Objective To explore the bioeffect of different parameters on 4 cell lines by ultrasoundmediated microbubble destruction.Methods The orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate the effect of three factors on the bioeffects of four cell lines under three levels.Three factors included microbubble concentration,sound intensity,irradiation time.Human breast tumor (MCF-7) cells,ovarian tumor (A2780) cells,liver tumor (Bel7402) cells and thyroid tumor (ARO) cells were exposed to ultrasound in the presence of SonoVue.The cell survival rate was determined by MTT methods and the cell luminosity factor was detected by flow cytometry.Results The optimum parameters for Bel7402 and ARO cell were the same (A2B3C2),and they were different from those from MCF-7 (A3B1C1) and A2780 (A1B3C3) cell.The cell survival rates for 4 cell lines were above 75％,and the cell luminosity factors were different among 4 cell lines.Conclusions The optimum parameters by ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction for different cell lines are different,and under the optimum parameters the bioeffects of different cell lines are different.

Objective To evaluate X-ray,CT and MRI findings of soft tissue infections in AIDS. Methods Three cases of soft tissue infections with AIDS were retrospectively analyzed by comparing the imaging findings with pathological results.All patients were performed MRI,X-ray was in 1 case,CT was in 1 case.Results Cellulitis was in 1 case:MRI showed extended thickening of subcutaneous tissues, ill-defined hypointense areas on T_1WI and hyperintensity on T_2WI,and reticular pattern on GRE. Necrotizing fasciitis was in 1 case:MRI showed obvious thickening of subcutaneous tissues and deep fasciae, abnormally increased signal intensity on T_1 and T_2WI.Fluid collections were within muscles and muscles interval on fat-suppressed T2 WI.Tuberculosis was in 1 case:CT demonstrated multiple low density areas in the subcutaneous tissues and clear peripheral rim enhancement.MRI appeared hypointense on T_1WI and hyperintensity on T_2WI,and peripheral rim enhancement following gadolinium injection.Conclusion Infections of soft tissue are common complication in patients with AIDS,radiology is important in early diagnosis and treatment planning in this population.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is an acquired pigmentary condition affecting lips, oral mucosa and acral area, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. There is neither malignant predisposition nor underlying systemic abnormality associated with LHS. Herein, we present three uncommon cases of LHS with possibly new feature of nail pigmentation, which were diagnosed during the past 2 years. We also review the clinical and histological findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment of the syndrome in published literature.
Adult ; Female ; Gingival Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; diagnosis ; Lip Diseases ; diagnosis ; Male ; Melanins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Diseases ; diagnosis ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Nail Diseases ; diagnosis ; Syndrome ; Tongue Diseases ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the bond strength of total-etch or self-etch dentin bonding agents after using two different dentin desensitizers on exposed dentin and investigate the bond interface by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Methods Thirty intact and non-carious human third molars were used. The occlusal enamel was removed with the use of a slow-speed saw under water cooling. These teeth were divided into three groups using a table of random numbers with 10 teeth each. These three groups were treated with water(Group C), UltraEZTM (Group U) and MI Paste (Group M) respectively. Then 10 teeth from each group were divided into A subgroup ( n = 5 ) bonded with Single Bond 2 adhesive system and B subgroup (n=5) bonded with Xeno Ⅲ adhesive system according to manufacturers' instructions. A block of composite resin was build up to 4-5mm. All the teeth were sectioned occluso-gingivally to obtain bar-shaped specimens with bonded surface area about 0. 9 mm × 0. 9 mm. The tension of the sample was tested by a microtensile tester at 1 mm/min. The mean values of bond strength were compared using one-way ANOVA.Three samples were chosen randomly from each of six groups for SEM investigation. Results There were no significant differences between Group U and Group C both in A and B subgroups. While there were significant differences between Group M and Group C in two bonding-agent subgroups. For SEM, the hybrid layer was thin and dense in six groups. Both total-etch and self-etch bonding systems could get fair resin tag infiltration in Group C and Group U. In Group M, the resin tags were relatively shorter and fewer than the anterior mentioned two groups. Conclusions UltraEZTM had no effect on bond strength of both kinds of dentin bonding agents, while MI paste could diminish bond strength.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between expression of PAR-1 and metastasis of human lung carcinoma.

METHODSExpression levels of PAR-1 were examined in surgically resected lung carcinoma specimens and corresponding lymph nodes by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, combined with morphometric methodology and clinicopathologic profiles.

RESULTSStrong PAR-1 staining was detected in the periphery of carcinoma nests, adenocarcinomatous emboli, foci of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia adjacent to the adenocarcinoma and atypical proliferation of duct epithelium of bronchial mucous glands. The expression rates of PAR-1 were 73.8% (59/80) and 63.9% (23/36) by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. The percentage of PAR-1 protein expression cells was significantly higher in tumors with metastasis (85.7%, 48/56) than those without (45.8%, 11/24). Morphometric study demonstrated that there were significant differences of PAR-1 protein expression levels between tumors with metastatic and those without, primary and metastatic carcinomas, primary carcinomas and benign lung tissues adjacent to the carcinoma. No significant correlation was found between PAR-1 expression level and tumor size, histological types and tumor grades. The positive rate of PAR-1 mRNA expression in the metastatic group was significantly higher than that of the non-metastatic group (78.3%, 18/23 v.s. 38.5%, 5/13).

CONCLUSIONPAR-1 expression may play an important role in determining the malignant phenotypes of lung cancers and significantly contribute to their initiation, progression and metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, PAR-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the clinicopathological features and choice of treatment for delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies.

METHODSA retrospective review is presented of patients with delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies treated by pulmonary resection between January 1980 and June 2010. There were 17 patients (12 male and 5 female). Mean age was 36 years (ranging 10 to 66 years). The mean interval of onset was 2 years (ranging 3 months to 8 years). Confirmed diagnosis before surgery in 8 cases and 9 cases were misdiagnosed as other diseases. Surgical procedures included right lower lobectomy in 4 cases, right middle lobectomy in 3 cases, right lower and middle lobectomy in 1 case, right lobe lobectomy and rid resection drainage in 1 case, right lobe lobectomy and pleurectomy in 1 case, video-assisted right lobe partial resection in 1 case, left pneumonectomy in 4 cases, left lower lobectomy in 1 cases and left upper lobectomy in 1 cases.

RESULTSOne case died of pulmonary infection and 2 cases complicated of BPF after operation. Foreign bodies were localized in the right bronchial tree in 11 cases, the left in 6 cases. The majority of the foreign bodies were vegetable origin.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis rate of delayed inhaled bronchial foreign bodies should be improved in order avoiding of pulmonary resection. It is necessary to perform pulmonary resection timely if the pulmonary infection is evident for fear that the infection progress into severe infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; Child ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may suppress the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from tumor cells in vitro and inhibit the VEGF-induced proliferation of human tumor vascular endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman lung cancer cell line A549, human liver cancer cell line HepG2, human colon carcinoma cell lines HCT116 and HCT8 were used in this study. The expression levels of VEGF and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in the tumor cells with or without pretreatment of LMWH/heparin were measured by standard sandwich ELISA technique. The VEGF mRNA level of HepG2 cells cultured with or without LMWH/heparin was determined by RT-PCR and real time PCR. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM) with or without LMWH/heparin for 3 days. Then non-radioactive cell proliferation assay (MTS) kit and cell cycle assay by flow cytometry were performed to measure the proliferation of HUVEC.

RESULTSThe VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups of the pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line A549 were (1045.89 +/- 165.30) pg/ml, (782.45 +/- 67.17) pg/ml and (916.54 +/- 71.25) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups of the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT116 were (955.76 +/- 51.14) pg/ml, (822.89 +/- 142.39) pg/ml and (951.77 +/- 188.22) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups in the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT8 were (1290.62 +/- 41.23) pg/ml, (1063.34 +/- 63.82) pg/ml and (1257.14 +/- 11.40) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups in the liver cancer cell line HepG2 were (1083.00 +/- 134.35) pg/ml, (758.00 +/- 84.85) pg/ml and (874.00 +/- 22.62) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF expression levels in the above mentioned cell lines cultured in TCM were significantly reduced in the LMWH-treated groups compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). But the level of TNF-alpha in TCM-cultured cells was unaffected by LMWH. The VEGF mRNA was reduced in the LMWH-treated HepG2 cell line. Moreover, TCM exhibited stimulating effect on proliferation of HUVEC and the effect was significantly impaired by LMWH treatment. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LMWH treatment arrested HUVECs at the G1 phase of cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONLMWH can suppress the expression and secretion of VEGF by tumor cell lines and therefore have a potential inhibiting effect on angiogenesis induced by VEGF.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; HCT116 Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion

BACKGROUNDThe proliferation and apoptosis property of mesenchymal stem cells derived from peripheral blood (PB-MSCs) were investigated under hypoxia and serum deprivation conditions in vitro so as to evaluate the feasibility for autologous PB-MSCs applications in cartilage repair.

METHODSMSCs were mobilized into peripheral blood by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and AMD3100. The blood samples were collected from central ear artery of rabbits. Adhered cells were obtained by erythrocyte lysis buffer and identified as MSCs by adherence to plastic, spindle shaped morphology, specific surface markers, differentiation abilities into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. MSCs were cultured in four groups at different oxygen tension (20% O2 and 2% O2), with or without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) conditions: 20% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (normal medium, N), 20% O2 and serum deprivation medium (D), 2% O2 and 10% FBS complete medium (hypoxia, H), 2% O2 and serum deprivation (HD). Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.

RESULTSSpindle-shaped adherent cells were effectively mobilized from peripheral blood by a combined administration of G-CSF plus AMD3100. These cells showed typical fibroblast-like phenotype similar to MSCs from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), and expressed a high level of typical MSCs markers CD29 and CD44, but lacked in the expression of hematopoietic markers CD45 and major histocompatibility complex Class II (MHC II). They could also differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro under appropriate conditions. No significant morphological differences were found among the four groups. It was found that hypoxia could enhance proliferation of PB-MSCs regardless of serum concentration, but serum deprivation inhibited proliferation at the later stage of culture. Apart from that, hypoxia or serum deprivation could promote the apoptosis of PB-MSCs after 48 hours; the effect was stronger when these two conditions combined together. Furthermore, the effect of serum deprivation on apoptosis was stronger compared with that of hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONSPB-MSCs possess similar phenotypes as BM-MSCs. Their differentiation and proliferation abilities make them a new source of seed cells for ischemia-related cell therapy and tissue engineering in the field of the articular cartilage repair.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Hypoxia ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rabbits

BACKGROUNDUse of neoadjuvant chemotherapy necessitates assessment of response to cytotoxic drugs. The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating clinical responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

METHODSWe examined patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer between October 2007 and September 2008. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was used to examine breast tumors prior to and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The MRI examination assessed tumors using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The Miller-Payne grading system was used as a histopathological examination to assess the effect of the treatment. We examined the relationship between the results of RECIST and histopathological criteria. In addition, we used time-signal intensity curves (MRI T-SI) to further evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor response.

RESULTSMRI examination of patients completing four three-week anthracycline-taxanes chemotherapy treatment revealed that no patients had complete responses (CR), 58 patients had partial responses (PR), 29 patients had stable disease (SD), and four with progressive disease (PD). The effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CR + PR) was 63.7% (58/91). The postoperative histopathological evaluations revealed the following: seven G5 (pCR) cases (7.7%), 39 G4 cases (42.9%), 16 G3 cases (17.6%), 23 G2 cases (25.3%), and six G1 cases (6.6%). The effectiveness (G5 + G4 + G3) was 68.1% (62/91). MRI T-SI standards classified 53 responding cases, 29 stable cases, and nine progressing cases. These results indicated that the treatment was 58.2% effective (53/91) overall.

CONCLUSIONSDynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathological standards were highly correlated. Importantly, MRI T-SI evaluation was found to be useful in assessing the clinical effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Anthracyclines ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics of primary gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODSThe data of clinical manifestations, image characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of 110 patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma were analyzed.

RESULTSThe rate of diagnosis as early primary gallbladder carcinoma was only 8.2% (9/110) in this series. The majority of the patients were females (63/110) with an age ranging from 31 to 80 years. Clinical manifestations were not specific, and diagnosis was made mainly on image examination. Radical resection was performed for 57 patients, palliative resection for 41, the rest 12 patients failed to receive operation on reasons of distant metastasis, age or other reasons. Only 88 patients were followed with a mean survival time of 196 days ranging from 15 days to 5 years and 11 months.

CONCLUSIONThe primary gallbladder carcinoma is quite difficult to diagnose at the early stage, and its prognosis is usually poor. The diagnosis is made mainly depending on the medical history and image examinations.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholecystectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography