Objective To investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields(PEMFs)on proliferation and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs).Methods EPCs were isolated from rat bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation.EPCs were exposed to PEMFs from the 5th day to the end of culture.MTT was used to measure the proliferation of EPCs.The expression ofⅧ-related antigen and NOS_3 was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the control,the proliferating ability of EPCs exposed to PEMFs was stronger;the number ofⅧ-related antigen and NOS_3 positive cells increased significantly in EPCs exposed in PEMFs.Conclusion PEMFs promotes the proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow EPCs.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; genetics ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; immunology ; virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To screen potential serum HCC associated proteins with low molecular weight and low abundance for better understanding the pathological mechanism of HCC and discovering new biomarkers.Methods All serum samples were collected from 81 HBV-related HCC patients,43 chronic hepatitis B patients and 36 cirrhosis patients.Serum protein fingerprint profiles were first generated by selected WCX2 protein chip integrating with SELDI-TOF-MS,and then normalized and aligned by Ciphergen SELDI Software 3.1.1 with Biomarker Wizard.Comparative analysis of the intensity of corresponding protein fingerprint peaks in normalized protein spectra was performed.Some protein peaks with significant difference among HCC,cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B groups were found.The reproducibility of the SELDI system was assessed before serum protein fingerprint profiles analysis.Results The intra-and inter-assay CV for intensity and m/z in this SELDI system were 17.46% and 0.024%,and 17.74% and 0.024% respectively.Total 128 protein fingerprint peaks between 2 000 to 30 000 Da were identified under the condition of signal to noise＞5 and minimum threshold for cluster＞20%.Eighty-seven proteins were found to significantly expressed between HCC and cirrhosis groups(P＜0.05).Of the above differential proteins,forty-five proteins had changes greater than two fold,including 15 up-regulated proteins and 30 downregulated proteins in HCC sera.Between HCC and chronic hepatitis B groups,nine of fifty-two differential proteins(P＜0.05) had intensities of more than two folds,including 2 up-regulated proteins and 7 downregulated proteins in HCC sera.Between cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B groups,twenty-eight of seventynine significantly differential proteins(P＜0.05) changed greater than two folds in intensity,including 17 up-regulated proteins in cirrhosis seru and 11 down-regulated proteins in chronic hepatitis B sera.Analysis of above leading differential proteins among three diseases using subtraction difference mode,the 5 common down-regulated proteins 2 870,3 941,2 688,3 165 and 5 483 m/z in HCC sera and 2 common up-regulated proteins 3 588 and 2 017 m/z in cirrhosis and HCC sera were screened.But no statistic difference in the level of protein 2 017m/z was found between HCC group and normal group inour previous study.Conclusion Because the interference of unspecific proteins from hepatitis B and cirrhosis could be eliminated partly in HCC sera through subtraction difference analysis,these 6 common differential proteins (2 870,3 941,2 688,3 165,5 483,3 588 m/z)have obvious advantages of increased specificity for evaluating the pathological state of HCC and might become promising candidate biomarkers in the diagnosis of HCC.

To study the effect of interleukin-15 (IL-15) on the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of MDS CD34(+) cells, CD34(+) cells of high enrichment were separated by MACS system, and cultured in liquid media with different concentration of IL-15 in treated group and without IL-15 in the control group. Apoptosis of hematopoietic precursors was assayed by propidium iodine staining and cell by FCM, and the other MDS CD34(+) cells were stained by cytochemical staining after culture. The results showed that after culture with IL-15 the proliferation and differentiation of MDS CD34(+) cells were obviously promoted. It was found the every lineage of mature cells developed, the expressions of cell surface antigens CD71, CD33 and CD19 all increased in the MDS CD34(+) cell treated with IL-15. It is suggested that IL-15 stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of MDS CD34(+) cells, and partly shows anti-apoptosis effects which may be applicable to the therapy MDS.
Antigens, CD ; immunology ; Antigens, CD19 ; immunology ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; immunology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-15 ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Receptors, Transferrin ; immunology ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3

Objective To explore the dynamic spiral CT findings of adrenal ganglioneuromas and to evaluate its clinical value.Methods All 7 cases patients with adrenal ganglioneuromas confirmed by surgical pathology underwent spiral CT plain scanning and two phases dynamic enhancement scanning before operation.The CT images were reviewed and analysed retrospectively in comparison with surgical and pathological results.Results Six of 7 lesions were located in the right adrenal gland,1 in the left.The diameter of the tumors was 3.7—7.5cm,with a mean diameter of 4.6cm.The CT value of the plain scans, AP phases and PVP phases was 16.2—31.7 HU(with a mean value of 24.3 HU),20.9—36.6 HU(with a mean value of 30.2 HU),and 27.4—45.5 HU(with a mean value of 36.0 HU),respectively.The masses were well defined and showed a tendency of wedging into the space between the adjacent organs and structures and encasing the large vessels such as IV,but didn't compress or occlude them.Conclusion The dynamic SCT features of adrenal ganglioneuromas were obvious,dynamic SCT scans could suggest the diagnose.

BACKGROUNDThe extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) are the major pathogens causing pneumonia and have a significant impact on the clinical course. Limited data exist on molecular characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae that cause pneumonia. The aim of this study was to investigate the comprehensive multilevel characteristics of E. coli and K. pneumoniae causing pneumonia in China for the first time.

METHODSE. coli (17) and K. pneumoniae (21) isolates responsible for pneumonia were isolated from 1270 specimens collected in a prospective multi-center study in eight teaching hospitals in China from June to December in 2007. The susceptibilities, ESBL confirmation, sequence typing, blaCTX-M and blaSHV genes, their genetic environment and plasmid Inc/rep types were determined.

RESULTSSixteen E. coli (94.1%) and eleven K. pneumoniae (52.4%) isolates were ESBL producers. About 77.8% and 66.7% of them were resistance to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, and 100% were susceptible to imipenem. The most prevalent ESBL gene was CTX-M-14, followed by SHV-2, CTX-M-15, CTX-M-3, CTX-M-65, SHV-12, SHV-26 and SHV-28. SHV-1 and SHV-11 were also detected and coexisted with blaCTX-Ms in five strains, and three strains contained only SHV-1. All CTX-M-14 were detected ISEcp1 upstream and nine were found IS903 downstream and the majority of them (64.3%) were carried by IncF plasmids. All blaSHV were flanked by recF and deoR, located on IncF, IncN, IncX and IncH plasmids. Two SHV-2, one SHV-1 and the only SHV-28 were further preceded by IS26. Genes lacY and lacZ were detected at further upstream of two blaSHV-1. The K. pneumoniae carrying SHV-28 was susceptible to β-lactams, and no mutations or deletions in gene or promoter sequences were identified to account for susceptibility. Multilocus sequence typing experiments showed the ESBL-producing strains were genetically diverse.

CONCLUSIONSThe rate of occurrence of blaESBL in E. coli and K. pneumoniae causing pneumonia was high, and blaCTX-M-14 was dominant and probably mobilized by ISEcp1 mainly on IncF plasmids. Importantly, unexpressed blaESBL genes may occur in susceptible isolates and hence may have clinical implications.

Blotting, Southern ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; enzymology ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Pneumonia ; microbiology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Prospective Studies ; beta-Lactams ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the stress changes of maxillary central incisor restored with or without fiber post using three dimensional finite element method, and analysis the role of fiber post in determining the stress distribution in dentin.

METHODSThree dimensional finite element models of maxillary central incisor with various remaining tooth structure were established by spiral CT, Mimics software and ANSYS software. Test samples were restored with all-ceramic crown and fiber post all-ceramic crown, respectively. The von Mises stress and maximal tensile stress of dentin were recorded.

RESULTSThe stress level in dentin of maxillary central incisor restored with fiber post all-ceramic crown was smaller than that restored with all-ceramic crown, the stress distribution of both were similar.

CONCLUSIONThe apply of fiber post can reduce the stress level in dentin of maxillary central incisor and decrease the risk of tooth breakage, but not change the stress pattern.

Dental Porcelain ; Dentin ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Incisor ; Post and Core Technique ; Tooth, Nonvital

Objective To observe the effects of lithium chloride (LiCl) on neural cell apoptosis, inflammatory response and expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomized into sham-operated, ICH and LiCl treatment groups (n=18), and in the latter two groups, ICH was induced by injection of collagenase Ⅳ into the internal capsule, and phosphate buffer solution was injected in the sham-operated group. Seven days before ICH, the rats in LiCl group received intraperitoneal injection of 1 mmol/kg LiCl once daily till the rats were sacrificed. Brain tissue specimens were collected at 1, 3, and 7 d after ICH to observe neural cell apoptosis, inflammatory response and expression of NF-κB in rat brain using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), HE staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Compared with the ICH model group, the rats in LiCl treatment group showed significantly reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells in the brain tissues around the hematoma at 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH (P<0.05). NF-κB protein expression was observed 1 day after ICH, which reached the peak level on day 3 and lowered 7 days after ICH. LiCl treatment significantly lowered the expression of NF-κB protein in comparison with that in ICH group (P<0.05) and obviously ameliorated the inflammatory responses in the brain tissues. Conclusion LiCl provides neuroprotection against ICH by inhibiting neural cell apoptosis and reducing inflammatory response through down-regulation of NF-κB expression.

Background There is a growing interest in studying the relationship between intrinsic resistance and biofilms resistance to drugs. However, the relationship still remains unclear in the macroscopic bacterial growth. Our study is to illuminate the change of bacterial drug resistance of gyrA mutant and active efflux pump during the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms. Methods The strains of type Ⅱ topoisomerase gene mutant (gyrA mutant) and multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pump were clinical isolates and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The process of bacterial biofilms development was observed by scanning electron microscope. Triparental mating experiments were performed to transfer report gene of green fluorescent protein (GFP) into P. aeruginosa biofilms strains and followed by analysis of bacterial survival rate between intrinsic resistance and biofilms resistance.Results The fluorescent strains with pGFPuv could develop mature biofilms on Teflon surface. Before a period of 72 hours, the survival rate of biofilms bacteria and intrinsic resistance strains in ciprofloxacin solution was significantly different (P<0.05). The survival number of intrinsic resistance strains (gyrA mutation and active efflux pump) was illustriously higher than biofilm strain in the initial stage of biofilms development. After 72 hours incubation, there was no clearly difference between mutants and biofilms strains in the survival rate (P>0.05). The carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and azithromycin could significantly reduce the drug resistance of biofilm strains and efflux pump strains.Conclusions In the development of P. aeruginosa biofilms, the strains of gyrA mutation and MDR efflux could be conferred with new level of drug resistance. When co-cultured mutated strains with biofilm strains, biofilms may play a major role in bacterial resistance. But after 72 hours incubation (a mature biofilms had been developed), there was no clearly difference between the number of mutant strains and biofilm strains.

Objeetive To investigate the detection of hemodynamiCS parameters of conjunctival microvessels by functional slit lamp biomicroscopy (FSLB) in normal adult and its clinical application values.Methods Randomly selected 16 postgraduate students aged 21 to 25 years from the Nanchang University and Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center,including 8 males and 8 females.The density,length and diameter of conjunctival microvessel and the flow velocity of arteriolar and venular blood were measured by FSLB and software program (BenoitTM,TruSoft Inc,St.Petersburg,FL,USA),as well as the indicators' characteristics of the subjects' were analyzed.Results As for subjects' right eyes,the microvascular density,length,diameter,and the arteriolar and venular blood flow velocity were no significant difference between the upper,and lower sides,as well as between nasal and temporal sides (all P ＞ 0.05);meanwhile the microvascular density,length and diameter of the upper and lower sides were both lower than those of the nasal and temporal sides,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05),while the arteriolar and venular blood flow velocity of the upper and lower sides were both significantly higher than those of the nasal and temporal sides,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the changes in hemodynamics parameters of conjunctival microvessels of the left eyes and total eyes in subjects were consistent with the right eyes.Conclusion FSLB can clearly obtain hemodynamics parameters of conjunctival microvessels in healthy grown-ups,and has a promising clinical value.