This study was purposed to investigate the angiogenesis-promoting activities of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) modified by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the underlying mechanisms. The hMSCs were transfected by recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human HGF gene and seeded onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Three days later, the number of blood vessels was counted and their angiogenic response was compared with those of hMSCs of same generation, recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and alpha-MEM as control. The expression levels of bFGF, VEGF, angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR assay. The results showed that gene-modified hMSCs exhibited greatest activity to promote angiogenesis while the angiogenic response was nearly same between groups treated by hMSCs and bFGF, all of which were significantly higher than that observed in control (p < 0.01). RT-PCR analysis revealed that hMSCs constitutively expressed multiple angiogenesis-associated growth factors and their levels seemed up-regulated by HGF gene transfer. It is concluded that HGF gene-modified hMSCs show a potent angiogenesis-promoting function and may be useful in the treatment of ischemic disorders.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; genetics ; Transfection

To observe the clinical effect of Yisui decoction plus western medicine in treating multiple system atrophy patients, totally 65 patients from China-Japan Friendship hospital during 2008-2012 with complete clinical data and received consecutive traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine treatment for more than 3 months were observed changes of traditional Chinese medicine symptom score, part 1 of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale, orthostatic hypotension before treatment and after 3 months treatment. After 3 months treatment, total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine symptom was 70.8%. Compared with before treatment, score of part 1 of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale was obviously reduced after 3 month treatment (P < 0.001). Ex- cept swallow function without significant improvement, the remaining projects of unified multiple system atrophy rating scale were im- proved obviously (P < 0.05), of which the most obvious differences were orthostatic symptoms, falls and intestinal function (P < 0.001). Orthostatic hypotension after 1 month treatment and 3 month treatment was obviously better than before treatment (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in orthostatic hypotension between 1 month treatment and 3 month treatment. The research results show that Yisui decoction plus western medicine has a certain effect on improving clinical symptoms of multiple system atrophy patients, especially has a significant effect on orthostatic hypotension, and can maintain a stable clinical effect in a certain period of time.
Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Multiple System Atrophy ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the correlation between the serum ferritin levels and the post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods From July 2014 to October 2015, the inpatients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were colected consecutively. Chemiluminescence microparticle immune assay was used to measure the serum ferritin levels within 24 h after admission. Depressive symptoms were screened by using the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) at 3 months after onset. In patients with a HAMD-17 score ≥7, the depression was further diagnosed according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Results A total of 200 patients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were enroled, 55 (27. 5% ) of them were diagnosed as PSD. There were significant differences in the body mass index (BMI), years of education, waist circumference, high sensitive-C-reactive protein, homocysteine, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (at baseline, discharge, and day 90), mRs score (at discharge and day 90), BI (at discharge and day 90), and the proportions of widowed or solitary patients between the PSD group and the non-PSD group (al P < 0. 05 ). The serum ferritin level in the PSD group was significantly higher than that in the non-PSD group ( median [ interquartile range], 261. 90[142. 10-364. 90] μg/L vs. 164. 40[132. 50- 195. 10] μg/L; Z = - 4. 814, P < 0. 001 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that the baseline serum ferritin level >136. 375 μg/L was an independent risk factor for PSD (odds ratio 1. 041 per 1-quartile increase, 95%confidence interval 1. 009-1. 239; P = 0. 045). Conclusions The elevated baseline serum ferritin level is associated with PSD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of c-fos in rats' skin during wound healing. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was conducted on paraffin section from incised wounding model of rat skin. RESULTS: Fos protein improved from the time of 10 min after wounding in the wound edge, then it reached peak at 3 h. 24 h after injury, the quantity of Fos expression had no difference with that of normal skin. CONCLUSION Fos is sensitive after wound, but should be used with other criteria in wounding interval estimation as it's unstediness.
Animals ; Genes, Immediate-Early ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/biosynthesis* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/metabolism* ; Time Factors ; Wounds and Injuries/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the effects of duration of untreated psychiatry (DUP) on the white matter integrity in first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia. Methods The Chinese version of Nottingham Onset Schedule was used to assess the DUP of 39 first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia. According to the median of DUP, the 39 patients were grouped into long-DUP group and short-DUP group. Diffusion weighted images of the 39 patients' whole brains were acquired with a Half-Fourier Acquired Single-Shot Turbo Spin Echo (HASTE) sequence.After being preprocessed with DTI-studio and statistical parametric mapping software (SPM5), the fractional anisotropy (FA) images of the 2 groups were compared by two-sample t-test with SPM5 software. The differences of gender, age, education level and total scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores between the 2 groups were also detected. Results No significant difference was noted on gender, age, education level, PANSS scores between the 2 groups (P＞0.05).Subjects of long-DUP group showed significantly reduced FA value in the right anterior cingulate fasciculus (x=8, y=40, z=24) and left prefrontal white matter thresholded (x=32, y=34, z=4) as compared with that of short-DUP group at a level of P＜0.001 (uncorrected). Conclusion Extension of the duration of DUP will reduce the white matter integrity in first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUNDClinical outcome in patients with primary central nervous lymphoma (PCNSL) is variable and poorly predictable. This study investigated the association of clinical features and immune markers with prognosis of patients with PCNSL.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen newly diagnosed PCNSL patients at the study institution were considered eligible for this study. Clinical characteristics and biochemical assay data were collected. Immunohistochemical staining of Cyclin D3, Cyclin E, Foxp1, and LMO2 were performed. All cases were followed-up regularly.

RESULTSThe common sites of involvement were frontal lobe (54.8%) and thalamus (16.5%). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma composed of 96.5% of the cases. The median overall survival was 22 (4 - 41) months, and the 5-year survival rate was 22.8%. Age > 65 years, serum globulin > 40 g/L, large size of tumor, lymphocyte count ≥ 1 × 10(9)/L, and expression of Cyclin D3 and Cyclin E were associated with poor prognosis of PCNSL. Expressions of Foxp1, LMO2, and CD44 were not related to the survival. Expression of Cyclin E, large tumor size, and high serum globulin were independent prognostic factors for PCNSL.

CONCLUSIONSPCNSL prognosis is relatively poor. Age, high tumor burden, higher lymphocyte count, expression of Cyclin D3, and Cyclin E are inferior prognostic factors for PCNSL.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D3 ; metabolism ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; LIM Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThere are different materials used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It has been reported that both autologous grafts and allografts used in ACL reconstruction can cause bone tunnel enlargement. This study aimed to observe the characteristics of bone tunnel changes and possible causative factors following ACL reconstruction using Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) artificial ligament.

METHODSForty-three patients underwent ACL reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament and were followed up for 3 years. X-ray and CT examinations were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery, to measure the width of tibial and femoral tunnels. Knee function was evaluated according to the Lysholm scoring system. The anterior and posterior stability of the knee was measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer.

RESULTSAccording to the Peyrache grading method, grade 1 femoral bone tunnel enlargement was observed in three cases six months after surgery. No grade 2 or grade 3 bone tunnel enlargement was found. The bone tunnel enlargement in the three cases was close to the articular surface with an average tunnel enlargement of (2.5 ± 0.3) mm. Forty cases were evaluated as grade 0. The average tibial and femoral tunnel enlargements at the last follow-up were (0.8 ± 0.3) and (1.1 ± 0.3) mm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in bone tunnel width changes at different time points (P > 0.05). X-ray and CT measurements were consistent.

CONCLUSIONSThere was no marked bone tunnel enlargement immediately following ACL reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament. Such enlargement may, however, result from varying grafting factors involving the LARS artificial ligament or from different fixation methods.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

Purpose: This study investigated the value of synchronous tele-ultrasonography (TUS) for naive operators in thyroid ultrasonography (US) examinations. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were included in this prospective, parallel-controlled trial. Thyroid scanning and diagnosis were completed by resident A independently, resident B with guidance from a US expert through synchronous TUS, and an on-site US expert. The on-site expert’s findings constituted the reference standard. Two other off-site US experts analyzed all data in a blind manner. Inter-operator consistency between the two residents and the on-site US expert for thyroid size measurements, nodule measurements, nodule features, American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) categories, and image quality was compared. Two questionnaires were completed to evaluate the clinical benefit. Results: Resident B detected more nodules consistent with the on-site expert than resident A did (89.4% vs. 56.5%, P<0.001). Resident B achieved excellent consistency with the on-site expert in terms of ACR TI-RADS categories, nodule composition, shape, echogenic foci, and vascularity (all intra-class correlation coefficients [ICCs] >0.75), while resident A achieved lower consistency in ACR TI-RADS categories, composition, echogenicity, margin, echogenic foci, and vascularity (all ICCs 0.40-0.75). Residents A and B had excellent consistency in target nodule measurements (all ICCs >0.75). Resident B achieved better performance than resident A for gray values, time gain compensation, depth, color Doppler adjustment, and the visibility of key information (all P<0.05). Furthermore, 61.9% (60/97) of patients accepted synchronous TUS, and 59.8% (58/97) patients were willing to pay for it. Conclusion Synchronous TUS can help inexperienced residents achieve comparable thyroid diagnostic capability to a US expert.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term treatment including fluoroquinolones anti-tuberculosis drugs for rifampicin resistant pulmonary tuberculosis(TB)in those areas carrying out the 'TB control project'.Methods TB cases involved in this study were from TB drug resistance surveillance in Heilongiiang province,Zhejiang province and Shenzhen city from 2004 to 2006.TB cases with rifampicin resistant were randomly divided into the treatment group(including fluoroquinolones anti-tuberculosis drugs group)and the control group(re-treatment regimen group).The treatment group was treated wim 3RFT AM ofx Pto PAS-INH/5RFT ofx Pto PAS.INH while the control group was treated with 3 H3R323E3S3/5 H3R3E3.Efficacy of short-term treatment was analyzed by per-protocol analysis(PP analysis)and intention-to-treat analysis(ITT analysis)while drug adverse reactions was also observed.Results (1)154 patients with rifampicin resistant pulmonary tuberculosis were recruited among them,25(16.2%)were only resistant to rifampicin,114(74.0%)to MDR-TB and 15(9.8%)to others(resistant R+S,resistant R+E and resistant R+E+S).114 TB cases completed the fuIl course of treatment,with 71 in the treatment group and 43 in the control group.(2)Sputum negative conversion rate of the treatment group and the control group were 78.9%and 65.1%(X2CMH=4.558,P=0.011)respectively,by per-protocol analysis.Sputum negative conversion rate of the treatment group and the control group were 65.9%and 40.6%(X2CMH=0.272,P=0.001)respectively,by intention-to-treat analysis.The sputum negative conversion rate of the treatment group was higher than in the control group when treating rifampicm resistant pulmonary tuberculosis and MDR-TB patients.(3)Three patients withdrew in each of the two groups because ofadverse effects to the drugs.Rates of adverse reaction to drugs appeared to be 23.9%(17/71)and 18.6%(8/43)in the treatment and in the control groups,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion The efficacy of treatment including fluoroquinolones anti-tuberculosis drugs group seemed beaer than the re-treatment regimen group in treating patients with rifampicin resistant pulmonary tuberculosis and those MDR-TB patients.

The clinical results of the application of pedicled vascularized bone graft (VBG) from Lister's tubercle vs. traditional bone graft (TBG) were evaluated and compared. Thirteen cases of symptomatic scaphoid nonunion were treated between January 2011 and December 2012, including 7 cases subject to VBG and the rest 6 cases to TBG, respectively. Outcomes were assessed by modified Mayo wrist score system. All cases were followed up for an average period of 3.5 months after operation. The results showed that total scores in VBG group were 86.4±9.4 after operation with excellent result in 4 cases, good in 2 and acceptable in one, and those in TBG group were 71.7±9.3 after operation with good result in 2 cases, acceptable in 3 and disappointing in one. Total score of wrist function was significantly improved in VBG group as compared with TBG group (P<0.05). Our study suggests that VBG method is more effective for treating scaphoid nonunion than TBG method.
Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Hand Strength ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Scaphoid Bone ; blood supply ; injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Wrist ; blood supply ; physiopathology ; Young Adult