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Growing role of CD40 ligand gene transfer therapy in the management of systemic malignancies besides hepatocellular carcinomas.

Shailendra KAPOOR

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):242-242. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0950001

Animals ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Mice ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Transgenes ; genetics

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Gastric carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: a case report and review of the literature.

Li-duan ZHENG ; Xiu-ping YANG ; Hua-xiong PAN ; Xiu NIE ; Jun HE ; Qing LV ; Qiang-song TONG

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):237-241. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820172

Gastric carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs) is an extremely rare tumor. So far, only six cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report an additional case of this tumor in a Chinese 78-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and hematemesis. Physical examination and gastroscopy revealed a tumor in the gastric antrum. The biopsy and pathological findings indicated a gastric adenocarcinoma with OGCs, which were present in both the tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes. Further immunohistochemical staining indicated that OGCs were reactive with CD68, CD45, and vimentin protein, but not with pancytokeratin, carcinoembryonic antigen, or epithelial membrane antigen, suggesting the monocytic/histiocytic derivation of these OGCs. In situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus showed no nuclear positivity in either adenocarcinoma or OGCs. Postoperative follow-up showed that the patient had survived for at least 6 months without recurrence. Further investigation is warranted to clearly define the prognostic significance of OGCs in gastric carcinoma.
Aged ; Giant Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

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Chest wall abscess due to Prevotella bivia.

Gwo-jong HSU ; Cheng-ren CHEN ; Mei-chu LAI ; Shi-ping LUH

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):233-236. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820289

Prevotella bivia is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. A 77-year-old man developed a rapidly growing chest wall abscess due to P. bivia within days. He underwent surgical resection of the infected area; his postoperative course was uneventful. This is the first case of chest wall abscess due to P. bivia infection. Its correct diagnosis cannot be underestimated because fulminant infections can occur in aged or immunocompromised patients if treated incorrectly. Prompt, appropriate surgical management, and antibiotic therapy affect treatment outcome.
Abscess ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Bacteroidaceae Infections ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Prevotella ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Thoracic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Wall ; microbiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

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Aorta-to-right atrium fistula, an unusual complication of endocarditis.

Miao-yan CHEN ; Dan-dan ZHONG ; Zhi-qiang YING

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):230-232. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820229

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious disease. Aorta-to-right atrium fistula is a rare but very serious complication of IE and predicts a higher mortality. This report describes a 50-year-old man with endocarditis, vegetation, perforation of noncoronary sinus, and formation of two aorta-to-right atrium fistulas with native valves detected by transthoracic echocardiography. This disease is lethal despite developments in cardiac imaging and antibacterial therapy. Early diagnosis, aggressive antibacterial therapy, and surgical treatment may improve the prognosis.
Aorta ; diagnostic imaging ; Arterio-Arterial Fistula ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Endocarditis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Heart Atria ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

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Colorectal cancer, one entity or three.

Feng-ying LI ; Mao-de LAI

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):219-229. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820273

Understanding of the mechanism of colorectal carcinogenesis has been gaining momentum for some years on account of its high incidence and impact on the lives of individuals affected. Different genetic abnormalities have been found in colorectal cancers from different sites. For example, proximal colon cancer is usually related to the nucleotide instability pathway, as microsatellite instability (MSI). However, distal colon cancer is usually associated with specific chromosomal instability (CIN). The development of cancer at the rectum, though similar to that at the colon, displays its own unique features. These differences might be partially attributed to different embryological development and physiological circumstances. Environmental factors such as diet and alcohol intake also differ in their role in the development of tumors in the three segments, proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum. "Proximal shift" of colon cancer has been known for some time, and survival rates of colorectal cancer are higher when rectal cancers are excluded, both of which emphasize the three different segments of colorectal cancer and their different properties. Meanwhile, colonic and rectal cancers are distinctive therapeutic entities. The concept of three entities of colorectal cancer may be important in designing clinical trails or therapeutic strategies. However, the dispute about the inconsistency of data concerning the site-specific mechanism of colorectal carcinoma does exist, and more evidence about molecular events of carcinogenesis and targeted therapy needs to be collected to definitely confirm the conception.
Animals ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

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Penn State Worry Questionnaire: structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version.

Jie ZHONG ; Chun WANG ; Jie LI ; Jun LIU

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):211-218. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820189

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a measure of worry phenomena and has been demonstrated valid in cross-cultural populations. The present study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of PSWQ (Ch-PSWQ) in a Chinese college sample (n=1243). Exploratory factor analysis of the Ch-PSWQ revealed a two-factor solution (engagement of worry and absence of worry). Confirmatory factor analysis and model comparison supported that the model of one factor with method effect provided the best fit to the data. The Ch-PSWQ and its factors evidenced good internal consistency and both convergent and discriminate validity. The present study supports the opinion that the second factor of PSWQ not only contains the component of evaluating pathological worry, but also might represent other traits.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anxiety ; physiopathology ; psychology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Surveys and Questionnaires

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Expressions of cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine transporter and beta1-adrenergic receptor decreased in aged rats.

He LI ; Xiao-qing MA ; Fan YE ; Jing ZHANG ; Xin ZHOU ; Zhi-hong WANG ; Yu-ming LI ; Guo-yuan ZHANG

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):203-210. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820213

Evidence suggests that the deterioration of communication between the sympathetic nervous system and cardiovascular system always accompanies the aging of human and animals. Cardiac sympathetic norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) on presynaptic membrane is a predominant component to eliminate released NE in the synaptic cleft and maintains the sensitivity of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR). In the present study, we investigated NET and beta1-AR mRNA levels and sympathetic nerve density in cardiac sympathetic ganglion and left ventricular myocardium in 2- and 16-month-old rats with Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of NET mRNA, NET protein and beta1-AR mRNA in the ganglia or myocardia of 16-month-old rats were markedly reduced by 67%, 26%, and 43%, respectively, in comparison with those in 2-month-old rats. Our results also show that aging induces a strong decrease of the catecholaminergic nerve fiber density.
Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism

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Protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae on the hearts of rats with severe acute pancreatits or obstructive jaundice.

Xi-ping ZHANG ; Guang-hua FENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yang CAI ; Hua TIAN ; Xiao-feng ZHANG ; Yi-feng ZHOU ; Zhi-wei WANG ; Ke-yi WANG

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):193-202. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820179

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhizae (Danshen) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)- or obstructive jaundice (OJ)-induced heart injury.

METHODSA total of 288 rats were used for SAP- (n=108) and OJ-associated (n=180) experiments. The rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model control, and Salvia miltiorrhizae-treated groups. According to the difference of time points after operation, SAP rats in each group were subdivided into 3, 6 and 12 h subgroups (n=12), whereas OJ rats were subdivided into 7, 14, 21, and 28 d subgroups (n=15). At the corresponding time points after operation, the mortality rates of the rats, the contents of endotoxin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in blood, and pathological changes of the hearts were investigated.

RESULTSThe numbers of dead SAP and OJ rats in the treated groups declined as compared with those in the model control group, but not significantly (P>0.05). The contents of endotoxin (at 6 and 12 h in SAP rats and on 7, 14, 21, and 28 d in OJ rats, respectively) and PLA2 (at 6 and 12 h in SAP rats and on 28 d in OJ rats, respectively) in the treated group were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Besides, myocardial pathological injuries were mitigated in SAP and OJ rats.

CONCLUSIONIn this study, we found that Salvia miltiorrhizae improved myocardial pathological changes, reduced the content of PLA2 in blood, and decreased the mortality rates of SAP and OJ rats, exerting protective effects on the hearts of the rats.

Animals ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Heart Injuries ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pancreatitis ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phospholipases A2 ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia ; chemistry ; Survival Rate

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Effects of intermittent negative pressure on osteogenesis in human bone marrow-derived stroma cells.

Zhi YANG ; Miao LIU ; Yin-gang ZHANG ; Xiong GUO ; Peng XU

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):188-192. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820240

OBJECTIVEWe investigated the effects of intermittent negative pressure on osteogenesis in human bone marrow-derived stroma cells (BMSCs) in vitro.

METHODSBMSCs were isolated from adult marrow donated by a hip osteoarthritis patient with prosthetic replacement and cultured in vitro. The third passage cells were divided into negative pressure treatment group and control group. The treatment group was induced by negative pressure intermittently (pressure: 50 kPa, 30 min/times, and twice daily). The control was cultured in conventional condition. The osteogenesis of BMSCs was examined by phase-contrast microscopy, the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and the immunohistochemistry of collagen type I. The mRNA expressions of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) in BMSCs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSBMSCs showed a typical appearance of osteoblast after 2 weeks of induction by intermittent negative pressure, the activity of ALP increased significantly, and the expression of collagen type I was positive. In the treatment group, the mRNA expression of OPG increased significantly (P<0.05) and the mRNA expression of OPGL decreased significantly (P<0.05) after 2 weeks, compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONIntermittent negative pressure could promote osteogenesis in human BMSCs in vitro.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; Pressure ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Stromal Cells ; cytology

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Spinal cord decompression reduces rat neural cell apoptosis secondary to spinal cord injury.

Kan XU ; Qi-xin CHEN ; Fang-cai LI ; Wei-shan CHEN ; Min LIN ; Qiong-hua WU

Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B.2009;10(3):180-187. doi:10.1631/jzus.B0820161

OBJECTIVETo determine whether spinal cord decompression plays a role in neural cell apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGNWe used an animal model of compressive spinal cord injury with incomplete paraparesis to evaluate neural cell apoptosis after decompression. Apoptosis and cellular damage were assessed by staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and immunostaining for caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax.

METHODSExperiments were conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=78) weighing 300-400 g. The spinal cord was compressed posteriorly at T10 level using a custom-made screw for 6 h, 24 h or continuously, followed by decompression by removal of the screw. The rats were sacrificed on Day 1 or 3 or in Week 1 or 4 post-decompression. The spinal cord was removed en bloc and examined at lesion site, rostral site and caudal site (7.5 mm away from the lesion).

RESULTSThe numbers of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly lower at the site of decompression on Day 1, and also at the rostral and caudal sites between Day 3 and Week 4 post-decompression, compared with the persistently compressed group. The numbers of cells between Day 1 and Week 4 were immunoreactive to caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X-protein (Bax), but not to Bcl-2, correlated with those of TUNEL-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that decompression reduces neural cell apoptosis following spinal cord injury.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Decompression, Surgical ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; surgery

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