BACKGROUND: It is very important to evaluate vascularization of postoperative hydroxyapatite (HA) orbital implants in human eyes. Recently, methods for evaluating vascularization of HA orbital implants are limited; however, ultrasonic contrast is a novel technique to high-precisely measure blood flow.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic contrast to evaluate the vascularization of HA orbital implants, and to compare with enhanced MRI.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The comparative observation was performed at Departments of Ophthalmology and Ultrasound,Jiangyin People's Hospital between January 2008 and January 2009.PARTICIPANTS: Ten patients including 8 males and 2 females were treated with eye ball extirpation and HA orbital implants. The patients were aged 24-61 years, with the mean age of (45.0±10.2) years. HA orbital implants were crossly coated using anterior part of pedicle scleral flap.METHODS: PHILIPS IU22 color Doppler ultrasound was used in this study, and SonoVue (59 mg) was the major contrast medium. Sulphur hexafluoride was dissolved in saline to make suspension. A 2.4-mL suspension was injected through peripheral vein of elbow. Enhanced MRI was additionally used in this study: Siemens Magnetom Avanto 1.5T, standard head coil, horizontal axis, 2.0-3.0 mm thickness, no interval, FOV 160 mmxi80 mm, 256x256 matrix, and SE sequence T1WI (TR 500 ms, TE 12 ms).Dimeglumine gadopentetate injection was used as a contrast medium.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vascularization characteristics and degrees between ultrasonic contrast and enhanced MRI at different time points after implantation.RESULTS: Ultrasonic contrast showed a well dynamic contrast-enhanced image of the anterior part of HA in early stage of post-operation, and showed distributing instance and density of blood vessel. Later stage of post-operation (about 3-6 months),contrast-enhanced image was unconspicuous. The enhanced MRI showed a clear vascularization of HA orbital implants at the stage of post-operation.CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic contrast is a effective investigative way to evaluate vascularization of HA orbital implants in early stage of implantation, and it is limited at the later stage of post-operation than enhanced MRI.

AIM and METHODS: To observe the effects of glucose-free and Mg 2+ -free in the extracellular fluid on the changes of [Ca 2+ ] i in the cerebro-cortical neurons damaged by 1 mmol/L glutamate using laser confocal scanning microscope. RESULTS: Both frequency and amplitude of neuronal calcium oscillation induced by glutamate were lowered in glucose-free and Mg 2+ -free buffers. The basic [Ca 2+ ] i concentration was lowered in the former case , but it was elevated in the latter case. CONCLUSION: Mg 2+ -free aggravates [Ca 2+ ] i overload induced by 1 mmol/L glutamate ,under certain conditions the glucose-free might resist damage role of glutamate and Mg 2+ -free.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to detect intracellular Ca 2+ changes in living brain slices during focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and reveal the role of intracellular Ca 2+ in the cerebral I/R injury. METHODS: The model of focal cerebral I/R was established in rats by reversible inserting a nylon thread, and dynamic change of intracellular Ca 2+ in brain slices was determined using laser confocal imaging system. RESULTS: ① Ca 2+ gradually enhanced with increase in ischemic time in cortex and striatum. ②At 1 h ischemia/ 10 min reperfusion, Ca 2+ increased significantly in striatum, but Ca 2+ decreased at 3 h reperfusion compared with 10 min reperfusion. ③ Ca 2+ markedly enhanced at 6 h ischemia compared with 1 h ischemia, and after 3 h reperfusion Ca 2+ decreased, but was still higher than that in sham-operation group. ④The striatum is more sensitive than cortex to ischemia/reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Ca 2+ overload in the area of cortex and striatum may play an important role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography. We retrospectively analyzed DSCT angiography of 99 consecutive patients with TOF. In addition to typical CT features of TOF in all patients, the DSCT angiography showed 27 cases (27.27%) of atrial septal defect, 14 cases (14.14%) of patents ductus arteriosus, 11 cases (11.11%) of bicuspid pulmonary valve, 18 cases (18.18%) of congenital coronary artery malformation, 22 cases (22.22%) of right aortic arch, 12 cases (12.12%) of persistent left superior vena cava, 8 cases (8.08%) of retro-aortic innominate vein and 9 cases (9.09%) of pulmonary venous anomalous. DSCT is capable of displaying anatomical characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients with TOF.
Angiography ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aim To investigate the effect of Ajuga decumbens(HBG), Poria cocos(FL) and their combination on the metastasis of invasive breast cancer cells and the related mechanisms.Methods We conducted several assays including cell adhesion assay, scratch assay and transwell invasion assay.Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of associated proteins of EMT and MAPK signaling pathway.Results FL,HBG and their combination could significantly inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells.HBG and FL had markedly synergistic effect, and the best compatibility ratio was 10 ∶1.HBG, FL and their combination could reverse EMT of breast cancer cells, which increased the levels of epithelial biomarkers, such as β-catenin, E-cadherin and ZO-1, and reduced the levels of mesenchymal biomarkers, such as vimentin.Moreover, treatment of the cells with HBG, FL and their combination resulted in marked inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38.Conclusions The combination of HBG and FL have the ability to inhibit breast cancer cell invasion by targeting the expression of MAPK pathway as well as suppressing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND:At present, biological agent-involved immunologic induction therapy gradual y became a key component in immunosuppression therapy of kidney transplantation. It can effectively prevent acute rejection and avoid the appearance of complications. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of different biological agents on immune state and functional status of transplanted kidney in immunologic induction therapy. METHODS:Clinical data of 110 recipients with kidney transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. In accordance with the conditions of immunologic induction therapy, recipients in the monoclonal antibody group (n=35) received basiliximab. Recipients in the polyclonal antibody group (n=43) underwent rabbit anti-human antithymocyteglobulin. Recipients in the control group (n=32) did not receive immunologic induction therapy. Absolute value of lymphocytes and the number of CD4+T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were comparatively analyzed among three groups at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after kidney transplantation. Functional status of the transplanted kidney and complications of infection were evaluated at 12 weeks after transplantation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The incidence of acute rejection was lower in the monoclonal antibody group and polyclonal antibody group than in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of infectious complications was higher in the polyclonal antibody group than in the monoclonal antibody group and control group (P<0.05). The absolute value of lymphocytes was lower in the monoclonal antibody group and polyclonal antibody group at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation than in the control group (P<0.05). The number of CD4+T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood was lower in the polyclonal antibody group than in the monoclonal antibody group and control group at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation (P<0.05). These results suggested that biological agents participate in immunologic induction therapy of kidney transplantation, can effectively suppress the functional status of activated T lymphocytes, and decrease the occurrence of early acute rejection of the transplanted kidney. However, the incidence of infectious complications was higher after the use of rabbit anti-human antithymocyteglobulin.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum Dickkopf-1 ,HE4 and PARP-1 levels and clinical staging of gastric cancer and lymph node metastasis and its clinical prognosis .Methods The serum levels of DKK-1 ,HE4 and PARP-1 in 50 patients with gastric cancer (gastric cancer group) and 50 healthy volunteers (control group) were measured by enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA) ,the relationship between serum Dickkopf-1 ,HE4 and PARP-1 levels and clinical staging of gastric cancer ,lymph node metastasis was analyzed .and the clinical prognosis was explored .Results Serum DKK-1 ,HE4 ,PARP-1 levels of gastric cancer group were (29 .6 ± 9 .6) ,(52 .6 ± 18 .6) ,(6 .1 ± 1 .8)μg/L respectively ,and the levels of control group were (5 .8 ± 1 .5) ,(17 .5 ± 2 .6) ,(3 .6 ± 1 .8)μg/L respectively .Serum DKK-1 ,HE4 and PARP-1 levels of gastric cancer group were signifi-cantly higher than those of control group ,DKK-1 ,HE4 ,PARP-1 levels were higher in gastric cancer patients with older age ,lower degree of differentiation ,in late clinical stage ,and with lymph node metastasis ;serum DKK-1 ,HE4 ,PARP-1 levels had no obvious relationship with gender and age but were positively related to TNM stage ,and lymph node metastasis ;DKK-1 (P=0 .04) ,HE4 (P=0 .03) and PARP-1 (P=0 .04) are independent risk factors of poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer .Conclusion The levels of serum Dickkopf-1 ,HE and PARP-1 in patients with gastric cancer are closely related to the clinical prognosis of the pa-tients and are independent risk factors of poor prognosis .

At present, immunotherapy is in full swing in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer and other tumor species, and its treatment methods are also diverse, including tumor vaccine treatment, adoptive T cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, etc, but current immunotherapy for colorectal cancer mainly focuses on immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors). Since PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have shown amazing efficacy in patients with dMMR/MSI-H advanced colorectal cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors have gained more and more attention in the field of colorectal cancer, and the treatment options have gradually shifted from late line treatment to first-line treatment or neoadjuvant therapy, and have achieved success. This paper summarizes the research progress of immune checkpoint therapy on colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Zhuhong ointment on accumulation in the body of mercury and the pathological morphology changes of kidney, via the measurement of related indicators of the skin-impaired model rat.

METHODEighty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into the impairment control group, and high-, middle-, low-dose Zhuhong ointment groups. Each group was treated by corresponding methods for 4 weeks, and recovering for 4 weeks. Urinary potein (PRO), pH, Beta N-acetyl aminoglycosidase enzymes (NAG) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) contents in urine were taken as monitoring indexes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) in blood and the levels of mercury in urine, blood and kidney were tested, and the pathological morphology changes of kidney were observed.

RESULTAfter treatment for 4 weeks, compared with impairment control group, the levels of mercury in urine, blood and kidney in every dose group increased significantly (P < 0.01). And the relation exists between toxicity and dose on Zhuhong ointment. After recovery for 4 weeks, the levels of mercury in urine and blood in every dose group restore normal, while the level of mercury in kidney in high- dose group still increased (P < 0.01). The level of NAG increased only in high-dose group. There was no significant difference in NAG contents between Zhuhong ointment groups and the impairment control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExcess using Zhuhong ointment repeatedly may lead to accumulation of mercury and pathological morphology changes of kidney. So the levels of mercury in the body and related indicators of renal functions should be tested in clinical when long-term using Zhuhong ointment.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; drug effects ; urine ; Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Female ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; drug effects ; Kidney ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mercury ; blood ; metabolism ; urine ; Ointments ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retinol-Binding Proteins ; drug effects ; urine ; Skin ; drug effects ; injuries ; Time Factors ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of repeated administration of Zhuhong ointment on renal antioxidant capability of ulcerous skin in rats, in order to further discuss the mechanism of mercury contained in Zhuhong ointment on the antioxidant capability of kidney in skin ulcer rats.

METHODEighty SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups: Zhuhong ointment A, B, C, D, E (1.219, 0.609, 0.305, 0.152, 0.76 g x kg(-1)) groups, the vaseline group, the ulcer model group and the impairment control group. The levels of NAG and RBP of toxicity for early kidney tubular injury and T-AOC, SOD, GSH-PX and GSH in kidney were determined after consecutive administration for 14 days.

RESULTCompared with ulcer model group, the levels of RBP in groups A, B, C and D increased, while the levels of NAG increased only in the group A. The level of T-AOC increased in groups A, B and C. The level of T-SOD increased in the group E, while it dropped down greatly in the group A. The level of GSH-PX increased in groups A, B and C. The content of GSH increased in every dose groups.

CONCLUSIONAntioxidant capacity in rats can be increased in a reasonable dose of Zhuhong ointment, but some antioxidant activity can be notably inhibited by with the increase of dose.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; drug effects ; urine ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Glutathione ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Mercury ; metabolism ; Ointments ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retinol-Binding Proteins ; drug effects ; urine ; Skin Ulcer ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Staphylococcal Skin Infections ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Time Factors