Objective To investigate whether the decision-making ability was impaired under the condition of clear risk probability in patients with cerebral miceobleeds (CMBs).Methods The Game of Dice Test (GDT) with the clear risk probability was used to conduct the risk decision ability study in 45 patients with CMBs and 45 without CMBs.Results GDT showed that patients in the CMBs group was more like to choose the risky option compared with the non-CMB group (9.64 ± 3.22 vs.6.51 ± 4.48;t =3.809,P ＜0.001).Among the 4 options,the most frequent choice in the CMBs group was the option of the highest risk,i.e.2 numbers (6.91 ±3.02 vs.4.71 ±2.95;t =3.494,P =0.001);and the most frequent choice in the non-CMBs was 3 numbers (4.87 ±2.17 vs.7.71 ±2.71;t =-5.496,P＜0.001).The GDT was divided into 3 stages.The number of security options selected by patients in the CMBs group was significantly less than that by patients in the non-CMBs group in all stages (stage 1:-0.27 ± 3.00 vs.0.93 ±3.09;t =-1.867,P =0.065;stage 2:-0.62 ± 2.55 vs.2.27 ± 2.65;t =-5.268,P ＜ 0.001;stage 3:-0.53 ± 2.57 vs.2.89 ± 3.12;t =-5.677,P＜ 0.001),and with the increase of the number of tests,selecting security options increased gradually in the non-CMB group (F =4.780,P =0.010),while the CMBs group was not (F =0.209,P =0.812).Conclusions The patients with CMBs have significant impairment in decision making ability under the condition of specific risk probability.

Objective To observe the surgical results of modified percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar decompression(PEID) and traditional PEID in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS),and to explore the optimizations scheme of PEID for DLSS.Methods 60 patients (36 males and 24 females) were brought into the research for DLSS.According to the different operation ways,the patients were randomly divided into the modified PEID group(observation group) and traditional PEID group (control group) according to the digital table method,30 cases in each group.The surgical outcome,indicators included the change in spinal canal,visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at pre-operation,postoperative 3 d,postoperative 3 months and postoperative 6 months,operation time,headache and painful stiff nape incidence in the operation,postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results The VAS scores (postoperative 3 days,postoperative 3 months and postoperative 6 months) of the observation group were (4.37 ± 1.20) points,(2.59 ± 1.30) points,(1.29 ± 1.21)points respectively,which of the control group were (4.45 ± 1.22)points,(2.67 ± 1.36)points,(1.17 ± 1.10)points respectively,which were significantly better than (7.93 ± 1.56)points of the observation group and (8.22 ± 1.70) points of the control group before operation,the differences were statistically significant (F =1 254.387,512.762,all P ＜ 0.05).The ODI scores (postoperative 3 days,postoperative 3 months and postoperative 6 months) of the observation group were (48.64 ± 19.59) points,(27.66 ± 10.22) points,(10.69 ± 8.87) points respectively,which of the control group were (47.22 ± 20.96) points,(25.17 ± 11.93) points,(10.16 ± 7.89) points respectively,which were significantly better than (75.20 ± 23.20) points of the observation group and (70.35 ± 28.66) points of the control group before operation,the differences were statistically significant(F =1 254.387,512.762,all P ＜ 0.05).The VAS and ODI scores (pre-operation,postoperative 3 days,postoperative 3 months andpostoperative 6 months) of the observation group and control group had no statistically significant differences (VAS:t =2.088,2.124,3.021,3.173;ODI:t =2.366,1.079,1.694,1.573,all P ＞ 0.05).The incidence of neck pain and operation time of the observation group were 20.69％,(63 ± 7) min,which were significantly lower than 87.50％ and (157 ± 8)rin of the control group,the differences were statistically significant(t =3.601,2.167,all P ＜ 0.05).The central sagittal diameter of the spinal canal and the central transverse diameter of the spinal canal between the observation group and the control group had no statistically significant differences (x2 =4.260,t =3.694,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Modified PEID has advantages in surgical efficiency,operation time and headache and painful stiff nape incidence compared with traditional PEID,so it can be chosen for DLSS.

To study and compare the immunomodulatory functions of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMNC) in vitro, human bone marrow MSC were separated with Percoll (1.073 g/L) and cultured in low-glucose DMEM, and cord blood mononuclear cells were isolated with Ficoll (1.077 g/L). These two kinds of cells were added to mixed lymphocyte cultures and PHA induction transformation cultures with various concentrations. The proliferation of lymphocytes was measured by MTT method, effects of MSC and CBMNC on mixed lymphocyte response and PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation were investigated. The results showed that both 5 x 10(4), 1 x 10(4) MSC and 2 x 10(5) CBMNC could inhibit the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) and PHA induced transformation. But with lower concentrations (MSC < or = 1 x 10(3), CBMNC < or = 1 x 10(5)), the inhibition effects of MSC and CBMNC were less consistent. 1 x 10(2) MSC and 1 x 10(4) CBMNC mainly increased the lymphocyte activation. In addition, the inhibition ratio of 5 x 10(4) MSC (MLC 65.3%, PHA 79.1%) was higher than that of 2 x 10(5) CBMNC (MLC 8.6%, PHA 37.3%). It is concluded that larger numbers of both MSC and CBMNC showed negative immunomodulatory functions and inhibited the mixed lymphocyte response and induction of transformation in vitro. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of MSC was much stronger than that of CBMNC.
Bone Marrow Cells ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; physiology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Phytohemagglutinins ; pharmacology

Objective: This study aimed to examine the number of activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and investigate the relationship among aCECs, anti-angiogenic therapy, and prognosis of NSCLC patients. This study also aimed to identify novel predictive markers for anti-angiogenic therapy, and provide basic data and experimental basis for establishing an evaluation system for this therapy. Methods: A total of 142 NSCLC patients were randomly divided into the chemotherapy group (Group 1) and combined therapy group (i.e., chemotherapy plus endostatin, Group 2). The number of aCECs was measured using flow cytometry by detecting the expression status of CD105 and CD146 in the peripheral blood. The correlation between the changes in aCECs and efficacy of drug treatment was statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results:The number of aCECs in Group 2 increased significantly at 8 and 29 d, two cycles, 50 and 71 d, and four cycles after treatment, respectively (P<0.05). In particular, aCECs amount in cases of progressive disease increased more significantly after combined therapy (P<0.05). A negative correlation was found between the treatment cycle and difference in aCECs amount before and after therapy (r=-0.970, P=0.001). A negative correlation was also observed between the difference in aCECs amount and time to tumor progression (TTP) (r=-0.351, P=0.039). Therefore, the difference in aCECs amount before and after therapy could serve as an important predictor for TTP in NSCLC patients. Conclusion:CD105 and CD146 reflected the activation status of endothelial cells, and responded to the drug treatment. Thus, CD105 and CD146 could act as ideal markers for aCECs. The number of aCECs increased during cancer progression, but significantly decreased after long-term treatment. Therefore, the change in aCECs amount may be a useful marker in predicting the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.

Objective To explore the significance of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B)activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)during acute Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods Peripheral blood was collected from children with acute KD(n=30)and healthy age-matched children(n=20).PBMC were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups:naturally cultured blank control group,protein kinase C(PKC)activator stimulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)group and PMA plus NF-?B inhibitor treated PMA plus pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)group.Percentages of NF-?B activation were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Under natural culturing,the percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD blank control group than that in healthy blank control group.The percentage of cells with activated NF-?B was significantly higher in acute KD PMA group than that in acute KD blank group and that in normal control PMA group,respectively(Pa0.05).Conclusions NF-?B activation in PBMC during acute KD is markedly increased,which suggests that NF-?B activation plays an important role in the formation of vasulitis and CAL in this disease.NF-?B activation in PBMCs in children with KD is regulated by the PKC signaling pathway and PDTC obviously inhibits the activation of NF-?B.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):35-37

Objective To study the telomerase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) in children with acute Kawasaki disease(KD) and its clinical significance.Methods The PBMCs of 64 children with acute KD [25 cases of them with coronary artery lesions(CAL),while the rest without] from 2 months to 6 years old admitted into Jiangxi Children's Hospital from Mar.2005 to Dec.2008 and those of 52 sex-age-matched healthy children (healthy control group) from 5 months to 7 years old were all assayed by Roche telomerase polymerase chain reaction enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(PCR ELISA).WBC,ESR and CRP were also detected.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The telomerase expression frequency of PBMCs in children with KD was 32.8%(21/64 cases),while that in healthy control group was only 15.4%(8/52 cases),the difference between the 2 groups was significant (?2= 4.65,P0.05).There were no significant difference of WBC,ESR and CRP between the telomerase of PBMCs positive group and negative group.Conclusions The higher frequency of telomerase expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be related to the development and progression of KD.

Objective To investigate the characteristic sonographic and pathological features of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) without microcalcifications on mammography (MG).Methods Forty cases of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG were retrospectively reviewed.The 40 lesions were classified into mass and non-mass groups according to their sonographic findings.The pathological subtypes and nuclear grades of these cases were also analyzed.Fisher exact test was used to compare the differences of the sonographic accuracy rate,sonographic microcalcification rate,pathological nuclear grade and subtype rate between mass and non-mass groups.Results No abnormal finding was found in sixteen cases (40.0％)on MG and only one case (2.5％) on ultrasonography (US),respectively.The most common sonographic feature of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG were masses (75.0％,30/40),and other sonographic findings were round/oval and irregular shape,microlobulated margin,heterogeneous hypoechogenicity and isoechogenicity,and posterior acoustic feature.Ductal dilatations and heterogeneous isoechogenicity were present in most non-mass lesions of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG (22.5％,9/40).The ultrasonographic microcalcifications were found in 5 cases of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG.The common pathological features of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG were medium-low nuclear grade (85.0％,34/40) and noncomedo (87.5％,35/40).The difference of US accuracy rate in mass and non-mass groups was statistically significant [73.3％ (22/30) vs 33.3％ (3/9),P=0.047].The differences of US microcalcification rate,pathological subtype and nuclear grade were not significant (P=1.000,0.070).Conclusions The mass appearance and medium-low nuclear grade were most common sonographic findings and pathological features of DCIS without microcalcifications on MG.Ultrasonography should be an helpful tool for improving the diagnostic sensitivity ofmammography in breast DCIS.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the cerebral cortex of rat with chronic fluorosis,and to reveal the mechanisms of damaged nervous system resulted from the toxicity of fluoride.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups.The rats in each group were given drinking water containing different levels of fluoride:control group less than 0.5 mg/L,small amount of fluoride exposure group 10.0 mg/L and large amount of fluoride exposure group 50.0 mg/L.The animals were examined at the sixth month after initiating the experiment.Protein levels of P-gp and NF-κB in brain tissues were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting,and the P-gp protein and mRNA level by quantitative real time PCR method.Results As compared to the control group(28.21 ±6.13),the numbers of positive staining cells by P-gp antibody in the cortex of rat brains were significantly increased in both the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(48.46 ± 8.00),(53.72 ± 9.15),respectively,all P ＜ 0.05] ; the protein levels in the control group(100.00 ± 3.86)％ detected by Western blotting were significantly increased in the cortex of rat brains treated with fluoride in both the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(189.47 ± 3.14)％,(191.36 ± 11.09)％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05].The significantly increased expression of NF-κB at the protein level was observed in the cortex of rat brains of the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups[(365.97 ± 6.04)％ and (417.15 ± 10.89)％,respectively] as compared with the control group[(100.00 ± 10.07)％,all P ＜ 0.05].The mRMA level of P-gp in the cortex of rat brains of the small and the large amount of fluoride exposure groups(2396 ± 427,3479 ± 371,respectively) were higher than that of the control group(260 ± 106,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The increased expressions of P-gp and NF-κB in the cortex of rat brains are induced by chronic fluorosis,which might be connected with the mechanism of brain damages.

Objective To investigate the changes of reactive oxygen species(ROS) level and mitochondria fission-fusion-balance in cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis and reveal the correlation between these two factors. Methods One hundred and twenty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(control group, low-dose fluorosis group, high-dose fluorosis group) and 40 rats were in each group according to body weight and the experiments were carried out for 3 months or 6 months. The rats were fed with different concentrations of fluoride (NaF) to establish fluorosis models. Controls were fed with tap water( < 0.5 mg/L), experimental animals in low- or high-dose group were fed with water containing NaF 10.0,50.0 mg/L, respectively. The level of ROS and the morphology in mitochondria fission-fusion balance in neurons of the cortex of rat brains prepared with cortical frozen sections were detected with ROS fluorescent probe and MitoTracker RED probe, respectively. Results Significant differences of the level of ROS and the numbers of abnormal mitochondria in morphology in the cortical neurons were found between 3 groups at the experiment period of 3 month and 6 month(F= 3.07,3.06,3.05,3.07, all P < 0.05). As compared with control group(10.43 ± 5.98,4.12 ± 3.86) at the experiment period of 3 month, the level of ROS and the numbers of abnormal mitochondria in morphology in the cortical neurons were obviously increased in high-dose fluorosis group(25.48 ± 6.09,20.47 ± 6.09, all P < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were found in low-dose fluorosis group(11.67 ± 3.49,6.68 ± 3.48, all P> 0.05). Furthermore, the increases in both ROS level and abnormal numbers of mitochondria were significant observed in the cortical neurons of low-dose fluorosis group (63.02 ± 8.15, 49.33 ± 8.61) and high-dose fluorosis group(65.60 ± 7.40,53.10 ± 6.95) as compared with the control group (25.26 ± 6.41,20.26 ± 6.41) at the experimental period of 6 month (all P < 0.05). The abnormal numbers of mitochondria correlated with ROS level(r = 0.93,0.81, all P < 0.05). Conclusions Taking excessive amount of fluoride results in high level of oxidative stress and impaired the balance of mitochondrial fission-fusion,which is dependent on the feeding times and doses of fluoride. The mechanism of the mitochondrial abnormalities might be associated with the high level of oxidative stress induced by chronic fluorosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hepatocyte apoptosis and the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hepatic tissue in the patients with chronic hepatitis B(Ct-IB).

METHODSWe observed 37 cases with CHB and 10 normal controls. Transferase-mediated-UTP-biotin nick-end labling (TUNEL) technique was used to detect apoptosis cells and immunohistochemical staining were also performed to investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in biopsy samples. The serum level of ALT, HBV DNA, grading of necroinflammatory activity and staging of fibrosis were also assessed.

RESULTSHepatocytes in all CHB liver tissues were positively stained by TUNEL in various degree. In contrast, control tissues did not show DNA fragmentation. A significant correlation was seen between apoptosis index (AI) and necroinflammatory grading (r = 0.404, P = 0.015) and serum iNOS level (r = 0.465, P = 0.004). It did not correlate with fibrosis stage and serum alanine aminotransferase level.

CONCLUSIONThe oxidative stress in patients with CHB may reflected the apoptosis of hepatocyte. Apoptosis involves in liver injury of CHB, but with no significant correlation to serum level of ALT.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Liver ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; blood ; Oxidative Stress