[ Objective] To explore the variation features of contrast enhanced ultrasound ( CEUS) quantitative parameters and its correlation with tumor microvessel density ( MVD ) , after the treatment of living liver cancer using high intensity focused ultrasound ( HIFU ) . [ Methods ] A group of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were made into VX2 liver cancer models, that were randomly divided into control group ( n =15, not HIFU treatment) and treatment group ( n =15, HIFU treatment).CEUS was performed, then obtaining ascending slope(AS),arrival time(AT),time-to-peak(TTP),peak intensity ( PI) ,area under curve ( AUC ) .And correlation analysis was performed with MVD obtained by immune histochemical method. [ Results ] Compared with those in the control group, AS, PI, AUC were significantly decreased in treatment group (P <0.05) and so was MVD (P <0.05).AT,TTP were significantly delayed than those in the control group (P<0.05).The AS, PI, AUC of CEUS quantitative parameters were positively correlated with MVD (P<0.05).The AT, TTP respectively showed a negative correlation with MVD ( P<0.05) . [ Conclusion] CEUS quantitative parameters of liver cancer tissue have high correlation with MVD.It can reflect the microvessel structure change of the liver cancer tissue and help to judge the curative effect and prognosis of HIFU for liver cancer.

Recent studies have found that ABO blood group antigen is also closely related to the onset and development of many diseases. More and more attention is being paid to the decrease of A/B blood group antigen caused by some tumors. This study was purpose to investigate the correlation between DNA methylation of the ABO gene promoter CpG island and leukemia. The relative contents of ABH antigen on the surface of RBC from kinds of blood disease patients and healthy individuals were detected by using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The DNA sequences and CpG methylation of ABO gene promoter in patients with hematopathy and healthy individuals, as well as the -102 site methylation of ABO gene promoter in patients with hematopathy and healthy individuals were detected by PCR and MSP-PCR respectively. The results showed that RBC from leukemia patients displayed different degree of A/B antigen decrease. The sequences of ABO gene promotor of patients with hematopathy were not different from healthy individuals indicating high conservation of promoter sequences. Comparison of sequences between patients with hematopathy and healthy individual indicated that CpG islands on ABO gene promoter either from blood disease patients or from healthy individual had no methylated site in AA patients, but C residues at position -102, -101, -100, -99 and -97 on the promoter of ABO gene in AML, CML, ALL and some MDS patients were methylated. It is concluded that methylation of CpG islands in promoter of ABO gene may result in AB antigen decrease in patients with leukemia. The methylation sites -102, -101, -100, -99 and -97 may be specific for leukemia. The methylation of site -102 can be used as a molecular marker in differential diagnosis for leukemias.
ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo explore the polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene Tru I polymorphisms and the influence of this variation on Bsm I polymorphisms in Han nationality.

METHODSVenous blood samples from 80 healthy individuals of Han nationality were collected and genomic DNA was extracted, VDR Bsm I and Tru I were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to analyze the polymorphisms of VDR gene; After using another primers to test VDR Bsm I in the same samples, the consistence of each method was assessed.

RESULTSThe frequencies of the VDR Tru I genotype in the groups were: TT 68.7%, Tt 26.3%, tt 5.0%; VDR Bsm I were: BB 6.2%, Bb 52.5%, bb 41.3%; Both polymorphisms were under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. After using another pair of primer, the frequencies of Bsm I genotype were BB 20.0%, Bb 26.2%, bb 53.8%, 22 genotype Bb changed to genotype BB or genotype bb in comparison with the result of first detection.

CONCLUSIONThe VDR Tru I polymorphism is found in the Han nationality, the distribution of this site's polymorphism is different from that of other nationalities. The presence of Tru I variation can result in some allele of Bsm I genotype drop-out in some study.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; metabolism ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the immunoregulation existing signal transduction mechanism, to evaluate the role of lay its experimental basis By using Haoqin Qingdan decoction for treatments on the mouse models.

METHODSA total of 40 NIH Mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, virus group (infecting by influenza virus), complex model group (richly fatty and sweet diet + Humid heat environment + infecting by influenza virus), virazole group (mouse of model group was treated by virazole), and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group (mouse of complex model group was treated by decoction of Haoqin Qingdan). When the complex model was established, determination of the mice lung indexes in each group and calculate the inhibition of lung indexes. The level of TLR2 mRNA and NF-κB mRNA expressions of peritoneal macrophages in each group of mice were quantitated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of IL-4 and IFN-γ in mouse serum was detected by ELISA to calculate the Th1/Th2 (IFN-γ/IL-4).

RESULTSThe lung index of control group, virus group, complex model group, virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group were separately: (0.79 ± 0.11)%, (1.93 ± 0.38)%, (1.41 ± 0.26)%, (1.10 ± 0.26)% and (1.02 ± 0.16)%; The mice of virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group lung index were decreased (t = 0.322, P < 0.05). TLR2 mRNA expression The results showed that the control group, virus group, complex model group, virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group were: 0.145 ± 0.017, 0.991 ± 0.149, 0.903 ± 0.124, 0.257 ± 0.03 and 0.413 ± 0.031; Compared to the complex model group, Haoqin Qingdan decoction group and virazole group were decreased (t = 0.422, F = 112.834, P < 0.05). Control group, virus group, complex model group, virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group NF-κB mRNA expression were separately: 0.075 ± 0.148, 0.379 ± 0.019, 0.291 ± 0.012, 0.169 ± 0.026 and 0.175 ± 0.033; the expression in virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group were decreased (t = 0.422, F = 112.834, P < 0.05). The level of IFN-γ in mice serum of control group, virus group, complex model group, virazole group and Haoqin Qingdan decoction group were: (7434.06 ± 323.27) pg/ml, (8679.77 ± 198.70) pg/ml, (8068.78 ± 113.8) pg/ml, (7454.66 ± 301.30) pg/ml and (7484.56 ± 229.85) pg/ml respectively; the IFN-γ level in serum of Haoqin Qingdan decoction group and virazole group were decreased (t = 0.201, F = 5.390, P < 0.05). Each group of mice IL-4 contents were (3701.74 ± 256.00) pg/ml, (3569.64 ± 161.35) pg/ml, (3530.88 ± 334.63) pg/ml, (3481.84 ± 282.25) pg/ml and (3618.00 ± 262.16) pg/ml; there were no significant difference between each group (t = 0.414, F = 0.505, P > 0.05). Th1/Th2 type cells in state of equilibrium (means IFN-γ/IL-4) were: 2.02 ± 0.19, 2.38 ± 0.10, 2.36 ± 0.14, 2.22 ± 0.17 and 2.07 ± 0.15; and complex model group Haoqin Qingdan decoction group and virazole group were decreased, and there was no significant difference observed (t = 0.587, F = 3.684, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of Haoqin Qingdan decoction on treatment of damp-heat syndrome of pneumonia infected by influenza virus was observed. Through reducing the expressions of TLR2, it decreases the levels of NF-κB mRNA and the proportionality of Th1/Th2 are obviously descend (P < 0.05). Haoqin Qingdan decoction can reduce the lung index and relieve the pathogenic changes.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Lung ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; NF-kappa B ; immunology ; Orthomyxoviridae ; pathogenicity ; Phytotherapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of immunomodulatory activity of triptolide on primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)patients-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).

METHODSpDCs in peripheral blood of ITP patients before therapy (group 1), ITP patients in complete response (ITP-CR, group 2) and healthy donors (group 3) were sorted by flow cytometry, then incubated with triptolide at 0, 5, 10 or 30 µg/L. After 24 hours, we collected the supernatants and then detected the concentrations of IFN-α, IL-6 and TNF-α using ELISA. After 5 days, the cultured cells were collected and CD11c, CD80 and CD86 expressions of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry, the morphology of mDC was observed by light microscope and electron microscope.

RESULTSAfter incubation with triptolide at 10 µg/L, the levels of IFN-α, IL-6 and TNF-α in group 1 \[(451.32 ± 85.77) ng/L, (105.68 ± 23.85) ng/L and (135.78 ± 30.62) ng/L\] and group 2 \[(391.71 ± 72.49) ng/L, (84.73 ± 17.77) ng/L and (108.16 ± 23.21) ng/L\] were significantly higher than those in group 3 \[(335.51 ± 67.54) ng/L, (73.62 ± 21.82) ng/L and (95.58 ± 32.85) ng/L\] (all P < 0.05); the levels of IFN-α, IL-6 and TNF-α in group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2 (all P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CD11c, CD80 and CD86 expressions of mDC in group1 and group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 3 (all P < 0.05); CD11c, CD80 and CD86 expressions of mDC in group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2 (all P < 0.05) also in a dose-dependent manner (all P < 0.05). Triptolide could inhibit pDCs from differentiation into mDCs, the latter displayed more immature morphology than untreated-pDCs.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide could decrease the immune function of pDCs from ITP, inhibit pDCs from differentiation and maturation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Thrombocytopenia ; etiology ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of autophagy after ischemia/reperfusion and its possible function in rats hippocampus neurons.

METHODSAfter 2 hours oxygen-glucose deprivation and different periods time of reperfusion (OGD/R) treatment in primary hippocampal neurons, neuron viability was evaluated by MTT assay, specific structure of autophagosome and specific protein of autophagy microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 B (LC3B) were detected by transmission electron microscope and immunofluorescence respectively. The inhibitor of autophagy 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was also used to exam the viability of neurons.

RESULTSTreatment by OGD/R markedly reduced neuronal viability. Compared to the control group, autophagy existed in different time periods after OGD/R shown both in transmission electron microscope and immunofluorescence. Application of 3-MA significantly reduced neuronal viability.

CONCLUSIONOxygen-glucose deprivation can activate autophagy in rat hippocampus neurons, which may resist the injury during ischemia/reperfusion.

Animals ; Autophagy ; physiology ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; pathology ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Primary Cell Culture ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors of heterotopic (HO) ossification after total lumbar disc replacement and probe the preventive strategies for it.

METHODSThe radiographs and clinical data of 78 discs in 65 patients who received artificial lumbar disc replacement (ADR) from April 1998 to December 2003 were analyzed retrospectively by two radiologists and one orthopaedic surgeon and then postoperative HO were graded according to McAfee system. The bony formations in disc spaces, time of HO were found, and range of motion (ROM) of the operated levels were measured on radiographic films. In addition, the risk factors such as preoperative peri-annulus ossification, bony endplates injuries, and subsided or mal-position of the prostheses were also analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSPostoperative HO was found in 10 spaces of 9 cases. Class I of HO were occurred in 7 patients at means 2.1 years postoperatively with normal range of motion preserved. Three of them turned into class II or III with 10 degrees of mean ROM in the following 2.5 years. Another 2 (2/9) cases with preoperative peri-annulus ossification had bridging trabecular bone (class III) between the endplates and 9 degrees of ROM 2 years after surgery, then turned into class IV at 6 years with 0 degrees and 4 degrees of motion in the operated levels. As the risk factors of HO, preoperative annulus ossification (2 cases), bony endplates injuries (5 cases), mal-positioned prostheses (2 cases) and subsided prostheses (2 cases) were found simultaneity with significant positive relation to HO occurred (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFactors such as preoperative ossification of annulus, endplate injuries, prosthesis subsided and mal-position would have higher risks to have HO occurred after ADR, but ROM of most affected levels are preserved. Strict control indication and avoid all above risk factors can prevent HO occurring effectively.

Adult ; Aged ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proportion of Th22 cells in peripheral blood of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and evaluate its significance.

METHODSThe proportions of Th22 cells in peripheral blood of B-ALL and T-ALL patients before therapy (group 1), B-ALL and T-ALL patients in complete remission (ALL-CR, group 2) and healthy donors (group 3) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The cytokines IL-22, TGF-β, TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral blood of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of IL-22 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of each group were examined by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe percentages of Th22 cells and the levels of IL-22, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-22 mRNA in B-ALL and T-ALL patients before therapy were (0.44 ± 0.10)%, (10.9 ± 3.4) ng/L, (110.7 ± 26.5) ng/L, (60.2 ± 13.8) ng/L, 0.17 ± 0.04 and (0.46 ± 0.11)%, (11.2 ± 3.5) ng/L, (114.6 ± 27.0) ng/L, (58.7 ± 12.4) ng/L, 0.19 ± 0.04, respectively; Which in B-ALL and T-ALL patients in complete remission were(0.59 ± 0.15)%, (14.3 ± 4.1) ng/L, (142.5 ± 32.7) ng/L, (83.7 ± 18.9) ng/L, 0.25 ± 0.06 and(0.60 ± 0.15)%, (14.6 ± 4.3) ng/L, (140.4 ± 31.4) ng/L, (81.4 ± 18.2) ng/L, 0.26 ± 0.06, significantly lower than those in healthy donors \[(1.24 ± 0.31)%, (19.7 ± 6.6) ng/L, (238.3 ± 50.4) ng/L, (138.0 ± 27.1) ng/L, 0.49 ± 0.09\] (P < 0.01). The percentages of Th22 cells and the levels of IL-22, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-22 mRNA in group l were lower than those in group 2 (P < 0.05), there was not significant difference between B-ALL and T-ALL (P > 0.05). But the levels of TGF-β in B-ALL and T-ALL patients before therapy \[(30.6 ± 8.2) ng/L, (31.4 ± 8.8) ng/L\] and in complete remission \[(24.2 ± 5.8) ng/L, (25.1 ± 6.1) ng/L\] were significantly higher than those in group 3\[(9.6 ± 2.8) ng/L\] (P < 0.01). However, the level of TGF-β in group 1 was higher than that of group 2 (P < 0.05), there was not significant difference between B-ALL and T-ALL (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth the number and function of Th22 cells reduced in ALL patients. Th22 cells might be negatively correlated with ALL progression. The lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and overexpression of TGF-β in ALL patients might suppress the differentiation of Th22 cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukins ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study blood pressure levels, the prevalence of hypertension and factors associated with the development of hypertension in Hasakh children in the Yili region of Xinjiang Province.

METHODSA total of 2438 Hasakh school children from the Yili region of Xinjiang Province were sampled by stratified random cluster sampling method between May and June 2009. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, skinfold thickness and blood pressure were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

RESULTSMean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 94±13 mm Hg and 60±9 mm Hg respectively in the 2438 children, and both averages were lower than in the Han children. Hypertension was noted in 138 children (5.66%). The prevalence of hypertension in girls (6.97%, 84/1206) was higher than in boys (4.38%, 54/1232) (P<0.05). The prevalence of hypertension and blood pressone were positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, skinfold thickness circumference, gender and age.

CONCLUSIONSAverage blood pressure levels in Hasakh children in the Yili region of Xinjiang Province are lower than in domestic age-matched Han children. The prevalence of hypertension in girls is higher than in boys. Obesity is highly correlated with the development of hypertension.

Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Skinfold Thickness ; Waist Circumference

Objective: To study therapeutic effect of TriVex system minimally invasive phlebectomy on lower extremity varicose veins (LEVV). Methods: A total of 100 LEVV patients treated in our department were selected, randomly and equally divided into minimally invasive phlebectomy group (received TriVex system minimally invasive phlebectomy) and traditional treatment group (received high ligation and exfoliation). Therapeutic effect, treatment-related indexes and postoperative complications were assessed in two groups, and they received assessments of venous clinical severity score (VCSS), chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) and clinical-etiology-anatomic-pathophysiologic (CEAP) class on three and six months after operation. Results: There was no significant difference in therapeutic effect between two groups (P＞ 0. 05). Compared with traditional treatment group, there were significant reductions in number of incisions [(8. 6±1. 7) vs. (4. 2±1. 1)], surgery time [(70. 17±15. 92) min vs. (32. 45±11. 74) min], recovery time after surgery [(6. 82± 1. 51) h vs. (3. 93±1. 13) h], incidence rates of superficial vein thrombosis (18. 0％ vs. 0) and recurrence rate (12. 0％ vs. 0) in minimally invasive phlebectomy group, P=0. 001 all. Compared with traditional treatment group on three and six months after surgery, there was significant reduction in VCSS score [three months: (7. 23±1. 48) scores vs. (4. 16±1. 35) scores], and significant rise in CIVIQ score [three months: (67. 23±9. 47) scores vs. (81. 16±8. 38) scores]in minimally invasive phlebectomy group, P=0. 001 all; CEAP classes of two groups were significantly lower than those of before surgery (P=0. 001 all), but there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0. 05 all). Conclusion: TriVex system minimally invasive phlebectomy possesses similar therapeutic effect with traditional surgeries on multiple-cause varicose veins. The method is simpler and therapeutic effect is definite with less pain and complications, and patients recover rapidly and accept it easily, which is worth extending.