BACKGROUND:Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)adopts heparin-coated oxygenator as key membrane oxygenation,which is a covalent bonding of artificial material surface with mucopolysaccharide on one side of heparin.Thas artificial materials can stimulate human vascular endothelial function partly,leading to decrease production of lactic acid,increase biocompatibility of the matedals,prevent thrombogenesis and relieve inflammatory reaction after operation.OBJECTIVE:To discuss the relationship between the plasma lactic acid level and the prognosis of patients after ECMO applied with heparin-coated oxygenator.DESIGN:Self-controlled clinical study,grouping by age and survival prognosis.SETTING:Department of Cardiopuimonary Bypass,Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.PARTICIPANTS:Forty patients received ECMO in Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were selected from December 2004 to September 2006.They suffered from failing weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass postcardioctomy,cardiogenic shock based on dilated cardiomyopathy or cardiogenic shock based on coronary heart disease.All patients were divided into four groups according to age and survival prognosis:adult survival group,adult death group,infant survival group and infant death group.METHODS:All the patients received venoarterial ECMO support treatment.ECMO perfusion system consisted of centrifugal pump,water tank,heparin-coated membrane oxygenator(Jorstra Novalung,Germany)and corollary circuits (Bioline Coating,Germany,batch number:SFDA-I-20063450801).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The concentrations of lactic acid were measured at the ECMO institution,6 hours later,the median time at ECMO support,6 hours before weaning off and at the time of weaning.RESULTS:①In 26 patients of adult groups,20 of them(76.9%)weaned from ECMO,16 of them(61.5%)survived and 10 of them died.In 14 patients of infant groups,7 of them weaned from ECMO(50%),5 of them(35.7%)survived and 9 of them died.②The concentrations of lactic acid in two survival groups were significantly lower than those in death groups(P＜0.05 or 0.001).The concentration decreased significantly at the time points of median time,6 hours before weaning off and at the weaning time,compared with the level at the time of ECMO institution(P＜0.01),indicating a decreasing concentration of lactic acid.CONCLUSION:①The concentration of lactic acid in patients after ECMO decreascs obviously.②Patients with high lactate level at the weaning time show unfavourable prognosis.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxidase ; blood

Objective To study the influence of noise under normal and high pressure environment on the cochlea,so as to make up for the defect caused by the lack of testing means to study the noise effect on behavioral characteristics of cochlear hearing by using numerical simulation method.Methods Based on CT scan images of healthy cochlea,and combined with self-programming,the three-dimensional finite element model of the cochlear spiral was established by using PATRAN software.Analysis on flow solid coupling frequency response and transient response was conducted by using NASTRAN software,and the impact of noise under normal and high pressure environment on the cochlea was numerically simulated.Results The calculated results were in agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature,which verified the correctness of the model.When the frequency was lower than 5 kHz,the basement membrane displacement by noise excitation under normal and high pressure environment was basically the same;when the frequency was higher than 5 kHz,the basement displacement by noise excitation under normal environment decreased gradually.Conclusions Under high pressure environment,the high-frequency noise shows a more obvious effect on the basilar membrane.The numerical simulation results can make up for the deficiency in studies about noise effect on characteristics of human cochlear hearing due to the lack of experimental methods,and provide new ideas and theoretical support for targeted experimental study of the cochlea in the future.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the potential of differentiation into alveolar epithelial cells in vitro, but so far no study has indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can be differentiated into alveolar epithelial cells through long-term Transwell co-culture. OBJECTIVE: To observe whether rat lung epithelial-T-antigen negative cell lines (RLE-6TN) can induce rat ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells by long-term Transwell co-culture. METHODS: Three SPF health female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as donors to separate, extract, culture and identity ADSCs. The experimental group was subjected to the Transwell co-culture of ADSCs and RLE-6TN, while the control group was subjected to the culture of ADSCs alone. The morphological changes of ADSCs were observed by the inverted phase contrast microscope at 21 days after co-culture. Immunofluorescence staining using surfactant protein C (SP-C) was performed on the co-cultured ADSCs. The fluorescence staining was observed using the inverted fluorescence microscope. Integral optical density (IOD) analysis was conducted by Image pro plus 6.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: RLE-6TN cells were identified by fluorescence staining with stable expression of SP-C protein (red fluorescence) in the experimental group, and there was no red fluorescence in the control group. After 21-day co-culture, the cell shape in the experimental group was transformed from the long spindle shape into oval or polygon shape gradually, while the cell shape in the control group remained fibroblast-like. These results show that RLE-6TN can induce ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells after a long-term (21 days) co-culture.

Objective To study the effects of high pressure environment on human cochlea, so as to supplement inadequate study on cochlea behavior under high pressure conditions due to insufficient experimental methods, and provide new ideas for the targeted research on cochlea in future. Methods Based on CT scan images of normal human cochlea and combined with self-compiling program and the software PATRAN, a three-dimensional finite element model of spiral cochlea was constructed. The fluid-solid coupling frequency response analysis and transient response analysis were made by using NASTRAN. The effect of high pressure on cochlea was then investigated by numerical simulation. Results The simulated results of ratio of displacement at 12 mm from basilar membrane to that at the oval window were consistent with those reported in the literature, which verified the correctness of the model. In high pressure environment, the amplitude of cochlea basilar membrane at characteristic frequency point would decrease with the pressure increasing. Conclusions High pressure conditions can ultimately lead to the loss of human hearing. The research findings provide the theoretical support for developing high pressure buffer devices in clinic.

OBJECTIVEX-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) To gastrointestinal (GI) investigate the expression of XAF1 and heat-shock transcription factors 1 èHSF1éand their relationship in human gastrointestinal cancers.

METHODSImmunoblotting was used to analyze the expression of HSF1 and XAF1 in either gastric or colon cancer tissue and GI cancer cell line. Transient expression of the HSF1-containing vector in GI cell lines and RNA interference were used to up/down-regulae the expression of the HSF1, and the subsequent expression of XAF1 was measured.

RESULTSThe expression of HSF1 was higher in GI cancers than in normal tissues. The expression of XAF1 and HSF1 was negatively correlated in GI cancer cell lines. Stress stimuli up-regulated the expression of HSF1 while the alteration of XAF1 expression was negatively correlated with HSF1 expression.

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of HSF1 in GI cancers is associated with suppressed expression of XAF1, which can be one of the mechanisms for low-expression of XAF1 and insufficient apoptosis in GI cancers.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Heat Shock Transcription Factors ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Oxidative Stress ; genetics ; Temperature ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)-associated factor-1 (XAFI) and heat-shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) and their relationship in human gastrointestinal cancers.

METHODSImmunoblotting was used to analyze the expressions of HSF1 and XAF1 in gastric and colon cancer tissues and in gastrointestinal cancer cells. The gastrointestinal cancer cells were tranfected with a eukaryotic expression vector containing HSF1 gene fragment or subjected to RNA interference to induce up- or down-regulation of HSF1 expression, and the consequence changes in XAF1 expression in the cells was measured. XAF1 expression was also assayed in the cells after stress stimulation for HSF1 expression.

RESULTSThe expression of HSF1 was higher in gastrointestinal cancer tissues than in normal tissues. The expression of XAF1 and HSF1 was inversely correlated in the cancer cell lines, and stress stimuli of the cells up-regulated the expression of HSF1 but down-regulated XAF1 expression.

CONCLUSIONHSF1 expression is increased in gastrointestinal cancer tissues to result in suppressed expression of XAF1, which may be one of the reasons for the low expression of XAF1 in association with the defect of the apoptosis mechanisms in the cancer cells

Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Heat Shock Transcription Factors ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To study the influence of noise under normal and high pressure environment on the cochlea, so as to make up for the defect caused by the lack of testing means to study the noise effect on behavioral characteristics of cochlear hearing by using numerical simulation method. Methods Based on CT scan images of healthy cochlea, and combined with self-programming, the three-dimensional finite element model of the cochlear spiral was established by using PATRAN software. Analysis on flow solid coupling frequency response and transient response was conducted by using NASTRAN software, and the impact of noise under normal and high pressure environment on the cochlea was numerically simulated. Results The calculated results were in agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature, which verified the correctness of the model. When the frequency was lower than 5 kHz, the basement membrane displacement by noise excitation under normal and high pressure environment was basically the same; when the frequency was higher than 5 kHz, the basement displacement by noise excitation under normal environment decreased gradually. Conclusions Under high pressure environment, the high-frequency noise shows a more obvious effect on the basilar membrane. The numerical simulation results can make up for the deficiency in studies about noise effect on characteristics of human cochlear hearing due to the lack of experimental methods, and provide new ideas and theoretical support for targeted experimental study of the cochlea in the future.

BACKGROUNDThere has been an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in China, but no definite risk and protective factors for breast cancer have been identified in Chinese females. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for female breast cancer in North and East China.

METHODSA 1:3 matched, case-control study was conducted. All of the subjects in the case and control groups were selected from a previous epidemiological survey of 122 058 females aged 25 to 70 years. Single and multiple Logistic regression analyses were used to study potential factors in the development of breast cancer.

RESULTSSignificant differences at the level of α=0.20 between case and control groups were observed for the following factors: economic status, social status, family annual income, bean product consumption, body mass index (BMI), family history of breast cancer in the first or second degree, number of miscarriages, menstrual pattern, benign breast disease history, nipple leakage, inverted nipple, history of diabetes mellitus, history of hypertension, history of ovarian cyst, physical exercise, current and global quality of life satisfaction, healthy behavior and prevention, and scores of breast cancer-related knowledge. After Cox-regression model analysis (α=0.10), six factors were found to be significantly related to breast cancer, of which the ORs and 95%CIs were: BMI, 1.696 (1.169-2.460, P=0.005); benign breast disease history, 2.672 (0.848-8.416, P=0.093); family history of breast cancer, 7.080 (1.758-28.551, P=0.006); number of miscarriages, 1.738 (1.014-2.978, P=0.044); global quality of life satisfaction, 3.044 (1.804-5.136, P=0.000); healthy behavior and prevention, 3.294 (1.692-6.412, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSA comprehensive range of factors related to breast cancer was identified. Women should be educated about a healthy lifestyle, especially those with a family history of breast cancer or a personal history of benign breast disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an adjuvant diagnostic index for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract and monitoring the state of disease.

METHODSUrinary samples were collected from 262 patients with transitional cell carcinoma, 198 non-transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract and 65 patients with benign diseases. Urinary NMP22 concentration was determined through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe urinary NMP22 concentration had significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal Wallis, chi(2) = 197.17 P < 0.001). The detection sensitivity and specificity of urinary NMP22 to transitional cell carcinoma were 71.37% and 87.69% respectively. The NMP22 concentration showed significant difference among three groups divided according to the pathological grade (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 34.06 P < 0.01). The NMP22 concentration was significant lower in the recovery patients after the operation than the peoples of pre-operation and recurrence (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 37.53, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMP22 is a helpful tumor marker for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma and monitoring the state of illness with increased efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; urine ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; urine ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; urine