International journal of clinical and experimental medicine最新文献

Trabecular bones of different skeletal sites have different bone morphologies. How to select an appropriate volume of region of interest (ROI) to reflect the microarchitecture of trabecular bone in different skeletal sites was an interesting problem. Therefore, in this study, the optimal volumes of ROI within vertebral body and femoral head, and if the relationships between volumes of ROI and microarchitectural parameters were affected by trabecular bone morphology were studied. Within vertebral body and femoral head, different cubic volumes of ROI (from (1 mm)(3) to (20 mm)(3)) were set to compare with control groups(whole volume of trabecular bone). Five microarchitectural parameters (BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, Tb.Sp, and BS/BV) were obtained. Nonlinear curve fitting functions were used to explore the relationships between the microarchitectural parameters and the volumes of ROI. The volumes of ROI could affect the microarchitectural parameters when the volume was smaller than (8 mm)(3) within the vertebral body and smaller than (13 mm)(3) within the femoral head. As the volume increased, the variable tendencies of BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp were different between these two skeletal sites. The curve fitting functions between these two sites were also different. The relationships between volumes of ROI and microarchitectural parameters were affected by the different trabecular bone morphologies within lumbar vertebral body and femoral head. When depicting the microarchitecture of human trabecular bone within lumbar vertebral body and femoral head, the volume of ROI would be larger than (8 mm)(3) and (13 mm)(3).

Objective: We investigated the effect of umbilical cord blood dendritic cells (DCs) on in vitro proliferation, immunophenotypes and levels of homologous cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) and the toxicity on leukemia cells.

Method: Mononuclear cell-induced DC-CIK cells derived from umbilical cord blood were collected and co-cultured in the proportion of 1:5. Cord blood CIK cells or peripheral blood DC-CIK cells were used as control. Phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry; vial cell counting was performed using trypan blue, and the killing activity of effector cells against leukemia cells was measured by MTT assay. The levels of interferon-r (IFN-r), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) were determined by ELISA.

Results: The proliferative capacity of DC-CIK cells was obviously improved compared with cord blood CIK cells and peripheral blood DC-CIK cells (P<0.05, P<0.05). During the co-culture of cord blood DC-CIK cells, the ratios of CD 3 (+) CD 8 (+) and CD 3 (+) CD 56 (+) cells were obviously higher than that of CIK cells under the same conditions (P<0.05). On day 3 of co-culture, the levels of IL-12, IFN-r and TNF-a in cultured supernatant of cord blood DC-CIK cells were all higher than those secreted by CIK cells cultured alone (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.05). When the effector to target ratio was 2.5-20:1, the killing effect of cord blood DC-CIK cells against each subtype of acute leukemia cells was obviously higher than that of CIK cells (P<0.05). No significant differences in killing effect were observed for different subtypes. This finding was consistent with the killing effect of peripheral blood DC-CIK cells against leukemia cells.

Conclusion: Cord blood DCs can enhance the proliferative capacity of homologous CIK cells and its anti-leukemia effect. Though cord blood DC-CIK cells showed a higher proliferative capacity than peripheral blood DC-CIK cells, the two types of DC-CIK cells did not differ significantly in terms of cytoxicity. With a high availability and the low probability of graft rejection reaction, cord blood DC-CIK cells have a brighter prospect for application in immunotherapy.

Purpose: Few studies have investigated the efficacy of silodosin, a recently introduced selective alpha 1-A adrenoceptor antagonist, in medical expulsive therapy (MET) for ureteral calculi. The results of these studies, which all evaluated the efficacy of 8 mg/day, indicate that silodosin is a potential treatment for ureteral calculi. This study investigated the efficacy of 4 mg/day of silodosin for MET of distal ureteral stones 4 to 10 mm in diameter.

Material and method: After 70 patients had been randomized into 2 groups of 35 patients each, both the control and experimental groups (groups 1 and 2, respectively) were advised to take 75 mg/day of diclofenacsodiumas needed for pain relief but only the experimental group to take 4 mg/day of silodosin. After 21 days, the groups were compared regarding the stone expulsion rate and duration, number of renalcolicepisodes, and analgesicdosage.

Results: The median expulsion rates were 71.4% and 91.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and the difference between them was significant (P=0.031). The median expulsion durations were 12.91±6.14 and 8.03±4.99 days, respectively, and the difference between them was significant (P<0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the median number of renal colic episodes or median analgesic dosage. While no patients in group 1 experienced side effects, 5 patients (14%) in group 2 experienced retrograde ejaculation.

Conclusion: These results indicate that 4 mg/day of silodos in facilitates the expulsion of distal ureteral stones 4 to 10 mm in diameter but does not significantly reduce the number of renal colic episodes or analgesic dosage.

Objective: Bacterial translocation (BT) or bacterial DNA (bactDNA) translocation is a critical pathogenesis mechanism of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Studies of BT or bactDNA translocation are limited in humans. Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) can efficiently distinguish bacterial and nonbacterial ascites in ascitic patients. Hepcidin is a useful marker of bacterial infection in the late-onset sepsis. However, the relationship between NGAL, hepcidin and BT was still unclear. In present study, the levels of NGAL, hepcidin and their relationship with BT or bactDNA translocation were investigated.

Material and methods: Weekly doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were given to induce liver cirrhosis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Trypticase (blood) soy agars were used to culture bacteria. BactDNA was sequenced by ABIPRISM 310 automated sequencer. The levels of NGAL and hepcidin were assessed by ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off values and compare the diagnostic performance of NGAL and hepcidin.

Results: 56 cirrhotic and 10 normal rats were included in this study. The levels of both two biomarkers were significantly higher in BT or bactDNA translocation group compared to non-translocation group. The area under ROC curve for the diagnosis of BT was 0.910 for serum NGAL, 0.858 for serum hepcidin and 0.940 for their combination, whereas that for the diagnosis of bactDNA translocation was 0.906 for NGAL, 0.779 for hepcidin and 0.950 for their combination, respectively. The combination of NGAL and hepcidin improved the ability to detect BT or bactDNA presence in MLNs and ascites.

Conclusion: BT and the presence of bactDNA in MLNs were observed in a rat cirrhotic model. Serum NGAL and hepcidin can serve as sensitive and specific tests for diagnosis of BT or bactDNA translocation. NGAL in combination with hepcidin can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Curcumae Radix (CR) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (GR) extracts have been used as health supplements in traditional medicine. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of combined CR and GR extracts (CR+GR) on metabolic complications related menopausal symptoms. We found a significant results that CR+GR extracted using ethanol stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells in estrogen activity and was attenuated in lipid deposition of HepG2 cells treated with MβCD compared to CR and GR treatments each. To investigate the situation, an experimental menopause rat model with dyslipidemia was induced by surgical bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and high fat high cholesterol (HFHC) diet in female rats. OVX rats fed HFHC (OVX-HFHC) showed a shift in weight gain, elevated serum cholesterol, altered liver enzymatic parameters and enhanced liver injury compared to the NC and HFHC groups. However, administration of CR+GR, in particular 200 or 450 mg/kg/day, inhibited the increase in body weight gain and lipid metabolic disturbances, lowering total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to the OVX-HFHC group. Furthermore, CR+GR (200 or 450 mg/kg/day) ameliorated the serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) compared to the OVX-HFHC group. Moreover, CR+GR (200 or 450 mg/kg/day) attenuated not only hepatic steatosis but also larger adipocytes. Our study demonstrated that combined treatment with CR and GR attenuated metabolic complications induced by OVX and HFHC diet, suggesting that this effect may regulate and prevent the acceleration of cardiovascular disease (CVD) after menopause.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychotic therapy on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with anxiety-depression disorder by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and modified British Medical research Council (mMRC). Thirty-five patients with COPD were evaluated by pulmonary physicians with CAT and mMRC. They were further evaluated with HAMD and HAMA by psychologists and diagnosed and grouped into group B and D according to the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) version 2014. Patients were given psychotic therapy and followed up for at least 1 month. Comparison and analysis were performed with clinical data before and after treatment. Fourteen patients were subscribed into B group, while 21 patients were subscribed into D group, accounting for 40% and 60% respectively. After psychotic therapy, the HAMA and MAMD score of patients in both groups improved significantly (P<0.05). The CAT and Mmrc score of 8 patients in B group improved as A, while 10 patients in D group improved as B. The longest follow-up was 12 months. Symptoms were significantly alleviated after combined respiratory and psychotic therapy. COPD complicated with anxiety-depression is of high prevalence. The psychosomatic problems usually aggravate respiratory symptoms. Make better use of the evaluation methods such as HAMA, HAMA, CAT, mMRC may facilitate the treatment for patients.

Background: CIP2A is a recently characterized oncoprotein which involves in the progression of several human malignancies. CIP2A is overexpressed in human ovarian cancer and regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study was performed to investigate the role of CIP2A in ovarian cancer (OC) chemoresistance.

Methods: Using DDP-resistant SKOV3 cells (SKOV3(DDP)), we first determined the effect of CIP2A silencing by siRNA-mediated knockdown of CIP2A on chemosensitivity in vitro; we then determined the effect of pCDNA3.1-mediated overexpression of CIP2A on chemosensitivity in SKOV3 cells in vitro. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CIP2A-mediated chemoresistance, the activities of AKT signaling molecules associated with CIP2A were analyzed.

Results: Knockdown of endogenous CIP2A in SKOV3(DDP) cells resulted in the reduction in cell growth and increase in the chemosensitivity of SKOV3(DDP) cells to DDP in vitro, which may be caused by CIP2A-induced AKT activity inhibition. Notably, CIP2A overexpression could significantly decrease the sensitivities of SKOV3 cells to cisplatin, which might be ascribed to CIP2A-induced activation of the AKT pathway.

Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that CIP2A contributes to cisplatin resistance in OC. Thus, CIP2A is a potential therapeutic target for OC.

Aims: The present study aimed to perform in vitro experiments to investigate whether Galectin-3 (Gal-3) mediates the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) proliferation, apoptosis and migration, and to reveal the mechanism of how Gal-3 functions in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods: Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were treated with various concentration of PDGF for indicated times, and the expression of Gal-3 was analyzed by western blotting. Gal-3 siRNA was transfected into the PASMC to knock down endogenous Gal-3. MTT assay was performed to examine cell proliferation. Transwell-migration assay was used to determine cell migration ability. Cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometric analysis.

Results: The result showed that the expression of Gal-3 protein was induced by PDGF in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. PDGF contributes to the progression of PAH by inducing cell proliferation and migration, as well as inhibiting cell apoptosis of PASMC. However, these effects of PDGF on PASMC were attenuated by Gal-3 knockdown.

Conclusion: The present study provided potential evidence about the role of Gal-3 in the pathophysiological mechanisms of PAH. This study firstly demonstrated that Gal-3 could be induced by PDGF in PASMC, and mediates the effect of PDGF on PASMC proliferation, apoptosis and migration, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of PAH.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health problem in global. Benefit from different care unit for various type of CAD is remaining unknown. We investigate if coronary care unit (CCU) reduces the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Method: 806 CAD patients including stable angina (SA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who treated in department of cardiology were involved in the study as two groups. Each group involved two subgroups according to the therapy unit including CCU and normal unit. 12-48 months follow-up was carried out. The primary end point was all cause mortality.

Results: For SA, death from any cause occurred in 1.0% of the patients in the normal group (1 of 108), as compared with 5.1% in the CCU group (3 of 59) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.164; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.017 to 1.580; P=0.118). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the two subgroups with respect to the risk of death (P=0.074), revascularization (P=0.660), stroke (P=0.497), heart failure (P=0.658) and hemorrhage (P=0.096). For ACS, death occurred in 1.9% of the patients in the normal subgroup (5 of 267), as compared with 1.3% in the CCU subgroup (5 of 372) (HR, 1.403; 95% CI, 0.406-4.846; P=0.593). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the two subgroups with respect to the risk of death (P=0.591), revascularization (P=0.996), stroke (P=0.425), heart failure (P=0.625).

Conclusion: CAD patients treated in CCU obtain little benefits compared with normal.

Keloids are benign skin tumors characterized by collagen accumulation and hyperproliferation of fibroblasts. The receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) was involved in liver fibrosis. However, the role of RACK1 in dermal fibrosis keloids is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of RACK1 on keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced collagen expression and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that RACK1 was decreased in KFs, overexpression of RACK1 significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced KFs proliferation. RACK1 also obviously inhibited the expression of TGF-β1-induced TGF-β receptor I, II, type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human KFs. In addition, RACK1 suppressed the expression of TGF-β1-induced Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation in human KFs. Taken together, our study suggested that RACK1 inhibits collagen synthesis in KFs via inhibition the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, and RACK1 is a potential target for treatment of the keloid disease.