AIMTo observe the effects of hypercapnia on nuclear factor-kappaB and TNF-alpha in acute lung injury models.

METHODSSix of the twenty-two healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated to control group (Group C), the other sixteen rabbits were injected with oleic acid (0.1 ml/kg) intravenously, then were randomized to normocapnic group (Group N, n = 8) versus hypercapnic group (Group H, n = 8). TNF-alpha of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB in the lung were analyzed after three hours' mechanical ventilation.

RESULTSTNF-alpha of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Group N and H was significantly higher than that in Group C (P < 0.01), and that of Group N was higher than that of Group H (P < 0.05). The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB in Group H was less than that in Group N by both immunohistochemistry and Western-blot analysis. Peak airway pressure in Group H was significantly lower than that in Group N and the dynamic lung compliance was significantly higher than that in Group N (P < 0.05). PaO2 in Group H was significantly higher than that in Group N (P < 0.05). Histologic damage in Group N was significantly severer than that in Group H.

CONCLUSIONHypercapnia is protective in this in vivo model of ALl. The mechanisms might be associated with the prohibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and then the decreased expression of TNF-alpha by hypercapnia.

Acute Lung Injury ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Hypercapnia ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; blood ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; metabolism

Based upon the underlying mechanism and pathological evidence of tissue injury of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) , four etiological and symptomatic therapies were proposed for managing AMR, including etiological treatment of AMR including antibody-targeting, B cell or plasma cell-targeting therapies; strategies for preventing antibody-mediated endothelial damage: an inhibition of complement/antibody dependent cell-mediated pathways; anticoagulant & thrombolytic therapies for thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to endothelial damage ; anti-inflammatory therapies for acute/chronic vascular inflammation secondary to endothelial damage. Etiological treatment is essential for preventing and treating AMR while symptomatic measures, such as anticoagulant, thrombolytic and antiinflammatory therapies, are stressed. Finally the authors devised therapeutic strategies for AMR in 4 different patient groups of non-sensitized allograft recipients, sensitized allograft recipients, individuals with active AMR and those with chronic active AMR.

Objective To explore the Electrocardiography (ECG) changes of residents in Keshan disease area and the status of growth and decline of Keshan disease in Shaanxi Province. Methods Using stratified randomized sampling method,2 mild,2 moderate and 2 serious disease counties were selected respectively in 2005 and 2006. A total of 6 counties were sampled,2 villages,one with severe disease and one with mild,were selected from each sampled county. A total of 12 villages were selected. The clinical examination and ECG were conducted in 3-year old children of agricultural population of the selected villages. Results ECG of 5692 cases were performed in the selected 12 village in the 6 counties,in which 4917 cases showed normal electrocardiogram,up to 86.38% (4917/5692). Two hundred and fifty-two cases showed roughly normal electrocardiograms,up to 4.43%(252/5692). Five hundred and twenty-three cases had abnormal electrocardiogram,accounting for 9.19% (523/5692). Among them,the abnormal electrocardiogram rates in mild,moderate and serious disease areas were 7.07% (144/2036), 11.41%(167/1646) and 10.54%(212/2010),respectively. Atrioventricular block was the major abnormal electrocardiogram change,followed by arrhythmia,ST-T changes,and low voltage. One hundred and thirty-nine cases were confirmed as latent and chronic Keshan diseases. One hundred and thirty-one cases were latent Keshan, and detection rate was 2.30%(131/5692). Eight cases were chronic Keshan,and the detective rate was 0.14% (8/5692). Complete right bundle branch block [37.06% (63/170) ],ST-T changes [22.35% (38/170) ],multiple premature ventricular beats [12.94% (22/170)] were the major abnormal electrocardiogram change of Keshan patients. Conclusions Atrioventricular block and arrhythmia are the major abnormal electrocardiogram changes. Keshan disease incidences are controlled under a stable condition.

Objective To explore the status of Keshan disease in Shaanxi province to provide a scientific basis for decision-making of prevention and control of Keshan disease. Methods Nineteen infected villages were randomly selected in 19 infected counties in the range of Keshan disease infected area in Shaanxi province in 2008 as the investigation sites. Clinical examination and electrocardiography were performed in the chosen people at every spots, chest X-ray of posteroanterior position film in 2-meter distance was taken in suspicious cardiac patients, and determining the selenium contents was also determined in the collected grain samples of the investigators. Results Of the 10 228 investigated residents in the endemic area, 110 Keshan disease patients were detected, the total detection rate was 1.08% (110/10 228). Among the 110 patients, 92 were potential Keshan disease, which accounted 0.90%(92/10 228); 18 chronic Keshan disease formed a detection rate of 0.18%( 18/10 228); no acute and sub-acute type of Keshan disease had been inspected. Potential Keshan disease patients often showed electrocardiogram abnormality of complete fight bundle branch block [48.57%(51/105)], ST-T change[ 19.05% ( 20/105 ) ], frequent premature ventricular contraction [ 10.48 % ( 11/105 ) ], left ventricular hypertrophy [ 5.71% (6/105) ], block in the anterosuperior division of the left branch[5.71%(6/105)]; Chronic of Keshan patients mostly presented atrial fibrillation [ 24.00% (6/25) ], left ventricular hypertrophy [ 20.00% (5/25) ], complete right bundle branch block [ 20.00% (5/25)]. The increase rate of cardiothoracie ratio was 18.08% (32/177). Food samples of wheat, corn, millet and rice in infected area residents were of selenium content, being (0.096± 0.028), (0.089 ±0.029), (0.087 ± 0.016), (0.047 ± 0.016)mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions Keshan disease in Shaanxi province is steadily declining, potential and chronic Keshan diseases are currently the main clinical types. Selenium content of food in endemic area has reached the level of the non-endemic area.

Animals ; beta Catenin ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Cell Self Renewal ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Genome ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kinesin ; Luciferases ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Prognosis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVEGene expression profiling of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of different immunophenotypes.

METHODSThe study included 156 cases of DLBCL, which were subclassified by immunohistochemistry including CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1. Affymetrix U133 plus2.0 oligonucleotide microarrays were used to obtain differential gene expression profiling of 9 DLBCL (3 representative cases from each immunophenotypical group) and 3 tonsils. Clinical stages of all 9 lymphomas were Ann Arbor stage IV.

RESULTSThe immunohistochemistry subclassified 156 cases of DLBCL into 3 groups: CD10(+) and/or bcl-6(+), MUM1(-) (group 1); CD10(+) and/or bcl-6(+), MUM1(+) (group 2); CD10(-) and bcl-6(-), MUM1(+) (group 3). By gene expression array, 9 lymphomas and 3 tonsils were clustered in an unsupervised fashion into 4 groups (A, B, C and D), which were in accordance with the immunophenotypical groups (group 1, 2, 3 and normal). A total of 81 genes were markedly decreased and 86 genes were over-expressed in all DLBCL groups. Although Group B lymphomas showed mixed immunophenotypical features of both germinal center B-cell-like DLBCL (Group A) and activated B-cell-like lymphomas (Group C), gene profile clustering showed that Group B was dissimilar to Group A or Group C, with 45 over-expressed and 27 uniquely expressed genes.

CONCLUSIONSGene expression profiling indicates that DLBCL can be subgrouped at the molecular level and can be identified by immunophenotyping. The gene expression profile of Group B lymphomas suggests that factors other than the cell-of-origin may contribute to the pathogenesis of DLBCL.

Aged ; Cluster Analysis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine whether erythropoietin (EPO) promotes rapid proliferation of glioma through Akt pathway.

METHODSWe detected the expression of EPO in human glioma tissues using immunohistochemistry. A nude mouse model bearing human glioma U87 cell xenograft was established and given intraperitoneal injection of EPO or saline every other day, and the tumor growth was observed. In the in vitro experiment, U87 cells were treated with PBS (control), EPO, or EPO with Akt inhibitor, and the expression of p-Akt and cyclin D1 was detected using Western blotting; the cell proliferation rate was determined using cell counting kit-8 and clone formation assay, and the cell cycle changes were analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with low-grade glioma tissues, high-grade glioma tissues exhibited a significantly increased EPO expression (P=0.0002). In the tumor-bearing mice, EPO treatment significantly increased the expression of EPO (P=0.0006) and p-Akt (P=0.0003) in the tumor and obviously increased the tumor volume (P<0.0001) and weight (P=0.0003). In U87 cells cultured in vitro, EPO treatment obviously accelerated the cell proliferation (P=0.020 on day 3 and 0.028 on day 5), promoted clone formation (P=0.0010), and increased proliferation index (P=0.0028); EPO significantly enhanced the protein expression of p-Akt (P=0.0020) and cyclin D1 (P=0.0022). The application of Akt inhibitor significantly suppressed the effect of EPO in enhancing cyclin D1 and p-Akt expression (both P<0.0001) and promoting cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONEPO can significantly accelerate the proliferation of glioma through Akt pathway.

BACKGROUNDAutologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a part of the standard induction therapy of multiple myeloma (MM). This case-controlled clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the therapeutic effects of ASCT as a consolidation therapy for MM and discuss factors influencing the prognosis.

METHODSClinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as MM who received ASCT as a consolidation therapy in our hospital between October 1998 and August 2010 were analyzed retrospectively (ASCT group). Other 70 MM patients receiving routine chemotherapy without ASCT (non-ASCT group) during the same period were used as controls. Differences in the degree and duration of remission, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared to explore factors that may influence the prognosis.

RESULTSThe median follow-up period was 38 months (range 1 - 128 months). The complete response (CR) rate of ASCT group increased from 27.1% (19/70) before ASCT to 51.4% (36/70) after ASCT. The median PFS of ASCT group was significantly higher than non-ASCT group (45 months vs. 25 months, P < 0.001). The median OS of ASCT group was also significantly higher (55 months vs. 30 months, P = 0.016). Single-factor analysis showed that International Staging System (ISS) stage, very good partial response (VGPR) or better outcome were significantly correlated with PFS and OS (P < 0.001). Multi-factor analysis showed that whether or not VGPR or better outcome was achieved were independent factors influencing the disease prognosis.

CONCLUSIONUsed as a consolidation therapy, ASCT can achieve better responses and higher OS and PFS of MM patients.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDSurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is often compromised by incomplete exclusion of the aneurysm or stenosis of parent vessels. Intraoperative microvascular Doppler (IMD) is an attractive, noninvasive, and inexpensive tool. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of IMD for guiding clip placement in aneurysm surgery.

METHODSA total of 92 patients with 101 intracranial aneurysms were included in the study. IMD with a 1.5-mm diameter, 20-MHz microprobe was used before and after clip application to confirm aneurysm obliteration and patency of parent vessels and branching arteries. IMD findings were verified postoperatively with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or dual energy computed tomography angiography (DE-CTA). Ninety consecutive patients, harboring 108 aneurysms, who underwent surgery without IMD was considered as the control group.

RESULTSThe microprobe detected all vessels of the Circle of Willis and their major branches. Clips were repositioned in 24 (23.8%) aneurysms on the basis of the IMD findings consistent with incomplete exclusion and/or stenosis. IMD identified persistent weak blood flow through the aneurismal sac of 11 of the 101 (10.9%) aneurysms requiring clip adjustment. Stenosis or occlusion of the parent or branching arteries as indicated by IMD necessitated immediate clip adjustment in 19 aneurysms (18.8%). The mean duration of the IMD procedure was 4.8 minutes. The frequency of clip adjustment (mean: 1.8 times per case) was associated with the size and location of the aneurysm. There were no complications related to the use of IMD, and postoperative angiograms confirmed complete aneurysm exclusion and parent vessel patency. About 8.3% (9/108) aneurysms were unexpectedly incompletely occluded, and 10.2% (11/108) aneurysms and parent vessel stenosis without IMD were detected by postoperative DSA or DE-CTA. IMD could reduce the rate of residual aneurysm and unanticipated vessel stenosis which demonstrated statistically significant advantages compared with aneurysm surgery without IMD.

CONCLUSIONIMD is a safe, easily performed, reliable, and valuable tool that is suitable for routine use in intracranial surgery, especially in complicated, large, and giant aneurysms with wide neck or without neck.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods

The effect of adventitia on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (As) is getting more attentions. Fibroblasts, mast cells, dendritic cells, vasa vasorums, vascular-associated lymphoid tissues, and vascular peripheral nerves are related to the occurrence and development of As. This essay summarizes studies on the changes in adventitia in As process and its effect on the occurrence and development of As, as well as the latest progress.
Adventitia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Humans