ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical features and imaging features of CT in the omental torsion, and in order to reduce the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis rate of imaging features. MethodsThe data of 16 cases of omental torsion (secondary 15 cases, primary 1 case) and 286 cases of acute appendicitis (eliminated the subhepatic and retroperitoneal ectopic appendix) in our hospital from 1998 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsEleven cases of omental torsion suffered from the shifting pain in right lower quadrant. No obvious shifting abdominal pain was observed in other 4 cases whose main manifestations were abdominal tenderness and rebound tenderness around umbilicus. The patient of the remaining 1 case had enclosed mass in the area of left groin with pain and suffered from continuous periumbilical pain. Abdominal spiral CT examination was performed in 16 patients before operation. Increased signal intensity of globular soft tissue, which deviating from McBurney's point, was found at level of distal umbilicus by preoperative spiral CT in 13 cases. One case of omental torsion associated with ncarcerated inguinal hernia was missed. ConclusionsOmental torsion manifests chiefly shifting pain in right lower quadrant, abdominal tenderness, and rebound tenderness around umbilicus. It is easily confused with appendicitis. Abdominal spiral CT should be chosen as a preferred means in preoperative diagnosis of omental torsion.
The performance of a pulse oximeter based on photoelectric detection is greatly affected by motion noise (MA) in the photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal. This paper presents an algorithm for detecting motion oxygen saturation, which reconstructs a motion noise reference signal using ensemble of complete adaptive noise and empirical mode decomposition combined with multi-scale permutation entropy, and eliminates MA in the PPG signal using a convex combination least mean square adaptive filters to calculate dynamic oxygen saturation. The test results show that, under simulated walking and jogging conditions, the mean absolute error (MAE) of oxygen saturation estimated by the proposed algorithm and the reference oxygen saturation are 0.05 and 0.07, respectively, with means absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 0.05% and 0.07%, respectively. The overall Pearson correlation coefficient reaches 0.971 2. The proposed scheme effectively reduces motion artifacts in the corrupted PPG signal and is expected to be applied in portable photoelectric pulse oximeters to improve the accuracy of dynamic oxygen saturation measurement.
Objective To investigate the changes of respiratory mechanics in response to elevated respiratory central drive and their impacts on the inspiratory signals detection.Methods 10 normal volunteers were recruited for the study from the colleagues of the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease. Rebreathing method was used to increase the end expiratory PCO2 ( PCO2 -ET) to the subject’s maximal tolerance in order to stimulate the increase of respiratory central drive. The changes of respiratory mechanics in response to elevated respiratory central drive and their impacts on the initiation signals of inspiration were observed.Results After re-breathing, the average maximal tolerated PCO2 -ET was ( 81. 2 ±6. 6) mm Hg. As the PCO2 -ET rising, electromyogram of diaphragmatic muscle ( RMSdi ) ,transdiaphragmatic pressure ( Pdi ) and tidal volume ( VT ) increased progressively while the time of respiratory cycle ( Ttot ) shorten gradually. As the PCO2 -ETlevel increased frombaseline [ PCO2 -ET( level-0) ] to the maximal level [ PCO2 -ET( level-4) ] , RMSdi increased from( 17. 17 ±12. 41) μV to ( 147. 99 ±161. 64) μV,Pdi and VT increased from ( 7. 5 ±1. 7) cmH2O and ( 0. 68 ±0. 27) L to ( 26. 13 ±11. 51) cm H2O and ( 2. 21 ±0. 37) L respectively, while Ttot shorten from ( 2. 91 ±0. 85) s to ( 1. 92 ±0. 39) s. These four parameters of respiratory mechanics, RMSdi, Pdi, VT and Ttot, were highly correlated linearly with PCO2 -ET ( r value was 0. 956, 0. 973,0. 956 and 0. 89 respectively, all P lt;0. 001) . At the start of inspiration, the first detectable signal was electromyogramof diaphragmatic muscle ( RMSdi) , followed by mouth pressure ( Pm)and inspiratory flow ( Flow) on time sequence. As the rising of PCO2 -ET, the time lag of Pmand Flow from RMSdi after the initiation of inspiration increased gradually. However, the time lag between Flow and Pm remained constant. Conclusions At the start of inspiration, the signal of RMSdi appears first as compared with Pm and Flow. As the rising of PCO2 -ET, the time lag of Pmand Flow fromRMSdi after the initiation of inspiration increased gradually, suggesting RMSdi is more sensitive inspiratory signal, which might be used for triggering of ventilator in order to improve the synchronization, especially in the situation of elevated respiratory central drive.
Stem cells are crucial for embryonic development and in the maintenance of adult cellular homeostasis. Understanding the regulatory network of stem cells, including embryonic and adult stem cells, will allow us to learn the pathogenesis and possibly design novel approaches to treat many diseases (such as cancer and degeneration). The retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway controls cellular proliferation, differentiation and death. More and more evidences support an important role of Rb activity in the biology of stem and progenitor cells. Transiently inactivating Rb pathway might favor the expanding of functional stem cell populations, thus have values in the future stem cell applications.
Objective To evaluate the effect of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in the process of retinal neovascularization induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Methods The ILK activities of retinal choriodal endothelial cell line RF/6A were inhibited by LY294002 or siRNA knockdown. VEGF-induced changes of cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and endothelial cell tube-formation were measured then. The in-vivo effects of ILK were also assessed by intraperitoneal injection of LY294002 into an animal model of RNV. Results The cell adhesion measurements of control group, VEGF group, VEGF＋LY294002 group and VEGF＋siRNA group were 0.0726plusmn;0.01961, 0.1137plusmn;0.02631, 0.0837plusmn;0.01503 and 0.0853plusmn;0.02454 , respectively. The difference was statistically significant between VEGF group and control group（t =4.211，Plt;0.01）, and between (VEGF＋LY294002) group or (VEGF＋siRNA) group and control group (t =3.074, 2.91，Plt;0.01). The cell proliferation results of control group, VEGF group and VEGF＋LY294002 group were 0.4162plusmn;0.1392, 0.6412plusmn;0.2420, 0.4476plusmn;0.1834 , respectively. The difference was statistically significant between VEGF group and control group（t=2.608，Plt;0.05）, and between (VEGF＋LY294002) group and VEGF group（t=2.244，Plt;0.05）.The cell migration results of control group, VEGF group and VEGF＋LY294002 group were 83.66plusmn;30.283, 248plusmn;74.748, 138.5plusmn;38.167, respectively. The difference was statistically significant between VEGF group and control group（t=5.436，Plt;0.01）, and between (VEGF＋LY294002) group and VEGF group（t=3.682，Plt;0.01）. There was no obvious tube-formation after ILK activity was inhibited or knocked down. The non-perfusion areas were increased from （62798plusmn;16995.62）mu;m2 to （84722.65plusmn;10435.01）mu;m2 after intraperitoneal injection of LY294002 into animal model of RNV, the difference was statistically significant（t=3.476，Plt;0.01）. Conclusions ILK may play an important role in the process of VEGF-induced retinal neovascularization by regulating the cellular adhesion, proliferation, migration and tube-formation, as all those cellular functions were supressed obviously after the ILK activity was inhibited by LY294002 or the ILK expression was knocked down by siRNA.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the apoptosis induced by TGF-β1 in human hepatic carcinoma cell lines and its relationship with p53 gene and Smad. Methods Three human hepatic carcinoma cell lines which involving in various status of the p53 gene were used in this study. TGF-β1-induced apoptosis in hepatic carcinoma cell lines was measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. To study the mechanism of TGF-β1-induced apoptosis, these cell lines were transfected with a TGF-β1-inducible luciferase reporter plasmid containing Smad 4 binding elements (SBE) and luciferase gene using Lipofectamine 2000, then treated with TGF-β1, relative luciferase activity was assayed. Results Of three cell lines studied with TUNEL assay, TGF-β1 induced apoptosis was observed in HepG2 cells (wild type p53). Huh-7 (mutant p53) and Hep3B (deleted p53) cell lines showed less apoptosis. Luciferase activity assay indicated that the response to TGF-β1 induction in HepG2 cells was increased dramatically but was not significant in Huh-7 and Hep3B cell lines. Conclusion HepG2 cells seem to be highly susceptible to TGF-β1-induced apoptosis compared with Hep3B and Huh7 cell lines. Smad 4 is a central mediator of the TGF-β1 signal transduction pathway.
ObjectiveTo observe whether interleukin-27 (IL-27) intervention could diminish allergic airway inflammation of mouse asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and to investigate the related molecular mechanisms. MethodsSixty female C57/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups, a control group, an asthma group, two IL-27 prevention groups and two IL-27 treatment groups. Based on being sensitized and challenged with OVA in the asthma model, two kinds of IL-27 intervention asthma models were set up, one of which was low-dose multiple prevention model, the other was high-dose few times treatment model. HE stain and inflammation score were done for the lungs. CD4+ T cells were purified from mice spleen and cultured under Th2 medium with/without IL-27. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) was measured by ELISA. CD4+ T cells were cultured under different stringent Th2 medium and stimulated by IL-27. The level of total signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) protein and phos-STAT1 were tested by Western blot. ResultsIn low-dose multiple prevention group, IL-27 inhibited inflammation around bronchial and vascular obviously, the inflammation score was lower than the asthma group (P < 0.05), while the treatment group had no obvious statistical significance (P > 0.05). IL-27 repressed Th2 differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells which was independent of interferon-γand IL-10. This effect was via STAT1 signaling pathway. CD4+ T cells from asthma mice or cultured under high-IL-4 inducing medium were found impairment of STAT1 phosphorylation. ConclusionsIL-27 could inhibit Th2 differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells, but not in already committed Th2-CD4+ T cells. The inhibition effect of IL-27 for airway inflammation is obvious in prevention group, while the treatment group shows obviously resistance to inhibitory effect of IL-27. Already committed Th2-CD4+ T cells existed in asthma airway might be the reason for IL-27 resistance.
Objective To investigate the activation and role of signal transduction pathway of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Human RPE cells were stimulated with 0.1%，10% foetal calfserum (FCS) and EGF(0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml)in 0.1% FCS Dulbeco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) and in 10% FCS DMEM for 3 days, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization were used to observe the expressions of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA，respectively. Activation of MAPK was detected by immunohistochemical method with specific anti-phosphorylated ERK 1/2 antibody. Results The optimal concentrations of EGF were 10 ng/ml in 0.1% FCS DMEM and 1 ng/ml in 10% FCS DMEM. After 3 days of stimulation with EGF, phosphorylated ERK 1/2 staining was detectable in nucleus of RPE cells, whereas cells presented immunostaining for phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in the cytoplasm before stimulation. Conclusions EGF may improve the expression of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA of RPE cells, and induced MAPK nuclear translocation in a concentration-dependent manner. EGF-EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway may play a key role in RPE cells proliferation, and serum exerts an important acceclerating function in the process. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：67-132)
To summarize Notch, basic hel ix-loop-hel ix (bHLH) and Wnt gene signal transduction pathways in the process of differentiation and development of neural stem cells. Methods The l iterature on the gene signal transduction pathway in the process of differentiation and development of neural stem cells was searched and then summarized and analyzed. Results The formation of Nervous System resulted from common actions of multi-signal transduction pathways. There may exist a fixed threshold in the compl icated selective system among Notch, bHLH and Wnt gene signal transduction pathways. Conclusion At present, the specific gene signal transduction pathway of multi pl ication and differentiation of neural stem cells is still unclear.
Objective To investigate the expression of ectodysplasin (EDA) genesignaling and its relationship with the development and regeneration of sweat glands. Methods The articles concerned in the latest years wereextensively reviewed. Results EDA gene is an important signaling pathway associated with the developmental procedure of sweat glands in early fetal stage. Abnormality or depletion of function in sweat glands partially owed to the defect of EDA gene. Conclusion EDA signaling has its biological significance in inducing development and morphogenesis of sweat glands and in maintaining physiological function of skin. It could be a new approach to repair or regenerate the sweat glands for clinical therapy by regulating the expression of EDA gene.