Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis C ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; virology

Animals ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To examine clinical features, neuroimaging presentation and treatment of intracranial fungal granulomas (ICFG) in order to improve the accuracy rates of diagnosis and cure. Methods Three pathologically proven cases with ICFG were retrospectively analyzed. Cases of ICFG reported in literature were also summarized. Results Among the 3 patients with ICFG, 1 patient had a history of head trauma and craniotomy and 1 had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and a long history of exposure to doves. In all 3 patients, the symptoms started with headache and vomiting, accompanied by low-grade fever, convulsion, and cranial nerve deficits. Intracranial mass lesion was revealed on brain computed tomography (CT) scan and (or) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without intravenous contrast. CT scan showed low-density lesions and granulations with ring and homogenous enhancement, indicating fungal abscesses. MRI in all 3 cases showed one or multiple circumscribed intracranial space-occupying lesion, with ring, heterogeneous contrast enhancement and perilesional edema. The treatments were initiated with craniotomy and surgical resection of granulations followed by intravenous injection of amphotericin B (AMB) combined with fluconazole. The daily administration of AMB was increased gradually from 0.25-1.50 mg/kg and the total dosage of 2-4 g should be achieved within 3 months. The combination therapy with fluconazole (400 mg/d ) was also given by intravenous injection. To increase penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, intrathecal injection of AMB had also been given at the maximum dosage of 1 mg every time, twice a week. Two patients were administered fluconazole (200 mg/d ) orally for 3, 6 months consecutively after completing the combination therapy of AMB with fluconazole, while the other patient refused continuous antifungal treatment 1 month postoperatively. All 3 patients were followed up for a period between 3, 24, 48 months. The 2 patients that completed full antifungal treatment were cured without recurrence. The other patient had improved transiently after operation but died after 3 months. Conclusions Because no distinct chnical and neuroimaging features are presented in ICFG, it is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Indications for surgery include diagnosis, relief mass effect and increase efficiency of drug treatment. Use of appropriate and completed antifungal treatment decreases mortality. The treatment requires continued and long-term administration of antifungal medication to prevent relapses, whether granulomas are totally removed or not.

Objective To study the changes of interleukin-4(IL-4),IL-6,IL-8 in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP).Methods The serum of IL-4,IL-6,IL-8 in 35 ITP patients and 20 normal control children were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The serum IL-4,IL-6,IL-8 in ITP patients were elevated. There were significant difference between ITP group and control group(P

Objective To screen differentially expressed genes in placentas with hepatitis B virus (HBV)infection and to discuss the molecular mechanism of HBV intrauterine infection.Methods Thirty placenta tissue specimens from HBsAg and HBV DNA positive pregnant women were used as the study group and 30 placenta tissue specimens from normal pregnant women with HBsAg and HBV DNA negativity were served as the control group.The suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH)technique was used.Total RNAs of placenta tissue of the study group were mixed as the tester,and total RNAs of placenta tissue of the control group were mixed as the driver.A subtractive cDNA library was constructed by PCR-selective cDNA subtraction systems.Amplifications of the library were carried out with E.coil strain DH5? by reverse spot hybridization.RT-PCR confirmed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)was up-regulated in placenta tissue with HBV infection.Results Colony PCR showed that the clones contained 200-1000 bp inserts. Thirty five clones were confirmed by reverse spot hybridization and analyzed by sequencing and bioinformatics.Thirty three known genes and 2 genes with unknown function were obtained.RT-PCR preliminarily confirmed that PI3K gene was up-regulated in HBV infected placenta.Conclusions The differentially expressed genes in placentas with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection using SSH technique has been screened out successfully.These differentially expressed genes encoding proteins participating in cell vital metabolism and malformation,and signal conduction-antiapoptosis pathway.This finding brings some new clues for studying the mechanisms of HBV intrauterine infection.

Objective To investigate the value of double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) and multi-slice CT enteroclysis (MSCTE) in diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) in small intestine. Methods DBE and MSCTE were performed in 71 patients with suspected Crohn's disease in small intestine. The two methods were compared in terms of diagnosis, extents of disease, existance of complications and activity of the disease according to the pathologic findings and the outcome of follow-up. Results The diagnostic yields of DBE and MSCTE were comparable with no significant difference (χ2=2.29, P> 0.05). The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 22.5 and 0. 022 in DBE respectively, and were 1.6 and 0. 240 in MSCTE respectively. The results of DBE was consistent with MSCTE in diagnosis of mild bowel stenosis, but was inconsistent with MSCTE in diagnosis of moderate-severe bowel stenosis (χ2=11.298, P=0.001). The concordance of two methods in diagnosis of disease activity was 95.8%. Conclusions The first choice in diagnosis of small bowel CD is DBE. The combination of two methods will be helpful in diagnosis and evaluation of CD severity.

Objective To determine the detergent-enzymatic cycles and evaluate the biomechanical characteristics as well as extracellular matrix integrity of the decellularized tracheal scaffold in rabbit.Methods Forty tracheal segments were harvested from New Zealand white rabbits.Thirty-five of tracheas were subjected to a detergent-enzymatic method of decellularization for 1/3/5/6/7/8/9 cycles,respectively,and other five were stored in phosphate-buffered saline at 4℃ as a control.Comparative examinations were performed by the macroscopic view,histological view(hematoxylin and eosin stain,Movat Pentachrome stain,4-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole),scanning electron microscope (SEM) and biomechanical properties between decellularized groups and control group.Results After 7 detergent-enzymatic cycles,almost complete decellularized tracheae,retaining the hierarchical and mechanical properties of the native tissues,could be obtained.Histological and molecular biology analysis demonstrated that all cellular components and nuclear material were removed.SEM analysis revealed that the decellularized matrices retained the hierarchical structures of native trachea,and biomechanical tests showed that decellularization approach did not led to any influence on tracheal morphological and mechanical properties.Immunofluorescence analysis show a significant reduction of nuclear material in decellularized tracheas (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion In conclusion,this work suggests that 7 cycles of the modified DEM generates a bioengineered rabbit tracheal matrix that is structurally and mechanically similar to native trachea which could be a better selection for tracheal reconstruction with tissue engineering method.

BACKGROUND:Some studies have demonstrated that red blood celllysate added into the bone marrow can increase the efficiency of isolating and purifying mesenchymal stem cells, in order to obtain high-purity and high-quantity bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
OBJECTIVE:To isolate and culture bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rabbit with red blood celllysis in vitro for exploring proliferation characteristics and performing the biological identification of cells.
METHODS:Bone marrow suspension was col ected by puncturing the tibia with medul o-puncture needle. Red blood celllysis was added to the bone marrow suspension, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured. Numbers of primary cells were recorded at 4, 7, 10, and 13 days later And Growth curves of the cells at passages 2-5 were drawn for comparison of proliferative characteristics. Inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the morphological changes of cells. CD34, CD44 antigens of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were identified by flow cytometry and immunity fluorescence.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The adherent bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mainly showed s spindle shape, with homogeneous nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and rich cytoplasm, which were positive for CD44 antigen and negative for CD34 antigen. The primary cells exhibited an“S”shape. Passage 4 cells had a better proliferative ability, rapider growth and more counting of cells as compared with other generations. These findings indicate that red blood celllysis method is a feasible ways of culturing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells 0 in vitro, and passage 4 cells have the strongest proliferation capacity.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of magnetron sputtered niobium nitride (NbN) on the bonding strength of commercially pure cast titanium (Ti) and low-fusing porcelain (Ti/Vita titankeramik system).

METHODSSixty Ti specimens were randomly divided into four groups, group T1, T2, T3 and T4. All specimens of group T1 and T2 were first treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles, and then only specimens of group T2 were treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film. All specimens of group T3 and T4 were first treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film and then only specimens of group T4 were treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles. The composition of the deposits were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A universal testing machine was used to perform the three-point bending test to evaluate the bonding strength of Ti and porcelain. The microstructure of NbN, the interface of Ti-porcelain and the fractured Ti surface were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy depressive spectrum (EDS), and the results were compared.

RESULTSThe XRD results showed that the NbN deposits were cubic crystalline phases. The bonding strength of Ti and porcelain in T1 to T4 group were (27.2+/-0.8), (43.1+/-0.6), (31.4+/-1.0) and (44.9+/-0.6) MPa. These results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and differences between groups were compared using least significant difference test. Significant inter-group differences were found among all groups (P<0.05). The results of SEM showed that with treatment of Al2O3 or NbN, alone, pre-cracks were found in the interface of Ti-porcelain, while samples treated with both Al2O3 and NbN had better bond. EDS of Ti-porcelain interface showed oxidation occurred in T1, T2 and T3, but was well controlled in T4.

CONCLUSIONSMagnetron sputtered NbN can prevent Ti from being oxidized, and can improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system. Al2O3 blast can also improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Magnetic Fields ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Niobium ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Dinoprostone ; blood ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; ultrastructure ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; Male ; Panax ; Phospholipases A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Phospholipases A2 ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis