Seven adult albino rats were used for this study. The 50％ HRP solution was injected into the cervical enlargment unilaterally. Labelled neurons were mainly found in the nucleus paraventricularis, nucleus lateralis, nucleus paraventricularis, nucleus lateralis, nucleus perifornicalis, nucleus hypothalamicus anterior, nucleus hypothalamus posterior, nucleus suprachiasmaticus, nucleus supraopticus and nucleus periventricularis ipsilaterally. Most of the labelled neurons were found in nucleus paraventricularis hypothalamicus, less in the nucleus lateralis and only a few in other nuclei.The authors suggest that the efferent projections from the hypothalamus to the spinal cord in the rat may play a role in the integrative function of the spinal cord. which may be involved in the process of acupuncture analgesia.

Attempts were made to determine the cells of origin from the thalamus to the spinal cord by using the retrograde tracer technique with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The solution of HRP was injected into the intumescentia cervicalis unilaterally in eight albino rats. The results indicated that the HRP-labeled cells were located in the parafascicular nucleus, subparafascicular nucleus and the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus. The function of spinal projection from these neuclei were discussed.

The efferent projections to the spinal cord from the brain stem were studied with HRP. Fifty per cent solution of HRP was slowly injected into the intumescentia cervicalis at six points on its right side in 10 albino rats and the HRP-labelled cells were found in the following nuclei:1. Of the midbrain: the nucleus linearis, nucleus raphe dorsalis, substantia nigra, nucleus ruber, nucleus cuneiformis, nucleus colliculus superior, nucleus Edinger-Westphal, nucleus Darkschewitsch, nucleus interstitialis (Cajal), nucleus ventralis tegmenti and nucleus dorsalis tegmentalis;2. Of the ports: the nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus medianus raphe, nucleus trigemini principalis, nucleus lemnisci lateralis, nucleus reticularis pontis oralis, nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis, locus ceruleus, nucleus subceruleus, nucleus vestibularis lateralis, nucleus vestibularis medialis, nucleus parabrachialis and nucleus olivaris su- perior;3. Of the medulla oblongata: the nucleus raphe obscurus, nucleus raphe pallidus, nucleus gracilis, nucleus cuneatus, nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini, nucleus tractus solitarius, nucleus commissuralis (Cajal), nucleus reticularis lateralis, nucleus reticularis paramedianus, nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis and nucleus olivaris inferior;4. Of the cerebellum: the nucleus medialis and lateralis.The functions of spinal projection from the nuclei raphe, reticularis, locus ceruleus, substantia nigra and the nucleus dorsalis tegmentalis have been discussed.

BACKGROUND:Culture supernatant containing myocardiocyte has been demonstrated to induce differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s into myocardiocyte-like cel s. This may associate with some or several cytokines in the culture supernatant.
OBJECTIVE:To explore if the supernatant of myocardiocyte induces bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s to differentiate into myocardiocyte-like cel s is associated with the different cytokine content in the supernatant of myocardiocyte.
METHODS:Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s were isolated and cultured in vitro by the whole bone marrow adherent culture. Cardiocytes were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s (1×108/L) and cardiocytes (1×105/L) were cultured for 72 hours and the supernatant was col ected. Hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor, stem cel factor, fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in culture supernatant of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s and cardiocytes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The content of insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor in the supernatant of cardiocytes was significantly higher in cardiocytes group compared with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s group (P<0.01). Results indicated that insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor in the supernatant of cardiocytes may have capability to induce bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cel s to differentiate into myocardiocyte-like cel s, and insulin-like growth factor 1 may serve as the main cytokine.

Background and purpose:Bladder cancer radical surgery is dififcult with many perioperative complications, and the learning curve is long. To introduce the clinical application of complete retrograde radical cystectomy and consequent abdominal cavity reconstruction in male bladder cancer, and to provide a standardized surgical procedure with minimum perioperative complications and short learning curve. Methods:From Apr. 2012 to Apr. 2013, 110 cases of male patients with bladder cancer received this procedure in our department, with a median age of 64 (35-83) years;Preoperative characters, surgical parameters, perioperative complications, pathology, long-term complications and short-term prognosis were collected and analyzed. Results:The median number of lymph nodes resected in operation was 12 (8-16);Neurovascular bundles were reserved bilaterally in 65 cases, and unilaterally in 31 cases;The complete procedure including urinary diversion took 4.4 (2.2-6.0) hours, with a median time of opened abdominal cavity of 43.0 (5.0-75.0) minutes;The median blood loss was 140.0 (50.0-600.0) mL, and 4 patients needed transfusion; Median time of abdominal and pelvic drainage was 10.0 (6.0-15.0) days, the median gastrointestinal recovery time was 2.5 (1.0-12.0) days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 17.0 (10.0-39.0) days;Grade 2 Clavien-Dindo classiifcation (CDC) of surgical complications that required medical intervention were found in 19 cases, CDC grade 3 or above were found in 8 cases;Mild to moderate postoperative ileus happened in 5 cases, all recovered in median 2 (1-4) weeks with supportive treatments;There were no perioperative deaths. All samples were sent to pathological analyses. After a median follow-up of 9 (3-15) months, no complications of or above CDC grade 3 happened, and there were no recurrence. Conclusion:Complete retrograde radical cystectomy in male bladder cancer provided clear anatomical approach, reliable neurovascular bundle preservation, less blood loss, limited abdominal organs disturbance and better surgical exposure; With respect to tumor control, more peritoneal was retained for subsequent abdominal cavity reconstruction. The introduced procedure effectively speeded up gastrointestinal recovery, reduced postoperative complications, especially the incidence of ileus and its severity, and shortened hospital stay. The learning curve of this procedure for urologists was short, and further investigation was warranted.

Objective To construct and evaluate a nomogram for predicting the risk of regional lymph node metastases according to pathological features of the primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. Methods The clinical and pathological data of 73 patients who had undergone partial/radical penectomy and ilio/inguinal lymphadenectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis from 1990 to 2005 were retrospectively collected. The expressions of molecular markers (p53, Ki-67, E-cadherin and MMP-9) were determined by immunohistochemistry. A logistic regression model was used to construct the nomogram. Results Tumor grade, the expression level of p53 and lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic factors of regional lymph node involvement (P<0. 05). The nomogram predicting the risk of metastatic lymph node involvement showed a good concordance index (0. 92) and good calibration. Conclusions Based on the pathological findings of primary tumor, a nomogram to predict the probability of regional lymph node involvement in penile squamous cell carcinoma patients is constructed. This statistical tool is not only helpful in judging individualizing tumor risk, but also in facilitating patients communication in treatment options.

Objective To construct a nomogram for estimating disease free survival of node-positive penile cancer treated with surgery.MethodsThe clinicopathological data of 32 node-positive penile squamous cell carcinoma patients were retrospectively reviewed.All patients had undergone primary tumor excision and regional lymphadenectomy.The pathological records showed that 10 were N1,13 were N2 and 9 were N3.Median level of preoperative squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) was O.9 μg/L.With a median follow-up of 16.5 months,13 patients developed recurrence.Based on the stage,histological grade and preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen level,a nomogram was drawn on the basis of the Cox regression model.Results Stage and preoperative serum SCCAg levels were independent prognostic factors for disease free survival in node-positive penile cancer treated with surgery.The hazard ratio of SCCAg level and N stage was 2.76 (95％ CI:1.40-5.44,P=0.0034) and 28.51 (95％ CI:2.55 -319.11,P =0.0066).The nomogram demonstarted good discrimination and calibration with a concordance index of 0.855.Conclusions Based on the N stage and preoperative serum SCCAg level,a nomogram to predict disease free survival in node-positive penile cancer treated with surgery was set up.The prediction model could be helpful in predicting the risk of recurrence.

Objective To evaluate the recurrence patterns and possible prognostic factors in primary penile cancer treated with penectomy and standard lymphadenectomy.Methods The records of 73 patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma who underwent penile amputation and regional lymphadenectomy between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed.The median follow up was 32 ( 16 - 183) months.Molecular markers including p53 and Ki-67 were detected using immunohistochemistry.Recurrence patterns,pathological characteristics,and patient outcomes were analyzed.ResultsTwenty( 27.4％ ) patients developed recurrences at a mean of 11 (6 - 17 ) months postoperatively and 3 cases remained alive at last follow-up.The mean cancer specific survival of the recurrent patients was 26 ( 16 - 83 ) months.Distant metastasis and multiple recurrences were common among patients with high-grade tumor (P =0.017 ).Univariate analysis revealed that higher primary tumor stage,higher pathological grade,lymph node metastasis,extra-nodal involvement and positive p53 protein expression were significantly associated with decreased 3-year disease free survival rates.Cox regression identified that only pathological grade ( P =0.025 ) and lymph node status ( P =0.024 ) were independent predictors of disease free survival.ConclusionsPathological grade and lymph node status were independent predictors of disease free survival in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma in this cohort.Patients with high-grade disease are likely to recur in a distant or multiple pattern.

Objective To evaluate the correlating clinical factors of coronary artery calcification score(CACS).Methods 141 patients suspected of coronary artery disease were included.They underwent multi-slice row computed tomography,pulse wave velocity ( PWV ),UCG and blood biochemistry within a period of 3 months.The subjects were divided into three groups according to CAC score:A(CACS =0-10),B ( CACS = 11-400),C ( CACS > 400).Results CACS was significantly associated with age,history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.It was also associated with the presence of mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification,low ankel brachial pressure index(ABI) and high mean artery pressure(MAP) as well as high values of brachial ankel PWV (baPWV) and Upstroke time (UT).Muhifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of aortic valve calcification and mitral annular calcification,the history of diabetes mellitus and high value of UT were independently correlated with severe coronary artery calcification.Conclusions Aortic valve calcification,mitral annular calcification,history of diabetes mellitus,high value of UT were independently correlated with severe coronary artery calcification.Measurement of PWV and UCG should be performed before muhi-slicerow computed tomography,because the assessment of coronary artery lumen narrowing with multi-slice row computed tomography can not be carried out accurately in the presence of severe coronary artery calcification.

Objective To explore the accuracy and practical significance of the 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the liver and the abdominal blood vessels based on the data of 64-slice spiral computerized tomography (64S-SCT). Methods The 2D images of the liver and the abdominal blood vessels were collected after TLC-scanning with 64S-SCT. The 3D images of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and the abdominal blood vessels were reconstructed by the medical image processing system. The volume of the 3D reconstructed liver was compared with that of the actual liver measured by the 64S-SCT, and the portal vein of the reconstructed liver model was compared with that reconstructed by the Mxview workstation based on the 64S-SCT data. Results The 3D models of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and abdominal blood vessels were vivid, and could be revolved and observed at any direction. The spatial relationship among main intrahepatic ducts was clearly displayed. The actual liver volume and the condition of the intrahepatic ducts were accurately demonstrated. The reconstructed liver, the branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein, and the abdominal blood vessels were simultaneously displayed by adjusting the transparency of the liver model. The portal vein of the reconstructed liver model completely matched that reconstructed by the Mxview workstation based on the 64S-SCT data. Conclusions The 3D models of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and abdominal blood vessels reflect the human anatomy structure, and provide reliable virtual organs and vessel system for virtual liver surgery.