ObjectiveTo study the effect of α7 ( α7 AChR) agonist nicotine on regulating sensitivity of regular chemotherapeutic agent in cholangiocarcinoma cells,and explore the possible target.MethodsThe effect of nicotine and α-BTX pretreatment on the survival ability of cholangiocarcinoma cells was investigated when applied with 5-FU by using MTT and Flat cloning formation experiment.ResultsApplied with 5-FU,in various con centrations nicotine stimulating group( 10-3 g/L,10-4 g/L,10-5 g/L ),the survive rate of QBC939 was 128％,124％,118％,while that in α-BTX stimulating group and combined stimulation group was 92％,94％,93％,92％,respectively.The cloning formation ability of nicotine- stimulating group (6.2 ± 0.40) was significantly higher than α- BTX stimulating group (3.2 ± 0.20 ),combined stimulation group ( 3.2 ± 0.20 ) and control group ( 3.4 ±0.33).ConclusionNicotine can prevent chemotherapy-induced apoptosis,and improve cholangiocarcinoma cell survival via α7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor in vitro.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of resection of internal wall for pancreatic mucinous cystic neolplasms (MCN).Methods Successive observation and cyst wall thickness measurement of the pathological sections of 24 cases with pancreatic MCN admitted in our hospital during 2008-2011.One patient with pancreatic tail MCN was treated by resection of internal wall.Results The cyst wall thicknesses of the 24 cases vary from 2 mm to more than 2 cm,and the thicknesses of fibrous envelop near pancreatic vary from 0.1 mm to 8.0 mm.The fibrous envelop thickness of 17 cases were more than 0.5 mm(70.8％,17/24).These cases could be treated with resection of internal wall.Pancreatic leakage occurred in 8 of the 24 patients (33.3％,8/24).The patient treated by resection of internal wall had no pancreatic leakage.Conclusion We consider that 70.8％ cases of pancreatic MCN could be treated by resection of internal wall to cure MCN and avoid the possibility of postoperative pancreatic fistula.

OBJECTIVETo develop a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for fetal SRY gene identification using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were obtained from 30 pregnant women and cell-free DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method from plasma. The nested PCR was carried out to amplify the fragment of SRY gene by two sets of PCR primer pairs. Direct sequencing analysis was then performed on the PCR product.

RESULTSAmong the 17 women bearing male fetuses, SRY sequences were detected in 15 plasma samples after nested PCR amplification, while none of the 13 women bearing female fetuses had the positive results. The accuracy and sensitivity were 93.3% (28/30) and 88.2% (15/17), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe phenol/chloroform extraction for fetal DNA in maternal plasma was effective and simple. And the nested PCR amplification of SRY sequence is a convenient and low-cost approach for the non-invasive early prenatal diagnosis of sex-linked inheritant diseases.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Fetus ; Genes, sry ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; blood ; genetics ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-PBHSCT) and its therapeutic effect on refractory rheumatism among preschool children.

METHODSThree boys with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) respectively, 3 to 6 years old with the mean age of 5 years with 3.5 to 22 months course of disease with 14 months on average, received auto-PBHSCT. Their conditions were so severe that conventional therapy failed to control the diseases. The changes of both clinical manifestations and immunologic indexes were observed before and after transplantation with long term following up at specialty clinic of rheumatism.

RESULTThe time when neutrophil count >or= 0.5 x 10(9)/L in the 3 children was days +9, +13 and +11 respectively, that of platelet count >or= 20 x 10(9)/L was days +14, +18 and +13 respectively. The cellular immune function remained abnormal with CD4 cells at a low level and CD4/CD8 being inverted. As to the JDM child, the skin rash had disappeared and his muscle tone was improved to grade 5 within one month after the transplantation. The EMG and serum creatase level returned to normal and muscle MRI findings were improved greatly within 2 months after the transplantation. As to the JSLE child, skin rash and proteinuria had disappeared, MRI of brain showed that the pathological changes had been absorbed and EEG returned to normal 3 months after the transplantation, all the autoantibodies turned to negative within 8 months after transplantation. As to the JRA child, the arthritis had been improved remarkably within 3 weeks after auto-PBHSCT. There was no swelling of joints nor movement limitation 3 months post transplantation. The steroids and immunosuppressive drugs were discontinued post transplantation. Cushing syndrome disappeared. Their body heights increased by 10 to 15 cm in the past 18 months, and they all returned to school. There was no relapse during follow-up periods of 25 - 27 months.

CONCLUSIONThe therapy with auto-PBHSCT for refractory rheumatism among preschool children was remarkably effective in a short-term, yet the safety and long-term effect still need to be further studied.

Child ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Rheumatic Diseases ; therapy ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDBipolar electro-coagulation has a reported efficacy in treating epilepsy involving functional cortex by pure electro-coagulation or combination with resection. However, the mechanisms of bipolar electro-coagulation are not completely known. We studied the acute cortical blood flow and histological changes after bipolar electro-coagulation in 24 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty-four patients were consecutively enrolled, and divided into three groups according to the date of admission. The regional cortical blood flow (rCBF), electrocorticography, the depth of cortex damage, and acute histological changes (H and E staining, neuronal staining and neurofilament (NF) staining) were analyzed before and after the operation. The t-test analysis was used to compare the rCBF before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe rCBF after coagulation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The spikes were significantly reduced after electro-coagulation. For the temporal cortex, the depth of cortical damage with output power of 2-9 W after electro-coagulation was 0.34 ± 0.03, 0.48 ± 0.06, 0.69 ± 0.06, 0.84 ± 0.09, 0.98 ± 0.08, 1.10 ± 0.11, 1.11 ± 0.09, and 1.22 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. Coagulation with output power of 4-5 W completely damaged the neurons and NF protein in the molecular layer, external granular layer, and external pyramidal layer.

CONCLUSIONSThe electro-coagulation not only destroyed the neurons and NF protein, but also reduced the rCBF. We concluded that the injuries caused by electro-coagulation would prevent horizontal synchronization and spread of epileptic discharges, and partially destroy the epileptic focus.

Adult ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Epilepsy ; surgery ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Young Adult

Endothelial progenitor cells are precursors of endothelial cells, which are able to differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Studies are needed to increase more detailed understanding on the mechanisms of EPC-differentiation, survival, homing and distribution of the tissue. The human EPC has potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic or therapeutic tools in the future. This review describes recent studies on the biological characteristics and clinical application of EPC, including immunophenotype and functional characteristics of EPCs, mobilization, release and differentiation of EPCs, EPC number and recruitment, clinical application of EPCs, and so on.
Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of highway transportation on the quality of blood components so as to provide experimental basis to meet the needs of military operations. The transport condition was simulated by random vibration test. The red blood cells, leukocyte-reduced red blood cells, washed red blood cells were randomly vibrated (C Road) for 4 hours. Then, these blood components were stored in refrigerator for 15 days (4 degrees C). Six milliliters of blood were collected before vibration, after vibration, and at day 15 days of storage after vibration, respectively. The suspension was isolated. The free hemoglobin (FHb), routine hematological parameters, and biochemical indexes were determined. The results showed that FHb, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), K(+) of red blood cells and leukocyte-reduced red blood cells did not significantly change after vibration and storage. However, FHb, LDH and K(+) of washed red blood cells increased significantly after simulated transportation (p < 0.05). The levels of these parameters at day 15 of storage after vibration were also significantly higher than those after vibration (p < 0.01). The changes of other hematological parameters were not significant in three blood components after vibration (C Road) and storage for 15 day. In conclusion, red blood cells and leukocyte-reduced red blood cells were qualified for clinic transfusion even after transportation within 4 hours for 15 day storage later, if they were kept in proper blood container and protected from damping. However, the washed red blood cells could not be used for clinic after similar transport in the military operations.
Blood Preservation ; Cryopreservation ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Transportation ; Vibration

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of the depth of jaundice, the duration of jaundice and preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on postoperative complications and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODSA retrospective review was performed of the medical records of 1025 patients who underwent PD between June 1986 and December 2010. The patients comprised 659 men and 366 women, ranging from 4 to 81 years old with a mean age of (54 ± 12) years. The indications for PD were malignant disease in 869 patients (84.78%) and benign or borderline tumors in 156 patients (15.22%). The operative procedures performed were pylorus-preserving modification in 279 patients and conventional PD, i.e. Whipple's operation in 746 patients. Complications after PD were compared among the different groups which was classified according to the depth of obstructive jaundice, the duration of obstructive jaundice and whether undergoing preoperative biliary drain or not, and the analysis was made by variance analysis and χ(2) test respectively.

RESULTSThe depth of jaundice did not significantly affect the incidence of complications after PD except for the hemorrhage complication (χ(2) = 11.06, P = 0.03). The duration of jaundice had no much influence on the postoperative complications and mortality. PBD could not reduce the postoperative complications and mortality, however, it would increase the incidence of postoperative incision infection (χ(2) = 9.84, P = 0.01). No significant relationship was observed between the duration of PBD and the postoperative complications and mortality.

CONCLUSIONSEither the depth or duration of obstructive jaundice has no relationship with the postoperative complications and mortality after PD but the postoperative hemorrhage. Patients undergoing PD can not be benefited from PBD. Consequently, PBD should not be performed routinely, but it can be used in some serious patients with severe depth of jaundice who can not received surgery at once.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis of triptolide on Jurkat cell line in acute T lymphocytic leukemia. The Jurkat cells were treated with various concentrations of triptolide (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 microg/L) for 12 hours. The inhibitory ratio was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The effects of triptolide on apoptosis of Jurkat cells were determined by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder), Hoechst 33258, PI and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The results demonstrated that triptolide inhibited the proliferation of Jurket cells. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was 4.0 microg/L. Chromatin condensation in the cells treated with triptolide could be seen by light microscopy. DNA electrophoresis showed evidence of nuclear fragmentation (DNA ladder). The hypoploid (sub-G(1)) population was increased after treatment with triptolide. The translocation of phosphatidylserine at the outer surface of the cell plasma membrane could be induced by triptolide. After treatment with triptolide for 12 hours, the rates of apoptotic cells were significantly increased. Moreover, these pro-apoptosis effects were in time-dependent manner. It is concluded that triptolide can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of Jurkat cells. This study provides experimental basis for clinical use of triptolide in leukemia therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic potential of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF superfamily, and to analyze TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells.

METHODSExpression of TRAIL receptors (DR4 and DR5) was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cytotoxic effects were determined by colony formation assay and a cell counting kit. The effects of recombinant TRAIL on apoptosis of Jurkat cells were determined by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder) and PI staining. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected with JC-1 fluorescence.

RESULTSTRAIL inhibited the proliferation and induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (characteristic of apoptosis) and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant soluble TRAIL can be used as a therapy for cancer.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Membrane Potentials ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Solubility ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology