Acute Cellular Rejection with CD20-Positive Lymphoid Clusters in Kidney Transplant Patients Following Lymphocyte Depletion

Lymphoid clusters (LC) containing CD20-positive B cells in kidney allografts undergoing acute cellular rejection (ACR) have been identified in small studies as a prognostic factor for glucocorticoid resistance and graft loss. Allograft biopsies obtained during the first episode of ACR in 120 recipients were evaluated for LC, immunostained with CD20 antibody, and correlated with conventional histopathologic criteria, response to treatment and outcome. LC were found in 71 (59%) of the 120 biopsies. All contained CD20 positive B cells that accounted for 5-90% of the LC leukocyte content. The incidence of LC was highest in the patients who had no lymphoid depletion or had been treated with Thymoglobulin preconditioning (79% vs. 75%, respectively) compared to 37% in patients pretreated with Campath (p = 0.0001). Banff 1a/1b ACR were more frequent in the LC-positive than the LC-negative group (96% vs. 80%, respectively; p = 0.0051). With a posttransplant follow-up of 953 +/- 430 days, no significant differences were detected between LC-postitive and LC-negative groups in time to ACR, steroid resistance, serum creatinine and graft loss. CD20+LC did not portend glucocorticoid resistance or worse short to medium term outcomes. CD20+LC may represent a heterogenous collection in which there may be a small still to be fully defined unfavorable subgroup.     

PFT-α对结肠上皮细胞凋亡和周期的影响及机制探讨

目的探讨p53抑制剂（p-fifty three inhibitor—alpha，PFT-α）对结肠上皮细胞凋亡、周期的影响及机制。研究PFT-α对热化疗损伤结肠上皮细胞的影响。方法顺铂联合温热处理原代培养结肠七皮细胞30min，对比加入不同浓度PFT-α后，Annexin V—FITC／PI染色，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡。PI染色检测细胞周期。Western blot检测结肠上皮细胞Cyclin B1和Cdc2（Tyr15）表达。结果不同浓度PFT-α作用于热化疗处理的结肠上皮细胞后，细胞凋亡率下降且呈剂量依赖性。流式细胞仪细胞周期分析显示在运用PFT-α后，结肠上皮细胞的G2／M延长，CyclinB1和Cde2（Tyr15）蛋白表达随PFT—α的剂量升高而逐渐增强。结论PFT-α可能通过促进CyclinB1蛋白表达，Cde2（Tyr15）磷酸化水平升高，降低CyclinB1／Cde2活性，细胞停滞于G2／M期，减轻热化疗对结肠上皮细胞的损伤。     

癌胚抗原DNA疫苗对大肠癌特异性细胞免疫的激活效果

目的检测以质粒pIRES为载体构建的带有全序列癌胚抗原(CEA)基因的核苷酸疫苗对机体特异性抗肿瘤免疫反应的激活效果。方法将CEA基因片段连接于真核表达质粒pIRES中,用肌肉注射方法接种核酸疫苗;检测CEA在小鼠肌肉组织中的表达情况及其对小鼠脾细胞CEA特异性细胞免疫反应的激活效果。结果小鼠经肌肉注射质粒后,免疫组化证实该核酸疫苗可在体内有效表达CEA;分子免疫检测显示注射后小鼠特异性淋巴细胞增值反应明显并且伴有自然杀伤细胞NK活性显著增高。结论实验所构建的核酸疫苗pIRESCEA可在体外及小鼠体内高效表达并表现出良好的细胞免疫原性。     

Enhanced chondrogenesis and Wnt signaling in PTH-treated fractures.

Studies have shown that systemic PTH treatment enhanced the rate of bone repair in rodent models. However, the mechanisms through which PTH affects bone repair have not been elucidated. In these studies we show that PTH primarily enhanced the earliest stages of endochondral bone repair by increasing chondrocyte recruitment and rate of differentiation. In coordination with these cellular events, we observed an increased level of canonical Wnt-signaling in PTH-treated bones at multiple time-points across the time-course of fracture repair, supporting the conclusion that PTH responses are at least in part mediated through Wnt signaling. INTRODUCTION: Since FDA approval of PTH [PTH(1-34); Forteo] as a treatment for osteoporosis, there has been interest in its use in other musculoskeletal conditions. Fracture repair is one area in which PTH may have a significant clinical impact. Multiple animal studies have shown that systemic PTH treatment of healing fractures increased both callus volume and return of mechanical competence in models of fracture healing. Whereas the potential for PTH has been established, the mechanism(s) by which PTH produces these effects remain elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Closed femoral fractures were generated in 8-wk-old male C57Bl/6 mice followed by daily systemic injections of either saline (control) or 30 microg/kg PTH(1-34) for 14 days after fracture. Bones were harvested at days 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 after fracture and analyzed at the tissue level by radiography and histomorphometry and at the molecular and biochemical levels level by RNase protection assay (RPA), real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Quantitative muCT analysis showed that PTH treatment induced a larger callus cross-sectional area, length, and total volume compared with controls. Molecular analysis of the expression of extracellular matrix genes associated with chondrogenesis and osteogenesis showed that PTH treated fractures displayed a 3-fold greater increase in chondrogenesis relative to osteogenesis over the course of the repair process. In addition, chondrocyte hypertrophy occurred earlier in the PTH-treated callus tissues. Analysis of the expression of potential mediators of PTH actions showed that PTH treatment significantly induced the expression of Wnts 4, 5a, 5b, and 10b and increased levels of unphosphorylated, nuclear localized beta-catenin protein, a central feature of canonical Wnt signaling. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that the PTH-mediated enhancement of fracture repair is primarily associated with an amplification of chondrocyte recruitment and maturation in the early fracture callus. Associated with these cellular effects, we observed an increase in canonical Wnt signaling supporting the conclusion that PTH effects on bone repair are mediated at least in part through the activation of Wnt-signaling pathways.     

输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石治疗输尿管结石失败原因探讨(附36例报告)

目的:探讨输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石(URSL)治疗输尿管结石失败原因及防治措施.方法:回顾分析36例气压弹道碎石治疗输尿管结石手术失败的临床资料.结果:17例手术中结石移位进入肾盂,无法碎石;8例因输尿管走行迂曲或输尿管狭窄置镜未成功;5例因局部出血或引流不畅导致视野不清终止手术;6例因输尿管穿孔而改开放手术.结论:结石移位、输尿管走行迂曲或狭窄、术中视野不清、输尿管穿孔是手术失败的主要原因.合理选择病例,保持液适当的灌注速度和压力,保持视野的清晰和在直视下推进输尿管镜是手术成功的关键.     

P17 Pharmacology in the integrated course ＂Basic Medical Sciences＂ in Zhejiang University School of Medicine

According to traditional teaching mode, the courses in preclinical medicine including pharmacology are separately run. This mode causes a series of disadvantages including loose connection between knowledge in different disciplines and weak ability to bridge basic preclinical knowledge and clinical practice. In order to overcome the disadvantages and promote the teaching efficiency, we constructed a new integrated course-Course of Basic Medical Sciences, which includes 6 traditional courses, anatomy, histology and embryology, physiology, pathology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. We integrated these courses based on the human organ systems and according to the principle-＂ From macro to micro, From morphological to functional, From normal to abnormal and From disease to drug therapy＂ and published the series of textbook in 2004. The contents of pharmacology are taught just after pathology and pathophysiology in every organ system. In comparison with the traditional teaching mode, teachers of pharmacology need not spend a lot of time to review preceding knowledge of anatomy and histology, physiology, pathophysiology and pathology. This is helpful in saving time and improving the teaching efficiency.     

Unplanned splenectomy during oesophagectomy does not affect survival.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited and conflicting data available concerning the incidence of inadvertent splenectomy and its impact on the outcome in patients who have undergone oesophagectomy. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with a likelihood of inadvertent splenectomy and its influence on early and long-term outcome in patients having oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma. METHODS: A consecutive series of 738 oesophagectomies performed between 1991 and 2004 was analysed. In our practice, the spleen was removed only if damaged intraoperatively. Routine chemo- and immunoprophylaxis would subsequently be used. Multivariate analysis with logistic and Cox models determined significant variables. RESULTS: Of the 738 oesophagectomies, 48 (6.5%) had splenectomy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to a minority of patients; none subsequently had splenectomy. There were significant differences between types of operation (Ivor-Lewis 18 (9.0%), left thoracolaparotomy 14 (9.9%) and left thoracophrenotomy 15 (3.9%), p=0.01). Splenectomy was more common with advanced N stage disease (OR=0.44 [0.20-0.95]; p=0.04). Splenectomy resulted in more blood transfusions (median, 2 units vs 0 units; p=0.03) more anastomotic leaks (7 [14.6%] vs 42 [6.1%]; p=0.02) but not an increase in pulmonary complications (p=0.64) or in-hospital mortality (1 [4.6%] vs 37 [5.4%]; p=0.30). Splenectomy did not significantly affect median survival (551 [332-770] days vs 627 [554-700] days; p=0.63). CONCLUSION: Although inadvertent splenectomy increased the morbidity of oesophagectomy, it did not impair survival. Type of operation and advanced N stage are important risks for splenectomy. Though best avoided, most of the consequences of splenectomy can be managed. An unexpected relationship between splenectomy and anastomotic leaks needs further investigation.     

Structural white matter abnormalities in patients with idiopathic dystonia

We investigated whether structural white matter abnormalities, in the form of disruption of axonal coherence and integrity as measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), constitute an underlying pathological mechanism of idiopathic dystonia (ID), independent of genotype status. We studied seven subjects with ID: all had cervical dystonia as their main symptom (one patient also had spasmodic dysphonia and two patients had concurrent generalized dystonia, both DYT1‐negative). We compared DTI MR images of patients with 10 controls, evaluating differences in mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA). ID was associated with increased FA values in the thalamus and adjacent white matter, and in the white matter underlying the middle frontal gyrus. ID was also associated with increase in MD in adjacent white matter to the pallidum and putamen bilaterally, left caudate, and in subcortical hemispheric regions, including the postcentral gyrus. Abnormal FA and MD in patients with ID indicate that abnormal axonal coherence and integrity contribute to the pathophysiology of dystonia. These findings suggest that ID is not only a functional disorder, but also associated with structural brain changes. Impaired connectivity and disrupted flow of information may contribute to the impairment of motor planning and regulation in dystonia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society