BACKGROUND:Distraction osteogenesis is one of the most important tissue engineering technologies. However, the exact signaling pathway controling mesenchymal stem cel-osteoblast lineage (MSC-OB) migration during distraction osteogenesis has not yet been elucidated. More efforts should be paid to make a ful understanding of the mechanism on MSC-OB lineage migration, which can improve the clinical efficacy of distraction osteogenesis.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of mechanical stretch on the ability of MSC-OB mobility and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as wel as matrix metaloproteinases (MMPs) in MSC-OB, and to make clear the mechanism by which controls MSC-OB migration during distraction osteogenesis.
METHODS:Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: experimental group (n=6), anin vivo rat mandibular distraction osteogenesis model was established on the right side of rats; non-stretch group (n=6), only the mandibular resection was done but with no distraction osteogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect phosphorylated mTOR expression in new osteotylus at 15 days after operation. In addition, an in vitro cel stretch model was made in the mandibular mesenchymal stem cels from healthy Sprague-Dawley rats under resting tension force (6%, 4 hours); no distraction was done in control group. The ability of MSC-OB mobility, the expression of mTOR, Raptor, p70S6K and MMPs were evaluated using experiment methods including immunohistochemistry staining, real-time PCR and scratch assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of phosphorylated mTOR in MSC-OB was upregulated in the mandibular bone calus of the stretch group than the non-stretch group (P < 0.05). In thein vitro experiments, MSC-OB applied with mechanical stretch (6%, 4 hours) showed elevated gene expression levels of mTOR, Raptor, p70S6K, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 compared with the control group (0%, 4 hours). Meanwhile, MSC-OB in the experiment group (6%, 4 hours) showed a greater ability of mobility, as demonstrated by a farther distance after 48 hours of observation (P < 0.05). The present study suggests that the enhancement of MSC-OB mobility correlates with increase of the gene expression of MMPs and mTOR signaling pathway. Mechanical stretch may promote MSC-OB migration through activation of mTOR/MMPs signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the expression of Slug,EMMPRIN and E-cadherin in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC)and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics,and the correlation among themselves.Methods:Slug,EMMPRIN and E-cadherin expression in 1 1 5 SACC cases of SACC was examined by immunohistochemical staining.The results and clinicopatho-logical data were statistically analyzed.Results:High positive expression frequencies of Slug(76.5%)and EMMPRIN(69.6%)and low positive expression frequency of E-cadherin(51 .3%)were found in 1 1 5 SACC cases.The expression of Slug and EMMPRIN was positively associated with the histopathological types,clinical stages,perineural invasion,recurrence and distance metastasis(P <0.05).The expression of E-cadherin was negatively associated with the histopathological types,clinical stages,perineural invasion and distance metastasis(P <0.05).There was a significant correlation between Slug and EMMPRIN expression(P <0.05),negative correlation between EMMPRIN and E-cadherin expression(P <0.05)and between Slug and E-cadherin expression(P <0.05).Con-clusion:The expression of Slug,EMMPRIN and E-cadherin is closely correlated to the clinicopathological characteristics of SACC.

Objective To study the discharges regularity of ambulatory electroencephalogram (ambulatory,EEG,AEEG)during sleep and hyperventilation(HV)-induced EEG. Methods Features of epileptiform discharges of AEEG and HV-induced EEG were evaluated comparatively in 65 cases with frontal lobe epilepsy. Results The epileptiform discharge rate of HV-induced EEG was evidently lower than that of AEEG during the shallow sleep period (non-rapid-eye-movement phase 1 and 2,NREM phase 1 and 2),which had statistical significance(P＜0.01);however,the rate of HV-induced EEG had no significant difference from that of AEEG during the awake period and deep sleep period(NREM phase 3 and 4)(P＞0.05). Conclusions The epileptiform discharge rate of AEEG during the shallow sleep period is obviously higher than that of HV-induced EEG in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy,and thus sleep EEG is helpful to enhance the diagnostic rate of epileptiform discharges in these patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAs a prospective vaccine carrier, nanoparticles can protect antigens from degradation and enhance immune response. This study prepared nanovaccines with MAGE-3-derived CD4+-CD8+T cell epitope peptides, and investigated its character and antitumor effects on transplanted gastric cancer in mice.

METHODSWe adopted the self-assembly method to prepare peptide/chitosan conjugated with deoxycholic acid (chitosan-deoxycholic acid) nanoparticles. We observed the appearance of the chitosan-deoxycholic acidnanoparticles through a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and analyzed the peptide content and its release pattern by fluorescence spectrophotometry. We observed tumor-suppression efficacy in vivo through animal experiments.

RESULTSWe successfully prepared nanoparticles with MAGE-3 peptide antigen, and its encapsulation efficiency and loading level were about 37% and 17.0%, respectively. These nanoparticles presented a delayed release pattern in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4, and the full release time was about 48 h. In 2 mg/mL lysozyme, the nanoparticles showed a sudden release, and the full release time was about 24 h. ELISPOT and cytotoxic experiments showed that the MAGE-3 peptide loaded nanoparticles could stimulate immune response in vivo and could generate MAGE-3-targeted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and kill MAGE-3-specific tumor cells. Tumor suppression experiments showed that the regression ratio of the peptide-loaded nanoparticles group was 37.81%.

CONCLUSIONSMAGE-3 peptide/chitosan-deoxycholic acidvaccine-loaded nanoparticles can stimulate antitumor immune response in vivo and can regress the growth of mouse forestomach carcinoma cell line MFC.

Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; chemistry ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Deoxycholic Acid ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasm Proteins ; chemistry ; immunology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term apparent and structural change of the neo-urethra inner wall reconstructed with different kinds of tissue. To compare the difference between normal and reconstructed urethra for urethra reconstruction with more appropriate materials.

METHODSThe neo-urethra inner wall was observed during operation, through urography and urethroscope. The tissue section of neo-urethra inner wall was observed through light microscope and electron microscope.

RESULTSWith unchanged structure, the appearance of neo-urethra reconstructed with skin or mucosa could be close to normal urethra after a long time. Neo-urethra made of buccal mucosa possesses some of the most important basic structures for normal urethral microenvironment to form. The structure of neo-urethra made of bladder could be close to normal urethra after a long time.

CONCLUSIONSBuccal and bladder mucosa may be a better material than skin for urethra reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biocompatible Materials ; Child ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Transplantation ; methods ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of amitrine bismesylate in patients with mild vascular dementia.Methods An open multicenter self-controlled trial was carried out with 128 mild vascular dementia patients clinically diagnosed.Patients were treated with amitrine bismesylate in a dose of 2 tablets per day for 12 weeks.The neuro-psychologieal scale of MMSE,ADAS-cog,CDR, ADL were used to evaluate patients′cognitive condition before therapy and 6,12 weeks after treatment.The adverse effects,such as nausea and vertigo and so on,were monitored at the same time to evaluate the safety of this drug.Results After 3 months of treatment,the MMSE score(16.98 before therapy and 17.97 after treatment,P

OBJECTIVETo improve the differential diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and reduced potential misdiagnosis of TBM.

METHODSThe clinical data of 47 misdiagnosed cases of TBM between January, 1994 and June, 2009 were investigated retrospectively. The clinical presentations and causes for the misdiagnoses were analyzed.

RESULTSThe 47 patients with misdiagnosed TBM included 28 male and 19 female patients with a mean age of 36.84∓16.41 years. Eight patients had an acute onset, 10 had a subacute onset, and 29 had chronic disease. The initial symptoms, in the descending order of their frequencies, included fever and headache (87.2%), anergia and dyskinesia (27.7%), cerebral nerve damage (23.4%), decreased level of consciousness (14.9%), and urinary and fecal incontinence (2%). Meningeal irritation was present in 25 cases and positive Babinksi sign was found in 19 cases. Elevated intracranial pressure occurred in 51.1% of the cases, and 16 cases showed papilloedema. Non-purulent CSF with elevated protein was found in 86.7%, decreased glucose in 50%, and decreased chlorinate in 53.3% of the cases. Eight out of 23 cases showed a positive result of PPD test. MRI identified abnormitis with meningeal enhancement in 15 cases, hydrocephalus in 7 cases and infarction in 14 cases. Tuberculoma was found in 2 cases, and spinal cord lesions were found 4 cases. All the patients received anti-tuberculosis therapy, which resulted in symptomatic improvement in 39 cases, fluctuated condition in 2 cases; 5 patients discontinued the treatment and 1 died.

CONCLUSIONEarly TBM often presents with atypical features and its differential diagnosis can be difficult. CSF monitoring and careful inspection of the radiographic data can be helpful in the diagnosis of suspected cases, for which early anti-TB treatment is an important means to reduce misdiagnosis.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the clinical features and to explore the potential mode of genetic transmission of vitiligo vulgaris in Chinese Han population. Methods Information on the clinical features and the familial history of patients with vitiligo vulgaris was collected by a uniform questionnaire. The data were inputted into a data base, then analyzed by Epi Info 5.0 and SPSS 10.0 software packages. A complex segregation analysis was conducted using the REGTL program in SAGE 3.1 package in order to propose the putative mode of genetic transmission for vitiligo vulgaris. Results The mean age of onset of vitiligo vulgaris of the males and females was about 19 years old. In the severity of the disease and the season of onset, there was no significant difference between males and females. For the patients with vitiligo vulgaris, there was a female preponderance of complicating with autoimmune disorders, especially hyperthyroidism. The prevalence rates of vitiligo in patients′ relatives were significantly higher than that in general population. The mode of transmission of vitiligo vulgaris was one of the multifactorial inheritance according to the results obtained by the complex segregation analysis. Conclusions There are no differences in the prevalence and the age of onset between males and females patients. There is a marked familial aggregation in the patients with vitiligo vulgaris. The familial clustering might result from the polygenic additive genetic background and common environmental factors. It is suggested that vitiligo vulgaris be a multifactorial complex disease.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of gonadotroph-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRH-a) and GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced follicle apoptosis in female rats.

METHODSThirty-six female Sprague- Dawley rats were randomized into 6 groups, namely normal saline (NS), CTX, GnRH-a+NS, GnRH-a+CTX, GnRH-ant+NS, and GnRH-ant+CTX groups. The rats were sacrificed between the first and second week after the treatments., and the follicle apoptosis was investigated using TUNEL assay and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe apoptosis rate of the granulose cells in the follicles in late development was significantly higher than that in early follicles, and the apoptosis rate of the oocytes and granulose cells in rats with CTX treatment was significantly higher than that in rats without CTX treatment (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of the granulose cells in GnRH-a groups (ranging from 33.40 - or + 4.59 to 73.25 - or + 5.35) was significantly higher than that in GnRH-ant groups (27.46 - or + 4.52 to 49.38 - or + 5.02, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the oocytes of early follicles between GnRH-a groups (23.48 - or + 4.25 to 36.15 - or + 4.23) and GnRH-ant groups (21.47 - or + 3.81 to 34.04 - or + 5.54, P>0.05). Electron microscopy revealed characteristic apoptotic changes of the oocytes in early follicles and granulose cells in early and late follicles. The apoptotic changes were especially typical in the granulose cells showing the formation of the apoptotic bodies, and the oocytes only showed chromatin condensation and aggregation.

CONCLUSIONIn the rat mode, GnRH-a promotes while GnRH-ant suppressed follicle apoptosis induced by CTX. GnRH analogues regulates mainly granulose cell apoptosis, but have little effect on oocyte apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Granulosa Cells ; pathology ; Oocytes ; pathology ; Ovarian Follicle ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of enteral administration of carbachol on the intestinal dysfunction of both severely burn patients and rabbits with partial intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSSeventy-five white rabbits were inflicted with I/R injury and randomized into intestinal I/R (I, n=25), carbachol [C, n=25, with 3g/L carbachol (3 mg/kg) injection into duodenum 1 h after SMA occlusion] and sham operation (SO, n=25, with SMA isolation but no occlusion) groups, and 5 other as normal controls. The blood flow of intestinal mucosa was detected before and after SMA occlusion or admission of carbachol. Changes in diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactate, xylopyranose absorption, blue dextran discharging time were measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48, 72 h after SMA occlusion. In addition, eight severe burn patients with TBSA of 84 +/- 12% were enrolled in the study, and carbachol (15 microg/kg) was administered to patients when abdominal distension or bowel sound was lower than 2 times/min, then the number of abdominal distension and bowel sounds per minute were observed.

RESULTSThe blood flow in intestinal mucosa of rabbits without SMA occlusion was (102 +/- 5) PU, reduced to (48 +/- 6) PU after SMA occlusion, and increased to (77 +/- 3) PU after injection of carbachol. The plasma DAO activity and D-lactic acid content in I group began to increase 4 hours after SMA occlusion, and they reached the peak 24 hours after SMA occlusion (4.63 +/- 0.27 U/ml, 7.9 +/- 2.4 mg/L) , after that they decreased gradually, but still higher than the normal value (0.89 +/- 0.14 U/ml, 2.0 +/- 1.1 mg/L, P < 0.05). In carbachol group, data showed the same trends as that in intestine I/R group with lower values, while no obvious changes were in sham operation group (P > 0.05). The content of D-lactic decreased dramatically 2 hours after D-lactic administration in both I and C groups, increased 6 hours after SMA occlusion, then decreased gradually, but it in C group was always higher than normal values, and little fluctuation was in sham operation group. There was no blue dextran discharge 2 hours after SMA occlusion. The discharging distance increased 6 hours later, but it was obviously shorter than the normal value 24 hrs after operation (P < 0.05) , then it returned to normal 48 to 72 hrs after operation. In the C group, blue dextran discharge was found immediately after its injection, with obvious increase in the discharging distance to peak value (43 +/- 6 cm) 6 hours after injury, and returning to normal (28 +/- 3 cm) gradually. In severe burned patients, the bowel sounds was (1.6 +/- 1.1) per minutes before carbachol administration, then increased dramatically to (6.9 +/- 1.7) per minutes 10 mins after administration, reached to a higher level 30 minutes after administration (8.3 +/- 2.4 ) times/min, and it maintained to (6.1 +/- 1.3) times/min 1 hour after administration. Abdominal distension was ameliorated 2 hours after carbachol administration, six patients were able to defecate.

CONCLUSIONEnteral administration of Carbachol can increase the blood flow of intestine mucosa, help to improve the movement, absorption and barrier functions of intestine, and ameliorate intestinal dysfunction in patients with severe burns.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Burns ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Carbachol ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; physiopathology