Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; prevention & control ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Haplotypes ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; therapy ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; therapy ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; therapy ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

Objective To assess retinal arteriole stenosis in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) and to evaluate the relationship between retinal arteriole stenosis with cranial MRI changes and clinical features. Methods Sixteen CADASIL patients (mean age was (43.4±8.1)years, mean duration was(4.7±3.4)years)and sixteen age matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and modified Rankin scale scoring were performed in 16 patients. Cranial MRl with Coulthard scores was assessed on CADASIL patients as well. Retinal examinations for arteriole stenosis were done for each subject. Bivariate correlations (Kendall's tau-b) were used to assess the relationship among the grade of retinal stenosis, MMSE, modified Rankin seale, cranial MRI with Coulthard scores and age. Results Retinal arteriole stenosis presented in 15 cases. in whom 4 cases showed mild arterio-venous nicking. while it only presented in 2 controls. Grade 0.Ⅰ, and Ⅲ of retinal arteriole stenosis are noted in 1/16,4/16,7/16 and 4/16cases respectively. Coulthard scores of cerebral MRl were 6.0.19.0.25.1 and 29.8 respectively from Grade 0 toⅢ of retinal arteriole stenosis. The correlation coefficient of retinal arteriole stenosis and cranial MRI scores was 0.743(P＜0.001＝,MMSE-0.429(P＜0.05＝,modified Rankin scale 0.437(P＞0.05).and age 0.299(P＞0.05).Conclusion Retinal arteriole stenosis is significantly correlated with lesion in cranial MRI and dementia.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of liver (PEComa),and to improve the diagnostic level of the disease. Methods A retrospective analysis of imaging manifestations was performed on 11 cases of hepatic hemangioma confirmed by surgery and pathology. All patients underwent CT and MRI examination before PET/CT examination ,then received operation. Results Eleven cases were solitary hepatic lesions ,10 of which were located in the right lobe of the liver ,and 1 in the left. The lesions were round or quasi-circular and the diameter ranged from about 13.5cm to about 1.8 cm,with an average of 5.7 cm. CT plain scanning showed that the liver was slightly lower density ,with clear boundary. The smaller lesions were homogeneous density,while the larger ones were not,and the lower density area was visible. Enhancement of peripheral lesions in the arterial phase was enhanced. The lesions in the portal vein were not uniformly enhanced , and visible separation was found in large lesions. In the delay phase ,the lesions were significantly decreased or slightly lower. MRI plain scan showed the lesion T1WI showed moderate signal or slightly low signal ,and large lesion signal was not uniform,and T2WI lesions showed slightly high signal while DWI lesions high signal and the enhanced features were similar to those of CT. PET/CT examination showed that visible radioactive uptake of abnormal concentration or uneven concentration were found in lesions with diameter larger than 3.0 cm,and the maximum SUV value ranged from 12.2 to 3.6,with an average value of 5.7. Lesions with diameter less than 3.0 cm showed a slight concentration of radioactive uptake and the highest SUV value was 4.7,with an average value of 2.9. The only 11.8 cm lesion showed no significant radioactivity ,which was as the same as that of normal liver tissue. Delayed PET/CT imaging(1 hour)showed that SUV values of all lesions were decreased in varying degrees. Conclusion PET/CT imaging of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of liver has its characteristics. The combina-tion of PET/CT imaging and routine imaging examination will benefit the improvement of diagnosis level obviously.

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Dimethylformamide ; poisoning ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated interleukin-24 (AdVIL-24) in conjunction with ionizing radiation on the growth of CNE-2Z human NPC cells in vitro and in vivo and underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe CNE-2Z cells were transfected with AdVIL-24 alone or combined with radiotherapy. The transfection efficacy of AdVIL-24 in CNE-2Z cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Cell growth was assessed by MTT assay, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry through double staining of cells with propidium iodide (PI) and the expressions of P21, P27, cyclin E, CDK2, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected with semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Anti-tumor effect of AdVIL-24 was observed using CNE-2Z human nasopharyngeal carcinoma transplanted tumor in athymic nude mouse model. The volume and weight of the xenografted tumors were measured and the expressions of P21, P27, cyclin E, CDK2, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, CD34 and VEGF and the microvessel density in xenografted tumors were determined by immunohistochemistry analysis.

RESULTSAdVIL-24 plus radiotherapy induced cell growth inhibition (P < 0.05, Q3d, 4d = 0.916, 1.050) , cell cycle G1 phase arrest(50.37%, P < 0.05, Q = 1.042) and apoptosis (48.82%, P < 0.05, Q = 1.042) , substantial up regulations of P21, P27, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 and down regulations of cyclin E and CDK2 (P < 0.05, QP21 = 0.959, QP27 = 0.956, Qcyclin E = 1.078, QCDK2 = 1.046, QBax/Bcl-2 = 0.995) in vitro. In the xenografted tumors, AdVIL-24 plus radiotherapy induced cell growth inhibition (P < 0.05, Qvolume14 = 1.053, Qweight = 1.004) , apoptosis (P < 0.05, Q = 0.974) , substantial upregulation of P21, P27, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulation of cyclin E and CDK2 (P < 0.05; QP21 = 0.920, QP27 = 0.937, QcyclinE = 1.060, QCDK2 = 1.019, QBax/Bcl-2 = 0.982, Qcleaved-Caspase-3 = 0.927) , decreased the tumor vessel CD34 expression and microvessel density. AdVIL-24 potentially blocked the radiation-induced enhancement of VEGF.

CONCLUSIONAdVIL-24 gene therapy combined with radiotherapy may be a novel and effective treatment strategy for human NPC.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Transfection

We have previously shown that the vasodilator effect of protopine (Pro) on rabbit aorta is related to the elevations of cAMP and cGMP. In the present study, the vasodilator mechanisms of Pro were further explored by recording the isotonic contraction of the rat aortic strips, detecting directly the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) with Fura-2/AM loaded vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of rat aorta, and determining the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in rat aortic tissue with radioactive isotope gamma-32P -ATP-catalyzing assay. By recording the aortic strips contraction induced by noradrenaline (NA) and high potassium (K(+)), Pro shifted nonparallelly the concentration-response curves of NA and high K(+) to right, in which the maximal response was depressed in the presence of Pro (30 and 100 micromol/L), and the values of pD'(2) were 3.70-/+0.25 and 3.97-/+0.15 for NA and high K(+), respectively. In the Fura-2/AM loaded VSMCs, Pro (50 and 100 micromol/L) could not produce any significant change on the resting [Ca(2+)](i), but significantly decreased the [Ca(2+)](i) elevated by NA and high K(+). Pro (30 and 100 micromol/L) had no significant effect on the activity of the cytosolic and membrane PKC in the aortic strips inpretreated by NA. However, in the aortic strips pretreated by NA, the activity of membrane PKC was significantly increased and the activity of cytosolic PKC tended to be decreased by Pro, while the activity of total PKC did not change. These results suggest that Pro seems to promote the translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane in the presence of NA, its vasodilator effect may be the comprehensive result of its decreasing effect on the [Ca(2+)](i) and the increasing effect on cAMP and cGMP, as well as its influence on the PKC.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Benzophenanthridines ; pharmacology ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Foley catheter draining method versus the urethral stent plus gastric tube draining method for urine drainage following urethroplasty for hypospadias.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 361 cases of hypospadias treated by urethroplasty. After operation, 91 of the cases received urine drainage with the Foley catheter (group A) and 270 with a urethral stent plus a gastric tube (group B). We compared the incidence rates of bladder irritation, fistula, urethral stricture, and urethral diverticulum between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were found between groups A and B in the incidences of bladder irritation (9.89% vs 10.70%, P > 0.05) and urethral diverticulum (1.09% vs 2.22%, P > 0.05). The incidence rate of fistula was markedly higher in group A than in B (20.80% vs 13.30%, P < 0.05), and so was that of urethral stricture (10.90% vs 5.55%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe urethral stent plus gastric tube draining method is more effective than the Foley catheter draining method for urine drainage following urethroplasty.

Aged ; Child ; Diverticulum ; etiology ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; Urinary Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods

Objective To investigate the management of pregnancy and cardiovascular complications in women with Marian syndrome(MFS).Methods From October 1994 to September 2006, 30 patients with MFS undergoing cardiovascular surgery were studied retrospectively.Results In the labor of 46 offsprings given birth by 30 women,5 cases(11%)were performed elective cesarean section because of the existence of aortic complication,and 12(26%)were diagnosed as MFS.The gestation in two patients was terminated due to deterioration of aortic abnormalities during their third trimester,and they received surgical treatment with Bcntall procedure.Two developed acute aortic dissection during labor and post delivery respectively.With the manipulation of anticoagulation peripartum,one who had the implantation with mechanical prosthesis went through pregnancy and delivery uneventfully.The average duration between delivery and cardiovascular surgery was(15?9)years.Conclusions Vaginal delivery can be done safely in patients with the MFS who do not have or have mild cardiovascular system abnormalities,aortic dissection,or other important cardiac abnormalities,cesarean section should be the preferred method of delivery.Women with MFS are at increased risk for dissection and congestive heart failure during pregnancy and should be counseled before pregnancy about these risks,as well as the inheritance of the condition.

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-HEV IgG response to vaccination of recombinant antigen fragments and evaluate its protection from Hepatitis E Virus infection in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

METHODSTwelve monkeys were divided into three groups and immunized respectively with three different recombinant antigens: namely Ag1 (carboxyl terminal 431 amino acids of ORF2), Ag2 (128aa fragment at the carboxyl terminal of ORF2), and Ag3 (full length ORF3 ligated with two ORF2 fragments encoded by 6743-7126nt and 6287-6404nt). The monkeys were challenged intravenously with fecal suspension from experimentally infected rhesus monkeys, and the other three monkeys served as the placebo group for challenge with HEV. The dynamic changes of the levels of ALT and anti-HEV IgG were examined. Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by light microscope. Excretion of virus was detected by RT-nPCR.

RESULTSHepatic histopathology of two monkeys in the placebo group was consistent with acute viral hepatitis, and ALT was elevated 3-4 weeks after inoculated with virus, up to 10-20 times higher than normal level. The liver tissue of monkeys immunized with antigen kept normal, ALT in several monkeys elevated mildly, and anti-HEV IgG conversation occurred at 1-2 weeks after vaccination, with the titer reaching 1:12,800. The virus RNA could be detected by RT-nPCR from days 7 to 50 in monkeys of control group, and from days 7 to 21 in vaccinated monkeys after challenged with virus.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant antigens could induce the production of anti-HEV IgG, which protected rhesus monkeys from acute Hepatitis symptoms related to HEV infection.

Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Hepatitis E ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Macaca mulatta ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; immunology