Studies in recent years have demonstrated that stromal cell-derived factor-1 SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays an important role in the process of angiogenesis. The expression of SDF-1 in ischemic tissue increases during cerebral ischemia. It binds to CXCR4 receptor on the surface of endothelial progenitor cells EPCs, and thus promotes bone marrow-derived EPC mobilization, proliferation, and migration to the ischemic areas and homing. EPCs differentiate into mature endothelial cells in the ischemic region, promote the formation of new blood vessels, and thus irrlprove the blood supply to ischemic tissue. This article reviews the effect of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in the treatment of cerebral ischemia with EPCs.

Objective To investigate the effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPARγ),nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) c-Rel and anti-apoptosis factor Bcl-xL in cultured Wistar rat cortical neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R).Methods The rat cerebral cortical neurons were primarily cultured in vitro and a model of OGD/R was induced.The rats were divided into 7 groups:normal,OGD 4 h/R 6 h,OGD 4 h/R 12 h,OGD 4 h/R 6 h + PIO,OGD 4 h/R 6 h + PPARγ inhibitor T0070907 (TIO),OGD 4 h/R 12 h + PIO,and OGD 4 h/R 12 h + TIO groups.Western blot was used to detect the expression of PPARγ and NF-κB c-Rel protein in neurons.Reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect the expression of Bcl-xL mRNA in neurons.Results Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB c-Rel proteins after OGD/R were increased significantly compared to those of the normal group (P ＜0.01).After giving PIO,the expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB c-Rel proteins were further increased,and they were significantly higher than those in the OGD 4 h/R 6 h and OGD 4 h/R 12 h groups (P ＜0.01),and after giving TIO,the expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB c-Rel proteins were decreased,and they were significantly lower than those in the OGD/R group (P ＜0.05) and the corresponding PIO group (P ＜0.01).Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the expression level of Bcl-xL mRNA in the OGD 4 h/R 6 h group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P ＜0.01).The expression level of Bcl-xL mRNA in the PIO group was significantly higher than that in the OGD 4 h/R 6 h and OGD 4 h/R 12 h groups (P ＜0.01).After giving TIO,the expression of Bcl-xL mRNA was decreased.It was significantly lower than that in the OGD/R and corresponding PIO groups (P ＜ 0.05 and P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions PIO can upregulate the expression of PPARγ protein in cultured cortical neurons after OGD/R,and then increase the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-xL mRNA of NF-κB c-Rel regulation.This may be the part mechanism of PPARγ neuroprotective effect.

Objective To investigate the best pathologically diagnostic method for breast cancer before surgery. Methods Wet fine needle aspiration cytology was conducted in 68 cases of probable breast cancer by using a 10 ml syringe with size 7 needle. Results Malignant cells were found in 19 cases,without any false positive cases.Of the remaining 49 cases of negative cytological findings: 46 cases underwent segmental mastectomy,1 of which was postoperatively diagnosed as having fibrosarcoma by paraffin section examination and the rest of which were all demonstrated the presence of benign tumors;3 cases without surgical intervention were followed for (11～20) months and no evidences of breast cancer were found.The sensitivity was 95 0% (19/20),the specificity was 100% (48/48),the accuracy rate was 98 5% (67/68),and the false negative rate and false positive rate were 5 0% (1/20) and 0 (0/48),respectively.Of the 19 cases of positive cytological findings,no implantation metastasis in needle passage occurred.There were no complications in the study. Conclusions Wet fine needle aspiration cytology is safe,economical,convenient,quick,almost painless,and accurate,being the method of first choice in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Objective To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) on hypermetabolism of skeletal muscle protein in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and explore the mechanisms. Methods Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group(n=15).Rat COPD models were established by passive cigarette smoking in COPD group and COPD +TNF-? group.After dissecting and isolating the extensor digitorium longus(EDL) muscles,the EDL muscles were either cultured with media containing 10 ug/L recombinant rat TNF-? or without TNF-?.The subsequent changes in ubiquitin mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results The expressions of ubiquitin mRNA and protein of COPD group and COPD+TNF-? group were higher than those of normal contro1 group(P

Objective:To assess the effects of intranasal cortisteroids application on IL-5 expression in nasal polyps.Methods:Nasal polyps from topical nasal steroid treated patients (n=16) and untreated patients (n=16) were investigated.The specimens were stained by ABC immunohistochemical approach.Results:Most of the IL-5 positive cells were eosinophils,and there was a significant correlation of the mean IL-5 positive cell numbers with total (chromotrope 2R-positive) eosinophil numbers (y=14.782+2.002x,r=0.648,P＜0.01).Compared with untreated polyps,the steroid-treated polyps contained a slightly lower tissue density of IL-5 positive cells,and the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Eosinophils are one of the origins of IL-5 synthesis.The treatment used here was insufficient to affect IL-5 expression in nasal polyps.

Objective To explore whether or not the function of atragalus membranaceus combined fosinopril on decreasing NF- κB activity and OPN expression in overload albumin stimulating proximal tubuler cells. Methods Cultured cells without stimulation were used as placebo. Cultured cells were incubated with bovine serum albumin fat acid free (BSA) 20mg/ml as the control. Cultured cells were incubated with fosinopril for different hours as the treatment. Cultured cells were incubated with atragalus membranaceus combined fosinopril for different hours as the atragalus membranaceus group. ELISA and RT-PCR were used to observe NF -κB activity and OPN expression after cultured for 12h, 24h. Result Atragalus membranaceus combined fosinopril rapidly decreased NFκB activity and OPN expression. Compared with the other groups, the difference was significant. Conclusion Astragalus membranaceus combined fosinopril can obviously decrease NFκB activity and OPN expression in overload albumine stimulating proximal tubular cells.

Objective To identify the exact origin and insertion of plantar aponeurosis and the anatomic relationship of calcaneal spur to plantar aponeurosis. Methods Fourteen specimen of feet were dissected and radiographed. Three fetus feet were observed histologically. Sonographic evaluation was carried out on 20 normal adults and 52 patients with plantar fasciitis. Results (1) Anatomic observation found that plantar aponeurosis was located under the medial process of caleaneus but not attached to it, and proximally attached to the plantar aspect of calcaneal tuborosity. The insertion (origin) of plantar aponeurosis was not a point but a face. Posteriorly the plantar aponeurosis and fascia of Archlles heel were fused or transmigrated together,entirely covered and attached very coherently to the plantar and posterior aspect of calcaneal tuborosity. (2) Histological observation of heel of fetuses found plantar aponeurosis and fascia of Arehlles heel were eosinophil band-like structure. Both continued at the plantar and posterior aspect of calcaneus and attached closely to bone at this area. There were no significant demarcation between them. (3) Sonographic evaluation:normal plantar aponeurosis showed a thin band-like echo, its orgin attached to entire plantar aspect of calcaneal tuberosity and continued with fascia coming posteriorly from Archlles heel. No distinct boundary existed between these two fascias. When plantar fasciitis occurred, the orgin of plantar aponeurosis thickened significantly,this phenomenon could be detected in wholly plantar aspect of calcaneal tuberrosity. The heel spur didn't located within plantar aponeurosis. Conclusions Plantar aponeurosis orginates from entire plantar aspect of cancaneal tuberosity. Heel spur oeeures in the orgin of the intrinsic musculature, such as flexor digitorum brevis,and doesn't locate within plantar aponeurosis.

Objective To review the clinical features and early management of combined thorcoabdominal injury(CTI),to decrease the mortality rate.Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 63 cases of CTI treated surgically from May 1990 to May 2007.There were 34 cases with blunt injuries and 29 cases with penetrating injuries.Forty-seven patients had rapture of left diaphragm,9 cases had rupthure of right diaphragm,7 cases had rupture of both diaphragms,24 cases were combined with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia,63 cases were combined with hemopneumothorax,and 60 cases were combined with shock.Forty-one cases were diagnosed correctly before surgery.Sixty-three cases were treated by surgery,among them,surgery was performed through left thoracotomy in 18 cases,through a right thoracotomy in 2 cases,through bilateral thoracotomy in 5 cases,through thoraco-abdominal incision in 2 cases,and through the abdominal route in 32 cases.Results Fifty-six cases were cured,and 7 cases(11.1 %) died.The main cause of death was hemorrhagic shock.Conclusions CTI has high mortality rate,and the most frequent cause of mortality is hemorrhagic shock.The operative approach is based on the individual injury condition.Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention is the key to improving the cure rate and reducing mortality in severe CTI.

Objective To study the molecular mechanism of the apoptosis in rat tubular epithelial cells induced by albumin in vitro.Methods The cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cells were incubated with 20 mg/ml delipidated and endotoxin-free bovine serum albumin(BSA) for 2,6,12 and 24 h respectively.The NF-?B activity was assessed by electrophonetic mobility shift assay(EMSA) and the osteopontin(OPN) mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results The rate of apoptosis was increased when the cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cells were incubated with 20 mg/ml BSA for 2,6,12 and 24 h respectively.The NF-?B activity and expression of OPN were up-regulated in the cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cells with the treatment of BSA,with significant difference compared with those of the control group(P

Objective To establish the model and software for quality assessment of fetal nuchal translucency ultrasound image using computer image recognition technology.Methods The proposed approach firstly divided the input image into four sub-image blocks:the nasal bone(NB) area,the nuchal translucency (NT) area,the midbrain area,and the jaw and chest area.For each sub-image block,the algorithm compared the image block with the corresponding area of the standard training image set,and then determined whether the current image block was the qualified one using the the Gabor feature and Bayesian decision.The input ultrasound image was determined to be qualified only if it had four qualified sub-image blocks.Results The difference between our automatic method and the manual screening by experts wasting small,the method obtained Kappa =0.795 and P ＜0.001.Moreover,the efficiency of our method was much higher than the manual screening method.Conclusions Image recognition technology can effectively assist the sonographer to assess the quality of fetal NT of ultrasound image.The proposed approach can reduce the subjectivity and randomness of the manual evaluation of NT image.