Showing papers by "Chinese PLA General Hospital published in 2010"
TL;DR: To describe the ultrasound characteristics of endometriomas in pre‐ and postmenopausal patients and to develop rules that characterize endometRIomas.
Abstract: Objectives To describe the ultrasound characteristics of endometriomas in pre- and postmenopausal patients and to develop rules that characterize endometriomas. Methods All patients included in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) studies were used in our analysis. Patients with an adnexal mass were scanned by experienced sonologists using a standardized research protocol. The gold standard was the histology of the surgically removed adnexal mass. The gray-scale and Doppler ultrasound characteristics of the endometriomas were compared with those of other benign and malignant masses. Based on decision-tree analysis, the existing literature and clinical experience, ultrasound rules for the detection of endometriomas were created and evaluated. Results Of all 3511 patients included in the IOTA studies, 713 (20%) had endometriomas. Fifty-one per cent of the endometriomas were unilocular cysts with ground glass echogenicity of the cyst fluid. These characteristics were found less often among other benign tumors or malignancies, or among the small set of endometriomas (4%) that were found in postmenopausal patients. Based on the decision-tree analysis, the optimal rule to detect endometriomas was an adnexal mass in a premenopausal patient with ground glass echogenicity of the cyst fluid, one to four locules and no papillations with detectable blood flow'. Based on clinical considerations, the following rule: 'premenopausal status, ground glass echogenicity of the cyst fluid, one to four locules and no solid parts' seems preferable. Conclusions Several rules had a good ability to characterize endometriomas. The ultrasound characteristics of endometriomas differ between pre- and postmenopausal patients. Masses in postmenopausal women whose cystic contents have a ground glass appearance have a high risk of malignancy. Copyright (C) 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
210 citations
TL;DR: STRO-1+ DPSCs consist of several interrelated subpopulations which can spontaneously differentiate into odontoblasts, osteoblast, and chondrocytes, and the differentiation capacity of these DPSCs changes during cell passaging, and DPSCs at the 9th passage restrict their differentiation potential to the osteobnight lineage in vivo.
Abstract: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be driven into odontoblast, osteoblast, and chondrocyte lineages in different inductive media. However, the differentiation potential of naive DPSCs after serial passaging in the routine culture system has not been fully elucidated. DPSCs were isolated from human/rat dental pulps by the magnetic activated cell sorting based on STRO-1 expression, cultured and passaged in the conventional culture media. The biological features of STRO-1+ DPSCs at the 1st and 9th passages were investigated. During the long-term passage, the proliferation ability of human STRO-1+ DPSCs was downregulated as indicated by the growth kinetics. When compared with STRO-1+ DPSCs at the 1st passage (DPSC-P1), the expression of mature osteoblast-specific genes/proteins (alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, osterix, and osteopontin), odontoblast-specific gene/protein (dentin sialophosphoprotein and dentin sialoprotein), and chondrocyte-specific gene/protein (type II collagen) was significantly upregulated in human STRO-1+ DPSCs at the 9th passage (DPSC-P9). Furthermore, human DPSC-P9 cells in the mineralization-inducing media presented higher levels of alkaline phosphatase at day 3 and day 7 respectively, and produced more mineralized matrix than DPSC-P9 cells at day 14. In vivo transplantation results showed that rat DPSC-P1 cell pellets developed into dentin, bone and cartilage structures respectively, while DPSC-P9 cells can only generate bone tissues. These findings suggest that STRO-1+ DPSCs consist of several interrelated subpopulations which can spontaneously differentiate into odontoblasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. The differentiation capacity of these DPSCs changes during cell passaging, and DPSCs at the 9th passage restrict their differentiation potential to the osteoblast lineage in vivo.
190 citations
TL;DR: Use of NAC may be a new strategy for the treatment of biofilm-associated chronic respiratory infections due to P. aeruginosa, although it would be appropriate to conduct clinical studies to confirm this.
Abstract: Background
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen in chronic respiratory tract infections. It typically makes a biofilm, which makes treatment of these infections difficult. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on biofilms produced by P. aeruginosa.
178 citations
TL;DR: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as an addition of surgery, would significantly improve the overall survival of operable NSCLC patients, including patients with stage III NSCLc.
177 citations
TL;DR: Laceration was associatied with a significantly higher risk of endophthalmitis for open globe injuries, and primary repair within 24 h, intraocular tissue prolapse and self-sealing of wounds were independent protective factors against the development of endolympia.
Abstract: Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of post-traumatic endophthalmitis following open-globe injury and identify factors affecting its frequency in order to gain further knowledge about possible risk factors for the development of endophthalmitis. Methods: All consecutive records of open globe injury cases (4968 eyes in 4865 inpatients) in 15 tertiary referral hospitals in China over 5 years (January 2001 to December 2005) were retrospectively reviewed. The information was collected from a standardised database of eye injuries from which a detailed analysis of factors influencing the incidence of endophthalmitis was performed. Results: 173 eyes (one bilateral rupture of a male) removed within 24 h after trauma were excluded. It was observed that 571 eyes (571 patients) out of a total of 4795 eyes (4693 patients) developed endophthalmitis, and the rate of incidence was 11.91%. Laceration was an independent risk factor for open globe injury. Primary repair within 24 h, intraocular tissue prolapse and self-sealing of wounds seemed to impart protective effects against the development of endophthalmitis. However, gender, age, lens breach and posterior zone of wounds were not significant. Intravitreal antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy was administered to 53 eyes (9.28%), and vitrectomy was performed on 305 eyes (53.42%). At discharge or follow-up, the proportion (16.81%) of enucleation/evisceration of eyes with endophthalmitis was higher than that (8.71%) without endophthalmitis. Conclusions: Laceration was associatied with a significantly higher risk of endophthalmitis for open globe injuries. Early primary repair, intraocular tissue prolapse and self-sealing of wounds were independent protective factors against the development of endophthalmitis.
138 citations
TL;DR: UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission investigations indicate that FQ-crown bears the features of a large Stokes shift, and red-shift up to 50 nm in the emission spectra and high affinity for silver ions in ethanol in comparison with other competitive d(10) metal ions.
138 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of the function and epigenetic regulation of SOX17 in human hepatocellular carcinoma finds it negatively regulates canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and inhibits human HCC cells growth, providing an explanation for the loss of expression by epigenetic mechanisms in these tumors.
Abstract: SRY-box containing gene 17 (SOX17) was reported to be indispensable for embryonic development and a candidate tumor suppressor gene which antagonizes the canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the function and epigenetic regulation of SOX17 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DNA methylation of SOX17 was analyzed in 62 human HCC tissues and HCC cell lines by MSP. A role as a tumor suppressor gene was evaluated by colony formation assay and regulation of WNT/β-catenin signal pathway by SOX17 was determined by IHC and luciferase reporter assay. DNA methylation of the SOX17 promoter region occurs in 82% of HCC tissues and is associated with nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. Restoration of SOX17 inhibits HepG2 colony formation and β-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription with the presence of HMG box in SOX17. In conclusion, SOX17 negatively regulates canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and inhibits human HCC cells growth, providing an explanati...
125 citations
TL;DR: FLJ33706 provided the strongest evidence so far that human-specific de novo genes can have protein-coding potential and differential protein expression, and be involved in human brain functions.
Abstract: To understand whether any human-specific new genes may be associated with human brain functions, we computationally screened the genetic vulnerable factors identified through Genome-Wide Association Studies and linkage analyses of nicotine addiction and found one human-specific de novo protein-coding gene, FLJ33706 (alternative gene symbol C20orf203). Cross-species analysis revealed interesting evolutionary paths of how this gene had originated from noncoding DNA sequences: insertion of repeat elements especially Alu contributed to the formation of the first coding exon and six standard splice junctions on the branch leading to humans and chimpanzees, and two subsequent substitutions in the human lineage escaped two stop codons and created an open reading frame of 194 amino acids. We experimentally verified FLJ33706's mRNA and protein expression in the brain. Real-Time PCR in multiple tissues demonstrated that FLJ33706 was most abundantly expressed in brain. Human polymorphism data suggested that FLJ33706 encodes a protein under purifying selection. A specifically designed antibody detected its protein expression across human cortex, cerebellum and midbrain. Immunohistochemistry study in normal human brain cortex revealed the localization of FLJ33706 protein in neurons. Elevated expressions of FLJ33706 were detected in Alzheimer's brain samples, suggesting the role of this novel gene in human-specific pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. FLJ33706 provided the strongest evidence so far that human-specific de novo genes can have protein-coding potential and differential protein expression, and be involved in human brain functions.
116 citations
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that ISPI with imiquimod is safe and well tolerated, and the patient response rate is promising, which can be easily applied on an outpatient basis and can be combined with other modalities to improve the therapeutic response of metastatic melanoma.
Abstract: Metastatic melanoma is a skin cancer with poor prognosis. In situ photoimmunotherapy (ISPI) is a promising modality for the treatment of metastatic melanoma that combines local, selective photothermal therapy with immunological stimulation. A preliminary clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety and therapeutic effects of ISPI for late-stage melanoma patients using imiquimod as the immune modifier. Eleven patients received ISPI in one or multiple 6-week treatment cycles applied to a 200-cm2 treatment site, which usually contained multiple cutaneous metastases. ISPI consisted of three main components applied directly to the cutaneous metastases: 1) local application of topical imiquimod; 2) injection of indocyanine green (ICG); and 3) an 805 nm laser for local irradiation. All patients completed at least one cycle of treatment. The most common adverse effects were rash and pruritus at the treatment sites. No grade 4 toxicity was observed. Complete response was observed in six patients. All lesions in the treatment area of the patients responded to ISPI, eight of which achieved complete local response (CLR). CLR was observed in the non-treatment site (regional) lesions in four patients. Five patients were still alive at the time of last follow-up. The probability of 12-month overall survival was 70%. This study demonstrates that ISPI with imiquimod is safe and well tolerated. The patient response rate is promising. ISPI can be easily applied on an outpatient basis and can be combined with other modalities to improve the therapeutic response of metastatic melanoma.
115 citations
TL;DR: This study indicates that SALL4, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, UTF1, and TLC1 are novel sensitive diagnostic markers for primary mediastinal GCTs, with high specificity.
Abstract: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and sometimes they pose diagnostic difficulty without immunohistochemical studies. Here, we investigated the diagnostic utility of 6 stem cell markers (SCMs) SALL4, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, UTF1, and TCL1 in 16 primary mediastinal seminomas, 3 embryonal carcinomas (ECs), 10 yolk sac tumors (YSTs), 7 teratomas (4 mature, 3 immature), and 1 choriocarcinoma. The percentage of tumor cells stained was scored as: 0 (no tumor cell staining), 1+ ( 90%). The staining intensity of SCMs was scored as weak, moderate, or strong. We also compared them with currently used GCT markers placental-like alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), c-KIT, CD30, and glypican-3. All 16 seminomas showed staining for SALL4 (4+ in 15, 2+ in 1) (15 strong, 1 moderate), OCT4 (4+ in 11, 3+ in 4, 2+ in 1) (13 strong, 3 moderate), and UTF1 (4+ in 13, 3+ in 2, 2+ in 1) (7 strong, 5 moderate, 4 weak). Positive staining was shown by 9/9 seminomas tested for NANOG (4+ in 7, 2+ in 2) (8 strong, 1 weak), TCL1 (4+ strong in all), c-KIT (4+ in all), and PLAP (4+ in 5, 3+ in 1, 2+ in 2, 1+ in 1), but SOX2 staining was negative in all these tumors. All 3 ECs showed 4+ strong staining for SALL4, OCT4, and UTF1 but negative for TCL1. SOX2 staining was seen in 3/3 ECs (4+ strong in 1, 3+ weak to moderate in 2) whereas NANOG staining was seen in 2/3 ECs (2+ weak, 1+ moderate). CD30 staining was seen in 3/3 ECs (1+, 2+, 4+). Strong SALL4 staining was seen in 10/10 YSTs (4+ in 9, 2+ in 1). All 10 YSTs showed AFP (1+ in 7, 2+ in 1, 3+ in 2) and glypican-3 (1+ in 3, 2+ in 1, 3+ in 5, 4+ in 1) staining but only 4/10 YSTs showed PLAP staining (1+ in all 4). The mean percentage of YST cells stained with SALL4 was 92%, whereas it was 23% for AFP, 50% for glypican-3, and 4% for PLAP (P<0.01). Focal (1+) SALL4 (weak) and SOX2 (weak to moderate) staining was seen in 2/7 and 4/7 teratomas, respectively. The choriocarcinoma was negative for all 6 SCMs. Eleven thymomas and 6 thymic carcinomas were negative for 6 SCMs. No staining of NANOG and SOX2 was seen in 20 lymphomas (5 Hodgkin, 5 large B cell, 5 lymphoblastic, 5 anaplastic large cell) (other 4 SCMs in lymphomas earlier studied). Our study indicates that SALL4, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, UTF1, and TLC1 are novel sensitive diagnostic markers for primary mediastinal GCTs, with high specificity. Of these 6 SCMs, SALL4 is the only 1 expressed in YST. These novel SCMs are more sensitive than the currently used markers for mediastinal GCTs.
110 citations
TL;DR: Cognitive stimulation therapy has significant efficacy in lowering apathy and depression symptomatology and in the Mini Mental State Examination in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Abstract: Objective: To determine the efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Design: A randomized, controlled, rater-blind clinical trial.Setting: The military sanatorium.Subjects: Thirty-two patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease exhibiting marked neuropsychiatric symptoms were included in the study.Intervention: All 32 patients were randomly assigned to a cognitive stimulation therapy group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16) for 10 weeks.Main measure: The efficacy measures included the Mini Mental State Examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory.Results: Patients receiving cognitive stimulation therapy showed a greater improvement in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory total score (mean change — 2.06 points versus 0.00 points, t = -4.766, P<0.001) and in the Mini Mental State Examination total score (mean change 0.81 points versus —0.19 points, t =3.106, P =0.004) compared to control at week 10. Analysis of th...
TL;DR: In this paper, a copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of propiolic acids with terminal alkynes is developed leading to unsymmetric 1,3-conjugated diynes under mild conditions.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the miRNA microarray analysis with 25 cases of bladder urothelial carcinomas and adjacent normal bladder tissue was performed and the results showed a panel of 51 differentially expressed miRNAs with at least 2-fold differences in expression compared with the normal controls, including 20 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated examples.
Abstract: The urothelial carcinoma is the most common pathological type of bladder tumor. Creation of lists of miRNAs differentially expressed between this tumor type and normal tissue might help identify new diagnostic and prognostic markers. We therefore performed the present miRNA microarray analysis with 25 cases of bladder urothelial carcinomas and adjacent normal bladder tissue. The results showed a panel of 51 differentially expressed miRNAs with at least 2-fold differences in expression compared with the normal controls, including 20 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated examples. The expression levels of ten of the top dysregulated miRNAs, mir-1, mir-145, mir-143, mir-100, mir-200b, mir-708, mir-133a, mir-133b, mir-125b and mir-99 were experimentally verified using real-time RT-PCR analysis. These findings suggest that these miRNAs may be involved in bladder urothelial carcinoma pathogenesis and have potential as biomarkers.
TL;DR: Being the second identified gene associated with X- linked nonsyndromic deafness, PRPS1 will be a good candidate gene for genetic testing for X-linked nonsyNDromic hearing loss.
Abstract: We report a large Chinese family with X-linked postlingual nonsyndromic hearing impairment in which the critical linkage interval spans a genetic distance of 5.41 cM and a physical distance of 15.1 Mb that overlaps the DFN2 locus. Mutation screening of the PRPS1 gene in this family and in the three previously reported DFN2 families identified four different missense mutations in PRPS1. These mutations result in a loss of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase 1 activity, as was shown in silico by structural analysis and was shown in vitro by enzymatic activity assays in erythrocytes and fibroblasts from patients. By in situ hybridization, we demonstrate expression of Prps1 in murine vestibular and cochlea hair cells, with continuous expression in hair cells and postnatal expression in the spiral ganglion. Being the second identified gene associated with X-linked nonsyndromic deafness, PRPS1 will be a good candidate gene for genetic testing for X-linked nonsyndromic hearing loss.
TL;DR: HADCs were an ideal somatic cell resource for the rapid and efficient generation of iPS cells by OCT4/SOX2/NANOG and were similar to human embryonic stem cells in morphology, proliferation, surface markers, gene expression, and the epigenetic status of pluripotent cell-specific genes.
TL;DR: Right precentral grey matter atrophy was a common finding and prominent feature of brain structural changes in ALS, and a voxel-wise meta-analysis was performed on the retrieved VBM studies using signed differential mapping.
Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with selected both upper and lower motor neuron involvement. Although some inconsistent results exist, both pathological studies and many structural neuroimaging studies have revealed brain volume changes in ALS. To provide an objective overview of structural changes in ALS, a voxel-wise meta-analysis was performed in published voxel based morphometry (VBM) studies. A systematic search of VBM studies was applied in ALS. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 84 ALS patients and 81 normal controls. A voxel-wise meta-analysis was performed on the retrieved VBM studies using signed differential mapping. Descriptive analysis showed that 25% of ALS patients had right precentral gyrus atrophy (2373 voxels). Group analysis demonstrated regional grey matter loss over the whole brain in the right precentral gyrus (p = 7.96 × 10(-4)). Sensitivity analysis showed good sensitivity (157 voxels). In conclusion, right precentral grey matter atrophy was a common finding and prominent feature of brain structural changes in ALS.
TL;DR: The results indicate that the presence of oligosaccharide esters such as DISS and TEA in this herb may be responsible for the cytoprotective activity effects.
TL;DR: The hypothesis of an intracellular pH role in sporadic AD or vascular dementia is discussed and may lead to the formulation of new pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches to AD and vascular dementia.
Abstract: In order to perform their normal physiological functions, it is important that cells maintain the intracellular pH within the physiological range. Intracellular enzyme activity, cytoskeleton component integration, and cellular growth and differentiation rates are all closely associated with the intracellular pH. It has been demonstrated that in nervous system diseases, such as ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the common characteristics are decreased pH or acidosis at both tissular and cellular levels. Particularly, some AD-associated enzymes will have altered activities under acidic conditions. We inferred that aging or ischemia may cause intracellular acidification. This acidification not only induces apoptosis but also substantially alters enzyme activities and promotes the development of AD or vascular dementia. The hypothesis of an intracellular pH role in sporadic AD or vascular dementia will be discussed in this paper. If confirmed, this hypothesis may lead to the formulation of new pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches to AD or vascular dementia.
TL;DR: Among septic patients, the expressions of Tregs phenotypes and the levels of cytokines were markedly lower in the survival group than those in patients with fatal outcome, suggesting severe burn injury per se could lead to the changes in T Regs activities.
Abstract: To investigate the significance of changes in regulatory T cells (Tregs) activity and its relationship with sepsis, as well as outcome of patients with major burns. The periphery blood samples of 106 patients were collected on post-burn days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Tregs were isolated and their phenotypes (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3) were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the contents of cytokines (interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β1) released into supernatants by Tregs were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Gene expressions of cytokines were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of Tregs phenotypes and gene/protein expression of cytokines were all elevated after burn, and there were obvious differences among patients with various burn sizes. They were also higher in septic patients than those without sepsis. Among septic patients, the expressions of Tregs phenotypes and the levels of cytokines were markedly lower in the survival group than those in patients with fatal outcome. Severe burn injury per se could lead to the changes in Tregs activities. Elevated levels of cytokines produced by Tregs and activation markers on Tregs surface might play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and mortality in burned patients.
TL;DR: This study uses luciferase assays to demonstrate that mir-200b interacts with predicted target sites in the 3′ untranslated region of R ND3 and identifies RND3 as a novel mir- 200b target.
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNAs that inhibit gene expression post-transcriptionally. By regulating their target genes, miRNAs play important roles in tumor generation and development. Recently, the mir-200 family was revealed to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is viewed as an essential step in early tumor metastasis. Here, we used luciferase assays to demonstrate that mir-200b interacts with predicted target sites in the 3′ untranslated region of RND3. In HeLa cells, mir-200b directly reduced the expression of RND3 at the mRNA and protein levels, which thereby promoted expression of the downstream protein cyclin D1 and increased S-phase entry. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a novel role for mir-200b in cell cycle progression and identifies RND3 as a novel mir-200b target.
TL;DR: Increased expressions in the hippocampus of three noradrenergic-regulated plasticity genes and one neurotrophic factor may be one of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant action of DISS in chronic mild stress (CMS) rats.
TL;DR: BMSCs from older patients with heart valve diseases could be harvested and expanded successfully, and the phenotype and morphology were uniform as nonaged groups, however, the proliferative and differentiation properties of aged cells, as well as cytokine release and migratory abilities, are significantly impaired.
Abstract: Our aim was to study the aging effects on the in vitro biological properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for construction of tissue-engineered heart valves BMSCs were taken from teenagers with congenital heart diseases, and middle-aged and elderly patients with valvular diseases Proliferative abilities were compared among the three groups by using colony-forming unit counting and growth curves (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine assay) Cell differentiation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release under hypoxic condition, and migratory abilities were compared as well Colony-forming units in the teenage group were significantly greater than those in the other two groups (P < 005), and significantly higher counts were observed in the middle age group than in the aged group (P < 005) Growth curves presented similar trends in which cells' proliferative abilities in the aged group decreased significantly (P < 005), while no differences were noted between the two nonaged groups The differentiation potential to endothelial cells, osteoblasts and adipocytes, VEGF releases, and migratory abilities differed significantly between the aged group and nonaged groups (P < 005) However, no differences were noted between the two nonaged groups BMSCs from older patients with heart valve diseases could be harvested and expanded successfully, and the phenotype and morphology were uniform as nonaged groups However, the proliferative and differentiation properties of aged cells, as well as cytokine release and migratory abilities, are significantly impaired
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using ADSCs as a source of stem cells for differentiation into Schwann‐like cells by an indirect co‐culture approach, in vitro.
Abstract: Objectives: Schwann cell (SC) transplantation is a promising therapy for peripheral nerve transaction, however, clinical use of SCs is limited due to their very limited availability. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been identified as an alternative source of adult stem cells in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using ADSCs as a source of stem cells for differentiation into Schwann-like cells by an indirect co-culture approach, in vitro.
Materials and methods: Multilineage differentiation potential of the obtained ADSCs was assayed by testing their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. The ADSCs were co-cultured with SCs to be induced into Schwann-like cells through proximity, using a Millicell system. Expression of typical SC markers S-100, GFAP and P75NTR of the treated ADSCs was determined by immunocytochemical staining, western blotting and RT-PCR. Myelination capacity of the differentiated ADSCs (dADSCs) was evaluated in dADSC/dorsal root ganglia neuron (DRGN) co-cultures.
Results: The treated ADSCs adopted a spindle shaped-like morphology after co-cultured with SCs for 6 days. All results of immunocytochemical staining, western blotting and RT-PCR showed that the treated cells expressed S-100, GFAP and P75NTR, indications of differentiation. dADSCs could form Schwann-like cell myelin in co-culture with DRGNs. Undifferentiated ADSCs (uADSCs) did not form myelin compared to DRGNs cultured alone, but could produce neurite extension.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that this indirect co-culture microenvironment could induce ADSCs to differentiate into Schwann-like cells in vitro, which may be beneficial for treatment of peripheral nerve injuries in the near future.
TL;DR: Compared with 2450 MHz MW ablation, the initial experience showed that percutaneous 915 MHzMW ablation with cooled-shaft antennae was safe and could achieve a high technique effectiveness rate with fewer insertion numbers in the treatment of large HCC.
Abstract: Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous 915 MHz microwave (MW) ablation with the 2450 MHz MW ablation for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (>4 cm in diameter).Materials and methods: Patients with HCC >4 cm in diameter who underwent US-guided percutaneous MW ablation with curative intention between March 2007 and December 2008 (39) were randomly divided into two groups, 915 MHz MW group and 2450 MHz MW group. We compared the results of ablation between the two groups.Results: Fewer antenna insertions for each tumour were required in the 915 MHz MW group (3.69 ± 0.6) than in the 2450 MHz MW group (4.71 ± 1.61) (p = 0.01). According to the follow-up contrast-enhanced imagings, technique effectiveness rate was 85.7% (18/21) and 73.7% (14/19) in the 915 MHz MW group and 2450 MHz MW group, respectively (p = 0.44). The rate of local tumour progression (LTP) was 14.3% (3/21) and 26.3% (5/19) in the 915 MHz MW group and 2450 MHz MW group, respectively (p = 0.44). There were...
TL;DR: Interestingly, the CRH neurons in both PVN and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were stimulated by CUMS, and may both contribute to depression-like behaviors during CUMS.
Abstract: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays an important role in neuroendocrine, autonomic and behavioral responses to stressors. In the present study, the effect of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on CRH neurons was investigated in rat brain. The rats were exposed to one of the stressors each day for 21 d. Immunostaining was performed to detect the CRH-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in amygdala. After the stress protocol, the animals showed a reduction in body weight gain as well as reduced sucrose preference and locomotor activity. Interestingly, the CRH neurons in both PVN and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were stimulated by CUMS. The densities of CRH-containing neurons in both PVN and CeA were significantly higher than those in control group. The CRH systems in PVN and CeA may both contribute to depression-like behaviors during CUMS.
TL;DR: The results suggest that Gen confers protection against Ovx-induced neurodegeneration by attenuating oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway in a region- and dose-dependent manner.
Abstract: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant effect of chronic ingestion of genistein (Gen) against neural death in the brain of ovariectomised (Ovx) rats. The rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e. sham-operated (sham), Ovx-only, Ovx with 17β-oestradiol, Ovx with low (15 mg/kg) and high (30 mg/kg) doses of Gen (Gen-L and Gen-H), and were orally administered daily with drugs or vehicle for 6 weeks. The learning and memory abilities were measured by Morris water maze test. Oxidative damages in the brain were evaluated by the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities. Neural apoptosis was shown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 activity. In the visual learning and memory test, there were no significant differences among the population means of the five groups. While in the probe trial test, the Gen-L group instead of the Gen-H group exhibited reduced escape latency and increased memory frequency than the Ovx group. Although both doses of Gen could reduce acetylcholinesterase activity, only a low dose of Gen could diminish MDA activity significantly in frontal cortex and enhance SOD content in the hippocampus. In contrast, MAO content was decreased in the cortex by either dose of Gen, while in the hippocampus, only a high dose of Gen appeared to be effective. Interestingly, Gen at both the doses could attenuate the increased number of TUNEL-positive neurons and caspase-3 activity in Ovx rats. These results suggest that Gen confers protection against Ovx-induced neurodegeneration by attenuating oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway in a region- and dose-dependent manner.
TL;DR: The NTES cells with chitosan hydrogel have been proved to possess therapeutic potential to improve the function of infarcted heart and the method of in situ injectable tissue engineering is promising clinically.
Abstract: The transplantation of embryonic stem cells could improve cardiac function but was limited by immune rejection as well as low cell retention and survival within the ischemic tissues. The somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is practical to generate autologous histocompatible stem (nuclear-transferred embryonic stem [NTES]) cells for diseases, but NTES may be arguably unsafe for therapeutic application. The temperature-responsive chitosan hydrogel is a suitable matrix in cell transplantation. As the scaffold, chitosan hydrogel was coinjected with NTES cells into the left ventricular wall of rat infarction models. Detailed histological analysis and echocardiography were performed to determine the structure and functional consequences of transplantation. The myocardial performance in SCNT- and fertilization-derived mouse ES cell transplantation with chitosan hydrogel was also compared. The results showed that both the 24-h cell retention and 4-week graft size were significantly greater in the NTES + chitosan group than that of NTES + phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group (p < 0.01). The NTES cells might differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo. The heart function improved significantly in the chitosan + NTES group (fractional shortening: 28.7% +/- 2.8%) compared with that of PBS + NTES group (fractional shortening: 25.2% +/- 2.9%) at 4 weeks after transplantation (p < 0.01). In addition, the arteriole/venule densities within the infarcted area improved significantly in the chitosan + NTES group (280 +/- 17/mm(2)) compared with that of PBS + NTES group (234 +/- 16/mm(2)) at 4 weeks after transplantation (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the myocardial performance in SCNT- and fertilization-derived mouse ES cell transplantation with chitosan hydrogel. The NTES cells with chitosan hydrogel have been proved to possess therapeutic potential to improve the function of infarcted heart. Thus the method of in situ injectable tissue engineering is promising clinically.
TL;DR: Simvastatin treatment inhibits the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and this effect may be mediated through increased levels of PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma and reduced levels of TC, MMP-9, and Cat S.
Abstract: Simvastatin inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a “Western-style diet” by increasing PPAR α and γ expression and reducing TC, MMP-9, and Cat S levels
TL;DR: The data suggest that improved glycaemic control has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of micro- and macrovascular disease when instigated early in the disease course, however, in more advanced diabetes, the benefits of improved control appear to be less evident.
TL;DR: In cases of severe ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis with chin-brow vertical angles beyond 90 degrees, a single stage transpedicular bivertebrae wedge osteotomy and discectomy is an effective corrected method of correction.
Abstract: Study Design: A prospective study was performed in 8 patientswith severe ankylosing spondylitis.Objectives: To observe the feasibility, reliability, and complica-tions of a method of transpedicular bivertebrae wedge osteo-tomy and discectomy to manage the sagittal plane deformity inankylosing spondylitis with chin-brow vertical angles beyond 90degrees.Summary of Background Data: In ankylosing spondylitis, thecorrection of sagittal plane deformity can be achieved bylengthening the anterior elements, shortening the posteriorelements, or a combination of the 2. Neither Smith-Petersenosteotomy, nor pedicle subtraction osteotomy in 1 segment canachieve adequate correction for cases of severe ankylosingspondylitis kyphosis.Methods: From January 2003 to May 2007, 8 patients (3 malesand 5 females) with severe ankylosing spondylitis in ourinstitution underwent a single stage transpedicular bivertebraewedge osteotomy and discectomy. The operation techniqueincludes resection of the posterior elements of 2 adjacentvertebrae, resection of the inferior-posterior aspect of proximalvertebra, and the superior-posterior aspect of the distal vertebra,followed by posterior instrumentation with pedicle screws andspinal fusion. Preoperative and postoperative height, chin-browvertical angle, sagittal balance, and sagittal Cobb angle of thevertebral osteotomy segment were documented. Intraoperative,postoperative, and general complications were registered.Results: The mean follow-up was 18.7±6.1 months (range: 14to 54mo). The mean duration of surgery was 236 minutes(range: 198 to 310min), and the average volume of intraopera-tive blood loss was 2200mL (range: 1600 to 3860mL). Thepatients’ height increased from 120.5±12.0cm to 159.6±12.4cm(P=0.000). The mean chin-brow vertical angle was improvedfrom 102.8±9.7 to 19.3±13.9 degrees (P=0.000). The spinalsagittal Cobb angle of the vertebral osteotomy segment wascorrected from kyphosis 38.6±16.5 degrees to lordosis26.6±10.1 degrees (P=0.000). One patient with the involve-ment of the cervical spine suffered an extension spinal fracture atC5/6 as the operating table was extended. Translation at theosteotomy site occurred in 1 patient during the correction.Fusion of the osteotomy was achieved in all patients, and noloosening or breakage of pedicle screws was found.Conclusions: In cases of severe ankylosing spondylitis kyphosiswith chin-brow vertical angles beyond 90 degrees, a single stagetranspedicular bivertebrae wedge osteotomy and discectomy isan effective corrected method of correction.Key Words: ankylosing spondylitis, kyphosis, osteotomy,discectomy(J Spinal Disord Tech 2010;23:186–191)