Objective To explore the neurobehavioral change of mice from dams with human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) infection during first trimester. Methods Eight-week-old fertilized female Kunming mice were randomly divided into infected group and control group.On the 4th gestation day mice in infected group were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL HCMV (1?10-6 50 percent of tissue cultured infective dose),and those in control group were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL supernatant of cultured human fibroblast.Caesarean birth operation was performed on 3 randomly chosen fertilized mice before delivery. Fetuses were observed and their brain tissue were collected and analyzed under light and electron microscope separately.PCR test was used to determine HCMV pp65 antigen of offspring′s sera.Neurobeha-vioral test such as Morris Water Maze and Lashley Ⅲ Water Maze were performed on offspring mice of 6-7 weeks old.Results Compared with control group,the pathological changes such as degeneration,necrosis,and nucleus disappearance of nerve cells and giant cells were found in offspring′s brain of mice in infected group under light microscope. Under electron microscope,swelling of nerve cells and spherical virus particle in the cytoplasm were found in the brain of mice in infected group. HCMV pp65 antigen was detected in 7 offspring mouse′s se-rum in infected group.Offspring′s swimming time and speed were(30.21?12.74) s and(19.10?1.90) cm/s in infected group,while those in control group were (11.87?3.62) s and (23.21?1.02) cm/s by Morris Water Maze test,there were significantly differences between 2 groups (Pa

In order to investigate the expression of serum sHLA-G in hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) patients and to evaluate its clinical significance, the clinical data of HPS patients in Capital Medical University Beijing Friendship Hospital during the period from September 2008 to July 2010 were collected. They were divided into infection-associated HPS, tumor-associated HPS and rheumatological disease-associated HPS according to cause of diseases. The serum concentration of sHLA-G in HPS patients and 25 healthy controls was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the correlations between sHLA-G level and laboratory indicators were analyzed. The results showed that the level of serum sHLA-G in HPS patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (p = 0.003), but the difference was not statistically significant between HPS groups of different causes (p = 0.233). The positive correlation of sHLA-G level in HPS patients with platelet count was found, but there was no positive correlation of their sHLA-G levels with WBC, Hb, Plt, ALT, AST, LDH, Alb, TBil, DBil, IBil, Cr, BUN, TG, fibrinogen and ferritin levels detected on same day. It is concluded that the the increase of serum sHLA-G levels in HPS patients may be caused by different factors such as infection, tumor, T cell activation and over-stimulation of several cytokines. sHLA-G can inhibit NK cell activity, resulting in formation of abnormal immune storm, and may be play a role in the pathogenesis of HPS.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; HLA-G Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; metabolism ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

In order to explore the serum levels and clinical significance of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). The clinical data of HPS patients in Capital Medical University Beijing Friendship Hospital from October 2008 to October 2010 were collected. The serum concentration of TNF-α and IFN-γ in HPS patients and 20 healthy controls was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between the levels of TNF-α and primary disease were analyzed, the levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, triglyceride, NK cell activity and sCD25 were detected on the same day, the correlations between the concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ and these laboratory indicators were analyzed. The results indicated that the serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in 30 cases of HPS was higher than that in control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01); the difference of TNF-α concentration was statistically significant in rheumatism-related and tumor-related HPS groups(p = 0.04), the level of TNF-α in HPS patients showed negative correlation with hemoglobin. It is concluded that the high levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in HPS patients may play certain roles in the pathogenesis and progress of HPS. These data indicated that the high level of TNF-α may be the main factor for anemia in patients with HPS.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the safety, effectiveness and feasibility of suprapubis-assisted umbilical laparoendoscopic mini-dual-site surgery (SAU-LEMDS) in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSThis study included 80 varicocele patients aged 24 - 44 (mean 28.5 +/- 2.6) years, 25 cases of grade I, 45 cases of grade II and 10 cases of grade III, 58 cases in the left side, 6 in the right and 16 in both sides, and all with asthenospermia. The patients were treated by SAU-LEMDS under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with general anesthesia in a supine position with a head-down-feet-up slope of 15 degrees. Two 5 mm trocars were inserted bilaterally at the umbilical edge, one with a 5 mm 30 degrees laparoscope placed in it, and another into the abdominal cavity below the pubic hairline with a 5 mm laparoendoscopic clipper placed in it. The operation procedure was similar to that of standard laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, with reservation of the spermatic artery and double-ligation of spermatic veins. And the procedure was repeated for the contralateral lesion in the bilateral cases. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for the incidences of orchiatrophy and testicular hydrocele and changes of seminal parameters.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful, with the mean operation time of (10 +/- 5.0) min (range 8 to 25 min) for the unilateral cases and (18 +/- 6.5) min (range 15 to 30 min) for the bilateral cases, the mean blood loss of (1.5 +/- 0.5) ml (range 1 to 2 ml), and the mean postoperative hospital stay of (2 +/- 0.5) d (range 1.5 to 3 d). The patients were followed up for 6 -24 (12 +/- 2.5) months, which showed significant improvement in sperm motility as compared with the baseline ([28.53 +/- 5.21] vs [19.62 +/- 3.56]%, P < 0.05), with 28 cases (35.0%) restored to normal. Recurrence was found in 4 cases (5.0%). Testicular hydrocele occurred in 7 cases (8.75%), but orchiatrophy in none. The scars in the umbilicus and suprapubis were invisible because of the wrinkles and pubic hair.

CONCLUSIONSAU-LEMDS is safe, effective and feasible for the treatment of varicocele. It is superior to umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (U-LESS) for its less invasiveness, simpler operation, and better cosmetic appearance.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Testicular Hydrocele ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Umbilicus ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Veins

Objective To explore the changes of hemodynamics in pregnant women with uncomplicated dichorionic(DC)twin pregnancy and monochorionic(MC)twin pregnancy,so as to better perform prenatal monitoring.Methods A study was conducted to collect 64 pregnant women with uncomplicated twin pregnancy(41 cases of DC and 23 cases of MC)in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from May 2020 to Sept 2021,and 144 pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies in the same period were selected as the control group.During the second trimester(20-28 weeks),conventional echocardiography was performed in pregnant women,and singleton pregnancy was used as the control.The left ventricular systolic,left ventricular diastolic,hemodynamic and cardiac structural parameters of DC and MC twin pregnancy were studied.Results At 20-28 weeks of gestation,compared with singleton pregnancies,the heart rate,mean arterial pressure,cardiac output,cardiac index,stroke volume,left ventricular mass,stroke work index parameters of twin pregnancy were significantly increased,and the total vascular resistance was significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The distribution of maternal hemodynamic parameters was similar in pregnant women with DC twin and MC twin pregnancy.Compared with DC twin pregnancy,MC twin pregnancy showed a significant increase in cardiac output(5.76 L/min vs.5.36 L/min,P=0.031).Total vascular resistance significantly decreased(1 270 vs.1 407,P=0.037).Conclusion Compared with singleton pregnancy,the hemodynamics of twin pregnancy significantly changed,which ensured the growth and development of the fetus by providing sufficient uteroplacental circulation.The cardiovascular adaptation patterns of DC and MC twin pregnancy were similar,but MC twin pregnancy had higher cardiac output and lower total vascular resistance.Monitoring the cardiac function of twin pregnancy,especially MC twin pregnancy,is very important for the safety of pregnant women.

To investigate the effects of matrine on apoptosis and expression of adhesion molecules in human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 cells, RPMI8226 cells were incubated with indicated concentrations of matrine. The growth of RPMI8226 cells was observed by CCK-8 colorimetric assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The cell cycles were analyzed by PI staining. Flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to detect the expression of cell adhesion molecules, including CD44, CD44v6, CD54 and CD106. The results showed that RPMI8226 cell viability in presence of matrine decreased markedly in a dose- and time-dependent manners. The apoptosis could be induced by matrine and its level increased following the augmentation of the drug concentration. After treated by matrine for 48 hours, a concentration-dependent increase of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase and a decrease in S phase could be detected, but no obvious change of cell count was found in G(2)/M phase. Treatment of RPMI8226 cells with matrine for 48 hours resulted in decrease of expression levels of CD44 and CD54, while expressions of CD44v6 and CD106 had no significant change. It is concluded that matrine induces in vitro apoptosis, suppresses proliferation in multiple myeloma cells and depresses expression of some adhesion molecules.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the curative mechanism of acupuncture treatment on osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODSForty cases of female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a medication group, 10 cases in each group. OA animal model was established by using the method of heel tendon resection for unilateral hind limb. The acupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Xiqian"(ST 35) and "Housanli"(ST 36), and the medication group with inunction of Diclofenac cream, and the normal group and the model group without any treatment. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, 3 (MMP-1, MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the cartilage were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThere were significant differences among four groups. The expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the model, acupuncture and medication groups were all significantly stronger than those in the normal group (all P < 0.01). The expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in the acupuncture and medication groups were down regulated and TIMP-1 expression up-regulated with significant differences as compared with the model group (all P < 0.01), and the expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in acupuncture group were significantly lower, while TIMP-1 expression significantly higher than that in the medication group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can down-regulate the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 and up-regulate the expression of TIMP1, which is superior to that of Diclofenac cream, showing that acupuncture has a certain protective effect on cartilage from OA.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Cartilage ; chemistry ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; analysis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; metabolism ; therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of ginseng and Ligustrazine drug containing serum on the proliferation, vitality, and extracellular-signal-responsive kinase (ERK) pathway in neural stem cells undergoing in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture.

METHODSThe cultured neural stem cells were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (Group A), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation group (Group B), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng serum group (Group C), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation + Ligustrazine serum group (Group D), and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng and Ligustrazine drug serum group (Group E).The protein expression levels of ERK and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were observed using immunoblotting. The proliferation of neural stem cells was observed using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. The vitality of neural stem cells was detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry.

RESULTSThe p-ERK level increased transiently at 10 min and 30 min after reoxygenation, but it decreased to the normal level at 4 h, 6 h, and 1 day, respectively. Compared with Group B, the p-ERK level at 6 h after reoxygenation could be elevated in Group C, D, and E. The proliferation and the vitality of neural stem cells at 1 day after reoxygenation could be enhanced. Furthermore, the effects of combination of ginseng and Ligusticum were better than those of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of ginseng and Ligusticum could promote the proliferation and vitality of rats' neural stem cells undergoing oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture through ERK signal pathway. Its effects was better than that of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phosphorylation ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDReal-time quantitative RT-PCR (RQ-PCR) assay has become a vital tool to monitor residual disease of leukemia. However, the complexity and standardization of RQ-PCR should never be overlooked and the results should be interpreted cautiously in clinical conditions. We aimed to assess the methodology of RQ-PCR and its clinical applications in monitoring molecular kinetics of 36 newly diagnosed cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with t (15; 17) from October 2004 to December 2005.

METHODSAll the TaqMan probe-based RQ-PCR reactions and analysis were performed on an ABI-PRISM 7,500 platform. The quantitation of PML-RARalpha transcripts was represented by the normalized quotient, that is, PML-RARalpha transcript copies divided by ABL transcript copies. According to induction therapy, the patients were classed into two groups: group 1 (n = 23), three-drug combination including arsenics, all-trans retinoic acid and mitoxantrone; and group 2 (n = 13), two-drug combination from all-trans retinoic acid, arsenics and mitoxantrone.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of RQ-PCR was 1 per 10(5) cells and 5 copies of the PML-RARalpha transcript could be reproducibly detected. No false positive results occurred in 40 non-acute promyelocytic leukemia samples. Optimal amplification efficiency could be attained, which was determined by the slope of the standard curves (slope: -3.2 - -3.7). The inter-assay and intra-assay variation coefficients of the method were 1.01% and 0.56% respectively. Although the time to attain hematological complete remission was similar in both groups, the time to achieve molecular remission of group 1 was significantly shorter than that of group 2 (61 days vs 75 days, P = 0.034). The rate of molecular remission within 70 days was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (75.00% vs 38.46%, P = 0.036). Compared with pretreatment, median reduction of the PML-RARalpha transcript before first consolidation therapy differed significantly between group 1 and group 2 (log scale, 3.15 vs 2.31, P = 0.024). Interestingly, we found that PML-RARalpha transcript levels temporarily increased in bone marrow (7 patients) and peripheral blood (22 patients) samples of patients during induction therapy in both groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe RQ-PCR assay is reliable for the detection of PML-RARalpha transcripts. Arsenics, all-trans retinoic acid and mitoxantrone triad induction treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia is superior to two-drug combination induction therapy in terms of the molecular response.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms in VKORC1, CYP2C9, GGCX, EPHX1, APOE genes on inter-individual variation in warfarin maintenance dose.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty-nine patients with stable warfarin dose were enrolled in this study, and the clinical data and blood samples of the patients were collected. Genotypes for the 5 genes were determined by using PCR and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) assay. The warfarin maintenance doses were compared among patients with different genotypes of the 5 genes, and a warfarin stable dosing algorithm was derived based on genetic and non-genetic factors.

RESULTSOf the 5 genes, VKORC1, CYP2C9 and GGCX were associated with warfarin stable dose. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that VKORC1, CYP2C9 and GGCX genes, age and weight, had significant influence on inter-individual variation in warfarin stable dose, which contributed 30.2%, 22.8%, 1.5%, 4.7% and 6.7% respectively. The warfarin stable dosing algorithm acquired from the optimal regression model could explain 57.8% variation in warfarin dose.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that genetic factors are the major determinants of the warfarin maintenance dose, and warfarin stable dosing algorithm may be useful for helping clinicians to prescribe warfarin with greater safety and efficiency.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; genetics ; Carbon-Carbon Ligases ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Pharmacogenetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Precision Medicine ; Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult