Purpose To assess the feasibility of measuring maximal density of a region of interest (ROI) with contrast-enhanced CT in quantifying degrees of intestinal ischemia in patients with intestinal obstruction.Materials and Methods Abdominal CT images and reports of 160 patients with intestinal obstruction were retrospectively studied.All the data were reviewed by CT visual evaluation method and measuring maximal density of ROI respectively.The CT visual evaluation took the way of accumulated points,and divided the degrees of intestinal ischemia into five categories.The measuring maximal density of ROI quantified the degrees of bowel enhancement with a bar histogram on CT workstation.The results were compared with the pathological examination.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of the two methods were calculated respectively,and compared.Results The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of CT visual evaluation method were 96.7％,72.9％,82.1％,94.4％ and 86.2％,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of the measuring maximal density of ROI were 68.8％,100.0％,100.0％,71.4％,82.5％,respectively.By measuring the area under the ROC curve,the ROI method (0.995) was more accurate than CT visual evaluation method (0.908) in the diagnosis of bowel ischemia.Conclusion Measuring the maximal density of ROI can quantize bowel wall enhancement.It is a reliable and useful method in the diagnosis of intestinal ischemia,and in accordance with pathological results.

Objective To observe the expression of leukocyte-function-associated antigen-1(LFA-1)immunoreaction in children with febrile seizures(FS),and explore the neuroimmunomodulation mechanisms in the pathogenesis of FS.Methods Adopting flow cytometry(FCM),the levels of LFA-1 contained in blood serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)of 60 cases [simple FS(SFS)30 cases;complex FS(CFS)30 cases] with febrile convulsion were analyzed,and compared with those in a normal group(30 cases).Out of 60 children with FS group,the LFA-1 mRNA in 20 cases with SFS and 20 cases with CFS was analyzed,and LFA-1 mRNA in19 health children taken out from control group(30 cases)was analyzed.The real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of PBMC LFA-1 mRNA.Results The expression of LFA-1 in the surface of PBMC of the 3 groups,the highest LFA-1 level was in the SFS group(50.89?21.36),the lowest LFA-1 level was in the CFS group(34.35?11.45),and control group was(41.39?16.30).Significant differences were found in 3 groups(Pa

AIMTo fabricate multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) modified electrode and study the electrochemical behaviors of diethylstilbestrol at the MWNT-modified electrode.

METHODSCyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry.

RESULTSThe oxidation peak current of diethylstilbestrol increased remarkably and the peak potential shifted negatively at the MWNT-dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate (DHP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), in contrast to that at the bare GC electrode and DHP-modified GC electrode. The oxidation peak current is linear with the concentration of diethylstilbestrol over the range from 1 x 10(-8) to 2 x 10(-6) mol.L-1. The detection limit was 2.5 x 10(-9) mol.L-1. The relative standard deviation (n = 10) was 2.9% for 1 x 10(-6) mol.L-1 diethylstilbestrol.

CONCLUSIONThe MWNT-DHP modified GCE exhibits catalytic activity to the oxidation of diethylstilbestrol.

Carbon ; chemistry ; Diethylstilbestrol ; analysis ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; Electrodes ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nanotechnology

AIM: To investigate gene expression of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in fetal skin at different gestational ages and children skin in order to explore their potentially biological significance. METHODS: Apoptosis in skin specimens was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling technique (TUNEL). Gene expressions of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in skin at different developmental stages was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Along with fetal growth and development, the incidence rate of apoptosis was increased progressively in skin. In skin from early gestational fetus, bcl-2 was strongly expressed. This gene expression was progressively decreased with increment in gestational age. In children skin, the mRNA content of this gene was significantly reduced compared with fetal skin (P

Objective To explore the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress response(ERS) and its related apoptosis on dopaminergic neurons death.Methods NGF treated-PC12 cells were treated with 6-OHDA,MPP+ and rotenone.MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the cell viability and the rate of cells apoptosis induced by those neurotoxins at different concentrations and times.The expressions of ERS-related gene XBP1,Grp78,CHOP,caspase-12 in drug-treated group and reserpine preincubation group were determined by RT-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.Results After exposing to different concentration toxins,the vitality of PC12 cells was decreased by 52% at 100?mol/L 6-OHDA,by 44% at 75?mol/L MPP~+,and by 40% at 20 nmol/L rotenone for 24 hours respectively and ws decreased in a dose dependent manner. FCM assay confirmed time-dependent cell apoptosis.The apoptotic cells ratio of 24 h groups were (31.22?3.21)%,(27.46?2.35)%,(29.26?2.53)%,respectively(P＜0.01).In 6-OHDA groups,the gene expressions of XBP1,Grp78 were approximately 2-fold increased after 8 h exposure, CHOP reached peak level at 16 h(149.5?3.3% vs 35.9?1.8%,P＜0.01).The transcription level of caspase-12 was significantly higher than normal control at 16h[(95.4?2.8% vs(23.8?3.0)%, P＜0.01],but was alleviated by reserpine prcincubation(62.15?4.3%,P＜0.05).The increased expressions of Grp78 and CHOP after drug exposure were confirmed by immunochemistry stain.The similar results were observed in MPP~+ and rotenone groups.Conclusions The excessive ERS and ERS-activated cell apoptosis pathway may be involved in selective death of dopaminergic neurons.

BACKGROUNDPatients with severe full-thickness burn injury suffer from their inability to maintain body temperature through perspiration because the complete destructed sweat glands can not be regenerated. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) represent an ideal stem-cell source for cell therapy because of their easy purification and multipotency. In this study, we attempted to induce human BM-MSCs to differentiate into sweat gland cells for sweat gland regeneration through ectodysplasin (EDA) gene transfection.

METHODSThe dynamic expression of EDA and EDA receptor (EDAR) were firstly observed in the sweat gland formation during embryological development. After transfection with EDA expression vector, human BM-MSCs were transplanted into the injured areas of burn animal models. The regeneration of sweat glands was identified by perspiration test and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSEndogenous expression of EDA and EDAR correlated with sweat gland development in human fetal skin. After EDA transfection, BM-MSC acquired a sweat-gland-cell phenotype, evidenced by their expression of sweat gland markers by flow cytometry analysis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a markedly contribution of EDA-transfected BM-MSCs to the regeneration of sweat glands in the scalded paws. Positive rate for perspiration test for the paws treated with EDA-transfected BM-MSCs was significantly higher than those treated with BM-MSCs or EDA expression vector (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur results confirmed the important role of EDA in the development of sweat gland. BM-MSCs transfected with EDA significantly improved the sweat-gland regeneration. This study suggests the potential application of EDA-modified MSCs for the repair and regeneration of injured skin and its appendages.

Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Ectodysplasins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Ectodysplasin ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sweat Glands ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the relationship between the dynamic changes of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and severity and complications of patients with multiple trauma at the early stage.Methods Among 97 patients with multiple trauma in Emergency Department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital between August 2015 and May 2016,12 patients were excluded as follows,(1) with burns or chemical injuries;(2) pregnancy or menopausal women;(3) had bacterial infection a week ago;(4) with chronic diseases.The other 85 patients with multiple traumas were classified into three categories according to the injury severity score (ISS).That is,the slight group (22 cases,9≤ ISS ＜ 15),moderate group (35 cases,15 ≤ ISS ＜ 25) and severe group (28 cases,ISS ≥ 25).Their venous blood samples were collected at 6,12,24,48 and 72 hours after trauma respectively,and the serum IL-1 β levels were measured using a specific immunoluminometric assays.The basal conditions including age,the hospitalization days and so on among these three groups were compared via ANOVA.The mean IL-1 β levels at above time intervals among three groups were compared.Finally,the relationship between the peak concentration of IL-1β and injury severity and complications was analyzed by multiple Logistic regression.Results (1) As the increasing severity of trauma,the patients with longer days of hospitalization and higher rate of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The levels of IL-1 β in the moderate and severe groups were remarkably higher than those in the slight group (P ＜ 0.02).(3) The IL-1β levels in each group peaked at 6 hours after trauma and began to decline.(4) Multivariate logistic analysis showed that peak concentration of IL-1 β was still an independent predictor for injury severity (moderate group:odds ratio,1.21;95％ confidence interval:1.05-1.39,P =0.007;severe group:odds ratio,1.20;95％ confidence interval:1.03-1.40,P =0.019) and sepsis (odds ratio,1.28;95％ confidence interval:1.10-1.50,P =0.001),but had no significant association with MODS and trauma mortality even after controlling other risk factors.Conclusions The serum IL-1β at 6 hours after injury could be used as an early effective indicator to evaluate the injury severity and infectionrelated complications in patients with multiple trauma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ligustrazine on the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in vitro.

METHODSBMSCs were in vitro isolated and cultured using whole bone marrow adherent method, and phenotypes [surface positive antigens (CD29 and CD90) and negative antigens (CD34 and CD45)] identified using flow cytometry. BMSCs were divided into the blank control group, 25, 50, 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, and the GM6001 group (100 µmol/L ligustrazine +MMPs inhibitor GM6001 ). The migration of BMSCs was tested by Transwell chamber test and wound healing assay after treated with ligustrazine for 24 h. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe third passage BMSCs grew well in uniform morphology. The expression rate of CD29, CD90, CD34, and CD45 was 96.9%, 97.3%, 0.2%, and 3.0%, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion increased, and the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were elevated in each ligustrazine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups and the GM6001 group (P < 0.01). Protein expression of MMP-2 decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine could promote the migration of BMSCs in vitro, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein.

Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats.

METHODSWe equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs.

RESULTSIrregular collaterals were observed in 90% of the LSVs and no abnormal changes were found in the left kidneys after surgery. The postoperative LSV diameter was remarkably increased in group A as compared with the baseline ([1.47 +/- 0.15 ] vs [0.16 +/- 0.08] mm, P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference in group B ([0.31 +/- 0.49] vs [0.15 +/- 0.07] mm, P > 0.05) and C ([0.17 +/- 0.07] vs [0.16 +/- 0.06] mm, P > 0.05), and it was significantly longer in A than in B (P < 0.01). The success rate of ELV induction was 100% in group A and 10% in group B, but no varicocele was observed in group C.

CONCLUSIONCorrect identification of the anatomical course of the LSV and ligation of its irregular collaterals are essential for the establishment of a stable and consistent ELV model.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kidney ; pathology ; Ligation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Varicocele ; Veins ; abnormalities

Objective:To investigate the short-term therapeutic effect and long-term survival of multiple myeloma patients with extramedullary disease (EMD) in the new drug era.Methods:The data of 74 patients with multiple myeloma diagnosed and treated in Anhui Wanbei Coal and Electricity Group General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 17 patients with soft tissue infiltration (EM-S), 9 patients with bone infiltration (EM-B), and 48 patients without EMD (No-EMD). The short-term efficacy, the 4-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate, and their influencing factors in three groups of patients after receiving bortezomib regimen were analyzed.Results:After 3-4 courses of early induction therapy of bortezomib regimen, the overall response rate of patients in the EM-S group was lower than that in the No-EMD group and the EM-B group [58.8% (10/17) vs. 85.4% (41/48), 100.0% (9/9)], and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 13.7, P = 0.036; χ2 = 26.5, P = 0.003), while the difference between No-EMD group and EM-B group was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 12.7, P = 0.211). Survival analysis showed that the 4-year PFS rate of No-EMD group was higher than that of the EM-S group and EM-B group (41.0% vs. 7.6%, 0), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 10.835, P < 0.01; χ2 = 8.276, P = 0.004). Meanwhile, the 4-year OS rate of EM-S group was lower than that of the No-EMD group and EM-B group (16.5% vs. 54.3%, 59.3%), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 9.146, P = 0.002; χ2 = 4.066, P = 0.044). Conclusion:The early treatment effect of bortezomib regimen, PFS and OS in multiple myeloma patients with EM-S are poor, while the EM-B has no effect on OS.