Objective To analyze the incidence of general complication and methods of prevention and treatment in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW). Methods The complication of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS), bronchopulmonary dys-plysia( BPD), patent ductus arteriosus(PDA),intracranial hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were analysed in 16 cases of ELBW and 26 cases of very low birth weight(VLBW) infants. Results The incidences of NRDS,BPD,PDA,IVH,PVL,ROP were 81 %,81 %,25 %,50 %,13 %,63 % respectively in ELBW group. The incidences of NRDS, BPD.PDA, IVH.PVL.ROP were 88 % ,42 % ,42 % ,50 % , 12 % ,54 % respectively in VLBW group. The incidence of BPD in ELBW infants was significantly higher than that of VLBW infants (P

No abstract available.
Nevus, Pigmented*

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the long-term effect of repeated febrile convulsions (FC) on seizure susceptibility in immature rats.

METHODSWarm-water-immersion rat FC model was developed with SD rats 22 days of age, 15 attacks of seizures were induced in the rats every other day, and some of the rats were left un-stimulated for 3 months, then were re-stimulated. Seizure phenomenon was observed, including the latency and the duration of seizures and the temperature of rats. Hippocampal neuron loss and mossy fiber sprouting were detected by thionine staining and Timm staining.

RESULTSAfter the 15th bath, the latency, the duration of seizures, and the temperature of rats were respectively (4.3 +/- 0.8) min, (5.5 +/- 2.9) min, (42.2 +/- 0.7) degrees C. Three months later, on re-stimulation, in 14 of 19 rats with previous FC experience seizures occurred while in only one of 13 non-FC rats seizure occurred and lasted for 8.5 min. Three months later, the latency, the duration of seizures, and the temperature of rats were respectively (5.4 +/- 0.6) min, (19.3 +/- 5.1) min, and (42.4 +/- 0.4) degrees C (4 rats with status epileptics were not included). The incidence of seizures on re-stimulation in rats of FC group (74%) was significantly higher than that in non-FC group (8%) (chi(2) = 13.50, P < 0.01), and the duration of seizures [(19.3 +/- 5.1) min] was significantly longer than those induced in early life [(5.5 +/- 2.9) min] (t = 10.49, P < 0.01). After the 15th bath, no significant change was demonstrated in rats of different groups. While 3 months later, prominent neuron loss was observed in hippocampal CA(3) region in rats with previous FC experience (P < 0.01). Significant mossy fiber sprouting phenomenon was detected after the 15th bath and 3 months later (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRepeated FC in early life enhances long term susceptibility of rats to seizure.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Disease Susceptibility ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; pathology ; Seizures, Febrile ; pathology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to improve esthetic effects of alveolar ridge in dental implantology.

METHODSFifty patients with similar single missing tooth in the anterior maxilla were randomly divided into two groups: the ADM group was treated with dental implant therapy plus ADM transplantation; the control group was treated with dental implant therapy alone. The periodontal parameters and the changes of horizontal width of alveolar crest at implant zones were evaluated before surgery and 12 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSAll operated sites healed uneventfully. Mean horizontal width of alveolar crest in ADM group increased by (3.10 +/- 0.64) mm at 12 weeks and the control group increased by (0.30 +/- 0.50) mm, The volume increase showed a significant difference groups (P < 0.05). Mean horizontal width of alveolar crest in ADM group was (11.50 +/- 1.48) mm and the contralateral alveolar crest was (11.60 +/- 1.60) mm (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSADM is a suitable material for the treatment of soft tissue deformities due to its biocompatibility and horizontal gain of soft tissue.

Adult ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; surgery ; Alveolar Ridge Augmentation ; methods ; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth ; Dermis ; cytology ; transplantation ; Extracellular Matrix ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skin, Artificial

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the activity of dendritic cells (DCs) after carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) gene transfection mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type2 (rAAV) and tumor cell lysate.

METHODSImmature DCs isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of HLA-A11-positive healthy volunteers were infected with the rAAV carrying CEA gene or loaded with tumor cell lysate. The surface markers of the DCs such as CD40, CD 1alpha, and CD86 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the supernatants of DCs and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) released by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were determined by ELISA detection kit. The specific killing activity of CTL against LoVo cells was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe DCs following antigen loading with the two methods both highly expressed CD40, CD86 and IL-12, and induced specific CTL that specifically recognized and killed LoVo cells, but the killing effect resulting from rAAV infection of the DCs was much better than that induced by tumor cell lysate loading.

CONCLUSIONBoth methods of antigen loading can induce mature DCs from peripheral blood monocyte cells, but rAAV infection of the DCs can be more effective than tumor cells lysate loading. DCs infected with rAAV may have the potential to serve as an adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with colorectal carcinoma.

B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytoskeleton integrity on the expression of c-fos gene in osteoblasts induced by fluid shear stress.

METHODSBALB/c mouse primary osteoblasts were divided into four groups (according to fluid shear stress loaded or not and cytochalasin D used or not). The Tagman probe real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression levels of c-fos mRNA, c-fos protein and cytoskeleton, respectively. The data were analysed using two-way ANOVA.

RESULTSIn control group and cytochalasin D group, fluid shear stress could significantly increase the expression levels of c-fos mRNA (0.1637 +/- 0.0303 and 0.0104 +/- 0.0070, respectively) and protein (177.14 +/- 9.37 and 150.95 +/- 6.17, respectively) in osteoblasts, compared with the unloaded osteoblasts of the control group and the cytochalasin D group (0.0057 +/- 0.0021 and 0.0032 +/- 0.0014, respectively for c-fos mRNA, and 117.96 +/- 4.11 and 119.77 +/- 5.19, respectively for protein, P < 0.05). Induced by the fluid shear stress, the expression levels of c-fos mRNA and protein in cytochalasin D group were lower than control group, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe cytoskeleton integrity in osteoblasts was essential to the expression of c-fos gene induced by fluid shear stress.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochalasin D ; pharmacology ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo characterize the phenotypic and biological properties of CD56(+) natural killer cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODSSurface markers and intracellular cytotoxic molecules were stained with multi-color-labeled monoclonal antibodies and analyzed at the single cell level the relation between NK subsets and biological characteristics by flow cytometry.

RESULTSNK cells in PBMCs could be divided into two major populations, CD56(bright) and CD56(dim), based upon the expression of CD56 molecules. Both CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) expressed CD95 (Fas) with CD95(bright) and CD95(dim) subsets. CD56(dim) subsets had higher percentage of CD8, granzyme B and perforin expression compared to those of CD56(bright) subsets. In CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) subpopulations, CD95(bright) and CD8(+) subsets had higher percentage of granzyme B and perforin expression.

CONCLUSIONCD56(+) NK cells in PBMCs are composed of distinct subpopulations, CD56(dim) and CD56(dim) CD8(+) NK subsets have higher percentage of granzyme B and perforin and may play an important role in the killing of target cells.

CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD8 Antigens ; metabolism ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; classification ; immunology ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Perforin ; metabolism ; Phenotype ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the methylation status of p73 gene promoter in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and explore its significance with clinical prognosis.

METHODSMethylation of p73 promoter was detected in bone marrow cells from 135 MDS patients and 13 healthy controls by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The results of MSP were confirmed by bisulfite sequencing. The expression of p73 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Primary bone marrow cells from MDS patients were treated with decitabine, the changes of p73 methylation status and p73 mRNA expression were measured. The role of p73 methylation in the prognosis of MDS and the correlated clinical data were explored.

RESULTSp73 hypermethylation was present in 37.04% of MDS cases and patients with high risk MDS (RAEB-1 and RAEB-2) exhibited a significantly higher frequency of p73 methylation than that of low risk MDS (58.8% vs 29.7%, P = 0.002). The expression of p73 mRNA in the methylated group was decreased compared to that of the unmethylated group (P = 0.032). Decitabine treatment decreased the level of p73 methylation and increased the level of p73 transcripts. Patients with p73 methylation progressed rapidly to AML (P < 0.001) and had shorter survival (P = 0.002) than those who did not have p73 methylation. In the multivariate Cox regression model, BM blast and p73 methylation status emerged as independent prognostic factor for overall survival and leukemia free survival.

CONCLUSIONp73 gene methylation is common in patients with MDS and may indicate poor prognosis. p73 may be a therapeutic target in MDS.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Methylation ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Tumor Protein p73 ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo introduce the application of Neuroform stent in the treatment of intracranianl wide neck aneurysm.

METHODSEight patients (9 aneurysms), including 3 males and 5 females, aged from 41 to 74, were treated. Among the 9 aneurysms, there were 3 wide-neck aneurysms in internal carotid artery (ICA), 4 vertebral aneurysms (in 3 cases), and 2 basilar tip giant aneurysms. Heparinization were given for all procedures after femoral artery Seldinger's puncture. Stents were released through 3 m Transcend 0.014 guide wires, which were posited in the aneurysm-carry arteries first, or, through a 205 cm Transcend 0.014 guiding wire. Further coiling was selected for some cases. After the treatment 24 h heparinization were maintained. For coiling cases, aspirin (300 (mg/d) and ticlopiding (250 mg/d) were given at first 6 weeks, and aspirin (300 mg/d) was given following 6 months. For stent alone cases, only 1 month aspirin (300 mg/d) was given.

RESULTSIn one ICA aneurysm, the stent moved to the bifurcation of ICA while a coil was pushed into the aneurysm lumen, and the ICA spasmed. Partial occlusion achieved in the aneurysm. The patient died due to bleeding of the aneurysm 20 h after anticoagulation treatment with heparin. One dissection aneurysm and 2 fusiform aneurysms (in bilateral vertebral arterys of one patient) were treated with stents only. The dissection aneurysm was completely occluded after 3 months. In 1 basilar artery (BA) tip giant aneurysm, the distal part of BA spasmed immediately after stenting. Complete occlusion was achieved with coils 4 months later. Another BA tip aneurysm was partially occluded after the stent was deployed. The other 3 aneurysms were completely embolized with the protection of the Neuroform stents. There is no further DSA follow-up of the cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe Neuroform stent is easy to pass through the tortuous vessels. Combine with coils, it may be used in the treatment of wide neck aneurysms. However, it has the risk of migration because of the softness.

Adult ; Aged ; Basilar Artery ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Vertebral Artery

Variant pulmonary vein anatomy (PVA) has been reported to influence the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation.However,the effects of PVA on AF in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation (CBA) remain unknown.The present study aimed to examine the impact of PVA on the long-term outcome of CBA for AF.A total of 78 patients (mean age 60.7±10.9 years,64.1％ males) with symptomatic and drug-refractory paroxysmal AF were enrolled in the study.Left atrium (LA) and PVA acquired at computed tomography angiography (CTA) were reconstructed with CARTO(R) 3 SYSTEM.Patients were routinely evaluated by 24-hour Holter monitoring following CBA.Cox regression was used to detect the predictors of AF recurrence after CBA.The results showed abnormal PVA in 30 patients (38.5％) and 18 patients (23.1％) had left common PV (LCPV).Electrical pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all patients.After a mean follow-up of 689.5±103.8 days,it was found that patients with abnormal PVA had similar AF recurrence rate to those with normal PVA (26.7％ vs.25.0％,P=0.54),and there was no significant difference in AF recurrence rate between LCPV patients and non-LCPV patients (33.7％ vs.23.3％,P=0.29).Cox regression analysis showed that AF duration (72.9±9.0 vs.42.3±43.2 months,HR 1.001;95％CI 1.003-1.014;P＜0.001) and cryo-applications of right-side PVs (3.0±1.6 vs.4.7±1.7,HR 0.661;95％ CI 0.473-0.925;P=0.016) were independent predictors of freedom from AF,but PVA was not identified as a predictor of long-term success.In conclusion,the variant PVA cannot significantly influence the long-term outcome of AF patients undergoing CBA;longer AF duration and less cryo-applications of right-side PVs are associated with higher AF recurrent rate.