ObjectiveTo detect specific antigens of neural cells in amniotic epithelial cells(AECs) in rats. MethodsAECs were dissociated and purified from the amnion of pregnancy 12—14 d rats. The expression of specific markers of neural stem cells (Nestin, Musashi) and differentiated cells (MAP-2,NSE,GFAP) and ChAT, NT-3 in the AECs were detected by immunocytochemistry. ResultsThe cultured AECs displayed positive immunoreactivity to MAP-2, NSE, GFAP, Nestin and Musashi. In addition, the cells also demonstrated immunoreactivity to ChAT and NT-3. ConclusionAECs are similar with neural cells and it may be useful as a sustained source to improve outcome of neural stem cells transplantation.

Objective To explore the clinical and neuroimaging features of a frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 ( FTDP-17 ) pedigree caused by mutation of microtubule-associated protein tau ( MAPT) gene.Methods The proband and one patient from a FTDP-17 pedigree were assessed through standardized clinical evaluation , neuropsychology assessment , video-electroencephalogrom ,MRI, genetic sequencing , as well as 18 F fludeoxyglucose ( FDG) SPECT for brain metabolism and 11 C 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-( 4-fluoro ) tropane ( CFT ) PET for dopamine transporter ( DAT ) distribution, respectively.Results A FTDP pedigree with 15 patients (6 still alive) was recruited to this study.The proband and one affected patient were genotyped and confirmed as MAPT c .1788T>G mutation. Parkinsonism was the first symptom for both two patients . Personality, speech changes and dementia accompanied with brain atrophy were developed at the later stage in one patient .The 18 F FDG SPECT studies illustrated asymmetric hypometabolism of the temporal , frontal lobes and basal ganglia in two patients . Regarding to the 11 C CFT PET, one affected patient showed asymmetric decreased uptake of tracer in basal ganglia regions.Conclusions FTDP-17 can display a confusingly broad clinical phenotype , with the parkinsonism as the first symptom . Brain glucose metabolism and DAT distribution could be potential biomarkers in early diagnosis of FTDP-17.

Objective To study the expressions of S100A4 and urokinase plasminogen activator(uPA) in pancreatic cancer cells and their correlation with patients prognosis.Methods The expressions of S100A4 and uPA were examined in 63 surgical specimens of primary pancreatic carcinoma by suing immunohistochemistry PV methods,and correlation of their expressions and prognosis of pancreatic cancer was analyzed.Results ( 1 ) Positive immunostaining for S100A4 and uPA was observed in 74.6％ (47 cases) and 65.1％ (44 cases) of 63 pancreatic cancer samples respectively.(2) The positive expressions of S100A4 and uPA were significantly correlated in pancreatic cancer( P =0.000,r =0.567 ).( 3 ) The expression of S100A4 significantly correlated with TNM stages( P =0.002 ),lymph node metastasis ( P =0.002 ) and distant metastasis ( P =0.007 ).The expression of uPA had a significant correlation with TNM stages ( P =0.002),lymph node metastasis ( P =0.001 )and differentiation(P =0.003).(4) Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median survival (21 months) of patients with S100A4 ( - ) was significantly longer than the median survival ( 9 months) of the patients with S100A4( + )(P=0.000) ;the median survival(9 months) of patients with uPA( + ) was significantly shorter than the median survival ( 18 months) of the patients with uPA ( - ) ( P =0.000) ; the median survival(23 months)of 13 patients with S100A4( - )/uPA( - )was significantly longer than the median survival of other cases ( Log-rank test,x2 =54.444,P =0.000).( 5 ) Cox regression model ( x2 =53.974,P =0.000 )analysis suggested:the differentiation(P =0.004),lymph node metastasis(P =0.017) 、S100A4( + ) expression ( P =0.000) and uPA ( + ) expression ( P =0.001 ) were independent prognostic factors for pancreatic cancer.Conclusion S100A4 and uPA are highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells,and S100A4 expression has positive correlation with uPA expression,which indicates that the overexpression of S100A4 and uPA maybe poor prognosis factors for pancreatic cancer patients.S100A4 maybe promote extracellular matrix and basement membrane degradation by up-regulation of uPA protein expression,and ultimately promote tumor invasion and metastasis,which is not favorable to prognosis.They may be potential indicators of metastasis and predictors for prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

This study was to build a canine portal hypertension model by intra-portal administration of high polymer material polyurethane and organic solvent tetrahydrofuran mixed solutions in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Twelve local crossbreed dogs were selected randomly, with intra-portal administration of 8% (weight/volume) polyurethane- tetrahydrofuran solutions through an incision in the upper abdomen to build the portal hypertension model. We measured the portal vein pressure before modeling, during modeling, and four-, eight-, and twelve- weeks after modeling, respectively. Then we evaluated the effectiveness of the model comparing values of data with those data obtained before modeling started, which were regarded as the normal values. The results showed that the portal vein pressure rose by 2. 5 times after the solution administrated instantly as much as that before modeling, and maintained at 1. 5 times after 4 weeks. This method presents an easy operation, low animal mortality and reliable model of portal hypertension. Its less abdominal adhesions and its ability in keeping normal anatomic structure specially make it suit for surgical research of portal hypertension.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Furans ; adverse effects ; Hypertension, Portal ; Polyurethanes ; adverse effects ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone at "Ganshu" (BL 18) on liver furiction and morphology in rat with precancerous lesion of hepatic cellular cancer MCC).

METHODSA total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group (10 rats), a model group (20 rats), a 20-day treatment group (15 rats) and a 40-day treatment group (15 rats). HCC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Rats in the normal group received no treatment. Rats in the model group were treated with fixation. Rats in the 20-day treatment group and 40-day treatment group were treated by moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone at "Ganshu" (BL 18), once every other day, for 20 days and 40 days, respectively. Blood sample in each group was collected 1 d before model establishment, 20 d, 40 d and 84 d after model establishment. Chemical method was applied to test the activity of ALT (alamine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate transaminase) and GGT (glutamyl transpeptidase); at the end of model establishment, all the rats were sacrificed to observe the liver morphology changes.

RESULTSAfter the first therapeutic course, the. content of ALT and AST in the 20-day treatment group was significantly lower than that in the model group (all P<0. 05); after the second therapeutic course, the content of ALT, AST and GGT in the 40-day treatment group was insignificantly lower than that in the model group (all P>0. 05). Under light microscope, the slice of liver tissue indicated that primary tumor was induced in the model group, and the tumor cells were stained and irregular; the cytoplasm in the 20-day treatment group was even, and the tumor cells were few with several nodules alone. In the 40-day treatment group the liver morphology was normal and the staining was even; the tumor cells were few without nodules or a few. Conclusion Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone at "Ganshu" (BL 18) could reduce the serum content of ALT, AST and GGT in rats with HCC, which could protect the liver and: delay the DEN-induced precancerous lesion on some levels.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

The profound graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect presented after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been evidenced. In contrast to T cell mediated GVL, natural killer (NK) cells recognize target cells and introduce GVL effect by using an integration of activating and inhibitory receptors. This review has summarized current literatures from 2001 - 2003 on human killer cell immunoglobulin receptors (KIR) and other NK cell receptors involved in recognition of tumor targets and the polymorphism of KIR genes of donor/recipient pairs of related and unrelated Allo-HSCT. KIR epitope mismatch may facilitate engraftment and reduce leukemia relapse post transplant by mediating lysis of recipient's cells and introducing GVL effect under the condition of KIR epitope mismatch. Clinical roles of KIR in Allo-HSCT and immunotherapy are discussed. Technologic approach in allogeneic reactive NK cells introduction, identification and selection in vitro, development of inhibitory receptor blockade as well as up-regulation of activating NK cells may significantly enhance GVL immune response. Further investigation on the regulation of KIR inhibitory receptors enables to design novel strategy in cancer immunotherapy over the forthcoming decade.
Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Receptors, Immunologic ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Receptors, KIR ; Transplantation, Homologous

Based on the transcriptome data, we cloned the open reading frame of IiHCT gene from Isatis indigotica, and then performed bioinformatic analysis of the sequence. Further, we detected expression pattern in specific organs and hairy roots treated methyl jasmonate( MeJA) by RT-PCR. The IiHCT gene contains a 1 290 bp open reading frame( ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 430 amino acids. The predicted isoelectric point( pI) was 5.7, a calculated molecular weight was about 47.68 kDa. IiHCT was mainly expressed in stem and undetectable in young root, leaf and flower bud. After the treatment of MeJA, the relative expression level of IiHCT increased rapidly. The expression level of IiHCT was the highest at 4 h and maintained two fold to control during 24 h. In this study, cloning of IiHCT laid the foundation for illustrating the biosynthesis mechanism of phenylpropanoids in I. indigotica.
Acyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Isatis ; chemistry ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Quinic Acid ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Shikimic Acid ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) imaging findings of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML).Methods Twelve cases of hepatic AML,which were confirmed by pathologists between 2009 and 2011 in our hospital,were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 3 males and 9 females with an average age of 44.17 years (range,34 to 60 years).There were 14 lesions,8 in left lobe,6 in right lobe.All of 12 cases were confirmed as angiomyolipoma by pathologists.Nine cases were performed with MRI,2 with CT,and 1 with both CT and MRI.The border of lesions were clear in 8 cases.Fat contents were shown on CT and/or MRI in 8 cases.After administrated with contrast medium,the lesion enhancement was still apparent or slightly decreased in 9 lesions from portal phase to delayed phase.The suppression of portal vein and inferior vena cava by tumor were seen in 5 lesions.Abnormal vascular distortion was seen in 6 lesions.None of 12 lesions were found with portal vein thrombosis.Conclusion The diagnosis of hepatic angiomyolipoma should be considered when CT and MRI show good boundaries,intratumoral fat content,delayed lesion enhancement,and vascular distortion.

Objective To characterize the changes in the dimensions during systolic and diastolic periods in the aorta with ECG-gated multi-detector CTA scans.Methods The CT angiograms of 115 patients (78 males,mean age 55.2 ± 9.4 years;37 females,mean age 60.1 ± 8.5 years) both in systolic and diastolic periods were obtained on a 64-slice ECG-gated multi-detector CT scanner.The diameters were measured at four anatomic levels of the aorta.(Level A:1 mm proximal to the innominate artery;Level B:1 mm distal to the left common carotid artery;Level C:1 mm distal to the left subclavian artery;Level D:10cm distal to the left subclavian artery).On each level,the maximal and the minimal diameters were measured both in systolic and diastolic periods.Results The paired sample t test results showed a significant difference between the systolic and diastolic diameters in all individual subjects on every level (P ＜0.001).The mean maximum diameter changes were 1.95％ (range-2.0％ to 7.0％),2.12％ (range-3.0％ to 6.0％),1.88％(range-1.0％ to 8.0％)and2.47％(range-3.0％ to 10.0％)at level A,B,C and D,respectively.The mean minimum diameter changes were 1.43％ (range-3.0％ to 5.0％),2.67％ (range-2.0％ to 11.0％),1.75％ (range-14.0％ to 9.0％)and 2.99％ (range -2.0％ to 11.0％) at level A,B,C and D,respectively.Conclusions The differences of the aortic diameters between systolic and diastolic periods are significant.The pulsatility of aorta in Chinese population may be different from published Western literature.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo Jiedu fang (YHTJF) on pneumocyte apoptosis after lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (LIRI) in mice and to investigate whether c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) is involved in the mechanism of apoptosis.Methods Seventy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into seven groups:normal control group (C group),carboxyl methyl cellulose-Na+normal control group (CMC-Na+C group),CMC-Na+sham group (CMC-Na+S group),CMC-Na+I/R group (CMC-Na+I/R group) and CMC-Na+YHTJF-low,-middle,-high dose groups (CMC-Na+YL,CMC-Na+YM,CMC-Na+YH groups).C group did not undergo any processing;in CMC-Na+S group,only was chest opened without clipping the lung hilum;in the rest of the four groups,they all underwent opening of the chest and clipping the lung hilum for 30 minutes,then the clipping of artery was relieved and left lung reperfusion was carried out for 3 hours.After operation,the mice were sacrificed,the lung tissues were harvested.Under light and electron microscopes,the lung morphological and ultra-structural changes were observed,and the changes of index of quantitative evaluation for alveolar damage (IQA) were determined.The terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was applied to evaluate the apoptosis index (AI) of the lung tissues.The protein and mRNA expressions of JNK and glucose regulating protein 78 (GRP78) in lung tissues were detected by Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR);the correlations between lung AI and the expressions of mRNA and protein of JNK and GRP78,IQA were analyzed.Results Compared with CMC-Na+S group,IQA,AI and mRNA and the protein expressions of JNK and GRP78 in CMC-Na+I/R group were obviously higher [IQA:(74.00 ± 7.31)％ vs.(7.00 ± 1.23)％,AI:(64.40 ± 11.97)％ vs.(5.60 ± 1.14)％,JNK mRNA (gray value):1.143 ± 0.284 vs.0.152 ± 0.128,GRP78 mRNA (gray value):0.897 ± 0.129 vs.0.284 ± 0.044,JNK protein (A value):0.428 ± 0.074 vs.0.073 ± 0.052,GRP78 protein (A value):1.075 ± 0.145 vs.0.589 ± 0.060].Compared with CMC-Na+I/R group,the IQA,AI,protein and mRNA expressions of JNK and GRP78 in CMC-Na+YL,CMC-Na+YM,CMC-Na+YH groups were all lower,and the degree of reduction in group CMC-Na+YM was the most remarkable,greater than that in CMC-Na+YL or CMC-Na+YH group [IQA:(26.20 ± 3.35)％ vs.(34.00±5.34)％,(41.20±9.18)％,AI:(29.40±3.05)％ vs.(48.20±3.83)％,(39.20±6.14)％,JNK mRNA (gray value):0.681 ± 0.130 vs.0.804 ± 0.153,0.938 ± 0.11,GRP78 mRNA (gray value):0.450 ± 0.105 vs.0.747 ± 0.231,0.566 ± 0.115,JNK protein (A value):0.188 ± 0.049 vs.0.261 ± 0.065,0.209 ± 0.063,all P ＜ 0.01],compared with the CMC-Na+I/R group,the expression of GRP78 protein was obviously higher in CMC-Na+YH,CMC-Na+YL,CMC-Na+YM groups and the most remarkably high was in CMC-Na+YH group (A value:1.429 ±0.226 vs.1.130±0.169,1.128 ±0.177,all P ＜ 0.01).The apoptosis of each group was mainly in the pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells,and brown particles were positive cells under light microscope.Under transmission electron microscope:nuclear pyknosis and margination under the nuclear membrane,cytoplasm condensed,lamellar bodies decreased and emptying increased,cell membrane microvilli decreased or disappeared,mitochondria swelling,inflammatory cells increased in alveolar septum and adhering onto the capillary walls could be seen in CMC-Na+I/R group.Compared with CMC-Na+I/R group,the lung tissue ultrastructural damage alleviated,ultrastructure of alveoli clearly seen,nuclear chromatin relatively uniform,cytoplasm increased,type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell surface microvilli relatively plenty,lamellar corpuscle number increased,mitochondria swelling ameliorated in CMC-Na+YH,CMC-Na+YL,CMC-Na+YM groups and the most remarkable one was CMC-Na+YM group.AI was significantly positive correlated with the mRNA and protein expressions of JNK,GRP78 and IQA (r =0.907,0.928,0.880,0.712,0.911,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions YHTJF may effectively alleviate the cell apoptosis in mice LIRI,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of JNK pathway.