Animals ; Benzodiazepines ; pharmacology ; Ducks ; physiology ; Growth Hormone ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Serum ; metabolism ; Weight Gain ; drug effects

Objective To apply MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantitatively analyze cervical spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (CSCIWORA). Methods 15 patients with CSCIWORA and 20 healthy controls were scanned with MRI of conventional scans and DTI. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured. Results FA and ADC of the patients were (0.475±0.109) and (1.438±0.252)×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. Whereas, they were (0.604±0.096) and (1.371±0.280)×10-3 mm2/s in the controls. Compared with the controls, the FA was less (P<0.05) in the patients, but the ADC was not significantly different (P=0.267). The fiber tracking (FT) showed the abnormality of white matter fiber tracts of cervical spinal cord in the patients. Conclusion DTI can detect the CSCIWORA, and FT can directly display the injuries of white matter fiber tracts of cervical spinal cord, which provide more information to evaluate the clinical severity of CSCIWORA.

Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of traditional Chinese herbs Fuzheng Yiliu Granule (FYG)-contained serum from tumor bearing mice on apoptotic rate, free radicals content and mitochondrial membrane potential of hepatoma cell lines H22 in vitro.

METHODSThe effect of FYG drug-serum on apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 was determined using flow cytometry. The changes of DNA RNA, free radicals and mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) in H22 cell were detected through laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSFYG-contained serum can induce the apoptosis of H22 cell, enhance the free radicals content, and reduce the content of DNA RNA and delta psi m of H22 cell in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 induced by FYG is probably correlated to the change of free radicals content and delta psi m.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Serum

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of unaided visual impairment and myopia among primary and secondary school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for myopia prevention. Methods: The study was conducted among primary and secondary school students in Mangshi, Yunnan Province from March to August, 2014. All the 7 681 subjects underwent detailed eye examinations and a questionnaire survey. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent value of less than -0.5 diopters. Unaided visual impairment was analyzed on the basis of the better and the worse-seeing eye, respectively. Results: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia were 39.1% and 0.6%. The prevalence of unaided visual impairment was 11.4% based on the worse-seeing eye. Refractive errors accounted for 87.3% of the participants with unaided visual impairment. Prevalence of myopia was higher in girls than in boys (χ2=29.74, P<0.01), but there was no gender difference in high myopia (P=0.19). The prevalence of myopia and high myopia increased significantly with increasing age (χ2=351.23, 22.56, P<0.01). Besides, prevalence of myopia was 63.7% in Dai nationality students and 36.6% in Yi nationality students (χ2=78.14, P<0.01), which was higher than other ethnic minorities. After adjusting for the effects of sex, age and ethnicity, the presence of myopia was associated with increasing height (OR=1.02, 95%CI=1.01-1.03), computer use (OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.03-1.32), having a myopic father (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.24-1.94), having a myopic mother (OR=1.33, 95%CI=1.08-1.63) and more time reading(OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.09-1.28). High myopia was found to be more prevalent in children who had a myopic father (OR=3.98, 95%CI=1.72-9.22) and using computers (OR=2.31, 95%CI=1.17-4.57). Conclusion Myopia and unaided visual impairment is prevalent in school students in rural China (Yunnan), though the prevalence is relatively lower compared with other areas in China. Attention should be paid to the formulation and input of primary eye care policies.

OBJECTIVETo compare the mRNA expression of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in human subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from 12 human subcutaneous adipose tissues, 12 perirenal adipose tissue and 9 periadrenal adipose tissues. The expressions of angiotensinogen ( AGT) , renin, angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE) , angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin I1 receptor type 1 (AT1), angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2 ), CYP11 B2, and their internal reference glyceraldehyde phosphate (GAPDH) were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The ratios of each target genes were used to evaluate the expression levels of AGT, renin, ACE, ACE2, AT1, AT2, and CYP11B2 in different adipose tissues.

RESULTSThe mRNA expressions of AGT, ACE, ACE2, AT1, and AT2 were detected in human subcutaneous, perirenal, and periadrenal adipose tissues. However, CYPI B2 mRNA expression was not found in these three adipose tissues. The mRNA expressions of renin was only detected in perirenal and periadrenal adipose tissues, which was significantly higher in perirenal adipose tissues than in periadrenal adipose tissues ( P < 0. 05 ). The mRNA expressions of ACE and ACE2 in perirenal adipose tissues were significantly higher than that in subcutaneous adipose tissues ( P < 0. 05). The mRNA expressions of ACE were significantly higher than that of ACE2 in subcutaneous, perirenal, and periadrenal adipose tissues (P <0. 05). The mRNA expressions of AT1 were significantly lower than that of AT2 in periadrenal adipose tissues (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONLocal renin-angiotensin system exists in the adipose tissues; however, aldosterone is not synthesized in the adipose tissues.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aldosterone ; physiology ; Angiotensinogen ; biosynthesis ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; biosynthesis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; biosynthesis ; Renin ; biosynthesis ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explore the method of constructing tissue-engineered skin using melanocytes and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vivo.

METHODSMelanocytes were isolated from human foreskin. BMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow. Both of them were co-cultured at a ratio of 1:10, and then were implanted into the collagen membrane to construct the tissue-engineered skin, which was applied for wound repair in nude mice. The effectiveness of wound repair and the distribution of melanocytes were evaluated by morphological observation, in vivo 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride (DAPI) fluorescent staining tracing, HE staining, S-100 immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe wounds were satisfactorily repaired among the nude mice. The melanocytes were distributed in the skin with normal structure, as confirmed by DAPI fluorescent staining tracing, HE staining, S-100 immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONMelanocytes and BMSCs, after proper in vitro culture at an appropriate ratio, can construct the tissue-engineered skin with I type collagen membrane.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Collagen Type I ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin, Artificial ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo compare different expression profiles of all known chemokine receptors in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastasis potentials.

METHODSEighteen pairs of chemokine receptor primers were designed using Premier software. Expression profiles of the 18 chemokine receptors on four HCC cell lines of lower to higher potentials of metastasis (SMMC-7721, MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H and HCCLM6) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Expression of CXCR4 was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSExpression profiles of chemokine receptors on four HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials had significant differences (P < 0.01), in which CCR10, CXCR4 and CXCR6 expressions decreased gradually as the metastatic potential of the cell lines increased. The expressions of CCR3, CCR4, CCR10, CCR12 and XCR1 on HCCLM6 were significantly reduced compared with SMMC-7721 (P < 0.01), whereas the expressions of CXCR1 (P = 0.006) and CXCR5 (P = 0.003) exceeded that of SMMC-7721. Except for CXCR2, CXCR6 and XCR1, most of chemokine receptors on MHCC97-H were expressed differently compared with MHCC97-L (P < 0.05), in which expressions of CCR1 (P = 0.002), CCR2 (P = 0.004) and CCR5 (P = 0.046) exceeded MHCC97-L. CXCR4 was detected only on the positive controls and SMMC-7721 when the template of total RNA was reduced one-half in RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONChemokine receptors are expressed very differently at mRNA level on HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The different profiles of chemokine receptors in tumor microenvironment and the function of CXCR4 in HCC should be further studied. Our findings have important implications in understanding the relationship between chemokine receptors and the metastatic potential of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Chemokine ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognostic factors of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST) in the stomach.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 132 patients with gastric GIST between January 1998 and December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively, and the prognostic factors were evaluated.

RESULTSTumor locations were the cardia or fundus (50, 37.9%), the stomach body (62, 47%),the antrum (13, 9.8%), and two regions were found in 6 cases (4.5%), three regions in 1 cases (0.8%). Tumor size ranged from 1.0 to 27.0 cm with an average of 9.4 cm. All the patients underwent complete tumor resection, including multi-organ resection in 41 cases. Thirty-four cases underwent lymph node dissection. All the lymph nodes were negative. The positive rate was 93.2% (23/132) for CD 117 and 82.6% (109/132) for CD34. The 1-,3- and 5-year survival rates of the 118 cases with follow up were 94.7%, 80.2%, and 56.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the differences in Fletcher classification, tumor size, infiltration to surrounding tissue, preoperative metastasis, and adjuvant postoperative therapy with imatinib were related to the survival rates. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Fletcher classification, preoperative metastasis and adjuvant postoperative therapy with imatinib were independent poor prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative metastasis is an independent factor predicting poor prognosis of gastric GIST. Fletcher classification can be used to evaluate the biological behaviors and prognosis, while surgery is the main therapy and targeted therapy can improve survival of gastric GIST.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical therapy and prognosis in children with transient congenital hypothyroidism (CH).

METHODSFifty-seven children with CH diagnosed after neonatal screening were treated with low-dosage levothyroxine (L-T4). Follow-up evaluation included the determination of TT3, TT4 and TSH serum levels and the assessment of thyroid gland morphology, bone age, growth development and development quotients (DQ). A full check-up was performed at age 2, when the affected children first discontinued the L-T4 treatment for 1 month, and one year later. Development quotients were compared with a control group of 29 healthy peers.

RESULTSThe initial L-T4 dosage administered was 3.21-5.81 microg/(kg.d) with an average of (16.25+/-3.87) microg/d. Mean duration of therapy was (28.09+/-9.56) months. No significant difference was found between study group and control group in the DQ test (average score (106.58+/-14.40) vs (102.4+/-8.6), P>0.05) and 96.49% of the CH children achieved a test score above 85. Bone age, 99mTc scans and ultrasonographic findings were all normal, and evaluation of physical development was normal too, as were the serum levels of TT3, TT4 and TSH after one year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONA L-T4 dosage of 3.21-5.81 microg/(kg.d) was found sufficient for the treatment of transient CH. The treated children showed satisfactory overall mental and physical development at age 2. So it is possible for CH children to stop taking medicine if their laboratory findings and physical development are all normal after regular treatment and 2-3 years of follow-up.

Bone Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; blood ; congenital ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; Thyroxine ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Triiodothyronine ; blood