ObjectiveTo review the current progresses in purification strategies, biological characters, and functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (EPC-EVs).
MethodsRecent relevant publications on the EPC-EVs were extensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.
ResultsEPC-EVs are usually isolated by differential centrifugation and exhibit a homogenous pattern of spheroid particles with a diameter ranging from 60 to 160 nm under transmission electron microscopy. EPC-EVs are positive for cell-surface markers of EPCs (CD31, CD34, and CD133), and negative for markers of platelets (P-selectin and CD42b) and monocytes (CD14). Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of EPC-EVs in ischemic injuries, anti-Thy1 glomerulonephritis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and also shown their predictive role in cardio-cerebral-vascular diseases.
ConclusionAn alluring prospect exists on the EPC-EVs-related research. Further studies are required to decipher the composition of EPC-EVs and their precise role in pathophysiological processes, and to investigate the molecular mechanisms for their targeting and function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the negative emotions of patients before cardiac surgery in West China Hospital in order to analyze the related factors.MethodsThe Huaxi emotional-distress index (HEI), a screening tool for mood disorders developed by the Mental Health Center of West China Hospital, was used for preoperative psychological evaluation of 1 968 adult patients hospitalized in cardiac surgery from March 2016 to July 2014. There were 835 males and 1 133 females at age of 49±13 years.Results Fifty-one patients (2.6%) had negative emotions, among whom 6 patients were screened for suicide risk. After intervention, none of them had serious consequences caused by adverse emotions, such as automatic discharge from hospital, avoidance of surgery and suicide.ConclusionThis study found that most of the cardiac surgery patients in West China Hospital have good psychological status before surgery, and a few suffered from negative emotions. “Huaxi emotional-distress index” is simple, effective and worth promoting.
ObjectiveTo observe the prevalence of ocular ischemic appearance (OIA) associated with carotid artery stenosis, and to explore the correlation between the ocular ischemic appearance and the carotid stenosis degree and location.
MethodsA total of 132 patients with carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography were enrolled in this prospective study. The carotid stenosis degree and location were identified. The ophthalmic symptoms was inquired. The corrected vision, diopter, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope and fundus examination were used to determine if OIA exists. The correlation between the OIA and the carotid stenosis degree and location were analyzed. The carotid stenosis degree was divided into 4 types: mild (≤50%), moderate (<50% but ≤75%), severe (<75% but ≤99%) and occlusion (100%).
ResultsThe distribution of carotid stenosis degree as follow: mild in 16 patients (12.1%), moderate in 46 patients (34.8%), severe in 50 patients (37.9%) and occlusion in 20 patients (15.2%). The stenosis located in the external carotid artery in 21 patients (15.9%), in internal carotid artery in 46 patients (34.8%), in crotch of extracranial internal carotid artery in 55 patients (41.7%), and in common carotid artery in 10 patients (7.6%). There were 54 patients (40.9%) with ocular ischemic diseases, which including retinal arterial obstruction (5 patients, 9.2%), retina change of venous stasis (13 patients, 24.1%), neovascular glaucoma (7 patients, 13.0%), ischemic optic neuropathy (19 patients, 35.2%), ocular ischemia syndrome (10 patients, 18.5%). The ophthalmic symptoms included transient amaurosis, decreased visual acuity, eye and periorbital pain, retinal hemorrhage and exudation, diplopia, rubeosis iridis and increased intraocular pressure. There was highly positive correlation between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA (r=0.287, P=0.018). There was no correlation between the carotid stenosis location and OIA (P>0.05).
Conclusion40.9% carotid stenosis patients has OIA. There is relationship between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA, but carotid stenosis location showed no correlation with OIA.
Objective
To investigate the effects of ovarian tissue cryopreservation by needle immersed vitrification (NIV) method and subsequently orthotopic transplantation on ovarian function reconstruction in chemotherapy-induced ovary damage rat model.
Methods
A total of 52 matured virginal female Wistar rats at age of 8-9 weeks housed in specific-pathogen-free facilities, weighing 250-300 g. Vaginal smears were obtained daily, 50 rats having at least 2 consecutive normal estrous cycles were included in the experiment. Ten rats were selected as donors randomly, and NIV method was used for cryopreserving ovarian tissues. The remaining 40 rats were divided into 3 groups according to different treatments: cyclophosphamide group (C group, n=14), cyclophosphamide/transplantation group (C/T group, n=12), and control group (NS group, n=14). In C group and C/T group, the rats received peritoneal injection of cyclophosphamide every day for 21 days to establish the chemotherapy-induced ovary damage models; and then the frozen-thawed ovarian tissues orthotopically transplanted into the left ovarian bursae in C/ T group. The rats received peritoneal injections of 0.9% saline solution every day for 21 days in NS group. Estrous cycle recovery time, ovary weight, morphology change of ovarian tissues, and follicle count were compared among 3 groups.
Results
One rat died at 2 days after transplantation in C/T group; the other rats survived to the completion of the experiment. At 4 weeks after the end of injection, no significant difference in body weight was found among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). The rats of NS group had regular estrous cycle, but cyclic changes in vaginal smears were observed in C group and C/T group during cyclophosphamide treatment. The median estrous cycle recovery was 9 days (95%CI: 7.9-10.1 days) in C group, and was 6 days (95%CI: 4.9-7.1 days) in C/ T group, showing significant difference (χ2=6.571, P=0.010). The ovarian weight showed an obvious downtrend in C group at 4 weeks after cyclophosphamide treatment, and an upward trend was observed in C/T group. The ovarian grafts survived and grew well in C/T group. Primordium follicles and primary follicles in C/T group and NS group were significantly more than those in C group (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between NS group and C/T group (P gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in secondary follicles and antral follicles among the 3 groups (P gt; 0.05).
Conclusion
The method of ovarian tissue cryopreservation by NIV and subsequently orthotopic transplantation can significantly shorten the estrous cycle recovery time in chemotherapy-induced ovary damage rat model. Ovarian grafts grow well, follicle count is similar to normal level. So it has the potential ability of ovarian endocrine and fertility reconstruction after chemotherapy.
