Diagnosis, Differential ; Endophthalmitis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningoencephalitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Suppuration ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the clinicopathologic features of GIST. Method Fifty-five GIST cases were collected. Immunohistochemical assays of vimentin, CD117, CD34, S-100, SMA, desmin, NF were used to study the specimen. Results 69% (38/55) of the tumors located in the stomach, 18% (10/55) in the small intestine. Tumors varied greatly in size, ranging from 0.4 to 40 cm (average 6.7 cm). Morphologic criteria of malignancy are tumor size≥5 cm, mitotic rates≥5/50 HPF and ulcer formation and there were significant differences between the benign and the malignant. Immunohistochemical staining results: CD117 positive in 39 cases(71%), CD34 in 45 cases (82%), S-100 in 19 cases (35%), SMA in 12 cases (22%), vimentin in 32 cases (58%), desmin in 6 cases(11%),and NF in 2/4 (50%). All 13 benign cases were alive on the latest follow-up. In 42 cases of malignancy and potential malignancy, 4 developed metastasis, 13 died. Conclusion (1) GIST occur predominantly in middle-aged and older persons.(2) The main criteria of malignancy of GIST are tumor size≥5 cm, mitotic rates≥5/50 HPF and ulcer formation. (3)Whereas it is difficult to identify true leiomyomas/leiomyosarcomars and neuogenic tumors from GIST, immunohistochemical staining is capable of doing this.

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method for simultaneous determination of shanzhiside methyl ester, chlorogenic acid, 8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester, forsythiaside B, rutin, acteoside and galuteolin in Lamiophlomis rotata.

METHODSeparation was performed on a Welchrom-C18 chromatographic column with acetonitrile-0.1% orthophosphoric acid as mobile phasewith gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was set at 238 nm, 330 nm and 350 nm.

RESULTThe seven compounds were well separated with good linear correlations. The mean recoveries of seven compounds were 96.47%-102.2% (RSD 0.70%-2.2%).

CONCLUSIONThere were good correlations among the seven compounds in the samples of aerial parts. The mean sum of shanzhiside methyl ester and 8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester in samples of aerial parts is 1.44%. The aerial parts have more kinds of composition and with higher content than that of underground parts in L. rotata, which was reasonable for the resonable use of the aerial part as medicinal part. The method was simple, repeatable and stable, which could be used for identification and quality evaluation of L. rotata.

Chlorogenic Acid ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Methyl Ethers ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrans ; chemistry ; Rutin ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThe fabrication of all-ceramic dental restorations is challenged by ceramics' relatively low flexural strength and intrinsic poor resistance to fracture. This paper aimed at investigating the relationships between powder-size gradation and mechanical properties of Zirconia toughened glass infiltrated nanometer-ceramic composite (Al(2)O(3)-nZrO(2)).

METHODSAl(2)O(3)-nZrO(2) ceramics powder (W) was processed by combination methods of chemical co-precipitation and ball milling with addition of different powder-sized ZrO(2). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the particle size distribution and characterize the particle morphology of powders. The matrix compacts were made by slip-casting technique and sintered to 1,450 degrees C and flexural strength and the fracture toughness of them were measured.

RESULTS1. The particle distribution of Al(2)O(3)-nZrO(2) ceramics powder ranges from 0.02 - 3.5 micro m and among them the superfine particles almost accounted for 20%. 2. The ceramic matrix samples with addition of nZrO(2) (W) showed much higher flexural strength (115.434 +/- 5.319) MPa and fracture toughness (2.04 +/- 0.10) MPa m(1/2) than those of pure Al(2)O(3) ceramics (62.763 +/- 7.220 MPa; 1.16 +/- 0.02 MPa m(1/2)).

CONCLUSIONSThe particle size of additive ZrO(2) may impose influences on mechanical properties of Al(2)O(3)-nZrO(2) ceramics matrix. Good homogeneity and reasonable powder-size gradation of ceramic powder can improve the mechanical properties of material.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Hardness ; Nanomedicine ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Tensile Strength ; Zirconium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) and its relationship with apoptosis and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe expression of DcR3 protein in 43 cases of HCC and 16 cases of non-cancerous liver (including cirrhotic liver tissue and normal liver tissue adjacent to cavernous hemangioma) was studied by immunohistochemistry (using EnVision method). The status of apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Statistic analysis was carried out to assess the correlation between DcR3 expression, apoptotic index (AI) and clinicopathologic parameters.

RESULTSDcR3 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of HCC cells. The positivity rate of DcR3 in HCC was 74.42% (32/43), which was significantly higher than that in the non-cancerous group (43.75%, P < 0.05). The positivity rate of DcR3 in HCC with metastasis detected within 20 months of diagnosis was 100% (22/22). This was significantly higher than that in HCC without metastasis (52.94%, P < 0.01). The DcR3 expression in HCC also correlated with serum alpha-fetoprotein level (r = 0.444, P < 0.01) and presence of tumor embolus in portal vein (r = 0.414, P < 0.01). However it had no relationship with the patient's age, sex, cirrhotic status, liver capsule invasion, number of tumor nodules and histologic differentiation (P > 0.05). The AI in HCC (0.78 +/- 0.64)% was significantly lower than that in the non-cancerous group [(3.32 +/- 1.81)%, P < 0.01]. The AI in clinical TNM stage I and II tumors (1.03 +/- 0.69)% was significantly higher than that in stage III and IV tumors [(0.52 +/- 0.48)%, P < 0.01]. The AI in HCC without metastasis (1.10 +/- 0.72)% was significantly higher than that in HCC without metastasis [(0.44 +/- 0.27)%, P < 0.05]. The AI correlated with serum alpha-fetoprotein level (r = -0.468, P < 0.01), presence of tumor embolus in portal vein (r = -0.434, P < 0.01) and liver capsule invasion (r = -0.331, P < 0.05). On the other hand, it had no relationship with patient's age, sex, cirrhotic status, number of tumor nodules and histologic differentiation (P > 0.05). The AI in DcR3-positive group (including both HCC and non-cancerous tissues) was significantly lower than that in DcR3-negative group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of DcR3 in HCC correlates with apoptosis of tumor cells and may play a crucial role in tumor pathogenesis and progression. DcR3 protein expression and AI may also serve as important biologic indicators in predicting prognosis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b ; metabolism ; physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of thymus matrix lymphocyte generator (TSLP) and change of the Th factor in the course of disease development, and to analyze the curative effect of inhalation of Vitamin A (VA) with corticosteroid for the treatment of asthmatic pneumonia.

METHODSAsthmatic pneumonia models were prepared by challenging rats with inhalation of ovalbumin for 4 weeks, and rested for 1 week. The treatment with VA and corticosteroid inhalation for 1 week was followed. The rat thymus and lung specimen were examen by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 5 weeks of stimulation, there were more TSLP-positive cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) found in thymus and lung tissue of asthmatic group, the cell proliferation in spleen and thymus was obvious, and blood Th factors elevated. The inflammation within the lung tissue aggravated gradually. In VA group, the expression of TSLP and Th2 factors were all lowered at the 4th week. The TSLP expression slightly increased at the 5th week, and the cell proliferation within T-cell zone of spleen and thymus was strong at first and weakened later. Alveolar microphages (AM) increased significantly and the inflammation in the lung subsided gradually at the 5th week. In the hormone group, TSLP and Th2 factors expression in both thymus and lung were decreased at the 5th week, while the cell proliferation in thymus and lung was gradually increased. The quantity of AM was decreased, whereas the inflammation of the lung was increased gradually at the 5th week.

CONCLUSIONDuring asthmatic period elevated TSLP expression was accompanied by Th2 type responses while VA and corticosteroid both suppressed TSLP and Th2 factors expression. VA alone promoted T lymphocyte proliferation as well as the antigen elimination function by AM, after ceasing the usage, the lung inflammation abated gradually. In contrast, after ceasing the use of corticosteroid, inflammation aggravated.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; complications ; Beclomethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study is to investigate the influence of zirconia content which is 0-30.0% weight percentage of matrix on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramics.

METHODSSeven groups were divided according to different weight percentage of zirconia (0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10.0%, 20.0% and 30.0%). After sintering, infiltrating and polishing, spectral transmittance was determined with spectrophotometer under D65 standard source. Contrast ratio was also tested by whiteness colorimeter.

RESULTSWith mass fraction of zirconia increasing from 0 to 30.0%, spectral transmittance reduced from 0.406% to 0.058%, while contrast ratio value increased from 0.849 +/- 0.005 to 1.015 +/- 0.006. When zirconia content was 10.0%, contrast ratio was 0.990 +/- 0.008. When it was more than 10.0%, transmission rate of the downward trend and contrast ratio of the rising trend became flat.

CONCLUSIONZirconia content has a direct impact on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramic, which is essentially opaque when zirconia content is 10.0%. When mass fraction of zirconia is more than 10.0%, the influence of zirconia content is reduced.

Aluminum Oxide ; Ceramics ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; Glass ; Zirconium

The proteins encoded by the Herpesviridae β-gene play a critical role in the replication stage of the virus. In this paper, phylogenetic analyses provided evidence that someβ-gene products, such as UL2 and UL23 from HSV1, have their homologous genes in its family, and also exist in prokaryotic organisms, indicating that these viruses appear to have been assembled over evolutionary time by numerous independent events of horizontal gene transfer.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to characterize the orientation of water diffusion, and track white matter fiber bundles. The decrease of fractional anisotropy after stroke indicates impairment of structural integrity of fibers, even Wallerian degeneration if serious; in another hand, the increase of fractional anisotropy relates to the more recovery of motor function. The affected/unaffected ratios of fractional anisotropy are more suitable for predicting motor function recovery after stroke. The changes of corticospinal tract in diffusion tensor tractography can also predict the motor outcome in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVETo establish a long-term culture system for mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and to discuss the key factor that supports mouse SSC self-renewal and proliferation.

METHODSTestis cells from 4-6 days postpartum male transgenic BALB/c mce were collected by a modified two-step enzymatic digestion method and plated on 0. 2% elatin-coated tissue culture plates. The germ cells were enriched by differential adherence selections after respectively incubated for 1, 5 and 24 h and then plated on the mitomycin C-inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layer. The basal culture medium was StemPro-34 SFM supplemented with other 15 nutrient factors. The 20 ng/ml Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), 10 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and 200 ng/ml GDNF-family receptor alpha 1 (GFRalpha1) were added to the serum-free medium to promote SSC proliferation. Several important surface markers and special genes were examined by immunocytochemical staining and RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTSAfter 3-4 days culture on the MEF feeder, SSCs proliferated continuously and formed typical colonies. SSCs from the BALB/c mice could be cultured in a steady state for 3 months. Immunocytochemical staining showed that Oct4 was specifically expressed in the cultured SSC nucleus and GFRalpha1 strongly expressed on the surface of the membrane. RT-PCR confirmed that the cultured SSCs expressed Oct-4, GFRalpha1, Sox2 and several other special genes resembling undifferentiated spermatogonia.

CONCLUSIONSSCs from BALB/c mice could be cultured in the improved culture system for 3 months. This culture system could help further understand the regulating mechanism of SSCs and might provide an opportunity for the treatment of male infertility by SSC transplantation.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; cytology