Through several murine transplantable tumor models, we studied the immunoprotective effect and mechanism of action of specific active immunization with various tumor cell vaccines (TCV) treated by: (1) Oleum Curcuma Aromatica (OCA, a Chinese anticancer medicament) and its effective monomer ?-elemene; (2) MMC and glutaraldehyde; (3) ~(60)Co and X-ray irradiation; and (4) vaccinia virus (VV) and newcastle disease virus (NDV), including virus infected TCV membrane fraction (Mfr). The reproducible results of immunoprotective effect indicated that the specific active immunotherapy with such TCVs might be of practical value in clinical immunological approaches to cancer therapeutics.

Objective To evaluate whether dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI (DCE-MRI) can help clinicians in differentiating malignant tumors from benign lesions and in predicting and correlating the histologic grade for breast cancer patients.Methods DCE-MRI from 98 patients (with histopathological confirmation) in our department were retrospectively analyzed.In the first dynamic phase,the hot and cold spot ROIs were selected as the regions with maximum and minimum Slopein,respectively.The kinetic characteristics (including hot spot,cold spot,and heterogeneous characteristics) and morphologic features were evaluated.The ROC curve analysis was used to test the diagnostic power of all DCE-MRI parameters (inflow slope,Slopein ; washout slope; inflow slope ratio; washout slope ratio; time-signal intensity curve shape; rim enhancement; internal homogeneity) for differentiating malignant tumors from benign breast lesions.Joncheere-Terpstra test was adopted to analyze the kinetic data.Categorical data were analyzed by using the Fisher test.Results Hot spot Slopein might have the biggest area (0.620) under the ROC curve (but not significant) among all the different MRI parameters(P ＞ 0.05).Its sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value were 63.2％ (55/87) and 72.7％ (8/11),respectively.The cold spot parameter Slopein(P =0.025),heterogeneity parameter ratio-in (P =0.031),and internal homogeneity (P =0.032) showed a significant correlation with histologic grade.The median and quartile of cold spot Slopein in pathologic Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ were 6.1 × 10-3,5.4 × 10-3 and 1.4 × 10-3,respectively;inflow slope ratio:6.6,9.8 and 17.6 ; pathologic Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ showed 2,1,and 0 patients with homogeneity enhancement,respectively ; intermediate enhancement:5,12,and 2 patients,respectively;heterogeneity enhancement:2,6,and 8 patients.Conclusions The DCE-MRI is a potential tool in helping clinicians to predict the histologic grading in breast cancers.Parameter hot spot Slopein might help differentiae malignant tumors from the benign counterpart.

OBJECTIVEHypospadias is one of the most commonly seen urogenital congenital malformations in males and to identify its etiological factors.

METHODSA hospital-based case-control study was conducted, with 107 hypospadias cases. Two matched controls per case were randomly selected. Both cases and controls were face to face interviewed with a uniformed questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression model was used for univariable and multivariate analysis on SAS 6.12 to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95 per cent confidence internals (95% CI).

RESULTSData from multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that hypospadias was positively associated with maternal history of spontaneous abortion (OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 1.60 - 9.39), with threatened abortion in the first or second trimester (OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.31 - 9.64), with common cold accompanied fever in the first trimester (OR = 7.63, 95% CI: 2.50 - 23.24), with maternal drug (antibiotic, analgesiscs) exposure during the second trimester (OR = 16.46, 95% CI: 3.46 - 78.21), with paternal exposure to pesticides occupationally (OR = 3.70,95% CI: 1.49 - 9.16), with neonatal low birth weight (OR = 12.62, 95% CI: 2.97 - 53.67), but was negatively associated with maternal diet supplemented with protein in the first trimester (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15 - 0.74).

CONCLUSIONSThe risk factors of hypospadias seemed to include maternal history of spontaneous abortion, threatened abortion in the first or second trimester, maternal common cold accompanied fever in the first trimester, maternal drug exposure during the second trimester, paternal occupational exposure to pesticides, neonatal low birth weight. However, maternal diet supplemented with protein probably acted as the protective factor for neonatal hypospadias in the first trimester.

Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hospitals ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; etiology ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the effects of remifentanil on large-conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium channel (BKCa) in human mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells (MASMCs) and the mechanism of the vasorelaxant effect of remifentanil. Methods Human MASMCs were obtained freshly by the method of enzymolysis. BKCa current (IBKCa) was recorded by the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The changes in IBKC. produced by different concentrations of remifentanil (1.2, 4.8, 19.4, 77.4 and 310.0 nmol/L) with the holding potential of + 80 mV were observed. BKCa activation rate was calculated. Results Remifentanil significantly increased IBKCa,moved Ⅰ-Ⅴ curve upward and had no effect on the threshold of activation for IBKCa . With the increase in the concentration of remifentanil, BKCa activation rate increased gradually (P ＜ 0.01), and it remained stable when the concentration reached 19.4 nmol/L. There was no significant difference in the peak time of IBKCa after different concentrations of remifentanil were given (P ＞ 0.05). Logarithmic curve was found to suit the relationship between the concentration of remifentanil and BKCa activation rate and the IC50 concentration was (118 ± 7) nmol/L. Conclusion Remifentanil results in vasorelaxation by activating BKCa in MASMCs in a concentration-dependent manner.

Objective To assess the capability of the colon computer-aided-detection(CAD) for the detection of colonic neoplasm on low-dose CT colonography with changing sphericity filter values. Methods Low dose (50 mA) CT colonography data from 56 patients with 159 colonic neoplasms confirmed by conventional colonoscopy and surgery were divided into four groups: colorectal cancer, ≥ 10 mm polyps,5. 1 to 9. 9 mm polyps and ≤ 5.0 mm polyps. The golden standard was established by matching the neoplasms on CT colonography images. The datasets analyzed subsequently by the Colon CAD system at four discrete sphericity filter settings (SFV): 0. 25, 0. 50, 0. 75 and 1.00. The location and size of highlight lesions by the colon CAD were recorded. Comparison was made with the known golden standard in order to determine the detective rate of colonic neoplasms. Chi-square tests were used to compare the detection rates of four groups by CAD SFV at four settings. Results Fifty six patients had 159 colonic neoplasms including 44 colonic cancers, 45 large polyps (max diameter≥ 10. 0 mm), 32 median polyps (max diameter 5. 1 to 9. 9 mm) and 38 small polyps ( max diameter ≤5.0 mm). The colon CAD had the detective rate of 85.5%( 136/159), 85.5% ( 136/159 ), 79. 2% ( 126/159 ) and 56. 0% (89/159) for all colonic neoplasms at four sphericity filter settings 0. 25, 0. 50, 0. 75 and 1.00 respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the sphericity filter settings at 0. 25 and 1.00 ( P ＜ 0. 05). Detective rate was highest at lower sphericity, false-positive rate increased at same time, however, 91.4% ( 138/151 )to 93.9% (31/33 )of false-positives were rapidly dismissible with 2D axial images, only 6. 1% (2/33)to 8.6% (13/151)of false-positives needed to discriminate with multiplanar reconstruction or 3D virtual colonoscopy. Conclusion The Colon CAD system can detect colonic neoplasms satisfactorily in low dose CT colonography and may satisfy the needs of radiologists with different experience by changing sphericity filter settings.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Busui Shengxue Granule (BSSXG) on chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) patients and its effects on bone marrow derived stroma cells (BMDSCs) correlated cytokines.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-four patients with CAA were randomly assigned to two groups according to the random digit table. Patients in the test group (61 cases) were treated with BSSXG, while those in the control group (63 cases) were treated with Zaizao Shengxue Tablet (ZST). The therapeutic course was 6 months for all. Besides, 10 healthy subjects were recruited as the normal control group. Changes of the symptom integral, therapeutic efficacy judgment, and changes of peripheral hemogram of patients were observed. The mRNA expression of b-fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) and b-fibroblast growth factors receptor (bFGFR) were detected by reverse transcription PCR.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the test group was 75.0% (45/61), higher than that of the control group (58.7%, 37/63). Its symptom integral and peripheral hemogram were obviously improved, better than those of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of bFGF and bFGFR of the test group were obviously lower than those of the normal control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). They were somewhat improved after treatment in the two groups, with better results obtained in the test group.

CONCLUSIONSBSSXG showed better clinical effects. It could improve the symptom integral and peripheral hemogram of CAA patients, improve the clinical efficacy, and regulate the expression levels of bFGF and bFGFR. It improved the hematopoietic microenvironment and promoted the hematopoiesis of the bone marrow through regulating the proliferation and oriental differentiation of stroma cells, and promoting the bone marrow angiogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To detect the epidemiologic features of pediatric patients with fall from height injury in an effort to provide a reference for prevention and scientific treatment.Methods Data of pediatric patients with fall from height injury treated from January 2011 to December 2012 were collected in the form of questionnaires.Epidemiologic features and relationship of associated factors were measured.Results Pediatric fall injury occurred very often in warmer season,namely on April and May,and in a day,it was more likely to happen when parents slacked at noon and night.Stairs and balconies were the most common sites of falls and head was most vulnerable to the injury.Falling height was the primary factor to the severity of injury.Conclusion To strengthen the protection reform in key areas,the supervision in peak time for falls and the care to children of the migrant workers can reduce fall injury in a certain extent.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of mediastinum examination with flexible endoscope via suprasternal fossa.Methods A total of 20 healthy pigs were enrolled.Mediastinocosopy was performed via a tunnel to thoracix through a 1.5 cm incision on suprastemal fossa.Mediastinum was observed and complications were recorded.Results Mediastinocosopy was successfully achieved in all pigs.No severe bleeding or death occurred during the procedure.Five pigs got fever after the procedure with elevated white blood cell count.Four pigs had pneumothorax and three of them died in 1-6 days.Conclusion Mediastinocosopy with flexible endoscope through suprastemal fossa is feasible to diagnose mediastinal diseases,which can be important experimental evidence for the mini-invasive therapy of mediastimum diseases.

OBJECTIVETo establish a animal model of biliary leakage in pigs with laparoscopy.

METHODSEight healthy Bama minipigs were subject to laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia.The cystic duct was resected at 0.5-1.0 cm from the root and the stump was left open with the gallbladder removed. Blood routine and hepatic functions of the pigs were tested before and 24 h after the surgery, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) was performed 24 h after the surgery. At 48 h after the surgery, the pigs were sacrificed for observation of the stump of the cystic duct.

RESULTSThe gallbladder, cystic duct, cystic artery, and the anatomical relations between the gallbladder and liver and between the cystic duct and common bile duct were fully exposed under laparoscopy. White blood cells, neutrophils and direct bilirubin increased significantly after the operation (P<0.05). The cystic ducts were resected at 0.5-1 cm away from the roots of the cystic ducts in 7 pigs and at 2 cm in 1 pig.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopy is safe and feasible for establishing the porcine model of biliary leakage.

Animals ; Biliary Fistula ; Cystic Duct ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

The study was aimed to observe mir-210 expression in liver tissue of acute cold stress rat and predict the function of mir-210 in cold stress. Thirty SPF Wistar male rats which were 12-week-old and weighed (340 ± 20) g were used. The rats were pre-fed in normal room temperature for one week, and then were randomly divided into acute cold stress group at (4 ± 0.1) °C and normal control group at (24 ± 0.1) °C. After the rats were treated with cold stress for 12 h, the liver tissue was extracted and the gene expression of mir-210 was assayed using qRT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the gene expression of mir-210 was significantly enhanced in acute cold stress group compared with that in normal control group (n = 3, P < 0.01). The bioinformatics analysis showed that mir-210 has over hundreds of target genes and four kinds of target genes such as E2F3, RAD52, ISCU and Ephrin-A3 are more relative with liver cold stress. ISCU regulates the cell respiratory metabolism and Ephrin-A3 is related with cell proliferation and apoptosis. On the other hand, up-regulated mir-210 affects the DNA repairing mechanism which usually leads to genetic instabilities. Our results suggest that cold stress-induced up-regulation of mir-210 in liver harmfully influences cell growth, energy metabolism and hereditary.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cold Temperature ; Energy Metabolism ; Liver ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Physiological ; Up-Regulation