Objective To investigate the effect of small direct‐current electrical stimulation on migration and invasion related MMPs/TIMPs expression of trophoblast cells .Methods The trophoblast cells were exposed to the direct current electrical field at 150 mV/mm for 5 and 10 hours .Cell images were recorded with continuous photographing and analyzed by image analyzer .The ex‐pression levels of MMP2 ,MMP9 ,TIMP1 and TIMP2 were measured using quantitative RT‐PCR and Western blot .Results In non‐electrical field culture trophoblast cells migrated slowly with random directions .Trophoblast cells cultured in media containing 10% calf serum with the application of 150 mV/mm direct current electrical stimulation ,showed marked cathodal migration (P<0 .01) ,the cell body stretched ,perpendicular to the direction of the electric field .Compared with the non‐electrical field stimulation controls ,trophoblasts under the electrical field stimulation had the increased MMP2 mRNA and protein expression (P< 0 .05) , while MMP9 ,TIMP1 and TIMP2 had no obvious changes of mRNA or protein expressions .Conclusion Physiological direct‐cur‐rent electrical fields might induce directed migration and perpendicular orientation of trophoblast cells .The enhanced MMP2 expres‐sion may play an important role in the migration and invasive activity of trophoblast cells in small electrical field .

OBJECTIVETo study features of brain gray matter injury in cerebral infarction patients and intervention of scalp acupuncture by using voxel-based morphology.

METHODSA total of 16 cerebral infarction patients were recruited in this study, and assigned to the scalp acupuncture group and the control group, 8 in each group. Another 16 healthy volunteers were recruited as a normal group. All patients received scanning of T1 structure. Images were managed using VBM8 Software package. Difference of the gray matter structure was compared among the scalp acupuncture group, the control group, and the healthy volunteers.

RESULTSCompared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients mainly occurred in 14 brain regions such as cingulate gyrus, precuneus, cuneus, anterior central gyrus, insular lobe, and so on. They were mainly distributed in affected side. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the scalp acupuncture group still existed in 8 brain regions such as bilateral lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, left cuneus, right precuneus, and so on. New gray matter injury occurred in lingual gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the control group existed in 23 brain regions: bilateral anterior cingulum, caudate nucleus, cuneate lobe, insular lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, precuneus, paracentral lobule, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and so on. New gray matter injury still existed in 9 cerebral regions such as lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONSBrain gray matter structure is widely injured after cerebral infarction. Brain gray matter volume gradually decreased as time went by. Combined use of scalp acupuncture might inhibit the progression of gray matter injury more effectively.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Gray Matter ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

Objective To explore the effects of forepaw sensorimotor deprivation in early life on hippocampus-dependent spatial reference learning and memory in rats. Methods Newborn SD rats were randomly assigned to experiment group (deprivation of forepaw sensorimotor function, n=53) and control group(n=55). Rats of postnatal day 13 (PN13) in experiment group were seleeted, and models of forepaw sensorimotor deprivation were established by microsurgical technique. Open field tests and Morris water maze tests were performed during the time periods of PN25(PN21-31), PN35 (PN31-39), PN45(PN41-50) and PN60(PN56-64) to evaluate the locomotor activity and spatial reference learning and memory, respectively. Results In open field tests, there was no significant difference in parameters of locomotor activity and exploratory behavior between the two groups (P>0.05). In Morris water maze tests, eontrol group performed significantly better than experiment group during training sessions and probe tests on PN25 and PN35 (P<0.05). While on PN45, although there was no significant difference between the two groups during training sessions, control group performed significantly better than experiment group during probe tests (P<0.05). Conclusion The deprivation of forepaw sensorimotor in early life has no signifieant effect on the locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of rats, but can impair the spatial reference learning and memory.

OBJECTIVETo examine maternal and fetal exposure levels to four carcinogenic metals, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and beryllium (Be), and to investigate their environmental influences.

METHODSMetal concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Environmental factors that might play a role in exposure were analyzed using Mann-Whitney nonparametric U-tests and multiple linear regression.

RESULTSThe concentrations of As, Cd, and Ni in umbilical cord blood (5.41, 0.87, and 139.54 μg/L) were significantly lower than those in maternal blood (6.91, 1.93, and 165.93 μg/L). There were significant positive correlations between the maternal and cord concentrations of each carcinogen. Our results showed that: (i) exposures to potentially harmful occupational factors during pregnancy were associated with high levels of maternal As, Cd, and Ni; (ii) living close to major transportation routes (<500 m) or exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy increased the maternal Cd levels and (iii) living close to industrial chimneys induced high maternal Ni levels. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that these environmental factors remained significant in models of the influences of these four carcinogens.

CONCLUSIONBoth mothers and fetuses had been exposed to As, Cd, Ni, and Be. The increased levels of these carcinogens in pregnant women were associated with some detrimental environmental factors, such as occupational exposure, contact with second-hand smoke and living close to major transportation routes or industrial chimneys.

Carcinogens, Environmental ; toxicity ; Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal-Fetal Exchange ; Metals ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathologic features of gastric schwannomas.

METHODSThe macroscopic and microscopic features of 9 cases of gastric schwannoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for S-100 protein, CD117, CD34, neurofilament, desmin, nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, platelet derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFR-α) and vimentin was carried out. Mutation analysis of c-kit gene (exon 9, 11, 13 and 17) and PDGFR-α gene (exon 12 and 18) in 1 case was examined by PCR amplification and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe patients included 5 males and 4 females. The age of patients ranged from 42 to 81 years (median = 56.5 years). The size of the tumors ranged from 2 to 9 cm in greatest diameter. Follow-up data in 8 cases (from 1 month to 65 months) showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Gross examination showed that gastric schwannomas were homogeneous, firm, yellow-white and bore no true fibrous capsule. Histologically, all cases were composed of fascicles of spindle cells associated with nuclear palisading, Verocay body formation and peripheral cuff of reactive lymphoid aggregates. Some of them showed degenerative changes including cyst formation, calcification, hemorrhage, necrosis and hyalinization. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for S-100 protein and vimentin. There was various degree of staining for nestin (8/9) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (6/9). They were negative for CD117, CD34, neurofilament, desmin and smooth muscle actin. One case showed focal positivity for PDGFR-α (1/9), with no mutations found.

CONCLUSIONSGastric schwannomas share similar histologic features with conventional soft tissue schwannomas, in addition to the presence a reactive lymphoid cuff. The clinical, macroscopic, histologic and immunohistochemical features of gastric schwannomas were different from those of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and leiomyomas.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exons ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate seminal parameters in noninflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CAP III B).

METHODSA total of 74 consecutive cases of patients who had been diagnosed as CAP III B and 46 cases of controls were included in the study. Severity of symptoms in men with CAP III B was defined according to the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). All of them underwent a 'four glass-test' including leukocyte determination in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), voided urine after prostatic massage (VB3) and ejaculate semen followed by analysis according to WHO. The analysis included seminal volume, pH, duration of liquefaction, sperm density, vitality, motility(a + b) and morphology. Correlations between the duration or the severity of symptoms and spermiogram results in patients with CAP III B were assessed respectively.

RESULTSThe CAP III B group and the control group differed significantly in ejaculate volume, duration of liquefaction and motility, while the remaining parameters did not differ significantly. The duration of chronic pelvic pain showed apparently positive correlationship with liquefaction time, while the symptom duration negatively correlated with sperm motility. The NIH-CPSI score had no significant relationship with seminal volume, duration of liquefaction and sperm motility.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that CAP III B can have a significant negative impact on sperm volume, liquefaction and motility. Our data also supports the results that the longer the duration of symptoms, the more influences on semen liquefaction and motility might be.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; Prostatitis ; physiopathology ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVEInsulin-like grouth factor-1 (IGF-1) is polypetide hormone that has demonstrated effects on neural cells. Up to now, there is few reports about the relation between serum IGF-1 and brain damage in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. This study explored the potential role of serum IGF-1 in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

METHODSSerum levels of IGF-1 were measured using ECLIA in 57 term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and 25 normal term neonates. Meanwhile, total serum bilirubin (TSB), unconjugated bilirubin (USB) and serum albumin (ALB) contents were measured by the automatic biochemistry analyzer and the ratio of USB/ALB (B/A) was calculated. The hyperbilirubinemia group was classified into three subgroups based on serum TSB levels: mild (221-256 micromol/L), moderate (257-342 micromol/L) and severe (>342 micromol/L). Serum TSB levels in the 25 normal neonates were less than 85 micromol/L (control group). NBNA was performed on the day of serum sample collection.

RESULTSSerum IGF-1 levels in the mild, moderate and severe hyperbilirubinemia groups (39.38+/- 8.42, 30.77+/- 4.65 and 26.34+/- 2.05 ng/L, respectively) were obviously lower than those in the control group (50.16+/- 15.73 ng/L) (P< 0.01). There were significant differences among the three hyperbilirubinemia subgroups in serum IGF-1 levels (P< 0.01). Mean NBNA scores in the mild, moderate and severe hyperbilirubinemia groups (35.01+/- 2.26, 32.45+/- 2.74 and 26.77+/- 5.02, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the control group (38.24+/- 0.78) (P< 0.01). Significant differences in the NBNA scores were noted among the three hyperbilirubinemia subgroups (P< 0.01). Serum IGF-1 levels were positively correlated to NBNA scores (r=0.603, P< 0.01) and negatively correlated to the ratio of B/A (r=-0.483, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum IGF-1 levels decreased obviously in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and correlated to the severity of disease. IGF-1 might be associated with bilirubin-induced brain damage.

Bilirubin ; blood ; Brain ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; blood ; complications ; Infant Behavior ; Infant, Newborn ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a modified Mitchell's technique for epispadias repair.

METHODSThree patients with epispadias were undergoing the treatment. It was performed to form a penile pedicled flap or scrotal mediastinum flap for the repair of the urethra and the urine was drained through a perined "U" shaped stent.

RESULTSAll of the patients were successfully treated in one-stage with a good appearance and a matching opening of the urethra.

CONCLUSIONThe above mentioned technique could be a good method for epispadias repair.

Drainage ; Epispadias ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Stents ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods

The catalytic generation of H2 in living cells provides a method for antioxidant therapy.In this study,an[FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic[Ru+Fe2S2@F127(80)]was synthesized by self-assembling polymeric plur-onic F-127,catalytic[Fe2S2]sites,and photosensitizer Ru(bpy)32+.Under blue light irradiation,hydrated protons were photochemically reduced to H2,which increased the local pH in living cells(HeLa cells).The generated H2 was subsequently used as an antioxidant to decrease reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in living cells(HEK 293T,HepG2,MCF-7,and HeLa cells).Our findings revealed that the proliferation of HEK 293T cells increased by a factor of about six times,relative to that of other cells(HepG2,MCF-7,and HeLa cells).Intracellular ROS and pH levels were then monitored using fluorescent cell imaging.Our study showed that cell imaging can be used to evaluate the ability of Ru+Fe2S2@F127 to eliminate oxidative stress and prevent ROS-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a multiplex STR genotyping method for autosomal STR and Y-STR loci in forensic biological practice. METHODS: Widely used autosomal STR loci and Y-STR loci were selected. A set of PCR primers was designed, and a 5-dye fluorescent labeled STR multiplex PCR reagent kit was developed. RESULTS: A kit was developed which can simultaneously detect 15 autosomal STR loci, 10 Y-STR loci, and an Amelogenin. CONCLUSION The 15 autosomal STR plus 10 Y-STR kit in combination with capillary electrophoresis method was used to STR genotyping with accurate and reliable results. The new one-step testing kit can potentially be widely used in forensic cases and DNA databank in the future.
Amelogenin ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA Primers ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction