Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; physiology ; therapeutic use ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans

Objective To analyze the potential factors facilitating post-pyloric placement of spiral naso-jejunum tube in critically ill patients.Methods A retrospective study was carried out in patients requiring enteral nutrition (EN) from Apr 2005 through Dec 2011 in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Severity of illness was assessed with APACHE Ⅱ score (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ).A selfpropelled spiral naso-jejunum tube was placed and observed for 24 hours.The forward movement and place of the tube tip was checked by bedside X-ray.The APACHE Ⅱ score,therapeutic measures,agents administered within 24 hours after tube insertion were recorded.The patients were divided into the success group and the failure group identified by bedside X-ray whether the tube tip entered into jejunum or not.Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to find out the potential factors impacting on the success or failure in post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Results A total of 508 patients composed of 337 male and 171 female,and aged (62.0 ± 19.2) years with APACHE Ⅱ score of (21.9 ± 7.3) were enrolled for study.The placement was successful in 205 (40.4％) of 508 patients.Univariate analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedatives and analgesics,catecholamines,prokinetics,artificial airway and mechanical ventilation were potential factors facilitating the post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Multivariate logistic regression identified that APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedatives and analgesics and prokinetics were independent factors facilitating the post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Conclusions The success rate of self-propelled spiral nasojejunal tubes insertion was relatively low.The prokinetics contributed higher success rate of naso-jejunum tube placement than factors of APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedative and analgesic,catecholamine drugs,artificial airway and mechanical ventilation.There were no effects of age and gender on the placement of naso-jejunum tube.

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; pharmacology ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

Objective To study the proliferation of CRTH2 (CD4+ CD294+ Th2)cells promoted by pneumococcal vaccine through antigen presentation of dendritic cells (DCs),so as to provide a new approach for amplification and sorting of Th2 cells.Methods CDs induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with T lym-phocytes after loading pneumococcal vaccine antigen,mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)was detected by cell count-ing kit-8(CCK8),DCs and CRTH2 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Pneumococcal vaccine could promote the maturation of DCs,together with TNF-a,it was adjuvant for maturation of DCs.Pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs could increase the rate of subsets of CRTH2 cells on day 5([0.93±0.10]%)compared with day 1([0.70±0.02]%),and absolute number also increased (both P <0.05).Conclusion Amplification of CRTH2 cells can be greatly promoted by pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs,which might be one of the effective way to induce amplification of Th2 cells.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the utility of ultrasonographic (US) findings in predicting the subsequent radiographic parameters of developmental dysplasia of the hips. Methods: In this 12-year retrospective cohort study, all new-born infants with a positive clinical examination or risk factors were included. They were scheduled for hip ultrasonography in the first 3 months, and subsequent radiographs at 1 year of life. The US images were evaluated using the Graf classification, Harcke’s dynamic screening method, and Terjesen’s femoral head coverage method. The radiographic images were evaluated using the acetabular index and femoral head position. The overall US or radiographic findings were considered abnormal if they were classified as abnormal for any of their respective parameters. The overall US and radiographic parameters were correlated. Results: A total of 160 patients were included. The overall US and radiographic parameters showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.050). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the overall US parameters were 57.1%, 84.9%, and 81.3%, respectively. All three individual US parameters showed no statistically significant differences, with the overall radiographic findings and acetabular index (P>0.05). However, they showed a statistically significant difference, with the position of the femoral head (P<0.001), with the US parameters having an excellent negative predictive value of 100% for identifying an abnormal femoral head position. Conclusion The current study suggests that US findings evaluated in the first 3 months of life showed no statistically significant difference with radiographic findings evaluated at 1 year of life. The US parameters showed an excellent negative predictive value for abnormal femoral head position on radiographs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinicopathologic features, immunophenotypes and differential diagnoses of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor (FDCS).

METHODSEight cases of FDCS were studied using histological and immunohistochemical examinations and EBER in situ hybridization, with a review of the related literatures.

RESULTSThere were 5 male and 3 female patients with a median age of 50 years. The sites of involvement included lymph node (4 cases), tonsil, nasopharynx, liver, and spleen (1 case each, respectively). The predominant microscopic features histologically included storiform, fascicular, diffuse, whorled and nodular in patterns. The neoplastic cells, dispersed by the infiltrated small lymphocytes, were characterized by abundant eosinophilic or fine granular cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders, and syncytial in appearance. The nuclei of the tumors were ovoid, round to spindled in shape with vesicular or stippled chromatin and small distinct nucleoli. Mitotic figures varied among cases. Pseudovascular spaces and perivascular cuffing were observed in some cases. One case of FDCS involving lesion in liver showed a background of abundant lymphocytes mixing with dispersed spindle or ovoid neoplastic cells having delicate chromatin, mild nuclear atypia, irregular/vesicular nuclei and distinct nucleoli. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD21, CD35, clusterin, and weakly positive for CD68, EMA, S-100 and EGFR. Ki-67 stain showed a variable expression among cases. EBER was positive in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONSFDCS is a rare malignant tumor with a tendency to relapse and metastasis. Combined morphological and immunophenotypical analysis is necessary to reach a correct diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; immunology ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; analysis ; immunology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dendritic Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; analysis ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histogenetic origin of primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with respect to the stage of B-cell differentiation, and identification of the relevant prognostic markers.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) for CD10, bcl-6, MUM-1, CD138 and FOXP1 antigens was performed on 47 paraffin-embedded sections.

RESULTSCD10, bcl-6, MUM-1 and FOXP1 expression in the tumor cells were 6.4%, 53.2%, 91.5% and 93.6% respectively. There was no expression of CD138 in all the cases. Among the 47 patients, 43 cases (91.5%) showed an activated B-cell-like (ABC) phenotype: 21 (44.7%) were bcl-6+ and MUM-1+, suggesting an "activated germinal center (GC) B-cell-like" in origin; 22 (46.8%) were exclusively MUM-1+, suggesting an "activated non-GCB" in origin. No significant correlation of the classification and FOXP1 expression found on the outcome (P=0.279 and P=0.154).

CONCLUSIONSMost primary central nervous system DLBCL are shown belonging to the ABC subgroup, suggesting that primary central nervous system DLBCL is quite similar to a DLBCL subset, which is derived from late GC to early post-GC B cell. The classification and FOXP1 expression do not show prognostic value in primary central nervous system DLBCL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; B-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Central Nervous System ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed data from 107 patients received thoracoscopic extended thymectomy from June 1995 to June 2004. All patients had confirmed diagnosis of myasthenia gravis by clinical manifestation and electromyogram. Thoracoscopic extended thymectomy as well as dissection of all fatty tissue anterior to the pericardium was performed.

RESULTSDuring a follow-up of 1-98 months, symptom was significantly improved in 83% of patients, including 34 patients experienced complete remission. There was no postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONFavorable results of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy can be achieved in patients with myasthenia gravis. The technique is safe and minimally invasive.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thymectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDWe have previously developed and characterized a monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody, designated 6B11, which mimics an ovarian carcinoma associated antigen OC166 - 9 and whose corresponding monoclonal antibody is COC166 - 9 (Ab1). In this study, we evaluate the humoral immune responses induced by the fusion protein 6B11 single-chain variable fragment (scFv)/human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) and 6B11scFv in BALB/c mice.

METHODSThe fusion protein 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF was constructed by fusing a recombinant single-chain variable fragment of 6B11scFv to GM-CSF. BALB/c mice were administrated by 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF and 6B11scFv, respectively.

RESULTSThe fusion protein 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF retained binding to the anti-mouse F (ab) 2' and was also biologically active as measured by proliferation of human GM-CSF dependent cell TF1 in vitro. After immunization with the 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF and 6B11ScFv, BALB/c mice showed significantly enhanced Ab3 antibody responses to 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF compared with the 6B11scFv alone. The level of Ab3 was the highest after the first week and maintained for five weeks after the last immunization. Another booster was given when the Ab3 titer descended, and it would reach to the high level in a week.

CONCLUSIONThe fusion protein 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF can induce humoral immunity against ovarian carcinoma in vivo. We also provide the theoretical foundation for the application of the fusion protein 6B11scFv/hGM-CSF for active immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

Animals ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; immunology ; Antibodies, Neoplasm ; blood ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology