Objective To investigate the effects of chemokine CCL18 on the proliferation and invasion of a human melanoma cell line A375. Methods Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers, cultured in vitro and divided into two groups to be induced by IL-4 for 48 hours or remain untreated. A375 cells were classified into 3 groups to be cultured with IL-4-induced monocytes, untreated monocytes or CCL18 of 200 g/L for various durations. A375 cells receiving no treatment served as the control.MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation of A375 cells, chemotaxis test and Matrigel-transwell assay to evaluate the chemotaxis and invasion ability of A375 cells, and chicken chorioalllantoic memebrane (CAM)was used to detect the effect of CCL18 on tumor angiogenesis. Results The proliferation of A375 cells was statistically accelerated by IL-4-induced monocytes and untreated monocytes, but unaffected by CCL18.Matrigel-transwell assay revealed that IL-4-induced monocytes and CCL18 promoted the chemotaxis and invasion ability of A375 cells (all P＜0.05). Tumor angiogenesis was also increased by IL-4-induced monocytes and CCL18 (both P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The chemokine CCL18 can promote the invasion ability of A375 cells and tumor angiogenesis.

Objective To explore the value of DWI (diffusion weighted imaging,DWI) in diagnosis of bladder cancer in clinical T stage by comparing DWI and CT.Methods Seventy-five patients with bladder cancer underwent MRI plain scan,enhanced diffusion-weighted imaging and CT scan,to make a diagnosis preoperative clinical T stage according to their image.Then we compared the diffusion-weighted imaging and CT results with pathological staging results to assess the value of DWI in bladder tumor staging.Results For clinical T staging bladder cancer,the diagnostic accuracy rate was 83.5％ and 72％ for DWI and CT,resectively,statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging can accurately diagose the clinical T stage of bladder cancer,and has a higher value than CT.

0.05). Compared with model group, levels of DA and DOPAC in striatum reduced in Xieqing group (P

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between estrogen and the development of hemangioma.

METHODSThe expression of EST and ER in samples from the thirty-eight cases of hemangioma and six cases of normal control group was examined with the immunohistochemical steptavidin peroxidase conjugated method (SP method).

RESULTSThe EST in capillary hemangioma expressed significantly higher than in the cavernous hemangioma, the racemose hemangioma or the control group. Although the EST in cavernous hemangioma and racemose hemangioma also expressed higher than in the control, there are no statistical differences among them. The ER only expressed in some cases in the capillary hemangioma group. No sexual difference was shown in the expressions of the EST and the ER.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows that there may be a relationship existed between the estrogen and the capillary hemangioma. It may indicate that some capillary hemangioma may be possibly treated by the drugs.

Case-Control Studies ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; metabolism ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism

Taking Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital as an example,the paper introduces the study idea of hospital IT intelligent operation maintenance and monitoring platform,expounds on design and realization of the platform,including general technical architecture,functional architecture and core business process,summarizes related practical experiences,and points out that application of the platform is able to enhance operation maintenance level and user satisfaction significantly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate one-stage repairing upper lip defects with an island flap based on the inferior labial arterial arch.

METHODSAn island flap pedicled with the inferior labial arterial arch was used to repair upper lip defects. The size of the wedge-shaped flap ranged from 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 1.5 cm x 2.0 cm. Since 1993, fifteen patients with upper lip defects have been treated with this method.

RESULTSAll the flaps survived with satisfactory function and appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe island flap of the inferior labial arterial arch is effective and applicable in repairing severe secondary deformities of congenital bilateral cleft lips.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteries ; transplantation ; Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; abnormalities ; blood supply ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the function of basic fibroblastic growth factor on the survival of fat transplantation.

METHODSBasic fibroblastic growth factor was used in pearl fat graft transplantation on experimental animal models. Microvessels densities both on experimental sides and control sides were quantitatively researched in various periods. The growth course of vessels was observed.

RESULTSMicrovessels can be observed clearly. The Microvessels densities both on experimental sides and control sides raised gradually. The density reached highest in 14 days on experimental side and in 28 days on control side, and fell down slightly later. The densities on every experimental sides were higher than that on control sides.

CONCLUSIONSBasic fibroblastic growth factor can effectually accelerate the growth of blood vessels in pearl fat graft.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Animals ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; therapeutic use ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Transplantation ; methods

BACKGROUNDOssification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is characterized by the replacement of ligamentous tissue with new ectopic bone formation, and has a strong genetic background. Because of the abnormal bone metabolic features and the strong genetic component, osteoporosis is a related disorder with OPLL. Three polymorphisms on chromosome 20p12 were identified associated with the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. The rs996544 (C/T) "TT" and rs965291 (G/A) "AA" genotypes conferred higher risks for vertebral and hip fractures. The osteoporosis haplotype is defined by two polymorphisms, rs1116867 (A) and D35548 (T). However, it remains unknown whether these three polymorphisms predispose to an increased frequency and severity of OPLL in Han Chinese patients.

METHODSA total of 420 OPLL patients and 506 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs996544 (C/T), rs965291 (G/A) and rs1116867 (A/G), were analyzed by direct sequencing. Associations between these SNPs with the occurrence and extent of OPLL were statistically evaluated.

RESULTSThere was no significant association between the rs996544 (C/T) polymorphism and the prevalence of OPLL. The rs1116867 (A/G) polymorphism "AG" genotype was associated with the occurrence of OPLL. The rs1116867 (A/G) polymorphism "G" allele was associated with the occurrence of OPLL, but not with the extent of OPLL. The rs965291 (G/A) polymorphism in female patients was statistically different between cases and controls (P < 0.05). The rs965291 (G/A) polymorphism "A" allele was associated with the occurrence of OPLL in female patients. For the rs965291 (G/A) polymorphism, patients with the "A" allele (genotype, "AG" or "AA") showed a significantly greater number of ossified cervical vertebrae than those without the "A" allele (genotype, "GG", P < 0.05), particularly in female patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe rs1116867 (A/G) and rs965291 (G/A) polymorphisms on chromosome 20p12 are associated with the occurrence and the extent of OPLL, at least in Han Chinese subjects. Our data should advance our understanding of the molecular etiology of OPLL and may guide approaches to prevent the onset of OPLL.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of post-treatment PSA kinetics on the prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 114 cases of locally advanced PCa treated by maximal androgen blockade (MAB) combined with brachytherapy, and analyzed the association of the changes in PSA kinetics with the prognosis of the patients.

RESULTSThe median survival time of the patients was 81 (15 - 144) months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of 91. 23%, 78.07% and 68.42% , respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that the baseline PSA level, PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, PSA doubling time, and the extent of PSA declining were all predictive factors for the survival time of the PCa patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, and the extent of PSA declining were three independent prognostic factors, which prolonged the long-term survival of the patients by 1.7, 3.2 and 6.8 times, respectively.

CONCLUSIONFor locally advanced PCa treated by MAB combined with brachytherapy, PSA nadir <1 micro g/L, the time to nadir <3 months, and the extent of PSA declining >96% are independent prognostic factors.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgens ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shenqi Compound on diabetic angiopathy modeled rats.

METHODSTotally 18 SD rats were randomized into 3 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the diabetic mellitus (DM) group, and Shenqi Compound group, 6 in each group. The DM rat model was established by feeding high-fat diet (to induce hyperlipidemia) +intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ). Shenqi Compound was given to rats in the Shenqi Compound group at the daily dose of 2 g/kg. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. All treatment was lasted for 12 weeks. Then 2-D and ultrasonic integrated backscatter technique were used to evaluate structural and functional changes of abdominal aorta in the progression of diabetic macroangiopathy. The fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries were observed by using HE and Masson trichrome staining. The tension of the aortic vascular ring was determined. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen III, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and phosphorylation P38 MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, abdominal aortic systolic inner diameter, diastolic inner diameter, Peterson elastic modulus, stiffness index, and backscatter integral significantly increased; the rangeability of integral backscatter and the extension coefficient of cross section significantly decreased in the DM group (all P < 0.05). After 12 weeks aforesaid indices were obviously improved in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of HE and Masson staining showed that the fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries was obviously alleviated in rats of the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of the aortic vascular ring tension showed that acetylcholine induced vasodilatation and maximum diastolic percent were obviously elevated in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all significantly increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the DM group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSShenqi Compound could effectively improve the arterial function in diabetic marcoangiopathy and microvascular dysfunction. The mechanism might be due to the down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta, and further suppressing the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, reducing the synthesis of collagen I and collagen III, therefore, ameliorating arterial and myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism