Calreticulin regulates hepatic stellate cell activation through modulating TGF-beta-induced Smad signaling.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) as a wound healing process. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HpSCs) are the major producer of the ECM and play a central role in liver fibrogenesis. It has been widely accepted that elimination of activated HpSCs or reversion to a quiescent state can be a feasible strategy for resolving the disease, further highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Calreticulin (CRT) is a molecular chaperone that normally resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), important in protein folding and trafficking through the secretory pathway. CRT also plays a critical role in calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis, with its Ca2+ storage capacity. In the current study, we aimed to demonstrate its function in directing HpSC activation. In a mouse liver injury model, CRT was up-regulated in HpSCs. In cellular experiments, we further showed that this activation was through modulating the canonical TGF-ß signaling. As down-regulation of CRT in HpSCs elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels through a form of Ca2+ influx, named store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), we examined whether moderating SOCE affected TGF-ß signaling. Interestingly, blocking SOCE had little effect on TGF-ß-induced gene expression. In contrast, inhibition of ER Ca2+ release using the inositol trisphosphate receptor inhibitor 2-APB increased TGF-ß signaling. Treatment with 2-APB did not alter SOCE but decreased intracellular Ca2+ at the basal level. Indeed, adjusting Ca2+ concentrations by EGTA or BAPTA-AM chelation further enhanced TGF-ß-induced signaling. Our results suggest a crucial role of CRT in the liver fibrogenic process through modulating Ca2+ concentrations and TGF-ß signaling in HpSCs, which may provide new information and help advance the current discoveries for liver fibrosis.

A Giant 3d-4f Polyoxometalate Super-Tetrahedron with High Proton Conductivity.

The assembly of gigantic heterometallic metal clusters remains a great challenge for synthetic chemistry. Herein, based on the slow release strategy of lanthanide ions and in situ formation of lacunary polyoxometalates, two giant 3d-4f polyoxometalate inorganic clusters [LaNi12 W35 Sb3 P3 O139 (OH)6 ]23- (LaNi12 ) and [La10 Ni48 W140 Sb16 P12 O568 (OH)24 (H2 O)20 ]86- (La10 Ni48 ) are obtained. The nanoscopic inorganic cluster La10 Ni48 possesses a super tetrahedron structure, which can be viewed as assembly from four LaNi12 molecules encapsulating a central [La6 (SbO3 )4 (H2 O)20 ]6+ octahedron core. This giant aesthetic La10 Ni48 tetrahedron containing 214 metal ions is the largest 3d-4f cluster reported thus far in polyoxometalate system. More interestingly, the LaNi12 and La10 Ni48 display high stability in solution and La10 Ni48 displays excellent proton conductivity.

Encapsulating Copper Nanocrystals into Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cascade Reactions by Photothermal Catalysis.

Composite materials with multifunctional properties usually possess synergetic effects in catalysis toward cascade reactions. In this work, a facile strategy to the encapsulation of octahedral Cu2 O nanocrystals (NCs) by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is reported, and an oriented growth of MOF enclosures (namely, HKUST-1) around Cu2 O NCs with desired feedstock ratio is achieved. The strategy defines the parameter range that precisely controls the etching rate of metal oxide and the MOF crystallization rate. Finally, the Cu@HKUST-1 composites with uniform morphology and controlled MOF thickness have been successfully fabricated after the reduction of Cu2 O to Cu NCs in HKUST-1. The integration of Cu NCs properties with MOF advantages helps to create a multifunctional catalyst, which exhibits cooperative catalytic activity and improved recyclability toward the one-pot cascade reactions under mild conditions involving visible-light irradiation. The superior performance can be attributed to the plasmonic photothermal effect of Cu NCs, while HKUST-1 shell provides Lewis acid sites, substrates and H2 enrichment, and stabilizes the Cu cores.

Photocatalytic cascade reactions and dye degradation over CdS-metal-organic framework hybrids.

Two bifunctional CdS-MOF composites have been designed and fabricated. The hybrids exhibited synergistic photocatalytic performance toward two cascade reactions under visible light integrating photooxidation activity of CdS and Lewis acids/bases of the MOF. The composite further promoted the photodegradation of dyes benefiting from effective electron transfer between the MOF and CdS.

Decreased PEDF Promotes Hepatic Fatty Acid Uptake and Lipid Droplet Formation in the Pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide, ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, with the risk for progressive fibrosis or even cirrhosis. While simple steatosis is a relatively benign condition, the buildup of toxic lipid metabolites can induce chronic inflammation, ultimately triggering disease progression. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a secreted, multifunctional glycoprotein with lipid metabolic activities. PEDF promotes lipolysis through binding to adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a key enzyme for triglyceride breakdown. In the current study, we aimed to delineate how changes in PEDF expression affect hepatic lipid accumulation. Our data revealed that hepatic PEDF was downregulated in a mouse NAFLD model. We further showed that decreased PEDF levels in hepatocytes in vitro resulted in elevated fatty acid uptake and lipid droplet formation, with concomitant upregulation of fatty acid transport proteins CD36 and fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1). RNA sequencing analysis of PEDF knocked down hepatocytes revealed an alteration in gene expression profile toward lipid accumulation. Additionally, decreased PEDF promotes mobilization of fatty acids, an observation distinct from blocking ATGL activity. Taken together, our data suggest that hepatic PEDF downregulation causes molecular changes that favor triglyceride accumulation, which may further lead to NAFLD progression.

Encapsulating a Ni(II) molecular catalyst in photoactive metal-organic framework for highly efficient photoreduction of CO2.

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO is a promising strategy for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and storing solar radiation as chemical energy. Here, we demonstrate that a molecular catalyst [NiII(bpet)(H2O)2] successfully encapsulated into a highly robust and visible-light responsive metal-organic framework (Ru-UiO-67) to fabricate composite catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The composite Ni@Ru-UiO-67 photocatalysts show efficient visible-light-driven CO2 reduction to CO with a TON of 581 and a selectivity of 99% after 20-h illumination, because of the facile electron transfer from Ru-photosensitizer to Ni(II) active sites in Ni@Ru-UiO-67 system. The mechanistic insights into photoreduction of CO2 have been studied based on thermodynamical, electrochemical, and spectroscopic investigation, together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work shows that encapsulating molecular catalyst into photoactive MOF highlights opportunities for designing efficient, stable and recyclable photocatalysts.

GEP100/ARF6 regulates VEGFR2 signaling to facilitate high-glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell permeability in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Cell permeability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were found to be enhanced in diabetic retinopathy, and the aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism. ARPE-19 cell line or primary retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were cultured under high or normal glucose conditions. Specific shRNAs were employed to knock down ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), GEP100, or VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in ARPE-19 or primary RPE cells. Cell migration ability was measured using Transwell assay. Western blotting was used to measure indicated protein levels. RPE cells treated with high glucose showed increased cell migration, paracellular permeability, EMT, and expression of VEGF. Knockdown of VEGFR2 inhibited the high-glucose-induced effects on RPE cells via inactivation of ARF6 and MAPK pathways. Knockdown ARF6 or GEP100 led to inhibition of high-glucose-induced effects via inactivation of VEGFR2 pathway. Knockdown of ARF6, but not GEP100, decreased high-glucose-induced internalization of VEGFR2. High-glucose enhances EMT and cell permeability of RPE cells through activation of VEGFR2 and ARF6/GEP100 pathways, which form a positive feedback loop to maximize the activation of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling.

Multiparametric radiomics improve prediction of lymph node metastasis of rectal cancer compared with conventional radiomics.

AIMS: To establish multiparametric radiomics of rectal tumor for the preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 115 consecutive patients with rectal carcinoma between April 2015 and April 2017. The multiparametric radiomics scores were extracted from the endorectal ultrasound (ERUS), computed tomography (CT) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) features of the rectal tumor, LN, and peripheral tissues. The three radiomics scores were generated. Further validation as an independent predictor was performed using multivariate logistic regression together with clinical data, and a nomogram was subsequently developed. The predictive performance of the multiparametric radiomics nomogram was compared with that of conventional radiomics. KEY FINDINGS: All three scores (ERUS, CT, and SWE) were significantly higher in patients with LN metastasis than in patients with negative LN metastasis (all P < 0.05) in both training and validation set. Multivariate analysis indicated that CT and SWE scores were independent risk variables (odds ratio, OR = 6.764 and 5.482, respectively). In validation cohort, the multiparametric radiomics nomogram showed the highest predictive accuracy for LN metastasis, with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.857 compared with the conventional radiomics nomogram (C-index, 0.703, P = 0.100), resulting in a significantly improved net reclassification index (NRI) (P < 0.05) and integrated discriminatory improvement (IDI) (P = 0.002). Decision curve analysis showed that the multiparametric radiomics nomogram had a higher overall net benefit. SIGNIFICANCE: Multiparametric radiomics of rectal cancer, which captures blood supply and stiffness phenotypes, is a useful tool for predicting LN metastasis preoperatively and has marked discrimination accuracy compared to conventional radiomics.

Comparison of Early Submucosal Enhancement and Tumor Stalk in Staging Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of submucosal enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and detection of a stalk on DWI for differentiating stage T1 from stage T2 bladder urothelial carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our prospective study was approved by the institutional medical ethics committee and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fifty-nine patients (92 tumors in total) with urothelial bladder cancer underwent MRI within 2 weeks before surgery. Two image sets of T2-weighted MRI with DWI and T2-weighted with DCE-MRI were interpreted independently at 2-week intervals by two uroradiologists without any knowledge of the surgical or histologic findings. The tumor was categorized as stage T1 or lower when a stalk was evident at the tumor base on DWI or when continuous linear submucosal enhancement was detected in the early phase of DCE-MRI. Tumors without stalks or with discontinuous linear submucosal enhancement were categorized as stage T2. RESULTS: Of the 42 tumors with stalks on DWI, 41 showed continuous and one had discontinuous submucosal enhancement on DCE-MRI. In 50 carcinomas without stalks on DWI, submucosal enhancement was absent in 34, continuous in 12, and discontinuous in four. The staging accuracy of DWI (91.3%, 84/92) and DCE-MRI (91.3%, 84/92) was improved to 94.6% (87/92) by combining the interpretations of both DWI and DCE-MRI. CONCLUSION: Submucosal linear enhancement under the tumor base on DCE-MRI complements tumor stalk detection on DWI for differentiating stage T1 from stage T2 bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Effect of different drying technologies on drying characteristics and quality of red pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.): a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Hot air drying and sun drying are traditional drying technologies widely used in the drying of agricultural products for a long time, but usually recognized as time-consuming or producing lower-quality products. Infrared drying is a rather effective drying technology that has advantages over traditional drying technologies. Thus, in order to investigate the application of infrared drying in the dehydration of red pepper, the drying characteristics and quality of infrared-dried red pepper were compared with those of sun-dried and hot air-dried red pepper. RESULTS: The infrared drying technology significantly enhanced the drying rate when compared with hot air drying and sun drying. Temperature was the most important factor affecting the moisture transfer during the process of infrared drying as well as hot air drying. Effective moisture diffusivity (Deff ) values of infrared drying ranged from 1.58 × 10(-9) to 3.78 × 10(-9) m(2) s(-1) . The Ea values of infrared drying and hot air drying were 42.67 and 44.48 kJ mol(-1) respectively. Infrared drying and hot air drying produced color loss to a similar extent. Relatively higher crispness values were observed for infrared-dried samples. CONCLUSION: Sun drying produced dried red pepper with the best color when compared with hot air drying and infrared drying. Meanwhile, infrared drying markedly improved the drying rate at the same drying temperature level of hot air drying, and the products obtained had relatively better quality with higher crispness values. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Usefulness of Sonography in Evaluating Children Suspected of Malrotation: Comparison With an Upper Gastrointestinal Contrast Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the value of sonography in working up or ruling out malrotation by 3 sonographic features (inversion of the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein, the whirlpool sign, and an intraperitoneal transverse duodenum) and comparing it with an upper gastrointestinal (GI) contrast study. METHODS: A total of 70 pediatric patients who underwent detailed abdominal sonography to rule out intestinal malrotation were included. Twenty-three of them also underwent an upper GI contrast study. Surgery or clinical follow-up was taken as the reference standard. Statistical analysis was performed with the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had a diagnosis of malrotation by surgical findings. With the combination of all 3 sonographic features, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sonography for determining malrotation were 100% (23 of 23), 97.8% (46 of 47), and 98.6% (69 of 70), respectively, whereas the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the upper GI study were 40% (4 of 10), 64.3% (9 of 14), and 56.5% (13 of 23; P < .001). Combined anomalies in 2 patients and complications in 2 patients were also detected by sonography. CONCLUSIONS: By combining inversion of the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein, the whirlpool sign, and an intraperitoneal transverse duodenum, sonography might be more valuable for accurately working up or ruling out pediatric malrotation than an upper GI contrast study. In addition, sonography could provide extra information, such as combined anomalies and intestinal necrosis, to help management.

Primary Esophageal Extranasal NK/T Cell Lymphoma With Biphasic Morphology: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a case of esophageal extranasal NK/T cell lymphoma with biphasic morphologic features revealed by a deep large piecemeal biopsy. A 40-year-old man present with pharyngalgia, dysphagia, recurrent fever, and 5-kg weight loss for 8 months. Endoscopy demonstrated progressing longitudinal ulcers and mucosal bridges along the esophagus. The first and second biopsies obtained superficial mucosa with scattered bland-looking small lymphocytes. A subsequent large piecemeal snare abscission for biopsy showed atypical lymphoid cells infiltrating into the deep lamina propria and muscularis mucosae, whereas the superficial lamina propria was highly edematous with scant small lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed that both underlying atypical cells and superficial small lymphocytes were neoplastic, sharing an identical immunophenotype: positive for CD2, CD3, CD43, CD8, CD56, TIA-1 and granzyme B. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs were found in both cells. The histologic findings were diagnostic of primary esophageal extranasal NK/T cell lymphoma. However, the patient developed bone marrow depression during chemotherapy and died of massive cerebral hemorrhage after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Primary esophageal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma nasal type is extremely rare. We show the biphasic morphology of this disease, which highlights the importance of deep biopsy for accurate diagnosis.

Multiparametric 3-T MRI for differentiating low-versus high-grade and category T1 versus T2 bladder urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine an optimal multiparametric MRI protocol for characterizing tumors of low versus high grade and differentiating tumors as T1 versus T2 for preoperative staging of bladder urothelial carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty-nine patients underwent MRI within 1 week before surgery. Three image sets-T2-weighted plus diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), T2-weighted plus dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and T2-weighted plus DCEMRI plus DWI-were independently interpreted by two readers at 2-week intervals. ROC curves were plotted for both readers to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the three sets for detrusor muscle invasion for each reader, and the areas under the ROC curve were compared by use of the Bonferroni test. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were correlated with histopathologic grade. RESULTS. A total of 49 category T1 and T2 lesions were analyzed. The average ADC of 11 low-grade tumors (1.141 ± 0.164 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of 20 high-grade malignant tumors (0.766 ± 0.091 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s). Neither reader considered T1 tumors as probably having muscle invasion (category T2) in the T2-weighted plus DWI image sets or the T2-weighted plus DWI plus DCE-MRI image sets. Using the T2-weighted plus DCE-MRI sets, the two readers overstaged 13 and 15 of 36 tumors by misdiagnosing category T1 as T2. With the cutoff ADC value of 0.899 × 10-3 mm(2)/s, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating high- and low-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma were 100% and 95%. CONCLUSION. Multiparametric MRI with T2-weighted plus DWI plus DCE technique is the optimal protocol for preoperative staging of organ-confined bladder urothelial carcinoma. The ADC of low-grade tumors is significantly higher than that of high-grade tumors with 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity at a cutoff ADC value of 0.899 mm(2)/s.

Helicobacter pylori CagA and gastric carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the tyrosine phosphorylation motif (TPM) and 3' region structure of the Helicobacter pylori CagA gene as well as its SHP-2 binding activity in AGS cells and relation to gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: Sixteen clinical isolate H. pylori strains from eight duodenal ulcer and eight gastric adenocarcinoma patients were studied for CagA repeat sequence EPIYA motifs, C-terminal structure, and western blot analysis of CagA protein expression, translocation, and SHP-2 binding in AGS cells. RESULTS: Except for strain 547, all strains from the gastric adenocarcinoma patients were positive for CagA by PCR and had three EPIYA copy motifs. Western blotting showed that all strains were positive for CagA protein expression (100%), CagA protein translocation (100%), and SHP-2 binding (100%). CagA protein expression was significantly higher in the gastric adenocarcinoma patients than in the duodenal ulcer patients (P=0.0023). CagA protein translocation and SHP-2 binding in the gastric adenocarcinoma patients were higher than those in the duodenal ulcer patients, but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P=0.59, P=0.21, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The TPMs and 3' region structures of the H. pylori CagA gene in the duodenal ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma patients have no significant differences.

[Appearance and clinical value of MRI in sinonasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the appearance and clinical value of MRI in the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. METHODS: The clinical, pathological and MRI findings of five patients with pathology proved embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The major clinical symptoms included nasal obstruction (4 cases), exophthalmus (4 cases), decreased eyesight (2 cases), epistaxis (1 case), decreased olfactory sensation (1 case) and restriction of eyeball movement (1 case). All 5 cases involved multi-location. Among them, 4 cases mainly located in the ethmoid sinus, one mainly located in the nasal septum. According to the IRS, 1 case was at stage II, the other 4 cases were at stage III. Compared to the grey matters, on T1 weighted image, the masses were homogenously isointensity in 2 cases, isointensity with patchy hyperintensity in 3 cases. On T2 weighted images, the masses were slightly hyperintensity with patchy hypointensity in 2 cases. Slightly hyperintensity with patchy hyperintensity in 3 cases. All 5 cases were markley heterogeneously enhanced after administration of contrast agents, with patchy of non-enhanced area. Of them, two were grape-like enhanced. Four cases presented with intratumor hemorrhage. Five with bony destruction. All of the 5 cases showed orbits and anterior cranial fossa meningeal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: There are some special MRI findings in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma located in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. MRI can depict the encroachment of the tumor accurately, and may play an important role in clinical staging and in curative effect evaluation.

[Clinical observation on acupuncture for treatment of paralytic strabismus].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture at local points of eye and western medicine on paralytic strabismus. METHODS: One hundred cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group. The acupuncture group (58 cases) was treated with acupuncture at local points of eye, Jingming (BL 1), Tongziliao (GB 1), Shangming (Extra) etc. were selected; and the medication group (42 cases) was treated with oral administration of Methycobal and Vitamin B1. After treatment of 5 courses, the therapeutic effects in the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of 94.8% in the acupuncture group was superior to that of 85.7% in the medication group (P<0.01); the therapeutic effects of the acupuncture group for treatment of oculomotor nerve and abducent nerve were significantly better than that of the medication group (P<0.05); the acupuncture group was better than the medication group in synoptophore examination results and improvement of rima oculi and pupil (P<0.01, P<0.05), the acupuncture group was superior to the medication group in improvement of the function of paralysis eye muscle, including medial rectus and lateral rectus except superior oblique (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture on local points of eye is an effective therapy for paralytic strabismus.

[The quantified analysis of fresh mutton tenderness using PLS methods and Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy].

Ninety eight representative fresh mutton samples from Neimeng, Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang province were selected for this study, the nondestructive measurement of the fresh mutton tenderness by Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was discussed. Partial least squares(PLS) algorithm was used to build the model between the shear force value of the fresh mutton tenderness measured by the texture machine and the FT-NIR spectra. The influence of different processing method of spectra, factors and wave regions on the determination coefficients (r2), root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was studied. The result showed that the shear force value of ninety eight representative fresh mutton samples was 1.673-6.631 kg, and the shear force value above 75% samples was 2-5 kg, almost covering the fresh mutton tenderness of our country's sheep, the r2 of the calibration could reach 86.2% and the RMSECV was up to 0. 445 in the wave number range 11 995-5 446 cm(-1) and 4 601-4 246 cm(-1) with vector normalization when the PLS factors was ten. The correlation coefficient(R), RMSEP and average bias between value measured by the texture machine and predicted value of model based on validation samples were 0.87, 0.524 and 0.385 respectively. The result indicates that FT-NIR spectroscopy is capable of predicting tenderness value of fresh mutton.

[The functional mechanism of CIK cells on ovarian carcinoma cell lines SKOV3/CDDP].

AIM: To investigate the functional mechanism of CIK cells or ovarian carcinoma cell lines SKOV3/CDDP. METHODS: The changes of ultramicrostructure, cell cycle, apoptosis, expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MDR1, Topo-IIbeta) and other molecules (hB7-1, hB7-2, MHCIb, HLA-DR) of SKOV3/CDDP cells treated with or without CIK cells were detected by electron microscope, MTT and FCM. The changes of cytokine (IL-2, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF) in sera of SCID mice bearing SKOV3/CDDP cells were detected by radioimmunit and ELISA. RESULTS: CIK cells could induce apoptosis of the SKOV3/CDDP cells by electronmicroscopic observations. The apoptosis rate in CIK group was 9.07%, and its cell cycle was arrested at S and G2/M phase (P<0.05). Compared with NS Group, the co-expression of MDR-1 and Topo-IIbeta were decreased significantly in the CIK treated group(P<0.05), and the expression of MHCIb, HLA-DR, hB7-1 and hB7-2 antigen were increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with NS Group, the contents of IL-2, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, GM-CSF were increased significantly (P<0.01) in SCID mice of CIK group. CONCLUSION: CIK cells have several important biological effects on the ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3/CDDP, which may lay the foundation for further research on anti-tumor therapy.

Morphological changes of cholinergic nerve fibers in the urinary bladder after establishment of artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats and observe the following distributive changes of neural fibers in the bladder. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, spinal cord injury (SCI) group, and reinnervation group. DiI retrograde tracing was used to verify establishment of the model and to investigate the transport function of the regenerated efferent axons in the new reflex arc. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the DiI-labeled neurons was detected by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of neural fibers in the bladder was observed by acetylcholine esterase staining. RESULTS: DiI-labeled neurons distributed mainly in the left ventral horn from L3 to L5, and some of them were also ChAT-positive. The neural fibers in the bladder detrusor reduced remarkably in the SCI group compared with the control (P < 0.05). After establishment of the somatic-autonomic reflex arc in the reinnervation group, the number of ipsilateral fibers in the bladder increased markedly compared with the SCI group (P < 0.05), though still much less than that in the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The efferent branches of the somatic nerves may grow and replace the parasympathetic preganglionic axons through axonal regeneration. Acetylcholine is still the major neurotransmitter of the new reflex arc. The controllability of detrusor may be promoted when it is reinnervated by the pelvic ganglia efferent somatic motor fibers from the postganglionic axons.

Poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin play an active role in the recovery of spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the role of poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin in promoting the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. Methods Poly-lactic acid (PLA) or agarose was embedded in the space between two stumps of the hemisectioned spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry was used to show astroglia proliferation and the infiltration of RhoA-positive cells. Locomotor activity recovery was evaluated by testing the function of hindlimbs. Results Astroglias and RhoA labeled non-neuronal cells accumulated in the area adjacent to the implant, while the number of RhoA-positive cells was decreased dramatically in the absence of implant. Animals implanted with agarose gelatin recovered more quickly than those with PLA, concomitant with a higher survival rate of the neurons. Conclusion Both PLA and agarose gelatin benefited the recovery of spinal cord after injury by providing a scaffold for astroglia processes. Modulation of the rigidity, pore size and inner structure of PLA and agarose gelatin might make these biodegradable materials more effective in the regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS).