ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical value of Color Doppler Ultrasound in diagnosis of lymph node diseases. Methods We observed the ultrasound features of the 93 cases of swelled lymph nodes with Color Doppler ultrasound. The ultrasound features included pseudokidney sign, assessment on blood flow distribution, the Doppler resistive Index (RI), maximal flow rate (Vmax),the longitudinal axis compared to the diameter of a node (L/D ratio) . Results Out of 93 cases of clinically confirmed swelled lymph nodes,the concordance rate of Color Doppler Ultrasound was 86%and 88%in diagnosis of malignant lymph node disease and benign lymph node disease, respectively. 4 cases of lymph tuberculosis were misdiagnosed as lymphoma due to the similar ultrasound characteristics found in malignant lymph group,the rate of misdiagnosis was 8%. In the cases of proliferative lymph node diseases with Pseudokidney sign, 93% of the blood flow distribution was classified as grade 0-I. 90% of lymphadenitis were found with Pseudokidney sign,and 95%of those cases with blood flow distribution was classified as grade II-III. Malignant lymph diseases had no Pseudokidney sign, and 86%of blood flow distribution grade was as III. There was statistically significant difference in the L/D ratio and RI between benign lymph group and malignant lymph group (P<0.01) . There was statistically significant difference in Vmax between lymphoproliferative group and other groups (P<0.01) . Conclusions Pathological characteristics on different lymph node disease determin the ultrasound characteristics. Combined clinical data based on Pseudokidney sign, Blood Flow Distribution, RI value,Vmax value and L/D ratio can enhance the accuracy of various lymph node disease diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice. Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3, 6, 9 or 12 months). PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot. Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay. The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice, as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs. In addition, we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing. It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs, and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis. Thus, PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.
ABSTRACT
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been shown to be multipotent cells that possess high self-replicating capacity. The purpose of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using enteric neuron-like cells obtained by in vitro induction and differentiated from rat BMSCs for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are neurotrophic factors that play important roles in neuronal development, differentiation, survival and function. Meanwhile, GDNF mutations are a major cause of HD. In this study, BMSCs were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmids co-expressing GDNF and NT-3, and the transfected cells displayed neuron-like changes after differentiation induced by fetal gut culture medium (FGCM). Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expression of the neuronal marker NSE and the enteric neuronal markers PGP9.5, VIP and nNOS. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed the expression of GDNF and NT-3 in transfected BMSCs. The present study indicates that genetically modified BMSCs co-expressing GDNF and NT-3 are able to differentiate into enteric neuronal cells and express enteric nerve markers when induced by FGCM. This study provides an experimental basis for gene therapy to treat enteric nervous system-related disorders, such as HD.