OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the directional differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into Leydig cells.

METHODSAfter purification and identification, we inoculated the third-generation BMSCs of SD rats onto a six-orifice board and then randomly divided them into groups A (normal saline control), B (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] + platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF] induction), C (hCG + PDGF + 5.0 ng/ml bFGF induction), D (hCG + PDGF + 10.0 ng/ml bFGF induction), and E (hCG + PDGF + 20.0 ng/ml bFGF induction). On the 7th, 14th and 21st day of induction, we observed the morphological changes of the cells and measured the level of testosterone (T) and expression of 3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in the supernatant by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter induction, the BMSCs of groups B, C, D, and E exhibited microscopic features of enlarged size, inter-connection, long-shuttle or irregular shape, adherent growth, and large round nuclei, all characteristic of Leydig cells. With the prolonging of time and enhanced concentration of bFGF, gradual increases were observed in the T level and the count of 3β-HSD-positive BMSCs in the four induction groups, with statistically significant differences between group B and groups C, D, and E (P < 0.05), as well as between group C and groups D and E (P < 0.05), but not between D and E (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe bFGF has an obvious promoting effect in the in vitro induced differentiation of rat BMSCs into Leydig cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation( RFCA) on cardiac reverse remode-ling and improvement of life quality in cardiomyopathy patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation( PAF) . Methods 95 cardiomyopathy patients with PAF were enrolled in our study and divided into two groups. RFCA group:62 patients received circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, ( left ventricular end-diastolic ) LVEDD ≥55 mm (male), LVEDD ≥50 mm (female); Drug group:33 patients were treated with drug for controlling heart rate ( resting heart rate around 60~80 bpm, heart rate during daily activity <100 bpm) . 72 hours after admission or 6 months after surgery in RFCA group, when the heart rate returned to normal or 6 months after treatment in Drug group, Short-Form36(SF-36) was used to evaluate the quality of living in the patients respectively; transthoracic echocardiography was performed in sinus rhythm;LAD, LVEDD and LVEF of the patients were measured. Results in RFCA group, LAD and LVEDD of 62 patients reduced and LVEF increased in 6 months after surgery statisti-cally significant(P<0. 05). In Drug group, 6 months after treatment, LAD and LVEDD of 33 patients increased ( P<0. 05 ) , without significant change in LVEF. There was no statistical significance in psychological health, physical function and general health perceptions, but there was significant improvement in social function and phys-ical function,affective state, physical role and energy in both RFCA group and drug group (P<0. 05), and it was more obvious in RFCA group(P<0. 05). Conclusion RFCA can reverse cardiac structural remodeling via sinus rhythm maintenance and improve the quality of life in cardiomyopathy patients with PAF.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; deficiency ; genetics ; Mutation

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of dynamic delta model of end stage liver disease(MELD)in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.Methods Ninty-seven patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study and followed for 1 year followed up.Child-Turcotte- Pugh(CTP)score and MELD score were calculated twice for each patient on the first day of admission and one month later.The difference between two MELD scores represented the delta MELD.The predictive value related with delta MELD,MELD and CTP scores was determined by the area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Ten patients died within 3 months,whose delta MELD(3.23?2.77) were higher than those of survivors(0.15?0.39)(P

Epiglottis ; pathology ; Humans ; Palatine Tonsil ; Tissue Adhesions ; diagnosis ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

Objective To investigate the effective MRI sequences and describe the correlation between MRI and visual evoked potential(VEP)in diagnosing optic neuritis.Methods One hundred and fifty-four eyes with visual impairment of 98 patients with diagnoses of optic neuritis,papillitis,multiple sclerosis and Devic's disease underwent MRI and VEP examination. The MRI findings were analyzed and correlated with VEP results and clinical presentation by using x2 test,wilcoxon test and Kappa test.Results Out of the 154 sick eyes.56 eyes presented thickened optic nerves.76 eyes had normal diameter of the optic nerve,and 22 eyes had thin optic nerves.A total of 132 optic nerves showed abnormally high signal in STIR sequences.including involvement of intraocular segment in 7,intraorbitsl segment in 135,intracanalicular segment in 109,intracranial segment in 97,optic chiasm in 56,and optic tract in 23.A total of 54 patients underwent postcontrast MRI. Seventy-four optic nerves of 87 eyes showed enhancement.Among the 196 eyes of 98 patients,132 eyes presented visual impairment and simultaneous abnormal MR signal of the optic nerve.and 26 eyes had both normal vision and normal MR signal of optic nerve.The consistency of MRI findings and vision status was 80.61%(Kappa=0.453,P＜0.01).Among the 175 eyes with VEP results.129 eyes had visual loss with simultaneous VEP abnormalities,and 30 eyes had both normal vision and normal VEP results.The consistency of VEP and vision status was 90.86%(Kappa=0.731,P＜0.01).Among the 175 eyes with VEP results,117 eyes had abnormal MR signal of the optic nerve and simultaneous abnormal VEP,and 24 eyes had both normal MR signal of the optic nerve and normal VEP.The consistency of MRI findings and VEP was 80.57%(Kappa=0.460,P＜0.01).Conclusion STIR sequence and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR sequence combined with fatsuppression are helpful in diagnosis of optic neuritis.VEP is helpful in diagnosing optic neuritis and in finding subclinical visual problem.The MRI combined with VEP could improve the diagnostic accuracy of optic neuritis.

Objective To develop and validate a ultrasonographic (US)imaging agent with targeted microbubbles that attaches to chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)and to compare the US single obtained from targeted microbubble with that from control microbubble in murine breast tumor model.Methods The microbubble which carried CCR2 antibody (MBCCR2 )and isotype-macthed immunoglobulin G-labled control microbubble (MBcontrol ) were prepared. The microbubble size and distribution were assessed by AccuSizer780.Binding specificities of targeted microbubble compared with control microbubble were tested with murine microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3 ).Orthotopic breast tumor model was estabished in BALB/c mice with mouse breast cancer 4T1 cell.In vivo imaging signals of contrast material-enhanced ultrasound by use these two different types of microbubble which were injected respectively into each mouse at random order and 30 min interval.Tumor tissue was stained for CCR2 and CD3 1 .Results Automatic Particle Sizer showed size uniform of two kinds of microbubbles,and narrow distribution of particle size (mean diameter of about 1 -2 μm),which were not significantly different (P >0.05).Adhension to bEnd. 3 endothelial cells was significantly higher (P < 0.001 )for MBCCR2 (mean,9.50 ± 1 .5 1 )than that for MBcontrol (mean,0.01 ±0.01).Imaging signal in the murine tumor model was significantly higher for MBCCR2 [mean,(6.76±0.26)dB]than that for MBcontrol [mean,(1 .06 ±0.62)dB,P <0.001 ].Immunofluorescence confirmed expression of CCR2 on tumor vasculature.Conclusions The targeted microbubbles with CCR2 monoclonal antibody had been successfully prepared,which precisely targeted to CCR2 of tumor angiogenesis in the murine breast cancer xenograft tumor models in vivo.These results suggest that the targeted microbubbles as a kind of ultrasound molecular imaging agent with a better specificity can be used for both evaluating tumor neovascularization and monitoring therapeutic effect of anti-angiogenesis.

Objective To observe the expression of Frizzled protein in mouse tooth germ at bell stage and explore the possible function of Wnt/Frizzled signal molecules. Methods Mouse embryos at 17 and 19 days of gestation (E17 and E19) as well as mice postnatal day 2 (PN2) were employed in our study. The frozen sections of the first lower molar were made and indirect immunofluorescence technique was carried out on the sections. The location of Frizzled protein was observed under the fluorescence microscope. Results Frizzled protein was expressed weakly in the inner- and outer- dental epithelium at E17. At E19,the positive staining was found to distribute at the summit of both pre-ameloblasts and pre-odontoblasts. At P2,Frizzled protein was expressed strongly at the summit of ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Conclusion Wnt/Frizzled signal molecules may be involved in the differentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts.

Red blood cell distribution width is an index reflecting the size heterogeneity of circulating red blood cells, which is usually used for diagnosis and treatment of blood system diseases.In recent years, more and more evidences show that the increase of red blood cell distribution width level is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases.We focused on the relationship between red blood cell distribution width and atrial fibrillation (AF) and its possible mechanism, in order to provide some reference value for the clinical treatment of AF.

Objective To explore and set up the nurse post ability of the leveling exam plan in a third-grade class-A hospital.Methods The entry of more than one year of nurses will participate in the examination of N1-N4 is divided into four levels.According to different levels to set up the post ability of the leveling exam plan,through the review and interview,evaluate its effects and satisfaction in a third-grade class-A hospital.Results After the post ability of the leveling exam plan,nurses of different levels get more satisfied with the score on the assessment form,specialized knowledge,the core system,emergency plan,communication skills,ability of operation and emergency disposal,which significantly higher than the traditional methods,there were statistical differences between two groups.(t value was as follows:1.46,2.13,1.98,2.57,2.69,1.87,P ＜ 0.05),but the difference of foundation knowledge was not obvious (P ＞ 0.05).The new program get higher scores of nurses in critical thinking,clinical care,ethical,legal practice and professional ability,results were significant differences (t value was as follows:2.18,2.01,1.46,2.78,P＜ 0.05),but the scores in scientific research ability,leadership,interpersonal relationship,education and consulting capacity was not significantly different (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is concluded that nurses of different levels on the leveling exam plan get a higher satisfaction.Through the new program,to assess the level of nurses,effectively improve the capacity on critical thinking,clinical nursing,ethical standards,law practice and professional development.