ObjectiveTo observe and compare the efficacy of two types of microencapsulated rat islets xenotransplanted into diabetic mice. MethodsThe mice diabetic model made with injecting 3% Streptozotosin through tail vein. Four groups were assigned: control group, naked islet transplantation group, alginate-BaCl2 microencapsulated islet transplantation group, agarose-PSSa microencapsulated islet transplantation group.300 islets were transplanted under the renal envelope of each diabetic mice respectively. ResultsThere were no significant difference in mean level of the blood glucose before transplantation among four groups. One week after transplantation, the respective mean level of the blood glucose in four groups were (7.26±1.56) mmol/L in alginate-BaCl2 microencapsulated islet transplantation group, (7.14±1.04) mmol/L in agarose-PSSa microencapsulated islet transplantation group, (7.42±1.52) mmol/L in naked islet transplantation group and (22.54±1.24) mmol/L in control. There were significant difference between the two encapsulated islet groups and the other two groups. The survived period of the two encapsulated islet transplantation groups were longer than that of the other two groups. The survived period of the alginate-BaCl2 microencapsulated islet transplantation group was longer than that of the agarose-PSSa microencapsulated islet transplantation group (92 d vs 56 d),the same as the time of keeping nomal blood glucose level (76 d vs 41 d). ConclusionMicroencapsulated rat islets with this two materials can survive in diabetic mice with their biological activity, and the alginate-BaCl2 microcapsules are better than the agarose-PSSa microcapsules.

Adolescent ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology

INTRODUCTIONAccording to the findings of some studies, instability due to inertia during changes in speed may negatively impact the quality of chest compressions performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a moving environment. This study thus aimed to introduce a simple device that maintains the balance of a person performing CPR in a moving environment, such as an ambulance. We also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of this device in the improvement of the quality of chest compressions.

METHODSThe experiment comprised a total of 40 simulated cardiopulmonary arrest scenes (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control), in which CPR was conducted by eight paramedics. Each simulation involved two paramedics randomly selected from the eight. The ambulance took the same route from the simulated site to the hospital, and continuous CPR was performed on a manikin in the ambulance with or without the aid of our proposed novel device.

RESULTSThe average number of chest compressions per simulation in the experimental and control groups was 1330.75 and 1266.60, respectively (p = 0.095). The percentage of chest compressions with adequate depth achieved in the experimental and control groups was 72% ± 4% and 50% ± 3%, respectively (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONBy maintaining the balance of the CPR performer, our proposed novel device can offset the negative impact that instability (due to a moving environment) has on chest compressions. The device may also lead to an increase in the percentage of chest compressions that achieve adequate depth.

Adult ; Allied Health Personnel ; Ambulances ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Emergency Medical Services ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Equipment Safety ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manikins ; Movement ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; mortality ; therapy ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Reference Values ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Prostate cancer is one of the most seriously malignant diseases threatening men's health, and the mechanisms of its initiation and progression are not yet completely understood. Recent years have witnessed distinct advances in researches on prostate cancer stem cells in many aspects using different sources of materials, such as human prostate cancer tissues, human prostate cancer cell lines, and mouse models of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer stem cell study offers a new insight into the mechanisms of the initiation and progression of prostate cancer and contributes positively to its treatment. This article presents an overview on the prostate cancer stem cell markers utilized in the isolation and identification of prostate cancer stem cells.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Prostatic Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo investigate the D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in normal individuals in Shanghai and analysis the polymorphism of the D4Z4 locus.

METHODSThe length of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in 191 normal individuals in Shanghai was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting after double digestion with Eco RI and Bln I. The number of short D4Z4 repeats was counted after partial digestion with Kpn I.

RESULTSAmong 191 normal individuals in Shanghai, seventeen showed the size of D4Z4 fragments ranged from 22 to 34 kb, i.e. 8.9% of individuals had fewer numbers of D4Z4 repeats. Of these 17 individuals, sixteen showed the short D4Z4 fragment on chromosome 4q35, and one low D4Z4 fragment was correlated to 4q35--> 10q26 translocation.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of individuals having fewer numbers of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in Shanghai population is higher than that in Caucasian population although the short D4Z4 fragment on chromosome 4q35 is associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. These findings suggest that other factors may also contribute to facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blotting, Southern ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral ; ethnology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSTwo hundreds and sixty-four patients with renal clear cell carcinoma and four hundred controls who suffered from non-urinary system, non-neoplastic or non-hormone-related disorders, were enrolled from January 2008 to December 2012. The incidence of diabetes between the 2 groups and the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and duration of diabetes were compared, moreover, renal clear cell carcinoma patients with DM were compared with patients without DM for their clinical features, laboratory examinations and histological characteristics.

RESULTSThe comparison of renal clear cell carcinoma group and control group: the incidence of DM in the two groups were 19.7% and 12.8% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 5.86, P < 0.05, OR = 1.68). In the renal clear cell carcinoma group, the proportion of patients with DM diagnosed within 2-4 years was 4.92%, which were significant higher than those in the control group 1.70% (χ(2) = 5.49, P < 0.05, OR = 2.91). And men with diabetes had high occurrence risk 86% of renal clear cell carcinoma (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.09-3.15). The comparison of diabetes patients subgroup and non-diabetic patients subgroup in renal clear cell carcinoma group: in respect of clinical features, greatest tumor diameter in the two subgroups were (4.9 ± 2.3) cm and (4.2 ± 2.1) cm respectively, and the difference was significant (t = 1.96, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in terms of age, gender and cancer location between the two subgroups (P > 0.05). In respect of laboratory examinations, serum creatinine in the two subgroups were (72 ± 20) µmol/L and (65 ± 17) µmol/L, and the difference was significant (t = 2.34, P < 0.05); serum urea nitrogen in the 2 subgroups were (7.1 ± 2.1) mmol/L and (6.0 ± 1.5) mmol/L respectively, and the difference was significant too (t = 1.47, P < 0.05). In respect of histological characteristics, the proportion of well differentiated clear cell carcinoma were 80.8% and 81.1% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.23, P < 0.05). The proportion of stage II were 25.0% and 27.8% respectively and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.08, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDM is closely related with renal clear cell carcinoma and DM may be a possible risk factor for the tumor. And for elderly patients with diabetes who appear waist discomfort or hematuria, a careful examination of kidney is important to make early diagnosis, give timely treatment and improve survival prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; complications ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

BACKGROUNDThe genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) includes sequences encoding the putative protein X4 (ORF8, ORF7a), consisting of 122 amino acids. The deduced sequence contains a probable cleaved signal peptide sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane helix, indicating that protein X4 is likely to be a type I membrane protein. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether the protein X4 was expressed and its essential function in the process of SARS-CoV infection.

METHODSThe prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein X4-expressing plasmids were constructed. Recombinant soluble protein X4 was purified from E. coli using ion exchange chromatography, and the preparation was injected into chicken for rising specific polyclonal antibodies. The expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells and lung tissues from patients with SARS was performed using immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry technique. The preliminary function of protein X4 was evaluated by treatment with and over-expression of protein X4 in cell lines. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV particles.

RESULTSWe expressed and purified soluble recombinant protein X4 from E.coli, and generated specific antibodies against protein X4. Western blot proved that the protein X4 was not assembled in the SARS-CoV particles. Indirect immunofluorescence assays revealed that the expression of protein X4 was detected at 8 hours after infection in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. It was also detected in the lung tissues from patients with SARS. Treatment with and overexpression of protein X4 inhibited the growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells as determined by cell counting and MTT assays.

CONCLUSIONThe results provide the evidence of protein X4 expression following SARS-CoV infection, and may facilitate further investigation of the immunopathological mechanism of SARS.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; BALB 3T3 Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Growth Inhibitors ; analysis ; physiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; SARS Virus ; chemistry ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Viral Structural Proteins ; analysis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of collateral circulation in adult moyamoya disease (MMD).

METHODSThe clinical data were collected from all adult patients with MMD undergoing digital subtractive angiography (DSA) in our department from 2006 to 2016. Based on the imaging findings, the patients were divided into ischemia group and bleeding group. A double-blind analysis was conducted of the CT or magnetic resonance imaging findings and the severity of the disease was graded using the modified Suzuki score (mSS). We classified the anastomotic networks in MMD into the superficial meningeal type and deep parenchymal type. The superficial meningeal type was further classified into the leptomeningeal and the durocortical networks, and the deep parenchymal networks into subependymal networks and the inner striatal and inner thalamic networks.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the distribution of mSS scores between the hemorrhage group and the ischemic group (Χ=5.812, v=5, P=0.325), but the posterior communicating artery and internal carotid artery diameter ratio (Pcom/ICA ratio) was significantly greater in the hemorrhage group (t=2.119, v=108, P=0.036). The Pcom/ICA ratio differed significantly among the groups with different mSS scores (f=8.924, P=0.00), higher in groups with mSS scores of 3, 4 and 5. The incidence of anterior choroidal artery dilation differed significantly between hemorrhage and ischemic groups (Χ=11.79, P=0.001). The incidences of durocortical networks (Χ=0.327, P=0.567) and subependymal networks (Χ=0.011, P=0.917) were comparable between hemorrhage group and ischemic groups, but the incidence of leptomeningeal networks (P=0.018) and inner striatal and inner thalamic networks (Χ=7.551, P=0.006) differed significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe collateral circulation vascular system is an important component of cerebral blood flow in MMD patients and varies from patient to patient. Patients with MMD exhibit increased Pcom/ICA ratio with abnormal expansion of the anterior choroidal artery, and the leptomeningeal networks and the inner striatal and inner thalamic networks are independent risk factors for cerebral hemorrhage.

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is considered to play a key role in many cellular processes, affecting tumorigenesis by inhibiting target gene expression. However, its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is still unclear, and there are no in depth studies on relationship between miR-21 and cellular phenotype. This study was aimed to investigated the expression and role of miR-21 in the regulation of cell biological behavior in DLBCL. The expressions of miR-21 in three DLBCL cell lines were detected by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The possible roles of miR-21 in the biological and behavioral properties of DLBCL were explored by transfection of anti-miR-21 for miR-21 knockdown. In addition, PDCD4 and PTEN were assessed by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot. The results revealed that miR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in activated B-cell-like DLBCL cells as compared to germinal centre-like DLBCL cells. The inhibition of miR-21 could induce suppression of proliferation and invasion, as well as increase apoptosis in DLBCL. Moreover, knockdown of miR-21 increased the expressions of PDCD4 and PTEN at the protein level but not at the mRNA level. It is concluded the miR-21 can regulate proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis, so it has a potential therapeutic application in DLBCL.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo assess clinical effectiveness of using bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps in treating deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following median sternotomy.

METHODSBetween January 2009 and December 2013, 19 patients with DSWI after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital, including 14 males (73.7%) and 5 females (26.3%), aged 55±13 (18-78) years. According to the Pairolero classification of infected median sternotomies, 3 (15.8%) patients were type II, and the other 16 (84.2%) were type III. Surgical procedure consisted of adequate debridement of infected sternum, costal cartilage, granulation, steel wires, suture residues and other foreign substances. Sternal reconstruction used the bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps to obliterate dead space. The drainage tubes were placed and connected to a negative pressure generator for adequate drainage.

RESULTSThere were no intraoperative deaths. In 15 patients (78.9%), bilateral pectoral muscle flaps were mobilized sufficiently to cover and stabilize the defect created by wound debridement. 4 patients (21.0%) needed bilateral pectoral muscle flaps plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps because their pectoralis major muscle flaps could not reach the lowest portion of the wound. 2 patients (10.5%) presented with subcutaneous infection, and 3 patients (15.8%) had hematoma. They recovered following local debridement and medication. 17 patients (89.5%) were examined at follow-up 12 months later, all healed and having stable sternum. No patients showed infection recurrence during the follow-up period over 12 months.

CONCLUSIONDSWI following median sternotomy may be effectively managed with adequate debridement of infected tissues and reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis major muscle or plus rectus abdominis muscle flap transposition.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sternum ; injuries ; Surgical Flaps ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult