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ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of the frozen and fresh preparations of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUC-MSC） on a rat model of liver cirrhosis after transplantation via the portal vein or the caudal vein. MethodsA total of 70 specific pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group （13 rats fed with ordinary tap water and rat food） and liver cirrhosis model group （57 rats given subcutaneous multi-point injection of mixed carbon tetrachloride/olive oil solution）. At week 8， the growth of rats was observed for both groups， and 3 rats were selected from each group for histopathological examination to confirm the formation of liver cirrhosis. A total of 50 rats were selected from the liver cirrhosis model and were divided into model group， portal vein group+fresh cell preparation group， portal vein+frozen cell preparation group， caudal vein+fresh cell preparation group， and caudal vein+frozen cell preparation group using a random number table， with 10 rats in each group. Fresh or frozen hUC-MSC were transplanted via the portal vein or the caudal vein， and after 4 weeks of administration， the different groups were compared in terms of the changes in liver function parameters and liver fibrosis degree. Continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation， and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsAt week 8 of modeling， the model group showed the formation of pseudolobules of different sizes in the liver and met the diagnostic criteria for liver cirrhosis， with significant increases in the levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBil）， and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） compared with the normal group （all P<0.001）， suggesting that the rat model of liver cirrhosis was established successfully. There were significant differences in the levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP between the five groups （F=232.00， 177.10， 112.30， 121.70， all P<0.001）. Further comparison between two groups showed that the model group had significantly higher levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP than the normal group （all P<0.01）， and the portal vein group+fresh cell preparation group， the portal vein+frozen cell preparation group， the caudal vein+fresh cell preparation group， and the caudal vein+frozen cell preparation group had significantly lower levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP than the model group （all P<0.01）. ConclusionThere are significant improvements in liver function and liver fibrosis degree in a rat model of liver cirrhosis at week 4 after the transplantation of hUC-MSC， and frozen or fresh cell preparation and different transplantation approaches have no significant influence on treatment outcome.
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Objective To investigate the androgen-like effects of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) and its impact on the radiosensitivity of VCaP prostate cancer cells.Methods The hormone levels and weight index of reproductive organs in mice were determined after gavage with CS.Clonogenic assay was performed to determine the impact of CS on the radiosensitivity of VCaP cells.The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5 (3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay,flow cytometry,and tumor xenografts in nude mice were performed to determine the effects of CS on the proliferation of VCaP cells (androgen receptor-positive) and PC-3 cells (androgen receptor-negative) in vitro and in vivo.Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in nude mice were evaluated.Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance or ttest.Results The testosterone level and weight of prostate in mice were significantly higher in the CS group than in the control group ((8.28± 1.94) vs.(2.08± 1.24) ng/ml,P=0.023;(0.53±0.04) vs.(0.31 ± 0.04) mg/g,P =0.006).The radiosensitivity enhancement ratio (ratio of D0 values) was 0.80.The viability of VCaP cells was significantly higher in the CS group than in the control group (1.32 ± 0.07 vs.0.66 ±0.02,P=0.000),and colony forming efficiency was significantly enhanced in the CS group than in the control group (57.0％ ± 1.9％ vs.47.0％ ± 0.6％,P =0.005).VCaP tumor xenografts in nude mice were inclined to grow faster in the CS group than in the control group,and the serum PSA level in the CS group was significantly higher than that in the control group ((0.66 ± 0.04) vs.(0.26 ±0.06) ng/ml,P =0.000).However,CS had no effect on PC-3 cells at the working concentration.Conclusions CS has the androgen-like effects.It may also promote the proliferation and reduce the radiosensitivity of androgen receptor-positive VCaP cells.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe clinical efficacy of using free anterolateral thigh flaps with iliotibial tracts in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints with patellar ligament defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients with skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints and patellar ligament defects were hospitalized from June 2010 to June 2014. The defects of skin and soft tissue ranged from 7 cm × 6 cm to 16 cm × 12 cm in area, and patellar ligament ranged from 5 to 12 cm in length and 2.5 to 4.0 cm in width. Free anterolateral thigh flaps with iliotibial tracts were used to repair these defects. During reconstruction of patellar ligament, both ends of iliotibial tract were successively folded to form tendon-like three-layer structure at first, and then the newly formed structure was wrapped around the broken ends of patellar ligament and fixed with suture. The flap size ranged from 9 cm × 8 cm to 18 cm × 14 cm. The iliotibial tract ranged from 7 to 14 cm in length and 8 to 12 cm in width. The donor sites were closed by grafting with autologous split-thickness skin harvested from thigh or trunk, and parked with gauze. Immediately after operation, the knee joints were fixed in extension with orthosis for 6 weeks. Weight bearing training of affected limbs being kept in extension position was started from 2 weeks after operation, and flexion and extension exercise of affected knee joints was begun from 6 weeks after operation. Before operation and 12 months after operation, the degree of pain around the knee joints and knee joint function were evaluated with the international knee documentation committee knee uation form, and the ranges of flexion and extension of knee joints were also evaluated. The integrity of reconstructed patellar ligament was assessed by color Doppler ultrasound from 6 to 12 months after operation. The occurrence of surgery-related complications was observed in all patients within 12 months after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After operation, all flaps survived well, and all wounds healed well. (2) The average score of pain around the knee joint was increased from 31 points before operation to 77 points in 12 months after operation. The average score of knee joint function was increased from 14 points before operation to 65 points in 12 months after operation. Before operation, the average ranges of flexion and extension of knee joint were respectively 89° and 65°, and they were respectively increased to 130° and decreased to 15° in 12 months after operation. From 6 to 12 months after operation, color Doppler ultrasound showed that the condition of reconstructive patellar ligaments in all patients was good without the need for further surgical intervention; the superficial sensation of the flaps was recovered in different degrees. No surgery-related complication was observed in all patients within 12 months after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Free grafting of anterolateral thigh flap with iliotibial tract is an effective and reliable method for repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints combined with patellar ligament defects, and the surgical procedure can recover function and appearance of knee joint satisfactorily.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Extremities , Fascia Lata , Knee , Knee Joint , Patellar Ligament , General Surgery , Range of Motion, Articular , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Methods , Skin , Skin Transplantation , Surgical Flaps , Thigh , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Objective To explore the significance of using cytologic and RT-PCR methods to examine(peritoneal) washings and peritoneal tissues of gastric cancer patients in prediction of peritoneal micrometastasis.Methods The peritoneal washings of 38 patients with gastric cancer and 5 patients with benign gastric(lesions) were collected and,at the same time,a small amount of omentum and peritoneum were removed for control.CEAmRNA expression of free cells in peritoneal washings were detected by RT-PCR method and(also) cytology of the washings were performed.Results The CEAmRNA expression rate of peritoneal washings and peritoneal tissues were 36.8%(14/38) and 39.5%(15/38)respectively.Both were more(sensitive) than that of cytologic examination 26.3%(10/38).TNM staging,depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis,and serosal involvement were related to the expression rate of CEAmRNA.Conclusions mRNA of CEA is more sensitive and specific than cytologic examination for detecting free cancer cells in peritoneal cavity.It is an effective method for detecting peritoneal micrometastases in gastric cancer patient.