Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; Carbon-Sulfur Lyases ; metabolism ; Mouth ; microbiology ; Quorum Sensing ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the feasibility of macrophages as cell carriers to deliver floate modified oxygen loaded ultrasound contrast agent . Methods The phagocytic activity of macrophages was analyzed by ink phagocytose test , and the expression of folate recepters ( FRs ) on macrophages cell membrane surface was tested by immunofluofluorescence assay . Oxygen/paclitaxel loaded lipid microbubbles( OPLMB) and folate‐targeted OPLMB ( TOPLMB) were synthesized by mechanical shock method and incubated with macrophages in vitro . According to different treatment conditions ,the cells were divided into three groups:group A ( OPLMB) ,group B ( free folic acid + TOPLMB) and group C ( TOPLMB) , the fluorescence intensity of the cells were observed under fluorescence microscope ,and the phagocytic percentage and the phagocytic index of macrophages uptake OPLMB and TOPLMB were observed by bright field microscope . Results The phagocytic percentage of macrophages phagocytose ink was (99 .3 ± 1 .0)% ,FRs was highly expressed on macrophages cultured in vitro . After incubation for 30 minutes ,the fluorescence intensity of group C was significantly higher than those of A and B ,the phagocytic percentage in three groups were (19 .5 ± 0 .2)% ,(21 .0 ± 0 .2)% and (81 .2 ± 10 .0)% respetively . The phagocytic percentage of group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B ( P <0 .05) . Conclusions Macrophages cultured in vitro possess highly phagocytic activity and these cells highly express FRs ,and can be used as cell carriers to deliver floate modified oxygen loaded multimodality ultrasound contrast agent .

Objective To evaluate the medium and long term safety and efficacy of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) performed with conventional instruments in treating stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods A prospective cohort analysis was conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital,between May 2007 and June 2015,enrolling 55 women with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ POP who intended to receive SSLF.Primary end points were objective success rates using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q) and subjective satisfaction rates with questionnaires after surgery according to vaginal examination and related questionnaires for all patients who received SSLF eventually.Exploratory outcomes included perioperative parameters and complications.Results Of these 55 POP patients enrolled,52 (95％,52/55) received SSLF using conventional surgical instruments,the other 3 cases converted to ischial spinous fascia fixation due to difficulty exposing.Medium blood loss during operation was 100 ml (20-300 ml) and operative time 60 minutes (20-165 minutes).Pelvic hematoma with diameters of 5 cm and 7 cm were observed in two patients,both recovered fully with conservative methods.All patients were able to micturate spontaneously after catheter withdrawal.One patient reported right thigh pain after operation which remained till 3-month follow-up and relieved after physiotherapy.The objective success rate was 100％ (52/52) at 3 months.With a medium follow-up time of 23.7 months,the objective success rate was 98％ (51/52),the recurrence rate was 2％ (1/52) and the satisfactory rate was 94％ (49/52).De novo urinary incontinence occurred in 6％ (3/52) of patients.Conclusion Most POP could be corrected with SSLF using conventional instruments which is a feasible,economic and effective procedure for Asian patients with medium compartment prolapse.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Adenoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exons ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDSentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has become a common procedure for early breast cancer patients. The GeneSearch(TM) Breast Lymph Node (BLN) Assay is a real-time RT-PCR assay for the detecting nodal metastases larger than 0.2 mm. China Breast Cancer Clinical Study Group (CBCSG)-001a is a prospective multi-center clinical trial that was conducted to validate the GeneSearch(TM) BLN Assay in China.

METHODSThe SLNs from 90 consecutive patients were identified and dissected, and then sectioned along the short axis into multiple blocks. Intra-operatively, the odd blocks were tested by BLN assay and the even ones were used for frozen section, while all the blocks were evaluated by touch imprint cytology. Post-operatively, the remaining tissues were assessed by histological evaluation.

RESULTSA total of 189 SLNs was tested by BLN assay. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 88.9%, 97.4%, 88.9% and 97.4%, respectively, for BLN assay, 75.0%, 100%, 100% and 94.4%, respectively, for frozen section, and 63.9%, 100%, 100% and 92.2%, respectively, for touch imprint cytology. The sensitivity of BLN assay was higher than that of touch imprint cytology (P = 0.01) and frozen section (P = 0.13). When assessing the nodes with micro-metastases, BLN assay had a significant higher sensitivity than frozen section (P = 0.023) and touch imprint cytology (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe GeneSearch(TM) BLN Assay is an accurate and rapid intra-operative assay for breast SLNs and it is suitable for application in general medical practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; methods

This study was aimed to investigate the pro coagulation effects of hemocoagulase atrix and its effective components (batroxobin and factor X activator) on plasma of normal subjects and patients with bleeding disorders and their mechanisms. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were measured. The factor (F)X activation and thrombin generation were analyzed by using chromogenic substrate method. The results showed that the plasma APTT of normal subjects was shortened by hemocoagulase atrix, batroxobin and FX activator, and the effect of FX activator was found to be concentration-dependent (r = 0.889, P < 0.05). The prolonged APTT of plasma from patients with bleeding disorders could be corrected by hemocoagulase atrix, batroxobin and FX activator, but PT showed no great changes resulted from the treatments. FX activator could promote FX activation and thrombin generation, while neither hemocoagulase atrix nor batroxobin showed such abilities. It is concluded that hemocoagulase atrix promotes coagulation process, and corrects coagulation abnormalities in patients with bleeding disorders, its main component batroxobin directly acts on fibrinogen, and FX activator promotes thrombin generation through activating FX.
Adult ; Batroxobin ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; pharmacology ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; pharmacology ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Thrombin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to analyze the correlation of CD19 positive cell counts in bone marrow of multiple myeloma(MM) patients with therapeutic efficacy and investigate the characteristics of CD19 cell change in MM bone marrow. The CD19(+) and CD38(++)CD45(-), CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+) cells in bone marrow of 63 MM patients were detected by flow cytometry. The difference of CD19(+), CD38(++)CD45(-), CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+) cell counts at different stages and types, as well as their relation with results of 4 course of VADM or VD chemotherapy were analyzed. The results showed that in 63 MM patients, CD19(+) cell ratio at stage II were higher than those at stage III; CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+) cell ratio at stage II were lower than those at stage III; CD19(+) cell ratio in type IgA were higher than those in type IgD; the CD38(++)CD45(-), CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+) cell counts in type IgA were obviously lower than those in type IgG, IgD and light chain which showed a negative correlation between cell counts of CD19(+) against CD38(++)CD45(-), CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+). CD19(+) cell counts in effective treatment group of all 43 patients and the effective treatment group with VD were both higher than those in the ineffective treatment group; CD38(++)CD45(-) cell counts in effective treatment group with VD was obviously lower than those in ineffective treatment group, and CD38(++)CD45(-), CD38(++)CD45(-)CD56(+) in effective treatment group of all 43 patients were lower than those in ineffective treatment group. It is concluded that CD19(+) cell counts in bone marrow may be related to disease status and development stage of MM, which may be useful to predict treatment efficacy and prognosis.
Antigens, CD19 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESThe effect of vascular active peptides on the development of pulmonary remodeling and pulmonary hypertension due to left to right shunt congenital heart diseases is the focus of today's studies. The present study was conducted to investigate the roles of adrenomedullin (ADM) and adrenotensin (ADT) in pulmonary remodeling due to left to right shunt in rat lungs.

METHODSTwenty-one male Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly. A right common carotid artery to external jugular vein shunt operation was performed on experimental rats (n = 9) to establish a left to right shunt animal model. Meanwhile, the common carotid artery and external jugular vein of the control group rats (n = 12) were just isolated without connection. Twelve weeks later, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), the right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum ratio [weight, RV/(LV + SP)], the percentage of media wall thickness (MT%) were calculated. The distributions and relative protein contents of ADM and ADT in lungs were measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analysis. The relative gene expression for ADM, ADT, p46-p54 stress-actived protein kinase (SAPK) and p44 extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK(1)) were investigated by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe muscular and the tunica intimae layer of pulmonary artery were thicker in experiment group rats than those of control group, and the mPAP increased significantly in shunt group [(27.10 +/- 6.67) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)] compared with that in control group [(14.32 +/- 3.14) mm Hg] (t = 5.5507, P < 0.001). The ratios of RV/(LV + SP) and MT% increased significantly in experimental group in contrast to the control group (P < 0.001). ADM and ADT positive granules distributed mainly over vascular smooth muscle cells, and Western blotting and integrated optical density analysis showed that the content of ADM increased in shunt group rats (P < 0.001), however, ADT content decreased (P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of ADM, SAPK and ERK(1) up-regulated in experiment group compared with the control group (P < 0.01, and P < 0.001 respectively), however, the ADT mRNA expression decreased in experimental rats in contrast to the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe phenomenon of intramolecular regulation of ADM and ADT, which both derived from proadrenomedullin, existed in the development of pulmonary remodeling and pulmonary hypertension due to left to right shunt. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal transduction pathway has been activated in the formation of left to right shunt pulmonary remodeling and pulmonary hypertension, and ADM may slow down the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension through cutting off MAPKs signaling pathway.

Adrenomedullin ; biosynthesis ; Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVEThe ability of oral bacteria to adhere to tooth surface is associated with their pathogenicity. The objective of this study was to compare the ability of 4 strains of periodontal pathogens attaching to collagen-treated hydroxyapatite (C-HA) beads in order to evaluate the ability of the main periodontal pathogens to form the biofilm on root surface.

METHODSThe binding amount and binding percentage of 4 strains to C-HA were measured and compared by 3H-labeled binding assay. 4 strains of periodontal pathogens were Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) ATCC 10953, Porphyrin gingivalis (P. gingivalis) ATCC 33277, Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) ATCC 25611 and Hemophilic actinomycetemcomitans (H. actinomycetemcomitans) ATCC 29523.

RESULTSThe differences of the percentage of relative adherence between F. nucleatum ATCC 10953 and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, as well as between H. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29523 and P. intermedia ATCC 25611 could not be observed. However, the percentage of relative adherence of F. nucleatum ATCC 10953 and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 was higher than that of P. intermedia ATCC 25611 and H. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29523 (P<0.001), no matter cultured 24 h or 48 h. No significant difference of the percentage of the relative adherence of each stain between 24 h and 48 h cultured time could be found.

CONCLUSIONF. nucleatum and P. gingivalis exhibited strong binding ability to C-HA. Their adherence to root surface may play an important role in their local aggregation, biofilm formation during the development and recurrence of the periodontitis.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; Bacteria ; Collagen ; Durapatite ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; Humans ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Prevotella intermedia