Objective To evaluate the clinical application and safety of CT-guided pereutaneous transthoracic biopsy in the diagnosis of mediastinal masses.Methods Thirty three cases were undertaken CT- guided percutaneous transthoraeie biopsy with automatic biopsy gun and then the sampling specimens were undergone histological examination.The accuracy of puncture,diagnostic correctness and complications were analyzed.Results The operations were performed successfully in all 33 cases(100%),the definite pathologic diagnosis were made in 28 out of 33 cases(85%)and no complications occurred.Conclusion As for midiastinal masses,CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy is a feasible,successful,efficient interventional diagnostic method with high accuracy in localization,puncture,diagnosis and few complications, which should he recommended in clinical use more widely.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:852-854)

Objective To investigate the effect of frequency on osteoblast apoptosis induced by tensile strain.Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were applied with 1％ biaxial tensile strain at the frequency of 1,2,3,4,5 Hz,re spectively for 1 hour per day in 8 days.The survival rate of the cells was determined by activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).Annexin V-FITC/ PI Flow cytometry was used to test cell apoptosis.Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the gene level of apoptosis markers caspase-3,-9 as well as Bcl-2 and Bax,and Western blotting was used to test protein expressions of caspase-3,-9.Results Different loading frequencies had no effect on osteoblast activity of LDH.There was no significant difference in the total apoptosis rate of flow cytometry at different frequencies.However,the frequency of 2 Hz could induce early osteoblast apoptosis.Tensile strain at the frequency of 2 Hz could significantly increase the expression of caspase-3,-9 gene and protein,and induce cell apoptosis with the up-regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2.Conclusions Osteoblast apoptosis and death cannot be induced by 1％ biaxial tensile strain at the frequency of 1-5 Hz,but the frequency of 2 Hz can induce the early apoptosis of osteoblasts by up-regulating the expression of Bax/BCI-2.

This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L^-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.

Background::Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a progressive stage of diabetic retinopathy featured by the formation of neovascular and proliferative membrane. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) acts as a pivot factor in the development of neovascularization. This study was to investigate the changes of intravitreal VEGF concentrations of severe PDR after intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) and its potential advantages to the following vitrectomy.Methods::This was a prospective, interventional, randomized controlled study. Sixty eyes (60 patients) with severe PDR and 20 eyes from 20 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy were enrolled in this study. PDR eyes were randomly assigned to three groups by sortation randomization method with 20 eyes in each based on the interval of preoperative IVC (group A: 7 days, group B: 14 days, group C: non-IVC). Another 20 eyes without diabetes were enrolled as the non-diabetic control group (group D), receiving PPV directly. Vitreous specimens of all 80 patients were collected and evaluated afterwards. The intravitreal VEGF concentration of the four groups, and the total surgical time and the intraoperative bleeding rate of the PDR groups were recorded.Results::The mean intravitreal VEGF concentrations of groups A-D were 66.6 ± 43.3, 93.1 ± 52.3, 161.4 ± 106.1 and 1.8 ± 1.2 pg/mL, respectively. It increased significantly in PDR patients (groups A, B and C) ( P = 0.002, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). PDR patients with preoperative IVC (groups A and B) presented significantly lower VEGF concentrations ( P < 0.001 and 0.001), intraoperative bleeding rates ( P= 0.004) and total surgical time ( P < 0.001, P= 0.003) compared with group C. No statistical differences were presented between groups A and B on the three parameters. Conclusion::Seven days and 14 days of preoperative IVC are equally efficient and safe for the vitrectomy of severe PDR patients through decreasing vitreous VEGF concentrations, intraoperative bleeding rate and total surgical times.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe respiratory failure in clinical practice, with a mortality rate as high as 40%. Injury of pulmonary endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells occurs during ARDS, and pulmonary endothelial injury results in endothelial barrier disruption, which usually occurs before epithelial injury. Especially, when harmful factors enter the blood, such as sepsis and hemorrhagic shock, the pulmonary endothelial cells are affected firstly. The injured endothelial cells may loss cell-to-cell connections and even die. After the endothelial barrier is disrupted, fluid and proteins cross the endothelial barrier, causing interstitial edema. The alveolar epithelium is more resistant to injury, and when the tight barrier of the epithelium is broken, fluids, proteins, neutrophils, and red blood cells in the interstitium enter the alveolar space. From this process, it is easy to find that the endothelium is the first barrier to prevent edema, therefore, the protection of endothelium is the key to the prevention and treatment of ARDS. In addition, the injured endothelial cells express selectin and cell adhesion molecules, promoting the recruitment of immune cells, which exacerbate the inflammatory response and pulmonary endothelial cell injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be derived from umbilical cord, bone marrow, adipose and so on. Because of low immunogenicity, MSCs can be used for allogeneic transplantation and have great application potential in tissue repairing. Through paracrine effect, MSCs can promote cell survival and balance inflammatory response. MSCs infused intravenously can locate in lungs rapidly and interact with endothelial cells directly, thus MSCs have advantages in protecting pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Animal experiments and clinical trials have found that MSC transplantation can significantly improve the symptoms of ARDS and reduce inflammatory reactions and endothelial permeability. Mechanically, MSCs acts mainly through paracrine and immunomodulatory effects. Paracrine cytokines from MSCs can not only promote pulmonary endothelial proliferation, but also reduce inflammatory response and promote cell survival to maintain endothelial integrity. In addition to paracrine cytokines, extracellular vesicles of MSCs are rich in RNAs, proteins and bioactive substances, which can protect pulmonary endothelial cells by intercellular communication and substance transport. Furthermore, MSCs may protect pulmonary endothelial cells indirectly by regulating immune cells, such as reducing the formation of extracellular trapping network of neutrophils, regulating macrophage polarization and regulating Th17/Treg cell balance. Although the beneficial effects of MSCs are verified, much work still needs to be done. MSCs from different tissues have their own characteristics and the scope of application. Different lung diseases possess different endothelial injury mechanisms. Thus, determining the indications of MSCs derived from different tissues is the direction of pulmonary disease clinical trials. From the perspective of transplantation route, intravenous injection of MSCs may have better clinical application in pulmonary endothelial injury caused by endogenous harmful factors in blood. Previous reviews mostly focused on the protective effects of MSCs on alveolar epithelium. In this article, we focused on endothelial cells and reviewed the direct protective effects and mechanisms of MSCs on endothelium through paracrine cytokines and extracellular vesicles, and summarize the mechanisms by which MSCs may indirectly protect pulmonary endothelial cells by regulating immune cells.

OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to detect the FLT3 gene mutation in patients with de-novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and to investigate its prognostic value and clinical significance.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect FLT3 gene mutation, in bone marrow samples of 54 patients with de novo AML.

RESULTSThe incidence of FLT3-ITD mutation in 54 de-novo AML patients was 22.22%, 10 out of 12(83.3%) AML patients were identified with normal karyotype, while 16.7% patients were identified as with abnormal karyotype. The peripheral blood white cell count and bone marrow blast cells were significantly higher in the patients with FLT3-ITD mutation than those in patients without FLT3-ITD mutation (P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in sex, age, CR rate of the first course induction chemotherapy, survival rate and so on between the two groups. Two cases had FLT3-TKD gene mutation; as compared with FLT3-TKD negative AML patients there was no statistical difference in sex, age, white blood cell count, the percentage of marrow blasts and CR rate of the first course of treatment at the initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONFLT3-ITD mutation positive likely occurs in AML patients with normal karyotype, the FLT3-ITD mutation is associated with higher peripheral white cell count and higher percentage of bone marrow blast cells.

Abnormal Karyotype ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Leukocyte Count ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3

BACKGROUNDIron is a biocorrodible metal that might be used in bioabsorbable stents. This study investigated the effects at the cellular and protein levels of soluble divalent iron (ferrous gluconate) and soluble trivalent iron (ferric chloride) on the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) in vitro.

METHODSThe water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) test was used to evaluate the effect of iron on proliferation of HASMC and Western blotting was used to measure the levels of signaling proteins involved in proliferative and apoptosis pathways.

RESULTSHASMC proliferation was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner after treatment with soluble divalent and trivalent iron at concentrations of 100-500 µmol/L. Western blotting analysis showed that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression following treatment with soluble divalent iron and trivalent iron at 100, 300 and 500 µmol/L was reduced compared to the control. The PCNA expression decreased with increasing iron concentration and to a greater extent with the trivalent iron than with the divalent iron treatment group. The p53 expression was markedly increased in a concentration dependent manner in both iron treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONThe soluble divalent iron and, to a greater degree trivalent iron, inhibited HASMC proliferation in a dosedependent manner, which may be attributed to reduction of PCNA expression and increase of p53 expression.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Iron ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; chemistry ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the roles and clinical significance of innate immune receptors and cytokine in children with measles.

METHODThe children with measles hospitalized in the department of infectious diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University during 2009-2011 were enrolled into measles group, while the healthy children examined in well baby clinic were enrolled into control group. The mRNA expression of TLR2/3/4/7, melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA-5), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), IFN-α/β and IL-10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of IFN-α, IFN-β and IL-10 in plasma were measured using ELISA. SPSS 13.0 software was applied to analyze the difference between two groups.

RESULTData from a total of 98 patients in measles group and 59 children in control group were collected. The mRNA expressions of TLR2, MDA-5 and RIG-I had no statistical significance between two groups (P > 0.05, respectively). The relative mRNA expressions of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 in measles group (2.25 ± 0.74, 2.05 ± 0.72, 2.12 ± 0.29) were significantly lower than those in control group (2.09 ± 0.78, 1.90 ± 0.75, 1.87 ± 0.68) (P < 0.01; respectively). Both IFN-α and IFN-β had significantly decreased mRNA expressions in measles patients (2.41 ± 1.31, 2.47 ± 1.26) compared with those in controls (2.22 ± 0.48, 2.35 ± 0.64)(P < 0.01 respectively); however, IL-10 mRNA levels significantly increased (2.49 ± 0.58 vs. 2.62 ± 0.95) (P < 0.001). The IL-10 levels in plasma in measles group were significantly higher during the whole period of fever [<5 d group: 29.89 (25.82-38.15) ng/L and ≥ 5 d group:34.55 (28.26-38.70) ng/L] than that in control group [25.15 (24.20-27.38) ng/L] (P < 0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSIONTLR3/4/7 mRNA expression was low in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of measles patients. Levels of IL-10 were significantly raised in the early stage after infection and lasted for a long time, and reduced IFN-α levels in plasma were associated with the fever durations of measles patients. These results indicated that multiple TLRs and cytokines may participate in the immune response after measles virus infection.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Measles ; immunology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the distribution of alleles in 19 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Jiangsu Han population.Methods Goldeneye20A kit was used to detect 9 025 samples.Genetic analysis was performed on typing data of 19 autosomal STR loci, and genetic distance with other 17 populations was analyzed.Results All the 19 autosomal STR loci were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P＞0.05), with the heterozygosity 0.616 1-0.916 3, probability of match 0.012 8-0.202 6, discrimination power 0.797 4-0.987 2, probability of paternity exclusion 0.310 8-0.828 8, and polymorphic information content 0.561 7-0.913 6.The cumulative discrimination power and cumulative probability of exclusion were 0.999 999 999 999 999 998 434 1 and 0.999 999 989, respectively.The Jiangsu Han population had close genetic distances with the Han population in Tianjin, Hunan and Jilin, and significant difference with Han population in Aletai region in Xinjiang (P＜0.05).Conclusion The STR allele polymorphism data and population genetic parameters of Jiangsu Han population can provide data support for the forensic application of these STR loci in Jiangsu Han population.

Objective To investigate the effect of frequency on osteoblast apoptosis induced by tensile strain. Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were applied with 1% biaxial tensile strain at the frequency of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Hz, respectively for 1 hour per day in 8 days. The survival rate of the cells was determined by activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Annexin V-FITC/ PI Flow cytometry was used to test cell apoptosis. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the gene level of apoptosis markers caspase-3, -9 as well as Bcl-2 and Bax, and Western blotting was used to test protein expressions of caspase-3, -9. Results Different loading frequencies had no effect on osteoblast activity of LDH. There was no significant difference in the total apoptosis rate of flow cytometry at different frequencies. However, the frequency of 2 Hz could induce early osteoblast apoptosis. Tensile strain at the frequency of 2 Hz could significantly increase the expression of caspase-3, -9 gene and protein, and induce cell apoptosis with the up-regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2. Conclusions Osteoblast apoptosis and death cannot be induced by 1% biaxial tensile strain at the frequency of 1-5 Hz, but the frequency of 2 Hz can induce the early apoptosis of osteoblasts by up-regulating the expression of Bax/BCl-2.