Objective To explore the capability of Ang-1 gene delivery to acute myocardial infarction using targeted microbubbles carrying ICAM-1 antibody.Methods Thirty-seven rabbits' left circumfles branch coronary arteries were ligated for models.Three rabbits were injected with microbubbles carrying ICAM-1 to detect the ability of targeting.Thirty-four rabbit models were divided into 3 groups randomly as follow:IM group (n=12,accept direct intramuscular injection),ICAM-1 group (n=12,accept intravenous injection of targeted microbubbles and Ang-1) and control group (n=10,without any treatment).Ultrasonography were executed on all animals before and 2 weeks after the treatment.All rabbits were killed after 2 weeks and examined for Ang-1 mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western-Blot respectively.Microvessel density (MVD) counting of infracted myocardium,observed by factor Ⅷ immunochemical staining,was performed to value the proangiogenesis effect of Ang-1 delivered by targeted microbubbles carrying ICAM-1 antibody.The liver and the kidney in ICAM-1 group were taken to assess the systemic delivery.Results IM and ICAM-1 group showed significantly improvement in the ejection fraction (P＜0.05) while control group did not.Ang-1 mRNA and protein could be detected in IM and ICAM-1 group;however,the expression between the two groups showed no siginificant difference.None of the control animals showed Ang-1 expression.compared with ICAM-1 group,the MVD was greater in IM group.Ang-1 was not detected either in liver or in kidney in ICAM-1 group.Conclusions Targeted microbubbles carrying ICAM-1 antibody can deliver Ang-1 gene to ischemic myocardium directly.Meanwhile,it's as effective as IM injections besides the greater angiogenesis effect.This strategy improves the perfusion of acute myocardial infarction and the function of heart.

Objective To study the hemodynamic changes of rabbit VX2 liver tumors before and after ethanol injection by perfusion imaging of MSCT and investigate the correlation between perfusion parameters and microvessel density (MVD). Methods All of 15 Japanese long-ear white rabbits were divided into control group and experiment group. All rabbits were inoculated with VX2 liver tumor. Perfusion imaging of MSCT scans were conducted in 5 rabbits in the control group on the 14 th day after VX2 tumor inoculation, and the borders of the tumors were stained with immunohistochemical stains, and MVD was measured by anti-CD34. Perfusion imaging of MSCT scans were conducted in all 10 rabbits in the experiment group on the 14 th day after VX2 tumor inoculation. Then absolute alcohol was injected into the tumors by laparotomy. CT scans were conducted 3 and 30 days after absolute alcohol injection, and the borders of the tumors were stained immunohistochemically, and MVD was measured by anti-CD34. The differences of perfusion parameters such as hepatic blood ( BF), hepatic blood volume (BV), mean transit time ( MTT),permeability of capillary vessel surface (PS), and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) were compared to evaluate the liver hemodynamic changes. Statistical repeated measurement t test, correlation analysis were performed. Results BF of border of the tumor between pretreatment, 3 days after ethanol injection and 30 days after ethanol injection were ( 280. 62 ± 59. 87 ),(322.03 ± 86. 94 ), ( 177.05 ± 75.96) ml · min -1; HAF were 0. 59 ± 0. 08, 0. 89 ± 0. 12, 0. 23 ± 0. 07;HAP were ( 189. 26 ± 25.46), ( 251.57 ± 31.78 ), (40. 90 ± 5.17 ) ml · min - 1 · ml - 1. HAP increased significantly after ethanol injection 3 days ( P ＜ 0. 05 ); BF, HAF, HAP decreased significantly 30 days after ethanol injection compared with 3 days after ethanol injection ( P ＜ 0. 05 ); BF, HAF, HAP decreased significantly 30 days after ethanol injection compared with pre-treatment ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). It showed positive correlation between BF, PS, HAF, HAP and MVD (r=0. 916, 0. 726, 0. 870, 0. 889; P ＜0. 05). MVD decreased significantly compared with the control group (43.9 ± 4. 0)/HP 30 days after ethanol injection (21.8±3.5)/HP (t = 12.271, P ＜0.05). Conclusion Perfusion imaging of MSCT can detect the hemodynamic changes in rabbit VX2 liver tumors, and also in tumors before and after ethanol injection. CT perfusion can take the place of MVD to evaluate the tumor angiogenesis.

Objective To certificate the effects on transfection ratio and cells viability of ultrasound (US) acoustic intensity, radiation duration, microbubbles concentration and DNA concentration in delivery human angiopioetin-1 gene (hAng-1) into 293T cells by SonoVue microbubbles and decide the optimal transfection parameters. Methods Mix 293T cells and SonoVue microbubbles linked with eGFP-C_3-hAng-1 in a different way, detect the gene transfection ratio and cells viability under the various US intensity, radiation duration, microbubbles and DNA concentrations. Results The gene expression would be increased if enhanced the intenstiy of US,radiation time,microbubbles and DNA concentrations,and the cells viability would be kept more than 90% ( P <0. 01). Whereas,if the US intensity increased over 1. 5 W/cm~2 ,the duration over 30 s and microbubbles and DNA concentrations over 20% and 15 mg/L respectively,the gene expression would not increase significantly ( P > 0. 05),whereas coupled with obviously decreased cells viability( P <0. 01). Conclusions The optimal conditions of deliver hAng-1 gene into 293T cells by SonoVue microbubbles was mixing cells and microbubbles in a cell wall-sticky way,US intensity was 1. 5 W/cm~2, duration 30 s,20% microbubbles and 15 mg/L DNA concentration.

Objective To investigate the transfection efficacy and expression of Ang-1 gene and proangiogenesis in vitro and vivo by ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction.Methods 293T cells were divided into three groups:group A was given hAng-1 plasmid and microbubbles plus ultrasonic irradiation,group B was given hAng-1 plasmid and ultrasound,group C was given hAng-1 plasmid only (without ultrasound).Forty-eight hours after transfection,the transient expression rate was observed under fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were taken to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of Ang-1 respectively.Twenty-seven rabbit models of ligated left circumflex branch coronary artery were divided into 3 groups randomly as follow:group Ⅰ (accepted intravenous injection of SonoVue microbubble and Ang-1 plus ultrasonic irradiation),group Ⅱ (accepted intravenous injection of Ang-1 with ultrasound),group Ⅲ (control group).Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was executed on all animals before and after the treatment.Two weeks after gene delivery,RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were taken to evaluate mRNA and protein expression of Ang-1 respectively.Microvessel density (MVD) counting of infracted myocardium,observed by Factor Ⅷ immunochemical staining,was performed to value the proangiogenesis effect of Ang-1 delivered by ultrasound mediated cavitation of microbubble.Results Green fluorescence was observed in group A and B by fluorescence microscopy,which was negative in group C.The transfection expression rate was significantly improved in group A ( P ＜ 0.01).In vivo,Microbubbles could be observed in former ischemic myocardium in MCEexamination and the Ang-1 mRNA and protein could be detected in group Ⅰ.On the other hand,the contrast agent was defected obviously and none of the animals showed Ang-1 mRNA and protein expression in other two groups.The MVD counting showed significant improvement in group Ⅰ whereas other two groups didn't.ConclusionsMicrobubble-enhanced ultrasound exposure can improve the Ang-1 gene transfection expression rate observably both in vitro and in vivo.This strategy for delivering has great proangiogenesis effect in vivo.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical pathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance (PDFSP).

METHODSThe clinical history, histopathological features, immunohistochemical characteristics, treatment and prognosis were analyzed in seven cases of PDFSP. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the expression of COL1A1/PDGFB fusion gene, and related literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThe median age of the seven patients (4 females, 3 males) was 47 years with the tumors involving mostly the trunk (four cases). Histologically, PDFSP showed a cellular lesion composed of spindle cells arranged in short fascicles that form a distinct storiform pattern, and the pigmented bipolar or multipolar dendritic cells were present with tentacle like processes emanating from a nucleus containing zone. One case showed fibrosarcomatous change. The pigment was tinctorially similar to melanin. The spindle cells were positive for CD34 and vimentin, but negative for HMB45, Melan A, S-100, desmin, CD68 or α-SMA. HMB45, Melan A, S-100 and vimentin were expressed in the melanin containing cells in 4, 4, 5 and 7 cases, respectively. The labeling index of Ki-67 was 1%-8%. Among the 4 cases successfully examined by FISH, 3 showed t(17;22)(q21;q13) which suggested COL1A1/PDGFB fusion gene. Three patients were treated by wide local excision and four were treated by simple surgical excision. Two patients developed recurrences during the follow-up period of 12 to 123 months. Of those treated by wide local excision, none developed recurrence. No patient died in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONSPDFSP is a rare pigmented variant of DFSP and an intermediate grade malignant tumor. The orgin of the tumor cells is still controversial. Surgical pathologists and dermatopathologists need to be aware of the prototypical histological appearance of PDFSP as there is a risk of misdiagonsing it as either pigmented tumors associated with neurocutaneous syndromes or a highly malignant melanocytic neoplasm.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; MART-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and adverse effects of Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) on liver metastases from PCa. METHODS: From June 2009 to September 2016, we treated 20 cases of PCa liver metastases by Cyberknife SBRT, at a total dose of 36 (30－50) Gy, on 1－3 liver metastatic lesions, for 3－5 times, with a prescription isodose line of 70－92%. We assessed the therapeutic effect according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), calculated the survival and disease-control rates using the Kaplan-Meier method, and analyzed the adverse events based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events－Version 4.0 (CTCAE 4.0). RESULTS: Of all the cases treated, complete response (CR) was found in 8 (40.0%), partial response (PR) in 9 (45.0%), stable disease (SD) in 2 (10.0%), and progressive disease (PD) in 1 (5.0%), with a local control rate (CR+PR) of 85.0% and a disease-control rate (CR+PR+SD) of 95.0%. Among the 14 patients with elevated PSA, 10 (71.4%) showed a significant decrease after treatment. The median follow-up time was 17 months, the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 85.0% and 15.0%, respectively, and the median survival time of the 20 patients was 16.5 months (95% CI: 12.12－22.88). Cyberknife SBRT was well tolerated in all the patients, with only a few mild adverse events (mainly grades 1 and 2 but no 4 and 5) during the whole course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Cyberknife SBRT is safe and effective in the treatment of PCa liver metastases, with a high local control rate, and capable of reducing the PSA level and raising the long-term survival rate of the patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical pathological features of fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (FS-DFSP).

METHODSThe clinical history, histopathological features and immunohistochemical characteristics were analyzed in twelve cases of FS-DFSP from January 1997 to February 2011, and related literature were reviewed.

RESULTSAge of the patients (2 females, 10 males) at diagnosis ranged from 41 to 70 years (mean 53 years). Among the 12 cases of FS-DFSP, 9 cases aroused in recurrent ordinary DFSP. Histologically, FS areas in FS-DFSP were characterized by a fascicular and highly cellular histology, frequently showing a characteristic herringbone pattern. FS-DFSP showed diminishment of CD34 staining in FS areas. The labeling index of Ki-67 was much higher in the FS areas (10%-40%) than that in the conventional DFSP areas (2%-5%). All the patients were treated by operation with local excision or wide excision. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was administered in two cases respectively. Follow-up information in 9 of 12 patients (9 to 86 months) revealed local recurrence in 6 patients. Distant metastases were seen in two patients. One patient was died in the follow up period.

CONCLUSIONSFS-DFSP is a rare and unique subtype of DFSP and is associated with significant elevated risk of both local and distance metastasis, usually followed by poor outcome. Compared to ordinary DFSP as a borderline neoplasm, FS-DFSP should be considered as a malignant tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; pathology ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

BackgroundThe increasing frequency of explosive injuries has increased interest in blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Various shock tube models have been used to study bTBI. Mild-to-moderate explosions are often overlooked because of the slow onset or mildness of the symptoms. However, heavy gas cylinders and large volume chambers in the model may increase the complexity and danger. This study sought to design a modified model to explore the effect of moderate explosion on brain injury in mice.

MethodsPathology scoring system (PSS) was used to distinguish the graded intensity by the modified model. A total of 160 mice were randomly divided into control, sham, and bTBI groups with different time points. The clinical features, imaging features, neurobehavior, and neuropathology were detected after moderate explosion. One-way analysis of variance followed by Fisher's least significant difference posttest or Dunnett's t 3-test was performed for data analyses.

ResultsPSS of mild, moderate, and severe explosion was 13.4 ± 2.2, 32.6 ± 2.7 (t = 13.92, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), and 56.6 ± 2.8 (t = 31.37, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), respectively. After moderate explosion, mice showed varied symptoms of malaise, anorexia, incontinence, apnea, or seizure. After bTBI, brain edema reached the highest peak at day 3 (82.5% ± 2.1% vs. 73.8% ± 0.6%, t = 7.76, P < 0.001), while the most serious neurological outcomes occurred at day 1 (Y-maze: 8.25 ± 2.36 vs. 20.00 ± 4.55, t = -4.59, P = 0.048; 29.58% ± 2.84% vs. 49.09% ± 11.63%, t = -3.08, P = 0.008; neurologic severity score: 2.50 ± 0.58 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00, t = 8.65, P = 0.016). We also found that apoptotic neurons (52.76% ± 1.99% vs. 1.30% ± 0.11%, t = 57.20, P < 0.001) and gliosis (2.98 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, t = 14.42, P = 0.021) in the frontal were significantly higher at day 3 post-bTBI than sham bTBI.

ConclusionsWe provide a reliable, reproducible bTBI model in mice that can produce a graded explosive waveform similar to the free-field shock wave in a controlled laboratory environment. Moderate explosion can trigger mild-to-moderate blast damage of the brain.

To develop a method for the determination of 18 elements such as Pb, Cu, As, Hg, Mn, Ni, & Tl in Panax notoginseng,Bulbus fritillariae thunbergii,Coix seed, Resina draconis, and to control the contents of heavy metal elements in Sanjie Zhentong Capsule, the samples were digested by microwaves and then analyzed by appropriate determination parameters through ICP-MS, with the internal standard method to improve the matrix effect and interference. The correlation coefficientR2≥ 0.999 2. The lowest limits of quantification were from 0.002 8 to 0.54 μg·L-1. The experiments had better repeatability, while the recovery values ranged from 73.01% to 109.13%. The method is simple, accurate and high sensitive, and it can be used for the determination of rapid monitoring the multi-elements inPanax notoginseng, Bulbus fritillariae thunbergii, Coix seed,and Resina draconis.

Objective To observe the effects of 2 Gy γ-ray irradiation on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells and immune balance of mice.Methods A total of fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into two groups,the irradiated group exposed to 2 Gy of whole body γ-ray irradiation,and the control group sham-irradiated.At 1,3,7,14 and 28 d after radiation,changes of peripheral haemogram were detected respectively and Tregs in peripheral blood,thymus and spleen and Th17 cells in spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Compared with control group,the number of peripheral blood white cells (WBC) and lymphocyte in irradiated group reduced significantly post-irradiation (t =8.89-33.54,P ＜ 0.05),while the cell number of peripheral CD4 + CD25 + Tregs post-irradiation rose but not significantly.Thymic Treg cells increased 1 and 3 d post-irradiation(t =-6.45,-10.59,P ＜0.05),but reduced 28 d post-irradiation (t =5.34,P ＜ 0.05).Splenic Treg cells ascended obviously from 1 to 14 d post-irradiation (t =-6.82-3.89,P ＜ 0.05).After irradiation splenic Th17 cells increased at 1 d,and reached the maximal level at 3 d (t =-2.42,P ＜ 0.05),more obviously than splenic Treg cells.The reduction of Treg/Th17 ratio from 1 to 14 d post-irradiation disturbed Treg/Th17 balance and made it drift to the direction of Th17 (t =4.02-8.04,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Treg/Th17 imbalance plays an important role in immune injury induced by irradiation.