Objective To evaluate the effect of iron on the stability of fat emulsion in total nutrient admixture (TNA) in pediatrics. Methods Based on intravenous nutrition preparation and handling protocols, 0,0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg iron sucrose was added in each 100 ml TNA, respectively, and each dose was prepared for 10 bags. The stability of fat emulsion was observed by electron scanning microscopy. The pH and osmolality were determined at different time points (0, 24, 48, and 72 h). Results The fat particle size, percentages of particles ＞ 0.5 μm, pH value, and osmolality were not significantly different among all the groups at different time points (all P ＞ 0.05). The mean particle sizes of the fat emulsion were ＜ 0.5 μm in all groups within 72 h.No fat particle with diameter ＞ 5 μm was seen in each group. Conclusion TNA containing iron sucrose with concentrations range 0.25-1.00 mg per 100 ml is stable.

Objective:To investigate the effect of IL-17A on the differentiation and maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells( BMDCs ) . Methods: Murine bone marrow cells were isolated and cultured in RPMI1640 complete medium in the presence of GM-CSF(20 ng/ml) for 8 days to induce differentiation of murine bone marrow cells to DC progenitors. Then these cells were treated with LPS(1 μg/ml) for 36 h which polarized immature DCs into mature DCs. Different concentrations of rmIL-17A(10 or 100 ng/ml) was added to the culture medium at different stages of BMDC differentiation and maturation. Co-stimulatory molecules expression on BMDC were analyzed by flow cytometry,and the culture supernatants were analyzed for IL-12p40 and IL-10 level by ELISA. Results:rmIL-17 could promote co-stimulatory molecules( CD40,CD80,CD86 and MHCⅡ) expression on BMDCs in a does-dependent manner,especially,the expression of CD40 and MHCⅡhad a significant increase in high concentration of rmIL-17A group;rmIL-17A was added while LPS induced maturation of BMDCs. CD40,CD80,CD86 and MHCⅡexpression on BMDC increased sharply in LPS plus rmIL-17A stimulation group,besides,CD86,MHCⅡ showed a higher level expression on BMDC with the increase of con-centration of rmIL-17A. Furthermore,secretion of IL-12p40 and IL-10 increased significantly in the group of DCs treated with LPS plus low concentration of rmIL-17 compared with the group without rmIL-17(P<0. 001). However,high concentration of rmIL-17A group showed significantly higher levels of IL-12p40(P<0. 001),but there was no difference in IL-10. Conclusion:IL-17A promotes the phe-notypic development of BMDC progenitors propagated in GM-CSF and cooperate with LPS to induce BMDC differentiation and matura-tion.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognostic factors in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

METHODSClinical and pathological data of 178 cases with hypopharyngeal cancer from January 2000 to December 2006 were studied.

RESULTSOf the 178 hypopharyngeal cancer, the median survival time was 42.8 months (1 - 127 months). Total 3- and 5-year survival rates were 47% and 35%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of stage I + II, stage III and stage IV were 76.2%, 46.7% and 29.6%, respectively. The second primary carcinoma occurred in 14.0% patients (25/178), of them 18 patients with synchronous carcinoma and 7 patients with metachronous carcinoma. The independent risk factors associated with the prognosis of these patients were T staging, N staging, clinical staging, performance status (PS), smoking index and treatment model (all P < 0.01). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that smoking index, staging of tumor and treatment were independent risk factors of prognosis. The rate of larynx function preservation was increasing with years from 2000 to 2006.

CONCLUSIONSSurgery plus radiotherapy is the most important treatment for the patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. Tumor stage and treatment model are important predictors of survival in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of Vater ampulla-duodenal conjunction resection in the treatment of periampullary carcinoma. Methods From January 2005 to July 2006, 15 patients underwent this modus operandi, including carcinoma of duodenal papilla (6 cases), Vater ampulla (5 cases) and lower part of common bile duct (4 cases). The descending part of duodenum, Vater ampulla, head of pancreas and common bile duct were excised en bloc followed by reconstruction of GI conduit. Result One patient died of stress ulcer 2 months postoperatively, the 14 patients recovered uneventfully without any major complications, and 3-16 months follow-up found no tumor recurrence. Conclusion Vater ampulla-duodenal conjunction resection as a new surgical procedure provides enough tumor margin clearance while causing less trauma than standard pancreatoduodenectomy in selected cases of periampullary carcinoma.

Objective To study the clinical characteristic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients younger than 15 years old and to explore the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on them. Methods The clinical information, including demographic profile, clinical stages of the disease, laboratory test results and developmental status were gathered from 275 antiretroviral therapy naive patients. Results Seventy eight point nine percent patients were infected by vertical transmission. Sixteen percent were infected by receiving blood products. The average age was (7.6±3. 7) years, with 5 cases younger than 1 year old, 104 cases ranging from 1 - 5 years and 166 cases elder than 6 years. Seventy point one percent patients were classified as stage 3 or 4 according to World Health Organization definitions. The average CD4 count was ( 137 ± 159 )/μL, ( 304 ± 317 ) /μL and ( 1 246 ± 776 )/μL respectively in children elder than 6 years, ranging from 1 to 5 years and younger than 1 year. One hundred and eighty one cases suffered from anemia on different severity grading. The most common HIV related symdromes included persistent fever, skin damage, persistent diarrhea, oral candidiasis and recurrent upper respiratory tract infection. Among these infected children, 49. 6% showed height lower than x - 2s and 19. 9% showed weight lower than x - 2s. Conclusions Most survival pediatric AIDS patients are elder than 6 years. HIV infection can significantly affect the children's immune system function,growth and development.

OBJECTIVETo obtain the monoclonal antibody against hexon protein of human adenovirus.

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant hexon protein, and the spleen cells of the mice were isolated and fused with myloma cells. Four hybridoma cell strains were screened by indirect ELISA and cultured, and the sensitivity, specificity and virus neutralizing activity were analyzed with ELISA, Western blotting and neutralizing test.

RESULTSThe mouse ascites produced by these hybridoma cells contained specific monoclonal antibodies against hexon protein of human adenovirus as identified by ELISA and Western blot, and the antibody generated by 4C6 strain showed human adenovirus type 3-neutralizing activity.

CONCLUSIONThe monoclonal antibodies against hexon protein with high specificity have been successfully obtained, and these antibodies can be useful in developing assays for early diagnosis of HAdV3 infection and also in study of therapeutic drugs of the infection.

Adenoviruses, Human ; chemistry ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Capsid Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; secretion ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM).

METHODSBy means of HE and immunohistochemistry (SP method) studies, the clinical and pathological features of 5 PLAM cases were analyzed and the related literature reviewed.

RESULTSPLAM was a rare lung disease of unknown etiology and was restricted to females who were generally pre-menopausal. Pathological features showed abnormal smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) line the airways, lymphatics and blood vesssels leading to airflow obstruction and replacement of the lung parenchyma by cysts. LAM cells were positive for HMB45. Clinically the disease was categorized by dyspnoea, haemoptysis, recurrent pneumothoraces and chylous effusions.

CONCLUSIONSPLAM should be considered when recurrent pneumothorax, haemoptysis and dyspnoea occur in females. Pathologic examination of lung tissue biopsy is required for confirmation of PLAM diagnosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with Tongdan: Decoction () on immunological indices and histopathological changes in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) of IIor III histological stage.

METHODSSixty PBC patients were assigned randomly and equally: to the control group treated with UDCA alone and the treatment group treated with UDCA combined with Tongdan Decoction. The immunological indices and histopathological changes were detected before and after 24-week treatment, and the follow-up lasted for 1-3 years.

RESULTSAfter 24-week treatment, CD4(+)CD28(-) in the peripheral blood was lowered and CD4(+)CD25(+) was increased in both groups, and better effect was shown in the treatment group (P<0.01). The levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA decreased markedly after 96-week treatment in the treatment group (P< 0.05, P< 0.01), while in the control group, only the latter two showed significant decrease after 148 week (all P<0.05). At the end of the 3-year follow-up, the medians of histopathological

CONCLUSIONCombined therapy of Tongdan Decoction and UDCA showed a better therapeutic effect: than UDCA monotherapy on PBC, especially in improving immunological indices and histopathological hepatic changes.

Antigens, CD ; blood ; Biomarkers ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Inflammation ; blood ; complications ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) gene on growth of EL-4 solid tumors in vivo.

METHODSC57BL/6 mice model of solid tumors was established by subcutaneous injection of EL-4 lymphoma cells. Mice were randomly divided into two groups as treatment group (n=6) and control group (n=6) when tumor diameter increased to 0.1 cm and 0.4 cm respectively. Plasmid pcDNA3-VHL was injected into solid tumor in treatment group, empty pcDNA3 vector in control group. The growth of tumor was observed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to examine the transgenic expression of VHL, hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF)-1alpha, bcl-2 and VEGF. Microvessel density (MVD) and apoptosis index (AI) of tumors were also detected.

RESULTSVHL gene transfer eradicated tumors with small size (0.1 cm diameter), but it only retarded the growth of large tumors (0.4 cm diameter). VHL was overexpressed, the expression levels of VEGF, HIF-1alpha and bcl-2 were reduced in treatment group compared with those in the control group. The level of MVD was significantly lower in treatment group (P< 0.05), but AI was higher in treatment group compared with those in the control group (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONVHL gene therapy can inhibit the growth of EL-4 solid tumor in vivo.

Animals ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood supply ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein ; therapeutic use

The feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization and its relation to histological findings were investigated. Abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque model was induced in 25 New Zealand white rabbits by a combination of high cholesterol-rich diet and balloon aortic denudation. Standard and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed at the 16th week of the model induction period. The plaques were classified as echogenic plaques or echolucent plaques according to their echogenicity at standard ultrasonography. The maximum thickness of plaque was measured in the longitudinal section. Time intensity curve was used to quantify the enhanced intensity of the plaque. Animals were euthanized and abdominal aortas were harvested for histological staining of CD31 to evaluate the neovascularization density of atherosclerotic plaque. The results showed that the echolucent plaques had higher enhanced intensity during contrastenhanced ultrasonography and higher neovascularization density at CD31 staining than the echogenic plaques. The enhanced intensity of atherosclerotic plaque and its ratio to lumen were well correlated with histological neovascularization density (r=0.75, P<0.001; r=0.68, P<0.001, respectively). However, the maximum thickness of plaque was not correlated with neovascularization density (r=0.235, P=0.081). These findings demonstrated that the enhanced intensity in the plaque and ratio of enhanced intensity to that in the lumen of abdominal aorta may be more accurate in the evaluation of plaque neovascularization than maximum thickness. Our study indicates that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography provides us a reliable method for the evaluation of plaque neovascularization.
Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; diagnostic imaging ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Phospholipids ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Statistics as Topic ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonography ; methods