Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of low dose multi-detector computed tomography urography (CTU) in patients with urinary tract diseases.Methods:Sixty patients who were treated with CTU from January 2015 to December 2016 were included in this study.All patients were divided into three groups according to the random number method.Group Ⅰ (160 mA tube current),group Ⅱ (120 mA tube current) and group Ⅲ (80 mA tube current),the selected patients were taken to the corresponding tube current CTU.The diagnostic efficacy of three groups of uropathy was analyzed,and the three groups of CTU imaging results,iodine contrast agent dosage and radiation dose of the situation were compared.Results:The dose of iodine contrast agent and the effective dose of radiation in group Ⅲ were lower than those in group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ,and the dose of radiation and dose of iodine contrast agent in group Ⅱ were lower than those in group Ⅰ (P＜0.05).The difference of CTU imaging scores between the three groups was not statistically significant.Conclusions:The diagnostic value of low-dose (80 mA tube current) CTU in urinary tract diseases is similar to the high-dose CTU,with the iodinated contrast agent dosage and effective dose of radiation reduced significantly,which is worth of clinical promotion.

Objective To assess the characteristics of the dysfunction of semicircular canal in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and the relationship with the ectopic otoconia.Methods There were 214 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo( BPPV),including 107 cases of posterior semicircular canal canalithasis(PSC-Can) 80 cases of horizontal semicircular canal canalithasis( HSC-Can),27 cases of horizontal semicircular canal cupulolithiasis (HSC-Cup).One hundred and ninety (88.8％)patients were accompany with relevant diseases while 24 ( 11.2％ ) cases were not.They accepted low,middle and high frequency vestibular function tests,including caloric test ( CT),head shaking test (HST) and video head impulse test(vHIT) respectively.The parameters of the unilateral weakness(UW),head shaking nystagmus (HSN) and video head impulse test gain(vHIT-G) were observed.Patients classified into three groups (PSC-Can,HSC-Can,HSC-Cup) according to the involvement semicircular canal.The results of the three tests were analyzed with SPSS16.0 software.Results The positive cases of the three tests were vHIT:15 (7.0％),HST:52(24.3％ ),CT:152(71.0％ ),a statistically significant difference(P ＜ 0.05) was found between the three tests.When compared the Calorie Test,HST and vHIT between the BPPV patients with and without relevant diseases,there were no significant differences ( P ＞ 0.05 ).The variance without statistical significance(P ＞ 0.05) was showed between three tests' results in each groups,it was also showed that the variance between the three groups in each tests reached no statistical significance(P ＞0.05 ).The test of affected side UW between PSC-Can,HSC- Can and HSC-Cup showed the variance without statistical significance( F =0.970,P =0.383 ). Conclusions The lesion of semicircular canals has the same etiological factors with the utricle pathological change in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,and the dysfunction mostly happens in low frequency range of semicircular canal frequency band. The ectopic otoconia is not the main etiological factors for that.HST and vHIT of middle and high frequency can not be ultimately used for the screening test evaluating due to the semicircular canal function in BPPV.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of myogenic markers MyoD, myogenin,and desmin in skeletal muscle differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs).

METHODSMyogenic markers MyoD, myogenin,and desmin of hBM-MSCs cultured in vitro were detected by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. A total of 21 8-to-10 week-old immunosuppressed mdx mice were transplanted with 1x107 passage 5 of hBM-MSCs. The mice were euthanized 2-24 weeks after transplantation,and gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed for human MyoD, myogenin,desmin,and dystrophin (Dys) expressions by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe numbers of MyoD-,myogenin-,and desmin-positive cells per 100 hBM-MSCs were 23.5∓5.3, 30.7∓6.2, and 28.4∓5.7, respectively. MyoD, myogenin, and desmin mRNA was observed in passage 5 of hBM-MSCs. After two weeks of hBM-MSCs transplantation,a small number of MyoD-and myogenin-positive cells were observed in skeletal muscle of mdx mice,and desmin-positive cells were observed 4 weeks after transplantation. Expressions of MyoD and myogenin were detected in the muscle of mdx mice 2-4 weeks after hBM-MSCs transplantation, which reached a peak 12-16 weeks later. Desmin was expressed in the muscle of mdx mice 4-8 weeks after transplantation,with much more expression after 16 weeks of transplantation. A small number of Dys-positive cell and Dys mRNA expression were presented in the muscle of mdx mice 4 and 8 weeks after hBM-MSCs transplantation,respectively. The expression of Dys in the muscle of mdx mice increased gradually after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONhBM-MSCs have the potential of myogenic differentiation in vitro and contribute to myogenic conversion in xenogeneic animal,during which the up-regulation of MyoD and myogenin expressions may play an important role.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscle, Skeletal ; cytology ; metabolism ; MyoD Protein ; metabolism ; Myogenin ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic distribution of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) in mdx mice.

METHODSTwenty-four 8-10-week-old immunocompromised mdx mice were transplanted with 1 x 10(7) passage 5 hBM-MSCs labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) by means of injection into the tail vein. The mice were euthanized 48 hours and 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after transplantation. BrdU-positive cells in tissue and organs of the mice were detected by immunofluorescence analysis. Skeletal muscle was stained for anti-human nuclei mouse monoclonal antibody (anti-Hu) and analyzed for human dystrophin (Dys) expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSAfter transplantation, BrdU-positive cells were found in most organs (especially in bone marrow, liver, and lung) within 4 weeks, and these cells in liver and lung decreased gradually after 4 weeks. At 48 hours after transplantation, BrdU-positive cells were found in bone marrow, which reached a peak level after 2 weeks and were still detectable after 16 weeks. BrdU-positive cells in skeletal muscle increased gradually over time of transplantation. A small number of anti-Hu positive cells were detected in skeletal muscle 2 weeks after transplantation. A small number of Dys positive cell were seldom found at 4 weeks and small Dys mRNA expression detected 4 weeks after transplantation. The proportion of anti-Hu in parallel with Dys positive cells and Dys mRNA in skeletal muscle of mdx mice increased gradually over time of transplantation.

CONCLUSIONAfter being transplanted into mdx mice, hBM-MSCs are mainly distributed in bone marrow, liver, and lung during the early time (2-4 weeks) , and then in bone marrow and skeletal muscle (after 4 weeks).

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bone marrow stem cell transplantation (BMT) on the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHODSThe bone marrow-derived stem cells form male SD rats was transplanted through the tail vein into 18 female 8-week-old mdx mice, which were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT (6 at each time point), respectively. The diaphragm muscles of the mice were subjected to HE staining, immunofluorescence detection of dystrophin, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of dystrophin mRNA transcripts and PCR analysis of Sry (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) gene, with age-matched female C57 mice and untreated mdx mice as the controls.

RESULTSThe proportion of centrally nucleated fibers (CNF) in the diaphragm muscle of the recipient mdx mice was (15.58+/-0.91) %, (12.50+/-1.87) % and (10.17+/-1.17) % at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT, respectively, significantly smaller than that of untreated mdx mice [(19.5+/-1.87) %], and the fibers after BMT showed less inflammatory infiltration. Compared with the untreated mice, the recipient mdx mice showed green fluorescence on significantly more diaphragm muscle cell membranes [with the proportion of dystrophin-positive fibers of (1.00+/-0.32) %, (6.00+/-1.05) % and (11.92+/-1.11) % at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after BMT]. RT-PCR of dystrophin mRNA also demonstrated significantly higher relative levels of dystrophin in the recipient mdx mice (0.19+/-0.05, 0.26+/-0.06 and 0.36+/-0.04 at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after BMT) than in untreated mdx mice, and Sry gene was present in the recipient mice.

CONCLUSIONBMT can partially restore dystrophin expression and ameliorate the pathology in the diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, and has great potential to produce general therapeutic effect in patients with DMD.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Diaphragm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dystrophin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Heterologous

BACKGROUNDAtrial fibrillation (AF) is accompanied by atrial structural remodeling. Calpain activity is induced during AF. To test a causal relationship between calpain activation and atrial structural changes, N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-Met (ALLM), a calpain inhibitor, was utilized in a canine AF model.

METHODSFifteen dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, control group and calpain inhibitor group; each with 5 dogs. Sustained AF was induced by rapid right atrium pacing at 600 beats per minute for 3 weeks. ALLM was administered at a dosage of 1.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in the calpain inhibitor group. Three weeks later, the proteolysis, protein expression of TnT and myosin, calpain I localization and expression and structural changes were examined in left atrial free walls, right atrial free walls and the interatrial septum respectively. Atrial size and contractile function were also measured by echocardiography.

RESULTSLong-term rapid atrial pacing induced marked structural changes such as enlarged atrial volume, myolysis, degradation of TnT and myosin, accumulation of glycogen and changes in mitochondrial shape and size, which were paralleled by an increase in calpain activity. The positive correlation between calpain activity and the degree of myolysis (r(s) = 0.90 961, P < 0.0001) was demonstrated. In addition to structural abnormalities, pacing-induced atrial contractile dysfunction was observed in this study. The pacing-induced atrial structural alterations and loss of contractility were partially prevented by the calpain inhibitor ALLM.

CONCLUSIONSActivation of calpain represents key features in the progression towards overt structural remodeling. Calpain inhibitor, ALLM, suppressed the increased calpain activity and reversed structural remodeling caused by sustained atrial fibrillation in the present model. Calpain inhibition may therefore provide a possibility for therapeutic intervention in AF.

Animals ; Atrial Fibrillation ; pathology ; Calpain ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Myosins ; analysis ; Troponin T ; analysis

Objective To research the frequency characteristics of the semicircular canals lesion in Hunt syndrome with vertigo and the clinical value of the video head impulse test (vHIT) for vestibular function evaluated in this disease.Methods Thirty normal persons (control group) accepted the vHIT,26patients with Hunt syndrome with vertigo ( study group) accepted low,mid and high frequency vestibular function tests,including caloric test ( CT),head shaking test (HST) and vHIT.The parameters of the unilateral weakness (UW),head shaking nystagmus (HSN) and video head impulse test gain (vHIT-G)were observed.The correlations and characteristics of the results of the three tests in Hunt syndrome with vertigo deal were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software.Results The vaules of vHIT-G of the six groups semicircular canal in the control group were normal distribution without statistical significance ( F =0.005,P ＜ 0.01 ),two sides anterior,horizontal and posterior semicircular canals vHIT-G average ( (x) ± s) were(16.80 ±9.80)％,(16.57 ± 10.30)％,(16.52 ± 11.12)％ respectively; in the study group the separately vHIT-G of the three canals of the affected side were (46.96 ± 34.54) ％,(75.35 ± 35.29 ) ％and (41.65 ± 32.87)％,in which statistical significance comparing with the control group was detected( all P ＜ 0.01 ); the positive one of the three tests vHIT,HSN and CT were 23 cases (88.46％),22 cases (84.61％)and 24 cases(92.31％ ),bilateral exact propability x2 test all the P ＞0.05;there were Positive correlation between UW and the vHIT-G of lateral semicircular canal (r =0.692,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The vestibular lesion of Hunt syndrome with vertigo is almost complete or multiple-frequency,which is characterized by the reduced or even aborted nerve conduction.Therefore,vHIT can be ultimately used for the screening test evaluating due to the vestibular function in Hunt syndrome with vertigo.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of dystrophin expression in mdx mice after bone marrow stem cells transplantation.

METHODSThe bone marrow stem cells of C57 BL/6 mice (aged 6 to 8 weeks) were injected intravenously into the mdx mice (aged 7 to 9 weeks), which were preconditioned with 7Gy gamma ray. The amount of dystrophin;expression in gastrocnemius was detected by immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot at week 5, 8, 12 and 16 after transplantation.

RESULTSAt week 5 after bone marrow stem cells transplantation, the dystrophin expression detected in mdx mice were very low; however, its expression increased along with time. At week 16 week, about 12% muscle cells of all transplanted mice expressed dystrophin. There were less centrally placed myonuclei than the control mdx mice, whereas peripheral myonuclei increased.

CONCLUSIONSAfter having been injected into mdx mice, the allogenic bone marrow stem cells have a trend to reach the injured muscle tissues and differentiate to fibers that can express dystrophin and the expression increased with time. The bone marrow stem cells participates in the repair and regeneration of the injured tissues permanently and constantly.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dystrophin ; biosynthesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; metabolism ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into myocytes and their expression of dystrophin/utrophin after transplantation in mdx mice.

METHODSBrdU-labeled fifth-passage rat MSCs were transplanted in mdx mice with previous total body gamma irradiation (7 Gy). At 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the transplantation, the mice were sacrificed to detect dystrophin/BrdU and utrophin expressions in the gastrocnemius muscle using immunofluorescence assay, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Five normal C57 BL/6 mice and 5 mdx mice served as the positive and negative controls, respectively.

RESULTSFour weeks after MSC transplantation, less than 1% of the muscle fibers of the mdx mice expressed dystrophin, which increased to 15% at 16 weeks. Donor-derived nuclei were detected in both single and clusters of dystrophin-positive fibers. Some BrdU-positive nuclei were centrally located, and some peripherally within myofibers. Utrophin expression decreased over time after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONThe myofibers of mdx mice with MSC transplantation express dystrophin, which is derived partially from the transplanted MSCs. Dystrophin expression from the transplanted MSCs partially inhibits the upregulation of utrophin in mdx mouse muscle, showing a complementary relation between them.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; metabolism ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Muscular Dystrophy, Animal ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rats ; Utrophin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of automotive paint volatile on the learning and memory ability and its influence mechanism of the amino acid neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of mice. METHODS: Thirty specific pathogen free healthy male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group,primer group and topcoat group,10 mice in each group. By static inhalation intoxication method,the primer group and topcoat group were exposed to corresponding paint volatile 600 and 580 mg / m3 respectively every day for 4 weeks,6 days per week,one time a day,2 hours each time.The mice of the control group were kept in the exposure cabinet without any paint volatile. After the exposure,the neuroethology examination was carried out by Morris water maze test. The amino acid levels of glutamic acid( GLU),aspartic acid( ASP),γ-aminobutyric acid( GABA) and glycine( GLY) in brain tissue of mice were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Compared with the control group,the escape latency and the first crossing platform time were longer( P < 0. 05),target quadrant staying time and platform crossing times were decreased( P <0. 05),and the levels of GLU,ASP,GABA and GLY in brain tissues were decreased in the primer group and the topcoat group( P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference between the primer group and the topcoat group in the above indexes( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Automotive paint volatiles exposure may lower the learning and memory abilities of mice,and could reduce the secretion of amino acid neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of mice.