Objective To investigate the feasibility of hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS)for detection of Wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract after cerebral infarction.Methods Multiple metabolic indices including NAA,Cho, Cr of the bilateral cerebral peduncle were detected by using 1 H-MRS in 1 5 patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery infarction and 1 5 age-matched healthy volunteers,NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr were also calculated.Comparing the difference between cerebral infarction group and the control group ,the ROC curve was analyzed.Results The values of NAA/Cr in the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle of cerebral infarction patients were significantly lower than that of the contralateral,and there were significant differences between the two groups(P <0.05).The values of NAA/Cr in the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle of cerebral infarction patients decreased (P <0.05),as compared with that of the control group.The area under the ROC curve was 0.947,the truncation point was 1.63.The NAA/Cr val-ues of the contralateral cerebral peduncle of cerebral infarction patients had no significant differences compared with the control group (P >0.05),the Cho/Cr values of the ipsilateral and the contralateral cerebral peduncle had no significant difference compared with the control group (P >0.05).Conclusion 1 H-MRS can detect Wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract after cerebral infarction.

Objective To explore the feasibility of evaluating the lung function by MSCT in emphysema.Methods The MSCT scan and pulmonary function tests(PFF)were respectively performed in 147 receptors within one week.They were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A(120 receptors), including normal,mild,moderate and severe abnormal pulmonary function based on the PFT,for comparing the correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT pulmonary function and PFT and settingup the primary grade criteria of abnormal pulmonary function in emphysema,group B(27 receptors)for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy in group A.The total lung was respectively scanned at the full inspiration and full expiration with MSCT.The pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT were measured with Siemens Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software.Results There was correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT and PFF.The Piex/in_(-910)showed best correlation with FEV_1%(r=-0.905,P

OBJECTIVETo predict the impact of MF radiation on human health.

METHODSThe vertical distribution of field intensity was estimated by analogism on the basis of measured values from simulation measurement.

RESULTSA kind of analogism on the basis of geometric proportion decay pattern is put forward in the essay. It showed that with increasing of height the field intensity increased according to geometric proportion law.

CONCLUSIONThis geometric proportion prediction model can be used to estimate the impact of MF radiation on inhabited environment, and can act as a reference pattern in predicting the environmental impact level of MF radiation.

Electromagnetic Phenomena ; Environment ; Models, Biological ; Radiation

OBJECTIVETo assess the HER-2 status in Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients and explore its correlation with clinical features, treatment response and prognosis.

METHODSA total of 107 patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in our hospital from December 2005 to November 2008 were included in this retrospective analysis. HER-2 status was determined by immunohistochemisty (IHC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The correlations of HER-2 status with tumor location, pathology, treatment response and prognosis were analyzed and the efficacy of different chemottherapy regimens was compared.

RESULTSThe overall positive rate of HER-2 expression was 14.7% (15/102). The HER-2 status was detected by both methods in 102 patients, and the concordance of the two methods was 66.5%. The tumor site distribution was gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) 28.0%, proximal stomach 19.4%, gastric corpus 16.1%, antrum 26.9% and whole stomach 9.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference of HER-2 status among different tumor sites (P = 0.726), and no significant correlation between HER-2 expression and differentiation (P = 0.110). Among the evaluable 51 patients treated by first-line chemotherapy, the total objective effective rate was 23.5%. The median time-to-progression was 7.47 months, and median overall survival time was 11.07 months. The effective rate was 43.8% in patients who received XP regimen chemotherapy (cisplatin + capecitabine), significantly higher than the 14.3% in patients treated with other regimens (P = 0.033). Their overall survival was 14.17 months and 9.53 months, respectively (P = 0.059). The TTP was 6.63 months in HER-2 positive patients and 7.47 months in HER-2 negative patients, with a non-significant difference (P = 0.510). However, there was a improving tendency in the efficacy and OS, showing a effective rate of 45.5% and 17.5% (P = 0.102) and OS of 14.17 months and 10.63 months, respectively (P = 0.205).

CONCLUSIONSHER-2-positivity rate in Chinese patients with advanced gastric cancer is similar to those reported in the literature. Along with the increasing use of targeted therapy and targeted agents, the efficacy and survival of gastric cancer patients is improving. HER-2-positive patients may benefit from it.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease Progression ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUNDTelocytes (TCs) are a novel type of interstitial cells, which have been recently described in a large variety of cavitary and noncavitary organs. TCs have small cell bodies, and remarkably thin, long, and moniliform prolongations called telopodes (Tps). Until now, TCs have been found in various loose connective tissues surrounding the arterioles, venules, and capillaries, but as a histological cellular component, whether TCs exist in large arteries remains unexplored.

METHODSTCs were identified by transmission electron microscope in the aortic arch of male C57BL/6 mice.

RESULTSTCs in aortic arch had small cell bodies (length: 6.06-13.02 μm; width: 1.05-4.25 μm) with characteristics of specific long (7.74-39.05 μm), thin, and moniliform Tps; TCs distributed in the whole connective tissue layer of tunica adventitia: TCs in the innermost layer of tunica adventitia, located at the juncture between media and adventitia, with their long axes oriented parallel to the outer elastic membrane; and TCs in outer layers of tunica adventitia, were embedded among transverse and longitudinal oriented collagen fibers, forming a highly complex three-dimensional meshwork. Moreover, desmosomes were observed, serving as pathways connecting neighboring Tps. In addition, vesicles shed from the surface of TCs into the extracellular matrix, participating in some biological processes.

CONCLUSIONSTCs in aorta arch are a newly recognized complement distinct from other interstitial cells in large arteries, such as fibroblasts. And further biologically functional correlations need to be elucidated.

Adventitia ; cytology ; Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Cell Communication ; physiology ; Connective Tissue Cells ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission

BACKGROUNDOver past two decades, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been widely used and reported to alleviate seizure frequency worldwide, however, so far, only hundreds of patients with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy (PRE) have been treated with VNS in mainland China. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VNS for Chinese patients with PRE and compare its relationship with age cohort and gender.

METHODSWe retrospectively assessed the clinical outcome of 94 patients with PRE, who were treated with VNS at Beijing Fengtai Hospital and Beijing Tiantan Hospital between November 2008 and April 2014 from our database of 106 consecutive patients. The clinical data analysis was retrospectively examined.

RESULTSSeizure frequency significantly decreased with VNS therapy after intermittent stimulation of the vagus nerve. At last follow-up, we found McHugh classifications of Class I in 33 patients (35.1%), Class II in 27 patients (28.7%), Class III in 20 patients (21.3%), Class IV in 3 patients (3.2%), and Class V in 11 patients (11.7%). Notably, 8 (8.5%) patients were seizure-free while &ge;50% seizure frequency reduction occurred in as many as 60 patients (63.8%). Furthermore, with regard to the modified Engel classification, 12 patients (12.8%) were classified as Class I, 11 patients (11.7%) were classified as Class II, 37 patients (39.4%) were classified as Class III, 34 patients (36.2%) were classified as Class IV. We also found that the factors of gender or age are not associated with clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONSThis comparative study confirmed that VNS is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for Chinese PRE patients. VNS reduced the seizure frequency regardless of age or gender of studied patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance ; Epilepsy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct a directional differentiation model from mouse embryonic stem cells into leydig-like cells in vitro.

METHODSMouse ES-D3 cells were transfected with plasmid containing steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) gene, then treated with RA and 8Br-cAMP, while the cells transfected with empty plasmid were used as the negative controls. The morphology of leydig-like cells differentiated from ES-D3 cells was observed with light microscopy. The expression levels of StAR, P450scc and 3β-HSD were detected by RT-PCR, Western Blot and fluorescence microscopy analysis in leydig-like cells derived from the ES cells.

RESULTSES-D3 cells were transfected with plasmid containing SF-1 gene successfully, and SF-1 was expressed 24 h after transfection. The SF-1-transfected ES-D3 cells were induced by RA and 8Br-cAMP to differentiate into leydig-like cells. The differentiated cells showed spindle shape with tentacles, which expressed the specific protein marker for leydig cells 3β-HSD1 and P450scc. Meanwhile, in these leydig-like cells, the expression of StAR increased compared with control group. 3β-HSD1, P450scc and StAR were not detected in negative control group.

CONCLUSIONWhen the ES-D3 cells are transfected with SF-1 plasmid and then treated with RA and 8Br-cAMP, the cells are able to differentiate into leydig-like cells, indicating that the model of directional differentiation of ES cells into leydig-like cells has been constructed successfully.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Steroidogenic Factor 1 ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the biological effects of tetracycline on cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs).

METHODSIncreasing concentrations of tetracycline (1, 5, 20, 100, 500, 2500 microg/ml) were added to the medium of cultured HPDLFs, respectively. After co-incubated for 2 days, cell morphology was observed under reverse microscope, meanwhile, cell proliferation activity was assayed using MTT, the total amount of protein was detected with Coumassie Bright Blue method and DNA synthesis was measured by 3H-TdR.

RESULTSOver a concentration range of 1 to 100 microg/ml, cells demonstrated a normal appearance, spindle or fusiform shaped. Moreover, at a concentration range of 20 to 100 microg/ml, tetracycline significantly enhanced the proliferating activity and biosynthesis of HPDLFs (P < 0.01). However, higher concentration (2500 microg/ml) not only changed cell morphology, but also significantly inhibited cellular activity.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that proper doses of tetracycline could promote proliferation and biosynthesis of HPDLFs while higher concentrations of tetracycline had cytotoxic effect.

Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

Adult ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged