[Clinical study of induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of FLT3-ITD(+) acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype].

Objective: To assess the efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of FLT3-ITD(+) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal karyotype. Methods: The clinical data of FLT3-ITD(+) AML patients with normal karyotype in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Jan 2018 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The study included 49 patients with FLT3-ITD(+)AML, 31 males, and 18 females, with a median age of 46 (16-59) years old. All patients received induction chemotherapy, and 24 patients received sequential allo-HSCT (transplantation group) . The median follow-up time was 465 days, the one-year overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was (70.0 ± 7.4) %, and one-year disease-free survival (DFS) was (70.3±7.4) %. The one-year OS was significantly different between the transplantation group and the non-transplantation group [ (85.2 ± 7.9) % vs (52.6 ± 12.3) %, P=0.049]. but one-year DFS [ (84.7 ± 8.1) % vs (55.2 ± 11.9) %, P=0.061] was not. No significance was found in one-year OS between patients with low-frequency and high-frequency FLT3-ITD(+) (P>0.05) . There were 12 patients with high-frequency FLT3-ITD(+) in the transplantation and the non-transplantation groups, respectively. The one-year OS [ (68.8 ± 15.7) % in the transplantation group vs (26.2 ± 15.3) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.027] and one-year DFS [ (45.5 ± 21.3) % in the transplantation group vs (27.8±15.8) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.032] were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Induction chemotherapy followed by allo-HSCT can enhance the prognosis of FLT3-ITD(+) patients, particularly those with FLT3-ITD high-frequency mutation.

[Bronchoscopic manifestations and interventional treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis].

Objective: To analyze the bronchoscopic manifestations and interventional treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis. Methods: Clinical data of patients with pulmonary mucormycosis undergoing bronchoscopy and interventional therapy in 4 tertiary general hospitals in China from May 2006 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and the literature on the subject were reviewed. Results: The data of 10 patients with pathologically diagnosed pulmonary mucormycosis undergoing bronchoscopy and interventional therapy were collected, including 8 males and 2 females. The patients' age ranged from 21 to 72 (44±15) years. The underlying diseases included 6 cases of diabetes ketoacidosis, 3 cases of leukemia, 1 case after operation of lung cancer. Bronchoscopy showed that white viscous necrotic matters grew along the airway and blocked the airway in 9 cases, accompanied by airway bleeding in 3 cases, bloody secretion blocked the airway in 1 case, and bronchopulmonary cavity fistula in 2 cases. The biopsy histopathology of white necrotic matters showed that many mucor filaments were tangled together which were named mucormycelium. Among the 10 patients, 9 were treated with systemic drugs, including intravenous application of amphotericin B deoxycholate in 5 cases, intravenous application of amphotericin B liposome in 4 cases, oral posaconazole in 6 cases and intravenous injection in 1 case. Local drug therapy included aerosol inhalation of amphotericin B deoxycholate in 8 cases and local perfusion under bronchoscope in 5 cases. Bronchoscopic interventional therapy was used to remove mucormycelium in the bronchus, including cryotherapy in 8 cases, biopsy forceps in 7 cases, snare treatment in 2 cases and foreign body forceps in 2 cases. All 10 patients were clinical cured and with no death. Conclusions: Pulmonary mucormycosis is more common in immunocompromised hosts. Bronchoscopy often showed mucormycelium blocking the airway. Systemic and local drug therapy combined with bronchoscopic interventional therapy can achieve good clinical efficacy.

[The effect of pregnant rats exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic field on the hippocampal morphology and nerve growth factor of offspring rats].

Objective: To explore the effects of exposure of pregnant rats to radio frequency electromagnetic field on the ultrastructure of hippocampus and the levels of obesity related protein (FTO) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in offspring rats. Methods: In September 2019, 36 healthy 7-week-old Wistar rats were selected, including 24 female rats (150-200 g) and 12 male rats (200-250 g) . The male and female mice were mated in the cage at 2: 1 ratio at 18: 00 every night. The smear results showed that the sperm was positive and the mating was successful. The day was regarded as the 0 day of pregnancy. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups and 3 control groups, with 4 rats in each group. The experimental group was exposed to 1 800 MHz, Wi-Fi and 1 800 MHz+Wi-Fi respectively, and the three control groups were exposed to virtual exposure. 12 hours a day for 21 days in three batches. After the end of exposure, the offspring of each group were raised for 7 weeks. The ultrastructural changes of the hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscopy, the FTO level in the hippocampus was determined by Western blot, and the NGF level in the brain tissue was determined by ELISA. Results: Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nuclei of hippocampal tissue of female and male rats in the 1800 MHz group were slightly contracted, the cytoplasm was slightly edema, and the nuclei of male rats were obviously irregular. In the offspring of male and female rats in the Wi-Fi group, the nucleus of hippocampal tissue contracted seriously, the cell membrane was irregular, and the cytoplasm appeared obvious edema. In the 1800 MHz+Wi-Fi group, the nuclei of hippocampal tissue of both male and female offspring rats were severely contracted, the nuclear membrane was irregular, and the cytoplasm was severely edema. there was no significant difference in FTO level among the groups (P>0.05) . Compared with other groups, NGF content in hippocampus of offspring rats in the 1800 MHz+Wi-Fi group was significantly higher (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields will damage the morphological structure of hippocampal tissue of offspring and stimulate the increase of NGF expression in the hippocampus.

[Clinical analysis of 10 patients with muscular sarcoidosis presenting muscle mass as initial symptom].

To investigate clinical characteristics of muscular sarcoidosis presenting muscle mass as initial symptom. The clinical data of 10 patients diagnosed with muscular sarcoidosis and admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from May 2014 to October 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female, including 2 patients with unilateral involvement of lower extremities, 7 patients with bilateral involvement of lower extremities, and 1 patient with bilateral involvement of upper and lower extremities. Lung lesions were presented in all patients, and 9 cases had mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) was 57-118 IU/ml. No specific characteristics were found by ultrasound. Typical "dark-star" sign and "three-stripe" sign were shown in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The pathology of striated muscle was non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Three patients were not treated. In 7 patients treated with prednisone 0.5-1 mg ·kg-¹·d-¹, immunosuppressants were combined in 3 patients at initial and the other 4 patients later on. During the follow-up of 7-62 months, 1 patient was stable, 6 improved and 3 relapsed. Till now, 5 patients are still on the treatment of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant.

Activation of p38MAPK in spinal microglia contributes to autologous nucleus pulposus-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a modified rat model of lumbar disk herniation.

Recent studies have implicated the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and glial cells contribute to hyperalgesia following nerve injury or nerve compression. In our work, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of autologous nucleus pulposus (NP)-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a modified rat model of lumbar disk herniation (LDH). Firstly, our results showed that 50% mechanical withdrawal threshold (50% MWT) decreased on postoperative day (POD) 1 and significantly minimally reduced on POD 7 and lasted for day 28 after surgery (P < 0.05). Secondly, phosphorylation of p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) and glial cells were monitored on POD 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 using immunofluorescence staining. P38MAPK activation, observed in the spinal cord, began to increase on POD 1, peaked on POD 3, and significantly decreased on POD 14 and POD 28 (P < 0.05). Microglia activation was initiated at day 1, maximal at day 3, and maintained until day 14 after surgery (P < 0.05). Astrocytic activation was found in 7 to 14 days after modelling (P < 0.05). Then, double immunostaining method was applied to observe the co-expression of p-p38MAPK and glial cells, and it showed that p-p38MAPK was mainly expressed in activated microglia, rarely in neurons, and none in astrocytes. Lastly, we discovered that both SB203580 (50ug, p38MAPK inhibitor) and minocycline (0.5 mg, microglial inhibitor) would inhibit the p-p38MAPK protein expression tested by western blot analysis and reduce mechanical hyperalgesia. In conclusion, current study suggest that activation or phosphorylation of p38MAPK in spinal microglia contributes to autologous NP-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in our animal model.

[Changing patterns of surgical treatment for glaucoma in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University during the past ten years].

Objective: To investigate the patterns of surgical treatment for patients with glaucoma in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2005 to 2014. Methods: Retrospective case series about 6 781 glaucoma patients (7 751 eyes) who received surgical treatment from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2014 in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Among them, 2 869 were males and 3 912 were females, aged (62±14) years. The data of patients' demographic information, diagnosis and surgical procedures [trabeculectomy, aqueous shunts of ExPRESS and Ahmed for extraocular reservoir, cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and combined operations for glaucoma and cataract] were collected and the patterns of surgical treatment were evaluated. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used, mainly for statistical description of the data. Results: The ratio of trabeculectomies increased between 2005 and 2009, from 48.2% (95/197) to 57.7% (488/846), but decreased to 21.1% (220/1 041) in 2014. The ratio of aqueous shunts of ExPRESS and Ahmed increased to 6.1% (63/1 041) and 7.6% (79/1 041) from 2005 to 2014, respectively. The ratio of cataract extraction with IOL implantation increased to 28.4% (294/1 036) in 2012, but decreased to 21.6% (225/1 041) in 2014. The ratio of combined operations for glaucoma and cataract decreased to 6.6% (47/717) from 2005 to 2010, and increased to 36.6% (381/1 041) in 2014. Over the decade, the ratio of cataract extraction with goniosynechialysis increased from 2.4% (15/623) to 17.7% (184/1 041). The rate of iridotectomy decreased to 0.2% (2/1041) in 2014. Conclusions: Trabeculectomy, cataract surgery and combined surgery for glaucoma with cataract were still the mainstream of glaucoma surgery in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2005 to 2014. And the ratio of cataract extraction with IOL implantation, aqueous shunts of ExPRESS and Ahmed, and combined operation for glaucoma and cataract rapidly increased, with cataract extraction with goniosynechialysis increasing most rapidly and becoming the mainstream procedure of treatment for glaucoma and cataract. Inversely, the rate of trabeculectomies and iridotectomies decreased dramatically over this period.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 184-188).

miR-564 inhibited metastasis and proliferation of prostate cancer by targeting MLLT3.

OBJECTIVE: MiR-564 has been discovered to be abnormally expressed in human malignancy. Two recent studies suggested that miR-564 plays a role in tumor inhibition in both lung and breast cancer. However, no evidence reported the mechanism and function of miR-564 in prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The PCa tissues and their adjacent normal tissues were collected from 50 PCa patients. Expressions of miR-564 in tissues and cells were evaluated with RT-qPCR. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, flow cytometry and Western-blot analysis, were applied to detect the proliferation, cell cycle progression and the protein expression of PCa cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145). Migration and invasion of PCa cells were analyzed by Transwell assays. Furthermore, the correlation between miR-564 and MLLT3 was assessed by luciferase reporter assay. Also, the PCa cells were transfected with miR-564 mimics control and inhibitor. RESULTS: In our present research, miR-564 was found dysregulated in PCa cells and to act as a suppressor in PCa cell proliferation, progression of cell cycle, cell invasion and migration. MLLT3 (also known as Af9) is a proto-oncogene, which has first reported in leukemia, and the regulation of its expression remains incompletely elucidated. Also, it is first reported in our study, suggesting that MLLT3 is a direct target of miR-564. The results also showed a significant negative correlation with miR-564 in PCa cells. Furthermore, up-regulation of MLLT3 attenuates the effects of miR-564 on the ability of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our research demonstrated the suppressor function of miR-564 in PCa, revealing restoration of miR-564 as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PCa.

Pachymic acid improves survival and attenuates acute lung injury in septic rats induced by cecal ligation and puncture.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the possible beneficial effects of pachymic acid (PA) on acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham, CLP, CLP + PA 1 mg/kg, CLP + PA 5 mg/kg, CLP + PA 10 mg/kg. CLP + PA groups received PA by intraperitoneal injection daily for consecutive 3 days, respectively, and the rats in sham and CLP groups were given equivalent volume of olive oil. We killed the animals 12 h after CLP and collected blood samples to determine PaO2, PaCO2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6. Lung samples were taken for wet/dry weight ratios and histologic assessment. Meanwhile, the levels of lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. RESULTS: The results revealed that PA treatment significantly improved the survival of septic rats and attenuated CLP-induced ALI. In PA-treated rats, the wet/dry weight ratios and the serum levels of TNF-a, IL-1ß and IL-6 were down-regulated compared with the CLP group. PA also markedly decreased MDA and MPO contents and increased SOD level. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that PA administration ameliorates ALI in a rat model of sepsis induced by CLP.

[Management of 42 complex intracranial aneurysms in hybrid operating room].

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and methods of hybrid operation in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. Methods: Fourty-two patients with complex intracranial aneurysms were treated in hybrid operation room of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between July 2011 and October 2016. Twenty-one cases of aneurysm clipping guided by intraoperative angiography, 10 cases of aneurysm clipping assisted by endovascular therapy, and 11 cases of aneurysm occlusion assisted by bypass surgery. Results: Thirty-five patients were followed up 6-36 months.Thirty-three (94.3%) cases were completely occlusion, 2 (5.7%) cases were recurrent in follow-up.One of the recurrence case was performed interventional embolization treatment, and the other was continuous follow-up. Conclusion: Hybrid operating room is beneficial to evaluate the surgical curative effect immediately. It could increase the occlusion rate of complicated aneurysms, and could provide an ideal platform for complicated intracranial aneurysm treatment.

[Clinical application of hybrid surgery for the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations].

Objective: To investigate the application of hybrid technique for the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVMs) and to assess the value of hybrid technique. Methods: The cases of CAVMs treated in Qilu hospital and People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2011 to July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Two modes of hybrid surgery, "angiographic diagnosis-craniotomy lesion resection or/and hematoma clearance-intraoperative angiography evaluation" and "angiographic diagnosis-intraoperative embolization-craniotomy lesion resection or/and hematoma clearance-intraoperative angiography evaluation" were applied for all the cases.We placed an aneurysm clip as marker in surgery field during real-time angiography.If CAVMs residues occurred during surgery, we re-resected the residue according to the guidance of the marker (clip) and DSA imaging. Intra-operative angiography evaluated the results of CAVMs resection one more time.Postoperatively, follow-up CT scan was performed for all the patients. Results: Of all the cases with CAVMs, there were 8 cases of scale Ⅰ, 13 cases of scale Ⅱ, 10 cases of scale Ⅲ and 6 cases of scale Ⅳ according to Spetzler-Martin Scale.There were 28 cases of acute hemorrhagic CAVMs and 9 cases of chronic hemorrhagic CAVMs or no-hemorrhagic CAVMs.Intra-operative angiography showed CAVMs residues in 6 cases of acute hemorrhagic CAVMs and only one in chronic group.About 18.92% residual rate of CAVMs were found for the first time intra-operative assessment angiography.With the guidance of intra-operative angiography and aneurysm clip as Marker, all residues of CAVMs were resected totally.Follow up CT showed the hematomas disappeared in all the cases of acute hemorrhagic cases.The cure rate of CAVMs with hybrid surgery was 100% according to the final intra-operative assessment angiography. Conclusions: (1)Hybrid surgery for the treatment of CAVMs in one session could evaluate the results of CAVMs resection and instruct the surgical procedure according to real-time angiography.This model could improve the treatment safety and efficacy for patients with CAVMs.(2)Patients with higher Spetzler-Martin Scale (Ⅲ-Ⅳ) who need intra-operative embolization and patients with hemorrhagic CAVMs are more suitable for hybrid surgery.

miR-542-3p targets sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 and regulates cell proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate the proliferation and metastasis of numerous cancer cell types. This study aimed to reveal the role of microRNA-542-3p (miR-542-3p) in breast cancer (BC) cell proliferation and its potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-542-3p expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1(S1PR1) protein expression was measured by Western blotting. TargetScan was used to predict the downstream target genes of miR-542-3p, which were confirmed by luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Biological functions of miR-542-3p and S1PR1 were analyzed using CKK-8, colony formation, migration, and invasion. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the expression of miR-542-3p was downregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. We also showed that the expression of S1PR1 was upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, we found that the expression level of miR-542-3p was negatively correlated with the expression level of S1PR1 in BC tissues. Over-expression of miR-542-3p inhibited BC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. The dual luciferase reporter experiments showed that miR-542-3p regulated the expression of S1PR1 by combining with its 3'UTR. Finally, we showed that down-expression of miR-542-3p inhibited BC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the new insight that miR-542-3p inhibited colon cancer cells via targeting S1PR1, suggesting that miR-542-3p/S1PR1 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for BC.

Effects of acupotomylysis on basic fibroblast growth factor and CD34 levels in rabbits with third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome.

This study observed the local tissue homogenates in rabbits with third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome and explored the mechanism of acupotomylysis in local tissue revascularization. Thirty Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into the following 5 groups of 6 rabbits each: normal, model, acupotomy, electroacupuncture (EA), and acupotomy-EA groups. All except the normal group were comprised of animal models of third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome prepared by embedding sponge in the left third lumbar transverse process. The rabbits in the acupotomy and EA groups underwent bilateral acupotomylysis intervention; those in the acupotomy-EA group underwent acupotomylysis and EA interventions. On the 28th day after modeling, the double-antibody ELISA was used to detect b-FGF and CD34 levels in the serum and homogenates of a muscle tissue sample from the left side of the third lumbar transverse process. The b-FGF levels in local muscle homogenates were significantly higher in the modeled rabbits than in the normal rabbits (P < 0.01), and the CD34 levels in the modeled group were significantly lower than in the normal group (P < 0.01). The b-FGF and CD34 levels in the EA, acutopomy, and acutopomy-EA groups were significantly lower than those in the modeled group (P < 0.01); the CD34 levels were significantly higher in the acupotomy-EA group than in the model group (P < 0.05); and the differences among the EA, acupotomy, and acupotomy-EA groups were not significant (P > 0.05). In conclusion, acupotomylysis regulates the levels of b-FGF and CD34 levels in serum and muscle tissue as well as local tissue revascularization.

Protective Effects of Total Glucosides of Paeony on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats via Down-regulation of Regulatory B Cells.

Total glucoside of paeony (TGP), extracted from the root of Paeonia Lactiflora, has been known to show anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, hepato-protective and immuno-regulatory activities. The aim of this present study was to determine the anti-tumor effect of TGP against N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats, and to find the related mechanisms. Rat HCC model was established by intragastrically administrating with DEN (8 mg/kg). We found the number of tumor nodules and the index of liver and spleen were increased in the model group compared with the normal group, and was significantly decreased by TGP. Additionally, TGP obviously improved the hepatic pathological lesions induced by DEN, and decreased the elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) by DEN. Moreover, TGP decreased the level of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and the proportion of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (Bregs), and the decrease of BAFF by TGP is positively correlated to the decrease of IL-10-producing Bregs by TGP. These results suggest that TGP had a good therapeutic action on DEN-induced HCC rats, which might be due to its down-regulation of Bregs through reducing the level of BAFF.

Combined use of etanercept and MTX restores CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and Tregs in spleen and thymus in collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To further explore the mechanism of etanercept (ENT, rhTNFR:Fc) and methotrexate (MTX) in the combined treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we investigated whether thymic and splenic T-cell subsets and their related cytokines imbalance could be restored by ETN/MTX treatment. METHODS: The effect of ETN/MTX on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was evaluated by arthritis scores, joint and spleen histopathology, as well as indices of thymus and spleen. T lymphocytes proliferation was determined by [(3)H]-TdR incorporation. Levels of TNF-α, LT-α, IL-1ß, RANKL, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-6 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The subsets of T lymphocytes including CD4(+), CD8(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD62L(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells were quantified using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Combined administration of ETN/MTX significantly inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes, decreased serum IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANKL and macrophage supernatant IL-17, LT-α, increased serum IFN-γ and macrophage supernatant IL-10. Moreover, the combined administration could restore CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and Treg cells of CIA thymus and spleen. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings suggest that ENT/MTX may modify the abnormal T lymphocytes balance from central to peripheral lymphoid organs, which may partially, explained the mechanism of the combined administration.

Intravenously transplanted bone marrow stromal cells promote recovery of lower urinary tract function in rats with complete spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: There is increasing evidence that intravenously injected neural progenitor cells promote recovery of bladder function in rodents, following contusive spinal cord injury through migrating into the injured spinal cord tissue and differentiating into central nervous system cells. The present study was aimed to clarify whether intravenously transplanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) could improve lower urinary tract (LUT) function in rats with spinal cord transection (SCT). METHODS: A total of 22 rats underwent experimentation in three groups, including group 1-sham operation, group 2 (BMSC)-SCT plus BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) labeled BMSCs transplantation at day 9 after SCT, group 3-SCT control. All rats were investigated urodynamically on day 28 after transplantation. RESULTS: BMSCs identified by BrdU immunohistochemistry survived in the injured spinal cord and lumbar level 3-4 (L(3-4)). Voiding pressure, episodes of non-voiding contractions and residual urine volumes were significantly decreased in BMSC rats, compared with the controls. Bladder capacity was similar in both groups. In four out of eight BMSC rats and one out of seven controls, the tonic and bursting external urethral sphincter electromyographic activity were detected during cystometry. Silent periods during bursting were shorter and activity periods were longer in BMSC rats compared with sham rats. CONCLUSION: Intravenously transplanted BMSCs survived in the L(3-4) and had beneficial effects on the recovery of LUT function in the rats after SCT.

Ischemic postconditioning modified renal oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation caused by ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.

Several recent studies have shown that ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) protects hears from ischemic reperfusion insults in various animal models. However, the mechanism of IPostC remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that PostC protected kidneys against ischemic reperfusion injury by modifying renal oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Rats underwent 45 minutes of renal pedicle ligature followed by reperfusion for 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 hours. IPostC was performed using 6, 10 second cycles of reperfusion and 10 seconds of renal pedicle occlusion at the end of the ischemia. Our data showed that IPostC attenuated renal dysfunction, significantly increasing the activity of antioxidases, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione perokidase (GSH-Px) in renal homogenates, and concentrations of GSH and SOD expression. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were significantly decreased in IPostC rats. These results indicated that the protective effects of IPosC may be related to modification of renal oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation caused by ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.

Attenuated lapinized chinese strain of classical swine fever virus: complete nucleotide sequence and character of 3'-noncoding region.

The complete nucleotide sequence including precise 5'- and 3'-terminal non-coding regions (NCRs) of the attenuated lapinized Chinese strain (HCLV) of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) was determined from overlapping cDNA clones constructed by separated RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. The genomic RNA of the HCLV strain consists of 12.310 nucleotides (nts) including 374 nts and 242nts in the 5'- and 3'-NCRs, respectively. It contains one large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of 3,898 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 437.6 kDa. There is one notable insertion of 12 continuous nts, CTTTTTTCTTTT in the 3'-NCR of HCLV genomic cDNA when compared with its parental virulent Shimen strain. Sequence alignment of partial 3'-NCR reveals two groups of CSFV vaccine strains carrying similar T-rich insertions at different positions in this region. Computer-predicted secondary structures suggest that T-rich insertion greatly change the structures and thus decrease the promoter functions of 3'-NCRs during the replications of these two groups of CSFV vaccine strains.