Role of HBV DNA polymerase in mediating the immune escape of tumor cells in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo determine whether HBV DNA polymerase is associated with T-cell failure and thus mediates the immune escape of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） tumor cells， and to investigate the specific molecular mechanisms. MethodsLiver cancer cell lines Huh7 and HepG2 stably transfected with HBV DNA polymerase expression plasmid with Flag （Flag-HBV-P） and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM1） were co-cultured with Jurkat cells， and MTT assay， qRT-PCR， and ELISA were used to measure Jurkat cell proliferation， activation （CD69 expression）， and secretion of the cytokine IFN-γ. RNA-seq was used to screen for differentially expressed immune-associated molecules between stably transfected cell lines and control cells， and mRNA half-life and protein half-life assays were used to determine the specific levels of the immune-associated molecules that were affected by HBV DNA polymerase. Related websites were used to predict the transcription factors that may bind to the promoter region of this immune-associated molecule， Western blot was used to verify the effect of transcription factors on the immune-associated molecule， and rescue experiment was used to determine whether HBV DNA polymerase affects the expression level of the immune-associated molecule through this transcription factor. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsThe experimental group had significant reductions in Jurkat cell proliferation， activation， and cytokine secretion compared with the control group （all P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the experimental group （Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines） had significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of ICAM1 （all P<0.01）. Website prediction identified the ICAM1 promoter and preliminarily highlighted NFKB1， RELA， and STAT3. Compared with the control group， the experimental group （Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines） had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of p65 （all P<0.01）. After p65 overexpression， there was a significant increase in the protein expression level of ICAM1， and after the expression of p65 was reduced， there was a significant reduction in the protein expression level of ICAM1 （all P<0.01）. In the rescue experiment， there was no significant difference in the protein expression level of ICAM1 between the control group and the experimental group after p65 overexpression （all P>0.05）. After the overexpression of ICAM1， there were no significant differences in the proliferation， activation， and cytokine secretion of Jurkat cells between the control group and the experimental group （Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines） （all P>0.05）. ConclusionHBV DNA polymerase downregulates the level of ICAM1 to mediate HCC immune escape by inhibiting the expression of p65 in NF-κB.

Analysis of clinical features of 78 infants with scabies / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze clinical features of 78 infants with scabies and their causes of misdiagnosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on infants aged < 6 months with confirmed scabies at Department of Dermatology in Zhengzhou Children′s Hospital, Jingjiang People′s Hospital, Tangdu Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Then, epidemiological features, skin lesion characteristics, treatment and causes of misdiagnosis of infantile scabies were analyzed.Results:A total of 78 infants with scabies were collected. Their age of onset and duration from onset to diagnosis [ M ( P25, P75) ] were 8.5 (7, 12) and 4 (3.5, 5) weeks respectively. At the time of diagnosis, 45 (57.7%) patients showed lower body weight than the first quartile [ P25] of body weight of age- and gender-matched healthy peers, 40 (47.4%) had fussiness and irritation, and 68 (87.2%) had sleep disorders like night crying and increased frequency of night waking. Infantile scabies more frequently occurred in autumn (30 cases [38.5%]) and winter (22 cases [28.2%]) , and least frequently occurred in summer (8 cases [10.3%]) . In the case of 58 patients, there was at least 1 member with scabies at the same time, who had resided with the patients in their families for a long time; in the case of 12 patients, scabies was transmitted through previous contact with temporary residents with scabies in their families. Scabies lesions most commonly occurred on the chest and abdominal regions (80.8%) , followed by the limbs (76.9%) ; skin lesions were polymorphic, and lesions at different stages could coexist; the rashes mainly manifested as edematous red or non-edematous brown papules, blisters, papulovesicles and nodules, and some burrows could be characterized by an oval, linear, serpiginous, comma- or J-shaped appearance. All the patients had visited the clinic for 1 - 4 times with an average of 2.38 visits. Forty-eight (61.5%) patients initially visited non-dermatology departments, and 30 (38.5%) initially visited dermatological outpatient clinics. Incorrect diagnoses included infantile eczema, papular urticaria, impetigo, miliaria, prurigo, urticaria pigmentosa, infantile acropustulosis, herpes simplex and varicella. All the patients received topical sulfur 5% ointment. Nine (11.5%) patients experienced a sudden exacerbation of skin lesions after the topical treatment, and 20 (25.6%) needed 2 - 3 sessions of treatment. No recurrence was observed in all the patients at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the end of treatment. Conclusions:Infantile scabies lesions are polymorphic, widely distributed, and easily misdiagnosed. To prevent misdiagnosis and improve the early diagnosis rate, a detailed clinical interrogation with clinical-epidemiological examination should be performed.

Expression of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in children with psoriasis and its pathogenic mechanisms / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective@#To explore the relationships of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with severity of skin lesions in children with psoriasis and peripheral neutrophil count, and to evaluate in vitro effect of NGAL on expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-22 (IL-22) by a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.@*Methods@#From January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2018, 98 children who newly developed psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of 6 hospitals in China, including 51 males and 47 females. Their age was 7.00 ± 2.99 years (range: 3-14 years) , and their course of disease was 7.4 ± 5.85 days (range: 3-28 days) . The serum level of NGAL was detected in all the patients before and two weeks after treatment, and the relationships of NGAL with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and peripheral neutrophil count were evaluated. Western blot analysis and reverse-transcription (RT) -PCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells, respectively, after 12-hour treatment with NGAL at concentrations of 0 (control group) , 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/L. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16 software. by using t test and one-way analysis of variance.@*Results@#After 2-week treatment, the PASI score, neutrophil count and NGAL level in children with psoriasis significantly decreased (1.80 ± 1.19, [6.16 ± 0.76] × 109/L, 90.86 ± 0.75 μg/L, respectively) compared with those before the treatment (10.38 ± 3.42, [11.01 ± 2.85] × 109/L, 113.48 ± 21.26 μg/L, respectively; t = 31.42, 18.34, 16.37 respectively, all P < 0.001) . Before the treatment, the serum level of NGAL in the patients was positively correlated with the PASI score and peripheral neutrophil count (r = 0.918, 0.799 respectively, both P < 0.05) . The mRNA and protein expression of IL-22 in HaCaT cells significantly differed among these groups treated with different concentrations of NGAL (F = 176.31, 296.96 respectively, both P < 0.001) , so did the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α (F = 193.28, 318.80 respectively, both P < 0.001) . Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression of IL-22 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the 0.125-, 0.25-, 0.5- and 1-mg/L NGAL group than in the control group (all P < 0.05) . The NGAL level was positively correlated with the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells (all P < 0.05) .@*Conclusions@#The serum level of NGAL was high in children with psoriasis, and positively correlated with severity of skin lesions and peripheral neutrophil count. NGAL can upregulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells in vitro.

Expression of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in children with psoriasis and its pathogenic mechanisms / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the relationships of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with severity of skin lesions in children with psoriasis and peripheral neutrophil count,and to evaluate in vitro effect of NGAL on expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-22 (IL-22) by a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods From January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2018,98 children who newly developed psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of 6 hospitals in China,including 51 males and 47 females.Their age was 7.00 ± 2.99 years (range:3-14 years),and their course of disease was 7.4 ± 5.85 days (range:3-28 days).The serum level of NGAL was detected in all the patients before and two weeks after treatment,and the relationships of NGAL with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and peripheral neutrophil count were evaluated.Western blot analysis and reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells,respectively,after 12-hour treatment with NGAL at concentrations of 0 (control group),0.125,0.25,0.5,1 mg/L.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16 software.by using t test and one-way analysis of variance.Results After 2-week treatment,the PASI score,neutrophil count and NGAL level in children with psoriasis significantly decreased (1.80 ± 1.19,[6.16 ± 0.76] × 109/L,90.86 ± 0.75 μ g/L,respectively) compared with those before the treatment (10.38 ± 3.42,[11.01 ± 2.85] × 109/L,113.48 ± 21.26 μ g/L,respectively;t =31.42,18.34,16.37 respectively,all P ＜ 0.001).Before the treatment,the serum level of NGAL in the patients was positively correlated with the PASI score and peripheral neutrophil count (r =0.918,0.799 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of IL-22 in HaCaT cells significantly differed among these groups treated with different concentrations of NGAL (F =176.31,296.96 respectively,both P ＜ 0.001),so did the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α (F =193.28,318.80 respectively,both P ＜ 0.001).Additionally,the protein and mRNA expression of IL-22 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the 0.125-,0.25-,0.5-and 1-mg/L NGAL group than in the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The NGAL level was positively correlated with the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The serum level of NGAL was high in children with psoriasis,and positively correlated with severity of skin lesions and peripheral neutrophil count.NGAL can upregnlate the expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells in vitro.

Alpha-mangostin affects the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by increasing autophagy / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the possible molecular mechanism for alpha(α)-mangostin's inhibition of the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells.Methods Human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cell line was treated with α-mangostin.CCK8 method was used to measure the viability of SGC7901 cells.The effect of α-mangostin on apoptosis and cell cycle was determined by immune fluorescence and flow cytometry.The expression of the relevant proteins was detected using Western blot.The shapiro-wilk test was performed for evaluation of deviation from normality.Normally distributed data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA.Welch test was used in data with heterogeneity of variance and multiple compared by Games-Howell test after that.Results CCK8 results showed that cell viability differed significantly among groups treated with different concentrations of α-mangostin(10,15,20,25,and 30 μmol/L)(P＜0.05).QPCR data showed that the concentration of α-mangostin was positively correlated with mRNA level of LC 3 but not caspase protein(r=0.976,P＜0.05).In 15 μmol/L but not 10 μmol/L α-mangostin treatment system,the autophagy inhibitors 3-MA(10 μmol/L),bafilomycin A(10 μmol/L)and LY294002(10 μmol/L)could significantly alleviate α-mangostin's killing effect on SGC7901 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion The anti-tumor effects of α-mangostin against human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in vitro can be partly attributed to apoptosis,autophagy and arresting cell phase.

Treatment of coronal shear fracture of the distal end of the humerus by the olecranon osteotomy approach / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effectiveness of olecranon osteotomy approach for the treatment of coronal shear fracture of the distal end of the humerus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 34 patients with the coronal shear fracture of the distal end of the humerus treated by the olecranon osteotomy approach from January 2005 to January 2013. Of 34 cases, there were 15 boys and 19 girls, aged from 17 years to 84 years (mean, 54.9±10.2 years); 18 patients had fractures on the left and 16 patients had fractures on the right. Fractures were classified according to the Bryan and Morrey classification united Mckee classification: type Iinjuries occurred in 10 cases, type IIinjuries in 5 cases, type III injuries in 10 cases and type IV injuries in 9 cases. The Mayo elbow functional scores were evaluated for analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 15 to 96 months, with a mean of (35.1±7.2) months. Average arc of motion was (132.1±11.2)° in flexion and (4.6±1.9)° in extension. The average Mayo score was 85.9±6.3(73 to 94 scores). Thirteen patients got an excellent result, 15 good and 6 poor. The average Mayo score was 88.6±3.7 in type Iinjuries, 85.8±4.6 in type IIinjuries, 81.8±5.8 in type III injuries and 87.5±9.1 in type IV injuries. There were no significant differences in outcomes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The treatment for the coronal shear fracture of the distal end of the humerus by the olecranon osteotomy approach can achieve the satisfactory curative effect, maintain the reduction and improve the elbow function.</p>

Effects of acitretin on in vitro proliferation of HaCaT cells cultured in hypoxic condition and on expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1o and vascular endothelial growth factor / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate effects of acitretin on HaCaT cells cultured in hypoxic condition,and to preliminarily explore the possible therapeutic mechanisms of acitretin in psoriasis.Methods HaCaT cells were divided into several groups to be cultured in hypoxic condition with the presence of acitretin at concentrations of 10-5,10-6,10-7 and 10 8 mol/L respectively,with cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as DMSO control group and those receiving no treatment as blank control group.Cellular proliferative activity was evaluated by CCK-8 assay after 12-,24-and 36-hour hypoxic culture in vitro.The mRNA and protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western-blot analysis,respectively,after 24-hour hypoxic culture.Results After 24-hour hypoxic culture,the cellular proliferation rate was inhibited by 13.31％ ± 1.15％,21.86％ ± 5.31％,32.05％ ± 2.99％ and 37.28％ ± 3.21％ in the 10 8-,10-7-,10-6-and 10-5-mol/L acitretin groups respectively.With the increase of culture duration and acitretin concentrations,the degree of inhibition on cellular proliferation increased gradually.Compared with the blank control group,the 10-5-mol/L acitretin group showed significantly decreased protein expression of HIF-1α (0.319 ± 0.180 vs.1.196 ± 0.088,P ＜0.05),as well as decreased mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF (mRNA:0.442 ± 0.090 vs.1.108 ± 0.073;protein:0.216 ± 0.066 vs.1.174 ± 0.186;both P ＜ 0.05).However,no significant difference was found in the mRNA expression of HIF-lα between the 10-5-mol/L acitretin group and blank control group.Conclusion Acitretin can suppress the in vitro proliferation of HaCaT cells cultured in hypoxic condition,and down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins as well as VEGF mRNA.

Comparison of clinical effect on locking plate for proximal humeral fracture with or without application of inferomedial screws / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare clinical outcomes of locking plate for proximal humeral fracture whether application of inferomedial screws.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2012 to July 2013, 46 patients with proximal humeral fracture underwent locking plates were retrospectively analyzed. There were 25 males and 21 females aged from 29 to 80 years old with an average of 55.1 years old. Among them, 25 patients were treated with inferomedial screws (support group), including 13 males and 12 females aged from 38 to 80 years old with an average of (55.8 ± 11.8) years old; 8 cases were part two fracture,10 cases were part three fracture and 7 cases were part four fracture according to Neer classification. Twenty-one patients were treated without inferomedial screws (non-support group), including 12 males and 9 females aged from 29 to 79 years old with an average of (54.2 ± 14.8)years old; 6 cases were part two fracture, 9 cases were part three fracture and 6 cases were part four fracture according to Neer classification. Operative time, fracture healing time and complications were observed and compared, Neer scoring of shoulder joint were used to evaluate clinical effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 12 to 41 months with an average of 15.6 months. Operative time and fracture healing time in support group was (1.6 ± 0.4) h and (3.0 ± 0.6) months, and (1.5 ± 0.4) h and (3.1 ± 0.6) months in non-support group, while there was no statistical difference in operative time and fracture healing time between two groups. There was significant differences in Neer score between support group (89.7± 4.9) and non-support group (83.1 ± 7.1). No complication occurred in support group,while 4 cases occurred complications in non-support group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Locking plate with inferomedial screws for proximal humeral fracture has advantages of stable fixation, less complications, quick recovery of function and satisfied clinical effect.</p>

GC-MS analysis and cytotoxic activity of the supercritical extracts from roots and stems of Zanthoxylum nitidum / 中国中药杂志

The volatile components of roots and stems of Zanthoxylum nitidum were investigated by supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO2) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Thirty-one and fifty-one compounds were identified in the supercritical extracts from roots and stems of Z. nitidum, respectively, and total twenty-seven compounds were the common constituents. Among them, the major constituents in root and stem supercritical extracts were spathulenol (18.49 and 26.18%), n-hexadecanoic acid (14.24% and 12.79%), ar-tumerone (6.95% and 8.88%), oleic acid (8.39% and 5.71%) and hexanoic acid (4.39% and 7.78%). The in-vitro MTT assay showed that the volatile components of roots and stems of Z. nitidum did not exhibited any cytotoxic activity against human cancer Huh-7 and normal IEC-6 cells. These results indicated the same nature of the volatile constituents in the root and stem of Z. nitidum. This investigation may provide further evidence for expansion of medicinal parts of Z. nitidum.

A Microtus fortis protein, serum albumin, is a novel inhibitor of Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula

Schistosomiasis is an endemic parasite disease and praziquantel is the only drug currently in use to control this disease. Experimental and epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that Microtus fortis ( Mf ) is a naturally resistant vertebrate host of Schistosoma japonicum . In the present study, we found that Mf serum albumin ( Mf -albumin) and the conditioned medium of pcDNA3.1- Mf -albumin caused 46.2% and 38.7% schistosomula death rates in 96 h, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the negative control (p < 0.05). We also found that mice injected with Mf -albumin had a 43.5% reduction in worm burden and a 48.1% reduction in liver eggs per gram (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control animals. To characterise the mechanisms involved in clearance, schistosomula were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled Mf -albumin and fluorescent enrichment effects were found in the gut lumen of schistosomula after 48 h of incubation. Next, digestive tract excretions from schistosomula were collected and the sensitivity of Mf -albumin to digestive tract excretions was evaluated. The results indicated that schistosomula digestive tract excretions showed indigestibility of Mf -albumin. The death of schistosomula could be partially attributed to the lack of digestion of Mf -albumin by digestive tract excretions during the development of the schistosomula stage. Therefore, these data indicate the potential of Mf -albumin as one of the major selective forces for schistosomiasis.

Construction of a mouse pDsRed2-N1-SDF-1alpha eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed2-N1-SDF-1alpha and observe its expression in the mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SDF-1alpha gene sequence with XhoI, EcoRI restriction enzyme cutting site was amplified from the total RNA of mouse smooth muscle cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed2-N1 encoding red fluorescent protein gene, and the insertion was verified by endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing. Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells identified with immunofluorescence assay for vimentin expression were transfected with the constructed plasmid pDsRed2-N1-SDF-1alpha, and the expression of sdf-1alpha was detected using immunofluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The DNA fragment amplified by PCR from the total RNA was identical to SDF-1alpha from the gene library, and an identical DNA fragment was also amplified from the recombinants. Sequence analysis confirmed the successful insertion of SDF-1alpha into the pDsRed2-N1 vector and the eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed2-N1-SDF-1alpha was successfully constructed. The cultured mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells positive for vimentin protein showed SDF-1alpha expression 24 h after transfection with the recombinant vector.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pDsRed2-N1-SDF-1alpha eukaryotic expression vector constructed is capable of expression of SDF-1alpha fusion protein in the mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.</p>

Culture and identification of neural stem cells derived from the subventricular zone of adult mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for culturing and identifying neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) in adult mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NSCs were isolated from the SVZ of adult mouse brain and cultured in serum-free medium. Cell cloning and BrdU incorporation were performed to identify the self-renewal and proliferative capacity of the NSCs. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry was used to examine the expressions of the NSC markers nestin and SOX2, neuronal marker Tuj1, astrocyte marker GFAP and oligodendrocyte marker NG2. The expressions of nestin and SOX2 were further examined by Western blotting and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NSCs with self-renewal and proliferative capacity were obtained from the SVZ of adult mice and grown as floating neurospheres. The NSCs expressed nestin and SOX2 and could differentiated into Tuj1-positive neurons, GFAP-positive astrocytes and NG2-positive oligodendrocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method allows simple and stable culture of NSCs from the SVZ of adult mice.</p>

Application of virtual imaging technique in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of virtual imaging technique in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four cases of 54 intracranial aneurysm diagnosed by three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) examinations were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional virtual images of the skull and cerebral vessels were acquired by three-dimensional reconstruction of the original CT images using the surgical planning system, and the location, size and shape of the aneurysms and their anatomical relationship with the adjacent tissues were observed and measured from several angles. All the patients underwent surgical planning and simulated surgical operations using the virtual surgical instruments available in the system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 54 cases had successful three-dimensional virtual image reconstruction and the surgical planning operations. The virtual imaging system generated clear and vivid three-dimensional virtual images which clearly visualized the location and size of the aneurysms and their precise anatomical relations to the parent arteries and skull. This virtual reality imaging system also allowed simulation of simple surgical procedures.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The surgical planning system based on the virtual reality imaging can serve as a useful means to assist the diagnosis and provide precise imaging details of intracranial aneurysms.</p>

Combined application of virtual imaging techniques and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography in diagnosing intracranial aneurysms / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The diagnostic value of virtual imaging combined with three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) for intracranial aneurysms has not been fully elucidated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the value of combined application of virtual imaging techniques and 3D-CTA in diagnosing patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) at the acute stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients with non-traumatic SAH received 3D-CTA examinations. The raw CT data of these patients were reconstructed and transferred into the 3D mode through the surgical plan system based on virtual reality (VR) image, and the 3D virtual images of skulls and brain blood vessels were acquired. The location, size and shape of aneurysms and their anatomic relationship with adjacent tissues were measured from many points of view.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-three aneurysms were detected in 68 of the 80 patients, but 2 aneurysms were detected in 2 of the 5 patients who had been found free of aneurysms previously and had received 3D-CTA examinations for a second time one month later. The 3D virtual images produced by the virtual imaging system were clear and vivid, and they could reveal the location and size of the aneurysm and its relations to the parent artery and skull directly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The imaging of 3D-CTA is convenient, reliable and fast in diagnosing intracranial aneurysms and can be regarded as the first choice for the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Combined with the surgical plan system based on the VR image, 3D-CTA may obtain more imaging information about aneurysms.</p>

Time course of calpain activity changes in rat neurons following fluid percussion injury and the interventional effect of mild hypothermia / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the time course of calpain activity changes in rat neurons following fluid percussion injury (FPI) under normothermia (37 degrees celsius;) and mild hypothermia (32-/+0.5) degrees celsius;.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro cultured rat neurons were subjected to FPI followed by application of mild hypothermia for intervention at different time points, and the changes in intraneuronal calpain activity following FPI and the interventional effect of mild hypothermia on calpain activity were evaluated by UV-spectrophotometry at different time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Remarkable changes occurred in calpain activity in the neurons following FPI at 37 degrees celsius;, and mild hypothermia produced obvious interventional effect on calpain activity in close relation to the timing of intervention initiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intraneuronal calpain activity changes following FPI are involved in the pathological process of cellular injury, and mild hypothermia might offer protection against traumatic brain injury to some extent by regulating calpain activity. The interventional effect of mild hypothermia is associated with the timing of the intervention initiation.</p>

Enhanced interferon-gamma secretion and antitumor activity of T-lymphocytes activated by dendritic cells loaded with glycoengineered myeloma antigens / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Immunotherapy is emerging as a promising cure for cancer. However, a severe problem in this area is the immune tolerance to tumor cells and tumor-associated antigens, as evidenced by the ability of cancer to escape immune surveillance. To overcome this problem this work examined the potential of improving the antigenicity of myeloma by metabolic engineering of its cell surface carbohydrate antigens (i.e., glycoengineering) and presentation of the modified tumor antigens by dendritic cells (DCs) to generate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CD138+ myeloma cells were isolated from 11 multipe myeloma (MM) patients by the immunomagnetic bead method. The MM cells were treated with N-propionyl-D-mannosamine (ManNPr), a synthetic analog of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc), the natural biosynthetic precursor of N-acetyl sialic acid (NeuNAc), to express unnatural N-propionylated sialoglycans. The glycoengineered cells were then induced to apoptosis, and the apoptotic products were added to cultured functional DCs that could present the unnatural carbohydrate antigens to autologous T-lymphocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that the resultant DCs could activate CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, resulting in increased expression of T cell surface markers, including CD8CD28 and CD4CD29. Moreover, upon stimulation by glycoengineered MM cells, these DC-activated T-lymphocytes could release significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma (P < 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays further showed that the stimulated T-lymphocytes were cytotoxic to glycoengineered MM cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This work demonstrated that glycoengineered myeloma cells were highly antigenic and the CTLs induced by the DCs loaded with the unnatural myeloma antigens were specifically cytotoxic to the glycoengineered myeloma. This may provide a new strategy for overcoming the problem of immune tolerance for the development of effective immunotherapies for MM.</p>

Basic Gait Characteristics of Healthy Adults / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo study normal gait characteristics of healthy adults in different age groups.Methods90 healthy adults were divided into three groups according to their ages. It was 20～39 year group, 40～59 year group and 60～70 year group. They received a gait analysis with the gait analysis system based on digital video and image processing which could provide temporal-spatial parameters and kinematic parameters. The gait data of the three groups were compared. Relationships between gait speed and other gait parameters were investigated.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in some parameters among three groups. Gait speed was significantly correlated with stride time, stride length, stance time (%), cadence, maximum flexion of hip and knee in swing phase.ConclusionThe normal gait patterns of healthy adult established with the gait analysis system based on digital video and image processing can be used as the base line to compare with abnormal gait.

The changes of three endogenous hormones during flower bud differentiation of Schisandga chinensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the relation between endogenous hormones and the flower bud differentiation in Schisandga chinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Top buds of extremely short branch and axillary buds of long branch in the same plant of S. chinensis were used as material and the contents of endogenous hormones were measured during different periods of the flower bud differentiation with HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The result showed that flower bud differentiation and the formation of female flower were inhibited by high concentration of GA3 and were promoted by high concentration of ABA or ZT. Low ratio of GA3/ABA has the same result.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was a correlation between endogenous hormones and the flower bud differentiation of S. chinensis.</p>

Short-term effects of chemotherapy with combination of hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced digestive tract cancers / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term therapeutic effects and side effects of combined hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced digestive tract cancers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients suffering from advanced digestive tract tumors including gastric cancer 8, colorectal cancer 20, cholecystic cancer 1 and malignant fibroadenoma 1 were studied. They were treated with hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin for 2 cycles with interval of 21 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease rates were 3.3% (1/30), 36.7% (11/30), 53.3% (15/30) and 6.7% (3/30) respectively with an overall response rate (CR + PR) of 40.0% (12/30). In the whole 77 cycles, leukocytopenia was observed in 34 cycles (44.2%) and 19 cycles (55.9%) at grades III and IV. Diarrhea developed in 42 cycles (54.5%) and 20 cycles (47.6%) grades III and IV. The other side effects were fever, alopecia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, hepatic and renal function abnormity and neuritis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Satisfactory response rate is obtainable in advanced colorectal cancer as treated by hydroxycamptothecine plus oxaliplatin. The toxicity consists of severe leukocytopenia and diarrhea.</p>

A study of kinematic parameters of normal youth in gait analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo study basic pattern of normal youth in gait analysis.Methods28 healthy young persons as experimental subjects were studied. The gait analysis system based on digital video and digital image processing was employed to obtain kinematic parameters.ResultsThe means and standard deviations of kinematic parameters of normal youth were obtained. The differences of gait patterns between males and females were compared. The correlations between gait parameters and height, weight were analyzed respectively.Conclusions It is recommended that the values of the gait parameters and the trends obtained can be used as a standard gait pattern of normal youth. Statistically significant differences exist between the males and the females for most of the gait parameters. Furthermore, the differences of the values of gait parameters between the males and the females are not led only by the difference of height except very few parameters.