Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Amyloidosis ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Muscular Atrophy ; pathology ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; pathology ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the activity of NF-?B in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Graves disease (GD) and the significance in immunopathogenesis of GD.METHODS:Peripheral blood was collected from 22 untreated GD,20 treated GD with tapazole more than 1 year,and 25 healthy volunteers. PBMCs were isolated from the blood by histopaque-1077 density-gradient centrifugation. The activity of NF-?B in PBMCs was analyzed using gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The contents of IL-1?,IL-6 and TNF-? were tested by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:The activity of NF-?B in PBMCs of untreated GD group was increased remarkably,compared with that in the treated group and control (P

OBJECTIVETo observe dynamically the development of fetal long bone and detect the expression and distribution of HIF-1alpha,to investigate the expression pattern and possible effects of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in fetal long bone development of mouse.

METHODSE12.5, E13.5, E14.5, E15.5, E16.5 and E17.5 pregnant C57BL6 mice were sacrificed. After sacrifice, the embryos were delivered by caesarean section. The development of fetal long bone was dynamically observed by stereoscopic microscope, and the distributional expression of HIF-1alpha protein was detected by using method of immunohistochemistry. The expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and osteoblast marker gene at various stage were also detected by using methods of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe cartilaginous long bone began to form and joints outline arised at E13.5, then the primary ossification center was observed at E14.5, showing opaque ossification under stereoscopic microscope,and then the osteogenesis expanded and extended to both sides. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated lots of HIF-1alpha protein positive chondrcytes in the center of primary ossification at E14.5, then they decreased dramatically. HIF-1alpha mRNA expressed at high level from E13.5 to E15.5, and then decreased to low level.

CONCLUSIONFetal long bone development pattern appeared to be endochondral osteogenisis process, existing hypoxia microenviroment may increase HIF-1alpha mRNA expression and thus initiate the cascade of endochondral osteogenisis.

Animals ; Bone Development ; Female ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

DNA microarrays have been acknowledged to represent a promising approach for the detection of viral pathogens. However, the probes designed for current arrays could cover only part of the given viral variants, that could result in false-negative or ambiguous data. If all the variants are to be covered, the requirement for more probes would render much higher spot density and thus higher cost of the arrays. Here we have developed a new strategy for oligonucleotide probe design. Using type I human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) tat gene as an example, we designed the array probes and validated the optimized parameters in silico. Results show that the oligo number is significantly reduced comparing with the existing methods, while specificity and hybridization efficiency remain intact. The adoption of this method in reducing the oligo numbers could increase the detection capacity for DNA microarrays, and would significantly lower the manufacturing cost for making array chips.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of fresh meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts transplantation for treatment of osteoarthritis.

METHODSThirty-six rabbits were used in the experiment and were randomly divided into 3 groups: in group A, the fresh medial meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts from medial tibial plateau were implanted into medial articular meniscal and medial tibial plateau osteochondral defects; in group B,the fresh medial meniscal allografts were implanted into medial meniscal allografts defects; in group C, the freezing medial meniscal allografts were implanted into medial meniscal allografts defects. General observation, histology examination and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) examination in cartilage of medial tibial plateau were performed at the 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in cellular counting and amount of GAG between group A and group B, but the cellular amount of group A was significantly more than that of group C at the 12th week.

CONCLUSIONFresh meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts transplantation can repair meniscal and osteochondral defects.

Animals ; Cartilage ; transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; transplantation ; Rabbits ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDFibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), expressed in brain, kidney and developing skeletal tissues, can physiologically inhibit endochondral ossification; but little is known about how FGF9 affects osteoblasts and its detailed regulatory mechanism. Here we examined the effect of FGF9 on the activity of the murine Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) gene promoter in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 and premyoblast C2C12 cells.

METHODSPlasmids containing the Runx2 promoter region were transfected into MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells and stably transfected cell lines were established. The method of luciferase reporter gene activation was used to examine the effects of FGF9 on the promoter activity.

RESULTSFGF9 (10 ng/ml) increased Runx2 promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. When MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with FGF9 plus the various inhibitors or activator of the intracellular signaling transducation pathways, including 10 micromol/L U0126 (the inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), 10 micromol/L SB203580 (the inhibitor of p38/mitogen activated protein kinase), or 1 micromol/L C6 ceramide (an activator of mitogen activated protein kinase), the luciferase expression did not change significantly compared with that of the cells treated with FGF9 only. However, when C2C12 cells were treated with 10 ng/ml FGF9, Runx2 gene promoter activity first decreased and then increased over a period of 1 to 5 days. Among the above inhibitors, only U0126 (10 micromol/L) completely blocked the effects of FGF9 on Runx2 gene promoter activity.

CONCLUSIONSOur data showed that FGF9 can affect Runx2 gene promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells. The action of FGF9 appears to depend partly on the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in C2C12 cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

[Objective] To improve the understanding of CT and MRI features of giant cell reparative granuloma of temporal bone and reduce misdiagnosis.[Methods] The CT and MR images of 4 cases of GCRG of temporal bone were analyzed,compared with their operation and pathology results.[Results] All the lesions of the 4 cases were located in the anterior and lower parts of the temporal bone with widely destruction.The CT images showed expansive destruction of bone with disruption of osseous shell,strip and punctate calcification and ossification in and around the lesion,and osteosclerosis of the adjacent bone,which consistent with the scope of the operation.The MR images showed a large patchy of low signal intensity on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images,which showed heterogeneous enhancement after injection of contrast.Fibrous proliferation with multiple multinuclear giant cells and hemosiderin deposition were showed under microscope.[Conclusion] The morphological and pathological characteristics of recurrent intraosseous hemorrhage and parcels of granulation tissue in GCRG of the temporal bone could be reflected by CT and MR images,which has certain characteristics and is of important significance to the diagnosis of the tumor.

OBJECTIVETo study the factors affecting the management and treatment of immigrant workers with tuberculosis, to determine the most effective measures and to provide an academic basis for tuberculosis control and prevention strategies targeting the immigrant population.

METHODSA self-designed questionnaire was administered to 1364 immigrant workers with tuberculosis (study group) and 436 local residents (control group) with tuberculosis.

RESULTSWhether a patient's tuberculosis status was discovered or not was related to the medical facilities initially visited, job mobility, and the individual worker's economic condition. The percentage of cases discovered was relatively low among those who made their first visit to a private clinic (39.0%), and 58.4% (796) of immigrant workers delayed their first consultation mainly due to neglecting symptoms (55.9%, 445), subjective perception of symptoms being not severe enough (19.3%, 154) to visit a physician and the inconvenience of visiting a hospital because of its being far away from home (15.8%, 47). As comparing immigrant workers with local residents, the differences of the delay reason between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 21.49, P < 0.01). And 39.9% (544) of immigrant workers and 49.1% (214) of local residents had had late confirmation. The differences of the delay reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 7.31, P = 0.293). And 17.6% (240) patients of immigrant workers and 13.1% (57) patients of local residents did not keep to their drug regimens in a timely fashion. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 6.66, P > 0.05). And 77.5% (1057) of immigrant workers and 31.8% (138) of local residents were considered that taking medicine in supervision spot might have impact on their lives and work. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were significant (chi(2) = 9.71, P < 0.05). All 79.2% (1080) of immigrant workers and 63.3% (276) of local residents did not obtain medicine according to prescriptions. The differences of reasons between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 24.84, P < 0.01). And 51.2% (699) of immigrant workers and 46.1% (201) of the registered population did not follow up with doctors' directions for lab tests. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 3.26, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe influential factors in tuberculosis management and treatment were complex. Prevention strategies should focus on health education and promotion activities to improve awareness in seeking medical services. Also, developing and standardizing reference mechanisms for patients, and alleviating the economic burden of the workers will be critical to reduce the tuberculosis incidence.

China ; epidemiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Transients and Migrants ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo assess the characteristics of enhanced magnetic resonance image with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) in the inflammatory and tumor metastatic rabbit model, and explore its relevance with histologic ultrastructural findings.

METHODSTotally 36 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into lymphadenitis group and metastatic group. Complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the bilateral dorsal footpads of 18 rabbits to set up ipsilateral lymphadenitis model. The other 18 rabbits received a subcutaneous implantation of VX2 tumor cell suspension (1.5 x 10(7) cells/ml) in both thighs to set up metastatic lymph node model. Magnetic resonance scan were performed 24 hours before and after USPIO (90 micromol Fe/kg) injection. T2 values of each lymph node were measured and lymph node T2 enhancement rate was calculated as well. HE staining, Prussian blue staining, and electronic microscopy were performed to observe the pathological microstructure changes and the distribution of the iron particle in lymph node. Relationship between lymph nodes USPIO enhancement and its microstructures were further analyzed. Results Thirty-six lymph nodes in lymphadenitis group showed different degrees of reactive hyperplasia. Twenty-six lymph nodes in metastatic group were invaded by tumor cell. Non-enhanced scan showed mild difference between T2 signal intensity of the two pathological lymph node types. After USPIO enhancement, inflammatory lymph nodes showed distinct T2 signal reduction at the center, and metastatic lymph nodes showed homogenous and faint T2 signal reduction. Enhancement rate of benign and malignant lymph nodes were 57.39% and 29.45% respectively (P < 0.01). HE staining and Prussian blue staining indicated USPIO particles located mainly in the macrophages at inflammatory lymphatic medulla, while paracortical area and cortical area contained relatively much less USPIO particles due to less macrophages distribution. MRI findings were correlated with the pathological results. Electronic microscopy also verified that the majority of USPIO particles were located in the numerous cytophagic bubbles of macrophages. Lymph nodes metastasis including 4 lymph nodes with completed structure destruction due to entire tumor infiltration, 19 lymph nodes with partially lymph node structure destruction but reduced USPIO-contained macrophage numbers or reduced USPIO particles in macrophages, and 3 lymph nodes with only localized foci tumor metastasis at subcapsular area. Conclusions USPIO enhancement pattern of different lymph nodes is closely related to distribution and functional status of the intra-node macrophages. It may affect the accuracy of the lymph node property diagnosis based on USPIO enhanced image.

Animals ; Dextrans ; metabolism ; Female ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; ultrastructure ; Lymphadenitis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; ultrastructure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetics ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic