BACKGROUND:The Notch signaling pathway is evolutionarily highly conserved and mediated by cel-cel interactions, which is widely involved in cel differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. This critical transduction system participates in coordinating various functions of vascular endothelial cels, thus playing a vital role in the formation and remodeling of vascular network. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the components of Notch signaling pathway and its impact on angiogenesis. METHODS: A computer-based online search of PubMed and CBM databases was performed. High-quality articles related to mechanism of angiogenesis regulated by Notch signaling were included, and repetitive studies were excluded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Totaly 31 literatures were selectively included in this review. Angiogenesis is a complicated and muti-stage biological event and has been delicately regulated. Notch signaling participates in the regulation of every stage of angiogenesis directly or indirectly via the crosstalk with vascular endothelial growth factor, BMP-SMAD signaling and extracelular matrix molecules. Furthermore, consistent output of Notch signaling is essential for maintaining the stability and integrity of adult vascular system. This review wil thoroughly clarify the latest progress on angiogenesis regulated by Notch signaling and provide theoretical basis and a potential target for designing therapeutic methods against vascular disease.

Objective To evaluate the significance of the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) as prognostic indicators for patients with stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 285 patients with stage Ⅱcolorectal cancer who underwent potentially curative surgery were enrolled in the study. A high CEA level was defined as a level exceeding 5 ng/ml and a high CA19-9 level was defined as a level exceeding 37 U/ml. Patients were followed up every 3 months to review CEA and CA19-9 levels. Two years later, the chest and abdominal CT examination were performed every 3 months, and then every 6 months until 5 years. Results Out of these 285 patients, 99 (42.60%) patients had high CEA levels, 25 (8.77 %) patients had high CA19-9 levels, and 12 (4.21 %) patients had both high CEA and CA19-9 levels. The overall survival rates of patients with both high CEA and CA19-9 levels were significantly worse than those of others (P< 0.05). During the study, 51 recurrences were diagnosed. There were 22 hepatic recurrences, 10 pulmonary recurrences, 9 local recurrences, 8 lymph node recurrences, and 2 peritoneal recurrences. CT, CEA and CA19-9 were the first abnormal examinations in 30, 5 and 8 recurrent patients, respectively. In 27 % of recurrent patients, the recurrence was detected earlier by CEA and CA19-9 than that by CT. Conclusions The detection of preoperative CEA and CA19-9 levels is useful for predicting the prognosis after potentially curative surgery in patents with stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer. For early detection of occult recurrence of colorectal cancer, tumor markers are relevant.

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood pressure(BP) and prognosis in three different ischemic stroke subtypes.Methods The consecutive patients with a brain infarction proven on diffusion-weighted MRI who were hospitalized within 48 hours after stroke onset between April 2007 and April 2008 were registered.All subjects with acute ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to the neurological wards of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College,were registered in the Wenzhou Stroke Registry Program.Data were collected and coded at primary registration.The BP levels were studied during the initial 7 hospital days.Survival and dependency were assessed at 3 months.Outcomes were adjusted age,consciousness level,admission NIHSS score,the decline level of systolic BP,the decline level of diastolic BP,complication and so on. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between BP and prognosis.Results A U-shaped effect was observed in each subgroup between BP and prognosis.In the subgroups of atherothrombosis,cardioembolism and small artery disease,those who had a BP of 150/95 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)on admission,140/90 mm Hg on day 1-7 would have a better prognosis.In the subgroups of atherothrombosis and cardioembolism,the decrease of BP during the first 24 hours was the independent predictor of the death and disability at 3-month.In the atherothrombosis group,when the decrease of systolic BP during the first 24 hours was greater than 20 mm Hg,the risk of the death and disability at 3-month increased 4.44 times(OR 4.44,95%CI 1.70-11.59,P=0.002).In the atherothrombosis group,when the decrease of diastolic BP during the first 24 hours was greater than 10 mm Hg,the risk of the death/disability at 3-month increased 3.70 times(OR 3.70,95%CI 1.54-8.90.P=0.00).In the cardioembolism group,the risk increased respectively 7.98 times(OR 7.98,95%CI 1.34-47.66.P=0.026)and 6.68 times(OR 6.68.95%CI 1.55-28.79,P=0.01).In the subgroups of small artery disease,the decrease of BP during the first 24 hours was not the independent predictor of the death and disability at 3-month.Conclusions A U-shaped effect is observed in each subgroup between BP and prognosis.In the subgroups of atherothrombosis and cardioembolism,the decrease of BP during the first 24 hours is the independent predictor of the death and disability at 3-month.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of lymph nodes metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and to discuss surgical approach.Methods All patients underwent total thyroidectomy,central lymph nodes and lateral lymph nodes dissection in Department of Thyroid Surgery,the First Hospital of the Jilin University,from Dec.2011 to Dec.2012.Results With the increase of the number of positive central lymph nodes,lateral cervical lymph node metastasis rate increased as well and accompanied multi region metastasis trend.In 102 cases of lateral positive cervical lymph node patients,55 cases were in level Ⅱ,accounting for 53.92％,62 cases were in level Ⅲ,accounting for 60.78％,76 cases were in level Ⅳ,accounting for 74.51％,and 17 cases were in level V,accounting for 16.67％.In lateral lymph nodes metastasis,we found level Ⅳ was the most vulnerable area,followed by level Ⅲ,level Ⅱ and level Ⅴ.Conclusions Prophylactic central lymph node dissection should be performed in PTC patients.Patients with central lymph node metastasis especially with the number of positive lymph nodes ＞ 3 should be performed ipsilateral level Ⅱ-Ⅴ lymph node dissection.

Objective To study the changes of white matter fiber tracts in mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI)patients by using DTI technique on 3.0T MR system,and evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of DTI.Methods Thirty mTBI and 30 matched health-y controls underwent conventional CT,MRI and DTI examinations.FA values and ADC values in the genu of the corpus callosum, the splenium of the corpus callosum,bilateral internal capsule,the cingulum bundle,the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus of mTBI were measured in mTBI patients and controls at acute phase,subacute phase,5 weeks and 3 months post-trauma.The temporal changes of MRI data were observed.Results The FA values in the part of the white mat-ter fiber tracts reduced in the acute and subacute phase in mTBI patients (all P <0.05)in relative to controls (all P <0.05),At 5 weeks and 3 months post-trauma,the FA values also slightly lower in patients than controls.As for the genu of the corpus callosum and the splenium of the corpus callosum,the FA values in mTBI patients increased slightly at the acute stage (all P >0.05),but de-creased at 5 weeks-3 months post-trauma phase,though there was no significantly difference(all P >0.05).ADC values significantly decreased in the acute and subacute phase in mTBI patients,while they recovered thereafter (all P >0.05).Conclusion The sensi-tivity of DTI in detecting the lesions of mild traumatic brain damage is high,and it can display the damage of white matter.DTI could play an important role in the diagnosis of mTBI.

Objective: To develop 5-FU multiple emulsion entrapped into thermo-sensitive gel (5-FU-DEG) and detect the ab-sorption and transportation in Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Methods:The 5-FU multiple emulsion was prepared by a two-step emulsif-ying method. Poloxamer 407 (P407) was used as the thermo-sensitive material and sodium alginate (SA) was used as the bioadhesive material for the preparation of 5-FU-DEG. Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to investigate the transportation and absorption of 5-FU. Results:5-FU-DEG gelled at the ambient temperature and turned into liquid below 10℃ The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of 5-FU-DEG was 1.47 ±0.11 ×10 -5(cm·s-1), which was about 6 times higher than that of 5-FU water solution(2.39 ± 0.21 ×10 -6 cm·s-1)(P<0.01). The cellular uptake rate of 5-FU-DEG was (17.1 ±0.24) %, which was 3.9 times greater than that of 5-FU water solution (4. 41 ± 0. 23%)(P<0. 01). Conclusion:5-FU-DEG can efficiently enhance the transportation and ab-sorption of drug in rectal site by using micro-emulsion technology combined with thermo-sensitive technology, which can be an effective rectal delivery system for 5-FU to treat rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are many studies on the effect of different experimental parameters on the tetragonal phase of zirconia, but it is unclear whether pH values have effects on the tetragonal phase in hydrothermal reactionOBJECTIVE: To prepare two zirconia systems via hydrothermal method and to regulate the tetragonal phase purity and control the grain size of zirconia (ZrO2) crystal by pH values.METHODS: Analytical reagents Zr(NO3)4?5H2O and Y(NO3)3?6H2O were adopted as reactors, and nano-sized neat ZrO2 and yttria-stabilized tetragonal ZrO2 polycrystal (Y-TZP) powders were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction was adopted to characterize the influence of pH values and pH regulators (NaOH solution and ammonium hydroxide/NaOH solution) on phase purity and grain size of tetragonal zirconia.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pure zirconia samples with a grain size lower than 20 nm were obtained through the hydrothermal method, and samples with higher tetragonal phase content compared to monoclinic phase could be derived when the pH value was higher than 10. The optimal pH values for neat zirconia and Y-TZP were 13 and 12,respectively. Furthermore, the ammonium hydroxide/NaOH solution was more favorable to enhance the content of tetragonal zircona. Therefore, the control of pH values and rational choice of pH regulators can improve the tetragonal phase purity and grain size of zirconia.

Objective:To explore effects of Idazoxan(IDA) on changes of neuroglial cells in spinal cords of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE).Methods:Rat EAE was induced by immunization with spinal cord homogenates of Geania pigs.EAE clinical manifestations were assessed in terms of the scoring standards.Histological investigation and immunohistochemistry were observed for the inflammatory dedmylinative lesion of CNS and morphology of glial cells.Results:Ida could not decrease the incidence of EAE,but alleviate its clinical manifestation and histological changes.On day 15 after immunization,astrocytes in and around the inflammatory dedmylinative lesion of CNS in EAE rats treated with Ida increased in number and size,on the contrary,microglia decreased in number and size.Conclusion:Ida has protective effects on EAE and its functional mechanism may be concerned with modulation of immunological mechanism of CNS.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Calcium dobesilate (calcium dihydroxy-2, 5-benzenesulfonate) has been widely used to treat chronic venous insufficiency and diabetic retinopathy, especialy many clinical studies showed that calcium dobesilate as vasoprotective compound ameliorates renal lesions in diabetic nephropathy. However, there are few literatures reported calcium dobesilate in the treatment of chronic renal alograft dysfunction after renal transplantation. OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of calcium dobesilate on chronic renal dysfunction after renal transplantation. METHODS:A total of 152 patients with chronic renal alograft dysfunction after renal transplantation were enroled from the Military Institute of Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. They were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=78) and the control group (n=74). Patients in the treatment group received 500 mg of calcium dobesilate three times daily for eight weeks. Al patients were treated with calcineurin inhibitor-based triple immunosuppressive protocols and comprehensive therapies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For patients receiving calcium dobesilate, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid decreased significantly at two weeks after treatment and maintained a stable level (P < 0.05). However, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen returned to the original level soon after drug withdrawal. No significant difference was observed in blood cel count, liver function, blood lipids, electrolytes, blood pressure and 24-hour urine output between the two groups before and after therapy (P > 0.05). Administration of calcium dobesilate did not change the general condition of patients with renal insufficiency, nor did it affect blood concentrations of the immunosuppressive agents. Calcium dobesilate may help to delay the progress of graft injury in patients with chronic renal graft dysfunction by conjugating with creatinine, ameliorating the impaired microcirculation and its antioxidant property. The decline in serum creatinine aleviates patients’ anxiety and concern arising from the elevation of creatinine. However, the negative interference with serum creatinine caused by calcium dobesilate should be cautious in order to avoid misjudgment of patients’ condition.

Objective To design an on-vehicle medical waste pyrolysis furnace for the safe disposal of medical wastes, which could disposal 1t wastes each day. Methods A furnace was designed by in-depth research of pyrolysis, calculation analysis in detail, and taking the experimental results and other factors in. The flue gas treatment system of this medical waste pyrolysis furnace was designed through 3T principle.Results This furnace behaved well in configuration, reliability and self support, whose dioxin emission was limited as 0.213 ng/m3.Conclusion The on-vehicle medical waste pyrolysis furnace gains advantages in safety and environment protection, and has a brilliant future in practice.