Objective To compare the differences in histological morphology and hemodynamics between benign and malignant tumor, as well as differences between the different perfusional regions in tumors of the same type. Methods Thirty cases with malignant breast carcinoma and 30 cases with fibroadenoma were inspected by contrast enhanced ultrasound with time-intensity quantitive analysis. Perfusion index like peak intensity(PI), area under the curve(AUC), time to peak(TTP) and wash-out time (WOT) were collected both inside and at the margin of focus. The ultrastructures of new microvessesl were observed routinely with microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results The curve of malignant tumor group was characterized as ascend rapidly and drop slowly while the benign group presented as ascend slowly and drop rapidly. The AUC and WOT of malignant tumor group were significantly higher than that of benign group,while the PI and TTP had no statistical difference. In malignant tumor group,PI, AUC and WOT of the margin of focus were significantly higher than that of inside region of focus,while TTP was the opposite. However,there was no statistical differences between the perfusion parameter inside and outside of focus in benign group. The ultrastructures of newly built blood vessels in malignant group had strong ability to split,which was different from normal endothelium cells but was similar to other tumor foci. The margin of foci were characterized with dilatating and distorting vessels,and the center of the foci were occupied by narrow,occlusive new vessels and contracted anamorphic endothelium cells and pericytes. Rich microvessel areas located in the margin of foci. Conclusions The perfusion pattern,modality of time-intensity curve, mean perfusion parameter and variance of regional perfusion parameters are valuable diagnostic basis in discriminating benign and malignant breast tumor. The density,modality,distribution,structure and function of new microvessels in tumor focus are also keystone factors when tumors are assessed by means of imaging.

Objective To prepare a new kind of targeted liposome ultrasound contrast agent with small peptide K237 as the ligand which can combine specifically with KDR which is the main receptor of VEGF.and to test its capability in vitro. Methods Targeted bubbles(P-Bio-Av-Bio-Mbs) were formed through "biotin-avidin" bridge grafting, then they were incubated respectively with LOVO, HUVECs and LS174T which were KDR positive or negative expressed in various cells,meanwhile incubated LOVO cells with FITC- P-Bio-Av-Bio-Mbs,FITC-P-Mbs and FITC-Mbs respectively. After that, the rosette formation rate and fluorescence intensity of the combination between microbubbles and cells were observed with microscope and fluorescence microscope. After being incubated with small peptide K237 of 10 μg and 50 μg, LOVO cells were incubated with P-Bio-Av-Bio-Mbs for observing the distribution of microbubbles. Results In KDR sharply positive expressed LOVO cells, the surrounding rosette formation rate was as high as 90. 52% with the fluorescence intensity of grade 3, and it was 53. 46% with grade 2 fluorescence intensity rate in KDR positive expressed HUVECs cells, while in KDR negative expressed LS174T cells, there were few microbubbles surrounded with rosette formation rate of 5. 57% and fluorescence intensity rate of grade 0-1, therefore there were significant statistic differences in rosette formation rate among groups ( P < 0.05). After LOVO cells combined with FITC-P-Bio-Av-Bio-Mbs, FITC-P-Mbs and FITC-Mbs respectively,there were significant differences in their rosette formation rate, namely 89.62%, 7. 56% , 0 with the fluorescence rate of 3,0 - 1 and 0 respectively. Targeted cells pretreated with 10 pg K237 showed significant decreased rosette formation,and there was no formation in 50 ?g pretreated group. Conclusions KDR-Targeted liposome contrast agent with small peptide K237 liganded has been successfully prepared through biotin-avidin mediation and could combine specifically and high efficiently with targeted cells in vitro. The KDR-targeted molecular imaging of tumor neovascularizaiton may provide a new approach for early diagnosis of carcinoma.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for the determination of salvianolic acid B and paeoniflorin in Shuangdan granules.

METHODThe chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax SB C18 column with a linear gradient elution of phosphoric acid-water (0.05:100) and phosphoric acid-acetonitrile-methanol (0.05:4:96) was used. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1) and column temperature was set at 25 degrees C. The UV detection wavelength was set at 230 nm.

RESULTThe linear ranger was of 0.710-22.7 microg for salvianolic acid B and 0.103-3.30 microg for paeoniflorin. Three batches of Shuangdan granules were analyzed, and the content of salvianolic acid B ranged from 6.46-11.6 mg x g(-1) and paeoniflorin ranged from 1.44-1.78 mg x g(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe method was accurate, reproducible, reliable, and could be used for quantitative control of Shuangdan granules.

Benzoates ; analysis ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occurrence of supernumerary upper incisor teeth in Pax6-/- mouse fetuses and to provide a model to explore the role of Pax6 in the upper incisor development and the mechanism of supernumerary teeth involving Pax6.

METHODSTwenty Pax6-/- mouse fetuses of strain DEBA were isolated on E18.5 (embryonic day). The fetuses were sectioned serially in coronal plane and stained with haematoxylin and erosion, then the presence of supernumerary teeth in the upper anterior area was examined histologically, and also the number, morphology and structure of lower incisor germs and the first and second molar germs in the maxilla and mandible were observed histologically. Eighteen E18.5 mouse fetuses of strain DEBA with Pax6+/+ genotype were used as control.

RESULTSOf the 20 Pax6-/- fetuses examined, four possessed a single supernumerary tooth in the upper incisors' region. No supernumerary upper incisor teeth were observed in any of the 18 Pax6+/+ fetuses examined. In the regions of lower incisors and the first and second molars of the maxilla and mandible, no significant difference was observed between Pax6-/- and Pax6+/+ fetuses regarding the number, morphology and structure of tooth germs.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that Pax6 played an important role in the development of upper incisor teeth in mice.

Animals ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Fetus ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Incisor ; embryology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Mutation ; PAX6 Transcription Factor ; Paired Box Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Tooth Germ ; growth & development ; Tooth, Supernumerary ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have some non-lipid-lowering effects, such as inhibiting myocardial remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

METHODSThe left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat model of heart failure, and the rats were divided into a sham operation (SO) group, myocardial infarction model (MI) group, and MI-atorvastatin group. Changes in hemodynamic parameters were recorded after the final drug administration. Histological diagnosis was made by reviewing hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the expressions of type I and type III collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2). Further, primary rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and the MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac fibroblast proliferation.

RESULTSThe model of heart failure was established and the results of HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining revealed that the rats in the heart failure group showed obvious hyperplasia of fibrotic tissue, which was significantly reduced in the atorvastatin group. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the MI group showed a significantly increased expression of type I and type III collagen, MMP-2, and TIMP-2, but a significantly reduced MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio. Compared with the MI group, the atorvastatin group showed significantly reduced expression of type I and III collagen, unchanged expression of MMP-2, significantly reduced expression of TIMP-2, and an increased MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio. We further found that atorvastatin significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced fibroblast proliferation and the expression of type I and type III collagen in cardiac fibroblasts while increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio.

CONCLUSIONSThese data suggest that atorvastatin can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and enhance collagen degradation by increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, thereby inhibiting the formation of myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo understand the overall HIV sero-conversion rate and its trend and risk factors of uninfected partners in sero-discordant couples.

METHODSA total of 3088 uninfected partners, whose HIV positive partners infected via former plasma donation or blood transfusion from July, 2006 to December 2010, were chosen as a fix cohort. They were tested for HIV antibodies twice a year using ELISA by local CDC from July, 2006 to December, 2010. Data regarding demographic, sexual behavior information of uninfected partners and infection, serologic characteristics of positive partners were retrospectively surveyed and collected to analyze possible risky factors.

RESULTSA total of 132 in 3088 uninfected partners were sero-converted, with a sero-conversion rate of 1.17/100 person years (95%CI: 0.99/100 person years -1.39/100 person years). Sero-conversion rate reached the peak (0.82%) in the following interval of January and June in 2008 and have a bottom conversion rate (0.13%) in the same month interval in 2010. Conversion rate outcome showed a downward trend in following(χ(2)trend = 8.907, P < 0.05). In the survey, 56.6% (1513/2673) uninfected partners were males, 56.2% (1501/2673) were with lower education level. Among uninfected partners, as reported by themselves, having sex in recently 6 months accounted for a proportion of 81.4% (2176/2673), sex frequency of less than 4 times per month accounted for 45.7% (1169/2558) and consistent using of condom accounted for 94.5% (2418/2558). The proportion of the index partners' most recently CD4 cell count less than 200 cells per µl was 17.4% (437/2505). Results from multivariate of Cox regression showed that male negative partners (RR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.43), negative partners with lower education level(RR = 2.77, 95%CI: 1.68 - 4.57), having sexual activity in latest one year(RR = 4.39, 95%CI: 1.53 - 12.56) and CD4 count less than 200 cells per µl (RR = 2.36, 95%CI: 1.42 - 3.93) were associated with increased risk of HIV sero-conversion, while intercourse frequency less than 4 times per month(RR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.10 - 0.32), consistent using of condom(RR = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.05 - 0.12) decreased the risk of conversion.

CONCLUSIONIn this city, the conversion rate of negative partners whose positive partner infected via former plasma donation or blood transfusion is relatively low and behave a downward trend. Serologic surveillance, education and intervention based on couple are needed to be enhanced.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV Seropositivity ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

The DNA segment of the human acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferasel (ACAT1) gene P7 promoter was amplified by PCR from human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) and cloned to TA vector, then the positive clone was confirmed by restriction enzymes and sequencing. The targeted segment was subcloned to Firefly luciferase report vector pGL3-Enhancer. The recombinant plasmid pGL3E-P7 was transfected transiently into THP-1, then the expression of luciferase could be detected in THP-1 by pGL3E-P7 transfection. We successfully constructed luciferase reporter vector containing P7 promoter of the human ACAT1 gene, and established a new means to study the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of ACAT1 during atherosclerosis.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; pathology ; Luciferases, Firefly ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sterol O-Acyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of different acupuncture intensities on diabetic gastroparesis and to search for the best acupuncture intensity for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly divided into 4 groups, strong, moderate, weak acupuncture intensity groups and an oral hypoglycemic drug group, 20 cases in each group. Two weeks of treatment constituted one course.

RESULTSThe total effective rates were 85.0%, 95.0%, 85.0% in the acupuncture groups, respectivelly, with significant difference as compared with 65.0% of the control group (P<0.05). The moderate intensity acupuncture group had the best clinical therapeutic effect. The principal frequency and amplitude of the stomach electrogastrogram in the gastric antrum and the stomach body significantly improved in the acupuncture groups, which was better than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has significant therapeutic effect on diabetic gastroparesis, and there is a dose-effect relation between different intensities of acupuncture and curative effects,which are correlated with the regulation of the gastric electric parameters.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Gastroparesis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach ; physiopathology

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome