OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of 'erythroblast island (EI)' formation in the bone marrow of patients with immun-related hemocytopenia (IRP).

METHODSThe category of BM-auto antibody (au Ab) in 48 patients with IRP was detected with FCM. The BM-au Ab in the 'EI' of these cases were explored with immuonhistofluorescence (IF). Clinical and laboratory characteristics of these cases were also analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSIgG could be detected in the 'EI' on the BM smear of 14 cases (29.17%), BM-au Ab mainly deposited at the edge/membranes between macrophage and erythroblasts rather than cyto plasm. Positive reaction were seen in all the cases with GlycoAIgG. The red blood cell count [(1.8 ± 0.5) × 10(12)/L] and hemoglobin level [(59.6 ± 16.2)g/L] were significantly lower than that in the IF(-) group [(2.5 ± 0.9) × 10(12)/L and (83.4 ± 25.0) g/L] (P < 0.05). The percentage of reticulocyte [(2.0 ± 0.8)%], serum level of IBIL [(9.4 ± 4.7) µmol/L], percentage of erythroblats in sternum BM (0.441 ± 0.139) and response rate to therapy (85.7%) in IF(+) group were significantly higher than that in IF(-)group [(1.3 ± 1.0)%, (6.6 ± 6.7)µmol/L, 0.298 ± 0.082, 61.3%, respectively] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMacrophage was connected with erythroblasts through autologous IgG in the 'EI's of some patients with IRP. 'EI' were the places where macrophages devoured and destroyed erythroblasts rather than erythroid development and differentiation. The pathogenetic mechanism of IRP might be associated with macrophages phagocytosing and destroying BM hematopoietic cells.

Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; Coombs Test ; Erythroblasts ; Humans

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of single and local use of a China-made compound betamethasone injection in the treatment of lichen simplex chronicus. Methods A multi-center,randomized, parallel controlled study was conducted. Patients with lichen simplex chronicus were divided into test and control groups to receive a single dose of intralesional compound betamethasone injection made in China or Schering-Plough Labo N.V. Belgium. Patients were visited for the evaluation of efficacy and safety of the China-made injection at the beginning of the treatment (DO), on week 2 (D14) and 4 (D28) after the initiation of treatment. Results A total of 144 patients were enrolled, among which, 68 in the control group and 71 in the test group completed the trial. FAS analysis on week 4 revealed that the response rate and healing rate were 86.11% and 59.72% in the control group, respectively, 86.11% and 54.17% in the test group, respectively (χ2=0.00,0.45,respectively,both P>0.05).There was no severe adverse event in either group after the treatment, and only mild atrophoderma occurred in one patient in the control group, which was improved spontaneously within several weeks of follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of side reactions between the two groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion The China-made compound betamethasone injection is effective and safe for the treatment of lichen simplex chronicus.

Objective To study the feasibility and clinical values of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)in the spinal cord at 3.0 T MR.Methods Forty patients with spinal cord compression including cervical cord herniation and cervical spondylosis(30 cases),tumors in spinal canal(9 cases)and old injury in cervical vertebrae(1 cases)and 20 healthy volunteers participated in this study.Single-shot spin- echo echo-planar diffusion tensor sequence for tractography of the spinal cord was performed.The fibers of spinal cord were visualized by using fiber tracking software.Results On the DTT maps,the normal spinal cord was depicted as a fiber tract showing color-encoded cephaloeaudally,which indicated anisotropy in the cephalocaudal direction.By setting two ROI,the main spinal cord fiber tracts,such as corticospinal or spinothalamic tract,were visualized.The tracts from two sides of the brain did not completely cross.It was asymmetric in the number of tracts on the two sides in most normal subjects(8/10).The tracts of all patients with cord compression were seen oppressed or damaged in different degrees.The DrrT in patients with cervical spondylosis and extramedullary-intradural neurolemmoma demonstrated that tracts were oppressed but not damaged.The DTT in one ependymoma showed that tract was markedly compressed and slightly damaged.Conclusion DTT is a promising tool for demonstrating the spinal cord tracts and abnormalities,can provide useful information for the localization of compression and evaluation of the impairment extent on the white matter tracts of the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of a second primary malignant tumor induced by previous radiotherapy.

METHODSFrom March 1970 to March 1997, 108 nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients who developed a second primary malignant tumor induced by radiotherapy were treated. There were squamous carcinoma 43 (39.8%), sarcoma 26 (24.1%), malignant fibrous histiocytoma 14 (13.0%), adenoid cystic carcinoma 12 (11.1%), thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma 8 (7.4%) and malignant melanoma 5 (4.6%). Fifty patients underwent operation, 32 received radiotherapy, 18 received chemotherapy and 8 received operation combined with chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year tumor-free survival rates were 64.0% and 36.0% in the operation group. They were 34.4% and 18.8% in the radiotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONSurgery, if not contra-indicated, is the first choice for the second primary malignant tumor induced by radiotherapy. Aggressive treatment for these patients is, hence, indicated clinically.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Neoplasms, Second Primary ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Linzhou, the high prevalence area of Henan province.

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 52 cases of primary SCC of esophagus.

RESULTSGains in part or in whole of chromosome 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, 20q and losses of 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p, 8p were detected frequently in SCC (> 20%). Gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q were all significantly correlated with pathologic staging (P < 0.05). Gains of 8q, loss of 4p were linked to nodal metastasis (P < 0.05). Gains of 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter were associated with distant organ metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, and 20q may contain SCC-related oncogenes; 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p and 8p may contain SCC-related tumor suppressor genes. It is likely that gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q are the genetic aberrations critical for the development of esophageal carcinoma, whereas gains of 8q, 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter are considered later events associated with tumor progression and are thought to confer metastatic potential to esophageal carcinoma. Furthermore, nodal and distant organ metastases involve different genes.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel model of lumbar disc degeneration on the early stage in the rhesus monkey using percutaneous needle puncture guided by CT.

METHODS(1) Thirteen rhesus monkeys aged from 4 to 7 years, female 7 and male 6 were selected for establishing a model of the early stage of lumbar disc degeneration. (2)13 monkeys, 91 discs were divided into 3 groups: 64 discs from L1/2 to L5/6 were percutaneous punctured with a needle 20G as experimental group and 1 disc with a needle 15G as puncture control group and 26 discs were not be punctured from L6,7 to L7-S1 as control group. (3) Lumbar disc localization for needle puncture was guided by CT. All discs were examined by MRI, the HE, Masson's trichrome, Safranine-O and immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen before disc puncture and after puncture at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

RESULTSMRI: (1) Experimental group: Pfirmann's Grade I was shown at postoperation 4, 8 and 12 weeks; (2) Puncture control group: Grade III was shown at postoperation 4 weeks and Grade IV at 8 weeks; (3) CONTROL GROUP: Grade I was shown at postoperation 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Histological examination: (1) In experimental group, there was no any change at postoperation 4 weeks, and the cell population of the nucleus was decreased at 8 weeks and more decreased at 12 weeks in HE. (2) There was no any change at postoperation 4 weeks, the clefts among the lamellae of the annulus fibrosus (AF) were shown at 8 weeks and more wider of the clefts of AF at 12 weeks in Masson's trichrome. (3) No any change was shown at postoperation 4 weeks, proteoglycan were progressively decreased at 8 and 12 weeks in Safranine-O. (4) No statistically significant difference in positive rate was observed at 4 and 8 weeks compared with control group in immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen. There was statistical difference at 12 weeks compared with control group (P<0.05). In puncture control group postoperation 8 weeks, the morphology of cell of nucleus pulposus was not clear in HE. The wider clefts of lamellae of the AF were shown in Masson's trichrome. The proteoglycan was obviously decreased in Safranine-O. Immunohistochemical staining collagen II synthesized was decreased. In normal control group, no any change was shown at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSThe degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc on the early stage could be induced by the percutaneous needle puncture (20G) to the annulus fibrosus. The assessment of disc degeneration on early stage is not shown on MRI and only confirmed by histological examination.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors that influence survival of the patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in young people and evaluate the efficiency of unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection and postoperative TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) suppressive therapy.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-one patients under 30 years old with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated in this hospital (14 cases no more than and 117 cases more than 16 years) from Jan. 1st, 1985 to Dec. 31st, 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were received only surgery and TSH suppressive therapy, and 3 patients received chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of the progressive metastasis in necks or mediastina. A multivariate analysis was performed in these patients by the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe mean follow-time (x +/- s) of all patients were (140.86 +/- 43.76) months, with range from 20 to 229 months; Ninety-eight patients followed more than 10 years. Ten patients died of thyroid cancer. The overall 10-year survival rate was 97.18%. The 10-year survival rate for patients < or = 16 years of age and > 16 years were 75.97% and 96.57% respectively (P = 0. 0006). The 10-year survival rate for women and men were 94.91% and 93.69% respectively (P = 0.5261). The 10-year survival rates of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma were 93.77% and 96. 55% respectively (P = 0.8137). For patients with tumor size of < or = 1 cm, 1-4 cm and >4 cm the survival rate was 100.0%, 96.40%, and 80.67% respectively (P = 0. 0589). The 10-year survival rates of patients with or without lymph node metastasis were 88.37% and 100. 0% respectively (P = 0.0313). For patients of with or without distant metastasis, The survival rate was 96.64% or 60.00% (P = 0.0000). The 10-year survival rates with or without recurrence were 86. 67% and 95.48% respectively (P = 0. 5681). Using multivariate analysis, risk factors that independently influence survival were distant metastasis, tumor size and age.

CONCLUSIONSThe distant metastasis, tumor size and age at diagnosis were the independent factors influencing survival significantly. The status of lymph node metastasis may have certain effect on the prognosis. Unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with a therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection followed by postoperative TSH suppressive therapy is a favourable model to children and young adults with DTC without distant metastasis, but to the patients with distant metastasis, their prognosis of this therapy model is disappointing.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Papilloma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:Effect of gut microbiota on human health has become a hotspot in recent years with the emergence of new microbial technology.B.bifidum is a traditional probiotics and has been widely used in food and medicine.But the metabolism and function of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 has not been well documented.To investigate colonization and growth of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine,fecal B.bifidum concentrations were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Methods:Female C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with eigher a single dose of 1 × 109 CFU B.bifidum ATCC 29521 or continuous doses of 1 × 109/day for 3 weeks.Feces were collected at 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24 h and at 10,7,14,21,24,28 d,respectively.Total DNA was isolated from the feces using the Qiagen DNA stool extraction kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.The linear standard curve was established by each dilution degrees of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 and their corresponding CT values.The curve equation was y =0.1835x + 9.0628 and R2 was 0.9994.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice feces were calculated by substituted CT values obtained by RT-PCR into the curve equation.Results:The curves of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 concentration rose at first and then reduced gradually.In single dose group,the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 began to increase at 4h after oral gavage,reaching its peak 6.0 × 107 CFU/g at 10h and then decreased gradually.The biggest drop occurred at the period between 12 h and 16 h after B.bifidum treatment.In successive administration group,the concentration rose at the highest rate in the first week when it achieved 2.0 × 107CFU/g and kept on inceasing to 1.0 × 108CFU/g in the next week.However,the concentration did not rose up significantly in the third week.It means that the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine reached platform in the second week after oral gavage.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 significantly decreased at 24h and one week after B.bifidum treatment course in two group repectively and was still higher than baseline before oral gavage.Conclusion:Once the B.bifidum ATCC 29521 supplement was discontinued,the concentration fell down in short time.B.bifidum ATCC 29521 could not sustain colonization and growth in mice intestine without external supplement.It is necessary to provide daily supplemention for at least two weeks and to keep on in order to maintain sufficient concentration.

Objective To survey the prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis in water-sourceoriginated high iodine area in Shandong province in 2008 and discuss the relationship between water-sourceoriginated high iodine and carotid atherosclerosis occurrence. Methods Yuncheng county was chosen as observation area which included Dachenlou, Weigai, Liuyi and Ershilipu villages. Juye county was chosen as control that included Zhangxi, Bihainan, Xiaguan and Qiji villages. Two hundred and ninety-nine participants aged over 40 from water-source-originated high iodine areas and 323 residents aged over 40 from normal iodine areas were investigated.Portable-type B mode color Doppler was performed to examine the carotid artery of all participants. The adult carotid atherosclerosis was diagnosed and graded through the ultrasonograms. Results The prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis in the 4 water-source-originated high iodine villages of Dachenlou, Weigai, Liuyi and Ershilipu were 47.1% (33/70) ,62.2% (51/82) ,67.5% (52/77) and 58.6% (41/70), respectively and the prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis in the 4 normal iodine villages of Zhangxi, Bihainan, Xiaguan and Qiji were 40.7%(35/86),40.8% (31/76),38.2% (34/89) and 37.5% (27/72), respectively. The prevalence rates of adult carotid atherosclerosis standardized by age in the 4 high iodine villages and the 4 normal iodine villages were 45.81% ,58.18% ,61.63%,55.34% and 34.66%,36.25%,43.01% ,41.30%, respectively. The prevalence rates were higher in high iodine villages than that in control villages(T = 26, P ＜ 0.05 ). There were 136 people scored "0", 120 people scored "1 -3",43 people scored "4 - 7", and total 299 people. There were 201 people scored "0", 87 people scored "1 - 3", 35 people scored "4 - 7", and total 323 people. The expected prevalence rates and severity of adult carotid atherosclerosis was significantly different between high iodine area and normal iodine area (x2 = 17.54,18.42, all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The prevalence rate and severity of adult atherosclerosis in water-source-originatod high iodine area is higher than that in normal iodine area.