Objective To study the mechanism of pregnancy immune tolerance induced by adoptive transferring of FasL gene-modified dendritic cells(DC). Methods The mouse models of spontaneous abortion(CBA/J ? DBA/2) and normal pregnancy(CBA/J ? BALB/c) were established.Five different experimental groups were included: mice of normal pregnancy(CBA/J?BALB/c)(n=17),served as control group;mice of spontaneous abortion without treatment(CBA/J?DBA/2)(n=37),mice injected with DC culture medium(DCCM)(n=25);mice immunized with empty plasmid pcDNA3.1-DC(n=6);and mice immunized with pcDNA3.1-FasL-DC(n=5).Embryo resorption rates of pregnant mice in each groups were observed.Annexin V-FITC was used to detect the apoptosis of T cells.Immunohistochemical staining(SABC) was used to detect the expression of FasL in decidual membranes of pregnant mice. ResultsThe embryo resorption rate of mice immunized with FasL-DC was decreased significantly as compared with that of mice of spontaneous abortion without treatment,DCCM group and immunized with pcDNA3.1-DC(P0.05). Conclusion The decreased apoptosis rate of peripheral T cells and the reduced expression of FasL in decidual membranes may be an important mechanism for the pathogenesis of abortion.Adoptive transfer of FasL gene-modified DC may induce pregnancy immune tolerance by increasing FasL expression of maternal-fetal interface and decreasing embryo resorption rate.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the comprehensive treatment of stage-IIIb testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) based on the chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (BEP) and nerve-sparing laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (nsLRPLND).

METHODSWe reported a case of stage-IIIb testicular NSGCT, analyzed the clinical data and treatment methods and reviewed the relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient underwent chemotherapy with etoposide (0. 18 g/d for the first 3 days), cisplatin (30 mg/d for the first 5 days), and bleomycin (30 mg/d on day 2, 9 and 16) for 3 cycles, followed by nsLRPLND. Both chemotherapy and surgery were successfully performed. The operation time was 175 min, with intraoperative blood loss of 50 ml, but no severe perioperative complications. No recurrence and distant metastasis were found during the 6-month follow-up after surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive treatment based on BEP chemotherapy and nsRPLND can be used as an option for stage-IIIb testicular NSGCT.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Testicular Neoplasms ; therapy

The anaerobic granular sludge from an Internal Circulation (IC) reactor of a paper mill wastewater treatment plant were seeded in an Anammox upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. After 185 days operation, the reactor was finally started up by increasing the influent ammonium and nitrite concentrations to 224 mg/L and 255 mg/L, respectively, with volumetric nitrogen removal rate increasing to 3.76 kg/(m3·d). The physicochemical characteristics of the cultivated Anammox granules were observed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results suggested that during the start-up course, the granular sludge initially disintegrated and then re-aggregated. FTIR spectra results revealed that the Anammox granular sludge contained abundant functional groups, indicating that it may also possess good adsorption properties. The ecological structure of the granular sludge, analyzed by the metagenomic sequencing methods, suggested that the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial community in the seeding sludge, i.e., Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, significantly reduced, while Planctomycetes which contains anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria remarkably increased from 1.59% to 23.24% in the Anammox granules.
Ammonia ; chemistry ; Bacteria ; Bioreactors ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Sewage ; microbiology ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods ; Waste Water ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the relationship of plasma homocysteine with the genotype distribution of MTHFR and MTRR among Chinese Han women in Xiangtan. Methods MTHFR C677T, A1298C and MTRR A66G geno?typing was analyzed to detect the distribution of gene polymorphisms among 1 701 women from Xiangtan city then the data were compared with the rest of the Han women in Zibo, Zhengzhou, Yantai, Zhenjiang, Songzi, Huizhou, Qionghai. Plasma Hcy levels from 110 patients were measured and analyzed the correlation with gene polymorphisms. Results The frequency of MTHFR C677T genotype and allele frequencies in Xiangtan is 12.6%which is higher than Huizhou (10.9%) and Qionghai (6.1%) but lower than Zibo (43.6%), Zhengzhou (36.8%), Yantai (32.2%), Zhenjiang (21.8%) with statistically significant dif?ference (P<0.05). There is no significant different in MTHFR C677T between Xiangtan and Songzi. The frequency of MTH?FR A1298C genotype and allele frequencies in Xiangtan is 4.8%which is lower than Qionghai(7.1%)but higher than Zibo (1.4%),Zhengzhou(2.4%), Yantai(1.8%), Zhenjiang(3.5%)and Songzi(2.6%)with statistically significant difference. The frenquency of MTRR A66G genotype and allele frequencies in Xiangtan is 6.8%which is higher than Zibo (4.8%) but lower than Qionghai (9.3%) with statistically signifcant difference. Plasma Hcy concentration correlate with MTHFR C677T, Hcy concentration in TT population is higher than that in CT and CC population(μmol/L:8.52±2.01 vs 5.94±1.47 vs 5.71± 0.18);Plasma Hcy concentration also correlate with MTHFR A1298C and Hcy concentration in CC population is higher than AA and AC population(μmol/L:9.83 ± 2.26 vs 6.35 ± 2.13 vs 5.55 ± 1.75);Plasma Hcy concentration does not correlate with MTRR A66G. Conclusion The gene polymorphism of MTHFR C677T, A1298C and MTRR A66G among the Han women in Xiangtan was statistically different from other selected regions of China. Mutation in MTHFR C 677T and A1298C were associated with elevated plasma levels of Hcy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic pyloromyotomy with open pyloromyotomy in treatment of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis(CHPS). METHODS: Fifteen patients (age 20%ape;90 days, body weight 2.5 approximate, equals 5.0 kg) with CHPS underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (Group I) and 10 patients (age 26 approximate, equals 90 days, body weight 2.8 approximate, equals 4.5 kg) with CHPS underwent open pyloromyotomy (Group II). Ambulatory 24 hr esophageal pH metry and gastroesophageal mamometry were studied in two groups before and after surgery. RESULTS: All patients presented gastroesophageal reflux (GER) before operation and all reflux parameters were significantly decreased after operation (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between two groups in reflux parameters after surgery. Intragastric pressure (GP) significantly reduced in two groups after operation(3.83+/-1.45)mmHg compared with (2.38+/-0.54)mmHg P<0.01 in Group I,(4.52+/-1.96)mmHg compared with (2.38+/-0.72)mmHg P<0.05 in Guoup II). There was no significant difference in lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), lower esophageal sphincter length (LESL) before and after operation in two groups. The mean operative time for Group I was (32+/-19) mins, which was close to that of Group II after an initial trail. Oral feeding was started 6 h postoperatively in Group I, which was earlier than that in Group II. No technical failures and complications in Group I were encountered. One wound infection and dehiscense was seen in Group II. CLUSION: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is safe and feasible, which has lesser complication and similar effect of antireflux as open pyloromyotomy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a technique for decreasing the tension of the nasal floor during the procedures of repairing complete clef lip.

METHODSWith the designation of an inferior turbinate mucosal flap combined with an oral mucosal flap in the splitting side, the tension was effectively decreased and the nasal floor was closed easily. Eighteen patients was selected for the treatment with this technique since 2000. The follow-ups were 10 to 24 months.

RESULTSAll of the patients showed wound healing well with the significant improvement in the donor site.

CONCLUSIONThe above mentioned technique may effectively decrease the tension and be used to close the nasal floor safely. It could also reduce the incidence of the complications.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Nasal Mucosa ; blood supply ; surgery ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surgical Flaps ; supply & distribution ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the potential risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS)-related deaths in Beijing.

METHODSEpidemiological data were collected among the confirmed SARS patients officially reported by Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC), and information was also supplemented by a follow-up case survey. Chi-square test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTSOld age (over 60 years) was found to be significantly associated with SARS-related deaths in the univariate analysis. Also, history of contacting SARS patients within 2 weeks prior to the onset of illness, health occupation, and inferior hospital ranking as well as longer interval of clinic consulting (longer than 1 day) were the risk factors for SARS-related deaths. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis found four risk factors for SARS-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONOld age (over 60 years) is the major risk factor for SARS-related deaths. Moreover, hospital health workers, the designated hospitals for SARS clinical services and the interval of consulting doctors (less than 1 day) are protective factors for surviving from SARS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo describe the specific features of the contact history of probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing.

METHODSData of SARS cases notified from the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and supplemented by other channels were collected. All the data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology.

RESULTS(1) The number of probable cases with contact history was significantly higher than the excluded cases. (2) The proportion of probable cases with contact history descended with epidemic development, but this situation did not occur in health care workers (HCWs). (3) The fatality rate of probable cases with contact history was significantly higher than the cases without contact history (OR = 1.489). (4) The proportion of probable cases with contact history was 85.86% among health care workers, which was significantly higher than that of non-health care workers (85.86% v.s. 56.44%, OR=4.69).

CONCLUSIONS(1) The susceptible persons with contact history may not get infected, and the contact history is just a sufficient condition of infecting SARS; (2) There are 3 conceivable reasons for the descending trend of the proportion in probable cases with contact history; (3) The contact history is one of the risk factors of the death of SARS cases; (4) The risk of contacting with SARS among health care workers is approximately 5 times higher than that of non-HCWs.

China ; Contact Tracing ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Disease Outbreaks ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Medical History Taking ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the alterations in calcium metabolism of the vascular smooth muscle of rat thoracic aorta in the late phase of sepsis and to investigate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic-GMP(cGMP) signal transduction pathway in the sepsis-induced vascular hyporeactivity.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Eighteen hours post CLP, rat aortic rings were removed for measurement of contractile responses to vasoconstrictors by using organ bath technique.

RESULTIn endothelium intact aortic rings from CLP rats, concentration-contraction curves to phenylephrine (PE) and high KCl were significantly decreased when compared with those from control rats. The transient contraction induced by PE in calcium-free Krebs solution and the concentration-dependent contraction to CaCl(2)in KCl-depolarized medium were also markedly reduced. The hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors was completely reversed by pretreatment either with aminoguanidine (AMG), a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or with 1H [1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a] quininoxalin-1-one(ODQ), an inhibitor of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase.

CONCLUSIONA generalized impairment in calcium handling in vascular smooth muscle,including the calcium influx through the voltage-operated and receptor-operated channels and calcium release from intracellular calcium stores, is involved in vascular hyporeactivity during the late phase of sepsis. The NO/cGMP signal transduction pathway might be involved in this defect in vascular smooth muscle.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; physiology ; Homeostasis ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods and minimally invasive treatment of prostatic utricle cyst.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 9 cases of prostatic utricle cyst, of whom 5 presented with frequent or urgent micturition, 3 with difficult urination or thinning urinary stream, and the other 1 with hemospermia. All the cases underwent ultrasonography and MRI. Transurethral cyst deroofing was performed for 3 of the patients with smaller cysts close to the prostatic urethra, and laparoscopic excision of the prostatic utricle was conducted for the other 6 with bigger cysts behind the prostatic urethra.

RESULTSThe duration of transurethral cyst deroofing ranged from 30 to 50 min and intraoperative bleeding was 20 -70 ml; the mean time of laparoscopic excision of the prostatic utricle was 100 - 150 min and intraoperative bleeding was 30 -50 ml. All the patients were followed up for 3 - 12 months, which revealed normal penile erection and ejaculation, and no urinary tract irritation or difficult urination.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonography and MRI are excellent imaging modalities for accurate depiction of prostatic utricle cyst. Transurethral cyst deroofing is valuable for prostatic utricle cyst close to the prostatic urethra. Laparoscopic excision of the prostatic utricle, owing to its safety, effectiveness, minimal invasiveness, fewer complications and rapid recovery, can be used as the first option for the treatment of prostatic utricle cyst.

Adult ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Prostatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography