Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration in C57BL mice.Methods Different doses of MNU (30 mg · kg-1,45 mg · kg-1,60 mg · kg-1,75 mg · kg-1 and 90 mg · kg-1) were injected to C57BL mice for 7 days.Then electroretinogram (ERG) detection and HE staining were performed to examine retinal electrophysiological function and morphological changes on day 1,day 3 and day 7 after MNU treatment,respectively.Then we could explore the optimum condition to establish stable animal model of retinitis pigmentosa.MSCs were transplanted to C57BL mice by intravitreal or tail intravenous injection.Then ERG detection and HE staining were performed to evaluate the effect of MSCs on retinitis pigmentosa induced by MNU.Results When compared with control group,30 mg · kg-1 and 45 mg · kg-1 MNU could cause mild retinal damage in morphology and function in mice;while 60 mg · kg-1 and above dose of MNU induced serious retinal damage,leading to decreased ERG amplitude of the retina (all P ＜ 0.001) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness (all P ＜ 0.001).On day 1 and day 3 after single dose of 60 mg · kg-1 MNU injection,ERG amplitude of the retina was decreased,and outer nuclear layer thickness became thin;while the retinal damage was serious badly in morphological structure on day 7,with the ERG amplitude extinguished (all P ＜ 0.001),ONL thickness thin (all P ＜ 0.001) and internal and external nuclear layer fusion.When compared with MNU alone treatment group,following injection of 60 mg · kg-1 MNU for 1 day MSCs were transplanted to C57BL mice by intravitreal or tail intravenous injection,and the amplitude of ERG and retinal ONL thickness were increased on day 7 after MSCs transplantation (all P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion MSCs transplantation has a certain therapeutic effect on MNU-induced retinitis pigmentosa in C57BL mice.

As in the building of deep buried long tunnels, there are complicated conditions such as great deformation, high stress, multi-variables, high non-linearity and so on, the algorithm for structure optimization and its application in tunnel engineering are still in the starting stage. Along with the rapid development of highways across the country, It has become a very urgent task to be tackled to carry out the optimization design of the structure of the section of the tunnel to lessen excavation workload and to reinforce the support. Artificial intelligence demonstrates an extremely strong capability of identifying, expressing and disposing such kind of multiple variables and complicated non- linear relations. In this paper, a comprehensive consideration of the strategy of the selection and updating of the concentration and adaptability of the immune algorithm is made to replace the selection mode in the original genetic algorithm which depends simply on the adaptability value. Such an algorithm has the advantages of both the immune algorithm and the genetic algorithm, thus serving the purpose of not only enhancing the individual adaptability but maintaining the individual diversity as well. By use of the identifying function of the antigen memory, the global search capability of the immune genetic algorithm is raised, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the premature phenomenon. By optimizing the structure of the section of the Huayuan tunnel, the current excavation area and support design are adjusted. A conclusion with applicable value is arrived at. At a higher computational speed and a higher efficiency, the current method is verified to have advantages in the optimization computation of the tunnel project. This also suggests that the application of the immune genetic algorithm has a practical significance to the stability assessment and informationlzation design of the wall rock of the tunnel.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) transplantation exerts beneficial impact on angiogenesis of impaired tissues caused by ischemia. However, whether this impact is related to the paracrine effect of ECFCs needs to be studied further.OBJECTIVE: To detect the cytokine secretion profile of human umbilical cord blood derived-ECFCs conditioned medium (ECFCs-CM) and explore the effect of ECFCs-CM on the proliferation, migration and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).METHODS: Human cord blood derived-ECFCs were isolated, cultured in vitro, and then identified based on the previous studies. The cytokines in serum free ECFCs-CM were detected using a cytokines antibody array. HUVECs were cultured with ECFCs-CM, serum free EBM-2 as control. The proliferation, migration and tube formation abilities of HUVECs were examined by cell counting kit-8, scratch test and Matrigel assay, respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cultured cells demonstrated typical characteristics of ECFCs, which showed cobblestone appearance and were positive for CD34, KDR and CD144, but not CD45 or CD133, uptook Dil-acLDL and bond FITC-UEA-I, and tube-like structures were formed on Matrigel. The cytokine antibody array showed that ECFCs-CM significantly upregulated the expressions of 30 kinds of angiogenic factors. Compared with the control group,the HUVECs cultured with ECFCs-CM showed significantly improved proliferation ability at 24, 48 and 72 hours (P <0.01). The migration rate of HUVECs in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 12 and 24 hours (P < 0.01). There were more tubular structures in the experimental group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that ECFCs can promote the bioactivity of mature endothelial cells through paracrine action.

BACKGROUND: Researches show that erythropoietin (EPO) can stimulate the proliferation and protraction of endothelial progenitor cells to form new vessels, so EPO may play an important role in proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of EPO on the proliferation and cell cycle of MSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: From July to November 2007, the observation of comparative cell trial was performed at the Hematologic Diseases Institute of General Hospital Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS: Bone marrow liquid specimens were provided by voluntary donors. The informed consents were obtained from all patients, and the experiment was approved by Hospital Ethics Committee. METHODS: Using Percoll solution, MSCs were isolated from bone marrow by the method of density centrifugation. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the cell cycles of the second and third passages. MSCs were incubated with different doses of EPO (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 5.00 U/mL) in serum free culture media, and cells cultured with no EPO were regarded as control. All cells were cultured for 24, 48, and 72 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Proliferation of MSCs was measured by MTT assays after 24, 48, and 72 hours; ②Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry assays after incubated with 10 U/mL EPO for 72 hours. RESULTS: After MSCs was incubated with EPO, the cell proliferation index was significantly increased in a dose and time dependent manner. The effects on the proliferation of MSCs were highest in 5 U/mL group. Compared with the control group, EPO could significantly decrease G0 /G1 ratio, and increase S and G2/M stage ratio (P

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using apatinib in the treatment of refractory triple-negative advanced breast cancer. Methods:Eight cases of advanced triple-negative breast cancer patients confirmed via histopathology, who were previously treated with anthracycline, taxane, gemcitabine, capecitabine, and 500 mg/d apatinib in our hospital from July 2015 to November 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The time of disease progress, effective rate, clinical benefits, and side effects were observed. Results:Eight patients were administrated with an average of 4 treatment cycles, and the effects were evaluated after 2 weeks. Four patients exhibited partial remission, 3 had a stable disease, and 1 had a progressive disease. The disease control rate was 87.5%, and the median progression free survival was 4.2 months. The main side effects were hand-foot syndrome (3/8), bone marrow arrest (4/8), hypertension (2/8), proteinuria (3/8), hemoptysis (1/8), nausea (2/8), and fatigue (2/8). Most of these side effects were tolerable. Conclusion:Apatinib can effectively and tolerably prolong survival time and improve the quality of life of patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer.

Objective To discuss the efficacy and safety of sterile repositionable hemostasis clipping device in combination with high frequency electric snare in polypectomy of colorectal polyps with wide and long peduncle. Methods From January 2014 to December 2015, 21 cases of colorectal polyps with wide and long peduncle (diameter greater than 2 cm) in endoscopic treatment under electronic colonoscopy. We used 1 ~ 2 hemostatic clips to clip colorectal polyps roots, then used electric resection with high frequency electric snare electric coagulation. Postoperative bleeding, perforation were observed follow-up. Results 24 polyps in 21 cases were removed one-time successfully. Stump errhysis in 1 case, hot biopsy forceps is given to deal with local wound followed by Olympus Clip HX-610-135L EZ titanium clip. There was no complication such as bleeding and perforation in 3 to 6 months after the operation. In the colonoscopy examination, recurrence of polyps were not found in the original polyp resection site. Conclusion Sterile repositionable hemostasis clipping device in combination with high frequency electric snare in polypectomy of colorectal polyps with wide and long peduncle is safe and effective, without bleeding or perforation.

0.05). The rFA2 values were higher and rFA3 were lower in high grade gliomas than that in low grade and had significant difference (respectively t=2.453, P

Objective To examine the effect of endothelial colony-forming cells conditioned medium(ECFCs-CM)on biological function of human dermal fibroblasts(HDFs). Methods Human cord blood derived-ECFCs were isolated and identified based on the previous studies. The cytokines in ECFCs-CM were detected using a cytokines antibody array. HDFs were cultured with ECFCs-CM,using serum free EBM-2 as control. The proliferation of HDFs was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)and the migration was assessed by scratch test assay. The apoptosis of HDFs was detected by flow cytometry. Results The cells isolated from human cord blood demonstrated typical characteristics of ECFCs. The cytokines antibody array indicated that ECFCs-CM contained large amounts of secreted cytokines such as PDGF-BBand EGF. Compared with the control group,the HDFs cultured with ECFCs-CM showed improved proliferation and migration ability. The number of apoptotic cells was smaller than that of the control group under the environment of serum starvation. Conclusion ECFCs-CM can promote the proliferation and migration of HDFs and inhibit the apoptosis of HDFs under the environment of serum starvation.

Objective:To evaluate the meaning and value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Methods:In this study,48 patients (unilateral hand)with CTS were analyzed.The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was measured using high-fre-quency ultrasound.Open carpal tunnel release procedure was performed in the 48 CTS patients,and the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the hamate hook bone measured using vernier caliper under di-rect vision.The accuracy of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments was evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound.High-frequency ultrasound measurement of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the ha-mate hook bone and pisiform bone,and determination of the diagnostic threshold measurement index using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve,sensitivity and specificity were performed and the correlation between the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments and nerve conduction study (NCS)ana-lyzed.Results:The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in the CTS patients were (0.42 ±0.08)cm (high-frequency ultrasound)and (0.41 ±0.06)cm (operation)at hamate hook bone,and there was no significant difference between the two ways (t =0.672,P>0.05 ).The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at hamate hook bone was 0.385 cm,the sensitivity 0.775,and the specificity 0.788.The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was 0.315 cm, the sensitivity 0.950,and the specificity 1 .000.The transverse carpal ligaments thickness and wrist-in-
dex finger sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV),wrist-middle finger SCV showed a negative correla-tion.Conclusion:High frequency ultrasound measurements of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments is a valuable method for the diagnosis of CTS.

Luteinizing hormone(LH)is a gonadotropin of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis(HPG),secreted by the anteri?or pituitary. The secretion of LH is directly controlled by the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH),acts at the ovaries and testes to stimulate the production of gonadal hormones. Aging leads to increases in LH,and higher serum levels of LH has been ob?served in Alzheimer′s disease(AD)patients when compared to age-matched controls. Evidences from basic research and epidemiologi?cal investigation support the critical role of elevated LH in pathogenic process of AD and deteriorating cognitive decline. Here we sum?marize the recent discoveries containing human AD epidemiological evidence for LH,cognitive impairments resulting from LH activi?ty,LH in AD pathology and LH receptor signaling mechanisms.