BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that estrogen deficiency causes a reduction in the activity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s (BMSCs). OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of endothelial progenitor cel s (EPCs) on the BMSCs proliferation and apoptosis ability of osteoporosis rats. METHODS:Healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 weeks old, were enrol ed and subjected to bilateral ovariectomy to make osteoporosis models. BMSCs and EPCs were isolated using density gradient centrifugation combined with adhesion method, and identified with surface markers, cel proliferation and immunocytochemistry in vitro. We used Transwel inserts to establish EPCs and OVX-BMSCs indirect co-culture system. Control groups were OVX-BMSCs group and sham-BMSCs group in which rats were only subjected to remove the equal amount of fat tissues around the ovary. Flow cytometry was applied to detect BMSCs proliferation and apoptosis ability. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control groups, the results of flow cytometry test showed that the proportion of OVX-BMSCs at S phase was significantly increased at 3 days of indirect co-culture with EPCs and the apoptosis rate was significanty reduced at 10 days of indirect co-culture with EPCs (both P<0.05). These results suggest that EPCs can promote the proliferation but inhibit the apoptosis of OVX-BMSCs.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of texture analysis of MRI in differential dignosis of benign and ma lignant breast nodules.Methods The MRI data of 78 patients (80 breast nodules) identified by surgical pathology were retrospectively studied.Sixty-three texture parameters were obtained from each nodule.ROC curve of texture parameters in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast nodules were performed.Results In all of the 63 texture parameters,the run length nonuniformity (RLN) had the highest AUC value (0.836) and accuracy,the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value in differentiation of breast nodules were 82.93％ (34/41),94.87％ (37/39),88.75％ (71/80),94.44％ (34/36) and 84.09％ (37/44).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRADS) were 95.12％ (39/41),87.18％ (34/39),91.25％ (73/80),88.63％ (39/44),and 94.44％ (34/36).The difference of diagnostic accuracy between texture parameter and BI-RADS had no statistical significance (P =0.11).BIRADS combined texture parameter improved specificity significantly (P＜0.001).Conclusion The texture analysis could be complementary to improve the accuracy of BI-RADS-MRI in breast nodules.

Objective To investigate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI)in diagnosis of extramural vascular invasion (EMVI)of rectal cancer.Methods 33 patients with rectal cancer were reviewed preoperatively.The MRI findings of EMVI of all cases were scored and compared with the postoperative pathological results.Results The MRI EMVI scores were consistent with histopathology findings (k=0.324,P=0.039).The accuracy rate of MRI in diagnosis of EMVI was 66.7% (22/33).The MRI EMVI scores rose up with increased pT stage,meanwhile there was a high correlation between both (r=0.546).The percentage of MRI EMVI positive number was increased with elevated pT stage,and there was also a high correlation between both (r=0.469). ROC curve showed that MRI EMVI scoring was an effective method in diagnosis of rectal cancer EMVI (AUC=0.757).Conclusion HRMRI is a valuable method in diagnosis of EMVI of rectal cancer.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Both sides of the picornavirus genome have 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) and 3'- untranslated region (3'UTR). This study demontrated that both the 5'-and 3'-UTR can form complex structures, such as stem-loop, clover and pseudoknot structure, These structures play an important role in the regulaton of the replication and translation of the viruses. This article reviewed the progress of research on the structure and function of picornavirus' 3'-UTR over recent years.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Animals ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Picornaviridae ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Picornaviridae Infections ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, IL-2, TGF-beta and acute graft-versus host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The percentage of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in CD4(+) T cells of 13 patients with hematological malignancies after allo-HSCT were detected by flow cytometry; serum levels IL-2 and TGF-beta in these patients were measured by ELISA. The results indicated that all the patients achieved engraftment. 5 patients developed aGVHD of grade I-II, 4 patients developed aGVHD of grade III-IV. The percentage of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells out of CD4(+) T cells in patients without aGVHD was higher than that in patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05); the serum level of IL-2 in patients without aGVHD was lower than that of patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05); the serum level of TGF-beta in patients without aGVHD was higher than that of patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05). It is concluded that CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cell level and the serum level of IL-2 and TGF-beta all are related to incidence and severity of aGVHD. These factors may be used as indicators for early evaluating and monitoring aGVHD after allo-HSCT.
Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

BACKGROUNDNajanalgesin, a toxin isolated from the venom of Naja naja atra, has been shown to exert significant analgesic effects in a neuropathic pain model in rats. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this protective effect of najanalgesin is poorly understood. The present study sought to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways that are involved in the antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin on neuropathic pain.

METHODSThe antinociceptive properties of najanalgesin were tested in hind paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimulation. We analyzed the participation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by western blot analysis. This inhibition of JNK was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe phosphorylation levels of JNK (as well as its downstream molecule c-Jun), p38, and ERK were significantly increased after injury. Najanalgesin only inhibited JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation but had no effect on either ERK or p38. This inhibition of JNK was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which suggested that the antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin on spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain in rats is associated with JNK activation in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONThe antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin functions by inhibiting the JNK in a neuropathic pain model.

Animals ; Elapid Venoms ; therapeutic use ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuralgia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Background High myopia can be corrected using laser therapy and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation.IOL implantation is more suitable than laser therapy for high myopia if the patients suffer from thinner cornea.Objective This clinical trail was to assess and compare the visual quality following phakic iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) and implantable contact lens(ICL) implantation for high myopia.MethodsIris-claw phakic intraocular lens was implanted in 17 eyes of 10 patients with high myopia,and age-,refractive-matched 17 eyes of 9 patients were in implantable contact lens (ICL) implantation group.Uncorrected visual acuity,best correct visual acuity,contrast sensitivity under the 3,6,12 and 18 c/d spatial frequencies,wave-front aberrations,including RMS3,RMS4 and RMSh,were examined in 6 months after operation.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before surgery.Results There were no significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity,best correct visual acuity between two groups(t=0.489,P>0.05;t=0.853,P>0.05).Non-glare CS under the 3 c/d,6 c/d,12 c/d and 18 c/d spatial frequencies were insignificantly different between two groups ( t = 0. 906, P > 0.05 ; t = 0. 103, P > 0. 05 ; t =0. 694 ,P>0. 05 ; t = 1. 583, P>0. 05), and the similar outcomes were found in glare CS ( t = 0. 323, P>0.05, t =0.041 ,P>0. 05, t = 0.024, P>0. 05; t = 0. 363, P>0.05) in postoperative 6 months. RMS3 and RMSh were significantly elevated in PIOL group compared with ICL group ( t = 11.40, P< 0. 05 ; t = 11.35, P < 0.05), but no evident difference was found in RMS4 between two groups( t = 0. 24,P>0. 05). Conclusion Both PIOL and ICL implantation for high myopia can achieve an equal visual acuity. But clinical outcomes of ICL implantation is much better than PIOL group. A long-term effect should be observed for the further evaluation.

Aim To observe the protective effects of probiotics on alcoholic liver injury in rats .Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the follow-ing three groups: control group , normal diet with nor-mal (5 ×108 CFU· kg -1· d -1) treatment group.Ex-cluding the rats in the normal control group , the other animals were initially received intragastric administra-tion with 56%( V/V) ethanol 5.5~11.0 mL· kg -1 · day -1 for 8 weeks.Then the rats’ faeces were collect-ed, and the liver and the small intestine were obtained for pathologic and ultrastructural observation .Serum ALT, AST and ALP was measured by method of bio-chemistry .Serum DAO and D-LA was measured by en-zyme linked immunosorbent assay .The expression of FOXO4 in small intestine was detected by immunohis-tochemistry .The intestinal flora genome DNA was ex-tracted from faeces and the sequence of 16 S rDNA was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technologies . Results Hepatic steatosis was obviously improved in probiotics treatment groups compared with ethanol-trea-ted group , and the ultrastructural such as mitochondri-al and rough endoplasmic reticulum pathological chan-ges was significantly alleviated . The ultrastructural changes in intestinal were better in probiotics treatment group than in the ethanol-treated group .And ethanol-induced rats ’ serum ALT, AST, ALP, D-LA and DAO levels showed a significant reduction in the probi-otics treatment groups compared with the ethanol-trea-ted group ( P<0.05 ) .The FOXO4 expression was in-creased obviously in the probiotics treatment groups compared with the ethanol-treated group ( P <0.05 ) . And the intestinal flora diversity was impacted after feeding alcohol , and probiotics had a certain regulative action in helping the intestinal flora back to normal state; At phylum level , the Firmicutes quantity was lower and the Bacteroidetes quantity was higher in eth-anol-treated group than those in the control group ( P<0.05 ) , and the conditions were improved after supple-menting probiotics .At genus level , the percent of ge-nus abundance was similar to normal control group in the probiotics treatment groups compared with the etha-nol-treated group .Conclusion Probiotics can relieve liver injury induced by alcohol in rats , and the mecha-nism may be related to the modulation of probiotics on the intestinal flora distribution and intestinal barrier .

Objective To study the current status of spontaneous abortion of primigravid women in Jiaxing areas of Zhejiang province of China. Methods We analyzed the data from both perinatal healthcare surveillance program and spontaneous abortion, collected in Jiaxing areas by the Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University. The study population consisted of 14 769 primigravid women (excluding induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy as outcomes) attempting to become pregnant who registered between 1993 and 1995. Results 1454 spontaneous abortion cases were identified, with the spontaneous abortion rate as 9.8% (95% CI:9.3%-10.3%). The mean gestational weeks at pregnancy diagnosis were 7.6±2.1 weeks, the mean gestational weeks at miscarriage were (10.1±3.1) weeks and the incidence of first-trimester (≤12 weeks) spontaneous abortion was 7.3%(95%CI: 6.8%-7.7%), accounting for 73.7% of all the spontaneous abortion cases. A peak for risk of miscarriage was around 8-13 weeks, accounting for 37.7% of all spontaneous abortion. The observed multiple Cox regression model showed that increased spontaneous abortion rates were observed in women with age at pregnancy ≥30, being peasants and with higher education level. Conclusion The spontaneous abortion rate of primigravid women in Jiaxing areas was higher than in other areas of China. The maximum occurrence of spontaneous abortions was during period of 8-13 gestation weeks.