Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paraffin Embedding ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Bronchi ; Bronchogenic Cyst ; complications ; congenital ; Child, Preschool ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Male

Objective To investigate the expression of the interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R)Ⅰ,IL-1RⅡand IL-1R accessory protein(IL-1RAcP)in osteoarthritis and analyse their biological significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction(RT-PCR)were adopted to detect the expression of IL-1RⅠ,IL-1RⅡand IL-1RAcP on the synovium of 107 OA patients.Results Immunohis- tochemistry showed strong positive expression of IL-1RⅠand IL-1RAcP,and positive expression of IL-1RⅡ. The expression was distributed in lining cells,monocyts and vascular endothelial cells of the sublining area, but all of them were negative or weak positive in normal synoviums.RT-PCR showed the expression of IL-1RⅠ,IL-1RⅡand IL-1RAcP in OA synoviums was significantly enhanced than normal synoviums (P＜0.05),and the expression of IL-1RⅠwas significantly enhanced than IL-1RⅡ(P＜0.05),but no sig- nificant difference with IL-1RAcP(P＞0.05).In stageⅡandⅢOA synoviums,the expression of IL-1RⅠand IL-1 RAcP had no significant difference with normal synoviums(P＞0.05).The expression of IL-1RⅡin stageⅢOA synoviums was significantly enhanced than normal(P＜0.05).Conclusion IL-1RⅠ,IL-1RⅡand IL-1RAcP play significant roles in the pathogenesis of OA,especially IL-1RⅠand IL-1RAcP.But their increase is only observed in the early stage of OA.These suggest that they may have no association with the development of OA and have no direct association with the severity of OA.OA can be cured by interrupting the signal transduction path in which IL-1 has played biological roles.

Objective To evaluate the effects of optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline on treating chronic heart failure(CHF)in real world clinical practice. Methods A total of 231 consecutive outpatients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF≤40%)and enlarged left ventricular end diastolic diameter(male ＞55 mm, female ＞60 mm)were recruited from January 2001 to June 2009. All patients were treated with optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline recommendations and followed up to December 31,2009. Mortality, rehospitalization and changes of heart size and cardiac function at baseline and at the end of follow-up period were analyzed. Results(1)14 patients were lost during follow-up (6. 1%), and follow-up was complete in 217 patients(93.9%). 97.2% and 98.2% patients were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitors and β-blockers(βB). Combined of ACE inhibitors and BB use was applied in 95.3% patients. The target dose of ACE inhibitors and βB were reached in 50. 7% and 37.3% patients.(2)Lower mortality and re-hospitalization rates were observed in this cohort: all-cause morality, average annual mortality was 11.5% and 3.9% respectively. Rehospitalization rate was 27.6%.(3)Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)decreased from (68.2 ±7.2)mm to(62. 2 ±9. 6)mm. LVEDD value was normal or near normal(male≤60 mm, female ≤55 mm)in 43.2% patients. LVEF improved form(29. 8 ±7. 5)% to(43. 3 ± 11.8)%, LVEF was ＞40% in 60.4% patients, LVEF was ≤ 40% but increased ≥ 10% after treatment in 22.9%patients. Conclusion Optimal pharmacotherapy according to guideline can improve prognosis of outpatients with CHF.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the phosphorylation (functionally inhibitive) of eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha (eIF2-a) affects the molecular mechanism of cisplatin-induced cellular apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe human HCC cultured cell lines SMMC-7221 and HepG2 were treated with cisplatin alone (controls; 24 h) or in combination with pre-transfection of a dominant-negative eIF2-a mutant (eIF2aS51A) or pre-exposure to an eIF2-a-specific phosphatase inhibitor (salubrinal) to decrease or increase the phosphorylation level, respectively. Changes in expression of apoptosis markers were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. The significance of differences among groups was assessed by analysis of variance testing and of differences between groups was assessed by t-test.

RESULTSCisplatin treatment induced the appropriate functional-inhibitive phosphorylation of eIF2-a on serine 51. Cisplatin treatment (10 mg/ml) induced significant apoptosis in the eIF2aS51A pre-transfected SMMC-7721 (control: 21.7 +/- 1.5% vs. 50.7 +/- 2.1%, t = 19.454, P less than 0.05) and HepG2 (21.0 +/- 1.0% vs. 57.3 +/- 2.1%, t = 27.250, P less than 0.05). Salubrinal pre-treatment significantly inhibited the cisplatin (15 mg/ml)-induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 (control: 50.3 +/- 2.5% vs. 16.3 +/- 2.1%, t = 18.031, P less than 0.05) and HepG2 (42.0 +/- 2.6% vs. 12.0 +/- 2.0%, t = 15.667, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPhosphorylation of eIF2-a may act to inhibit cisplatin-induced apoptosis of HCC.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Phosphorylation

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of hospitalized infants with allergic proctocolitis, and to provide a scientific basis for early diagnosis and effective treatment of allergic proctocolitis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 96 infants with allergic proctocolitis between September 2011 and March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Descriptive analysis was performed to assess the clinical characteristics of allergic proctocolitis.

RESULTSThe most common clinical manifestation was diarrhea in the 96 infants. The electronic colonoscopy results indicated that 40% of the infants had multiple small nodules, 26% showed focal erythema and brittle mucous membranes, 25% showed multiple superficial erosion, and 9% showed ulcers with surface exudates. The affected areas included the sigmoid colon (87%), rectum (24%), descending colon (13%), and transverse colon ascending colon and ileocecal junction (8%). Histopathologic examination showed eosinophilic infiltration of mucosal layers, the condition of which was mild to moderate in 89% and severe and extremely severe in 12% of the infants. To treat the allergic proctocolitis, mothers and infants were suggested to avoid allergenic foods; 43% of them continued breastfeeding, 45% switched to highly hydrolyzed protein formula, and 13% were prescribed amino acid-based elemental formula. All infants were in complete remission at discharge.

CONCLUSIONSAs the clinical manifestations of allergic proctocolitis in infants lack specificity, the electronic colonoscopy and mucosal histopathologic examination are helpful for early and differential diagnosis. The best treatment is to avoid allergenic foods. Formula-feeding infants should be prescribed highly hydrolyzed protein formula or amino acid-based elemental formula.

Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Proctocolitis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features and to evaluate outcomes and to assess therapeutic effects in 34 children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with risk-adapted combination chemotherapy and low-dose, involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) in China.

METHODFrom January 2003 to April 2009, 34 hospitalized children with Hodgkin lymphoma were enrolled into the BCH-HL 2003 protocol (revised CCG 5942) in our hospital. Pathological samples were reviewed centrally and classified based on the World Health Organization guidelines. Staging was based on clinical evaluation and was defined by the Ann Arbor staging system. The 34 patients were treated according to the different risk factors in three treatment groups (standard, intermediate, and high risk), and received risk-adapted combination chemotherapy and IFRT. All analyses were calculated by the statistical program SPSS.

RESULTOf the 34 Hodgkin lymphoma patients, 28 were male and 6 were female. The median age was 8.7 years (range from 4 years to 15 years) at the time of diagnosis. In terms of clinical presentation, 53% had bulky lymph nodes, 47.1% had more than 4 node regions involved and 44% had "B" symptoms at presentation. The distribution for stage of disease was 0% for Stage I, 21% for Stage II, 35% for Stage III and 44% for Stage IV disease. All patients had classical histology consisting of three different sub-discipline: 22 cases of mixed cellularity (64.7%). In pathological samples of 25 cases there was EBV encoded RNA (EBER) or latent membrane protein (LMP) staining. The overall survival (OS) was 100% and the 5-year event-free survival was 94.1% with a median follow-up of (26.1 ± 16.3) months. Two patients had early relapse after treatment was finished. Organ toxicity was limited to hematological grades III and IV at rates of 40% and 71% respectively.

CONCLUSIONChildhood Hodgkin lymphoma in our study was more frequently seen in male school aged children. Combined-modality therapy using risk-adapted chemotherapy with radiation is effective and well tolerated. The overall prognosis was good.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize the histological and clinical characteristics of 40 cases with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma in children, to evaluate the effects of treatment with international regimen, and to explore the treatment-related complications and prognostic factors.

METHODSForty patients with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma were registered in Beijing Children Hospital from Feb 2003 to Apr 2006. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry of biopsy, and clinical staging by the examination of imaging, cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow based on St. Jude system. Intensive, short-term chemotherapy witch was modified from LMB89 protocol was given to the patients.

RESULTSOf the 40 patients, 30 were diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and 10 as Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL). Antibody against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-Ab) was positive in 19 cases at diagnosis, only 7 of the patients were positive for EBER. Thirty-three of the cases were male and 7 female (M:F = 4.7:1); the median age was 6 years 9 months. The most frequently seen clinical characteristics were abdominal masses and surgical abdomen. Nine cases were at stage I - II and 31 cases at stage III - IV at diagnosis; CNS was involved in 4 cases and bone marrow in 2 cases. The courses of treatment were approximately 2 - 8 months. All the patients were followed up, the median follow-up period was 22.6 months. After chemotherapy, 35 patients (88.7%) were still alive during the one-year follow-up. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 81.8%. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis. Stage III to IV of myelosuppression occurred in the most patients with unresected tumor and CNS-involvement. Of 5 patients who died, 2 died of infection, 2 died of lymphoma progression during chemotherapy, and 1 died of relapse.

CONCLUSIONBurkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma are the most common NHL in children with rapid clinical process. Outcome was greatly improved by current intensive, short-term chemotherapy regimen, the 3-year EFS was 81.8% including the patients who were in advanced stage. Childhood lymphoma with short clinical history, stage IV and residual disease after 3 months of therapy are associated with poor prognosis.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow are capable of differentiating into cells of different tissue lineages such as bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue and are the best candidates for tissue engineering. It is well accepted that umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source for hematopoietic stem cells. However, controversy exists as to whether UCB contains MSCs and can serve as a source of MSCs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the biological characteristics and inducing differentiation ability of in vitro expanded UCB MSCs.

METHODSUCB was collected on normal full term delivery of infants with informed consent (n = 35) obtained from the mothers. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from UCB by gravity centrifugation and cultured with DMEM including 10% fetal bovine serum. The morphology was observed under microscope per day. Cytochemical staining was carried out and flow cytometry was used to examine the surface antigen phenotype. Fifth passage cells were transferred into a different medium and osteogenic differentiation, adipogenic differentiation, and neurogenic differentiation were assessed.

RESULTSMSCs could be isolated and cultured from MNCs of a few UCB sources. These cells displayed fibroblast-like morphology. They withstood over 20 passages without significant structural changes. These MSCs were negative for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and positive for alpha-naphthol butyric acid esterase (NBE) staining. Expression of CD(29), CD(44)and CD(105), especially the human MSCs-specific markers SH-2 and SH-3 were observed, but CD(3), CD(14), CD(19), CD(34) and CD(45) could not be found, indicating that these cells were not of hematopoietic origin. Exposure of these MSCs to serum-free osteogenic condition, they could differentiate into bone cells and form mineralized matrix as evidenced by Alizarin red staining 2 weeks later. When these UCB-derived MSCs were cultured in adipogenic medium, morphologic changes in cells as well as the formation of neutral lipid vacuoles were noticeable as early as 1 week after induction and visualized by staining with oil-red O. Surprisingly, these MSCs were also able to differentiate into neuroglial-like cells. Morphology of these induced cells resembled that of neurons. Immunocytochemistry showed that they expressed Nestin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but not glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

CONCLUSIONUCB does contain MSCs. These MSCs, which are multipotent, could be isolated and cultured from a few UCB sources. UCB might serve as an alternative source of MSCs to bone marrow.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism

The direct effects of glutamate and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801, non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist) on the metabolism of dopamine were investigated in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-dopa, L-glutamic acid and MK-801 were administered in the striatum locally by microdialysis. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were simultaneously sampled by microdialysis. The concentrations of DOPAC and HVA were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). L-dopa increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal and parkinsonian rats. L-glutamic acid decreased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 increased the concentrations of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats but not parkinsonian rats. MK-801 prevented the L-glutamic acid-induced decrease of DOPAC and HVA in the striatum of normal rats. Our results indicate that glutamate modulates the metabolism of dopamine (DA) through NMDA receptors and that the improvement of PD by MK-801 is not through improving the metabolism of DA.
Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; physiology ; Microdialysis ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology