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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare frequencies of natural killer (NK) cell subsets and their surface expression of the NKG2D receptor in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and to determine the correlation between expression of MICA on monocytes and function-associated receptors on the NK cells of PBC patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty patients with PBC and 18 healthy donors were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples anticoagulated with heparin were labeled with the following antibody combinations: anti-CD45/anti-CD14/anti-MICA, antiCD3/anti-CD56/anti-CD16/anti-NKG2D. Frequencies of MICA-positive monocytes, NK cell subsets, and NK cells with surface expression of NKG2D were measured with flow cytometry. Correlation of MICA expression on monocytes with NKG2D expreesion on NK cells was assessed through linear correlation and regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PBC patients had significantly lower percentages of NK cells than the healthy donors (6.8%+/-2.9% vs.16.4%+/-3.4%, P =0.000<0.05). In the PBC patients, the percentage of CD56-positive NK ceils was significantly higher than that of CD16-positive NK cells (4.2%+/-2.8% vs.1.4%+/-0.7%, P=0.003<0.05). The PBC patients also had significantly higher percentage of NKG2D surface expressing CD56-positive NK cells than the healthy donors (79.4%+/-10.2% vs.64.8%+/-10.7%, P=0.000<0.05). The PBC patients and healthy donors showed no statistically significant differences in percentages of NKG2D surface expressing CDl6-positive NK (70.1%+/-12.9% vs.61.1%+/-5.9%, P=0.078>0.05). MICA was seldom detected on normal monocytes (2.6%+/-1.9%), but present for 51.6%+/-16.2% of monoeytes from the PBC patients (P =0.000<0.05). There was a significant difference in frequency of CD14/MICA double-positive monocytes between the healthy donors and PBC patients. No correlation of MICA expression on monocytes with NKG2D expression on NK cells was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PBC patients have lower levels of NK cells in peripheral blood than their healthy counterparts. PBC patients also have higher levels of the CD56+ NK cell subset and cells with surface expression of the activated NKG2D receptor. It appears that PBC patients have a greater level of CD14+MICA+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. NK cells may be affected by the PBC-related monocytes and participate in disease pathogenesis through immune regulation.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Flow Cytometry , Killer Cells, Natural , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily KABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the bacteroides of patients with AIDS and the healthy control by real-time quantitative PCR in order to reveal the role and significance of gut microflora in the AIDS-associated molecular pathogenesis. Methods The feces of the preoperative AIDS patients (n = 30) and the healthy control (n = 30) were collected. According to the sequences of target genes, specific PCR primers were designed. Bacterial genome DNA extracted from fecal samples was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR to analyze the bacterial amounts. Results In the patients with AIDS, the level of B.fragilis (3.23 ± 1.59; 4.05 ± 1.65), B.uniformis (5.69 ± 0.95;6.70 ± 2.18), B.thetaiotaomicron (5.01 ± 1.61; 6.41 ± 2.34), B.ovatus (5.78 ± 1.03; 7.07 ± 1.75), B.distasonis (4.21 ± 1.21; 5.53 ± 2.46) and B.vulgatus (2.92 ± 1.30; 4.48 ± 1.32) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion The amount of fecal bacteroides of AIDS patients are significantly higher than those of the healthy control. These data indicate that the gut microflora of AIDS patients was disordered.
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Objective To analyze the variation of intestinal microflora in patients with colorectal cancer by SYBR GreenⅠreal-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and reveal the role and significance of intestinal microflora in the colorectal cancer-associated molecular pathogenesis.Methods A set of 16S rRNA gene group of species-specific primers for Bifidobacterium spp.,Lactobacillus group,Escherichia coli,and ddl gene-targeted species-specific primers for Enterococcus faecalis and feces Enterococcus were designed.Patients with colorectal cancer(colorectal cancer group,n=30) and healthy volunteers(normal control group,n=30) were included and whose feces were collected to extract bacterial genome DNA.SYBR GreenⅠ real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to analyze the five mentioned bacterial amounts.Results Level of Bifidobacterium spp.(4.52?0.49) and Lactobacillus group(5.46?0.12) in colorectal cancer group were significantly lower than those(9.25?0.83 and 7.45?0.37) of normal control group(P
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diagnosis and surgical techniques of intramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cervical spinal cord.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MR imaging and the methods and results of surgery were analyzed in 21 patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumors were divided into three types on MR imaging. Syringeal type, where the tumor varied in size and was accompanied by syringobulbia and syringomyelia; Cystic type, where the tumor presented as a cyst with a small mural node; and Solid type, where the tumor was revealed as a huge solid mass. All tumors were totally removed and diagnosis was confirmed by histological study. Post-operative neurological status was improved in 20 patients and aggravated in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The localization and the nature diagnosis of the tumor can be made by cervical MR imaging. Operative methods vary with tumor types. It is the most important that the tumor is dissected along the right interface and removed after devascularization.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cervical Vertebrae , Hemangioblastoma , Diagnosis , General Surgery , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Spinal Cord Neoplasms , Diagnosis , General SurgeryABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical features and therapeutic effects of pituitary adenomas in elderly patients. Methods The clinical materials including main clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and outcome of treatments of 49 elderly patients with the pituitary adenomas from 1987 to1998 were analyzed retrospectively. Results It was showed from the data that the average duration of illness was 4 4 years; and 46(93 8%) cases were with visual deterioration, 20 (40 8%) with headache, and 16(32 7%) with endocrine abnormality. The diameter of tumors was more than 3 cm in 25 (51 0%), and the non functioning adenomas were found in 27 (55 1%). Operation was undergone through trans sphenoidal (61 2%), subfrontal (32 7%) and extensive subfrontal extradural approaches(6 1%), respectively. Among the 49 cases, tumor was totally or subtotally removed in 38 cases (77 6%), large partially or partially removed in 11 cases (22 4%). The results of operation through the trans sphenoidal approach were superior to other routes All patients were long term followed up for an average of 50 5 months. Visual disturbances were improved in 27 of 46(58 7%). A total of 43 patients could live by themselves Tumor disappearance was observed in 30 cases and recurrence in five cases. Five cases showed no changes in tumor size. 28 cases underwent radiotherapy after surgery and the occurrence rate of hypopituitarism after radiotherapy turned to be 50%. Total tumor control rate was calculated as 93%. Conclusions Macroadenomas and non functional pituitary adenomas happened most frequently in elderly patients and the main clinical symptoms was visual deterioration. Trans sphenoidal route for microsurgery was believed to be the first choice of operation. Tumor recurrence can be controlled or delayed by postoperative radiotherapy, but severe complication of the visual injury and pituitary dysfunction should be paid much attention.
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Objective To investigate methods for the diagnosis and treatment of primary angitis of central nervous system (PACNS). Methods Radiological and clinical feature, operative resutls of 12 patients with mass lesion presentations of PACNS were analyzed retrospectively. Results The lesions showed low density on CT and long T1 and long T2 signal on MRI. The ring-wall enhanced lesions on MRI were flowery in 7 patients. Gross total resection of the lesions were performed in 10 patients with excellent recovery postoperatively. Growth of lesions were observed in 2 patients who underwent subtotal resection. Conclusions Lesions of PACNS have special appearance on enhanced MRI. More patients with mass lesion presentations of PACNS could be diagnosed preoperatively according to radiological and clinical feature.For these patients, surgery is the optimal treatment at present.