Objective To explore the sonographic characteristics and to evaluate its diagnostic value of hepatic lymphoma (HL). Methods The clinical data and abdominal sonographic ifndings of 18 consecutive patients with histological proven diagnosis of lymphoma with liver involvement were reviewed, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images. Results The liver sonographic features of 18 HL were differentiated as three types including nodular, diffuse and mixed type. Nodular type showed well-deifned hypoecho lesions in 6 cases with penetrating vascular lfow signals in 2 cases and no vascular lfow signals in 6 cases by color Doppler imaging. In 3 cases by CEUS, all the hepatic focal nodulars showed variable arterial enhancement but wash-out in the portal venous and late phases. For diffuse type cases, hepatomegaly without nodule was showed in 11 cases. Vasular in liver showed normal in 8 cases and abnormal in 3 cases. For mixed type cases, hepatomegaly and multiple ill-deifned hypoechoic lesions with normal vascular in liver were showed in 1 case. Hepatosplenomegaly and abdominal lymphoadenopathies were identiifed in 11 cases. Conclusions The characteristics and the types of sonographic ifndings may be helpful in differentiating HL from other liver lesions.

Objective To identify the histological features as well as factors influencing the course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV)-infected patients with persistently normal alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels (PNAL). Methods Ninety-eight HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with PNAL who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were recruited from October 2003 to March 2008. The ALT level, HBV markers, HBV DNA level and liver histological changes were detected. Comparison of means was done by t test and single factor analysis of variance. Nonparametric statistics was done by Marm-Whitey U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Analysis of independent risk factor was done using Logistic model. The dianostic value of ALT level to significant liver histological changes was evaluated by receiver performance curve. Results Twenty-two point four percent and 17.3% of subjects had the histological activity index (HAI)≥4and fibrosis (F) score≥3 respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that subjects with ALT＞0.50 × upper limit of normal (ULN) had a significantly higher rate of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 than those with ALT≤0.50×ULN (HAI≥4:36.4% vs 11.1%, χ2 =8.881, P=0.003;F score≥3:27.3% vs 9.3%, χ2 =5.487, P= 0.019, respectively), and older subjects (more than 45 years old) had a higher proportion of HAI ≥4 than the younger (33.3% vs 13.4%, χ2 =4.923, P=0.027). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a decade increase in age was the independent predictor of HAI≥4 (OR=2.410, P=0.023).Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that 87.0% and 90.7% of subjects with ALT＜0.50× ULN had histological changes of HAI＜4 and F score＜3 respectively. The proportions of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 in subjects with HBV DNA＜1×104 copy/mL were 14.9% and 12.8%, respectively. Conclusions Significant histological changes may be present in part of the subjects with persistently normal ALT and different HBV DNA levels, so that liver biopsy is very important, especially in those with age ＞45 years.Half time the ULN may serve as an appropriate cutoff value of normal ALT level for managing Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-int'ected patients.

Objective To elucidate the roles of TANK-binding kinase-1(TBKl)in hepatitis B virus (HBV)infection induced interferon antiviral immunity.Methods Peripheral blood monocytes were separated by CD14 magnetic microbeads from healthy volunteers(HV)and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients.Purified mDCs were induced and proliferated in the culture medium with human granulocyte-macrophage concentration of 25 mg/L were stimulated.The mRNA expressions of TBK1,interferon regulatory factor (IRF)3 and interferon(IFN)-βwere quantified by real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The levels of IFN-β in supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Reslllts The mRNA levels of TBK1,IRF3 and IFN-β did not change significantly at 0,12,24 and 48 h after the significantly at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h in CHB group, whereas, it was significantly up-regulated at 12 h in HV group. Conclusions Our results suggest that there may be some disorders in host antiviral signal transduction pathways downstream the binding between ligands and receptors on mDC surface. The insufficient IFN-β expression after HBV infection may result in persistent chronic infection.

In order to reveal feasibility of different concentrations of Ca2+ and SA on Platycodon grandiflorum under high temperature stress, the effects of Ca2+ on physiological index and related photosynthetic parameters were studied. Pot cultured P. grandiflorum leaves under the same outdoor conditions were sprayed with CaCl2 and SA separately, and then placed in the high incubator [35 degrees C/25 degrees C (day/night), light intensity 3 600 lx], and sprayed with distilled water at 25 degrees C and under high temperature stress were set as the control. The related photosynthesis, relative conductivity, contents of proline, malondialdehyde, soluble protein, activities of SOD and CAT, ASA and GSH content were measured. The results show that the 6 mmol x L(-1) CaCl2 and 1.5 mmol x L(-1) SA enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT, the contents of proline and soluble protein, and effectively reduced the damage of heat stress on cell membrance. At the same time, the exogenous Ca2+ and SA increased the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, the efficiency of leaf photosynthesis and ASA and GSH content, and thus effectively resisted the oxidative stress caused by high temperatures, but with the increasing concentration of spraying, P. grandiflorum decreased the ability to resist high temperature stress. In conclusion, the foliage spraying CaCl2 and SA could reduce the damage of high temperature stress on P. grandiflorum leaves.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Platycodon ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

Objective To assessed the expression of inducible costimulator(ICOS)on peripheral blood and joint fluid CD4,CDS,CD45RO T cells and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods Expression of ICOS and ICOS/CD45RO on peripheral blood and joint fluid CD4~+CD8~+T cells and ICOS ligand(ICOSL)on CD19 B cells from RA patients and healthy volunteers were determind by three-color flow cytometry.Compar- ision with active and inactive RA,initial and relapsed RA had been done.Results Joint fluid CD4 and CD8 T cells expressing ICOS,ICOS/CD45RO were significantly increased than peripheral blood in RA patients and healthy subjects.Joint fluid B cells expressing ICOSL were significantly reduced than peripheral blood in RA patients.Meanwhile,peripheral blood B cells expressing ICOSL were significantly reduced in active RA than inactive RA patients.Conclusion Hyperexpression of ICOS and ICOS/CD45RO on joint fluid CD4 and CD8 T cells and lowexpression of ICOSL in B cells from RA patients,expecially in active RA may contribute to the local immunopathological roles and joint destructions in the pathogenesis of RA.

Objective To investigate whether resting state-fMRI (RS-fMRI) based on local consistency (ReHo), am?plitude low-frequency fluctuate (ALFF) and fALFF can add meaningful information on preoperative localization of epilepto?genic zone in patients with malformations of cortical development (MCD). Methods Ten epilepsy patients with MCD were studied with RS-fMRI using a 3.0 T scanner. The resting state data were preprocessed and analyzed using SPM8 and REST to generate the activation map. Abnormal ReHo, ALFF and fALFF related blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal changes were compared to video EEG (VEEG),PET,MRI findings and the final result of a comprehensive evaluation-de?fined epileptogenic zone. For operated patients, postoperative resection and histology were compared to BOLD responses. Re?sults The results of spike localization of RS-fMRI were consistent with VEEG, PET, MRI findings and final comprehensive evaluation-defined epileptogenic zone in 6, 8, 6, 7 of 10 investigations. Six operated patients (including two negative results of MRI examination) revealed local abnormal changes but not visible on structural MRI, which was confirmed cortical malfor?mations by pathology after operation (2 heterotopia and 4 cortical dysplasia). Conclusion RS-fMRI may help to delineate the epileptic focus in epilepsy patients with MCD.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

Objective To explore the optimal cut-off points of body mass index(BMI),percentage of body fat(PBF) and body fat mass index(BFMI) for identification of cardiovascular risk factors clustering among elderly males. MethodsThe data of physical examinations from 1 052 Shanghai elderly males in 2007 were collected.The relationship between cardiovascular risk factors clustering and different strata of BMI,PBF and BFMI was analyzed.Receiver Operator Characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was employed to determine the optimal cut-points for identification of cardiovascular risk factors clustering,and area under curve(AUC) was worked out.The population attributable risk proportion(PARP) of risk factors clustering was calculated. Results Odds ratios of risk factors clustering tended to increase with BMI,PBF and BFMI.BMI≥24 kg/m2,PBF≥21% and BFMI≥5 kg/m2 were the cut-off points that had approximate sensitivity and specificity,and/or had the shortest distance in ROC curve.AUC of all the three indexes was larger than 0.5.Analysis of PARP indicated that BMI under 24 kg/m2,PBF under 21% and BFMI under 5 kg/m2 could prevent 27.1%,37.44% and 36.63% risk factors clustering,respectively. Conclusion BMI≥24 kg/m2,PBF≥21% and BFMI≥5 kg/m2 can well reflect the cardiovascular risk factors clustering among elderly males.

OBJECTIVE:To study the time-effect and dose-effect of paeonol on the apoptosis of knee osteoarthritis(OA)artic-ular chondrocyte in rabbits and the mRNA expression of its related protein Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS:60 big-ear rabbits were ran-domly divided into normal (normal saline) group,model (normal saline) group,paeonol high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups and triamcinolone acetonide(positive drug)group,with 10 rabbits in each group. Except for normal group,OA model was induced by right knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT) and the medial meniscus 1/3 resection in those groups. After modeling, different doses of paeonol(0.8,0.4,0.2 mg/kg),triamcinolone acetonide 0.2 mg/kg were injected into right articular cavity twice a week. 4 weeks and 8 weeks after administration,articular cartilage specimens were collected. Ultrapathological structure changes of articular chondrocytes were observed by electron microscope. Apoptosis of cartilage cell was observed by TUNEL and apoptotic index was calculated. mRNA expression of apoptosis related genes of Bcl-2 and Bax in articular cartilage tissue of rabbits were de-tected by in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS:Compared with normal group,articular chondrocyte of model group showed early and middle stage apoptosis morphology change after 4 and 8 weeks,and apoptosis index increased significantly and the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was up-regulated (P<0.01);4 and 8 weeks later after administration,compared with model group,apoptosis index decreased and mRNA expression of Bax was down-regulated in paeonol groups,while mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Electron microscopy ultrastructural observation showed articular chondrocyte of pae-onol high-dose and middle-dose groups were in early stage of apoptosis.CONCLUSIONS:Paeonol can slow down articular chondro-cyte degeneration and destroy in OA model rabbits in time and dose dependently. Its mechanism may be associated with expression up-regulation of Bcl-2 and expression down-regulation of Bax.

Objective To investigate the role of transcriptional-coactivator with PDZ-binding motif( TAZ) in genistein-induced osteoblastogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells ( BMSCs) .Methods Mouse BMSCs were cultured in phenol red-freeα-MEM containing osteogenic supplements for inducing osteogenic differentiation.BMSCs were transfected with siRNA-TAZ and treated with genistein.The temporal sequence of osteoblastic differentiation in BMSCs cultures was assayed by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium deposition.The mRNA expression of bone sialoprotein ( BSP) and osteocalcin ( OC) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The binding interaction between TAZ and cbfa1 was identified by co-immunoprecipitation.Results TAZ expression was detected during the induction of osteogenic differentiation, the ALP activity and calcium deposition were significantly decreased in BMSCs which were transfected with siRNA-TAZ.Genistein(0.01-1 μmol/L) exhibited a dose-dependent effect on TAZ expression in mouse BMSCs cultures.Treatment with genistein ( 1 μmol/L ) resulted in increased ALP avtivity and calcium deposition of BMSC cultures as function of time.Genistein(1μmol/L) also promoted the nuclear localization of TAZ and augmented the interaction between TAZ and cbfa1, and by which upregulated cbfa1-mediated gene expression such as BSP and OC.However, the ALP avtivity and calcium deposition, as well as the expression of BSP and OC were not promoted by genistein in BMSCs transfected with siRNA-TAZ.Conclusion These data suggest that the TAZ plays an important role in genistein-induced osteoblastic differentiation of mouse BMSCs cultures.