Objective To investigate the diagnosis and the effect of microsurgery in patients with acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (ASSEH). Method Five patients with ASSEH treated with microsurgery and confirmed pathologically were retrospectively analyzed. Results The main clinical presentations were root pain and palsy. The main manifestations of MRI were long-segment epidural lesion of high intensity in T1 and T2-weighted images without enhancement. With the microsurgery system, laminectomy via posterior approach and hematoma removal were successfully undergone with full recovery in all cases. Conclusions MRI assisted with the main clinical symptoms may aid preoperative diagnosis in symptomatic ASSEH. Microsurgery is an effective method for treating ASSEH. Postoperative (rather than preoperative) spinal DSA is advantageous for exclusion of spinal vascular malformation in treating ASSEH.

AIM: To determine whether the high mobility group protein I (HMGI) is able to bind to the upstream sequence of platelet-derived growth factor B-chain gene and to characterize the HMGI-binding AT-rich regions. METHODS: Recombinant human HMGI (rhHMGI) protein was prepared and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used. RESULTS: The binding of rhHMGI to PDGF-B (-1 758 / +43 bp) was observed in vitro. Two major HMGI-binding fragments -1 392 / -1 180 bp and -188 / +43 bp were identified, which contained the same AT-rich sequence TTTATAAA (-1 333 / -1 326 bp, -1 314 / -1 307 bp and -30 / -23 bp). An oligonucleotide bound to the TTTATAAA and the GAGACC, the core sequence of the shear stress response element of the PDGF-B, could also bind to the HMGI. Furthermore, HMGI facilitated the binding of NF-?B to the GAGACC in the oligonucleotide. CONCLUSION: The HMGI could bind to the upstream sequence of the PDGF-B gene via the AT-rich sequence TTTATAAA, which may play a role in the transcriptional regulation of the PDGF-B gene.

Phaffia rhodozyma is a good strain for astaxanthin production. An over-producing mutant YB-20-29 was obtained by means of Cs137-?ray and N-methy1-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidin (NTG) treatment. The biomass for this strain by shake culture was 36.32 g/L, the pigment content was 1216.0 ?g/g, an increase of 308% compare to o-riginal strain. The astaxanthin content in broth was 30.9?g /mL. It was a potential strain for astaxanthin over-production.

Objective To discuss the utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the assessment of treatment efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with renal tumors.Methods Forty-seven patients (40 renal cell carcinomas and 7 angiomyolipomas of kidney) with 49 renal tumors were treated with RFA. Tumors were ablated by laparoscopy-assisted (n= 30) and open surgical (n= 17) RFA. The CEUS and contrast-enhanced CT were performed 1 week after treatment to assess the necrotic area. Technical success was defined as elimination of areas that enhanced at imaging within the entire tumor. Results Forty-seven (95. 9%) of 49 tumors were successfully ablated. The mean length of the major axis at the maximal necrotic area was 4. 6 cm. Compared with the lesions before RFA, the necrotic areas were bigger in 45 patients, identical in 3 patients, and smaller in 1 patient. Six lesions showed a residual enhancement at the portion adjacent to the normal renal parenchyma on follow-up CEUS, while 2 were confirmed by CT scans. The sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for detection of residual tumors were 100. 0% and 91.8%, respectively. All patients survived in the follow-up period ranging from 4 to 21 months. Conclusion CEUS combined with CT could be useful for evaluating treatment efficacy of RFA for renal tumors.

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant adenovirus expression vector containing the anti-oncogene PTEN and to investigate the effects of the PTEN gene on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells and the expressions of cyclin D1 and p21 in the PC-3 cells.

METHODSThe PTEN gene was amplified from the rat hippocampus by RT-PCR and cloned into the shuttle plasmid pEN-TR2A. The plasmids were constructed and amplified in 293A cells. Prostate cancer PC-3 cells were cultured in vitro and infected with the adenoviral vector carrying the PTEN gene (Ad-PTEN). The up-regulation of the PTEN protein was measured by indirect immuno-fluorescence assay; the expressions of PTEN, cyclin D1 and p21 in the cells infected with Ad-PTEN and Ad-LacZ were determined by

RESULTSThe Western blot; and the effect of PTEN on the cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and plate colony formation. recombinant adenoviral vector Ad-PTEN was successfully constructed. Western blot showed a significantly increased expression of the PTEN protein in the PC-3 cells infected with Ad-PTIEN (0.215 +/-0.065) as compared with that in the control ([0.052 +/-0.009], t = 4. 30, P <0.05) and the Ad-LacZ group ( [0. 056 +/- 0.008 ] , t =4.21, P <0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 was significantly lower in the Ad-PTEN-infected PC-3 cells (0. 256 +/- 0. 072) than in the control ( [0. 502 +/- 0. 087 ], t = 3.77, P < 0.05) and the Ad-LacZ group ([0.498 +/-0.081] , t =3.87, P <0.05), while the expression of p21 remarkably higher in the Ad-PTEN-infected PC-3 cells (0.589 +/-0. 076) than in the control ([0. 146 +/-0.026] , t = 9.55, P<0. 01) and the Ad-LacZ group ([0. 163 +/-0. 024] , t = 9.26, P <0.01). Ad-PTEN significantly inhibited the growth of the PC-3 cells (21.98%) at 48 h (t = 6.80, P <0.01). The colony formation rate of the PC-3 cells was (37.4 +/-4. 18)% in the Ad-PTEN group, significantly lower than (54.9 +/-4.81)% in the control (t =4.76, P<0.01) and (56.5 +/- 5.42)% in the Ad-LacZ group (t=4.83, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PTEN induced by Ad-PTEN can significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells, down-regulate the expression of cyclin D1, and up-regulate the expression of p21.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of different platelet membrane glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies (McAb) which are common used in laboratories on the monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) technique according to the request of 14th International Society of Blood Transfusion Platelet Immunology Workshop. 30 participant laboratories were provided with 10 known human platelet antigen (HPA) antibodies, 1 normal serum, 9 different McAbs (against GPIIb/IIIa, GPIa/IIa, GPIb/IX and GPIV respectively), and the same protocol. Each participant laboratory carried out the test as the protocol to compare the results of different McAbs against the same glycoprotein and submitted the data to organizer. The results indicated that in McAbs against GPIIb/IIIa, AP2, Gi-5 and PL2-73 showed higher mean S/CO than that of others; in GPIa/IIa, MBC202.2 and 143.1 showed higher mean S/CO than that of others; in GPIb/IX, 142.11 and CLB-MB45 (CD42b) showed higher mean S/CO than that of others; as to GPIV, 131.4 showed higher mean S/CO. In conclusion, capture effects of various McAbs are different, so that different products of McAbs exert influences on the sensitivity of MAIPA. To use a panel of McAbs against the same glycoprotein may avoid the false negative results.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; classification ; Antigens, Human Platelet ; immunology ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; immunology ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; immunology ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; classification ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the levels of IGF-I in the epididymis and the expression of IGF-I in the testis of adult male rat after the administration of cyclophosphamide.

METHODSNinety-six male adult rats (8 weeks age) were divided into 6 groups. The doses given to the rats of the groups 1 to 5 were 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 mg/(kg x d), respectively. The remaining group was served as control. All those rats were sacrificed and IGF-I were quantitatively determined by ELISA techniques 2 and 4 weeks after the administration of the drug (by gastric fudge). Immunohistochemical SP technique was used to examine expression of IGF-I in rat testis.

RESULTSThe levels of cell factors (IGF-I) in the epididymis of the rats were gradually reduced with the increasing time and dose after administration of the drug. In the mean time the expression of IGF-I in the tissues of the testis of those rats were also gradually reduced.

CONCLUSIONIn the time of oligozoospermia/azoospermia induced by the administration of cyclophosphamide, the expression levels of IGF-I in the genetic system were significantly reduced. The possible mechanism of these changes could be attributed to the lower spermatogenesis function of the testis caused by the administration of cyclophosphamide.

Animals ; Azoospermia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Oligospermia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of pBBADs-OXM-transformed bifidobacteria on the body weight of obese mice.

METHODSB. longum was transformed with pBBADs-OXM by electroporation, and arabopyranose-induced oxyntomodulin expression by the bacterium was detected by ELISA. pBBADs-OXM-transformed bifidobacteria was administered orally obese mice on a daily basis with pBBADs-GFP-transformed bifidobacteria as the negative control, and the body weight changes of the mice were observed.

RESULTSOXM was detected by ELISA not only in the supernatant but also the precipitant of the transformed bacterial culture. The body weight of the obese mice fed with pBBADs-OXM-transformed bifidobacteria decreased significantly compared with that of the mice in the obese model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdministration of pBBADs-OXM-transformed B.longum can reduce the body weight of obese mice.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Appetite Depressants ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Bifidobacterium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Electroporation ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Obesity ; drug therapy ; Oxyntomodulin ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical results of selective thoracic fusion (STF) for scoliosis associated with syringomyelia.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to January 2009, 93 cases of scoliosis associated with syringomyelia were retrospectively reviewed. There were 11 cases who underwent STF and were followed up more than 2 years, which included 8 female and 3 male, the mean age was 14.9 years (9 - 21 years). Curve type, coronal and sagittal Cobb angle, apical vertebral rotation apical vertebral translation, flexibility, trunk shift were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 9 double curves and 2 triple curves, the Lenke type of thoracolumbar/lumbar curve included Lenke A in 2 cases, Lenke B in 7 cases and Lenke C in 2 cases. The average coronal Cobb angle of thoracic curve before and after surgery were 62.6° and 19.0° respectively, and the average correction rate was 69.6%. The average coronal Cobb angle of thoracolumbar/lumbar curve before and after surgery were 36.1° and 11.6° respectively, and the average spontaneous correction rate was 67.9%. The followed up time ranged from 24 to 48 months (mean 29.5 months), the average loss of correction rate was 6.8%. Only one trunk decompensation was noted at final follow-up. Pedicle screw nut loosening occurred in one patient and this patient underwent revision surgery, no neurological complication was noted at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSSTF could be safely performed in scoliosis associated with syringomyelia. Thoracolumbar/lumbar curve in these patients has similar spontaneous correction ability compared with idiopathic scoliosis patients. The satisfactory result could be achieved according to the STF criteria for IS.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Syringomyelia ; complications ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical typing and prophylactico-therapeutic measures for acute posttraumatic brain swelling (BS).

METHODSA retrospective study was performed in 66 cases of acute posttraumatic BS. There were 3 groups based on computered tomography (CT) scanning: 23 cases of hemisphere brain swelling (HBS) with middle line shift for less than 5 mm within 24 hours (Group A), 20 with middle line shift for more than 5 mm (Group B), and 23 with bilateral diffuse brain swelling (Group C).

RESULTS(1) The mortality rates of the operative and nonoperative management in Group A, Group B, and Group C were 20.0%, 31.6%, and 75.0% versus 44.4%, 0, and 85.7%, respectively (P>0.05); while the rates in subgroups with different middle line shift (more than 5 mm and less or equal 5 mm) were 29.2% and 75.0% versus 75.0% and 44.4%, respectively (0.05>P>0.01). (2) The good recovery rate and mortality in Group A were 47.8% and 39.1%, respectively and in Group C, 8.7% and 78.3%, respectively. There was a very significant difference between Group A and Group C (P<0.01). (3) The total survival rate of the selective comprehensive therapy was 53.1%.

CONCLUSIONS(1) Acute posttraumatic BS needs to be diagnosed correctly and promptly with CT scanning within 4 hours. (2) For patients with midline shift for more than 5 mm, especially with thin-layered subdural hematoma, surgical intervention is essential to reduce the fatality of acute posttraumatic BS.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain Edema ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies