Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of polyethersulfone highlux dialyzer for maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods Thirty-six maintenance hemodialysis patients were randomizedresigned into two groups,polyethersulfone 14HF(PES-14HF)group and polyethersulfone 150DS(PES-150DS)group,based on a random number table. The patients from two groups received different dialyzer hemodialysis for over 3.5 hours/each time respectively. Changes of serum creatinine,urea,β2-microglobulin,hemoglobin and albumin levels were measured for determination of the efficacy and safety evaluation. Results In the comparison between before or after hemodialysis,the level of serum creatinine,urea,β2-microglobulin levels decreased significantly to(333.8 ± 89. 5)μmol/L,(7. 0 ± 1.9)mmol/L,(22. 9 ± 1.7)mmol/L from(990. 2 ± 191.2)μmol/L,(24. 7 ± 4. 1)mmol/L,(13.6 ± 3.3)mmol/L respectively in the PES1 4 HF group(P ＜ 0.01);the level of serum creatinine,urea,β2-microglobulin levels decreased significantly to(395.5 ± 86.1)μmol/L,(8. 1± 2. 8)mnol/L,(18.0 ± 3.0)mmol/L from(1059. 5 ± 179. 4)μmol/L,(25.3 ± 4. 8)mmol/L,(22. 3 ± 2. 9)mmol/L respectively in the PES-150DS group(P ＜ 0. 01). We found no significant differences in each measured index between two types of hemodialysis(P ＞ 0. 05 respectively),while the level of β2 -microglobulin levels decreased more significantly in the PES14HF group(42. 81 ± 12. 48)mg/L than PES-150DS group(24. 21 ± 13. 24)mg/L(P =0. 017). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of the PES-14HF hollow fiber membrane hemodialyzer is equivalent to that of the PES-150DS hemodialyzer in hemodialysis for uremic patients.

Objective Complicated aneurysms located in the cisternal segment of the internal carotid artery(ICA-CSA)present unique therapeutic difficulties.This study is to discuss the feasibility of the Willis stent-graft in treating complicated ICA-CSA by comparing its effect with that of coiling therapy.Methods Willis covered stents were employed in 19 complicated ICA-CSAs(group A),while coils were used in 17 complicated ICA-CSAs(group B).Follow-up angiography was performed to investigate aneurysm recurrence,endoleak and parent artery(PA)stenosis.Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the recurrencefree and PA stenosis-free rate in both groups.Results Total exclusion was immediately achieved in 13 ICACSAs and minor endoleaks presented in 5 cases in group A.Total or near-total occlusion was achieved in 7 ICA-CSAs.subtotal occlusion in 8 and partial occlusion in 2 cases in group B after coiling.Acute thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in either group and re-hemorrhage happened in 1 patient after coiling.Follow-up angiography in group A revealed that 16 ICA-CSAs were completely isolated,with two parent arteries showing mild in-stent stenosis.Eighteen months after the procedure,Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence-free rate was 93.3%and 50%,while the stenosis-free rate of parent artery was 87.5%and 100% in group A and in Group B,respectively.In group A and group B the clinical neurological symptoms were fully recovered in 9 and 9,obviously improved in 3 and 5,unchanged in 2 and 2,and aggravated in one and 0 patients,respectively.Conclusion The implantation of Willis stent-graft is a feasible endovascular therapy for complicated ICA-CSAs.When the parent artery is very tortuous or when the risk that a main collateral branch may be wrongly covered and occluded is present,the implantation of Willis covered stent can not be taken as the treatment of first choice.

Objective To investigate the expression level of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and evaluate the prognostic value of LPL in CLL Methods Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed in 62 CLL patients, 10 normal controls using Taqman probe system. Association between LPL and other known prognostic factors, such as IgVH mutation status, ZAP-70 and CD38 expression, was determined using the Spearman correlation analysis. ROC curve was used to determine the cut-off value of LPL expression level, the positive and negative predictive value of IgVH mutation status. Results The correlation coefficients of the standard curves in qRT-PCR were not less than 0.990. The coefficients of variation (CV) of interrun assay and intramn assay were < 5%, and the sensitivity can reached 102 copies/μg RNA. The median LPL mRNA expression level was 0.006 0 (0-0.737 0) in 62 CLL patients, whereas in 10 normal controls LPL mRNA expression level was extremely low with the median level of 0 (0-0.000 4). The expression levels of LPL in three CLL samples after miniMACS-sorted CD19 positive B cells were 0.036 0, 0.075 0 and 0.197 0, which were similar to the levels before miniMACS-sorted (0.024 0, 0.074 0 and 0.225 0). LFL expression was significantly associated with IgVH mutation status (r=0.45, P<0.05) . LPL expression level in IgVH unmutated patients [0.006 0 (0.000 7-0.110 0)] was significantly higher than the level in IgVH mutated patients [0.002 0(0.000 2-0.027 0)] (U=96.5, P<0.05). LPL expression was also significantly associated with ZAP-70 (r=0.38, P<0.05), CD38 expressions (r=0.43, P<0.05). According to ROC curve, the cut-off of LPL mRNA expression level was 0.036, with a 66.7% specificity, a 72.4% sensitivity, a 51.8% positive predictive value (IgVH unmutated), and a 83.3% negative predictive value (IgVH mutated) for IgVH mutation status. Conclusions The qRT-PCR assay is reliable and sensitive. LPL mRNA expression significantly correlates with IgVH mutation status, ZAP-70 and CD38 expression, and could be a predictive marker of IgVH mutation status. Our data confirms a role for LPL as a novel prognostic indicator in CLL.

Objective To investigate whether the combination of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) with hemoperfusion(HP) can improve the clearance rate of middle- and largemolecule uremic toxins so as to improve the quality of life and reduce the mortality in MHD patients. Methods A prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial was carried out. One hundred MHD patients were selected and then randomly divided into two groups after four weeks of run-in period. HD+HP group received MHD alone 2 times a week and the combined treatment of HD with HP (HD+HP) once a week, whereas HD group received MHD alone 3 times a week. The follow up lasted for mean 2 years. The primary outcome was the death of patients. Secondary end points included clinical data, leptin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6),β2 microglobulin (β2-MG), parathyroid hormone (PTH), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the indexes of dimensions of Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36Chinese Edition ). Results At the end of the two-year observation, the serum concentration of leptin, hsCRP, PTH, IL-6, β2-MG and TNF-α, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), heart rate(HR), cardiothoracie ratio, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), EPO dose and the types of antihypertensive drugs used were lower in HD +HP group as compared to HD group (all P＜0.05). HD+HP group had higher hemoglobin (Hb), ejection fraction (EF) and body mass index (BMI) (all P＜0.05). No significant differences between two groups were found in terms of serum albumin (Alb), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), cardiac output (CO),Kt/V, early/atrial mitral inflow velocities (E/A) (all P＞0.05). Besides, the SF-36 indicated that the total score of overall dimensions in HD+HP group was higher (P＜0.05) and the quality of life of HD+HP group was evidently better as compared to HD group. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the 2-year observation period showed that patients in HD +HP group had obvious survival advantage, while Log-rank test results showed P＜0.05. No serious adverse incidents occurred during the HD+HP treatment. Conclusion HD+HP is superior to HD in eliminating regularly middleand large-molecules uremic toxins and has a potential role in improving the quality of life and survival rate of MHD patients.

OBJECTIVETo study surgical techniques for degenerative lumbar scoliosis associated with lumbar stenosis and evaluate their clinical significane.

METHODSThirty-two patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis associated with spinal stenosis were treated by techniques of posterior lumbar interbody fusion or posterolateral fusion and pedicle screws. There were 18 male and 14 female with 56.8 years old on the average (ranging from 49 to 75 years). There were no evident change of lumberlordosis in 15 cases, and lumber lordosis were obvious loss associated with lumbar subluxation in 17 cases. The correcting, the improvement of back and leg pain, complications and followed-up results were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThirty-two cases were followed-up for 6 to 39 months (the average time of 13 months). The average correction rate of scoliosis was 58.0% and the rate of pain relief was (80.2 +/- 5.8)%. There were two cases of dura sac laceration, two cases of nerve roots injury and a case of pseudoarthritis. During followed-up, correction rate and height of disc spaces were not lost. Shift of interbody cages were no displaced; all the internal fixation got well fusion and the rate of fusion for the bone graft was 96.9%.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screws combined with interbody fusion or posterolateral fusion is a safe and effective surgical treatment for degenerative lumbar scoliosis associated with lumbar stenosis.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the modulatory effects of morphine on the susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures, and the involvement of endogenous histamine in this process.

METHODSBoth the wild-type (WT) mice and histidine decarboxylase (a key enzyme for histamine biosynthesis) deficient (HDC-KO) mice were subcutaneously injected with different doses of morphine, and 1 hour later the pentylenetetrazole solution (1.5 %) was infused into the tail vein at a constant rate of 0.3 ml/min. The minimal dose of pentylenetetrazole (mg/kg) needed to induce myoclonic jerks and clonus convulsion was recorded as the thresholds of seizures.

RESULTIn WT mice, morphine dose-dependently decreased the thresholds of both myoclonic jerks and clonus convulsion. In HDC-KO mice, morphine at 10 mg/kg only significantly decreased the threshold of myoclonic jerks from (38.6 +/-2.9)mg/kg to (32.5 +/-0.7)mg/kg, but had no significant effect on the threshold of clonus convulsion [from (51.8 +/-2.1)mg/kg to (47.6 +/-1.2)mg/kg]. In addition, the value of decreased myoclonic jerks (15.8 +/-1.4)% and clonus convulsion (8.3 +/-0.9)% thresholds were much lower in HDC-KO mice than in WT mice [(26.1 +/-2.5)% and (20.8 +/-2.4)%, respectively].

CONCLUSIONMorphine can decrease the thresholds of pentylenetetrazole in induction of seizure, and the endogenous histamine may be involved in this process.

Animals ; Disease Susceptibility ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Histamine ; metabolism ; physiology ; Histidine Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Myoclonus ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Narcotics ; pharmacology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Random Allocation ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Sensory Thresholds ; drug effects

Cell-free DNA, also referred to as extracellular DNA, has been detected in many kinds of human body fluids, including blood plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, amniotic fluid, and seminal plasma. At present, cell-free DNA has been reported widely as promising noninvasive biomarkers for disease diagnosis and research. Recent years have witnessed some progress in the studies of the general characteristics of cell-free DNA, such as its concentration, extent of molecular weight, origin and existing forms, as well as in its clinical application. Cell-free seminal DNA has been proposed as promising noninvasive biomarkers for the studies and diagnosis of male idiopathic infertility, and the early diagnosis, treatment evaluation and outcome prediction of testicular germ cell tumors and prostatic cancer. This review summarizes the general characteristics and biological functions of cell-free DNA, and outlines the research status and application perspective of cell-free seminal DNA.
Biomarkers ; analysis ; DNA ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo establish a nested real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in PBMC( peripheral blood monocyte) and MMNC (marrow monocyte).

METHODSBased on the structural differences between HBVcccDNA and HBV rcDNA, two pairs of specific primers spanned the gap of the positive and negative chains and a specific TaqMan probe situated downstream were designed. To remove rcDNA, cccDNA was processed by Mung Bean Nuclease,and then amplified by nested real-time quantitative PCR using a pair of outer primers and a pair of inner primers. According to the standard preparation, cccDNA levels of specimen were calculated.

RESULTSWe have established a nested real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method for HBV cccDNA successfully, and the linear range is from 5.0 x 10(2) to 3. 9 x 10(7) copies per milliliter. Of the 25 PBMC samples and 7 MMNC samples of the chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis patients, 3 MMNC samples and 9 PBMC samples were HBV cccDNA positive, while all of the 21 healthy donator blood PBMC samples were negative.

CONCLUSIONSThe nested real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method may be applied to detect HBVcccDNA level in PBMC and MMNC. HBVcccDNA can be detected in PBMC and MMNC.

DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; diagnosis ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

2600 Anthers from T0 modified cry1 Ac-transgenic rice lines of Minghui 81, an elite restoring line of commercial CMS indica hybrid rice, were cultured on SK3 media. 83 green plantlets were recovered, 43 double haploid (DH) and 40 haploid among them. Results of PCR analyzes indicated that 55 plants of 83 were harbored the cry1Ac gene, and the ratio of cry1Ac-positive against cry1Ac-negative was 2:1 (55/28). 36 putative transgenic DH plants were further confirmed by Southern blot. ELISA detection showed that Cry1Ac level in different transgenic rice plants of the same cry1Ac-DH clone was almost equal and the highest one amount to 0.25% of the total soluble protein. Pest insect-resistant bioassay at field trials demonstrated that some of the homozygous cry1Ac-transgenic rice plants not only showed high-level resistance against striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) but also retained elite agronomy characters. These results demonstrated that rice anther culture has a great value in rice molecular breeding.
Animals ; Bacillus thuringiensis ; genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; Blotting, Southern ; Culture Techniques ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Endotoxins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Hemolysin Proteins ; Immunity, Innate ; genetics ; Moths ; growth & development ; Oryza ; genetics ; growth & development ; parasitology ; Plant Structures ; genetics ; growth & development ; parasitology ; Plants, Genetically Modified

Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare, idiopathic, benign, and self-limiting histiocytic proliferative disorder. A 26-year-old man presented with a single massive cutaneous nodule (reaching 30 cm in diameter) on the left shoulder and back for 15 months. The routine hematological and biochemical tests were normal. Magnetic resonance scanning showed the lesion involved the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and subjacent muscle group, accompanied by obvious lymph node enlargement in the left part of the neck, supraclavicular fossa, and axillary fossa. The histopathology of the left cervical lymph node revealed diffuse effacement of the normal nodal architecture, with patchy chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates comprising lymphocytes and sheets of histiocytes. Some histiocytes contained lymphocytes within their pale cytoplasm. Many multinucleated giant cells were found; however, caseating granulomas were not seen. The skin and muscle biopsy specimen obtained from the back revealed infiltrating lymphocytes and histiocytes diffusely distributed in the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and crevices of the muscle fibers. The phenomenon of emperipolesis and the presence of multinucleated giant cells were also seen. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the histiocytes were positive for S-100 protein and CD68 but negative for CD1a. Immunophenotyping of the infiltrating lymphocytes indicated positive reactions to CD3, CD45RO, CD5, CD7, CD4, CD8 (partly), CD79a, CD20 (partly), and Ki-67 (<1%). The final diagnosis was Rosai-Dorfman disease. Owing to the extensive and deep involvement of the subcutaneous tissue and muscles, the patient did not undergo surgery to excise the massive skin nodule. The lesion showed no obvious change at the 12-month follow-up.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Cytoplasm ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Emperipolesis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cells ; Granuloma ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis, Sinus* ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Muscles ; Neck ; S100 Proteins ; Shoulder* ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue