BACKGROUND:Currently, morphological observations of brain cavity after traumatic brain injury (TBI) via cadavers or animal specimen are difficult to obtain dynamic changes.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the application effect of MRI-based three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction for evaluating the prognosis of TBI.
METHODS:Five male Sprague-Dawley rats were enrol ed to establish TBI models by Electronic Cortical Contusion Injury (eCCI), and scanned by 3.0T MRI with Rat-coil to obtain the DICOM date of brain at 1 day, 1, 2 and 3 months after modeling. Brain cavities were 3-dimensional y reconstructed by Mimics16.0 software, and analyzed in the Meshmixer software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The outline of reconstruction model image was clear, and could be observed and measured from different sides and perspectives. (2) The cavity volume and surface area at different time points after TBI showed significant differences between each other except that at 2 and 3 months (P<0.05). (3) The results of cavity change suggested that the cavity tended to be regular after 3 months of TBI. (4) In conclusion, 3D reconstruction software Mimics combining with model analysis software Meshmixer can conveniently and quickly obtain the cavity model, and provide an intuitive way for evaluating the dynamic variations of the brain cavity after TBI.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of acute mesenteric venous thrombosis(MVT) in the elderly. Methods The clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and prognosis of 10 aged cases with acute MVT were retrospectively analyzed. Results The chief complaints of the 10 cases were different degrees of abdominal pain, which not paralleled with abdominal signs. The accompanying symptoms were nausea, vomiting and bloody stools and so on. All of these patients were misdiagnosised as pancreatitis, appendicitis or intestinal obstruction and so on. diagnosis of two cases was confirmed by ultrasound, 8 by CT. At the same time, 2 cases underwent angiography examination. Of the 8 cases who underwent operation, 5 cases were cured, 3 cases died (1 died of toxic shock and 2 died of multiple organ failure ). Two cases underwent conservative intervention thrombolysis. Conclusions It is essential to improve the knowledge of acute MVT,especially its intricate clinical characteristics, high rates of misdiagnosis and mortality. Early proper diagnosis is crucial. The main treatment is operation and conservative intervention thrombolysis can be performed in the patients whose bowel has not necrosed yet.

Objective To study the effect of chemokine receptor 7(CCR-7)small interfering RNA (siRNA)on proliferation and invagion of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck(SCCHN).Methods CCR-7 siRNA was co-transfected into SCCHN cell line PCI-4B using LipofectamineTM 2000.CCR-7 protein level was detected by western blotting.SCCHN cell proliferation was detected by MTT,and the change of actin cytoskeleton observed by confocal laser scanning microscope.Transwell assays were used to determine chemotaxis and invasion of SCCHN cells.The activity and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)were detected by TransAMTM NF-κB p65 kit and fluorescence microscope respectively.Results After CCR-7 siRNA transfection.the protein level of CCR-7 was significantly decreased.The changes induced by CCL-19,including increased proliferation rate,polarized actin polymerization,increased chemotaxis rate and invasion rate,were all abolished by CCR-7 siRNA transfection.CCR-7 siRNA also diminished CCL-19-induced NF-κB activation and nuclear translocation.Conclusions CCR-7 siRNA could inhibit expression of CCR-7 and diminish the increased proliferation and invasion of SCCHN induced by CCL-19 in vitro.CCR-7 siRNA may provide a potential treatment strategy for SCCHN.

The aim of the present study is to explore the mechanism of estrogen on regulating cardiac function disorder by adjusting the stimulating adenylate cyclase G α protein (Gαs)-cycle adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal pathway. Adult female rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), OVX and 17β-estradiol given group (OVX+E₂), OVX and isoprenaline injected group (OVX+ISO), OVX and 17β-estradiol, isoprenaline injected group (OVX+E₂+ISO). Rats were ovariectomized, and two weeks later, OVX+E₂group was injected with E₂, OVX+ISO group was injected with ISO, OVX+E₂+ISO group was injected with E₂and ISO. Another four weeks later, the hemodynamic parameters were monitored by carotid artery intubation: left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), maximal differentials of left ventricular developed pressure (+dp/dt(max)), and minimal differentials of left ventricular developed pressure (-dp/dt(max)). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cAMP concentration in plasma were determined; Gα(s) protein expression in myocardium was determined. The results showed that the hemodynamic parameters, the concentration of BNP and cAMP in plasma had no significant changes after ovariectomy compared with sham group. But after isoprenaline injection in ovariectomized rats, LVSP and +dp/dt(max) declined (P < 0.01), LVEDP and -dp/dt(max) elevated (P < 0.01); plasma BNP concentration increased (P < 0.01); plasma cAMP concentration decreased (P < 0.01), compared with OVX group. Further estrogen supplements improved the heart function treated by isoprenaline: LVSP and +dp/dt(max) elevated (P < 0.01), LVEDP and -dp/dtmax declined (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the plasma BNP concentration decreased (P < 0.01); the plasma cAMP concentration increased (P < 0.01). Estrogen had no significant influence on Gαs protein expression. The results suggest that estrogen can alleviate myocardial injury and regulate cardiac function disorder by increasing cAMP level, finally improved the excessive suppression of myocardium.
Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; blood ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs ; metabolism ; Hemodynamics ; Isoproterenol ; adverse effects ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dendritic cells (DC) co-cultured with cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells on cytotoxicity against K562 and K562 drug-resistant (K562/ADM) cells.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from healthy adult donors were induced to obtain CIK cells and DC respectively and then these two kinds of cells were co-cultured. The cytotoxicity of the co-cultured cells against K562 and K562/ADM cells was measured with MTT assay.

RESULTSThe cytotoxicity CIK cells alone to K562 and K562/ADM cells was (20.0 +/- 1.2)% - (61.1 +/- 2.2)% and (17.5 +/- 2.1)% - (45.2 +/- 3.3)% respectively at low effector to target ratios (2.5 - 20.0). This effect was significantly enhanced by co-culturing with DCs being (25.2 +/- 2.3)% - (70.9 +/- 4.1)% and (22.4 +/- 2.7)% - (62.3 +/- 5.0)%.

CONCLUSIONCIK cells showed high cytotoxicity against K562 and K562/ADM cells and the activity could be enhanced by co-culturing with DC.

Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; K562 Cells

OBJECTIVETo detect HBV antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) changes in patients during acute flare-ups and to study their association with flare-ups and aggravations into grave hepatitis by quantitative analysis of HLA-A2* restricted HBcAg-specific CTL cells.

METHODSThe frequency of HBcAg-specific CTL cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 29 patients with persistent infection with HBV were quantified by flow cytometry using one HLA-A2*HBV peptide pentamers complex (Pro5TM MHC Pentamers).

RESULTSThere was a statistical difference of HBcAg specific CTLs between the patients with acute exacerbations (1.4%+/-0.8%) and the patients with immune tolerance (0.6%+/-0.4%) (t = 2.180, P = 0.01-0.05); There was no significant difference between the grave hepatitis group (1.3%+/-1.0%) and the chronic hepatitis group (1.4%+/-0.8%) regarding frequencies of antigen specific CTL (t = 0.215, P = 0.833-0.05). The level of antigen specific CTLs in PBMC in the 6 cases of chronic hepatitis B with acute exacerbations maintained a relatively high level (more than 0.7%) within the 12 week follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONHBcAg-specific CTLs may play an important role in hepatic flare-ups in patients with chronic HBV infection, but there was no direct relationship between antigen- specific CTLs and grave hepatitis.

Adult ; Female ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo explore the proliferative capacity of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells and the function of T helper (Th) lymphocytes of patients with immuno-related pancytopenia (IRP).

METHODSTwenty-five untreated IRP patients, 15 IRP patients in complete remission (CR) and 10 normal controls were studied for in vitro yields of CFU-GM, CFU-E and BFU-E from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC). The mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-10, IFN-gamma and IL-2 genes in unstimulated BMMNC from 25 untreated IRP patients,15 IRP patients in CR, 19 patients with other hematological diseases presenting pancytopenia and 10 normal controls were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of the yields of CFU-E, CFU-GM or BFU-E among the untreated, and in CR IRP patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). The mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 of Th2 cells were significantly higher in untreated IRP patients than in the other groups. The mRNA expressions of IFN-gamma and IL-2 of the Th1 cells in all IRP patients were not higher than those in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe cytopenia of IRP patients was not caused by the qualitative abnormality of the hematopoietic stem cells but by the destruction or suppression of hematopoietic stem cells from certain extrinsic insults. The imbalance of Th lymphocytes subtypes and overfunction of Th2 lymphocytes played important roles in the pathogenetic mechanism of IRP leading to increased and overfunctional B lymphocytes, which produced autoantibodies destructing or suppressing hematopoiesis in IRP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the pathology, diagnostic and therapeutic method of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD).

METHODSThe data of 5 cases of PPNAD were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 5 cases, 2 were male and 3 were female. The range of age was from 12 to 53 years. All the 5 cases had symptoms of Cushing syndrome. The diagnose depended on the results of endocrine exams, ultrasound, CT, MR and pathological reports. All patients received operation of unilateral adrenalectomy. The therapeutic effects were determined by post-operative results, which concluded clinical symptoms and endocrine exams.

RESULTSThe follow-up time was from 4 months to 3 years. All patients' symptoms of Cushing syndrome were relieved in 6 months after operation. The endocrine exam was normal in one case and obvious improved in the other four cases. Up to now, one patient drop out of the follow-up, the other 4 cases had no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONPPNAD is a rare type of Cushing syndrome. Diagnose depends on endocrine exams and pathological results. Operation is the effective method for the disease.

Adolescent ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Child ; Cushing Syndrome ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation Disorders ; complications ; pathology ; surgery

Objectives:To observe the detection rate of coronary artery disease (CAD) by coronary computer tomography angiography (CCTA) in young patients with suspected CAD, and to explore the imaging features and related risk factors of CAD. Methods:Data from 2 099 patients aged≤45 years who underwent CCTA in our hospital due to suspected CAD were retrospectively obtained. The risk factors of CAD in this patient cohort were analyzed, detection rate and imaging features of CAD among≤20, 21~30, 31~40 and 41~45 years subgroups were compared. Presence or absence of coronary plaque, plaque nature and stenosis degree were recorded. Results:CAD was detected in 229(10.9%) out of 2 099 patients. Incidence of male gender, smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and family history of CAD was significantly higher in CAD group than in non-CAD group (P＜0.05~0.001). Detection rate of CAD significantly increased in proportion with increase of age (F=11.4,P＜0.001) and was 3.1%, 6.2%, 9.7% and 12.9%, respectively in the ≤ 20,21-30,31-40 and 41-45 years groups. The proportion of single-vessel disease (72.5%) was significant higher than the multiple lesion (27.5%) in CAD patients (P＜0.001). There were 183 (56.7%) non-calcified plaques including 39(12.1%) low-attenuation plaques and 54(16.7%) mixed plaques, 86(26.6%) calcified plaques including 72(22.3%) spotty calcified plaques in the 323 diseased vessels. Severe stenosis was found in 158(49.0%) vessels. Conclusions:The prevalence of CAD was 10.9% in this young patient cohort with suspected CAD and imaging features were characterized as single-vessel disease and non-calcified plaques. CCTA should be recommended to young patients with suspected CAD, especially in 30-45-year-old male patients with following risk factors:smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and family history of CAD.