BACKGROUND: Microarc oxidation (MAO) is a break-through anodyzing technology for forming oxide films on valve metal.Use of this technology allows thick, porous oxide layers to be formed on the surface of pure titanium. Few biocompatibility reports using this treatment have been found.OBJECTIVE: The blood compatibility of a novel surface modified titanium substrata biomaterial using MAO was investigated.DESIGN: Positive and negative control, contrast observation and gold standard control.SETTING: Wuhan Union Hospital.MATERIALS: A healthy male adult New-Zealand rabbit, weighing 2.5 kg and ordinary grade, was selected in this study.Pure titanium sticks TA1 (Baoji Yingnaite Non-ferrous Metal Co., Ltd.), MAO-Ti and 20 g/L potassium oxalate were also selected in this study.METHODS: The study was carried out in the Laboratory of General Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in May 2006. ① Materials: Titanium substrate of 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth was put in an electrolyte which was quipped with deionized water, dibasic sodium phosphate, and ethanoic acid calcium for MAO treatment for 10 minutes. ② Groups: Three groups were analysed: test group, negative control group and positive control group. Test group: MAO-Ti was dipped in 10 mL saline; Positive control group: 10 mL deionized water was added in each tube; Negative control group: 10 mL saline was added in each tube. ③ Operation: Fresh whole blood was collected from rabbit and then mixed with the liquids in the three groups respectively after anti-coagulation. In addition, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the hemolytic ratio. A hemolytic ratio below or equal to 5% indicated that this novel material fitted the requirements. On the contrary, a hemolytic ratio higher than 5% proofed the existence of a hemolyzation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The hemolytic ratio of materials in three groups.RESULTS: The hemolytic ratio of the test group was 0.90%. The result indicated that this new material had no haemolysis effect.CONCLUSION: The material does not resolve red blood cells and is coincident with the international and governmental standard.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the expression of osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9),and the relationship of osteopontin and MMP9 in malignant melanoma.Methods Expression of osteopontin and MMP9 was measured by immunohistochemical SP method in 23 patients with primary cuta- neous malignant melanoma,17 patients with metastatic melanoma and 20 patients with pigmented nevus. Results Osteopontin and MMP9 were expressed respectively in 87.5% and 75.0% of 40 malignant melanoma specimens,15.0% and 10.0% of 20 pigmented nevus specimens.The expression of both osteo- pontin and MMP9 was significantly higher (both P＜0.05) in malignant melanoma than in pigmented ne- vus.There was no correlation between the expression of osteopontin and MMP9,with age,sex,lymph node metastasis or location of lesions (P＞0.05).Twenty-nine cases were positive for both osteopontin and MMP9,4 negative for either osteopontin or MMP9.Conclusion Both osteopontin and MMP9 were over- expressed in malignant melanoma,but neither was related to lymph node metastasis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the immunophenotype of T-lineage acute lymphoid leukemia (T-ALL) and to find valuable immunologic markers in T-ALL diagnosis and therapy. Four-color multiparametric flow cytometry(FCM) with CD45/SSC gating was used for immunophenotyping of 95 patients with newly diagnosed T-ALL. The results demonstrated that T-ALL occurred more frequently in males younger than 30 years of age and was usually accompanied by a high WBC count and tumor mass at diagnosis. Univariate analysis showed an influence on achievement of CR1 for age (< 30 years) but not for WBC count and tumor mass. According to WHO (2008) classification of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, 87 patients with confirmed subtype included 27 cases of Pro-T-ALL (31.0%), 31 cases of Pre-T-ALL (35.6%), 23 cases of cortical-T-ALL (26.4%), 6 cases of medullary-T-ALL (6.9%). CD34 expression in Pro-T-ALL was significantly higher than that of Pre-T-ALL (p = 0.001). After the first chemotherapy, the complete remission rate in Pro-T-ALL was statistically lower than that of Pre-T-ALL. Besides, the complete remission rate of immature T-ALL (including Pro-T-ALL and Pre-T-ALL) was also significantly lower than that in mature T-ALL (including cortical-T-ALL and medullary-T-ALL). Myeloid antigen (CD13, CD33) expression was associated with T-ALL subtype and treatment effect. While 66.7% of CD13(+) patients belonged to Pre-T-ALL, most (60.0%) of CD33(+) patients were classified into Pro-T-ALL; CD13 expression had no effect on CR1 rate whereas CD33(+) patients had worse treatment effect compared with CD33(-) groups (p = 0.001). Notably, the expression of CD117 reached up to 26.7% and the positive cases were primarily distributed in pro-T-TAll and pre-T-ALL. It is found that CD117 expression in CD34(-) group was homogeneous and CD117 expression level was less than 10% in 73.2% patients, but CD117 expression level in CD34(+) group was not homogenous, in which group the CD117 expression levels < 10%, 10% - 20% and > 20% were 44.2%, 17.3% and 38.5% respectively. As compared with CD34(-) group, the proportion of patients with CD117 expression levels < 10%, > 20% in CD34(+) group was higher, and there was significant difference between these 2 group. It is concluded that immunophenotype has great value in T-ALL diagnosis, classification as well as treatment. Flow cytometry provides access to find valuable immunologic markers for T-ALL biological research.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD13 Antigens ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; classification ; immunology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important. The current treatment for early AD is acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (AChEIs); however, the efficacy is poor. Besides, AChEI did not show efficacy in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposits have been regarded to be highly related to the pathogenesis of AD. However, many clinical trials aiming at the clearance of Aβ deposits failed to improve the cognitive decline of AD, even at its early phase. There should be other important mechanisms unproven in the course of AD and MCI. Feasible biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment response of AD are lacking to date. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation plays an important role in learning and memory. On the other hand, oxidative stress has been regarded to contribute to aging with the assumption that free radicals damage cell constituents and connective tissues. Our recent study found that an NMDAR enhancer, sodium benzoate (the pivotal inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase [DAAO]), improved the cognitive and global function of patients with early-phase AD. Further, we found that peripheral DAAO levels were higher in patients with MCI and AD than healthy controls. We also found that sodium benzoate was able to change the activity of antioxidant. These pieces of evidence suggest that the NMDAR function is associated with anti-oxidation, and have potential to be biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment response of AD.

Early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important. The current treatment for early AD is acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (AChEIs); however, the efficacy is poor. Besides, AChEI did not show efficacy in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposits have been regarded to be highly related to the pathogenesis of AD. However, many clinical trials aiming at the clearance of Aβ deposits failed to improve the cognitive decline of AD, even at its early phase. There should be other important mechanisms unproven in the course of AD and MCI. Feasible biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment response of AD are lacking to date. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation plays an important role in learning and memory. On the other hand, oxidative stress has been regarded to contribute to aging with the assumption that free radicals damage cell constituents and connective tissues. Our recent study found that an NMDAR enhancer, sodium benzoate (the pivotal inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase [DAAO]), improved the cognitive and global function of patients with early-phase AD. Further, we found that peripheral DAAO levels were higher in patients with MCI and AD than healthy controls. We also found that sodium benzoate was able to change the activity of antioxidant. These pieces of evidence suggest that the NMDAR function is associated with anti-oxidation, and have potential to be biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment response of AD.

OBJECTIVETo explore and identify the non-coding RNAs related to tumors.

METHODSWe used RT-PCR and Northern blot to analyze non-coding RNAs in tumor tissues and cell lines.

RESULTSTwo predicted non-coding RNAs were confirmed to be expressed in cancer tissues and cell lines by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. We detected the expression of two non-coding RNA transcripts by Northern blot. The length of NC28 was about 1800 nt, and that of NC119 was about 1200nt.

CONCLUSIONSNC28 and NC119 have a tumor-associated expression pattern. The non-coding RNAs may play a role in the development of tumors.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Untranslated ; biosynthesis

Animals ; Blood Platelets ; physiology ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osteogenesis ; Platelet Count ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Radiography ; Radius ; diagnostic imaging ; ultrastructure ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathologic characteristics of poorly differentiated cutaneous angiosarcoma of scalp.

METHODSEight cases of poorly differentiated cutaneous angiosarcoma of scalp were enrolled into this study. The clinical manifestations and histopathologic features were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for CD31, CD34, factor VIII-related antigen, vimentin, AE1/AE3, CAM5. 2, epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen was performed.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 69 years. The male-to-female ratio was 5 : 3. The tumor manifested clinically as bruise-like lesion in early phase, indurated erythematous plaque accompanied by nodules, ulcerations and bleeding in advanced phase. Histologically, the tumor was composed of solid sheets of undifferentiated spindle cells which were not easily recognizable as vascular in origin. Nuclear atypia was always present. The tumor cells in all of the 8 cases strongly expressed CD31, factor VIII-related antigen and vimentin. Weak expression of CD34, AE1/AE3 and CAMS. 2 was noted in 2, 4 and 4 cases, respectively. The staining for epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen and S-100 was negative. Conclusions Angiosarcoma needs to be excluded by histologic examination whenever bruise-like and erythematous lesions occurring on scalp skin of elderly patients. The endothelial origin of the tumor cells can be confirmed with immunostaining for CD31, CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Cell Differentiation ; Endothelium ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemangiosarcoma ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; immunology ; Scalp ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; analysis

Objective To investigate the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter microsatellite polymorphisms and the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection in Han,Yi and Yao ethnicities in GuiZhou province.Methods 500 volunteers were selected from Guizhou province.Ailelic frequency of IL-10.G and IL-10.R loci was identified by short tandom repeat polymerase chain reaction.The relativity between allelic frequency and HBV infection was analyzed.Results Genotype data from H-W analysis on all the IL-10 polymorphisms indicated that it was a random distribution.Very high HBV infection rates were found in the native ethnic minorities of Guizhou province.The overall HBV infection rate among the total population was 67.00％,with the HBV infection rates of Yi nationality in Weining,Yi nationality in Qianxi,Yao nationality in Libo and Han nationality in Libo as 51.85％,42.86％,79.52％ and 84.30％,respe~vely.The polymorphisms distribution of IL- 10.G and IL- 10.R were statistically different among the ethnic groups (P＜ 0.05 ).The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.R had no significant difference between HBV infection group and non-infection group,as well as among HBV natural removal group and non-infected group in all the ethnic groups.The frequency of IL-10.G 459 bp (19CA) was significantly higher in non-infection group than in the infected group (P＜ 0.05 ).The frequency of IL-10.G 471 bp (25CA) was significantly higher in the non-infection group than in the HBV natural removal group(P＜0.05).The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.G did not show significant difference between the HBV infection group and the HBV natural removal group in all the ethnic groups.We did not find any differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies of IL-10.G between infection group and non-infection group in Yi nationality in Weining,and Yao nationality in Libo (P＞0.05),as well as HBV natural removal group and non-infected group (P＞0.05).Conclusion The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.R and IL-10.G did not show significant difference in Yi,Yao and Han ethnics population living in Guizhou province.IL-10.G seemed to influence the susceptibility of HBV infection in Han,Yao and Yi ethnics population of Guizhou province.