[Objective] To assess the changes in bone marrow microenvironment in patients with psoriasis by determining the level of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1),stem cell factor (SCF),keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secreted by bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs).[Methods] This study recruited 20 healthy controls with normal bone marrow picture and 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris,including 10 at progressive stage and 10 at resting stage.The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score varied from 0.6 to 22.8 and averaged 10.97 in these patients.Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated by density-gradient centrifugation from bone marrow of these subjects,and BMSCs were cultured with adherent method.After three passages,the BMSCs were subjected to a 72-hour culture followed by the identification of cell phenotypes via flow cytometry and determination of TGF-β1,SCF,KGF and TNF-α levels in the culture supernatant via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The parameters were compared by two independent samples t test between the two groups,and the correlation of eytokines with PASI was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis.[Results] Inverted microscopy revealed no obvious difference in the morphology of BMSCs between the patients and controls.CD29 was expressed by more than 90％ of the BMSCs,but no expression of CD45,CD34 or HLA-DR was observed in them.The BMSCs from patients showed a significantly lower level of supematant TNF-α ((22.93 ± 10.1 1 ) μg/L vs.(35.73 ± 15.15) μg/L,t =3.14,P ＜ 0.05),a higher level of supernatant SCF ((76.80 + 16.19) μg/L vs.(59.86 + 22.41) μg/L,t =2.74,P＜ 0.05),and asimilar level of supernatant KGF and TGF-β1 (both P＞ 0.05) compared with those from the controls.The PASI score was uncorrelated with the levels of SCF,TNF-α,KGF or TGF-β1 secreted by BMSCs in patients with psoriasis (all P＞ 0.05).[Conclusion]s The levels of SCF and TNF-α secreted by BMSCs are aberrant in patients with psoriasis,hinting an abnormal bone marrow microenvironment in these patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of transcatheter closure of secundum artrial septal defect (ASD) using Amplatzer occluder device in 5 years.Methods There were 18 children with ASD.Each ASD was occluded using Amplatzer occluder device through the percutaneous procedure.The closure procedure was guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.All patients were followed up by physical examination,color flow echocardiography,chest radition,electrocardiography at 48 h,1month,3 month,6 month,one year,two years,three years,four years and five years.Results Cardiac murmur disappeared or lightened.Arrhythmia and right heart volume in all patients were improved after the procedure.A case revealed a trival shunt of short duration and vanished after one month color flow echo.A case has “spring′s beat” in heart when she goes to bed in three years after the procedure.Another patient had serious headach after closure and recoved after heparin therapy.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD using amplatzer occluder device is safe and efficient by follow-up.In order to prevent cerebral embolism,heparin should be injected in vein in two days.

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experience in surgical treatment of traumatic lower limb pseudoaneurysm.

METHODSTwenty patients with traumatic lower limb pseudoaneurysm were surgically treated in our department from January 2007 to January 2012. The treatment protocols included interventional covered-stent placement (10 cases), spring coil embolization (2 cases), and surgical operation (8 cases). Surgical operations included pseudoaneurysm repair (2 cases), autologous-vein transplantation (1 case), and artificial-vessel bypass graft (5 cases).

RESULTSAll the patients were successfully treated without aggravating lower limb ischemia. Pseudoaneurysm disappeared after treatment. A surgical operation is suitable to most pseudoaneurysms, but its damage is relatively obvious and usually leads to more bleeding. It also requires a longer operating time. Compared to a surgical operation, interventional therapy is less traumatic and patients usually have a quicker recovery (P<0.05). All patients were followed up once per month for 12-36 months by color Doppler ultrasound examination. There were no cases of pseudoaneurysm recurrence.

CONCLUSIONBoth surgical operation and interventional therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory system disease char-acterized by airway remodeling as a pathological basis. Repeated inflammatory infiltration and tissue damage repair can lead to airway remodeling. At present,the mechanism of airway remod-eling is not comprehensive. Studies have shown that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the genesis and development of airway remodeling. Airway epithelial cells can be induced to mesenchymal transition through a variety of secretion factors and signaling pathways,leading to airway re-modeling in asthma. This review summarizes the study of EMT and airway remodeling in asthma,providing a reference for clini-cal follow-up treatment and research.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in pathogenesis and progression of many cancers, including cervical cancer. However, importance of serum level of miR-101 in cervical cancer has rarely been studied. In the present study, clinical significance and prognostic value of serum miR-101 for cervical cancer was investigated. METHODS: Association between miR-101 level in cervical cancer tissues and prognosis of patients was analyzed by using data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which was followed with our clinical study in which miR-101 serum level comparison between cervical cancer patients and healthy controls was conducted by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: TCGA database demonstrated that miR-101 was down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal cervical tissues, and univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that decreased miR-101 expression was a highly significant negative risk factor. Similar trend was found in the serum miR-101. Serum level of miR-101 was associated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p=0.003), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) level >4 (p=0.007). The overall survival time of cervical cancer patients with a higher level of serum miR-101 was significantly longer than that of patients with a lower level of serum miR-101. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the down-regulated serum level of miR-101 was an independent predictor for the unfavorable prognosis of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Serum level of miR-101 is closely associated with metastasis and prognosis of cervical cancer; and, hence could be a potential biomarker and prognostic predictor for cervical cancer.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Clinical Study ; Disease Progression ; Genome ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; MicroRNAs ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Obstetrics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis* ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of lead on the thyroid function of occupationally exposed workers.

METHOD157 workers occupationally exposed to lead in a smelting factory were investigated. The concentration of lead in air at workshop was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) and the levels of blood lead (PbB) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) by ZnPP meter, as well as the indexes of thyroid function, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxin (T(4)), free T(3) (FT(3)), and free T(4) (FT(4)) in serum by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe workers with higher level of blood lead (> 2.88 micro mol/L) showed lower levels of T(3) [(1.54 +/- 0.39) nmol/L] and FT(3) [(5.50 +/- 1.26) pmol/L] than those with lower blood lead level [PbB: (1.92 approximately 2.88) micro mol/L group, T(3): (1.71 +/- 0.45) nmol/L, FT(3): (6.12 +/- 1.64) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. There was no obvious effect of length of service on thyroid hormone of exposed workers.

CONCLUSIONHigher level of blood lead may cause certain damage to thyroid function by inhibiting deiodination of T(4). No obvious relation between length of service and thyroid function was found.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; toxicity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of staurosporine (ST) on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODSProstate cancer PC-3 cells were treated in vitro with ST at 10(-8) mol/L. The expressions of cyclin A and cyclin D1 proteins in the cells were detected by Western blot, the effect of ST on the proliferation of the cells determined by MTT assay and plate colony formation, the apoptosis of the cells examined by flow cytometry, and their morphological changes observed under the light microscope.

RESULTSST treatment markedly decreased the expressions of cyclin A and cyclin D1 in the PC-3 cells, and significantly inhibited the growth of the PC-3 cells (19.35%) at 48 h. (F = 31.06, P < 0.01). The colony formation rate of the PC-3 cells was (37.10 +/- 3.43) % in the ST group, significantly lower than (64.80 +/- 4.34) % in the control (chi2 = 14.59, P < 0.05) and (62.80 +/- 4.36) % in the DMSO group (chi2 = 12.50, P < 0.05), while the apoptosis rate of the cells was remarkably higher in the ST group ([19.6 +/- 2.20] %) than in the control ([5.33 +/- 1.40] %) and the DMSO group ([5.50 +/- 0.96] %) (F = 104.36, P < 0.01). Under the light microscope, the ST-treated cells were round with indistinct margins as compared with those of the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONST could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of PC-3 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Staurosporine ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the distribution of water with high level arsenic and prevalence of arsenism along Huai'he River and the surrounding area of Hong'ze lake in Huai'an of Jiangsu. Methods Wate rsamples were collected and tested in 2008 from 18 villages of 6 towns according to history data in 3 counties like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze. Samples having arsenic level higher than 0.05 mg/L were investigated by epidemiological method and the patients were diagnosed by Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism. Results All 5199 water samples were determined,and 260 water samples were exceeding the national drinking water quality level (0.05 mg/L) in 3 counties,the rates of exceeding diagnosis were 5.6%(247/4454),0.7%(4/597),6.0%(9/148) respectively. Total detected rate of endemic arsenic disease was 5.94%(128/2155). The detected rates of age group of 0 ～ ,20 ～,30 ～ ,40 ～ ,50 ～ ,60 ～ ,70 ～ ,80 ～ were 2.86%(1/35),2.11%(2/95),1.26%(3/239),3.10%(16/516),5.53% (32/579),10.07%(41/407),11.84%(27/228),10.71%(6/56) respectively. The detected rate of male (9.10%,78/857) was higher than that of female(3.85%,50/1298,χ~2 = 25.46,P < 0.01). Conclusions Huai'he River and the surrounding areas of Hong'ze lake like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze are identified existing endemic arsenic disease area. The prevention of arsenism should be strengthened in these areas.

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant adenovirus expression vector containing the anti-oncogene PTEN and to investigate the effects of the PTEN gene on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells and the expressions of cyclin D1 and p21 in the PC-3 cells.

METHODSThe PTEN gene was amplified from the rat hippocampus by RT-PCR and cloned into the shuttle plasmid pEN-TR2A. The plasmids were constructed and amplified in 293A cells. Prostate cancer PC-3 cells were cultured in vitro and infected with the adenoviral vector carrying the PTEN gene (Ad-PTEN). The up-regulation of the PTEN protein was measured by indirect immuno-fluorescence assay; the expressions of PTEN, cyclin D1 and p21 in the cells infected with Ad-PTEN and Ad-LacZ were determined by

RESULTSThe Western blot; and the effect of PTEN on the cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and plate colony formation. recombinant adenoviral vector Ad-PTEN was successfully constructed. Western blot showed a significantly increased expression of the PTEN protein in the PC-3 cells infected with Ad-PTIEN (0.215 +/-0.065) as compared with that in the control ([0.052 +/-0.009], t = 4. 30, P <0.05) and the Ad-LacZ group ( [0. 056 +/- 0.008 ] , t =4.21, P <0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 was significantly lower in the Ad-PTEN-infected PC-3 cells (0. 256 +/- 0. 072) than in the control ( [0. 502 +/- 0. 087 ], t = 3.77, P < 0.05) and the Ad-LacZ group ([0.498 +/-0.081] , t =3.87, P <0.05), while the expression of p21 remarkably higher in the Ad-PTEN-infected PC-3 cells (0.589 +/-0. 076) than in the control ([0. 146 +/-0.026] , t = 9.55, P<0. 01) and the Ad-LacZ group ([0. 163 +/-0. 024] , t = 9.26, P <0.01). Ad-PTEN significantly inhibited the growth of the PC-3 cells (21.98%) at 48 h (t = 6.80, P <0.01). The colony formation rate of the PC-3 cells was (37.4 +/-4. 18)% in the Ad-PTEN group, significantly lower than (54.9 +/-4.81)% in the control (t =4.76, P<0.01) and (56.5 +/- 5.42)% in the Ad-LacZ group (t=4.83, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PTEN induced by Ad-PTEN can significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells, down-regulate the expression of cyclin D1, and up-regulate the expression of p21.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Isoflavone phytoestrogen,which is one of the biologi-cal flavonoids, has effect on immune system. Previous research has demonstrated that isoflavone phytoestrogens improve allergic symptom via sustaining Th1/Th2 balance, regulating immune cells and increasing the host on the food of the trigger tolerance effects. This review provides information for the effect of isofla-vone phytoestrogens on allergic disease and its mechanism, ho-ping to promote its research and utilization.