The aim of this study was to investigate if there are abnormal fibroblasts derived from the skin surrounding keloids in order to have a better understanding for keloid progression. All the samples were used for cell culture. Flow cytometry was used to compare the apoptotic rate of fibroblasts derived from keloid and its surrounding skin, when it was cultured in serum-deprived medium for 24 hours or was induced by Fas antibody. After cultured in serum-deprived medium for 24 hours, the apoptotic rate of fibroblasts derived from the surrounding skin of keloid increased to an amount between that of normal skin and keloids. The apoptotic rate of normal skin fibroblasts increased more than that of keloids. Moreover, when induced by Fas antibody, the apoptotic rate of fibroblasts derived from the surrounding skin increased not so high as that of normal skin(P0. 05). Therefore, at least there are some fibroblasts in the surrounding skin of keloids, in which apoptosis can not be induced as in normal skin.

Objective To elucidate the role of the Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway in regulating the phenotypic transformation of aortic valvular myofibroblasts to osteoblast-like cells.Methods Cultured primary valvular myofibroblastes isolated from porcine aortic valve leaflets were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for different lengths of time:24 h,48 h and 72 h.The Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (DDK-1) was co-incubated with ox-LDL for 72 h.After cells harvest,the expression of myofibroblastic or osteoblast-like phenotype related markers,a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and corebinding factora-1 (Cbfα 1),was detected by Western blotting.The expression and sub cellular localization of β3-catenin was assessed by immunocytochemistry.Changes of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the transformation of aortic valvular myofibroblast to osteoblast-like cells were monitored.Results BMP2,ALP and Cbfa 1 protein expression was not or barely detectable in the control group.However,after ox-LDL treatment,the expression of α SMA,BMP2,ALP and Cbfa 1 increased significantly (each P＜0.01) in a time-dependent manner (each P＜0.05).Besides,ox-LDL was also able to up-regulate the protein expression of β-catenin in a time-dependent manner (P＜0.05) and promoted its nuclear translocation.After DKK-1 treatment,the protein expression of β3 catenin and osteogenesis related markers was down regulated (P＜0.05).Conclusions The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may play a crucial role in regulating the transformation of aortic valvular myofibroblasts to an osteoblast like phenotype.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Fuyankang combined with azithromycin in the treat-ment of pelvic inflammatory disease. METHODS:90 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 45 cases in each group. Control group was given Lactose acid azithromycin for injec-tion 500 mg,ivgtt,qd,and then Azithromycin capsule 250 mg,po,qd;observation group was additionally given Fuyankang Tab-let 1.56 g,tid,on the basis of control group. A treatment course of 2 groups lasted for 7 d,and both received 3 courses of treat-ment. Clinical efficacies of 2 groups were observed as well as the level of CRP,IL-2 and life quality score before and after treat-ment,and the occurrence of ADR was compared between 2 groups. RESULTS:Total effective rate of observation group was 97.78%,which was significantly higher than that of control group (86.67%),with statistical significance (P<0.05). The level of CRP,IL-2 and life quality score of 2 groups were improved significantly after treatment,and the observation group was more better than the control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups during treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Fuyankang combined with Azithromycin is effective for pelvic inflammatory disease,and can improve the quali-ty of life,reduce inflammation cytokines infiltration and the generation of inflammatory medium with good safety.

Objective To investigate the antitumour effects of transfected gut-enriched Krüppellike factor(GKLF) on human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 in vitro and in vivo. Methods The expression of GKLF mRNA and protein in human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 were detected before and after transfection by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively. Proliferation and invasion in SGC-7901 were measured respectively by MTT assay, flow cytometry, colony formation assay and cell invasion assay after transfected with GKLF. The growth of xenograft was observed, the microvessel density(MVD) of xenograft tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results The GKLF mRNA and protein in SGC-7901 were overexpressed after transfected with GKLF(P＜0.05). The proliferative speed of SGC7901-pcDNA3.1-GKLF group was markedly lower than that of SGC-7901 and SGC7901-pcDNA3.1 groups (P＜0.05). Transfected with GKLF caused part of the G0/G1 arrest, decreased clone formation rate and the invasion ability (P＜0.05). The growth speed of xenograft in SGC7901-pcDNA3.1-GKLF group was lower, the weight and MVD of xenograft tissue in SGC7901-pcDNA3. 1-GKLF group were less (P＜ 0. 05).Conclusion Transfected with GKLF maysuppress proliferation and invasion in human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901, inhibit the growth and the angiogenesis of xenograft in nude mice.

Objective To assess the virtual non-contrast liver CT from dual-energy CT for the clinical application. Methods In total, 51 patients were included in the study, and all patients underwent multi-phase liver CT on a dual-source CT. The True non-contrast liver CT (TNCT) was performed in a single-energy acquisition mode, but the arterial and portovenous liver CT (VNCT) were performed in a dual-energy mode of 110 kV and 140 kV respectively. The virtual non-contrast CT images were derived from the arterial data using liver virtual non-contrast software. Between the true non-contrast CT and the virtual non-contrast CT, the image quality, mean CT HU values in the liver and muscle, signal to noise (SNR), the radiation dose of volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) in a single phase and total examination were compared with t test. Results There was no significant difference in the detection of liver lesions between TNCT and VNCT. The CT Hu values of muscle on both TNCT and VNCT images were almost equal. The CT HU values of liver on VNCT images were higher than that on TNCT images and the difference was significant [61.32 ±6. 04 vs. (56. 85 ±4. 80) HU, t = -3. 927,P＜0.01]. There was also significant differenc of SNR between TNCT (11.28±2. 78) and VNCT (8.65 ± 1.56) images( t =-5.590,P＜0.01). The CTDIvol and DLP of single phase were (7.07 ±0.85) mGy and (155.11 ±respectively, but in TNCT the total CTDIvol and DLP reached (21.43 ± 2. 46 ) mGy and (469. 02 ±significance, but the total CTDIvol and DLP were significantly different (t = 16. 168 and 13. 132, P ＜0. 01). Conclusion With the consequent reduction in radiation dose, the VNCT can replace TNCT as an imaging protocol in multi-phase abdominal CT examination in clinic.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Tetrax balance test and exercise on the balance function of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods50 stroke patients with hemiplegia and with disorder of balance function were divided into treatment group (25 cases) and control group (25 cases). The patients in both groups received regularly rehabilitation train and medical therapy. The treatment group was given balance train and motor function train responded to the analysis of the Tetrax balance assessment as well. They were evaluated with Berg balance scale, motor function of lower extreme in Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and activities of daily living (ADL) before and 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks after treatment respectively. ResultsThere was no difference in balance function and motor function of lower extreme and ADL between treatment group and control group before treatment (P>0.05), but 4 week, 8 week, 12 week after treatment, there were significant improvement for balance function and motor function of lower extreme in both groups (P<0.01), and the treatment group improved more significantly than those of control group (P<0.05).ConclusionTexrax balance assessment can help understand the obstacle in balance function and formulate more suitable rehabilitation treatment.

Chalcone is a common scaffold in natural products with optimal properties and biological activities.In this study, we designed and prepared eight new coumarin-chalcone derivatives (5a-5h), and confirmed their structures by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Their in vitro antifungal activity combined with fluconazole (FLC) against drug-resistant Candida albicans was tested by microdilution method.The results indicated that most chalcone derivatives showed good antifungal activity against drug resistant Candida albicans with FLC, particularly with compound 5g displaying better antifungal activity (MIC50 = 5.60 μg/mL) than FLC (MIC50 = 200 μg/mL) when combined with FLC, so, these derivatives could be used as synergists of antifungal drugs.

Objective To compare the short- and long- term effects and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatation vs. placement of specially designed reclaimable self-expanding anti-reflux esophageal stents for achalasia. Methods A total of 129 patients with achalasia were divided into 2 groups to receive either endoscopic scopic balloon dilatation(,l=63)or endoscopic placement of specially designed reclaimable self-expandinganti-reflux esophageal stents (n = 66). The dysphagia symptom scores were recorded before and 1-month,6-month and 12-month after the procedure, respectively. The change in width of esophagus, procedure related complications, length and costs of hospitalization were also analyzed. Results Dysphagia symptom score was significantly decreased after the treatment in both groups (P < 0.05). The effective rates evaluated at 1-month, 6-month and 12-month after the procedure in balloon dilatation group were 100. 0% , 96. 7% and 91.5% , respectively, which in stenting group were 100.0% , 98. 0% and 97.1% , respectively. There was no significant difference in changes of symptom score at 1-month and 6-month after treatment between the 2 groups (P > 0.05) , while at 12-month after treatment, the decrease of symptom score in stenting group was significantly higher than that in balloon dilatation group (P<0. 05). After the treatment, the significant widening of the stricture and narrowing of the dilated esophagus were achieve in both groups (P < 0.05),while no significant difference between these 2 groups was observed in changes of width (P > 0. 05). Procedure related complications in balloon dilatation group included esophageal perforation (n =1) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=4) , which was not occurred in stenting group, but complications included hyperplasia of granulation tissue (n = 1), stent dislocation (n =2) and defulvium (n = 1) was observed inthe latter group. The length of hospitalization was similar in 2 groups (P > 0. 05) , and the cost of hospitalization in stenting group was significantly higher than that of balloon dilatation group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion Compared with endoscopic balloon dilatation, the specially designed reclaimable self-expanding antireflux stents is a more ideal method for achalasia, with similar short-term effect, but better long-term effect and safety.

Objective To investigate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of gene interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) rs1004819, rs1495965, rs1884444, rs2201841,rs6677188, rs7517847, rs7530511, rs10489629, rs10889677 and rs11209026 with susceptibility of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Han population of Jiangsu province in China. Methods The gene polymorphism in 134 healthy volunteers, 135 cases of ulcerative colitis(UC) and 43 cases of Crohn's disease(CD) were detected with SNaPshot. Experimental data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software. Results In UC, genotype frequency of CC and CT on rs7530511 was 99.26％ (134/135)and 0.74％(1/135), allele frequency of C and T was 99.63％(269/270)and 0. 37％(1/270). While in normal controls, which were 94.03％(126/134), 5.97％(8/134), 97.01 ％(260/268)and 2.99％(8/268)respectively. Compared genotype frequency of these two group, P value was 0. 040 (OR＝0.118、95％CI:0.014～0.953). Compared allele frequency of these two group, P value was 0. 043 (OR＝0.121、95％CI:0.015～0.973). In wild type and mutation type UC patients, the age distribution was different, more young patients in mutation type while more middle-aged patients in wild type, P value was 0.032 and 0.001 respectively. Most UC patients of rs6677188 AT type were in remission under endoscope (P＝0.032). Conclusion The mutation of IL-23R rs7530511 may be a protective factor of UC. The polymorphism of rs6677188 was associated with the age of patients and the remission under endoscope.

Objective To evaluate the expression of miR-196b in newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its clinical signiifcance. Methods Fifty-two AML children were enrolled in this study and 30 non-leukemia com-pared children were selected as controls. The expressions of miR-196b were detected in bone marrow samples by real-time quan-titative PCR (q-RT-PCR) and the results were expressed in 2-??Ct. Results miR-196b expressions were signiifcantly higher in M4-5 and lower in non-M4-5 of AML children than those in control (P<0.01), with a lowest level in t (15;17) and a highest level in MLL subtypes (P<0.01). The miR-196b expressions were signiifcantly different among different prognosis groups (P<0.01) and the level in the favorable prognostic group was lower than in poor prognosis group. It was also found that miR-196b expres-sion was lower in remission group than that in no-remission group after the ifrst induction remission therapy (P<0.05). Mean-while, the expression of miR-196b in the children with WBC≥100×109/L were statistically higher than that in the children with WBC<100×109/L (P<0.01), and miR-196b level was positively correlated with the platelet counts (r=0.302, P=0.030). Conclu-sions miR-196b expression is increased in poor prognosis group of AML children, and high expression of miR-196b is related with low response rate and poor prognosis. miR-1966 is expected to become a new target for the treatment of AML.