Contrast behavior and relaxation effects of conventional and hyperecho-turbo spin echo sequences at 1.5 and 3 T.

To overcome specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations of spin-echo-based MR imaging techniques, especially at (ultra) high fields, rapid acquisition relaxation enhancement/TSE (turbo spin echo)/fast spin echo sequences in combination with constant or variable low flip angles such as hyperechoes and TRAPS (hyperTSE) have been introduced. Due to the multiple spin echo and stimulated echo pathways involved in the signal formation, the contrast behavior of such sequences depends on both T2 and T1 relaxation times. In this work, constant and various variable flip angle sequences were analyzed in a volunteer study. It is demonstrated that a single effective echo time parameter TE(eff) can be calculated that accurately describes the overall T2 weighted image contrast. TE(eff) can be determined by means of the extended phase graph concept and is practically independent of field strength. Using the described formalism, the contrast of any TSE sequence can be predicted. HyperTSE sequences are demonstrated to show a robust and well-defined T2 contrast allowing clinical routine MRI to be performed with SAR reductions of typically at least 70%.     

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a rational design of hypoallergen candidates for immunotherapy by using structural information and knowledge of B and T cell epitopes of an allergen. METHODS: The three-dimensional structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was systematically altered by duplication of selected T cell epitopes and disruption of disulphide bonds. Seven Fel d 1 derivatives were generated and screened for allergenic reactivity in comparison with recombinant Fel d 1 in competition-ELISA. The allergenicity was further evaluated in basophil activation experiments and T cell reactivity was assessed in a lymphoproliferation assay. RESULTS: Three out of seven Fel d 1 derivatives, with two duplicated T cell epitopes and one or two disulphide bonds disrupted, were carefully evaluated. The three derivatives displayed a strong reduction in allergenicity with 400-900 times lower IgE-binding capacity than recombinant Fel d 1. In addition, they induced a lower degree of basophil activation and similar or stronger T cell proliferation than recombinant Fel d 1. CONCLUSION: By a rational approach, we have constructed three Fel d 1 hypoallergens with reduced IgE-binding capacities and retained T cell reactivities. This strategy may be applied to any well-characterized allergen to improve immunotherapy for allergic patients.     

Multi-parameter prediction of HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Objective To predict the HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods By using 3 epitope prediction databases which including MHC binder ( BIMAS and SYFPEITHI databases) and proteasome cutting site ( PAProC databases), the epitopes of PCNA were predicted by analyzing several parameters and methods. Results After comprehensive analysis,we have obtained two possible HLA-A0201 restricted CTL epitopes SMSAD-VPLV (228-236, score 447 633. 595 ) and LINEACWDI ( 22-28, score 127 966.779);two HLA-A24 re-stricted CTL epitopos DYEMKLMDL ( 113-121, score 563 994.9 ) and EFARICRDL ( 143-151, score 40 540.7);two HLA-A1101 restricted CTL epitopes LTSMSKILK (72-80, score 1334. 2680 ) and DVPLV-VEYK (232-240,score 736.9236). Conclusion The multi-parameter epitope prediction method is feasi-ble for cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope prediction.     

脂肪来源间充质干细胞对大鼠肝移植的免疫调节作用

目的探讨大鼠脂肪来源间充质干细胞(MSC)对大鼠肝移植术后急性排斥反应的作用。方法分离、培养SD大鼠MSC,体外混合淋巴细胞培养(MLC)体系中,研究MSC对Wistar大鼠T细胞增殖的抑制作用。以SD与Wistar大鼠为供受体建立肝移植模型。随机分为MSC处理组与空白对照组,术后第7天检测肝功能、血清白细胞介素(IL)-2和白细胞介素(IL)-10水平、肝组织病理形态及肝细胞凋亡。结果体外MLC中,Wistar大鼠T细胞增殖明显受抑,抑制率为48.44%。实验组血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)、IL-2、IL-10分别为(134.2±45.0)、(162.5±30.5)U/L、(30.6±5.4)μmol/L、(187.35±18.26)、(193.95±37.62)μg/L;对照组上述指标分别为(355.6±54.3)、(296.4±71.2)U/L、(145.7±28.6)μmoL/L、(295.73±57.15)、(75.12±11.23)μg/L,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);病检提示实验组排斥反应较对照组明显减轻;脱氧脲核苷酸缺口末端标记(TUNEL)检测提示实验组肝细胞凋亡程度明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论供体来源MSC能明显抑制MLC体系中受体源T细胞的增殖,并能显著减轻大鼠肝移植术后急性排斥反应。     

Determination of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in guinea pig and human prostate using HPLC

The finding of significant numbers of endocrine-paracrine (EP) cells in the prostate glands of guinea pigs and man suggests that these cells may be important in the regulation or modulation of prostatic function. Serotonin is a biogenic amine common to most prostatic EP cells. In order to extend current knowledge relating to these cells, an assay was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitate serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue extracts. Levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA in the guinea pig whole-gland preparation were 105.4 +/- 70.6 ng/g and 48.4 +/- 95.7 ng/g, respectively. Normal human prostatic tissue contained 1423.9 +/- 750.8 ng/g serotonin and 66.7 +/- 92.8 ng/g 5-HIAA. Recoveries ranged between 60 and 100%. The detection limits were 24 pg/injection for serotonin and 12 pg/injection for 5-HIAA. This assay provides an expeditious, specific and highly sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of monoamines in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue.     

hTERT启动子调控hNIS基因介导肺癌细胞碘摄取和131I治疗的实验研究

目的 构建含人端粒酶反转录酶(hTERT)核心启动子调控的人钠/碘同向转运体(hNIS)基因重组腺病毒,并靶向转染至肺癌A549细胞中特异性表达.探讨hTERT启动子调控的hNIS基因介导放射性碘治疗肿瘤的可能性.方法 应用AdEasy系统构建重组腺病毒Ad-hTERT-hNIS,同时构建巨细胞病毒(CMV)启动子调控的hNIS重组腺病毒Ad-CMV.hNIS作为阳性对照,不含hNIS的重组腺病毒Ad-CMV作为阴性对照.应用反转录.聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法验证hTERT在转染肿瘤细胞中的转录活性,摄碘实验检测表达的hNIS蛋白功能,细胞克隆形成实验评价131I对转染肿瘤细胞的毒性作用.结果 成功构建重组腺病毒Ad-hTERT-hNIS、Ad-CMV-hNIS及Ad-CMV,并经PCR验证正确.RT-PCR证实hNIS cDNA能从Ad-hTERT-hNIS转染的细胞中扩增出来.Ad-hTERT-hNIS和Ad-CMV-hNIS转染的肺癌A549细胞摄碘能力比阴性对照组Ad-CMV转染的细胞分别提高了23和31倍,且摄碘能力可以被NaClO4抑制.Ad-hTERT-hNIS和Ad-CMV-hNIS转染的肺癌A549细胞均可被131I杀死,2组细胞成活率分别为(31.2±1.45)%和(23.6±4.08)%,而阴性对照组和未转染病毒组分别为(89.0 ±2.99)%和(91.2 ±4.63)%.结论 hTERT启动子调控的hNIS重组腺病毒转染肿瘤细胞后,应用131I治疗有望成为一种新的基因靶向治疗手段.     

复合干细胞生物陶瓷在裸鼠异位成骨中的评价

目的 研究h-BMP-2基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)在复合煅烧骨、β-TCP或直接植入裸鼠股部后的成骨能力。方法 通过影像学、组织学和形态计量学等方法,观察未经诱导、OS液诱导和h-BMP-2基因转染BMSCs在复合煅烧骨,或多孔β-TCP后植入裸鼠皮下,或直接制成细胞悬液注入,在4、8、12周诱导成骨和材料降解情况。结果 在裸鼠皮下,单纯生物陶瓷不能诱导成骨,而复合了未诱导、OS液诱导和h-BMP-2基因转染BMSCs的生物陶瓷均能成骨,成骨量为h-BMP-2基因转染组>OS液诱导组>未经诱导组(P<0.05),B-TCP可随骨长入而降解;注入裸鼠肌肉的OS液诱导的和h-BMP-2转染的BMSCs均能诱导成骨,而未经诱导MSCs则不能成骨。结论 复合人BMP基因转染BMSCs的β-TCP是一种理想的骨修复材料。     

组织工程化表皮膜片构建及其在供皮区的应用研究

目的构建组织工程化表皮细胞膜片并应用于供皮区创面治疗。方法利用患者少量自体或同种异体正常皮肤分离、培养、扩增的表皮细胞,接种于壳聚糖明胶膜构建成表皮细胞膜片;将膜片移植于治疗组供皮区创面、适度加压,同时设立对照组:空白材料对照以及传统油纱布对照覆盖创面。于术后5～10d、30d、90d行大体观察、组织学检查、广谱角蛋白、外皮蛋白、层粘连蛋白、免疫组织化学检测以及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原比值测定(偏光显微镜、RTPCR)。结果利用自体及异体表皮细胞和壳聚糖明胶膜能够构建出人表皮细胞膜片,应用于临床供皮区创面治疗15例,经过3个月随访,疗效肯定。移植膜片创面愈合时间(8.1±1.3)d,空白材料对照区为(16.2±3.8)d,空白油纱布对照区为(23.0±5.8)d。移植膜片存活良好,结构较完整、术后30d及90d观察:12例无明显增生,3例有轻度增生(20.0%),而空白油纱布对照区11例遗留增生性瘢痕(74.4%,χ2=8.127,P<0.01)。结论表皮细胞-壳聚糖明胶膜片能促进供皮区创面早期愈合并减少后期瘢痕增生,具有良好治疗效果。     

Electrophysiological and arrhythmogenic effects of intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow cell injection has been introduced to treat patients with ischemic heart disease. However, focal application of bone marrow cells may generate an arrhythmogenic substrate. OBJECTIVES: To assess the electrophysiological and arrhythmogenic effects of intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Bone marrow was aspirated in 20 patients (65+/-11 years, 19 male) with drug-refractory angina and myocardial ischemia. Electroanatomical mapping (NOGA, Biosense-Webster, Waterloo, Belgium) was performed during mononuclear cell isolation. Areas for cell injection were selected based on the localization of ischemia on SPECT. These areas were mapped in detail to evaluate local bipolar electrogram duration, amplitude and fragmentation. Mononuclear cells were injected in the ischemic area with the NOGA system. SPECT and electroanatomical mapping were repeated at 3 months. Holter monitoring was repeated at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: SPECT revealed a decrease in the number of segments with ischemia (3.5+/-2.5 vs. 1.1+/-1.0 at 3 months; P<0.01) and an increased left ventricular ejection fraction (44+/-13% vs. 49+/-17% at 3 months; P=0.02). The number of ventricular premature beats remained unchanged (10+/-24x10(2)/24h vs. 8+/-23x10(2)/24h at 3 months (P=NS) and 12+/-30x10(2)/24h at 6 months (P=NS)). At 3 months follow-up, bone marrow cell injection did not prolong electrogram duration (15.9+/-4.6 ms vs. 15.6+/-4.0 ms; P=NS), decrease electrogram amplitude (3.8+/-1.5 mV vs. 3.8+/-1.5 mV; P=NS), or increase fragmentation (2.0+/-0.5 vs. 1.9+/-0.4; P=NS). CONCLUSION: Intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection does not increase the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and does not alter the electrophysiological properties of the injected myocardium.