Objective To investigate the role of ileocecal valve in children patients with intussus-ceptions by colonoscopy after pneumatic air enema reduction. Methods A total of 106 intussusceptions chil dren patients, who recovered with pneumatic air edema reduction, were recruited to the study. They underwent colonoscopy within 12 hours after reduction. The control group was composed of 103 children patients with both diarrhea and hematochezia. There was no significant difference in age, sex or weight between the two groups.Colonoscopic findings were recorded in terms of slack, swelling, prolapsus, lymphoid hyperplasia and mucosal lesions in ileocecal valve. Results In patients with intussusceptions, the rates of ileocecal valve slack, swelling including prolapsus, lymphoid hyperplasia and mucosal lesions were 61.3%, 33. 9%, 100. 0% and 31.1%, respectively, which were significantly different with those of the control group (P ＞ 0. 05 ). When further divided intussusceptions patients into groups with age more than 1 yr or less, significant differences were also observed in regarding of these features. Conclusion There is a close relationship between morphological and functional changes in ileocecal valve and intussusceptions in children. Ileocolic intussusceptions in patients younger than 1yr is more likely to be due to slack of ileocecal valve, while that in patients older than 1yr is mainly due to swelling or prolapse of ileocecal valve, represented by ileocecal intussuception.

Objective: To compare trophic effects of soluble substances derived from Schwann cells (SC) of neonatal and Wallerian degenerating segments of rats on facial motoneuron (FMN) cultures. Methods: Serum-free conditioned media of Schwann cell cultures (SC-CM) from facial and sciatic nerves of neonatal and Wallerian degenerating segments in adult rats were individually collected and concentrated by ultra-filtration with molecular weight cut-off at 30 000 and 10 000. The growth activities of FMNs in vitro were determined by means of MTT assay under the condition of serum-free medium added with different components of concentrated SC-CMs (SC-CMCs). The absorbance values were then statistically analyzed. Results: Survival and growth rate of FMN cultures in four kinds of SC-CMCs were significantly higher than that in media both with serum and non-serum and the difference between SC-CMCs was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Neurotrophic molecules were predominantly protein or peptide components with relative molecular weight larger than 30 000 and their trophic activity was positively related to total protein concentration in SC-CMCs. Conclusion: There were soluble trophic molecules with relative molecular weight larger than 30 000 for survival and neurite growth of FMN cultures in media with SC-CMCs derived from facial and sciatic nerves of neonatal rats and with SC-CMCs derived from Wallerian degenerating facial and sciatic nerves of adult rats. It might be reasonable to choose SC from sciatic nerves of rats on account of the findings from SC cultures on facial motoneurons.

Objective To study the expression of CD163 in macrophages and sCD163 level in the serum of neonatal rat model of Escherichia coli (E. coli) sepsis. Methods A total of 72 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) neonatal rats (P7) were randomly and equally assigned into experiment group and control group. E. coli was injected peritoneally and the sepsis model was established in the experiential group while normal saline (NS) was injected in the control group. Samples were collected at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h and 48 h after the treatment. CD163 expression in macrophages of lung and liver tissues were tested using immunohistochemical(IHC) method, and the dynamic changes of sCD163 concentration in the serum were monitored usingenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results In the experiment group, CD163 expression in macrophages of lung and liver were gradually decreased at eachtime point (P <0. 001). At 2 h, CD163 expression in macrophages showed no significant differences between the two groups (P >0. 05). At 4 h and later timepoints, the differences were statistically significant (P <0. 001) . Meanwhile, sCD163 in the serum increased gradually (P <0. 01). At 2 h, sCD163 in the serum showed no significant differences between the two groups (P >0. 05). At 4 h and later timepoints, the differences were statistically significant (P <0. 001). Conclusions CD163 plays an important role in sepsis.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic factors of brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer and suggest a individualized treatment method proposal with prognostic estimation. Methods From Dec. 2003 to Jan.2007, 183 patients received whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival. Logrank test was used to evaluate the difference between the groups. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazard regression model with a backward stepwise procedure. Results The overall l-, 2- and 3-year survival rate was 40.6%, 16.6% and 11.3%, respectively, but with a median survival time of 10.0 months (95% CI 8.6-11.4 months). In multivariate analysis, RAP grouping, weight loss, LDH in blood serum and treatment method were independent prognostic factors. The median survival time of WBRT alone, WBRT with chemotherapy, surgery with chemoradiotherapy and WBRT with Gefitinib was 9.0, 9.0, 22.0 and 13.0 months, respectively, but their difference were statistical significant (X2 = 10.37, P = 0.016). Conclusions The main prognostic factors of brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer are RAP grouping, weight loss, LDH in blood serum and treatment method. The survival time is prolonged by proper multidiseiplinary management than WBRT alone. The effect of combined treatment of surgery with chemoradiotherapy is favorable for the patients operated with single region of metastasis.

It is difficult for traditional parametric active contour (Snake) model to deal with automatic segmentation of weak edge medical image. After analyzing snake and geometric active contour model, a minimum variation snake model was proposed and successfully applied to weak edge medical image segmentation. This proposed model replaces constant force in the balloon snake model by variable force incorporating foreground and background two regions information. It drives curve to evolve with the criterion of the minimum variation of foreground and background two regions. Experiments and results have proved that the proposed model is robust to initial contours placements and can segment weak edge medical image automatically. Besides, the testing for segmentation on the noise medical image filtered by curvature flow filter, which preserves edge features, shows a significant effect.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Models, Theoretical

Objective:To differentiate human embryonic stem cells ( hESCs ) into keratinocytes ( K-hESCs) and analyse the expression characteristics of biomarkers of K-hESCs.Methods: The hESCs of line H9 were seeded on matrigel in mTeSR1 medium.The hESCs were directly differentiated into kerati-nocytes in epithelial differentiation medium with bone morphogenetic protein 4, retinoic acid and N2 sup-plement.The karyotype of K-hESCs was analyzed, comparing the gene expression differences of K-hESCs with human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs), human immortalized oral epithelial cells (HIOECs) and HaCaT by Real-time PCR.Molecular characteristics of the cell differentiation were observed throughout the process by immunocytochemical techniques.Results:H9-hESCs were successfully differentiated into the cells that exhibited characteristics of keratinocytes in epithelial differentiation medium.The karyotype of K-hESCs was 46, XX; and the keratinocyte gene p63 expression in K-hESCs was significantly lower than that in HaCaT ( P<0.05) , but there was no significant difference of p63 expression in K-hESCs, comparing with that in HGECs and HIOECs ( P >0.05 ) .Conclusion: H9-hESCs could be directly differentiated into K-hESCs.The gene expression of K-hESCs was similar to that of epithelial cells in the early stage of monolayer cells differentiation with high proliferative activity.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of antigen-pulsed dendritic cell (APDC) vaccine combined hyperthermia in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Fourteen patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. All patients met the selecting standard and signed informed consent. Human dendritic cells were derived from peripheral blood monocytes by co-culturing them with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4. DCs vaccine was prepared from antigen pulsed immature dendritic cells in vitro. The vaccine therapy was given once every week following local hyperthermia by NRL-001 Double RF Tumor Hyperthermia system (39.5 ℃-41 ℃ for 60-120 min). Every three-week was defined as a treatment cycle. Results: All patients received 16 cycles of combined treatment. The main adverse effect included fever, chill, myalgia, transient fatigue, itching, chest distress, local rashes, and blister. Seven of 14 patients had stable condition after treatment and another seven had a progressing condition, with a clinical beneficial rate of 50%. Median time to progress was 2.7 months in the patients and the overall survival period was 2.5 to 29.3 months, with the median survival time being 4.9 months; the one year survival rate was 21.4% in our group. Conclusion: The results suggest that combination of APDC vaccine therapy and local hyperthermia is well tolerated by NSCLC patients and is clinically beneficial to the patients; the clinical value of this therapy needs to be further studied.

OBJECTIVETo test the antimetastatic effects of Arg-Asp (RD) on salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC-LM) in vivo.

METHODSRD was administered orally to experimental metastasized nude mice. The pulmonary metastatic foci number and survival were determined to assay the antimetastatic effects of RD.

RESULTS30 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg of RD demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the pulmonary metastatic foci formation. All of the tested dosages (7.5 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg) of RD prolonged the survival.

CONCLUSIONSOral administration of RD has a antimetastatic effect on SACC-LM. RD is low toxicity.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arginine ; therapeutic use ; Aspartic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

To understand the mechanical properties of aortic artery of atheroselerosis (AS), the aortic artery of rat with AS was studied by mechanical test. Wistar rats were used for establishing the model. The mechanical measurements of opening angle in zero-stress state and the vessel loading test were conducted on the isolated aortic arteries of AS rats. Data on the stress-strain of aortic artery were obtained. Determination of percentage of collagen content was made with the use of electron microscope. The relationship between mechanical measurements and collagen concentration was evaluated. The opening angle in the group of AS was significantly smaller than that in control (87.74 degrees +/-9.67 degrees vs. 196.03 degrees +/- 27.76 degrees, P < 0.001). Significant decrease of material constants (alpha0, alpha1, alpha2, b0, b1, b2) in both long axis and radial axis was observed in AS group(campared with control, P < 0.05-0.001). Close relationship between the mechanical constants and the percentage of elastin and collagen content was observed (r = -0.7523 to -0.8423, P < 0.001). In conclusion, mechanical remodeling in aortic artery of AS might be related with histological remodeling.
Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Collagen ; analysis ; Elastin ; analysis ; Female ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Mechanical

The present paper is to research the expression level of the mRNA of scavenger receptor class B type 1-receptor of high-density lipoprotein in endothelial cells after being treated by different shear stress. The second to fourth generations of the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in the experiment. The cells were divided into two groups. The first group was the control group which was not dealt with shear stress; the second group was the experimental group which concluded low shear stress group (4.2 dyne/cm2), moderate shear stress group (8.4 dyne/cm2) and high shear stress group (15 dyne/cm2). The load time was 1h, 2h, 4h and 8h, respectively. Harvesting the cells and extracting total RNA after being treated by different shear stresses, the expression level of the SR-B1 mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR technic. It was found that the expression of SR-B1 mRNA became weaker and weaker compared to the control group when it was stimulated continuously by the low shear stress, the lowest expression of SR-B1 mRNA appeared at 8h. In the moderate shear stress group, the expression of SR-B1 mRNA increased obviously. Compared to the control group, there was significant difference after being treated with 2h. In the high shear stress group, the expression of SR-B1 mRNA increased immediately when it was stimulated by the shear stress. And the expression of SR-B1 mRNA arrived peak value at 4h. Compared to the control group, there was significant difference after being treated for 1h. It was concluded that the harmful mechanism of the low shear stress is that it can increase the incidence of the atherosclerosis by reducing the reverse cholesterol transport and endothelial protection through decreasing the expression of the SR-B1. Otherwise, the high shear stress prevent the genesis of atherosclerosis by the contrary mechanism.
Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stress, Mechanical