The study is to investigate the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor blockers on migration and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression of rat vascular adventitial fibroblast subpopulations. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were individually expanded by using cloning rings, and the effects of Ang II on the migration of adventitial fibroblast subpopulations were evaluated by Transwell. Fluorescence quantitative-PCR detected the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II, and its receptor antagonists losartan and PD-123319. The concentration of ET-1 was determined by ELISA. It showed that spindle shaped and epithelioid shaped cells were isolated by using cloning rings, named as spindle cells and round cells. RT-PCR showed that fibroblast subpopulations did not have leukocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, namely pure cell lines. Compared with respective control cells, two subpopulations had transferring ability. Ang II significantly improved round cells migration in a concentration-dependent manner, and had no obvious influence on spindle cells migration. Ang II (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) significantly increased the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in round cells (P < 0.01), and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. Losartan blocked the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II in round cells, and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. The effects of Ang II and ET-1 receptor inhibitors on the release of ET-1 were similar to the expression of preproET-1 mRNA. The results indicate that there are two cell subpopulations: round cells and spindle cells in rat vascular adventitial fibroblasts. Ang II significantly improved cells migration, and increased the expression of ET-1 in round cell subpopulation. It suggested that there may be different migratory mechanisms in two cell subpopulations, and the two subpopulations may play a different role in vascular remodeling and reparative process.

Aim To establish a co-incubation system in cardiac fibroblasts of SD neonatal rats and spleen CD4+ CD25 + regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) of normal adult SD rats,and to investigate the effects of eplerenone(EPL) on the interaction of two cells and the relationship with the Kvl.3 channel on Tregs cell membrane.Methods The spleen Tregs of normal adult SD rats were sorted by immunomagnetic bead sorting,and the myocardial fibroblasts of SD rats were isolated by differential adherence method.The experiment was conducted in the following groups:CFs,CFs + Tregs,CFs + Tregs + EPL,Tregs.The proliferation of CFs was detected by CCK-8 method.The expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen,type m collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) secreted by CFs were detected by ELISA.The mRNA expression levels of Kv1.3,KCa3.1 on Tregs cell membrane and intracellular CRAC channel were detected by RT-qPCR technique.Tregs cell membrane Kvl.3 channel protein expression levels were determined by In-Cell Western blot.Results After 48 h incubation of the co-culture system,the cell proliferation was stable.CFs proliferation was marked(P ＜0.01),which could be inhibited by EPL(P ＜0.01).The type Ⅰ,type Ⅲ collagen and MMP-2 secreted by CFs increased (P ＜ 0.01).The expression levels of Kv1.3,KCa3.1 and CRAC channel mRNA in Tregs increased by 6.95,1.99 and 1.53 fold (CFs + Tregs vs Tregs,P ＜0.01),EPL decreased the mRNA level of each channel (CFs +Tregs + EPLvs CFs + Tregs,P＜0.01),and the decrease of Kv1.3 channel was the most significant (P ＜ 0.01).The Kv1.3 channel protein of Tregs increased by 67.9％ (CFs + Tregs vs Tregs,P ＜0.01),which could be inhibited by EPL(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Tregs cultured with CFs after 48 h can significantly promote the proliferation of CFs,and EPL can down-regulate the Kv1.3 channel expression on the Tregs membrane and inhibit the activation/proliferation of Tregs,indirectly inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.

BACKGROUNDThe prognosis of unresectable large hepatocellular carcinomas is poor. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 5 cm.

METHODSThe treatment of 22 patients with large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (5.0-16.5 cm) treated with sorafenib after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation between 2007 and 2011 was reviewed. The local effects, survival rates, toxicity, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTSDuring a follow-up of 9-49 months, 19 patients died and three survived. The median overall survival was 32 months. The overall cumulative 12, 24, and 36-month survival rates were 85.9%, 66.8%, and 23.5% respectively. Technical effectiveness was achieved in 12 out of 28 lesions (42.85%) at the first CT check. The median time to tumor progression was 21 months. The progression-free survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 90.9%, 72.0%, and 38.4%, respectively. Combined therapy was generally well tolerated. There was only one major procedure-related complication, biloma (4.5%). Sorafenib-related adverse events exceeding grade 3 were hand-foot skin reaction (2/22, 9.1%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1/22, 4.5%), and diarrhea (2/22, 9.1%). The absence of vascular invasion before treatment was found to be the best prognostic factor in the univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSSorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation is a promising approach to the treatment of large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the future role of this treatment.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Phenylurea Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the allergic status to common inhalant allergens and food allergens in clinical patients in Harbin in northeastern China and provide evidence to develop the prevention strategy of allergic disease.

METHODSThe data were collected from 5 473 patients with clinical suspected allergic diseases seeking medical care in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Among these patients, 2 530 (46.2%) were males aged 0-86 years, the youngest was only 1 month old and 2 579 (47.1%) were young children and teenagers. The serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) to 14 kinds of common allergens and serum total IgE were detected by using AllergyScreen test (Mediwiss Analytic GmbH, Moers, Germany).

RESULTSIn 5 473 subjects the positive rate of sIgE was 33.1% (n=1 813). Cow milk (6.9%) and wheat (3.1%) were the most common food allergens, followed by house dust mite mix (12.5%) and mould mix (9.4%) and the age and gender specific differences in the positive rate were significant. For the children aged <7 years the positive rates to cow milk, beef-mutton, and egg white/egg yolk were high, but the positive rates to house dust mite mix, ragweed estragon, and mould mix were low (P<0.05). For the adults the positive rates to aeroallergens were high while the rates to food allergens were low.

CONCLUSIONThe results from this study showed that the food allergens in Harbin had geographic characteristics, which support the viewpoint that the environment factors play an important role in the incidence of allergic diseases. Also, the detection of sIgE and total IgE are essential to identify relevant allergens for the purpose of early diagnosis, management and prevention of allergic disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methylation, expression and clinical significance of miR-203 in pediatric acute leukemia.

METHODSThe methylation status of miR-203 promoter CpG islands was detected with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The expression of miR-203 was detected by Taqman real- time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. And the clinical significance of miR-203 in pediatric acute leukemia (ALL) was also analyzed.

RESULTSThe promoter of miR-203 was unmethylated in all of 31 pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, all of 15 pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and all of 23 controls. The relative expression levels of miR-203 in controls, pediatric acute leukemia, ALL and AML were 16.93±6.31, 48.97±10.38, 55.88±12.91, 24.28±9.10 respectively. The results indicated that miR-203 was significantly up- regulated in pediatric acute leukemia (P=0.011) and ALL (P=0.009), not in pediatric AML (P=0.514) compared with control. The expression of miR-203 was significantly related with the gender, immunophenotype, chromosome, fusion gene, BCR-ABL, SIL-TAL1 and prednisone experiment in pediatric ALL and the gender, chromosome, fusion gene, SIL-TAL1 in pediatric acute leukemia (P<0.05). And in risk stratification pairwise comparisons, the expression of miR-203 in the medium-risk and high-risk groups appeared significantly different (P=0.022).

CONCLUSIONmiR-203 may not be regulated with methylation mechanism in pediatric acute leukemia. miR- 203 may be a protooncogene involved in the formation of pediatric acute leukemia and ALL. Further analyses indicated that high expression of miR-203 may be associated with poor prognosis of pediatric ALL and acute leukemia.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

The study is to investigate the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor blockers on migration and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression of rat vascular adventitial fibroblast subpopulations. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were individually expanded by using cloning rings, and the effects of Ang II on the migration of adventitial fibroblast subpopulations were evaluated by Transwell. Fluorescence quantitative-PCR detected the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II, and its receptor antagonists losartan and PD-123319. The concentration of ET-1 was determined by ELISA. It showed that spindle shaped and epithelioid shaped cells were isolated by using cloning rings, named as spindle cells and round cells. RT-PCR showed that fibroblast subpopulations did not have leukocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, namely pure cell lines. Compared with respective control cells, two subpopulations had transferring ability. Ang II significantly improved round cells migration in a concentration-dependent manner, and had no obvious influence on spindle cells migration. Ang II (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) significantly increased the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in round cells (P < 0.01), and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. Losartan blocked the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II in round cells, and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. The effects of Ang II and ET-1 receptor inhibitors on the release of ET-1 were similar to the expression of preproET-1 mRNA. The results indicate that there are two cell subpopulations: round cells and spindle cells in rat vascular adventitial fibroblasts. Ang II significantly improved cells migration, and increased the expression of ET-1 in round cell subpopulation. It suggested that there may be different migratory mechanisms in two cell subpopulations, and the two subpopulations may play a different role in vascular remodeling and reparative process.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of implantation brachytherapy with delayed-release particles of 32P-chromic phosphate-poly (L-lactide) (32P-CP-PLLA) on prostate cancer (PCa) in nude mice.

METHODSWe established a subcutaneous transplantable PCa model in nude mice, and randomly divided them into six groups, Groups A, B and C implanted intratumorally with 32P-CP-PLLA delayed-release particles at 3.7, 7.4 and 14.8 MBq, Groups D, E and F with 125I particles at the same doses as the former three, and another six nude mice were included in Group G as the blank control. Then we killed the mice at 21 days after the treatment, observed the effects of the particles on the morphology of the tumor and their inhibition of tumor growth, counted WBCs and platelets (PLTs) in the peripheral blood, and detected the toxic reaction of the blood.

RESULTSAt 21 days after the treatment, the solid tumor tissues exhibited bleeding and necrotic changes, and the rates of tumor inhibition were positively correlated with the doses of administration. Groups A, B and C showed statistically significant differences from Groups D, E, F and G in the rate of tumor inhibition ([ 65.72 +/- 6.95]%, [77.58 +/- 4.32]% and [82.64 +/- 4.03]% versus [35.61 +/- 5.61]%, [43.30 +/- 6.94]% and [69.01 +/- 4.98]%), WBC count ([1.72 +/- 0.37] x 10(9)/L, [1.23 +/- 0.27] x 10(9)/L and [0.86 +/- 0.25] x 10(9)/L versus [1.45 +/- 0.40] x 10(9)/L, [0.51 +/- 0.24] x 10(9)/L, [0.37 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L and [3.96 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L), PLT count ([1.18 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L, [0.97 +/- 0.10] x 10(11)/L and [0.72 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L versus [0.97 +/- 0.15] x 10(11)/L, [0.76 +/- 0.16] x 10(11)/L, [0.64 +/- 0.12] x 10(11)/L and [2.89 +/- 0.21] x 10(11)/L) and body weight ([18.60 +/- 0.66] g, [17.60 +/- 0.39] g and [16.90 +/- 0.68] g versus [17.86 +/- 0.60] g, [15.56 +/- 0.39] g, [14.61 +/- 0.65] g and [19.95 +/- 0.73] g) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntratumoral implantation of 32P-CP-PL-LA is a safe, simple and effective radionuclide interventional therapy for prostate cancer.

Animals ; Brachytherapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phosphorus Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo study the incidence and risk factors of campus violence and to provide evidence for preventing campus violence among college students.

METHODS5300 college students in two universities in a province of China were selected to participate in the study and were interviewed with questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for data analysis.

RESULTS(1) In total, 3910 useable questionnaires were gathered to show a response rate of 73.77%. 17.98% of the college students reported they had ever experienced campus violence in the last one year. 29.60% of the male students experienced campus violence so as 7.27% of the female students. The incidence of violence among male students was significantly higher than those of female students (chi2 = 329.89, P = 0.000). (2) Among male students who were victims of campus violence, the incidence rates of threat or blackmail, emotional abuse, physical assault, verbal sexual harassment, sexual assault were 18.03%, 13.97%, 10.77%, 0.85%, 0.48% respectively. Among female students who were victims of campus violence, the incidence rates were 3.64%, 5.84%, 1.38%, 1.33%, 1.13% respectively. The main source of the violence was from their schoolmates. (3) 10.40% of the male students reported they were perpetrators of campus violence in the last year, while 1.47% of the female students reported so. Schoolmates were the main subjects of their aggressive behaviors. (4) Among the college students who were victims of campus violence, logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking, drinking alcohol, frequently getting computer online were important risk factors. The OR values were 1.48, 2.96, 1.66 respectively. Among college students who were perpetrators of campus violence, the OR values were 2.92, 1.88, 2.09 respectively.

CONCLUSIONCampus violence among college students was serious, suggesting that intervention measures should be taken.

China ; epidemiology ; Crime Victims ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Interpersonal Relations ; Interviews as Topic ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Peer Group ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Students ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities ; Violence ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVEIn childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), cytogenetics plays an important role in diagnosis, allocation of treatment and prognosis. On the basis of the conventional cytogenetic analysis, molecular methods have improved pediatric hematologists/oncologist's ability to accurately and rapidly perform risk-stratification on patients with childhood ALL during the last few years. The aim of the present study was to assess the demography of cytogenetic abnormalities in childhood ALL.

METHODThe study subjects consisted of 124 newly diagnosed ALL patients younger than 16 years of age, who were diagnosed at the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Soochow University Children's Hospital. The diagnosis and FAB subtypes of ALL was determined by Wright-Giemsa-stained bone marrow smears and cytochemical staining. Immunophenotyping of the bone marrow samples was performed by flow cytometry. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (Multiplex PCR) analysis was performed to detect the 29 most common leukemia translocations for routine molecular diagnostic hematopathology practice, and complement the information gained from conventional cytogenetic analysis.

RESULTSCytogenetic analysis was successful in 112 of 124 children with ALL. Sixty-eight (60%) of them had clonal chromosomal abnormalities. Numerical imbalances consisted of hyperdiploid (> 47 chromosomes, 36 cases), hypodiploid (< 46 chromosomes, 14 cases), pseudodiploidy (18 cases). Chromosomal translocations were observed in 13 patients by conventional cytogenetic analysis. Three cases were found positive for 4; 11 translocation, 3 cases for 9; 22 translocation, 1 case for 1; 19 translocation and 6 cases for other rare translocations. Multiplex-PCR analysis detected 116 of the 124 ALL patients. Thirteen cases of TEL-AML1, 10 cases of rearrangement in the MLL gene, 4 cases of E2A-PBX1, 4 cases of E2A-HLF, 3 cases of BCR-ABL, 2 cases of TLS-ERG, 32 cases of HOX11 were detected by Multiplex PCR in B-lineage leukemias. SIL-TAL1 had been found in 4 of 7 of T-lineage leukemias.

CONCLUSIONSSixty-eight cases of ALL showed chromosomal aberrations. Multiplex PCR positivity was detected in 59 (50%) of the 116 ALL patients studied. Multiplex PCR combined with chromosomal analysis uncovered chromosomal abnormalities in 95 of 124 (77%) of ALL patients and supplemented each other in detecting chromosomal abnormalities.

Adolescent ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Gene Fusion ; genetics ; Homeodomain Proteins ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1 ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1 ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and the distribution pattern of lesion site of intracranial vascular stenosis and to identify risk factors for the stenosis in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSA total of 231 consecutive inpatients with essential hypertension were included in this study. Patients with the history of cerebrovascular diseases and relevant neurological symptoms were excluded. Intracranial vascular stenosis (>50% diameter reduction) was detected using CT angiography (CTA).

RESULTSOf 231 patients, 69 (29.87%) had intracranial artery stenosis. The most common stenosis site is middle cerebral artery (43.69%), followed by carotid siphon (20.39%). The stenosis in internal carotid arterial system (78.64%) was more common than in vertebrobasilar arterial system (21.56%, P < 0.05). The patients with intracranial vascular stenosis were older, had longer history of hypertension, higher levels of systolic blood pressure, higher plasma cholesterol, higher LDL-C. Lp (a), higher urinary microalbumin excretion, thicker ventricular septum, and lower levels of HDL-C than the patients without stenosis. Logistic analysis showed that systolic blood pressure (OR 1.650, 95% CI 1.134 - 2.400, P = 0.023), course of hypertension (OR 1.238, 95% CI 1.072 - 1.429, P = 0.006), LDL-C (OR 2.103, 95% CI 1.157 - 3.823, P = 0.014) and type 2 diabetes (OR 2.325, 95% CI 1.161 - 4.341, P = 0.011) were the independent risk factors of asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

CONCLUSIONSNearly 30% inpatients with essential hypertension had asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis. The most common site of stenosis was middle cerebral artery. Hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes were risk factors for the development of intracranial arterial stenosis.

Aged ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Intracranial Arterial Diseases ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors