Acclimatization ; physiology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Chickens ; Cold Temperature ; Endocrine Glands ; physiology ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis, Meningococcal ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the resistance index (RI) of the renal artery and serum creatinine (Cr) level in patients early (within one month) after renal transplantation.

METHODSA total of 123 patients receiving renal transplantation underwent examinations by color Doppler ultrasound for measurement of the RI of the renal artery within one month after the operation. According to the results of RI measurement, the patients were divided into RI≥0.75 and RI<0.75 groups for analyzing the correlation between RI and serum Cr level measured at the same time points.

RESULTSThe RI and Cr levels in patients with RI≥0.75 showed a significant positive correlation (P<0.05), whereas they showed an inverse correlation in patients with RI<0.75 (P<0.05). The patients with RI≥0.75 had significantly lower RI of the renal artery and Cr level than those with RI≥0.75.

CONCLUSIONRI is significantly correlated to Cr, and may serve as an indicator for predicting renal graft function after transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Vascular Resistance ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the level and clinical significance of D-dimer(D-D) and fibrinogen(Fib) in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.Methods The 83 patients with first-episode schizophrenia from March 2014 to December 2016 were selected as the study group,meanwhile 58 healthy subjects without mental illness and major somatic diseases were selected as control group.Two groups of subjects were collected from fasting sodium citrate anticoagulated plasma to detect level of D-D and Fib.Resuits The level of D-D in the first-episode schizophrenia group was(240.42±245.78)μg/L,which was significantly higher than that in the control group(76.53±71.25)μg/L,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).While the level of Fib in the first-episode schizophrenia group (2.62 ± 0.49) g/L was significantly lower than that of the control group (2.87 ± 0.65) g/L,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The increase in D-D levels and the reduction in Fib levels in patients with firstepisode schizophrenia were not related to gender.Conclusion he patients with first-episode schizophrenia in acute stage may have hypercoagulable status and secondary fibrinolysis.

3 mg/L was significantly worse than in those with hs-CRP≤3 mg/L (18.18%,5.45%;P=0.044,log-rank test). Higher hs-CRP concentration was an independent predictor of death or new vascular event(OR 3.609;95% CI 0.869—14.992;P=0.047).Conclusion Higher hs-CRP concentration in acute phase after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor of death or new vascular event in a year.

Adult ; Biopsy ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To study the correlation between cognitive dysfunction and cholinergic neuron changes in basal forebrain(BFB)and brainstem reticular formation(BSRF)areas after brain con- cussion(BC)in rats.Methods Eighty-four Spragne-Dawley rats weighing 250-310g were used.The BC rat models were reproduced by a self-made simple pendulum impact device,then the rats were ran- domized into one control group and six experimental groups(1 day,2 day,4 day,8 day,16 day,and 24 day groups;n=12 in each group).A Morris Water Maze(MWM)test was used to assess learning and memory function of the rats.Cholinergic neurons in the BFB and BSRF were identified with choline acetyltransferase(CHAT)antibody and quantitated.Results Compared with the control group,the la- tency to find the platform in MWM was much longer on days 1-3 after BC,but there was no statistical difference on days 4-21 after BC.The cell number and the ChAT expression activity of cholinergic neu- rons in the BFB were obviously decreased after BC,and reached the lowest level at 8 days after BC,then increased gradually and nearly reached the normal level at 24 days.The ChAT expression activity in BSRF declined on the first 2 days after BC,then went up gradually,and reached the peak at the 24th day.Conclusion The spatial cognition deficit of BC rats can be detected by MWM in the early period (1-3 days after BC).There are significant changes in the number and ChAT expression activity in BFB and BSRF after BC.The change of cholinergic neurons may be correlated with cognitive deficits in BC rats.

Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)is considered as an important characterization tool for revealing morphology of materials and an indispensable strategy for studying the mechanisms of charge-discharge process in battery.TEM samples needs be less than 0.1 μm thick,which means electrodeposited materials must undergo pre-treatment processes such as focusing ion beam etching,ultra-thin slicing,or ultrasonic dispersion before they can be observed via TEM.However,such treatments cause structure changes,and what real formed in electrodes is hard to estimate.In this work,a self-interlacing film layer composed of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)was fabricated on a copper grid through blade coating.A novel TEM grid was produced by optimizing the interlacing film's thickness and covering area through adjusting the interlacing state of various concentrations of CNTs.Utilizing the novel TEM grid as the battery's positive electrode,electrode deposits were acquired and subjected to TEM analysis to generate high-definition microstructure images of the electrode surface.This process provided new insights into sample preparation for investigating the deposition/stripping mechanism in high-energy-density metal anodes.

BACKGROUNDRemodeling of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft usually takes longer than expected. Gene therapy offers a radical different approach to remodeling of the graft. In this study, the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence was used to construct a new recombinant adenovirus which permits co-expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) genes (named Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFbeta1). We investigated the effects of the new adenovirus on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts.

METHODSAdenoviral vector containing TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes was constructed. ACL fibroblasts were obtained from New Zealand white rabbits. After ACL fibroblasts were exposed to Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFbeta1, the expression of VEGF165 and TGFbeta1 proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting analysis. Bioassay of VEGF165 and TGFbeta1 proteins were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Proliferation and migration of ACL fibroblasts were assessed by in vitro wound closure assay. Gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers were assessed by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe results showed the successful construction of a recombinant co-expression adenovirus vector containing TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes. Co-expression of TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 can induce relatively rapid and continuous proliferation of ACL fibroblasts and high gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers.

CONCLUSIONCo-expression of TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes has more powerful and efficient effects on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; genetics ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; physiology ; Fibronectins ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors affecting pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of 141 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The factors affecting pCR and the changes of tumor receptor status before and after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong all the 141 patients, 21 patients (14.9%) achieved pCR. The rate of pCR achieved by regimens of anthracycline combined with taxane was higher (16.8%, 19/113) than that by anthracycline-containing regimens (7.1%, 1/14). The dose intensity of anthracycline had a significant correlation with pCR rate (P < 0.05). The pCR rate in the relative dose intensity of taxane ≥ 0.85 arm was higher than that of < 0.85 arm (P = 0.02). Eighty patients (56.7%) had completed more than 4 cycles of chemotherapy and the median time to achieve pCR was 6 (3 to 10) cycles. The pCR rate had a significant difference between patients < 6 and ≥ 6 cycles (7.1% vs. 22.5%,P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size measured by palpation ≤ 5 cm and ≥ 6 chemotherapy cycles were significantly related with pCR rate (P < 0.05). In all the 21 pCR patients, the pre-treatment ER(-), PR(-), HER-2(-) statuses were in 14, 14 and 17 patients, respectively. The status of ER, PR, HER-2 of most patients (74.2%, 69.7% and 87.7%, respectively) was not changed after treatment. Among the patients with changes in receptor status, ER changed from negative to positive was in the majority (37.1%, 13/35 vs. 12.9%, 4/31, P < 0.05), and the percentage of changes in PR and HER-2 status had no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONSThe regimens of anthracycline combined with taxane can achieve a higher pCR rate. The lymph node and receptor status before therapy have no significant correlation with pCR. Patients who have primary tumor size ≤ 5 cm, ≥ 6 chemotherapy cycles and enough dose intensity are easier to achieve pCR. The receptor status before and after therapy should be determined, and according to any positive results, physicians can chose HER-2 targeted therapy and/or endocrine therapy after surgery to benefit the patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthracyclines ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; methods ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Tumor Burden