OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VL-PAG) metabotropic glutamate receptors subtype 7 and 8 (mGluR 7/8) in descending modulation of cardiosomatic motor reflex (CMR) in rats.

METHODSAMN082 (agonist of mGluR 7) and DCPG (agonist of mGluR 8) were injected into the VL-PAG of a rat model of CMR to observe their effects in modulating CMR. The raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) or the gigantocellular reticular nucleus (Gi) was then damaged, and the changes in VL-PAG descending modulation were observed.

RESULTSSelective activation of mGluR 7 of the VL-PAG by AMN082 obviously facilitated capsaicin (CAP)-induced CMR (P<0.05), which was suppressed by DCPG-induced mGluR 8 activation (P<0.05). These facilitatory or inhibitory effects were completely reversed by group III mGluR antagonist MSOP. Damaging the NRM of VL-PAG main relay nucleus did not significantly affect the facilitatory effect produced by AMN082 microinjection (P>0.05), but partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of DCPG microinjection (P<0.05). Both the facilitatory effect of AMN082 and the inhibitory effect of DCPG were reduced obviously after bilateral Gi damage (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVL-PAG mGluR 7 and mGluR 8 mediate biphasic regulation of CMR in rats probably through activation of different sub-nuclei and different neurons in the rostroventral medulla.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; metabolism ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; agonists ; metabolism ; Reflex ; physiology

We developed a novel simple microwell plate that allows researchers to culture cells on chips easily without the use of tubes and pumps for studies of cell proliferation, apoptosis and pharmacology. Unlike any other previous design, this device can be put into an incubator directly and maintains cells in an environment with stable temperature, humidity, air pressure, oxygen and CO2 concentration. We cultured PC-12 cells in these microwell plates and measured the cell proliferation and apoptosis. The microwell plate is recommended for use in all research including those involving rare samples and expensive reagents.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Cell Proliferation ; PC12 Cells ; Protein Array Analysis ; Rats

Neoplasms of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are characterized by epithelioid to spindle cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, an intimate relationship with blood vessels, and coexpression of myoid and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers. While most reported hepatic PEComas, such as angiomyolipoma (AML), behave in a benign fashion, emerging PEComas cases without typical characteristics require further clarification. We report a case of primary hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified (HPEComas-NOS) with untypical pathological and immunohistochemical features compared to those of the benign hepatic AML cases. HPEComas-NOS may represent a special type of PEComas classified as having "malignant potential" or at "high risk of aggressive behavior", suggesting the need for further clarification of hepatic PEComas and long-term follow-up of patients with HPEComas-NOS.
Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms

Both autoimmune hemolytic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria are common hemolytic diseases. The former causes hemolysis because of immune disorder, and the latter is an acquired clonal hematologic disorder of stem cells. The two entities are often separate diseases, but can also occur concomitantly or secondary to each other. paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria-like defect-like defect is a special type of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and should be distinguished from typical paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria-like defect.
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; Humans

A 21-year-old woman with a short stature presented with primary amenorrhoea and a 45X karyotype, and comparative genomic hybridization revealed 1p36 deletion and abnormal genes in multiple chromosomes to support the diagnosis of Turner syndrome and monosomy 1p36 deletion syndrome. The main clinical features of this condition include microsomia, poor sexual development, menoschesis, gigantorectum, absence of internal genitalia, sometimes with thyropenia and low intelligence. This disease can be easily diagnosed for its heterogeneous clinical manifestations.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Turner Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic system.

METHODSTwo patients with benign gallbladder disease with a history of recurrent abdominal pain were selected to undergo the surgery. Gallstones were diagnosed by B ultrasound examination. All the operations were performed through the umbilical incision with the 3D laparoscopic system.

RESULTSThe 2 operations were completed successfully with a operative time of 35 min and 50 min. Both of the patients were ambulatory 8 h after the surgery, began to have a normal diet 1 day after operation, and were discharged 2 days postoperatively without any clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS3D single-incision laparoscopic operation can well reveal the tissue anatomy in the operative field especially for some important structures such as the Calot's triangle with an improved safety compared to conventional laparoscopic operations.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholelithiasis ; surgery ; Gallbladder Diseases ; surgery ; Gallstones ; Humans

We report a case of gallbladder stone receiving three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which allowed 3D visualization of the laparoscopic operative field and faithfully displayed the 3D anatomic structures of the abdominal organs and the gallbladder triangle. The operation was successfully completed in 32 min without intraoperative complications. 3D laparoscopic surgery allows more precise operation with reduced complications and helps to shorten the operative time, and is suitable for more complex laparoscopic surgery.
Abdominal Cavity ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholelithiasis ; surgery ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications

Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. The pathological changes in PAH include increased vasoconstrictor tone, thrombosis in situ and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation is a hallmark of pulmonary vascular remodeling, and exploration of the molecular mechanisms of PASMC proliferation and intervention of the involved signaling pathways is therefore of great importance for prevention and treatment of PAH. This review focus primarily on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the proliferation of PASMCs.
Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Lung ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Remodeling

Cognitive impairment in diabetes (CID) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes mellitus, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully understood. Increasing evidence has shown that the distribution and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartame receptor (NMDAR) and subunits NR2A and NR2B, which all participated in the development of the central nervous system and formation of learning and memory, are correlated with the occurrence and development of CID.
Central Nervous System ; Cognition Disorders ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Memory ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

Cell death is a major physiological or pathological phenomenon in life activities. The classic forms of cell death include apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. Recently, a novel type of cell death has been observed and termed as methuosis, in which excessive stimuli can induce cytoplasmic uptake and accumulation of small bubbles that gradually merge into giant vacuoles, eventually leading to decreased cellular metabolic activity, cell membrane rupture and cell death. In this article, we describe the nomenclature, morphological characteristics and underlying mechanisms of methuosis, compare methuosis with autophagy, oncosis and paraptosis, and review the related researches.
Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Cell Death ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Vacuoles