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Objective To investigate the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for limited cutaneous scleroderma (LS) in mouse models. Methods ADSCs were isolated from pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice and LS was induced in wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice via daily injection of bleomycin (0.1 mL × 300 μg/mL) for 4 weeks; then the ADSCs were subcutaneously injected into the dorsal area in the model treatment group, and 100 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution was injected into the same site in the model control group. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to track the cells using an in vivo imaging system on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after transplantation. All mice were sacrificed and histologic analyses were performed after 4 weeks, and the skin thickness, collagen deposition and the total content of hydroxyproline were evaluated. Additionally, immunohistochemistry were performed to compare the tissue expression and distribution of TGF-β1 and VEGF between the ADSCs treatment group and the treatment control group. Results WT C57BL/6 LS mouse model were successfully established and GFP in vivo fluorescence imaging showed that the translated ADSCs survived at the local for at least 4 weeks. Compared with the control group, the ADSCs treatment group significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis, reduced the skin thickness and the total content of hydroxyproline (P < 0.05). The ADSCs treatment group displayed significantly lower levels of TGF-β1 and higher levels of VEGF than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions ADSCs may provide a feasible and practical treatment for autoimmune diseases such as LS and ameliorate dermal fibrosis.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for limited cutaneous scleroderma (LS) in mouse models.@*METHODS@#ADSCs were isolated from pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice and LS was induced in wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice via daily injection of bleomycin (0.1 mL × 300 μg/mL) for 4 weeks; then the ADSCs were subcutaneously injected into the dorsal area in the model treatment group, and 100 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution was injected into the same site in the model control group. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to track the cells using an in vivo imaging system on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after transplantation. All mice were sacrificed and histologic analyses were performed after 4 weeks, and the skin thickness, collagen deposition and the total content of hydroxyproline were evaluated. Additionally, immunohistochemistry were performed to compare the tissue expression and distribution of TGF-β1 and VEGF between the ADSCs treatment group and the treatment control group.@*RESULTS@#WT C57BL/6 LS mouse model were successfully established and GFP in vivo fluorescence imaging showed that the translated ADSCs survived at the local for at least 4 weeks. Compared with the control group, the ADSCs treatment group significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis, reduced the skin thickness and the total content of hydroxyproline (P < 0.05). The ADSCs treatment group displayed significantly lower levels of TGF-β1 and higher levels of VEGF than the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#ADSCs may provide a feasible and practical treatment for autoimmune diseases such as LS and ameliorate dermal fibrosis.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformations with high mortality and morbidity. The prevalence of CHD reported previously ranged from 4 per 1000 live births to 50 per 1000 live births. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to document the prevalence of CHD in Langfang district of Hebei Province, China by analyzing data collected by hospitals located in 11 the counties of the district, as supported by a public health campaign.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 67,718 consecutive 3-month-old infants were included from July 19, 2012 to July 18, 2014. Structural abnormalities were diagnosed based on echocardiography findings, including two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 67,718 infants, 1554 were found to have cardiac structural abnormalities. The total prevalence of CHD was 22.9 per 1000 live births, a value significantly higher than the previously reported prevalence of 8 cases per 1000 live births. The top five most common cardiac abnormalities were as follows: atrial septal defect (ASD, 605 cases, 8.93‰); ventricular septal defect (550 cases, 8.12‰); patent ductus arteriosus (228 cases, 3.37‰); pulmonary stenosis (66 cases, 0.97‰); and tetralogy of Fallot (32 cases, 0.47‰). The CHD prevalence differed by gender in this study ( χ2 = 23.498,P < 0.001), and the majority of ASD cases were females. Regional differences in prevalence were also found ( χ2 = 24.602,P < 0.001); a higher prevalence was found in urban areas (32.2 cases per 1000 live births) than in rural areas (21.1 cases per 1000 live births). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of CHD in preterm versus full-term infants ( χ2 = 133.443,P < 0.001). Prevalence of CHD in infants of maternal aged 35 years or over was significantly higher ( χ2 = 86.917,P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of CHD in Langfang district was within the range reported using echocardiography. Echocardiography can be used to early diagnose the CHD.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , China , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ductus Arteriosus , Pathology , Echocardiography , Heart Defects, Congenital , Pathology , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial , Pathology , Prevalence , Pulmonary Valve Stenosis , Pathology , Tetralogy of Fallot , PathologyABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the relationship between carotid artery plagues and the clinical risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 by observing the ultrasonic characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis plagues.Methods The ultrasound results of carotid arteries in 665 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 from January 2009 to December 2011 in Beijing Amery General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.The location and quantity of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were observed .The relationship between the occurrence and risk factors of diabetes such as hypertension ,family history of diabetes and age were analyzed.Single factor and multi-factor analysis were applied for the related risk factors .Results The ultrasonography showed 405 cases of carotid artery plaques.Most carotid artery plaques were located in the posterior wall of carotid sinus and were hyperechoic ,hypoechoic or isoechoic.The single factor analysis showed hypertension,family history of diabetes and age are risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis (χ2 =42.322,9.682 and 140.658,all P<0.01).Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed age was an independent risk factor of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.The risk factors scores of patients who were less than 45 years,45-65 years and over 65 years of age were (3.50 ±1.16)scores,(3.46 ±0. 92)scores and (3.21 ±0.88)scores,and the difference was statistically significant (F=5.781,P<0.001). There were significant differences between risk factors scores of different age groups ( t =2.084,2.002, 3.786,3.474,2.877 and 2.504,all P<0.05).In patients more than 65 years of age,the risk of atherosclerosis plaques is 28.732 times higher than that of patients less than 45 years of age.After controlling the age factor,the possibility of atherosclerosis plaque increased 1.201 times for each additional one point of score. Conclusions Most carotid artery plaques in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 are located in the posterior wall of carotid sinus and are hyperechoic ,hypoechoic or isoechoic.Age is an independent risk factor for the formation of carotid plaque.Patients more than 45 years of age should undergo early intervention to avoid the occurrence of major vascular complications .
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital heart anomaly and may cause unexplained respiratory symptoms in infants. Since the non-specific respiratory symptoms of PAS may lead to misdiagnosis, the aim of this study was to clarify the clinical and imaging features of this disease for timely diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical histories, physical examinations and imaging studies were retrospectively evaluated in nine infants with PAS. Chest X-ray, echocardiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with 3-dimensional reconstructions were performed in all patients and three of them received surgical treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine cases included six males and three females with a mean age of (4.3 ± 2.8) months ranging from 2 to 11 months old. All patients had respiratory symptoms including recurrent cough, stridor and wheezing. The onset of symptoms was within 3 months in all cases and three children had symptoms only a few days after birth. The chest X-ray showed pneumonia in all cases. Contrast-enhanced CT showed the tracheal compression at different lengths in every case. The echocardiograph findings of PAS were anomalous origins of the left pulmonary artery from the posterior aspect of the right pulmonary artery. Of the 9 cases, 8 cases were diagnosed correctly by echocardiography. Of the complicated abnormalities, there were one with secundum atrial septal defect, one with patent foramen ovale and three with persistent left superior vena cava. None of them were complicated with significant blood dynamic changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, stridor and wheezing, should be examined for the possible presence of congenital pulmonary artery sling. As a noninvasive technique, echocardiography is very helpful and should be the first-choice modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling. Contrast-enhanced CT, clearly demonstrating the anatomy of pulmonary artery sling and the position and extent of trachea compression, is necessary for the final diagnosis and pre-operation evaluation.</p>