Flip-over of blood vessel intima caused by vascular closure device: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Complications of vascular closure devices mainly include bleeding, vascular injury, and trapped device that cannot be removed percutaneously. However, arterial stenosis or occlusion induced by vascular injury is rare. This article introduces a rare case with severe acute limb ischemia after using the vascular closure device (StarClose). CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old man was admitted because of necrosis of the second toe of the left foot for 2 mo. Ultrasound showed left femoral artery stenosis, and occlusion of the left popliteal, posterior tibial, peroneal, anterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries, suggesting arteriosclerosis obliterans of low extremities, gangrene and type 2 diabetes. He underwent an interventional procedure of drug-eluting balloon in the left lower limb via antegrade puncture of the left common femoral artery. He developed acute limb ischemia after 1 h, and severe pain, numbness, pale skin, low skin temperature and weakened sensation in the left foot. Injury of the common femoral artery intima was considered. Exploratory surgery showed occlusion at the puncture point accompanied with bulged vascular lumen and flipped vascular intima caused by StarClose. The flipped intima was removed. The limb blood supply was restored and the limb was saved post-surgery. He recovered well at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Incorrect use of the vascular closure device was the main cause of severe acute limb ischemia in this case.

Delivery room resuscitation and short-term outcomes of extremely preterm and extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter survey in North China.

BACKGROUND: Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China. METHODS: The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD. RESULTS: A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI.

Regulatory T cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: From the lab to the clinic.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curable strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and nonmalignant diseases. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and relapse are still two major causes of morbidity and mortality after allo-HSCT, and both restrict the improvement of transplant outcomes. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been successfully used in allo-SCT settings. In this review, we summarize recent advances in experimental studies that have evaluated the roles played by Tregs in the establishment of novel transplant modalities, the prevention of GVHD and the enhancement of immune reconstitution. We also discuss the application of Tregs in clinical to prevent acute GVHD, treat chronic GVHD, as well as enhance immune reconstitution and decrease leukemia relapse, all of which lead to improving transplant outcomes.

Chronic active EBV infection associated with NK cell lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a 27-year-old woman: A case report.

RATIONALE: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is a common infectious disease that often affects multiple organs or systems. However, it is liable to be neglected and misdiagnosed owing to its insidious onset, lack of specific findings in the early phase, and a general lack of awareness among clinicians. PATIENT CONCERNS:: a 27-year-old woman case has been described who was initially misdiagnosed as drug-induced liver injury due to onset presentation of mild splenomegaly, recurrent liver dysfunction, and disputable pathological evidence of liver biopsy. DIAGNOSES: CAEBV complicated with natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was diagnosed by in situ hybridization of liver tissue section with EBV-encoded RNA -1 probe and flow cytometry of bone marrow. INTERVENTIONS: After admission, the patient received symptomatic treatment and antiviral therapy (combination of acyclovir and foscarnet sodium) as well as adjuvant treatment (thymosin alpha 1 and methylprednisolone); later, the patient received etoposide and dexamethasone for diagnosis of EBV associated HLH. Subsequently, the disease progressed to NK cell lymphoma and the patient received the revised EPOCH chemotherapy regimen [etoposide (100 mg/d, d1-5), dexamethasone (7.5 mg/d, d1-5; 5 mg/d, d6-14), cyclophosphamide (0.8 g/d, d1-2), and pegaspargase (3750 u/d, tid, d1-2)]. OUTCOMES: Although the patient received a series of therapies and other comprehensive measures, finally she died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and multiple organ failure. LESSONS: Liver is one of the main target organs of EBV infection. In the clinical setting of unexplained fever and liver injury, it is necessary to be aware of CAEBV, as well as its fatal complication such as EBV associated NK cell lymphoma and HLH.

Protective Effect of Zengye Decoction () on Submandibular Glands in Nonobese Diabetic Mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Zengye Decoction (, ZYD) on the submandibular glands (SMGs) in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. METHODS: Twenty-seven female NOD mice were randomly equally divided into 3 groups: the model group, the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) group, and the ZYD group. Nine C57/B6 mice served as the normal group. After 1-week acclimation, the HCQ and ZYD groups were intragastrically administered with HCQ and ZYD, respectively, and the normal and model groups were administered with normal saline. Changes in the salivary flow rate were observed. Mice from all 4 groups were sacrificed at the age of 20 weeks. The serum and SMGs were collected. Serum cytokines gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histological changes in the submandibular glands were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-10 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the submandibular glands were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the salivary flow of the ZYD group significantly increased (P<0.05), the extent of the histological changes was ameliorated (P<0.05), and the Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance was remedied (P<0.05). In the ZYD-treated mice, the VIP mRNA was up-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ZYD is beneficial in protecting structure and function of SMGs in NOD mice. The mechanism may be associated with the correction of the Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance, and with the prevention of a progressive decline of the VIP level.

Association of increased microvessel density with skeletal extramedullary disease relapse in multiple myeloma patients who have skeletal extramedullary disease at diagnosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether microvessel density (MVD) could be associated with skeletal extramedullary disease relapse (skeletal-EMDR) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have skeletal-EMD at diagnosis. Seventy-nine newly diagnosed MM patients who have skeletal-EMD were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The 4-year cumulative incidence of skeletal-EMDR was 35.0%±8.3%. The 4-year probability of overall survival (OS) was 54.0%±7.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that skeletal-EMDR (HR = 4.144; 95% CI: 1.608-10.685; P = 0.003) was independently associated with inferior OS for the MM patients who have skeletal-EMD at diagnosis. The factors associated with skeletal-EMDR were MVD (HR = 3.990, 95%CI:1.136-14.018; P = 0.031), white blood cell (WBC) (HR = 0.262, 95% CI:0.090-0.769; P = 0.015), and the EMD sites involved at onset (HR = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.074-0.937; P = 0.039). The MVD in patients with thoracic and lumbar vertebrae as the involved sites at diagnosis was significantly lower than those with other sites involved (41.59 ± 14.39 vs. 60.82 ± 35.14, P=0.001). Our data suggest that increased MVD could be used to predict skeletal-EMDR, which is associated with inferior survival in patients with MM who have skeletal-EMD at diagnosis.

Correlation of graft immune composition with outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Moving towards a perfect transplant.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) offers an important curative therapy for hematological malignancies and other diseases. A number of studies have demonstrated the association of immune compositions in allografts with outcomes after allo-SCT, which promote graft engineering to improve transplant prognosis. This review summarizes the advances in investigating the correlation of the graft immune compositions with transplant outcomes in different transplant modalities, focusing on the immune subsets likely to have the greatest impact on clinical outcomes. The progress made in graft engineering in order to design novel transplant protocols, to decrease graft-versus-host disease and relapse and to improve immune recovery is also discussed. It is our belief that an adoptive immune subset transfer to improve clinical outcomes might represent a future direction.

High nuclear expression of Twist1 in the skeletal extramedullary disease of myeloma patients predicts inferior survival.

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factors, including Twist1 and ZEB1, in skeletal extramedullary disease (EMD) of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and to clarify the effects on clinical outcomes. The expression of Twist1 and ZEB1 in the bone marrow (BM) and the masses of skeletal EMD from 70 MM cases with skeletal EMD and 30 MM patients without skeletal EMD were determined by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that the percentage of high nuclear staining for Twist1 was 24.3% (17/70) in skeletal EMD, which was significantly higher than in the BM of these patients as well as those without skeletal EMD (P=0.030 and P=0.011). The microvessel density (MVD, P=0.004) was significantly higher in patients with high nuclear expression of Twist1 (Twist1-high) than in those with low expression. Patients with Twist1-high experienced a lower rate of progression-free survival (PFS, 11.8% vs. 35.0%, P=0.000) and overall survival (OS, 52.5% vs. 83.7%, P=0.001) compared to those with low expression. Multivariate analysis showed that Twist1-high was independently associated with inferior PFS (HR=2.161; 95%CI: 1.116-4.183; P=0.022) and OS (HR=3.111; 95%CI: 1.114-8.685; P=0.030). We concluded that Twist1-high is associated with a poor prognosis and may be correlated with angiogenesis in the skeletal EMD of MM patients.

Interleukin-17 receptor expression on vascular endothelial cells of masses of skeletal extramedullary disease in myeloma patients.

The goal of the study was to investigate the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) in patients with myeloma bone diseases (MBD) and skeletal extramedullary disease (skeletal EMD). The levels of IL-17 were determined using ELISA. The expression of IL-17R on vascular endothelial cells of bone marrow (BM) and masses of skeletal EMD was detected using immunohistochemistry. The results showed an elevated IL-17 level in BM of BMD and skeletal EMD patients. The microvessel density (MVD) was significantly increased in the masses of skeletal EMD. IL-17R was almost exclusively expressed by endothelial cells, not by myeloma cells in the masses of skeletal EMD patients. We concluded that EMD masses showed increased angiogenesis mediated by IL-17 pathway and in part this may help in myeloma cell-growth under these conditions.

Expression levels of IL-27 and IL-17 in multiple myeloma patients: a higher ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in bone marrow was associated with a superior progression-free survival.

The goal of the study was to investigate the levels of interleukin-27 (IL-27) and IL-17 in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of multiple myeloma (MM). The levels of IL-27 and IL-17 were determined in MM patients and controls using ELISA. The results showed a decreased IL-27 and elevated IL-17 level in MM patients and a negative association of IL-27 with IL-17. The ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in BM of newly diagnosed MM was significantly decreased and correlated with the progression of disease. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher ratio of IL-27:IL-17 in BM was associated with a superior progression-free survival (HR=0.160; 95% CI: 0.058-0.443; p<0.001). Our results suggest that there might be a possible competitive role of IL-27 and IL-17 in MM.

Decreased soluble TGF-ß1, Tie-2, and angiopoietins serum levels in bone marrow after treating healthy donors with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on Tie-2, angiopoietins, VEGF, and TGF-ß1 in bone marrow (BM) of healthy donors. Soluble Tie-2, angiopoietins, VEGF, and TGF-ß1 levels in the BM were determined via ELISA in 25 healthy donors before and after G-CSF treatment. The results showed that treating healthy donors with G-CSF significantly decrease serum levels of Tie-2, angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and TGF-ß1. In contrast, median VEGF level in the G-CSF-primed BM was significantly higher than steady-state BM. Our results suggest that decreased soluble TGF-ß1, Tie-2, and angiopoietins levels in the BM could be related to stem cell mobilization.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation compared to peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of hematologic malignancies: a meta-analysis based on time-to-event data from randomized controlled trials.

Controversy remains regarding the transplant outcomes of human leukocyte antigen-identical related bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for the treatment of patients with hematological malignancies. To provide an estimate of the effect of BMT and PBSCT on clinical outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies, we conducted a meta-analysis based on time-to-event data from 17 randomized controlled trials. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), from 1972 through July 2010, and conference proceedings through July 2009 and reference lists, without any language restriction, of randomized trials that compared the transplant outcomes after BMT and PBSCT in patients with hematological malignancies were searched for details. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The outcomes examined were engraftment, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), relapse, transplant-related mortality (TRM), leukemia-free-survival (LFS), and overall survival (OS). Compared to PBSCT, BMT had lower neutrophil (HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.80 to 2.42; p < 0.00001) and platelet (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.78 to 4.30; p < 0.00001) engraftment. BMT was associated with a significant decrease in the development of grades II-IV (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.90; p = 0.002) and III-IV (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.84; p = 0.001) acute GVHD as well as overall (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.83; p < 0.0001) and extensive (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.91; p = 0.002) chronic GVHD. BMT was associated with a higher incidence of relapse (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.74; p = 0.0004). Comparable TRM (1.08; 95% CI, 0.56 to 2.10; p = 0.81), LFS (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.30; p = 0.73), and OS (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.39; p = 0.65) were demonstrated for both treatments. An inverse linear relationship was observed between the acute GVHD difference (PBSCT minus BMT) and the outcome of OS (p = 0.016). Our meta-analysis suggest that BMT leads to slower hematological recovery, increasing rates of relapse, and a lower risk of GVHD, but no significant difference in LFS and OS. A lower incidence of acute GVHD is associated with a superior OS.

[Norcantharidin potentialize the chemosensitivity of adriamycin through the NF-κB/IκBα signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergetic effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) and adriamycin (ADR) on the proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. METHODS: Human MM cell line U266 cells were treated with NCTD alone (10 µmol/L) or in combination with ADR (0.25 µmol/L). MTT and Annexin V/PI staining were used to determine cell viability and apoptosis. The protein expression of nuclear factor-κB P65 (NF-κB P65), phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), NF-κB P65 inhibitor IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα), survivin, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS: (1) NCTD potentiated the cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic effects induced by ADR. The combination of NCTD and ADR had synergistic anti-proliferation effect. (2) Combination of ADR and NCTD downregulated the expression of nuclear NF-κB P65 and cytoplasm p-IκBα induced by ADR. The expression of nuclear NF-κB P65 and cytoplasm p-IκBα decreased from 2.08 ± 0.29 and 0.39 ± 0.07 to 0.48 ± 0.08 and 0.02 ± 0.01 respectively, while the expression of the cytoplasm NF-κB P65 and IκBα were unchanged in the ADR alone group and the combined group. (3) The expression of survivin and bcl-2 decreased from 0.31 ± 0.05 and 0.23 ± 0.05 to 0.03 ± 0.02 and 0.05 ± 0.02, while the expression of Bax increased from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.62 ± 0.08 respectively in ADR alone group and combined group. (4) The positive rate of VEGF in ADR group and combination group were (44.6 ± 4.4)% and (27.0 ± 2.1)% respectively, indicating that NCTD could potentiate the inhibition effect on VEGF induced by ADR. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that NCTD can potentialize the chemosensitivity of multiple myeloma cells to ADR through regulating NF-κB/IκBα signaling pathway and NF-κB-regulated gene products including survivin, Bcl-2, Bax and VEGF.

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor significantly decreases the expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 on T cells and preferentially induces T helper cells to a T helper 17 phenotype in peripheral blood harvests.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of chemokine receptors on T cells and functional changes of T helper (Th) cells in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests after treating healthy donors with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we analyzed the expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 on T cells and the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-17 by CD4(+) Th cells in PBSC grafts of healthy donors after in vivo rhG-CSF application. Alterations in the relative expression levels of T cell receptor beta variable (TCRBV) family members were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). rhG-CSF mobilization significantly decreased the expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 on T cells. Treating donors with rhG-CSF resulted in decreased IFN-gamma production and dramatically increased IL-4 and IL-17 secretion by CD4(+) Th cells, leading to T cell polarization from the Th1 to the Th2 phenotype and a preferential increase in IL-17-producing CD4(+) Th cells. We did not observe any differences in the relative expression levels of TCRBV family members before and after in vivo rhG-CSF application. Our results suggest that the expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 on donor T cells was dramatically downregulated and an IL-17 phenotype of CD4(+) Th cells was preferentially induced in PBSC grafts after treating healthy donors with rhG-CSF. The observed effects of rhG-CSF on T cells may be independent of the relative expression levels of TCRBV family members.

Proteomic analysis of human lens epithelial cells exposed to microwaves.

PURPOSE: To study proteomic changes in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) exposed to 1800-MHz Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)-like microwaves. METHODS: In three separate experiments, HLECs were exposed and sham-exposed (six dishes each) to 1800-MHz GSM-like radiation for 2 h. The specific absorption rates were 1.0, 2.0, or 3.5 W/kg. Immediately after radiation, the proteome was extracted from the HLECs. Immobilized pH gradient two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(2-DE; silver staining) and PDQuest 2-DE analysis software were used to separate and analyze the proteome of exposed and sham-exposed HLECs. Four differentially expressed protein spots were selected and identified by using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS). RESULTS: When the protein profiles of exposed cells were compared with those of sham-exposed cells, four proteins were detected as upregulated. After analysis by ESI-MS-MS and through a database search, heat-shock protein (HSP) 70 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) were determined to be upregulated in the exposed cells. CONCLUSIONS: Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry may be a powerful tool for screening potential electromagnetic-reaction protein markers. HSP70 and hnRNP K are involved in the stress reaction of HLECs exposed to microwaves. These cell responses are nonthermal effects of the electromagnetic field.

[Effect of acute exposure to microwave from mobile phone on DNA damage and repair of cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the DNA damage of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) caused by acute exposure to low-power 217 Hz modulated 1.8 GHz microwave radiation and DNA repair. METHODS: Cultured LECs were exposed to 217 Hz modulated 1.8 GHz microwave radiation at SAR (specific absorption rate) of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 W/kg for 2 hours in an sXc-1800 incubator and irradiate system. The DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay in sham-irradiated cells and irradiated cells incubated for varying periods: 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after irradiation. Images of comets were digitized and analyzed using an Imagine-pro plus software, and the indexes used in this study were tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM). RESULTS: The difference in DNA-breaks between the exposure and sham exposure groups induced by 1 and 2 W/kg irradiation was not significant at every detect time (P > 0.05). As for the dosage of 3 and 4 W/kg there was difference in both group immediately after irradiation (P < 0.01). At the time of 30 min after irradiation the difference went on at both group (P < 0.01). However, the difference disappeared after one hour's incubation in 3 W/kg group (P > 0.05), and existed in 4 W/kg group. CONCLUSION: No or repairable DNA damage was observed after 2 hour irradiation of 1.8 GHz microwave on LECs when SAR < or = 3 W/kg. The DNA damages caused by 4 W/kg irradiation were irreversible.

[DNA damage and repair induced by acute exposure of microwave from mobile phone on cultured human lens epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acute exposure of low-power 217 Hz modulated 1. 8 GHz microwave radiation on the DNA damage of human lens epithelial cells (hLECs) and repair. METHODS: Cultured hLECs were exposed to 217 Hz modulated 1. 8 GHz microwave radiation at SAR (specific absorption rate) of 1. 0, 2. 0, 3. O0 and 4. 0 W/kg for 2 hours in an sXc-1800 incubator and irradiate system, the DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay ( single-cell gel electrophoresis) in sham-irradiated cells and irradiated cells incubated for varying periods: 0, 30 and 60 minutes after irradiation. Images of comets were digitized and analyzed using an Imagine-pro plus software, and the indexes used in this study were tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM). BrdU was added into the medium with additional one hour incubation after radiation, the cell proliferation rate was determined using a BrdU-kit. RESULTS: The difference of DNA-breaks between the exposure and sham exposure groups induced by 1.0 and 2.0 W/kg irradiation were not significant in each time points (P > 0.05) ; there were significant difference in both groups at the exposure dose of 3. 0 and 4. 0 W/kg immediately and at the time of 30 minutes after irradiation (P <0. 01) ; if the radiation exposure time was beyond one hour no differences were be able to detected in 3.0 W/kg group (P > 0. 05) compared with control, but the evidence of significant DNA damage still existed in 4. 0 W/kg group at the same time point. Cell proliferation rate had no significant difference when the application of SAR was < or = 3. 0 W/kg (P >0. 05) , however the cell proliferation was decreased significantly at the dose of 4. 0 W/kg irradiation ( P < 0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: No effective DNA damage was induced using comet assay after 2 hours irradiation of 1. 8 GHz microwave on hLECs at the dose SAR < or = 3.0 W/kg. 4.0 W/kg irradiation caused significantly DNA damage and inhibition of hLECs proliferation.

[Proliferation of corneal epithelium and apoptosis of keratocytes in the rabbit cornea after treatment with 20% ethanol].

OBJECTIVE: To study the proliferation activity of corneal epithelial cells and the apoptosis of keratocytes in the rabbit cornea after treatment with 20% ethanol. The results were compared to the cornea treated with mechanical scraping of the epithelial cells. METHODS: The experimental group consisted of 42 rabbits. One of the two corneas of each rabbit was incised by 8 mm epithelial trephine using in LASEK and was exposed to 20% ethanol (in distilled water) in the trephine for 40 seconds. In the other eye, the corneal epithelium in the central area was mechanically scraped. The rabbits in the experimental group were randomly divided into seven sub-groups. Each sub-group had six rabbits and the rabbits were killed at 0, 4 hours, 1, 3, 5, 8 and 30 days after the surgery. Three rabbits without any treatment were used as blank controls. Immunohistochemical staining (Ki-67 antigen) was performed to detect the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells. Apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL assay. Number of keratocytes in the central anterior stroma of cornea was determined by counting the total number of cells under 400 x magnification field in hematoxylin-eosin-stained corneal sections. RESULTS: In the ethanol-treated eyes, the number of Ki-67 positive cells peaked 5 days after the treatment in the central corneal epithelium and 1 day after the treatment in the peripheral corneal epithelium. TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the anterior central stromal keratocytes under the epithelial incisions and the number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak 4 hours after the treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of central anterior stromal keratocytes between the ethanol-treated group and the controls (P = 0.68). In the mechanical scraping group, the number of Ki-67 positive cells in the peripheral corneal epithelium peaked 3 days after the treatment. The number of Ki-67 positive cells in the peripheral corneal epithelium of the scraping group was greater than that of the ethanol-treated group. TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the anterior central stromal keratocytes and reached a peak 4 hours after the scraping. The number of central anterior stromal keratocytes was decreased maximally 1 day after the scraping (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The cornea injury caused by treatment with 20% ethanol for 40 seconds is milder than that caused by mechanical scraping. The wound-healing process in the ethanol-treated cornea is faster than that of the cornea treated with scraping. Corneal epithelium treated with 20% ethanol for 40 seconds can protect the stromal keratocytes.