Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Foreign Bodies ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnets ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study intra-operative radionuclide lymphatic mapping in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy of breast cancer.

METHODSForty-two breast cancer (diameter 98%, size of colloid granule 100 approximately 200 nm) was injected into the mammary tissue around the tumor or biopsy site at four points. SLN in breast cancer was detected and dissected with the help of lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative gamma probe. Routine lymph node dissection was performed for all patients.

RESULTSThe detection rate was 88.1% in lymphoscintigraphy and 97.6% in intra-operative gamma probe detection for SLN in breast cancer. The sensitivity, accuracy, false negative and specificity of SLN biopsy were 93.3% (14 in 15), 97.6% (40 in 41), 6.7% (1 in 15) and 100% (26 in 26).

CONCLUSIONSentinel lymph node in breast cancer, detected by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy combined with intra-operative gamma probe, is able to predict regional lymph node metastasis. The successful rate of SLN biopsy can be raised by improvement in the quality of nuclear imaging agent, technic of injection and method of measurement.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

This study was purpose to examine the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and Tween 80 on the growth and viability of stromal cells (BMSC), colony-forming units for granulocytes and macrophages (CFU-GM) and bone marrow endothelial cell line (BMEC) from murine bone marrow in vitro, and to analyze the concentration-effect relationship. The colony yields of colony-forming units fibroblastic (CFU-F) and CFU-GM were assessed in the murine bone marrow cell cultures at various concentrations of DMSO or Tween 80 and in the control groups. The MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion were used to determine the cell viability and percentage of survival in BMSC and BMEC cultures with or without either of these organic solvents. The results showed that the colony yields of both CFU-F and CFU-GM were decreased significantly (p<0.05 or <0.01) at the concentrations (v/v final) of 2% DMSO or 0.005%-0.01% Tween 80 respectively, as compared with control. The cell viability and percentage of survival of BMSC and BMEC cultures were significantly reduced (p<0.05 or <0.01) at 0.5%-1.0% DMSO or 0.002%-0.005% Tween 80, as compared with control. With the increase of volume fractions of these solvents, the decreased percentages of corresponding measurements were increased by degrees. It is concluded that when the concentration of DMSO or Tween 80 goes to a certain level in cell culture medium, either of the organic solvents has an inhibitory action or/and cytotoxicity on the growth and viability of BMSCs, CFU-GM and BMECs. The growth inhibition and cytotoxic response are more significant at higher concentrations of these solvents.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Progenitor Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Polysorbates ; pharmacology ; Solvents ; pharmacology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of soluble Fas antigen (sFas), soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (sICAM-1), interleukin-18 (IL-18) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to study their roles in pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Serum sFas, sICAM-1, IL-18 levels were measured in 30 cases of chronic hepatitis C before and after treatment of interferon-alpha by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum titer of HCV-RNA was detected by quantitative PCR and serum ALT activity was also detected. RESULTS: Serum levels of sFas sICAM-1 IL-18 in chronic hepatitis C patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P<0.01), showing correlation with serum HCV-RNA titer (r=0.915, r=0.795, r=0.757, respectively, P<0.01), Serum levels of sICAM-1, IL-18 showed correlation with serum ALT level(gamma=0.952, gamma=0.969, respectively, P<0.01), but no relationship was observed between serum sFas and serum ALT level(P>0.05). Serum levels of sFsa sICAM-1 IL-18 markedly decreased in responsive patients while no change was observed in patients with no response after treatment. CONCLUSION: Soluble Fas, soluble ICAM-1, IL-18 may participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and show correlation with the severity of histological inflammation and viral titer.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive value of elevated fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reaction protein (hs-CRP) level on cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSFrom January 2002 to November 2002, 185 patients (aged 47 - 85 years) with stable CAD referred for coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into control-F (fibrinogen level < or = 4.0 g/L, n = 104) and elevated-F (fibrinogen level > 4.0 g/L, n = 81), or control-hs (hs-CRP < or = 3.0 mg/L, n = 99) and elevated-hs (hs-CRP> 3.0 mg/L, n = 86). Exclusion criteria included cardiomyopathy, New York Heart Association class IV congestive heart failure, recent myocardial infarction or coronary artery revascularization and cancer. During three years follow-up, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke and other vascular events were assessed.

RESULTSA total of 21 cardiovascular nonfatal events and 10 cardiovascular deaths were observed. Cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients in elevated-F group than that in control-F group [23.46% vs. 11.54%, cholesterol-, body mass index-, smoking-, and hypertension-adjusted relative risk 1.97, 95% CI (1.68 to 2.40), P < 0.05] and in elevated-hs group than in control-hs group [24.42% vs. 10.10%, adjusted relative risk 2.32, 95% CI (1.76 to 2.89), P < 0.05]. The relative risk of cardiovascular events for patients with fibrinogen > 4.0 g/L and hs-CRP > 3.0 mg/L was 3.84 (P < 0.05), 95% CI (2.80 to 4.99) compared with patients with fibrinogen < or = 4.0 g/L and hs-CRP < or = 3.0 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONBoth fibrinogen and hs-CRP are independent important predictors of cardiovascular nonfatal and fatal events in patients with stable CAD. Combination of elevated fibrinogen and hs-CRP increased their predictive value for cardiac events.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on H2O2-induced hippocampal neurons aging in vitro. METHODS The primary culture hippo-campal neurons(7 d)were randomly placed into six groups:normal control group,H2O2(200 μM)treat-ment group,and H2O2+Rg1(1,5 and 10μM)groups.The neurons were with Rg1(1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1) for 6h. H2O2(200 μmol·L-1) was added to the medium and incubate for 18 h. The Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was performed for ROS production assessment. The LDH release and Hoechst 33258 were performed to examine the neuronal damage and apoptosis. The immunoblot was used to deter-mine the expression of β-Gal,NOX2,p22phox,p47phox,NLRP-1,ASC and Caspase-1 in hippocampal neurons.The ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 released in the supernatant in hippocampal neurons.RESULTS Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)significantly reduced the ROS production, attenuated H2O2-induced neuronal damage and apoptosis (P<0.05, P<0.01). The immunoblot results showed that Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)treatment significantly decreased the expression of β-Gal,NOX2, p22phox,p47phox,NLRP-1,ASC and Caspase-1 in hippocampal neurons(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally, Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)treatment significantly decreased IL-1β and IL-18 release in the supernatant. CONCLUSION The protective effect of Rg1 in H2O2-induced hippocampal neurons aging may be due to inhibit NOX2-NLRP1 activation.

Adult ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective Normal nucleus pulposus cells (nNPCs) can induce the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).However, the inductive effect of degeneration nucleus pul-posus cells ( dNPCs ) on MSCs has not been determined .This study aimed to compare nNPCs with dNPCs in inducing MSCs into nucleus pulposuslike cells. Methods MSCs (cell line) were co-cultured with NPCs (cell line/isolated from patients with intervertebral disc degeneration) in 3D in vitro.The cells were divided into 5 groups:nNPCs control group, dNPCs control group, MSCs control group, nNPCs-MSCs group (MSCs induced by nNPCs), dNPCs-MSCs group (MSCs induced by dNPCs).After co-cultured for 7 days, the expression level of aggrecan (ACAN), type II collagen (COL-2), SOX-9, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-3 in all the 5 groups'cellswere detected by RT-PCR and Western-blot. Results The RT-PCR results showed the expression of ACAN , COL-2 and SOX-9 in nNPCs-MSCs group was higher than that in dNPCs control group and dNPCs -MSCs group (all P<0.05).The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in nNPCs-MSCs group and dNPCs-MSCs group was lower than that in dNPCs control group ( all P<0.01) , but there was no difference when compared with nNPCs control group and MSCs control group (all P>0.05).Western-blot analysis showed that the expression of ACAN , COL-2 and SOX-9 in nNPCs-MSCs group was higher than that in dNPCs control group and dNPCs-MSCs group (all P<0.05).The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in nNPCs-MSCs group and dNPCs-MSCs group was lower than that in nNPCs control group and dNPCs control group ( all P<0.01) , but there was no difference compared with MSCs control group ( all P>0.05) . Conclusion Both nNPCs and dNPCs could induce the differentiation of MSCs into nucleus pulposus cells .After co-cultured with nNPCs, the expression level of ACAN, COL-2 and SOX-9 of MSCs was similar to that of nNPCs, which was superior to the induc-tion of MSCs by dNPCs under the same culture conditions .

Objective To evaluate the micropermeability on bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin with ethanol-wet bonding under simulated pulp pressure.Methods Twenty-four intact human third molars were used in the study.After the enamel of occlusal surfaces was removed,the molars were randomly divided into six groups.Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose was used in the control group; in the experimental groups,the dentin surfaces were saturated with ethanol for 20 s ( group 1 ),1 min ( group 2 ),2 min ( group 3 ),3 min ( group 4 ) or with a series of increasing ethanol concentrations before application of hydrophobic adhesive ( group 5 ).All the bonding procedures were done under simulated pulp pressure.After 24 hours,micro-tensile bond strength test were performed on the specimens.Bonding interfaces were observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) after the pulp chamber were filled with a water-soluble fluoroprobe rhodamine B for 3 hours.Results Compared with the control group[(38.14 ± 4.97 ) MPa],bond strengths in group 1 [(21.02 ± 7.23 ) MPa]and group 2 [( 29.64 ± 3.81 ) MPa]were statistically lower ( P ＞ 0.05 ),while bond strngth in group 3 [( 38.40 ± 5.03 ) MPa],group 4 [( 37.26 ± 4.68 ) MPa]and group 5[(40.12 ±5.95) MPa]were similar to the control group (P＜0.05).The images taken by LSCM showed that with extension of ethanol-wet time,the deposition of fluorescent dye in hybrid layer and along the dentinal tubules decreased gradually.Especially in group 5,only spare fluorescent dye deposition could be detected in the hybrid layer.Conclusions Dentin saturated with ethanol for more than 2 min before bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin could provide favorable bond strength and decreased the micropermeability of bonding interfaces under simulated pulp pressure.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Sanjiao Tiaoqi Acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke respiratory dysfunction.Methods Seventy-two patients with post-stroke respiratory dysfunction were randomly divided into observation group and control group,36 cases in each group.The control group was given routine treatment,and the observation group was treated with Sanjiao Tiaoqi Acupuncture on the basis of the control group,both groups were treated for 14 consecutive days.After 2 weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes of white blood cell count(WBC),C-reactive protein(CRP)and clinical pulmonary infection score(CPIS)were observed before and after treatment.The changes of diaphragmatic activity were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.Results(1)After treatment,the WBC and CRP levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the WBC and CRP levels,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the CPIS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving CPIS scores,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the diaphragm mobility of patients in the two groups was significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving diaphragm mobility,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)The total effective rate was 91.67％(33/36)in the observation group and 75.00％(27/36)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Sanjiao Tiaoqi Acupuncture for post-stroke respiratory dysfunction can significantly promote the absorption of inflammatory factors in patients and improve diaphragm mobility,with remarkable clinical efficacy.