Objective To observe enhancing effect of nerve regeneration on peripheral nerve defect models bridged by a new PRGD/PDLLA/VPA composite conduit.Methods In this study from February,2012 to March,2014,PRGD/PDLLA/VPA nerve conduits were tested in the rat sciatic nerve transection model.At different periods after operation,its ability to promote nerve regeneration was evaluated by sciatic functional index(SFI),electrophysiology (CMAPs,NCVs) and histologic assessment.Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =10),group A:PRGD/PDLLA/VPA,group B:PDLLA/VPA,group C:PRGD/VPA and group D:autograft.Results At 12 weeks after surgery,the SFI value of group A (-45 ± 3.19)and group D (-42 ± 3.01)were significantly higher than those of group B(-79 ± 3.06) and group C(-72 ± 2.07)(P ＜ 0.05);The CMAPs of group A (24.89 ± 5.01) and group D (25.39 ± 5.63) were significantly higher than those of group B(14.88 ± 3.11) and C(15.00 ± 5.54);the NCVs of group A (31.42 ± 2.43) and group D (31.50 ± 2.16) were significantly higher than those of group B (20.11 ± 2.39) and group C(21.00 ± 2.13)(P ＜ 0.05).At 12 weeks after surgery,the numbers of regenerated nerve in the tube of group A (258 ± 6.18) and D(259 ± 5.59) were significantly higher than those of group B (231 ± 5.00) and group C(230 ± 5.07)(P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between groups A and D(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion These results illustrated that this new PRGD/PDLLA/VPA conduit could significantly facilitate the regeneration of short nerve defect and recovery of motor nerve,which provides a new thought for treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Objective To explore the expression of PIWIL1 protein and DICER enzyme in hepa tocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their significance.Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of PIWIL1 and DICER in 47 cases of HCC and the adjacent HCC tissues.Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PIWIL1 and DICER in 31 cases of fresh HCC tissues and their adjacent HCC tissues.The relationship between PIWIL1 and DICER and their relationships were analysed with clinical features.12 cases of normal liver tissues were used as control group.Results The expression of PIWIL1 was high in HCC but low in normal liver tissues (P＜ 0.05).The expression of DICER was high in normal liver tissues but low in HCC (P＜0.05).The expression of PIWIL1 was positively correlated with invasion to adjacent tissues and histological differentiation (P＜0.05).The expression of DICER was negatively correlated with invasion to the adjacent tissues and histological differentiation (P＜0.05).There was a negative correlation between PIWIL1 and DICER (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions High expression of PIWIL1 and low/missing expression of DICER was related to pathological differentiation and invasion of adjacent tissues.

AIM: To investigate the clinical effect for treating bullous keratopathy ( BK ) by anterior corneal stromal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.
METHODS: Totally 35 patients ( 35 eyes ) with bullous keratopathy were treated by corneal stromal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation. All patients preoperative and postoperative underwent anterior segment OCT, corneal topography, corneal sensitivity and confocal microscopy. To observe postoperative ocular symptoms in patients with BK, recurrence of bulla, changes in corneal thickness, corneal sensitivity and changes in the organizational structure of the layers of the cornea.
RESULTS: Thirty-five were followed up for 6-18mo. The symptom of pain disappeared in 32 cases ( 91%) in the first day after operation and did not recur during follow-up. The symptom of pain relieved in 3 cases (9%) in the first day after operation and disappeared in 3 days. Corneal epithelium of 9 cases ( 26%) were all healed within 1wk, 21 cases (60%) were all healed within 2wk, and 5 cases (14%) were all healed within 3wk. Following up for 6-18mo, there was no recurrence of symptoms or bulla. A small amount of tiny bubbles in the surrounding area appeared in 2 cases after 3 and 4wk. All patients had no neovascularization, and had smooth corneal surface. The amnions of 30 cases (86%) were thinning after 2mo, partially dissolved and absorped, not seen with the naked eye after 3mo. Thirty-four cases (97%) had no changes in vision, one case (3%) was from the light to front of the manual. After 2mo, corneal sensation decreased in 30 cases ( 86%) , corneal thickness increased from preoperative 788±35μm to 940±43μm. After 12mo, corneal thickness increased to 1060±27μm. Results of confocal microscopy: after 3mo, the number density of the trigeminal nerve fibers under corneal basement membrane reduced, shallow stromal cells became into fibrotic stroma, deep stroma was more loose, and cells swelled significantly. The number of endothelial cells reduced and form swelled more obviously compared with preoperatively.
CONCLUSION: Corneal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation can effectively control the symptoms of BK, prevent the recurrence of BK, and especially it is a simple, safe and practical way for patients with poor visual function.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of urinary light chain detection in essential hypertension renal injury. Methods According to "National Prevention and Treatment Guide of Hypertension" (2005 Edition) and the diagnostic criteria of essential hypertension renal injury, patients'medical history and damage of target organs, we selected 60 patients with essential hypertension and divided them into two groups: 28 patients without renal injury and 32 patients with renal injury. Meanwhile, Thirty healthy individuals were included in a control group. Urinary proteins and light chains were detected by immuonephelometry and the activity of NAG was determined by liquid kinetic rate assay with MNP as substrate. The urinary light chains concentration of each group were compared and analyzed with those of Alb and α1-MG. Results The results of lamU in renal injury group [8. 89(3.84-33. 30) mg] were higher than those of non renal injury group [3. 84(3. 84-10. 4) mg] and control group [3.84(0. 00-3.84) mg]. There was statistically significant difference ( H = 37.97, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The levels of kapU in renal injury group [26. 65 (6. 97-62. 5 ) mg] were higher than those of non renal injury group [6. 97 (6. 97-23.7 )mg] and control group [6. 97(6. 97-7. 20) mg], which also had statistical significance (H =40. 09,P ＜0. 01 ). All the other results in renal injury group ( Alb, α1-MG, IgG, TRF and NAG) were higher than those of non renal injury group and control group ( H =21.02, 32. 65, 25.50, 30. 45 and 30. 57, P ＜0. 01 ). Correlation analysis showed that Alb levels were highly correlated with urinary IgG and TRF levels [Correlation coefficient (r) =0. 911, 0. 965, P ＜ 0. 01]. The levels of urinary light chain lamU and kapU were also highly correlated with α1-MG ( r = 0. 804, 0. 827, P ＜ 0. 01 ). However, There was no correlationship between NAG and α1MG levels (r=0. 398,P＞0. 05). Conclusion The urinary light chain lamU and kapU can be used as indicators for evaluation of renal injury in essential hypertension, especially renal tubular injury.

Objective　To ascertain the natural infection rate of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus (HFRSV) among its hosts and the type of the natural foci for providing some baseline data for the immigrant health and epidemic prevention of the Three-Gorge region. Methods　Epidemiological survey on the field was performed including epidemiological data collection, ecology of rodents and pathogen detection. HFRS virus antigen of hosts were detected by the direct immunofluorescent assay (DIFA) technique and determination of HFRSV-RNA by ISH were carried out from HFRSV-Ag-positive animals. Results　HFRSV-Ag-positive animals were found in 5 migration areas ie Baitao Town of Fuling Section, Wansheng Village of Fengjie County and Dachang Town of Wushan County. The positive hosts were as follows, Rattus Norvegicus, Apodemus agrarius, Anourusurex squamipes, Mus musculus and Rattus flavipectus. The positive rate of HFRSV in the mice of 5 migration areas were 19.4%, 17.0%, 14.0%, 13.7%, and 8.5% respectively. The results showed that the lung tissues of some hosts in all five migration areas were HFRSV-RNA-positive. Baitao Town and Peishi Town were attributed to mixture type epidemic areas while. Kangle Town, Wansheng Village and Dachang Town were domestic rats type epidemic areas. Conclusion　This study shows that the five migration areas are natural epidemic foci of HFRS. It is predicted that maximum risk of HFRS breakout or epidemic may take place after the completion of the San Xia Reservoir(the Three-Gorges Reservoir), which results from rodent moving toward higher land. Therefore, deratization and preventive measures for rat are important in migration areas.

OBJECTIVETo project the future impacts of climate change on heat-related mortality in shanghai.

METHODSThe statistical downscaling techniques were applied to simulate the daily mean temperatures of Shanghai in the middle and farther future under the changing climate. Based on the published exposure-reaction relationship of temperature and mortality in Shanghai, we projected the heat-related mortality in the middle and farther future under the circumstance of high speed increase of carbon e mission (A2) and low speed increase of carbon emission (B2). The data of 1961 to 1990 was used to establish the model, and the data of 1991 - 2001 was used to testify the model, and then the daily mean temperature from 2030 to 2059 and from 2070 to 2099 were simulated and the heat-related mortality was projected. The data resources were from U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction Reanalysis Data in SDSM Website and UK Hadley Centre Coupled Model Data in SDSM Website.

RESULTSThe explained variance and the standard error of the established model was separately 98.1% and 1.24°C. The R(2) value of the simulated trend line equaled to 0.978 in Shanghai, as testified by the model. Therefore, the temperature prediction model simulated daily mean temperatures well. Under A2 scenario, the daily mean temperature in 2030 - 2059 and 2070 - 2099 were projected to be 17.9°C and 20.4°C, respectively, increasing by 1.1°C and 3.6°C when compared to baseline period (16.8°C). Under B2 scenario, the daily mean temperature in 2030 - 2059 and 2070 - 2099 were projected to be 17.8°C and 19.1°C, respectively, increasing by 1.0°C and 2.3°C when compared to baseline period (16.8°C). Under A2 scenario, annual average heat-related mortality were projected to be 516 cases and 1191 cases in 2030 - 2059 and 2070 - 2099, respectively, increasing 53.6% and 254.5% when compared with baseline period (336 cases). Under B2 scenario, annual average heat-related mortality were projected to be 498 cases and 832 cases in 2030 - 2059 and 2070 - 2099, respectively, increasing 48.2% and 147.6% when compared with baseline period (336 cases).

CONCLUSIONUnder the changing climate, heat-related mortality is projected to increase in the future;and the increase will be more obvious in year 2070 - 2099 than in year 2030 - 2059.

China ; Climate Change ; Greenhouse Effect ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Mortality ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo analyze the polymorphism of natural killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)gene and the characteristics of its genotypes and haplotypes in Korean ethnic group of Jilin area, and to compare with that of Han nationality.

METHODSDNA samples randomly collected from 214 Han and 160 Korean populations were genotyped with PCR-SSP method, and KIR genotypes and haplotypes were assigned according to the standard model by Hsu et al.

RESULTSAll individuals contain KIR 3DL3, KIR 2DL4, KIR 3DL2 with the genotype frequency of 100%; the most common genotypes were 2DL1, 2DL3, 3DL1, 3DP1(*)003 and 2DP1; the genotypes with low frequency were 2DL2, 2DS2, 2DS3, 3DP1(*)001/002/004. Thirty-nine different KIR genotype and 16 haplotypes had been found in Korean and Han individuals. The most common KIR genotypes were AJ and AF with frequency of 18.1%, 19.4% and 31.8%, 19.6%, respectively. The most common KIR haplotype was haplotype 2 with frequency of 41.8% (n = 127) and 51.2% (n = 216) (P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONKIR gene distribution in Jilin Korean ethnic group showed some common features of KIR gene polymorphisms in Chinese Han population, but also showed this nation's unique characteristics of KIR gene polymorphism.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multigene Family ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, KIR ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the regularity of migration and distribution of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in injured spinal cord with intradural space transplantation.

METHODSForty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups. The spinal cord injury model was prepared according to the modified Allen method. BMSCs were labeled by CM-Dil. And 5.0 multiply 10(6) cells were transplanted by different channels including intraventricular injection (Group A),injured spinal cord intrathecally injection (Group B), remote intrathecally injection at the L(3)-L(4) level (Group C), and intravenous injection (Group D). Spinal cord was dissected at 24 hours, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after transplantation. Sections of 4 micromolar were cut on a cryostat and observed under fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTSNo fluorescence was observed 24 hours after transplantation in spinal cord injury parenchyma except Group B. One week later, BMSCs in Groups A and C began to migrate to the injured parenchyma; 2-4 weeks later, BMSCs penetrated into the injured parenchyma except Group D. The number of BMSCs decreased at 3-4 weeks after transplantation. The number of cells in Group B decreased faster than that of Groups A and C.

CONCLUSIONSBMSCs transplanted through intraventricular injection, injured spinal cord intrathecally injection and remote intrathecal injection could migrate to the injured parenchyma of spinal cord effectively. The number of BMSCs migrated into injured spinal cord parenchyma is rare by intravenous injection.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of experimental varicocele (EV) on the ipsilateral testis in rats.

METHODSEV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in male SD rats, the control rats subjected to sham operation, and the testes of the EV models and controls were extirpated 6, 12, and 18 weeks later. Johnson's score, ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules, intratesticular testosterone concentration (ITC) and germ cell apoptotic index (AI) of each left testis were evaluated.

RESULTSJohnson's scores were (6.92 +/- 0.52), (4.83 +/- 0.41) and (2.95 +/- 0.26), ITCswere (6.32 +/- 0.85), (5.17 +/- 0.76) and (4.11 +/- 0.69) and AIs were (5.32 +/- 1.23), (15.21 +/- 0.97) and (21.13 +/- 1.12) respectively in the 6 w , 12 w and 18 w EV groups, significantly lower than in the corresponding control groups, (9.56 +/- 0.35, 9.63 +/- 0.31, 9.39 +/- 0.46), (9.64 +/- 1.23, 9.38 +/- 0.69, 9.73 +/- 0.49) and (3.21 +/- 1.15, 3.43 +/- 1.21, 3.61 +/- 1. 15) (P < 0.05), the former two showing a gradual decline while the latter a significant elevation with the increasing duration of varicocele. The damage to the ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules was aggravated with the prolonging of varicocele.

CONCLUSIONEV can cause a progressive decline of ITC, dyszoospermia and increased AI of germ cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Epithelium ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Testis ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of renal ultrasound scan (RUS) and 99Tcmdimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in children with acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods In all, 165 children with initial clinical diagnosis of APN, aged from 1.5 months to 11 yrs ( median 20 months), were included in the study, all of which were examined with RUS and DMSA renal scientigraphy. The diagnosis with DMSA renal scientigraphy results was taken as the standard reference to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RUS. Results Of 99 out of all 330 kidneys that were found abnormal on DMSA renal scientigraphy, 31 were abnormal on RUS. Of the rest normal kidneys on DMSA scans renal scientigraphy, 4 were abnormal on RUS. Thus diagnostic sensitivity of RUS for APN was 31.3%(31/99) and specificity was 98.3% (227/231). Conclusions Although RUS provides with high diagnostic specificity for children with APN, its low sensitivity may underestimate the clinical evaluation of APN.More often than not, 99Tcm-DMSA renal scientigraphy is a clinical necesscity for the definite RUS diagnosis.