OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ERK1/2 MAPK pathway on the expression of Kv1.5 channel, a voltage-gated potassium ion channel, in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and its mechanisms during the process of hypoxia.

METHODSThe PASMCs derived from SD rats were cultivated primarily. The third to sixth generation of PASMCs were divided into 5 groups randomly: (1) Normal group (N); (2) Hypoxic group (H); (3) Demethy sulfoxide(DMSO) group (HD); (4) U0126 group (HU): 10 micromol/L U0126; (5) Anisomycin group (HA): 10 micromol/L anisomycin. There were three dishes of cells in each group. The cells in normal group were cultured in normoxic incubator (5% CO2, 37 degrees C), the cells in other groups were added to 0.05% DMSO in the hypoxic incubator (5% CO2, 2% O2, 37 degrees C), all cells were cultured for 60 h. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detected the espressions of Kv1.5 mRNA and protein in PASMCs.

RESULTSCompared with N group, the expressions of Kv1.5 mRNA and protein in H, HD and HA groups were reduced significantly (P < 0.05); Compared with H group and HD groups, Kv1.5 mRNA and protein expressions in HU group were increased sharply (P < 0.05). Compared with the HU group, Kv1.5 mRNA and protein expressions in HA groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow oxygen reduced Kv1.5 mRNA and protein expressions, U0126 could resistant the Kv1.5 channel lower expression caused by hypoxia. Anisomycin had no significant effect on Kv1.5 channel expression under hypoxia, but the expression of Kv1.5 was still significantly lower than the normal oxygen group. These data suggest that hypoxia may cause hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by interfering ERK1/2 signaling pathway to inhibit Kv1.5

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Kv1.5 Potassium Channel ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of bone scintigraphy in the preoperative diagnosis of sacral tumor. Methods Preoperative 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) whole body bone scintigraphy was performed in total of 103 patients with sacral tumor for whole body survey and radionuclide uptake in the sacral tumor. Of these 103 patients,39 had SPECT. According to the osteoblastic reaction in bone SPECT studies,patterns of tumor with a "hot" lesion was defined as type Ⅰ,a "cold" lesion accompanied with partial uptake was defined as type Ⅱ,a purely "cold" lesion was defined as type Ⅲ,and a "cold" lesion with marginal uptake which produced "doughnut sign" was defined as type Ⅳ. Imaging interpretation was correlated with the final pathologic diagnosis. Results Of the 103 patients,18 ( 17.5% ) had polyostotic involvement. About 46.6% (48/103 ) in planar and 84.6% ( 33/39 ) in SPECT showed decreased uptake at sacrum. Of the bone metastatic patients (n =21 ) ,12 (51.7%) had sole metastasis to sacrum. Tumor with type Ⅰ (6/6) or type Ⅱ (16/19) uptake was likely to be a malignancy,whereas type Ⅲ uptake tended to occur in the benign disease in those patients without polyostotic involvement( 5/7 ),and type Ⅳ was all appeared in giant cell tumors( n = 5 ). Conclusions Preoperative bone scintigraphy is useful in examination of polyostotic involvement for the patients with sacral tumor,but it is limited for diagnosing isolated sacral metastatic disease. Tumor uptake on bone scintigraphy can be helpful in differential diagnosis of sacral tumor.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of arthroscopic debridement for knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSThe medical records of 56 patients (56 knees) who underwent arthroscopic debridement procedures for knee osteoarthritis from 2000 to 2004 were reviewed. Among the patients, 15 patients were male and 41 patients were female,ranged in age from 39 to 76 years, with an average of (55.23 +/- 10.26) years. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 25 months, with an average of 5.75 months. The chief symptoms were pain, swelling and dysfunction of the knees. According to Kellgren-Lawrence classification grade, 17 patients were grade I ,39 patients were grade II. Lysholm score was used to evaluate the postoperative effects, and the statistics analysis was carried out with SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up more than 5 years. Three patients underwent total knee replacement respectively at 5.5, 7.8 and 8.3 years after the arthroscopic debridement, the average Lysholm score of other 53 patients increased from (42.40 +/- 6.78) preoperatively to (75.53 +/- 8.23) postoperatively. There were significant difference between preoperative score and postoperative score (t = -22.62, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe good midterm follow-up results of arthroscopic debridement for knee osteoarthritis are related to the appropriate indications selections, limited debridement, good patient education, systemic rehabilitation and chondroprotective agents.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Debridement ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; pathology ; surgery

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of G-CSF on the proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle distribution of thymocytes in sublethally irradiated mice. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to 6.0 Gy γ-ray irradiation and then randomly divided into control and G-CSF treatment group. In the treatment group rhG-CSF 100 µg/(kg·d) was given subcutaneously for 14 continuous days and to make sure the first injection was given within 1 hour after irradiation. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of thymocytes were detected within 72 hours after irradiation. Subpopulations of CD4(-)CD8(-) cells and sequential changes in the distribution of CD4(+)CD8(+), CD8(+)CD4(-), CD8(-)CD4(+) cells were detected by a three-color flow cytometry during a four-weeks period after irradiation. The results showed that in G-CSF treatment group marked increase of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase (G-CSF vs control: 82.0 ± 5.0% vs 75.9 ± 2.8%) (p < 0.05) and a decrease of cells in S phase (G-CSF vs control: 10.2 ± 4.8% vs 15.7 ± 2.3%) (p < 0.05)could be observed as early as 6 hours after irradiation, but G-CSF seems have no evident effects on the cells in G(2)/M phase. G-CSF could also protect thymocytes against apoptosis. 6 and 12 hours after irradiation the apoptosis rates of thymic cells in G-CSF treatment group were 11.5 ± 2.4% and 15.5 ± 3.3% respectively, while in the control group the apoptosis rates were 16.5 ± 2.2% and 22.6 ± 0.7% respectively. Comparison between the two group demonstrated significant difference (p < 0.05). CD4(-)CD8(-) double negative thymocytes (DN)can be defined as DN1-4 according to their maturation. G-CSF treatment resulted in a significant increase in DN1 thymocytes and promoted their proliferation and differentiation to a more mature DN3 and DN4 stage. G-CSF could enhance the recovery of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes and mitigate their relapse during reconstitution. The percentage of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes in the G-CSF treatment group 28 days after irradiation was significantly higher than that of the control group (71.0 ± 6.3% vs 25.5 ± 6.3%) (p < 0.05). It is concluded that G-CSF has a positive effects on the thymic cell cycle distribution, proliferation and differentiation, which may contribute to the reconstitution of central immune system after acute irradiation.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; therapy ; Thymus Gland ; cytology

Blastomycosis is a fungal disease that is endemic in parts of North America. It is very rare in China and also commonly misdiagnosed, often as cancer or other infectious diseases. The clinical profile of a case of disseminated blastomycosis with pulmonary changes and skin ulcers was described. He had been misdiagnosed with tuberculosis, after adequate therapy with a lipid formulation of amphotericin B, followed by itraconazole, the lung and skin lesions improved. Then the five cases reported in China and literatures were reviewed. The aim of this report was to improve the knowledge regarding blastomycosis for physicians in China to avoid delaying adequate therapy.
Adult ; Blastomycosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Young Adult

Objective The purpose of this study was to approach the relation of SNP43,SNP44 locus, main haplotypes and haplotype combinations with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods According to the theory and principles of systematic review,data from case-control studies regarding the association between calpain-10(CAPN10) gene and T2DM were derived through electronic search of PubMed and Chinese journals databases.To gain a more precise estimation of the relationship,a stratified Meta-analysis with four subgroups was pertbrmed according to the races.Publication bias Was also assessed.Results The association with T2DM in different races was evaluated.In Mongoloid race,SNP43-G allele,G/G genotype and 111/221 haplotype combination showed notable association with T2DM with Ors (95%CI) as 1.368(1.155-1.620),1.437(1.186-1.741) and 2.762 (1.287-5.927) respectively.In Caucasoid race,SNP44-C allele,111/111 hapotype combination showed strong relationship with T2DM with Ors(95%CI) as 1.144(1.023-1.278),1.291(1.050-1.586) respectively.In Hybrid race,only one positive finding Was obtained which Was SNP44-C allele with OR(95%CI)as 1.653(1.025-2.665).Conclusion SNP43-G allele,G/G genotype,111/221 were risk factors to Mongoloid race.And SNP-C allele,111/111 haplotype combination were risk factors to Caucasoid race,and SNP44-C allele to Hybrid race.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; complications ; pathology ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; etiology ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThis study was to introduce the method for obtaining accurate 3D data of soft tissues using a 3D scanner under non-contact condition and the standard 3D measurement of the nasal orbit fossa for plastic surgery.

METHODSA 3D laser scanner and the Geomagic software were used to obtain the standard facial contour of 30 Chinese people. The nasal orbit fossa, as the feature of beauty, was measured and the data were analyzed.

RESULTS3D measurement exhibited the three-dimensional facial shape at every meaningful angle, with the advantages of high precision of 0.01 mm. We determined the lowest point and described the 3D feature of the nasal orbit fossa.

CONCLUSIONSThis method can illustrate the relation of the nasal orbit fossa and the surrounding structure. It is a new approach to facilitate preoperative plans, operation simulation and postoperative evaluation.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; methods ; Lasers ; Male ; Nose ; anatomy & histology ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical diagnostic value of 18F-FDG imaging by coincidence circuit SPECT with low-dose CT in differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions and mediastinal lymph node involvement, which can not be definitely diagnosed based on regular CT image in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSBy using GE-Millennium VG with Hawkeye, 18F-FDG imaging was carried out in 48 patients with suspected lung cancer. Clinical value of 18F-FDG imaging for diagnosing malignancy was evaluated through comparison with the final pathological results. Mediastinal lymph node involvement was also assessed through lesion-by-lesion comparison with pathologic results in 74 lymph node regions from 24 patients.

RESULTSFinal pathologic diagnoses of these patients were 36 malignancies consisting of 20 adenocarcinomas, 12 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 small cell carcinomas and I large cell carcinoma; 12 benign tumors including 6 pneumonias, 2 tuberculosis, 2 hamatomas, 1 cyst and 1 neurofibroma. Of 48 patients, uptake of 18F-FDG in the chest was found to be abnormal in 40. Correct diagnosis were made in 34 malignancies and 6 false positive lesions were excluded based on morphology and 18F-FDG uptake status of the lesion. There were 6 false positive and 2 false negative cases. Furthermore, extrathoracic metastases which were not showed on previous CT image in 4 patients including one in the adrenal gland and 3 in the bone were detected by 18F-FDG imaging. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the 18F-FDG imaging for differentiating malignant tumor from benign was 94.4%, 50.0% and 83.3%, respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma was found to uptake more FDG than adenocarcinoma. For determination of mediastinal lymph node involvement, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG imaging was 57.9% , 90.9% and 82.4%, respectively through lesion-by-lesion comparison; whereas, which was 61.5%, 81.8% and 70.8%, respectively, based on case-by-case comparison.

CONCLUSION18F-FDG imaging by coincidence circuit SPECT with low-dose CT is quite helpful in differential diagnosis for patient with undetermined lesion on regular CT image, but it is limited for staging of lung cancer in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Preoperative Care ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

This study was aimed to investigate the expression difference of serum cytokines in 20 patients receiving HLA-identical nonmyeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (iNAHSCT) and HLA-haploidentical nonmyeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hiNAHSCT). IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, γ-IFN and IL-17 were detected by flow cytometric bead array before and on week 1, 2, 4 after transplantation respectively. The results showed that the IL-2 level was found to be up-regulated at week 1 and 2 after transplantation in iNAHSCT group and in hiNAHSCT group respectively, but there was no difference between these two groups (P > 0.05). The γ-IFN levels was up-regulated at week 4 after transplantation in above-mentioned two groups, but no difference was found between these two groups. The IL-4 level increased at week 2 and 1 after transplantation in iNAHSCT and hiNAHCT groups respectively, but the IL-4 level in iNAHSCT group was higher than that in hiNAHSCT group. The IL-6 level rose at week 1 and 2 after transplant in above mentioned groups respectively, and reached to peak level at week 4 after transplantation, but IL-6 level in hiNAHSCT was higher than that in iNAHSCT group (P < 0.02). The IL-10 level was up-regulated at week 1 and 2 in iNAHSCT and hiNAHSCT groups respectively, but the IL-10 level in iNAHSC was higher than that in hiNAHSCT group. The TNF-α level was up-regulated at week 1 in hiNAHSCT group, but at week 2 in iNAHSCT group after transplantation. The TNF-α level in hiNHASCT group was higher than that in iNAHSCT group (P < 0.01). The IL-17 level was up-regulated at week 1 and week 4 after transplantation in hiNAHSCT and iNAHSCT groups respectively, the IL-17 level in hiNAHSCT group was high as compared with that in iNAHSCT group. It is concluded that the serum cytokine levels are obviously up-regulated in iNAHSCT and hiNHASCT groups, and reach to peak level at week 4 after transplantation. The IL-6, TNF-α and IL-17 level up-regulated significantly in hiNAHSCT group, but the IL-4 and IL-10 level up-regulated significantly in iNAHSCT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Haplotypes ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult