β (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 ng/mL) for 24 h. Cell DNA synthesis was measured by (3)H-thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation and collagen synthesis was measured by (3)H-proline ((3)H-Pro) incorporation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was measured by gelatinase zymography. MMP-2, MMP-9 protein expressions were measured by Western blot. mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Compared with that in the control group, the incorporation of (3)H-TdR and (3)H-Pro decreased in high-dose IL-1β groups (≥0.1 ng/mL) but not in low-dose IL-1β group (0.01 ng/mL). IL-1β significantly increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. IL-1β (0.01-100 ng/mL) also dose-dependently increased the protein and mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (P<0.05, P<0.01), respectively. These results suggest that IL-1β decreases collagen synthesis and MMP activities through transcriptional and posttranslational processes via degrading collagen in a dose-dependent way. Elevation of IL-1β is possibly involved in the process of ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction, and the concentration of IL-1β is possibly a major factor which affects the extent of ventricular remodeling.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling

Objective To investigate the value of the imaging findings of soft tissue abnormality in the differential diagnosis between osteomyelitis and malignant bone tumor.Methods The CT and MRI findings of soft tissue changes in 57 cases of osteomyelitis and 70 cases of malignant bone tumor were retrospectively defined,observed,recorded and statistically analyzed.Results In 57 cases of osteomyelitis, 54 cases were examined with CT,and soft tissue swelling was presented in 52 cases (degree Ⅰin 19 cases, degreeⅡin 16 cases,degree Ⅲin 17 cases).Abscess-like cysts in soft tissue occurred in 6 cases,masses in 5,air in 1,fat-fluid level in 1 and sinus tract in 1.Among 14 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in all cases (degreeⅠin 2 cases,degree Ⅱin 6 cases and degree Ⅲin 6 cases). Abscess-like cysts appeared in 3 cases and showed high signal in diffusion weighted imaging, mass in Ⅰand fat-fluid level in 1.Among 54 cases examined with CT in 70 cases of malignant bone tumor, soft tissue swelling was presented in 44 cases (degreeⅠin 29 cases,degreeⅡin 12 cases,degreeⅢin 3 cases).Soft tissue masses appeared in 49 cases,bone shell and shell-like calcification in 16 cases and neoplastic bone and neoplastic calcified cartilage within soft tissue mass in 25 cases.Among 49 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in 46 cases (degree Ⅰin 21 cases,degreeⅡin 17 cases and degree Ⅲin 8 cases),and soft tissue masses appeared in 43 cases.The degree of soft tissue swelling and the occurrence of abscess-like cyst,mass,bone shell or shell-liked calcification in the rim of mass,neoplastic bone or neoplastic calcified cartilage in masses showed significant difference(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of treatment modality and clinicopathologic profile on prognosis in primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

METHODSThe data of 64 cases with primary fallopian tube carcinoma treated between January 1991 and June 2006 were analyzed. The clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival rate of this series was 56.3%. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rate was 84.6% and 65.4% in surgical staging group versus 58.3% and 33.3% in no surgical staging group with a significant difference between two groups (P = 0.0429; P = 0.043), which was 89.5% and 68.4% in optimal cytoreduction group versus 66.7% and 41.7% in suboptimal cytoreduction group (P = 0.0466; P = 0.0444). However, there was no significant difference in 3-year and 5-year survival rate between the group with pelvic lymphadenectomy and the group without (84.2% vs. 69.2%, P = 0.4667; 63.1% vs. 53.8%, P = 0.459), and also between the group treated using CAP/CP regimen and the group by TP regimen for chemotherapy (81.8% vs. 80.0%, P = 0.8946; 59.1% vs. 60.0% P = 0.9582). It was found that the 5-year survival was correlated with FIGO stage (III-IV vs. I - II, P = 0.0197), differentiation grade (G3 vs. G1 + G2, P = 0.003), pathologic type (other type vs. serous, P = 0.0494), lymph nodes status (positive vs. negative, P = 0.0295).

CONCLUSIONSurgical staging, optimal cytoreduction, differentiation grade, pathologic type, lymph node status are important factors influencing the 5-year survival in primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is necessary and feasible to perform during the procedure of surgical staging and cytoreduction. CAP/CP and TP regiment are similarly effective in adjuvant chemotherapy for primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Fallopian Tube Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovariectomy ; methods ; Paclitaxel ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the protective effect of modified Qianjin Weijing Decoction(MQJWJD)on TNF-α and NF-κB in rats with lung injury induced by particulate matter; To discuss relevant mechanism of action. Methods A tracheal drip 15 mg/kg fine particles of saline solution was used to establish modeling, every other day, three times. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and MQJWJD high-dose and low-dose groups, with eight rats in each group. Medication groups were given relevant medicine for gavage. The level of TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured by ELISA. The expression of NF-κB protein in lung tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry. The histopathology of the lung injury was observed by light microscope. Results Compared with normal group, the level of TNF-α and the expression of NF-κB protein in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the level of TNF-α and the expression of NF-κB protein in MQJWJD low-dose and high-dose groups were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pathological observation showed that, compared with normal group, model group showed intratracheal, alveolar and interstitial bacteria within a large number of fine particles calm, alveolar and pulmonary interstitial visible large amounts of phagocytic fine particles of macrophages and accompanied by more neutrophils and lymphocyte infiltration; Lung tissue pathological changes were significantly lighter in MQJWJD high-dose and low-dose groups than the model group. MQJWJD high-dose group showed mild inflammation, alveolar and pulmonary interstitial visible phagocytic fine particles of macrophages, a small amount of neutrophils and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusion MQJWJD can reduce the pulmonary injury in rats induced by particulate matter and has protective effects on the rat model through decreasing the levels of TNF-α and the expressions of NF-κB protein in injured lung tissues.

Coal ; Dust ; analysis ; Gases ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; etiology

This study was aimed to explore if the intracellular transportation direction of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13, vWF-CP) after synthesis is determined by the carboxyl terminal TSP2-8CUB1+2 domains of ADAMTS13 and to decipher the relationship between the structure and function of ADAMTS13. The recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.1-ADAMTS13 and pcDNA3.1-delTSP2-8CUB1+2 ADAMTS13 were introduced into Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) by lipofectamine-mediated DNA transfection. Positive cell clones gained after antibiotic-screening were grown on 6-well transwell filter units with a zeolite membrane in the middle layer. The conditioned culture media in both apical and basolateral wells were collected when cells reached confluency and the tight cell monolayer formed. ADAMTS13 proteases in the conditioned media were determined by Western blot, and the direction of ADAMTS13 secretion in polarized cells was comparatively analyzed. The results showed that Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing wild-type ADAMTS13 were grown on 6-well transwell filter units, then ADAMTS13 protease was only determined in the apical area of the transwell filter units by Western blot, but the recombinant ADAMTS13 protease was determined both in the apical and basolateral area of cells in the group of expressing TSP2-8CUB-1+2 domain-deleted ADAMTS13. It is concluded that the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 is sorted apically in polarized cells, and the carboxyl-terminal TSP2-8 and CUB1+2 domains of ADAMTS13 are important for the direction of ADAMTS13 protease transportation in the cells after being synthesized.
ADAM Proteins ; biosynthesis ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Animals ; Dogs ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Plasmids ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Protein Transport ; genetics ; Transfection ; von Willebrand Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for controlling the adverse response in gastroscopy.

METHODSNinety-seven cases of gastroscopy were randomly divided into an observation group of 52 cases and a control group of 45 cases. The observation group were treated by acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), in combined with oral administration of Lidocaine; the control group were treated by simple administration of Lidocaine. Changes of the adverse response, blood pressure and heart rate, and satisfactory degrees and the willing re-examination rate were investigated in the two groups. Results In the observation group, the nausea and vomiting, salivation, restlessness, breath holding and other adverse responses in gastroscopy were significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01), and the blood pressure and heart rate were more stable than in the control group, and the satisfactory degree and willing re-examination rate were higher than the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can effectively control the adverse response in gastroscopy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male