AIM: To investigate the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into chondrocytes in vitro and determine factors involving in the differentiation process. METHODS: MSC were separated from iliac bone marrow with lymphocyte separating medium using density centrifugation. Cells were cultured and expanded in medium until reaching required number. MSC was induced to differentiate into chondrocytes by adopting high cell density, supplying growth factor and using micromass culture. Cells were observed by HE staining. Matrix of cartilage was detected by alcian blue and toludine blue and cartilage specific collagen II was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The structure of the micromass assumed that of cellular cartilage, alcian blue staining were uniformly positive and toludine blue detected diffuse metachromasia substance, cells uniformly expressed collagen Ⅱ. CONCLUSION: High cell density, growth factor and appropriate culture conditions are critical to induce differentiation of MSC into chondrocytes. [

Objective To explore the time course of response inhibition function in juvenile delin-quents with antisocial personality characteristics.Methods The healthy control group ( n=21),juvenile delinquents with antisocial personality characteristics ( CD +AP ) ( n=18) and juvenile delinquents ( CD) ( n=18) were selected in current study by recording the event-related potentials in a Go/Nogo task.N2 and P3 components of event-related potentials were analyzed.Results Behavioral results showed that Nogo cor-rection rate of control group ((93.13±2.71)%) were significantly higher than CD group ((87.51±2.82)%, P<0.01) and CD +AP group((85.63±2.45)%, P<0.01).In CD+AP group,the amplitude of the N2nogo ( (-1.82±1.64)μV) was significantly lower than control group ( (-6.36±2.93)μV, P<0.01) ,and the am-plitude of the P3nogo ((5.52±2.79)μV) was significantly decreased than healthy control ((11.26±4.92)μV, P<0.01).In CD group,the amplitude of P3nogo ((5.20±3.17)μV) was significantly reduced than healthy control ((11.26±4.92)μV, P<0.01).Conclusion N2nogo and N2d are associated with the early phases of response inhibition and reflected response conflict.P3nogo and P3d are associated with the late phases of response inhibition and monitored inhibitory control.These data suggest that CD+AP participants exhibited im-paired response conflict and inhibitory control.This may be associated with persistent antisocial behavior.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout.Methods One hundred and eight patients who experienced unilateral arthrocele and (or) joint pain in the past two weeks were enrolled into our study.DECT were performed for the upper or lower extremity.Ninety-five patients were enrolled into the gout study group based on the American rheumatism association (ACR) classification standard;The 0.3 linear blended images group were regarded as conventional CT group,DE (80 kV and 140 kV) datasets were reconstructed via gout-recognition software,the pseudo-color images group as the postprocessed group.Imagings were reviewed independently by two senior radiologists.Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with the SPSS 13.0software.Results In the conventional CT group,DECT scans revealed a total of 298 areas of urate deposition in 51 patients;The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 53.7％,84.6％,and 57.4％.In the postprocessed group,401 areas of green urate deposition were detected in 69 patients,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 72.6％,100.0％,75.9％ respectively,the differences had statistical significance (x2 =7.329 and 8.333,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions DECT gout recognition technology can detect smaller amount of monosodium urate in the other parts of the body,with a great potential in early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with gout.

Objective To investigate the effect of the high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), cancer embryonic antigen (CEA) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen ( SCC-Ag) by paclitaxel combined with cisplatin chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer patients .Methods 43 cases advanced esophageal cancer patients from our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the experiment group.19 cases in the control group were treated by surgery combined with postoperative chemotherapy , 24 cases in the experimental group were treated with surgery and chemotherapy.The clinical efficacy and high mobility group protein 1 ( HMGB1 ) , cancer embryonic antigen ( CEA ) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen ( SCC-Ag ) levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was (91.7%) higher than that of the control group (57.9%), the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05).After treatment, the serum levels of SCC-Ag, CEA and HMGB1 were decreased in the two groups, compared with the control group, the experimental group SCC-Ag, CEA and HMGB1 levels were lower, the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05 ) .There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Paclitaxel combined with cisplatin in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer patients with good results, presumably with the decrease of serum SCC-Ag, CEA and HMGB1 levels in patients with.

Objective To evaluate the value of dual energy computed tomography (DECT) for the diagnosis of gout.Methods Twenty-fivc consccutive patients with gout were selected as the experimental group and 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were selected as the control group.DECT scans were performed for every patient (all peripheral joints for the experimental group and affected joints for the control group).And every patient with gout had X-ray examination of the involved joints.x2 test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results All 25 patients with gout showed urate deposits on their DECT scans,whereas none of 20 controls showed urate deposits (P＜0.01).DECT scans revealed a total of 184 areas of urate deposition in 25 patients,in which 107 (58.2％) were at feet and ankle,72 (39.1％) were at knees,4 (2.2％) were at hands and wrists,1 (0.5％) was at elbows,whereas physical examination only showed 64 areas of urate deposition,in which 38(59.4％) were at feet and ankle,24(37.5％) were at knees,2(3.1％) at hands and wrists,0 was at elbows(P＜0.01 ).Only 6 patients with gout showed nonspecific manifestations on X-ray.Conclusion DECT scans may have potential value for the diagnosis of gout since it could produce evident colour displays for urate deposits and help to identify subclinical tophus deposits.

Objective To explore the effect of dihydromyricetin (DMY) on the cholesterol efflux in macrophage derived foam cells and analyze the possible mechanisms. Methods RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated by oxidized low densi?ty lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 50 mg/L) for 48 h to induce foam cells. Subsequently, the foam cells were subdivided into control group (RPMI1640 media) and DMY 1-4 groups (10, 20, 40 and 80μmol/L) and cultured for 24 h. Cholesterol efflux from foam cells was examined by [3H] labed cholesterol. The high performance liquid chromatography assay was used to test the cellular contents of free cholesterol (FC), cholesteryl ester (CE) and total cholesterol (TC). The expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was measured by Western blot assay. Results Compared with control group, cholesterol efflux was significantly increased, the content of FC, TC CE and CE/TC ratio were significantly decreased and expression of ABCA1 was significantly up-regulated in dose dependent manner in DMY (20, 40 and 80μmol/L) groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in cholesterol efflux, the content of FC, TC and CE, and expression of ABCA 1 between control group and DMY (10μmol/L) group of foam cells (P>0.05). Conclusion DMY promotes the cholesterol efflux in the macro?phage derived foam cells, which may be related with the increase of ABCA1 induced by DMY.

Objective To evaluate the dose reduction technology using in CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy of pulmonary lesions using automated core needle biopsies (ACNB).Methods 412 ACNB cases included 146 consecutive conventional patients (group A,120 kV/100 mA) and 266 consecutive patients (group B,120 kV/20 mA,low-dose scanning,reduce scanning width and scanning frequency).The quality of images was compared by grain homogeneity,fine structure,clearness of tissue interface and artifacts.The total diagnostic accuracy rate,the examination time and radiation dose between group A and group B were compared.Results The fine structure of group B was significantly lower (X~2 ＝7.0508,P ＜ 0.05).The total diagnostic accuracy rate was 95.9% vs 95.1% (X~2 ＝0.1296,P ＜ 0.05).The examination time for biopsy procedure was (16 ±2.2)min vs (15.9 ±2.0)min (t ＝ 1.3579,P ＜ 0.05) ,and the mean effective dose (E) was (1.74 ± 0.7) mSv vs (0.59 ± 0.14) mSv (t ＝ 19.3415 ,P ＜ 0.05) .The E of group B decreased by 66%.Conclusions ACNB is a feasible and accurate method for diagnosing pulmonary lesions,and the E can significantly reduce the dose received in low-dose scanning.

OBJECTIVETo study the treatment effects of cultured Cordyceps sinensis combined with glucocorticosteroid on experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats induced by bleomycin.

METHODFifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, including control group, model group, cultured C. sinensis groups, prednisone group, cultured C. sinensis combined with prednisone group. On experimental day 0, the rats were respectively intratracheally instilled with bleomycin, and rats in the control group and model group with the same volume of normal saline. One day after the injection, cultured C. sinensis and glucocorticosteroid was respectively given to rats daily by gastric gavage, while the same volume of normal saline was given to those in the control group and model group. On 28th d, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. Histological changes of the lungs were evaluated by HE stain, Masson's trichrome stain. Collagen content of the lung tissue was assessed by hydroxyprolin concentration. Lung expression of CTGF protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The level of TGF-beta1 protein was measured by ELISA.

RESULTCompared to model group, pulmonary fibrosis were alleviated in cultured C. sinensis and prednisone group, and CTGF expression, Hydroxyproline concentrations and protein TGF-beta1 were decreased. The combination effect of C. sinensis and prednisone group is augmented compared with using C. sinensis or prednisone group alone.

CONCLUSIONThe cultured C. sinensis and prednisone alleviates pulmonary fibrosis, and the combination use of both drugs has synergia effects in anti-fibrous degeneration.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; toxicity ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; analysis ; Cordyceps ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Background: It remains controversial whether palliative primary tumor resection (PPTR) can provide survival benefits to the patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have unresectable metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PPTR could improve the survival of patients with mCRC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive mCRC patients with unresectable metastases who were diagnosed at Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, between January 2005 and December 2012. Overall survival (OS) and progression?free survival (PFS) after first?line chemotherapy failure were compared between the PPTR and non?PPTR patient groups. Results: A total of 387 patients were identified, including 254 who underwent PPTR and 133 who did not. The median OS of the PPTR and non?PPTR groups was 20.8 and 14.8 months (P < 0.001), respectively. The median PFS after first?line chemotherapy was 7.3 and 4.8 months (P < 0.001) in the PPTR and non?PPTR groups, respectively. A larger proportion of patients in the PPTR group (219 of 254, 86.2%) showed local progression compared with that of patients in the non?PPTR group (95 of 133, 71.4%; P < 0.001). Only patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels <70 ng/mL benefited from PPTR (median OS, 22.2 months for the PPTR group and 16.2 months for the non?PPTR group; P < 0.001). Conclusions: For mCRC patients with unresectable metastases, PPTR can improve OS and PFS after first?line chemo?therapy and decrease the incidence of new organ involvement. However, PPTR should be recommended only for patients with normal LDH levels and with CEA levels <70 ng/mL.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Yi'naokang Capsules combined with Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI).Methods 110 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of PSCI in the outpatient department were included.According to the random number table method,the patients were divided into trial group and control group,with 55 cases in each group.Patients in control group were treated with routine western medicine,including the treatment of Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets and secondary prevention of stroke such as lowering blood pressure,lowering blood lipid,lowering blood glucose and anti-platelet aggregation.The trial group was treated with Yi'naokang Capsules on the basis of the treatment in control group,and both groups were treated for 6 months.Before and after 6 months of treatment,the cognitive function of patients was evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scale.The activity of daily living(ADL)scale was used to evaluate the ability of daily living,and the severity of cerebral white matter lesions was evaluated by Fazekas scale,and the adverse reactions were also observed.Results After 6 months of treatment,the total score of the MoCA,the scores of visual space and executive function,attention,delayed recall and the ADL of the two groups were all improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement degree of the trial group was better than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The Fazekas score of the trial group after treatment was no significant difference when compared with that before treatment(P＞0.05),but it increased in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect of delaying white matter lesion in the trial group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Yi'naokang Capsules combined with Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets are superior to Donepezil alone in the treatment of PSCI,which can safely and effectively improve the cognitive function and daily living ability of patients,as well as prolong the progress of white matter lesions.