BACKGROUND:Whether controling of post-injury inflammatory response combined with neural stem cel (NSC) transplantation can improve the curative efficacy for spinal cord injury stil remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair of spinal cord tissue, myelin regeneration, axon regeneration, motor function recovery and the possible mechanism after early application of tumor necrosis factor α antagonist (Etanercept) combined with tyrosine kinase C (TrkC) gene-modified NSC transplantation. METHODS:TrkC-overexpressed NSCs (TrkC-NSCs) were constructed by lentiviral transfection technique. The rat models of spinal cord transection injury were prepared, and then subjected to Etanercept combined with TrkC-NSCs transplantation. The number of neurons and neuroregeneration after injury were measured by Nissl's staining, immunofluorescence and western blot. The rat motor function was detected by Basso Beattie Bresnahan score and evoked potential. The myelin regeneration was detected by electron microscopy and toluidine blue staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the other groups, the Etanercept combined with TrkC-NSCs transplantation group had more survived anterior horn motor neurons at 28 days after injury, more myelin-encapsulated axons, higher Basso Beattie Bresnahan score, greater amplitude of the evoked potentials, and relatively shorter latency (alP < 0.05). These findings indicate that early application of tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist combined with TrkC-NSCs transplantation after spinal cord injury in rats can effectively promote myelin regeneration, axon regeneration, and further promote motor function recovery.

Objective To observe whether the expression of interferon-regulatory factor genes are re- lated to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The clinical data of 45 SLE patients and 37 normal controls were collected.Total RNA of peripheral blood was extracted and transcripted into cDNA.Sybr green dye based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to compare the expression (indicated as-??Ct value) of IRFI,IRF4,IRF8 in patients with SLE and those in the controls.Results The levels of IRF1,IRF4 and IRF8 mRNA were-3.90?0.19,-8.04?0.25 and 3.60?0.15 respectively in normal controls.In SLE patients, IRF4 mRNA expression was -8.82?0.18,higher than that in normal (P=0.011).But IRF8 mRNA expression was 3.09?0.13,lower than that in normal (P=0.012).Conclusion Abnormal IRF mRNA expression is found in the peripheral blood of SLE patients.IRFs may play roles in the pathogenesis of SLE by affecting the differen- tiation of Th cells.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the preparation process of gemcitabine polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles (GCTB- PBCA-NP).

METHODSAccording to the particle size, the entrapment efficiency and the loading quantity of GCTB-PBCA-NP, single factor analysis was carried out to optimize the component composition and preparation process based on an orthogonal design.

RESULTSThe mean particle size of the NP was (112-/+9) nm with an entrapment efficiency of (54.12-/+2.43)% and drug loading of (11.08-/+0.89)%.

CONCLUSIONAn optimized nanoparticular drug delivery system is obtained by emulsion polymerization.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Enbucrilate ; chemical synthesis ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of determining the chemical composition of kidney stones using gemstone spectral imaging ( GSI ).Methods One hundred and sixty eight extracted human kidney stones immersed in a 10 cm deep water tank underwent CT (Discovery CT750 HD) scans with GSI mode and conventional polychromatic imaging ( CPI,120 kVp) mode.All GSI data were transferred to Workstation AW 4.4 to acquire monochromatic images of 50 keY,effective atomic number (Zeff) mapping images,water (calcium)-based images and calcium (Water)-based images with GSI Viewer.CT numbers of stones were measured and compared at 50 keV monochromatic images and 120 kVp polychromatic images,the mean Zeff,calcium density and water density were measured at Zeff mapping images,Calcium (Water) -based images and Water (Calcium)-based images,respectively.The mean Zeff,spectral HU curve slope and calcium water ratio (CWR) were compared with ANOVA and Wilcoxon test.The composition of kidney stones was determined by infrared spectrometer after CT examination.According to the result of stone composition determined by infrared spectroscopy,108 pure kidney stones were divided into five groups:Uric acid stones ( UA,n = 13 ),struvite stones ( STR,n = 24),cystine stones ( CYS,n = 14),calcium phosphate stones ( CaP,n = 18),and calcium oxalate stones ( COX,n = 39).ResultsThe mean Zeff,CWR,the mean CT numbers at 50 keV images,120 kVp images and spectral HU curve slope of each group were listed as the following:UA [ 7.4 ± 0.4,0.0085 ± 0.0021,( 503 ± 168 ) HU,(495 ± 106 ) HU and - 0.77 ] ; STR [ 11.8 ± 0.9,0.1743 ± 0.0677,( 1056 ± 290 ) HU,( 799 ± 165 ) HU and 18.72 ] ; CYS [ 11.2 ± 0.6,0.1253 ± 0.0297,( 740 ± 172 ) HU,( 565 ± 129 ) HU and 12.79 ] ; CaP [ 16.0 ± 0.4,0.6781 ± 0.0952,( 2567 ±178 ) HU,( 1602 ± 200 ) HU and 37.14 ] ; COX [ 15.4 ± 0.4,0.5683 ± 0.0759,( 2267 ± 385 ) HU,( 1489 ±284) HU and 36.36 ],there were significant differences among groups ( P ＜ 0.01 ).The differences in the mean Zeff,CRW,spectral HU curve slope were statistically significant among the five groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Spectral CT imaging provides a new method to characterize the kidney stones with the information orovided by mean Zeff,CRW and the CT numbers at 50 keV.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of postoperative chyle leak after surgery for digestive malignancies.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to February 2012, in the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, clinical data of 19 patients with chyle leak after digestive system cancer surgery were retrospective analyzed.

RESULTSNineteen cases of chyle leak were all identified between the second and the fourth postoperative day and were all initially managed with conservative treatment including early fasting, parenteral nutrition(PN), 24-hour continuous infusion of somatostatin, and low pressure suction drainage. Eight patients were treated successfully for 6 to 10 days with a significant reduction of the daily drainage volume. Ten patients had enteral nutrition(EN) and their drain tubes were repeatedly washed with 30 ml of compound meglumine diatrizoate injection every day until the drainage volume decreased to 200 ml/day. The time to resolution of chyle leak in these ten patients ranged from 12 to 24 days. One patient had no significant decrease in fluid drainage and developed abdominal distension after one week of conservative treatment. Surgical closure of chyle leak was performed on the 11th postoperative day, abdominal cavity drainage tube was removed on the 4th postoperative day. The patient was discharged home in good condition.

CONCLUSIONMost postoperative chyle leak after surgery for digestive malignancies can be successfully managed with conservative treatment. Somatostatin and the drainage are the main therapeutic approaches. When chyle leak is not resolved with conservative treatment, surgical treatment should be considered to prevent serious complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomotic Leak ; therapy ; Chyle ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the effect of diammonium glycyrrhizinate extracted from the Chinese traditional medicine licorice root on the growth of human hair follicles cultured in vitro,and to detect the expression of wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related molecules.Methods Isolated hair follicles were cultured with diammonium glycyrrhizinate at different concentrations of 0.1,0.01,0.001 and 0.000 1 μmol/L for 10 days,and the hair follicles cultured in Williams' E medium without diammonium glycyrrhizinate served as a control group.The length of hair follicles was measured under a microscope every day,the morphologic changes of hair follicles were observed,and photos were taken.Immunofluorescence assay was performed to assess the proliferation of hair matrix cells,as well as to determine the expression of β-catenin,glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β),phosphorylated GSK3β (p-GSK3β) and lymphoid enhancer factor-1 (Lef1) in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance.Results As repeated-measures analysis of variance showed,only 0.01 μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhetate showed significantly promotive effect on the growth of hair follicles compared with the medium alone (P ＜ 0.05),and there were no significant differences in the length of hair follicles between the other concentration groups and the control group.Compared with the control group,the transition to the catagen phase of human hair cycle was delayed in the 0.01-μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhetate group,while it did not change in the other diammonium glycyrrhetate groups and control group.Immunofluorescence assay showed that the number of ki67-positive hair matrix cells was obviously increased in the 0.1-,0.01-,0.001-μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhizinate groups compared with the control group,while there was no difference between the 0.000 1-μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhizinate group and the control group.One-way analysis of variance revealed that the expression of β-catenin,p-GSK3β and Lef1 significantly differed among all the groups (F =12.604,16.65,15.266 respectively,P ＜ 0.05),while no significant difference in the expression of GSK3β was found among these groups (F =1.472,P ＞ 0.05).Least significant difference (LSD)-t test revealed that the expre-ssion of β-catenin,p-GSK3β and Lef1 in the hair matrix cells was significantly higher in the 0.1-,0.01-,0.001-μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhizinate groups than in the control group (all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the 0.000 1-μmol/L diammonium glycyrrhizinate group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Diammonium glycyrrhetate at the concentration of 0.01 μmol/L shows markedly promotive effect on the in vitro growth of hair follicles,and can increase the proliferative activity of hair matrix cells and delay the transition to the catagen phase,which may be associated with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

strains (isolated in 2008). Conclusion The HENAN08 strain might belong to the same genogroup with AnhuiFY08 and Zhejiang08 strains as C4 gene subtypes.

We report a case of ovarian function fluctuation during long-term follow-up in a patient with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The patient finally obtained clinical pregnancy with subsequent uneventful full-term delivery after several intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) cycles. This case demonstrates that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and assisted reproductive therapy should be applied as soon as possible to young patients with POI who have a strong desire for pregnancy in the absence of contraindications. This strategy helps such patients obtain pregnancy and delivery before the exhaustion of ovarian function.

BACKGROUNDDiabetes mellitus plays an important role in cancer prevalence and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of DM on stages and outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe study enrolled 945 patients who were diagnosed as having colorectal carcinoma from August 1994 to December 2002. In the cohort, 26 patients were diagnosed as having DM. With a median follow-up of 45.8 months, differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the diabetes and non-diabetes groups were analyzed.

RESULTSKaplan and Meier analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in overall survival rates at 3 years or 5 years. At 5 years, patients with DM, compared with patients without diabetes, experienced a significantly lower disease-free survival rate (34.2% diabetics vs. 55.1% non-diabetics; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONSDM was associated with an increased risk of recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective:To evaluate the association between the efficacy and safety of metformin and the influence of variants in SLC47A1 rs2289669 G>A polymorphism in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were consented at enrollment for blood donation for genotyping, and their peripheral blood were used to detect the distribution frequency of SLC47A1 mutations. The major or mild/moderate flares defined by modified safety lupus erythematosus national assessment (SELENA)-systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) Flare Index (SFI) and adverse events were recorded at 12 months of follow-up. The correlation between efficacy/safety and genotype was analyzed. Student's t test and χ2 test was used to assess the continuous variables and categorical variables. Results:Between May 24, 2016, and Dec 13, 2017, a total of 31 patients in the metformin group and 35 in the placebo group were detected. There were no statistical significant differences in the clinical manifestations, SELENA-SLEDAI scores, and therapy of the participants at baseline. There was no significant difference in the frequency of AA genotype, GA genotype, and GG genotype of SLC47A1 rs2289669 distribution between the metformin group and the placebo group. In the metformin group, patients who flared had a lower frequency of A alleles than those non-flared [25%(4/16) vs 61%(28/46), χ2=6.116, P=0.019 8]; the flare rate was significantly lower in patients with AA genotype than in GG genotype [0%(0/8) vs 57%(4/7), χ2=6.234, P=0.012 5]. The infection rate was lower in the metformin group than that in the placebo group [38%(12/31) vs 69%(24/35), χ2=5.913, P=0.015 0], but there was no significant difference among different genotypes in the metformin group. Compared to GG geno-type, AA genotype showed a trend of decrease in infection rate[38%(3/8) vs 72%(5/7), χ2=1.727, P=0.188 8]. Conclusion:Metformin has a favorable safety profile and may reduce the frequency of flares in SLE patients with low-grade lupus disease activity. The metformin therapeutic efficacy in SLE is relevant to the SLC47A1 gene polymorphism. Patients of the AA genotype may benefit most from metformin than those of the GG and GA genotypes.