Objective To investigate the effect of BDNF on cell injuries, cell apoptosis especially, induced by 25-35 segment of β-amyloid protein (Aβ25-35) at condensed state in PC12 cells.Methods The viability of PC12 cells, the apoptosis of PC12 cells and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by MTT, Annexin V-PI staining and Western blotting, respectively. Trk B receptor inhibitor K252a (200 nmol/l) was employed to observe the mechanism of 50 ng/ml BDNF on Aβ25-35 (20 μmol/L)-induced cell injury. Results BDNF (50 ng/ml) could significantly prevent the decrease of cell viability and cell apoptosis, and the increase of Bax expression and the decrease of Bcl-2 expression induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35, and prevent the increase of up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; and these effects were blocked by K252a (200 nmol/1). Conclusion BDNF can prevent Aβ25-35-induced cell injury, cell apoptosis especially, by binding to its specific receptor Trk B.

Objective: To establish a method for isolation and purification of fetal membrane derived adherent cells (FMDACs) , and investigate their biological characteristics. Method: FMDACs were isolated with trypsin inducing and cultured in vitro. FMDACs were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. FACS and immunocytochemistry technique were used to examine the cell surface antigen. The genetic stability was verified by karyotype analysis. Results: FMDACs were successfully isolated and expanded in vitro. They had strong proliferative ability. FMDACs were positive for CD44 and CD29, but negative for CD34, CD14 and CD45. FMDACs were differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes after inducement. The karyotype was stable in the sixth-passaged FMDACs and the tumorigenicity was not found. Conclusion; FMDACs have the possibility of multipotent stem cells, which have strong capacities of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. The genetic background of FMDACs is stable. FMDACs may be used as a kind of novel seed cells for tissue engineering.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the umbilical cord blood (UCB), and to evaluate their oncogenicity after long-term culture in vitro. METHODS: The mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from the UCB and cultured in MCDB131 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, VEGF and other growth factors. Morphology of the EPCs was observed, and the growth curve of the EPCs was investigated. Surface antigens of the EPCs were analyzed by the flow-cytometer. The capability of intaking the acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) of the EPCs was detected using fluoresencent chemical method. The vasoformative capability and genetic stability of EPCs were cultured in matrigel, and examined by karyotype analysis. The oncogenicity of EPCs was verified by the tumorigenesis test in athymic mouse and soft agar. RESULTS: EPCs were successfully derived from the UCB, and could be passaged to at least 42(nd) generation and had strong abilities of proliferation, acLDL intake and vasoformation, but there was not oncogenicity. They expressed endothelial cell-surface antigens and maintained normal karyotype. CONCLUSION The EPCs with proliferative potential can be isolated from the UCB. They can be passaged in long-term cultures without oncogenicity, and can maintain normal karyotype. The EPCs can be served as a new type of cells in cell and gene therapy.
Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; Karyotyping ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

We report here on a 64-year-old woman with extramedullary plasmacytoma involving the bilateral adrenal glands. Primary adrenal extramedullary plasmacytoma is extremely rare and only three cases of extramedullary plasmacytoma in the unilateral adrenal gland have currently been reported on. This case is of interest in that the bilateral adrenals were involved. In this article, we present the MRI findings and we briefly review the relevant literature.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/*diagnosis/surgery ; Back Pain/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney/pathology ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Plasmacytoma/*diagnosis/surgery ; Vena Cava, Inferior/pathology

The study was aimed to investigate the hematopoietic function of placenta tissue and clarify the effect of human placental chorionic tissue in different periods on proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro, in order to further understand the changes of the hematopoietic function of placenta with the time prolonging. The experiments were divided into four groups: early placenta (group B), mid-term placenta (group C), full-term placenta (group D), and blank group (group A). The hematopoietic stem cells were amplified in co-culture way, and the colony formation ability after the expansion was observed. The results showed that compared to initial concentration, the CD34(+) cells cultured with full-term placenta were amplified by (2.60 ± 0.20) times, which was significantly higher than those CD34(+) cells cultured with mid-term placenta (1.74 ± 0.24) and early placenta (1.14 ± 0.12), but that in blank group was reduced without amplification. After culture for 14 days, the colony number of group C and group D were significantly higher than that of group A and group B. Among them the number of CFU-GM, CFU-GEMM, BFU-E of group C all were a little higher than that of group D. It is concluded that human placental extract in different period without any exogenous cell factors all can support the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, this ability is getting stronger with time increasing. The colony formation ability of the amplified cells shows weakened after the first increase, this colony formation ability of the amplified cells in group C is strongest, slightly stronger than that of group D.
Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Placental Extracts ; pharmacology

Using the weight-average molecular weight 50 000 polylactic acid (PLA) as a carrier, and a certain proportion of erythromycin (EM) and prednisone acetate (PNA) to mixed prepare the compound erythromycin sustained release preparation (sustained-release tablets). Using ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect separately the release amount of EM and PNA in vitro medium. The sustained-release tablets release for about 21 days, the average content of EM is 99.7 mg/table, RSD = 0.82%; and the average content of PNA is 10.03 mg/table, RSD = 0.93%. Within 21 days, the cumulative releases of EM and PNA are 86.1% and 78.3%, respectively. The drug release is steady and slow after 5 days, the burst release phenomenon in early stage is more significant. The results showed that the sustained-release tablet preparation method is feasible, the release performance is good and the clinical efficacy is significant.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Combinations ; Erythromycin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; administration & dosage ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Sinusitis ; drug therapy ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with refractory congestive heart failure.

METHODSThirty-one patients with refractory congestive heart failure received cardiac resynchronization therapy. Before operation, all patients received standard drug therapy (28 cases) or integrated with CRRT (3 cases). Coronary sinus and its branches were shown by direct angiography with hollow angiographic catheter (11 cases) and by balloon angiographic catheter (20 cases). Left ventricle and right ventricle electrodes were implanted to 3 patients with atrial fibrillation, 4 patients with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation received CRT-D implantation. electrocardiogram, 24 hours Holter, echocardiography and physical clinical examinations were made at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post resynchronization therapy.

RESULTSPacemakers were successfully implanted in all 31 patients. One patient implanted with CRT-D died of multiple organ failure on third day after operation, 1 patient suffered sudden cardiac death 5 months after therapy and 2 patients were lost to fellow up 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. Results from the remaining 27 patients showed that QRS duration was significantly decreased (153 +/- 8.4 at baseline vs. 132 +/- 9.8 at 24 months follow up) and cardiac function significantly improved (LVEF 0.29 +/- 0.10 at baseline vs. 0.41 +/- 0.11 at 24 months follow up, P < 0.05 vs. baseline) during follow up compared to baseline. Malignant ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 3 patients with CRT-D and successfully terminated and converted to sinus rhythm.

CONCLUSIONSCardiac resynchronization therapy could improve cardiac function for patients with refractory congestive heart failure. CRT-D can effectively terminate the malignant ventricular arrhythmia.

Aged ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Defibrillators, Implantable ; Female ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Treatment Outcome

Aqueous dispersion and stability of Fe3O4 nanoparticles remain an issue unresolved since aggregation of naked iron nanoparticles in water. In this study, we successfully synthesized different Fe3O4 super-paramagnetic nanoparticles which were modified by three kinds of materials [DSPE-MPEG2000, TiO2 and poly acrylic acid (PAA)] and further detected their characteristics. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly showed sizes and morphology of the four kinds of nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) proved successfully coating of the three kinds of nanoparticles and their structures were maintained. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) verified that their magnetic properties fitted for the super-paramagnetic function. More importantly, the particle size analysis indicated that Fe3O4@PAA had a better size distribution, biocompatibility, stability and dispersion than the other two kinds of nanoparticles. In addition, using CNE2 cells as a model, we found that all nanoparticles were nontoxic. Taken together, our data suggest that Fe3O4@PAA nanoaparticles are superior in the application of biomedical field among the four kinds of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the future.

Host genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, are important in Human immunod-eficiency virus (HIV) infection and its progression to AIDS. HLA class I genes, especially highly polymorphicHLA-B genes, are involved in the activation of HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against HIV, andthus control susceptibility to or protect against this virus. The present study was aimed to determine the distributionof HLA-B alleles in the Chinese Uygur ethnic group and its association with HIV infection. One hundred ten healthycontrol (HIV negative) and 128 HIV positive Chinese Xinjiang Uygur ethnic individuals were used in this study.HLA typing for B allele was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence-specific primers (SSP).Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated using POPGENE software for the healthy control group. The HLA-Bfrequency of each allele was compared between the patients and the controls using the chi-square test. In HIV-1-pos-itive group, gene frequency of allele B * 4901 was significantly higher compared to the healthy control subjects (P=0.02, OR=3.06, 95%CI=1.16～8.10 forB*4901). In contrast, the gene frequency of B * 40 in healthy controlswas significantly higher than in the HIV-positive patients (P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.07～0. 92 for B* 40).In this study, HLA allele B * 4901 may be associated with increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, whereas the B* 40 allele may be associated with resistance to H HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder that predominantly affects children. Previous studies have mostly involved children in Western developed countries. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical profiles of ADEM in adult Chinese patients. RESULTS: ADEM occurred during summer and autumn in about two-thirds of the 42 included patients. Prior infection was found in five patients and no preimmunization was recorded. The most frequent clinical presentations were alterations in consciousness (79%) and behavior changes (69%), followed by motor deficits (64%) and fever (50%). About one-quarter (26%) of the patients showed positive results for oligoclonal bands, and about half of them exhibited increases in the IgG index and 24-hour IgG synthesis rate. Magnetic resonance imaging showed white- and gray-matter lesions in 83% and 23% of the patients, respectively. Steroids were the main treatment, and full recovery occurred in 62% of the patients, with residual focal neurological deficits recorded in a few patients. After a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years, two patients exhibited recurrence and one patient exhibited a multiphasic course. One patient was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of the seasonal distribution pattern and prior vaccine rate, the clinical profiles of ADEM in adult Chinese patients are similar to those in pediatric populations. No specific markers are available for distinguishing ADEM from MS at the initial presentation. Careful clinical evaluations, cerebrospinal fluid measurements, and neuroradiological examinations with long-term follow-up will aid the correct diagnosis of ADEM.
Adult* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Consciousness ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Developed Countries ; Diagnosis ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated* ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Oligoclonal Bands ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Steroids