Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simulect (basiliximab) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Forty adult recipients with benign end-stage liver disease between November 2003 to November 2004 were assigned randomly in a 1∶1 ratio to receive either two doses of simulect or matching placebo. The patients in the two groups received baseline triple immunosuppression with the calcineurin inhibitor (CsA or FK506), MMF and steroids. A total of 40 mg simulect was given in two doses of 20 mg each on the day 0 before inferior vena was opened and the day 4 after transplantation respectively. Acute rejection, infection and serum ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL and ALP in both groups were observed in the first 30 days after OLT. Results In Simulect group had less frequent incidence of acute refection during the first 30 days after OLT. In Simulect group and matching placebo, incidence of acute refection was 10 % (2/20) abd 45 % (9/20) respectively (P= 0.034), and that of infection was 40 % (8/20) and 45 % (9/20) respectively (P= 0.749). Bilirub and aminopherase in both groups were declined gradually and ALP increased. There were significant difference in ALT and TBIL between two groups. Conclusion The application of simulect in combination with CsA/FK506, MMF and prednisone is safe and well tolerated, and can effectively reduce the incidence of acute refection, and does not lead to increased opportunistic infections.

Objective To evaluate the effect of alIoHCT on recurrence and metastasis of HCC after hepatic radical resection. Methods Umbilical cord blood were collected after labor. The efficacy of separa-tion by 6% hydroxyethyl starch (6% HES) and NH4CL lysing solution were examined. Twenty-two SCID mice were randomized into the scheduled transplantation group (n=8), the single transplantation group (n =8) and the normal saline group (n=6). Human nucleated cells (NC)at a amount of 5×107 were transfused through the tail vein into the 2 groups of transplantation. All the mice in the 3 groups received cyclophospha-mide (CTX) as conditioning regimen before tansplantation and Methylprednisolone (MP) for 1 week continu-ously after trasplantation. Hematopoietic and immune recovery, graft versus host disease (GVHD), engraft-ment and survival rate were observed after transplantation. Six weeks after alloHST, the orthotopic tumor model in SCID mice was established by implanting histologically intact tissue under the embrane of liver. Ten days later, the mice received radical resection of lobe bearing tumor. The condition of recurrence and metas-tasis was observed 4 weeks after operation. Results A murine model of umbilical cord blood transplantation using CTX and MP as conditioning regimen could be successfully established in SCID mice. The percentage CD34+ cells of peripheral blood NC in scheduled transplantation group and single transplantation group was 1.66%±0.47% and 0.68% + 0.56%, respectively. There was significant statistical significance (P<0.01). The intrahepatic recurrence rate after operation was 100% in all the 3 groups. However, the recur-rent tumor volume was (367.18±31.86) mm3 , (648.26±155.22) mm3, (811.38±127.36) mm3, re-spectively in the 3 groups. There was marked difference among the 3 groups (P<0.01). The inhibitory rate of group A and B was 54.7% and 20.1%. The incidence of lung metastasis was 14.3 (1/7), 6.7% (4/6) and 100% (5/5), respectively in the 3 groups and there was remarkable difference (P<0.01). The inci-dence of celiac lymph node metastasis was 14.3 (1/7), 33.4% (2/6) and 40% (2/5), respectively in the 3groups and there was no significant difference (P=0.58). Conclusion AlloHSCT is a useful method for de-creasing metastasis and recurrence of liver cancer after radical resection in early stage.

OBJECTIVETo study the promoting effects of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and stem cell factor (SCF) on the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells in mice.

METHODSWe cocultured in vitro spermatogenic cells of male mice aged 7 - 8 days in the medium with EGF and/or SCF at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 ng/ml, respectively. Then we observed the survival rate and morphological changes of the spermatogenic cells, detected the expressions of the pachytene-specific phosphoprotein gene (P19) and haploid sperm cell-specific transition protein gene (TP1), and analyzed the ploidy of the cells.

RESULTSAfter cocultured with EGF or SCF for 2 - 4 days, the spermatogenic cells began to proliferate in masses or chains in all concentration groups, most obviously in the 20 ng/ml EGF and 40 ng/ml SCF groups. At 7 days, both the number and survival rate of spermatogenic cells were significantly higher in the 20 ng/ml EGF and 40 ng/ml SCF groups than in the others (P < 0.05), and meanwhile, the P19/TP1 ratio was obviously decreased and the rate of haploid sperm markedly increased in the 40 ng/ml SCF group (P < 0.05). Combination of EGF and SCF remarkably promoted the proliferation of the spermatogenic cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth EGF and SCF could increase the number and survival rate of spermatogenic cells. SCF could promote the formation of haploid sperm, and the combination of the two cytokines could enhance the effect on the proliferation of spermatogenic cells.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone ; metabolism ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Stem Cell Factor ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the use of CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct stones with early bile duct carcinoma.Methods The clinical diagnosis of 36 cases of patients with hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HICC) and 118 cases with intrahepatic duct stone (IHDS) were analyzed retrospectively.Serum CA199,CEA,CA50,ALP and magnetic resonance (MRI,MRCP) were performed and the results were analyzed.Results Abdominal pain discomfort in Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma showed multiple symptoms.Three typical Charcot syndromes were rare.On the gender distribution,intrahepatic bile duct stones was frequently found in women,on the contrary,Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was frequently more found in men (P ＜0.05) Abdominal pain and fever in patients of Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was more than that of patients with Intrahepatic bile duct stone (P＜0.05) When alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was more than 169 U/L,significant difference was seen between two groups (P＜ 0.05) According to the diagnosis of HICC,the accuracy of CA199,CEA,CA50 combined with ALP was 88.6％,the accuracy of magnetic resonance examination alone was 90.2％,and the accuracy of multiple serological markers and magnetic resonance was 95.5％.Conclusion MRI combined with serum CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP can effectively improve the HICC preoperative diagnosis rate.

Objective To explore the relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),IFN-? and IL-4 and effect of Bude-sonide on their in asthmatic rats.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:asthma group,Budesonide-treatment group and control group.On the first day of the experiment and the 8th day,the rat models of the asthma group and Budesonid treatment group were allergized by the OVA/Al(OH)3 through intraperitoneal injection,respectively.And starting from the 15th day,they were challenged by the OVA through atomization for 2 weeks.Control group was allergized and challenged by NS atomization.Budesonid treatment group was interfered in Budesonide inhalation before suscitation in 0.5 h.After 12 h the same inhal done was again in Budesonide group.Twenty-four hours after the last challenge,the rats in 3 groups were sacrificed,and blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected.The concentrations of IL-4,IFN-? and VEGF in serum and BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The concentrations of IL-4 in serum and BALF in asthma group and Budesonide treatment group were significantly increased than those in control group(P

Objective To investigate the clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging characteristics of 5 cases of diffuse meningeal melanomatosis.Methods The clinical manifestation, features of cerebrospinal fluid and image of 5 patients with meningeal melanomatosis diagnosed by biopsy or autopsy were retrospectively summarized.Results Clinical manifestations of these 5 cases included intracranial hyperpressure, meningeal irritation sign, intracranial nerves impairment, root pain of spinal nerve.In all of these 5 cases, retina hyperpigmentation above left discus opticus was found by funduseope in one case, and congenital melanocytic nevi were found in 4 patients, in which 2 cases were giant congenital melanocytic nevi.Increased lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)pressure occurred in all cases.Subarachnoid hemorrhage was found in 3 cases.Analysis of CSF revealed increased protein in 4 cases and decreased glucose in 3 cases.Cranial MRI obtained after the intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA showed leptomeningeal enhancement.Malignant melanoma cells were found in CSF of 3 cases.Metastatic malignant melanoma cells were found by biopsy of axillary fossa lymph node in one case.Autopsy of one case revealed diffuse black pigmentation of the leptomeninges, especially in base of skull.Two cases were diagnosed as metastatic meningeal melanomatosis and 3 cases were possible primary meningeal melanomatosis. Conclusions Menings, root of cranial nerve and spinal nerve are impaired in meningeal melanomatosis, which is usually accompanied by congenital melanocytic nevi.Subarachnoid hemorrhage implies meningeal melanomatosis.Diagnosis can be identified when malignant melanoma cells are found in CSF.

Although previous publications suggest the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)virus was reassorted from swine viruses of North America and Eurasia, the immediate ancestry still remains elusive due to the big evolutionary distance between the 2009 H1N1 virus and the previously isolated strains. Since the unveiling of the2009 H1N1 influenza, great deal of interest has been drawn to influenza, consequently a large number of influenza virus sequences have been deposited into the public sequence databases. Blast analysis demonstrated that the recently submitted 2007 South Dakota avian influenza virus strains and other North American avian strains contained genetic segments very closely related to the 2009 H1N1 virus, which suggests these avian influenza viruses are very close relatives of the 2009 H1N1 virus. Phylogenetic analyses also indicate that the2009 H1N1 viruses are associated with both avian and swine influenza viruses circulating in North America. Since the migrating wild birds are preferable to pigs as the carrier to spread the influenza viruses across vast distances, it is very likely that birds played an important role in the inter-continental evolution of the 2009 H1N1virus. It is essential to understand the evolutionary route of the emerging influenza virus in order to find a way to prevent further emerging cases. This study suggests the close relationship between 2009 pandemic virus and the North America avian viruses and underscores enhanced surveillance of influenza in birds for understanding the evolution of the 2009 pandemic influenza.

OBJECTIVETo study the association of the changes of serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins(IGFBPs), body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference ratio(WHR) with the genesis of colorectal cancer.

METHODSSera from 244 colorectal cancer patients before operation, 371 patients after operation and 150 healthy subjects were assayed for insulin, leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SPSS 13.0 statistics software was applied to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe serum levels of insulin, IGF-1 and the ratio of IGF-1/ IGFBP-3 in colorectal cancer patients before and after surgical treatment were significantly higher than those in controls. The serum levels of IGFBP-3 in patients before and after operation were significantly lower than those in controls, and the differences were significant(P=0.015,P=0.001, respectively). The BMI in colorectal carcinoma patients was not significantly different to the healthy controls(P>0.05). The WHR in colorectal carcinoma patients was higher than that in healthy subjects, and the difference was significant(P=0.003, P=0.035 respectively). The WHR in colon cancer patients was different to that in rectal cancer patients(P=0.046). The WHR and BMI in colon carcinoma patients were positively correlated with the serum insulin level and the value of IGF/IGFBP3. The WHR and BMI were negatively correlated with IGFBP3. The WHR and BMI were not correlated with IGF-1 and IGFBP1.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum insulin, IGF-1 levels and the value of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 are significantly increased in colorectal cancer patients, and serum IGFBP-3 level is markedly decreased, which may be related to the genesis of colorectal cancer, but are not correlated with the progress and improvement of colorectal cancer. Central adipositas may be a risk factor for the genesis of colon cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Waist-Hip Ratio

Objective: To explore the relationship between plasma Jagged1 protein level and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) formation in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods: According to coronary angiography (CAG) examination, our research was categorized in 2 groups: CAD group, n=89 patients with at least one of left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex(LCX) or right coronary artery(RCA) stenosis ≥ 95％ and Control group, n=30 subjects without abnormal findings by CAG. Based on Rentrop grading system, CAD group was further divided into 2 subgroups: Good CCC subgroup, n=42 patients with Rentrop grade ≥ 2 and Poor CCC subgroup, n=47 patients with Rentrop grade≤1. Plasma levels of Jagged1 protein,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA and the relevant correlation study was conducted by multivariate regression analysis. Results: Compared with Control group, CAD group had increased plasma levels of Jagged1 protein (38.74±10.60)ng/L vs (23.04±8.97)ng/L and elevated VEGF (113.98±30.80)pg/L vs (72.73±14.55)pg/L. Compared with Poor CCC subgroup, Good CCC subgroup presented increased Jagged1 protein (46.77±8.49)ng/L vs (31.56±6.26)ng/L and elevated VEGF (128.10±20.24) pg/L vs (92.43±21.09)pg/L. Correlation study showed that Jagged1 protein was positively related to VEGF in CAD patients (r=0.730, P<0.01); multivariate regression analysis indicated that Jagged1 protein (OR=1.318, P=0.000) and VEGF (OR=1.043, P=0.043) were the independent predictors for CCC processing.Conclusion: CAD patients with good CCC had the higher plasma Jagged1 protein level than the patients with poor CCC which implied that Jagged1 protein played important role in CCC processing, such finding may provide a new direction for treating CAD patients in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo Assess therapeutic effect of ear point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection on residual neuralgia of herpes zoster.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen cases were randomly divided into a comprehensive group (n = 60) and a medication group (n = 56). The medication group were treated with routine western medicine, and the comprehensive group with ear point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection besides the routine western medicine. Auricular points selected for ear point taping and pressing were Shemen, Neifenmi (endorine), Pizhixia (subcortex), Gan (liver), Dan (gallbladder), Fei (lung) and corresponding auricular points to the lesion parts, with the two ears alternatively used, pressing each day; points selected for point-injection of VitB12 were Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Quchi (LI 11), Taichong (LR 3). The pain degrees, the time of pain alleviation and pain ceasing of the patient were regularly recorded.

RESULTSThe average time of pain alleviation and pain ceasing of the patient in the comprehensive group were significantly shorter than those in the medication group (P < 0.01). The cured rate and the cured and markedly effective rate were 60.0% and 83.3% in the comprehensive group, and 28.6% and 50.0% in the medication group, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEar point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection is effective and safe for treatment of residual neuralgia of herpes zoster.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; therapy