Adult ; Aged ; Dust ; analysis ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Niacin ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; prevention & control ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects

Background Allograft rejection is a main cause of failure of penetrating keratoplasty,especially in the patient with high risk of rejection condition.Previous study on allograft rejection mechanism focused on limbal and corneal neovascularization,but these factors did not explain all the phenomena of allograft rejection.Research found that immune cells appeared in iris and ciliary body when rejection occurred,but the relationship between these immune cells and allograft rejection is unclear Objective This study was to evaluate the relationship between diversity of vascular permeability in the iris and ciliary body and allograft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.Methods Seventy clean eight-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into allogeneic corneal transplantation group (60 mice) and blank control group (10 mice).Allogeneic corneal transplantation was performed with the same age of C57BL/6 mice as donor and BALB/c mice as the recipients.The grafts were examined under the slit lamp microscope and scored based on the criteria of Hegde.The mice were sacrificed and iris and ciliary tissue were obtained 5,10 days and rejection after surgery.Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used respectively to detect the expression diversities of occludin,zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),major histocompatibility complex-Ⅱ (MHC-Ⅱ),and CCR5,CCR7 and their mRNA in iris and ciliary body.Image-J image analysis software was used to calculate the quantity of positive cells on iris wholemount,and absorbance of target genes (A values).The use and care of the experimental animals complied the ARVO Resolution on the Use of Animals in Research.Results The mean survival time of corneal gratts was (17±3) days after operation.The mean score was 0.6 in 5 days and 0.5 in 10 days,and 3.3 in 18 days after operation.Expression of ZO-1 reduced significantly,and that of MMP-9 increased obviously at the time of rejection.MHC Ⅱ + cells were scattered in iris and ciliary body in normal mice,and the number of the positive cells (cells/field) was increased after operation with a peak value when rejection occurred.A significant difference was seen between normal mice and rejection mice (1559.67±350.29 vs.4021.83±495.18) (P=0.000).The expressions of occludin mRNA and ZO-1 mRNA in the iris and ciliary body decreased obviously in the rejection mice.Compared with normal mice,theA value of ZO-1 and occluding were 36.74±3.13 vs.110.11±11.88 and 57.54±3.41 vs.59.90±3.50respectively,with significant differences between them (all P＜0.05).The expressions of MMP-9 mRNA,CCR5 mRNA and CCR7 mRNA in the iris and ciliary body increased gradually with the time lapse after operation and peaked when the rejection appeared.The A value of MMP-9 mRNA,CCR5 mRNA and CCR7 mRNA were significantly higher than those of normal mice (20.29±1.19 vs.2.77±0.85 for MMP-9 mRNA; 35.43±2.56 vs.9.11±0.29 for CCR5 mRNA,and 60.83±0.87 vs.0.89 ±0.95 for CCR7 mRNA) respectively (all P＜0.05).Conclusions The permeability of vascules in the iris and ciliary body increase during the allograft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.Increased antigen presenting cells were also detected.

Objective To compare the effect of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and right ventricular apex (RVA) pacing on ventricular systolic synchrony using gated blood pool SPECT (GBPS).Methods A total of 50 patients implanted with pacemaker due to high degree or complete atria-ventricular block were enrolled in the study. Twenty-three patients were RVOT paced ( Group A, n = 23) and 27 were RVA paced (Group B, n=27). Twenty-four patients with malignancy, normal echocardiographic findings and no history of cardiac diseases were scheduled for pre-chemotherapy evaluation of cardiac structure and function and were enrolled as control group ( Group C, n = 24). All patients underwent GBPS imaging and the values of phase angle (PS), mean phase of each wall, standard deviation (SD) of mean phase of each wall, lateral-septal motion delay of left ventricle ( LV Sep-Lat Delay), septal-right ventricular (RV) delay of LV ( LV Sep-RV Delay) and LV-RV Delay were acquired. The parameters of ventricular systolic synchrony among the three groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results The mean phase of LV lateral wall in Groups A and B were significantly higher than that in Group C: Group A (120.50 ±40.58) ms; Group B (103.23±28.34) ms; Group C (84.63 ±22.38) ms (F=7.72, P ＜0.05). There was no significant difference between Groups A and B ( t = 1.30, P ＞ 0.05 ). The mean phase of RV in Group A was significantly larger than those in Groups B and C: Group A ( 137.05 ± 39.27) ms, Group B ( 100.85 ± 23.79) ms,Group C (59. 13 ±30.52) ms (F=35.55, P＜0.05). PS, SD and LV Sep-Lat Delay in Groups A and B were significantly higher than those in Group C: (85.73 ± 12.00)°vs (89.85 ± 15.61 )°vs (58.95 ±9.87)°, (27.68±10.66) ms vs (26.15 ±13.02) ms vs (15.63 ±8.35) ms, (25.06±34.23) ms vs (2. 62 ± 60. 31 ) ms vs ( - 23.66 ± 31.39) ms, F = 41.54,8.55,6.81, all P ＜ 0.01 ), however, there was no significant difference between Groups A and B ( t = 0. 68, 0.68, 1.30, all P ＞ 0.05 ). LV Sep-RV Delay and LV-RV Delay were significantly different among the three groups ( LV Sep-RV Delay: Group A (57.60 ±56.77) ms, Group B (6.36 ±61.88) ms, Group C ( -41.89 ±35.78) ms; LV-RV Delay:Group A (47.36 ±42.59) ms, Group B ( 3.08 ± 38.81 ) ms Group C ( - 26.50 ± 20.99 ) ms, F = 20. 32,25.38, both P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion Both RVA and RVOT pacing increase the segmental phases detected by GBPS, causing inter- and intra- ventricular asynchrony compared with patients without pacemakers.

OBJECTIVEThe Chinese Children's Leukemia Group (CCLG)-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 08 protocol for childhood ALL was established in 2008. This study aims to evaluate the drug-related toxicities of CCLG-ALL 08 protocol in the treatment of childhood ALL.

METHODSA total of 114 children with newly diagnosed ALL were treated with the CCLG-ALL 08 protocol. The protocol was divided into five phases: remission induction (VDLD), early reinforcement (CAM), consolidation therapy, delayed reinforcement (DIa & DIb) and maintenance treatment. Drug-related toxicities in each phase were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.

RESULTSToxicities were more frequent in phase VDLD than other treatment phases, including hepatotoxicity (87.7%), dental ulcer (20.2%), hyperglycemia (20.2%), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (21.1%) and decreased fibrinogen (34.2%), with the incidence rates of severe adverse events at 7%, 0, 1.3%, 0.8% and 2.7% respectively. The incidence of allergic reaction to L-ASP was significantly higher in phase DIa than in phase VDLD (28.0% vs 7.9%; P<0.01), and there were no longer any allergic reactions in 15 patients who received continuing treatment with pegaspargase instead. There was no severe arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, decreased left ventricular function, osteonecrosis, myopathy, organ failure or treatment-related mortality.

CONCLUSIONSThe drug-related toxicities of CCLG-ALL 08 protocol are common in phase VDLD, but they are mild and reversible. There is no treatment-related mortality. The CCLG-ALL 08 protocol for childhood ALL is safe.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; Asparaginase ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVETo study the segmentation methods of the liver CT images and the value of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the liver in the planning of hepatic surgery.

METHODSThe 2D Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format data of the liver obtained from healthy volunteers were transformed into bmp format image, and the liver image segmentation was performed using Photoshop software. The 3D model was reconstructed using MIMICS software.

RESULTSThe DICOM format data of the liver obtained by 64 slice spiral CT included totally 658 slice images. The segmented liver image showed clear profiles and complete intrahepatic duct data were reserved. The segmented liver images were free of discontinuation during continuous observation. The liver surface and internal ductal system, including the hepatic arteries and veins, and the hepatic portal system and their branches, were represented clearly. The reconstructed liver allowed clear identification of the anatomic landmark and matched the actual liver volume. The reconstructed ductal structure were distinct and continuous with natural texture. The reconstructed liver and the hepatic internal duct system were simultaneously displayed by adjusting the transparency of the liver, and the blood vessels were also represented.

CONCLUSIONSegmentation of the liver images in different phases using Photoshop can be feasible for liver reconstruction. The reconstructed liver and the intrahepatic ductal structure allow vivid 3D observation of the spatial relationship among the major tracts and accurate estimation of the liver volume.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the value and the clinical application of the Medical Image three-dimensional Visualization System of Abdomen (MI-3DVS) in diagnosis and evaluating resectability of pancreatic tumor.

METHODSTwelve patients with pancreatic tumor were tested with 64-slice helical CT (64-MSCT) angiography, and the CT data was reconstructed with MI-3DVS from November 2008 to August 2009. The 3D findings were adopted in diagnosis and evaluating resectability, and the results were compared with surgical operation and the pathological finding. There were 7 male and 5 female, aged from 14 to 83 years. Within the 12 cases, there were 4 cases with pancreatic carcinoma, 5 cases with pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumor, 2 cases with pancreatic serous cystadenoma, 1 case with pancreatic cyst (ductal epithelial papillary hyperplasia).

RESULTSNine tumors which had been regarded as removable pre-operatively with MI-3DVS were removed successfully. Three patients who were considered unresectable by other hospitals with CT were operated successfully with MI-3DVS. The other 3 patients' tumors were actually not able to be removed as pre-operative evaluation.

CONCLUSIONMI-3DVS plays an important role in diagnosis and assessment of resectability of pancreatic tumor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Radiography, Abdominal ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

Cell Cycle ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; Cyclins ; analysis ; DNA Damage ; Dactinomycin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; physiology

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Interleukin-15 ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

OBJECTIVEUndried silver-hydroxyapatite-titania (Ag-nHA-nTiO2) nanoparticles slurry was used to make membrane with polyamide 66 (PA66) by co-polymerization method. The purpose of this study is to test the physical and chemical characteristics and antibacterial ability.

METHODSThe morphology, chemical components and structures of the membrane were characterized by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were utilized to test the antibacterial effect.

RESULTSXRD results demonstrated that the membrane have characteristic diffraction peaks of pure hydroxyapatite (HA). A homogeneous distribution of the Ca, P, Ti and Ag element in the membrane was confirmed by EDX. Both surface and section showed porous structure which was confirmed by SEM and the average hole size was 20-30 microm. The bacteria assay reflected to the antibacterial effect, 50.10% of S. aureus and 56.31% of E. coli were killed. However, 91.84% of P. gingivalis, 90.64% of F. nucleatum and 90.49% of S. mutans were killed and pictures of SEM showed obviously fewer cells on the surface.

CONCLUSIONThe nanocomposite membrane could be one of the bioactive materials with antibacterial properties for oral guided bone regeneration technique.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bone Regeneration ; Durapatite ; Escherichia coli ; Nanocomposites ; Nylons ; Silver ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Titanium ; X-Ray Diffraction

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Ginkgo biloba ; Glutathione ; analysis ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Paraquat ; toxicity ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Treatment Outcome