S U M M A R YVasculogenic mimicry (VM) has been observed in melanoma and in some nonmelanoma tumor types. It is unknown whether a similar VM phenomenon exists in astrocytoma. The present study was to examine 45 astrocytomas (including World Health Organization grade II 15 cases, grade III 15 cases, and grade IV 15 cases) by CD34 endothelial marker periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) dual staining to see if VM existing in these tumors. The results demonstrated that endothelium-lined vessels dominated the tumor microvasculature and stained positively for PAS, laminin, and endothelial marker. PAS-positive pattern of VM was found in two grade IV astrocytomas. Channels stained positively for PAS, laminin, and negatively for CD34 of the VM entrapped in the tumor tissue. Erythrocytes could be observed in some of these channels. In these networks of PAS-positive pattern, spots of weak reaction for CD34 were observed, suggesting the incorporation of VM channel and normal vessel. Furthermore, in astrocytoma, especially glioblastoma, focus of anaplastic tumor cells appeared with CD34 expression, whereas some tumor cells lost glial fibrillary acid protein expression. It is assumed that genetically deregulated tumor cells in astrocytoma could lose the astrocyte-specific protein and express inappropriate markers not expected in cells of astrocyte lineage. The present results suggest that VM phenomenon exists in some malignant astrocytoma.

Background: To date, no predictive methods for the clinical response to allergy immunotherapy (AIT) are available. We sought to evaluate the pretreatment parameters used in diagnosing allergic asthma and/or rhinitis including allergen skin-prick test responses, serum specific and total IgE (sIgE and tIgE) levels and blood eosinophil counts, and to identify whether these can be used to predict clinical effectiveness in children treated with immunotherapy. Methods: This study involved 185 children who had undergone 3 years of standardized-quality house-dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy. Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters were analyzed. A multivariate unconditional logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic curves were used. Predicted probabilities and predictive areas under the curve were calculated. Results: The clinical response to AIT was effective in 129/185 (69.7%) patients. Four variables were associated with clinical response by multivariate logistic analysis: tobacco smoke exposure [odds ratio (OR) 2.845 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.147-7.058; p = 0.024], a family history of atopy (OR 2.881 and 95% CI 1.240-6.692; p = 0.014), a serum tIgE level ≥965 kU/l (OR 5.917 and 95% CI 2.320-15.089; p = 0.000) and an sIgE/tIgE ratio ≥6% (OR 0.336 and 95% CI 0.124-0.911; p = 0.032). The sensitivity and specificity of the area under the curve of the serum tIgE were higher than those of serum sIgE and sIgE/tIgE ratio alone. Conclusion: Tobacco smoke exposure, atopic family history, serum tIgE and sIgE/tIgE ratio were in significant correlation with clinical response to AIT in children, which may be helpful for patient selection before immunotherapy. The serum tIgE is superior to both the serum sIgE/tIgE ratio and sIgE levels alone in predicting clinical effectiveness.

Mechanism of Treatment of Kidney Deficiency and Osteoporosis is Similar by Traditional Chinese Medicinehttp://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/3126/ Article LJMU has developed LJMU Research Online for users to access the research output of the University more effectively. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LJMU Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain.The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of the record. Please see the repository URL above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription. AbstractTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a theoretical based system and is completely different from western medicine and states that numerous diseases, especially chronic diseases, are cured or relieved. "Zheng" (syndrome) is a summarization of the pathological changes which take place during the different stages of the development of a disease, including its location, cause and nature as well as the state of both Xie-qi (pathogenic factors) and Zheng-qi (healthy energy). Compared to a single symptom, syndrome can demonstrate the nature of a disease more extensively, completely and correctly. However, it is difficult to compare "Zheng" to the western medicine theory, which is based on scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific disease. Estrogen deficiency is a major pathogenetic factor in bone loss after menopause and oophorectomy with the subsequent risk of developing osteoporosis. According to TCM theory, the kidney stores essence and this can transform into bone marrow to nourish the bones, strenghthen the skeleton by promoting growth and repair. The kidney deficiency can decrease the estrogen level adjusted by the gonadal axis, causing osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicines tonifying the kidney can significantly enhance the level of estrogen to alleviate osteoporosis. In combination with other evidence, we further deduce that the syndrome as defined within TCM has a similar pathological mechanism to that defined by western medicine. If TCM theory is to be understood and accepted, and further fused with the western medicine theory, the micro pathological basis of TCM syndrome must be investigated extensively, which will lead to bridging the two theories together. The fusion of TCM with western medicine will pay more attention to analyzing the common nature and difference of disease and syndrome. This paper reviews the way forward for new translational advances.

Overexpression of TP53, TP53 mutation, and Ki 67 labeling index could be molecular markers in astrocytomas predicting malignant progression.

Identifying high-risk patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) is necessary regardless of whether intensive medical therapy or aggressive treatment is applied. In order to assess the relationship between cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) measured by perfusion CT with inhalation of CO and the risk of ischemic events in ACS, this long-term follow-up study was conducted. Forty-five patients with ACS who underwent the examination of CVR measured by perfusion CT with inhalation of CO were collected and followed-up for at least 5 years. The primary end point was the occurrence of ipsilateral cerebral ischemic events. HRs and their 95% CI were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models. The mean follow-up time was 68.7±10.7 months (40.0-84.0 months). 13 (28.9%) ipsilateral ischemic events were observed. The annual risk of ipsilateral ischemic events was 4.8%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that patients with less CVR experienced more ischemic events (p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively), which was confirmed by multiple Cox regression analysis (p=0.012). CVR measured by perfusion CT may potentially be the factor which can predict the risk of ipsilateral ischemic events in patients with ACS. Multidisciplinary management is necessary for these high-risk patients.