Objective To investigate the clinical value of Color Doppler Ultrasound in diagnosis of lymph node diseases. Methods We observed the ultrasound features of the 93 cases of swelled lymph nodes with Color Doppler ultrasound. The ultrasound features included pseudokidney sign, assessment on blood flow distribution, the Doppler resistive Index (RI), maximal flow rate (Vmax),the longitudinal axis compared to the diameter of a node (L/D ratio) . Results Out of 93 cases of clinically confirmed swelled lymph nodes,the concordance rate of Color Doppler Ultrasound was 86%and 88%in diagnosis of malignant lymph node disease and benign lymph node disease, respectively. 4 cases of lymph tuberculosis were misdiagnosed as lymphoma due to the similar ultrasound characteristics found in malignant lymph group,the rate of misdiagnosis was 8%. In the cases of proliferative lymph node diseases with Pseudokidney sign, 93% of the blood flow distribution was classified as grade 0-I. 90% of lymphadenitis were found with Pseudokidney sign,and 95%of those cases with blood flow distribution was classified as grade II-III. Malignant lymph diseases had no Pseudokidney sign, and 86%of blood flow distribution grade was as III. There was statistically significant difference in the L/D ratio and RI between benign lymph group and malignant lymph group (P<0.01) . There was statistically significant difference in Vmax between lymphoproliferative group and other groups (P<0.01) . Conclusions Pathological characteristics on different lymph node disease determin the ultrasound characteristics. Combined clinical data based on Pseudokidney sign, Blood Flow Distribution, RI value,Vmax value and L/D ratio can enhance the accuracy of various lymph node disease diagnosis.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been shown to be multipotent cells that possess high self-replicating capacity. The purpose of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using enteric neuron-like cells obtained by in vitro induction and differentiated from rat BMSCs for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are neurotrophic factors that play important roles in neuronal development, differentiation, survival and function. Meanwhile, GDNF mutations are a major cause of HD. In this study, BMSCs were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmids co-expressing GDNF and NT-3, and the transfected cells displayed neuron-like changes after differentiation induced by fetal gut culture medium (FGCM). Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expression of the neuronal marker NSE and the enteric neuronal markers PGP9.5, VIP and nNOS. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed the expression of GDNF and NT-3 in transfected BMSCs. The present study indicates that genetically modified BMSCs co-expressing GDNF and NT-3 are able to differentiate into enteric neuronal cells and express enteric nerve markers when induced by FGCM. This study provides an experimental basis for gene therapy to treat enteric nervous system-related disorders, such as HD.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effect of human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs) on proteins secreted by epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells SKOV3-pm4 with highly directional lymphatic metastasis. Methods:The supernatants of the four groups of cultured cells (A, SKOV3;B, SKOV3+HLEC;C, SKOV3-PM4;and D, SKOV3-PM4+HLEC) were collected. The proteins of these cells were detected by antibody arrays and iTRAQ-2D-LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF/MS. The screened significantly differential proteins were further analyzed by bioinformatics and validated in the human serum and cell culture medium by ELISA. Results:Progranulin (GRN) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were upregulated between groups C and A. In addition, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP-7) and secreted protein acid rich in cysteine (SPARC) were downregulated between groups D and C. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis revealed that IGFBP7 interacted with VEGFA. VEGF exhibited the highest expression in ovarian cancer and IGFBP7 exhibited the lowest expression compared with the serum of the normal control group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two substances. Conclusion:The HLEC microenvironment is closely associated with directional metastasis in lymph nodes with differential proteins, including matricellular proteins and adhesion factors. In particular, the upregulation of VEGFA and GRN and the downregulation of SPARC and IGFBP7 were closely associated with the directional metastasis of EOC cells in lymph nodes.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice. Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3, 6, 9 or 12 months). PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot. Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay. The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice, as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs. In addition, we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing. It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs, and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis. Thus, PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

Objective To establish the condition cultrue cell system and co-culture cell system with SKOV3/PM4,HUVEC and to study the changes of their biological characteristics. Methods The cells of SKOV3/PM4 and HUVEC were labeled with green and red fluorescent respectively. The cell supernatant of SKOV3/PM4 and HUVEC were collected respectively as the condition medium(e.g:the cell supernatant of HUVEC cells was used as SKOV3/PM4 condition medium)and to establish the condition cultrue cell system and the co-culture cell system of the two cell lines. In the condition cultrue cell system, The morphological changes of cells were observed by HE staining to calculate the mitotic index. The ultrastructural changes of the two cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The growth curve of the cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry was used to analyzed the cell cycles.In the co-culture cell system, the interaction of the two cells were detected by laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were detected by gelatin zymography. Results Compared with the single culture SKOV3/PM4, the cells which cultured in HUVEC condition medium showed the increase of pseudopodia and nuclear division,the mitotic index respectively were [(4.8 ± 0.8)%,(11.2 ± 0.3)%;P<0.05]. The growth rate was significantly increased. In cell cycles, it showed the declined cell ratio of G0/G1 phase, respectively[(69.4±3.6)%, (48.4±4.6)%;P<0.05] and the raised cell ratio of G2/M phase, respectively [(5.2±1.6)%, (24.9±2.2)%;P<0.05]. Compared with the single culture HUVEC,the cells which cultured in SKOV3/PM4 condition medium showed the significant morphological change and vacuolization in the cytoplasm, Nuclear division was increased and the mitotic index respectively were [(2.7±0.5)%, (5.7±0.6)%;P<0.05]. The growth rate was slightly declined. In cell cycles, it showed the raised cell ratio in G0/G1 phase, respectively [(51.4 ± 2.2)%,(79.0 ± 4.1)%;P<0.05] and the declined cell ratio in G2/M phase, respectively [(19.1±1.2)%, (3.3±0.5)%;P<0.05]. After co-culture for 48 hours, spontaneous fusion between SKOV3/PM4 and HUVEC cell was observed by the laser confocal microscope. Gelatin zymography assay showed that MMP-2 was not expressed in HUVEC cells, low-expressed in SKOV3/PM4 cells and high-expressed in the co-culture SKOV3/PM4+HUVEC cells. The expression of MMP-2 in co-culture SKOV3/PM4+HUVEC cells and SKOV3/PM4 cells respectively were 1 885 ± 84 and 1 209 ± 114 (P<0.05). But there were no MMP-9 expression in HUVEC cells, SKOV3/PM4 cells, and the co-culture SKOV3/PM4+HUVEC. Conclusion The characteristics of SKOV3/PM4 and HUVEC show significant changes after condition culture and co-culture, it may involve in the microenvironment of the cells and the intercellular crosstalk pathway.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been shown to be multipotent cells that possess high self-replicating capacity.The purpose of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using enteric neuron-like cells obtained by in vitro induction and differentiated from rat BMSCs for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD).Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are neurotrophic factors that play important roles in neuronal development,differentiation,survival and function.Meanwhile,GDNF mutations are a major cause of HD.In this study,BMSCs were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmids co-expressing GDNF and NT-3,and the transfected cells displayed neuron-like changes after differentiation induced by fetal gut culture medium (FGCM).Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expression of the neuronal marker NSE and the enteric neuronal markers PGP9.5,VIP and nNOS.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed the expression of GDNF and NT-3 in transfected BMSCs.The present study indicates that genetically modified BMSCs co-expressing GDNF and NT-3 are able to differentiate into enteric neuronal cells and express enteric nerve markers when induced by FGCM.This study provides an experimental basis for gene therapy to treat enteric nervous system-related disorders,such as HD.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice.Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3,6,9 or 12 months).PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blot.Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay.The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice,as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs.In addition,we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing.It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs,and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis.Thus,PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.