BACKGROUND: Stem cell transplantation in repairing infarct myocardium and in improving cardiac function has been widely accepted. However, whether transplanted cells and host cells formed an effective electricity and mechanical couple, whether a relevant independent electrical system with contractile function formed or whether severe malignant ventricular arrhythmia formed, are still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate electrophysiological abnormaltiy and left ventricular remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction following allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal study was performed at the Experimental Center, Guangxi Medical University from December 2005 to October 2008.MATERIALS: A total of 120 healthy Wistar rats were equally randomized into normal control, sham operation, saline control and cell transplantation groups. Healthy Wister rats aged 1 month were selected to harvest bone marrow.METHODS: At the third passage, rat BMSCs were collected and treated with 5-aza, and differentiated into cerdiomyocytes.BMSCs were labeled with DAPI at 2 hours before transplantation. In the saline control and cell transplantation groups, rat models of myocardial infarction were established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. In the sham operation group, the coronary artery was not ligated, but only braid. At 7 days following ligation, BMSCs in the cell transplantation group at 2×10-1/L were infused into the edge and center of myocardial infarct region by multipoint injection. Rats in the other three groups were subjected to an equal volume of saline.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrocardiogram and cardiac electrophysiology were performed. Ultrasonic cardiography was used to detect left ventricular function. Infarct size was determined. DAPl-labeled donor cell migration and distribution was observed with a fluorescence microscope.RESULTS: BMSCs could differentiate into cardiacmuscle cell-like cells which were capable of pulsing spontaneously, expressing cardiactoponin T and forming myofilament in vitro. Compared with the saline control group, PR interval, QRS duration and ventdcular effective refractory period shortened, ventricular fibrillation threshold increased at 4, 8 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05); left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole reduced, and left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening traction was significantly increased (P< 0.05). At 8 and 12 weeks, infarct size was significantly smaller (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks, DAPl-labeled BMSCs could be seen under the fluorescence microscope, and still could he detected at 12 weeks. However, the fluorescence became weak with prolonged time.CONCLUSION: BMSCs have the plasticity of differentiating into cardiac muscle cell-like cells, which can modulate theelectrophysiological abnormality and left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of NF-kappa B binding activity, the expression of PPARr and their correlation in the liver of rats with fatty liver disease (FLD) induced by different pathogenic factors and to investigate the molecular mechanism of the inflammation in FLD.

METHODS40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of ten each: normal group, alcohol group, fat-rich diet group, alcohol adding fat-rich diet group. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 16th week from the starting day of the experiment. Serum and liver specimens were collected. Histological specimens were stained with HE, SudanIV, and Masson and then studied microscopically. The ultrastructural changes were also checked under an electron microscope. NF-kappa B binding activity and the expression of PPARr mRNA were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and RT-PCR respectively. The correlations between NF-kappa B binding activity and the expression of PPARr and the biochemical indexes were analyzed.

RESULTSSteatosis, inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis were present in livers of the rats of all the experimental groups, and were most severe in the alcohol adding fat-rich diet group. NF-kappa B binding activity was markedly increased in the livers of the alcohol group (142+/-16.32) and of the alcohol adding fat-rich diet group (238+/-19.14) in comparison to the livers of the normal (73+/-9.24, F = 6.36, 17.93) and those of the fat-rich diet group (84+/-10.38, F = 5.96, 16.20). Binding activity was higher in the alcohol adding fat-rich diet group than that in the simple alcohol group, but there was no difference between those of the fat-rich diet and normal groups. The level of PPARr mRNA was lower in the livers of the alcohol, fat-rich diet, alcohol adding fat-rich diet groups (0.2530+/-0.069, 0.3647+/-0.082, 0.1226+/-0.054) than that of the controls (0.8097+/-0.094) (F = 15.43, 7.24, 21.45). NF-kappa B binding activity was correlated positively with the level of serum TNF alpha (r = 0.527, 0.639) and the content of MDA in the liver homogenates (r = 0.723, 0.537), but negatively with the expression of PPARr in the livers of the alcohol and the alcohol adding fat-rich diet groups (r = -0.568, -0.891).

CONCLUSIONThe enhanced nuclear factors NF-kappa B binding activity and decreased expression of PPARr play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response of FLD induced by alcohol and fat-rich diet. It may provide a new idea for treating FLD effectively.

Animals ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological features of the index cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in different cities in Guangdong province and to trace for the source of infection.

METHODSStandardized individual case inventory was adopted to conduct investigation on index cases and on persons who had close contact with index cases in Guangdong province. Data on the epidemiological characteristics, secondary cases and the links among index cases were analyzed.

RESULTSBetween November 16, 2002 and April 16, 2003, there had been 13 index cases of SARS including 3 cadres, 3 farmers, 2 retirees, 2 workers and 1 shop attendant, reported from 13 cities in Guangdong province. Between November 2002 and January 2003, there had been 7 cities reported to have identified index cases of SARS with 6 of them being infected in their own cities and 1 imported from Guangzhou city. All of the cases had no close contacts to similar patients but 6 of them later caused 2nd or even 3rd generation cases of SARS. Most cases hit young people (7/13) with a sex ratio of 1:0.6. The fatality rate of index cases was high (4/13).

CONCLUSIONNo evidence showed that there was direct transmission among the index cases. Data regarding the geographical origin of those index cases led to the assumption that the infection had started in six cities of Pearl river delta region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; Female ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of mobilization with recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulated factor (rhG-CSF) on the migration and adhesive function and their related signal mechanism mediated by the CXCR4 and lymphocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1) molecules on the surfaces of CD4(+) T cells.

METHODSBefore and at day 5 on rhG-CSF mobilization, the expression rates of CXCR4 and LFA-1 (CD11a) on CD4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood were detected by tricolor fluorescence labeling, and the migration and adhesive activities of CD4(+) T cells to stroma cell-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were also tested.

RESULTSThe expression of CXCR4 on CD4(+) T lymphocytes was (84.58 +/- 20.31)% before mobilization and (81.23 +/- 22.46)% at day 5 on mobilization. The expression of LFA-1 on CD4(+) T lymphocytes before and at day 5 on mobilization was 100%. There was no significant difference in the expression CXCR-4 and LFA-1 on CD4(+) T lymphocytes whether mobilization (P > 0.05). SDF-1 alpha induced 4 hours' CD4(+) T cells migration didn't change markedly before and after mobilization \[(28.5 +/- 10.3)% vs (31.2 +/- 8.9)%\] (P > 0.05). The adhesive activity of CD4(+) T cells to ICAM-1 was decreased from (85.59 +/- 14.21)% to (61.45 +/- 15.07)% after mobilization (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of CXCR4 and LFA-1 on CD4(+) T lymphocytes didn't change markedly during rhG-CSF mobilization, but the adhesive activity of CD4(+) T cells to ICAM-1 was frustrated after that.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; physiology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; physiology ; Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins

Adult ; CD5 Antigens ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Choristoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hamartoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Thymoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thymus Gland ; pathology ; Thymus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) for its better understanding. Methods The clinical manifestations and endocrine alterations were analyzed retrospectively in 2 PSIS cases, and the literatures concerning this disease were reviewed. Results Both of the 2 adult patients had definite history of head injuries, and one of them exhibited nervous system sequelae. The diagnoses remained erroneous for 15 and 2 years, respectively. This disease was characterized by gradual clinical hypopituitarism, and both of the 2 patients were admitted for pituitary crisis, which occurred for several times in 1 case;neither of the patients had diabetes insipidus. Endocrine examination suggested hypofunction of the thyroid gland, sexual gland and adrenal glands due to hypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pituitary atrophy, pituitary stalk interruption and posterior lobe hyperintensity in the infundibular recess. So far only 2 juvenile cases of traumatic PSIS were reported, which had distinct differences from early-onset PSlS and from simple traumatic hypopituitarism without pituitary stalk interruption. Conclusion Traumatic PSIS is a rare clinical entity. In cases of endocrine alterations following head injury, traumatic PSIS might be suspected and appropriate treatment should be administered.

Near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)technology combined with chemometrics algorithms has been widely used in quantitative and qualitative analysis of food and medicine.However,traditional chemometrics methods,especially linear classification methods,often yield unsatisfactory results when addressing multi-class classification problems.Convolutional neural network(CNN)is adept at extracting deep-level features from data and suitable for handling non-linear relationships.The modeling performance of CNN depends on the size and diversity of sample,while the collection and preprocessing of NIRS sample data is often time-consuming and labor-intensive.This study proposed a NIRS qualitative analysis method based on data augmentation strategies and CNN.The data augmentation strategy included two steps.Firstly,applying Bootstrap resampling and generative adversarial network(GAN)methods to augment three NIRS datasets(Medicine,coffee and grape).Secondly,combining the original samples(Y)with the Bootstrap augmented samples(B)and GAN augmented samples(G)to obtain three augmented datasets(Y-B,Y-G and Y-B-G).Based on this,a CNN model structure suitable for these datasets was designed,consisting of 2 one-dimensional convolutional layers,1 max-pooling layer,and 1 fully connected layer.The results showed that compared to the optimal models of partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),support vector machine(SVM),and back propagation neural network(BP),the CNN model based on Y-B dataset achieved average accuracy improvements of 3.998%,9.364%,and 4.689%for medicine(Binary classification);the CNN model based on the Y-B-G dataset achieved average accuracy improvements of 6.001%,2.004%,and 7.523%for coffee(7-class classification);and the CNN model based on the Y-B dataset achieved average accuracy improvements of 33.408%,51.994%,and 34.378%for grapes(20-class classification).It was evident that the models established based on data augmentation strategies and CNN demonstrated better classification accuracy and generalization performance with different datasets and classification categories.

Objective To explore the possible role of voltage-gated potassium channel-interacting protein 1 (KChIP1) in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Methods Sprague Dawley female adult rats were treated with pentylenettrazole (PTZ) to develop acute and chronic epilepsy models. The approximate coronal sections of normal and epilepsy rat brain were processed for immunohistochemistry. Double-labeling confocal microscopy was used to determine the coexistence of KChIP1 and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Results KChIP1 was expressed abundantly throughout adult rat brain. KChIP1 is highly co-localize with GABA transmitter in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In the acute PTZ-induced convulsive rats, the number of KChIP1-postive cells was significantly increased especially in the regions of CA1 and CA3 (P < 0.05); whereas the chronic PTZ-induced convulsive rats were found no changes. The number of GABA-labeled and co-labeled neurons in the hippocampus appeared to have no significant alteration responding to the epilepsy-genesis treatments. Conclusion KChIP1 might be involved in the PTZ-induced epileptogenesis process as a regulator to neuronal excitability through influencing the properties of potassium channels. KChIP1 is preferentially expressed in GABAergic neurons, but its changes did not couple with GABA in the epileptic models.

OBJECTIVE: To explore related factors of changes in gouty patients by ultrasonography after initiation of uric acid lowering therapy. METHODS: There were 72 gout patients enrolled who admitted to First hospital of Peking University from December 2012 to June 2017. All the patients had clinical and ultrasound examination at both knees, ankles and feet joints at the baseline. Regular uric acid lowering therapy started for one year. The endpoint was the last time who repeat the ultrasound examination during the follow up.According with uric acid level and its measuring time, the area under the curve was calculated to reflect the uric acid burden. RESULTS: In the 216 jonts of 72 patients, double contour sign were detectable in 112/216(51.85%), tophi were detectable in71/216(32.87%).Among MTP Joints, DCS was detected in 32/144(22.22%), and tophi in 47/144(32.64%). Among Knees joints, DCS was detected in 33/144(22.92%), tophi in 4/144(2.78%). Among ankle joints, DCS was detected in 47/144(32.64%), tophi in 20/144(13.89%).DCS disappearance occurred in 38/55(69.09%) joints positive for DCS at baselineTime-to-disappearance was 148 days(985～133 days). Tophi disappeared completely in 18/45 joints(40%). Time-to-disappearance was 382.5 days(686～397.25 days). There was no significant difference in age, BMI, duration of disease and complications between DCS persisted group and DCS disappearance group.SUA in the DCS disappeared group at baseline, second, third, fourth and ninth months of follow-up. was significantly lower than that of the non-disappeared group. SUA load in the DCS group was significantly lower than the non-disappeared group. Post hoc tests showed that SUA levels fell significantly from baseline through fourth month of follow-up in DCS disappearance group, and SUA of the sixth months was the lowest. CONCLUSION: To screen for specific features of gout such as DCS or tophi by US at initiation of ULT and during follow-up is a useful, and effective way to detect the lowering and often disappearance of burden of urate load in gouty joints.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of " acupuncture" and oral estradiol and dydrogesterone tablets (femoston) on premature ovarian insufficiency of kidney deficiency. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with premature ovarian insufficiency of kidney deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each one.In the observation group, " acupuncture" was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Yaoshu (GV 2), Mingmen (GV 4), etc. once every 2 days, 1 month as a course. In the control group, femoston was prescribed for oral administration, one tablet per time, once a day, 1 month as a course. Both of the two groups were given consecutive treatment for 3 courses. Before and after treatment, the clinical symptoms, menstrual improvement as well as the changes of estradiol (E), luteotrophic hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the clinical symptoms and menstrual conditions were improved (<0.01), the levels of FSH and LH were significantly reduced (<0.01), and the levels of E were significantly increased in the two groups (<0.01). There were no significant difference in menstrual improvement rate and menstrual improvement time between the observation group and the control group (<0.05), the recurrence rate of menopause and clinical symptom score improvement in the observation group were superior to the control group (<0.05). In the observation group, the level of E in serum was lower and the levels of FSH and LH in serum were significantly lower than those in the control group (<0.05, <0.01). In the observation group, the rate of adverse reaction was 4.0% (1/25), which was lower than 36.0% (9/25) in the control group (<0.05). CONCLUSION " acupuncture" has better therapeutic effect for premature ovarian insufficiency of kidney deficiency. It is superior to femoston in improving clinical symptoms and recurrence rate of menopause as well as reducing the levels of FSH and LH.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; therapy ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; therapy