Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND:Some studies have focused on bone marrow mesenchymalstem cells (BMSCs) combined with allograft bone or artificial bone substitute materials for bonedefect repair. But there is no report on BMSCs combined with Bio-oss for repair of rabbit skull defects as yet.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect ofBMSCs combined with Bio-oss in repairing skull defects in rabbits.METHODS:BMSCs from male rabbits were isolated, cultured, and used as seed cells. In the skull of the female rabbits,three full-thickness bone defects with the same external diameter of 6 mm were made by a ring bone drill. Ninety-six female rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, and given Bio-oss/BMSCs in combination group, Bio-oss alone in Bio-oss group, BMSCs implantation in BMSCs group, and no intervention in blank group. All the implant surfaces were covered with guided tissue regeneration membrane.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The osteogenic effect in the combination group was better than that in the other three groups, and the Bio-oss group showed better osteogenesis in comparison with BMSCs and blank groups. But there was no significant difference between the BMSCs and blank groups. These findings indicate that the combined use of BMSCs as seed cells and Bio-oss as a scaffold material exerts overt osteogenic effects in rabbit skull defect area, which provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of bone defects.

OBJECTIVEConditioned taste preference (CTP) is a taste learning reflex by which an animal learns to prefer a substance which tastes not well and has been studied with much interest in recent years. However, the neural substrates of CTP are less known. This study aimed to determine the possible neural path- ways of CTP and whether serum leptin level and the leptin receptor (OB-Rb) in the hind brain are involved following CTP formation.

METHODSWe established CTP of quinine in rats with a 2-bottle preference test. The serum leptin concentrations were detected, the expression of c-fos in the rat brain was tested to determine the nuclei in relation with establishment of CTR Finally, the OB-Rb mRNA expression was examined by RT-qPCR assay in parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) of the hind brain.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the level of serum leptin was higher in the CTP group (4.58 ± 0.52 vs 1.67 ± 0.25 µg/L, P < 0.01); increased c-fos positive cells were found in the anterior hypothalamus (AH, 221.75 ± 4.96 vs. 178.50 ± 6.63 cells/mm², P < 0.05), the basal lateral amygdala (BLA, 70.75 ± 6.17 vs 56.50 ± 3.62 cells/ mm², P < 0.05) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST, 41.25 ± 1.32 vs 32.50 ± 1.02 cells/mm², P < 0.05). But in ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH, 20.75 ± 2.73 vs 38.5 ± 1.54 per 1 mm², P < 005), PBN (21.50 ± 2.24 vs 36.25 ± 1.49 cells/mm², P < 0.05) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA, 22.25 ± 1.53 vs 35.50 ± 2.11 cells/mm², P < 0.05), the number of c-fos positive cells was decreased in the CTP group. In addition, we found OB-Rb mRNA expression in PBN of CTP group rats was higher than that of control group (0.95 ± 0.055 vs 0.57 ± 0.034, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference of OB-Rb mRNA expression in NST between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONNuclei AH, BLA, NST, VMH, PBN and CeA participate in the formation of CTP. Leptin and its receptor in PBN may be involved in the formation and maintenance of CTP.

Animals ; Conditioning (Psychology) ; Leptin ; blood ; Rats ; Receptors, Leptin ; physiology ; Rhombencephalon ; physiology ; Taste ; physiology

Purpose To explore the accuracy of ALK fused gene expression by immunohistochemistry ( IHC) in non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) patients, and to investigate the clinical and pathological features of ALK-positive NSCLC patients. Methods By u-sing rabbit monoclonal D5F3 antibody, ALK IHC was performed on 234 NSCLC patients. ALK positive cases were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) . Results The positive incidence of ALK by IHC in 234 NSCLC specimens was 8. 97% (21/234), the positive rate of ALK fused gene verificated by RT-PCR was 5. 98% (14/234). There was significant difference with histological type, age, stage (P<0. 05), but no significant difference with gender, smoking history, tumor differentiation. Of 21 cases of ALK-positive NSCLC patients, the consistency of IHC and RT-PCR was 0 when IHC was ( +) , however, when IHC was or immunohistochemical score was >120, the consistency rate was 100%. Conclusion Although immunohistochemical expres-sion of ALK fused gene may have a certain false positive, IHC or immunohistochemical score> 120 show very high value for ALK fused gene RT-PCR followed by ALK immunohistochemistry in lung cancer is a economical and feasible method for the valuation of ALK fused gene.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) on final height, weight and pubertal development in girls with central precocious puberty.

METHODSTwenty-six girls with central precocious puberty were treated with GnRHa for an average of 19.2+/- 8.4 months. Pretreatment and posttreatment predicted adult heights (PAH) were evaluated based on the Bayley-Pineau table. The patients, heights and weights were measured monthly. Bone age (BA) was evaluated using Greulich-Plyle. Height standard deviation score for BA [HtSDS (BA)] was measured. After discontinuation of treatment, the patients were followed-up for the observation of height, weight, BA and menstruation.

RESULTSFinal height averaged 158.0+/- 4.0 cm in the 26 girls, which was greater than their target height (155.3+/- 4.4 cm; P< 0.01) and consistent with their posttreatment PAH (158.4+/- 5.2 cm). The final height was positively corrrelated with initial height, PAH and HtSDS(BA). There was a positive correlation in the body mass index before and after treatment (r=0.724, P< 0.01). Menarche occurred 13.2+/- 6.1 months after discontinuation of treatment, with a mean menarche age of 12.2+/- 0.7 years.

CONCLUSIONSGnRHa may increase final height in girls with central precocious puberty. Their final heights may be correlated with their initial heights and PAH. The pubertal development after GnRHa treatment in girls with central precocious puberty may be matched with normal children.

Age Determination by Skeleton ; Body Height ; drug effects ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Puberty, Precocious ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo summarize the surgical outcome of patients with small cell esophageal carcinoma(SCEC).

METHODSClinical data of patients with esophageal carcinoma were retrospectively collected from March 2000 to March 2011 at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Peking University Cancer Hospital. Data included tumor characteristics, staging, treatment, response, short-term outcome, and long-term survival.

RESULTSA total of 546 patients with esophageal carcinoma were identified, among whom there were 15 patients with SCEC(2.7%). Fourteen cases received multimodality treatment based on operation and one underwent operation alone. Four patients had preoperative chemotherapy and 10 had postoperative chemotherapy. Four patients had postoperative radiation. After excluding one case of postoperative death within 3 months, the median overall survival was 14.3 months(range, 4 to 99 months), significantly worse than those with non-SCEC(42.2 months, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCEC is rare and the outcomes are poor. It should be considered as a systematic disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; surgery ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the early diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-1 (miR-1) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. The patients with chest pain admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Wuxi from November 2012 to June 2015 were enrolled. According to AMI diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into AMI group and non-AMI group, and healthy individuals during the same period were served as heath controls. The venous samples of the onset patients were collected within 3 hours after admission. The plasma miR-1 was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the levels of plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) were measured by electrochemiluminescence. The correlation between plasma miR-1 and cTnI as well as CK-MB was performed by Spearman analysis. The early diagnostic performance of plasma miR-1, cTnI, and CK-MB for AMI was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results There were 127 patients in AMI group, and 107 in non-AMI group, including 82 patients with angina pectoris, 2 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with aortic dissection, 2 with acute pericarditis, 3 with myocarditis, 13 with acute heart failure, and 2 with peptic ulcer. Ninety volunteers were served as healthy controls. There was no difference in clinical characteristics including gender and hyperlipidemia between AMI group and non-AMI group. The expressions of plasma miR-1, cTnI and CK-MB were significantly increased in AMI patients as compared with those of the healthy controls [miR-1 (2-ΔΔCt): 4.32±2.60 vs. 1.44±0.75 and 0.98±0.18, cTnI (μg/L): 3.23 (0.63, 10.70) vs. 0.02 (0.00, 0.17) and 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), CK-MB (U/L): 32.40 (14.20, 95.40) vs. 14.40 (11.20, 17.10) and 8.90 (8.28, 9.50), all P < 0.01]. The expression of plasma miR-1 had a significantly positive correlation with cTnI and CK-MB in AMI patients (r1 = 0.395, r2 = 0.490, both P < 0.000). It was demonstrated by ROC curve analysis that the area under ROC curve (AUC) for the diagnostic value of miR-1 on AMI was 0.905 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.860-0.950, P = 0.000], the sensitivity was 86.6%, and the specificity was 95.4%; the AUC for cTnI was 0.908 (95%CI = 0.870-0.946, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 81.9%, and the specificity was 95.9%; the AUC for CK-MB was 0.795 (95%CI = 0.736-0.854, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 63.0%, and the specificity was 92.9%. Conclusions Plasma miR-1 has the capacity in early diagnosis of AMI, superior to CK-MB, and equal to cTnI. It can provide additional diagnostic information beyond cTnI. The diagnostic accuracy for early AMI can be improved with the combination of plasma miR-1 and cTnI.

OBJECTIVETo study the association of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with overweight or obesity in children.

METHODSA total of 2889 healthy children and 702 overweight or obese children aged from 7 to 18 years who had received a physical examination were enrolled. Height, body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and the biochemical indicators including blood glucose, blood lipids, ALT, and insulin were detected. The insulin resistance index were calculated.

RESULTSThe ALT level was significantly higher in boys than in girls. Along with the increase of BMI, the ALT level increased in the normal, overweight, and obese groups in both boys and girls. ALT was correlated with BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride, and insulin resistance index. Among the overweight or obese children, the boys with the increased ALT level had higher BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and insulin resistance index than the boys with normal ALT level (P<0.05); the girls with the increased ALT level had higher waist circumference, blood pressure and insulin resistance index and lower high density lipoprotein than the girls with normal ALT level (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSALT is correlated with overweight and obesity and metabolic disorders caused by overweight and obesity such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.

Adolescent ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Obesity ; enzymology ; Overweight ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the physiological indices and immune function of operators.

METHODSThe general conditions and electromagnetic radiation awareness rate of 205 operators under electromagnetic radiation were evaluated using a self-designed questionnaire. Physical examination, electrocardiography, and routine urine test were performed in these operators. Peripheral blood was collected from the operators under electromagnetic radiation for blood cell counting and biochemical testing, and their peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured for determination of chromosomal aberrant frequency and micronucleus frequency. The data from these operators (exposure group) were compared with those of 95 ordinary individuals (control group).

RESULTSThe chief complaint of giddiness, tiredness, dizziness, and amnesia showed significant differences between the exposure group and control group (P < 0.01), and the difference in headache became larger with an increase in working years. The awareness rate of electromagnetic radiation damage was significantly higher in the exposure group than in the control group. The difference in bradycardia was significant between the two groups (P <0.01), and the incidence was higher with longer working years. Significant differences between the two groups were also found in the numbers of individuals with elevated alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin (P < 0.01), populations with increased lymphocyte ratio and decreased neutrophil ratio (P < 0.01), populations with positive occult blood, urobilinogen, and bilirubin tests, and the number of individuals with increased micronucleus frequency of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes (P < 0.01). In addition, the exposure group had significantly increased complement C3 and C4 (P < 0.01), significantly increased IgG (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased IgM (P < 0.01), as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONElectromagnetic radiation may lead to the changes in physiological indices, genetic effects, and immune function and affect the health and immune function in operators. The adverse effects are increased as the working years increase. So it is important to strengthen occupational protection of operators under electromagnetic radiation.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; radiation effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEChronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is the most common late complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and it represents the major cause of mortality in long-term survivors. Over the past decade, although conventional therapy has achieved complete responses in approximately 50% of patients, the prophylaxis and treatment of cGVHD are still not satisfactory. In the late years, utilization of new immunosuppressant such as tacrolimus (FK506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on cGVHD improved the curative effects. This study tried to analyze the results of combination of methylprednisolone (MP), MMF and FK506 or cyclosporine A (CSA) as immunosuppressive therapies for cGVHD and to explore the effective regimen for children.

METHODSForty-five patients received allo-HSCT. Among them 32 received UCBT and 13 received PBSCT. The conditional regimen mainly consisted of busalphan, cyclophosphamide, antihuman thymocyte globulin, fludarabin, melphalan, thiotepa and total lymph node irradiation. Prophylaxis of GVHD consisted of CSA, MP and MMF. Patients with cGVHD received a regimen with combination of MP, MMF and FK506 or CSA.

RESULTSSeventeen out of 32 patients who received UCBT were engrafted. while 9 out of 13 patients who received PBSCT were engrafted. Nine cases of the 30 engrafted patients developed cGVHD (morbidity 30%). Among the 17 patients who received UCBT, 3 developed cGVHD (18%). Among the 13 patients who received PBSCT, 6 developed cGVHD (46%). Six cGVHD continued from aGVHD (6/9). One patient was given CSA plus MMF, and 8 were given three-drug regimen with MP, MMF and FK506. The overall response rate was 100%. Two patients died of CMV-IP or septicemia (mortality 20%). Seven (78%) patients survived (event free survival, EFS) longer than 3 years. The side effects included hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hypertension, articular capsulitis and arrhythmia. The main complication and the major causes of death were infection.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of cGVHD is low in children. The incidence of cGVHD after PBSCT is higher than that after UCBT. aGVHD is a highly dangerous factor. Combined therapy of MP plus MMF and FK506 or CSA is safe and effective for the treatment of cGVHD in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Mycophenolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage