To review the experience in surgical management of cor triatriatum, fourteen patients underwent open heart surgery under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from 1986 to 2001 for their cor triatiatum were studied retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 6 6 years, with a range of 1 to 26 years. Eight patients were men and six were women. Eleven cases were diagnosed by two dimensioned echo cardiography with colour Dopplar imaging. Eleven patients with complete cor triatriatum were operate on enlarging ASD, resecting the fiboromuscular membrane and patching ASD and one patient with incomplete cor triatriatum were operated on through similar techniques and the associated abnormalities were corrected at a time. Nine patients were followed up after surgery from 5 months to 15 years, no patient died and had salutary results. It suggested that two dimensional echo cardiography with colour Doppler imaging can diagnose this condition accurately, surgical treatment of cor triatriatum was satisfactory in longterm follow up.

To investigate the role of calcineurin dependent signal pathway in cardiac hypertrophy of cold stress induced hypertensive rats, 3 months old Wistar rats were exposed to cold (4?2℃) for 4 hours per day for 8 weeks to produce cold stress induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. The systolic blood pressure(SBP), heart rate and hemodynamic parameters were measured using a force transducer.The heart/body weight ratio, CaN activity, CaN, c fos expression protein of cardiac tissure were also investigated. The results showed that SBP and heart rate in cold stress rats were significantly increased than that in nomal rats during the whole experiment( P

Objective To investigate the effects of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) on the pathopoiesis mechanisms of paraquat poisoning in vitro.Methods Firstly,the survival rate of A549 cells (human type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells) was measured with cell counting kit-8 after exposure to paraquat.Afterwards,the concentration of mtDNA in supernant of culture medium for culturing A549 and the chauge of mitochondrial membrance potential were detected with absolute quantitative PCR and confocal laser microscopy,respectively.Then,The chemotactic activity of mtDNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and neutrophils (PMN) were detected by transwell chemotaxis,and the subtype of chemotactic cells was measured with flow cytometry.Meanwhile,the role of mtDNA in vascular permeability was measured by using Xcelligence system and in vitro using vascular permeability kits.Finally,the effects of mtDNA in cell proliferation were to verify.Results The 50％ of lethal concentration (LD50) of paraquat for A549 was 600 μmol/L.Cell viability and concentration of mtDNA following challenge of PQ revealed in a concentration-and time-dependent manner (P ＜ 0.05).The mtDNA had a power in aggregating PBMC nonspecifically,but there was no effect on the vascular permeability was found.Moreover,the proliferation of human fibroblasts was not stimulated directly by mtDNA,but TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-beta 1),a major pro-fibrotic factor,was increased compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The mtDNA could play an important role in the inflammatory and proliferation responses to paraquat poisoning.

BACKGROUND:Currently rats are the most frequently used animal for the models of osteoporosis and
ovariectomized rat models have been widely applied due to ovariectomized female rats are similar to human body in bone mineral density changes and response after estrogen administration.
OBJECTIVE:To establish rat models of osteoporotic tooth extraction wound healing, and to investigate the effect of estrogen on the interleukin-1 expression and distribution in the remodeling of osteoporotic alveolar bone.
METHODS:Sixty-five purebred female rats, 3 months old, were randomly divided into two groups:osteoporosis model group (n=40;ovariectomy under general anesthesia) and sham operation group (n=25;fat tissue around ovary was removed). After 8-week feeding, osteoporosis models were established and the left upper molar was pul ed out under general anesthesia. Histomorphomeric parameters test was performed on the jaw bone. In osteoporosis model group, 15 rats were randomly selected to give subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate, as the estrogen treatment group. Immunohistochemical method was applied to observe the interleukin-1 expression in the remodeling of osteoporotic alveolar bone.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After ovariotomy, the amount of trabecula decreased and the medul ary cavity of the bone became larger, the jaw bone intensity decreased. After administration of estrogen, the positive expression of interleukin-1 was reduced as compared with osteoporosis model group. Experimental findings indicate that, osteoporosis can be detected in Sprague-Dawley female rats aged 3 months at 8 weeks after ovariotomy, and administration of estrogen can obviously decrease interleukin-1 positive expression in the remodeling of osteoporotic alveolar bone.

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effects of rosiglitazone on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats and to explore the potential mechanisms in modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ),nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB),and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.Methods Thirty male SD rats were assigned into the normal group ( n =10),the model group ( n =10),rosiglitazone prevention group [ n =10,simultaneously 4mg/( kg · d) gavage daily at beginning].Liver appearance,liver index,and histological changes were assessed.Serum tumor necrosis factor-o (TNF-c) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of PPARγ,NF-κB,and COX-2 in liver were determined using immunohistochemical methods.The mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were disclosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.ResultsCompared with the normal group,the liver index significantly increased in model group (3.92 ±0.72 vs.5.71 ± 1.05,P =0.004).HE and Masson staining showed significantly increased steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis.The serum levels of TNF-α,PGE2 in high-fat-diet-fed rats were significantly increased ( 11.72 ± 2.47 vs.29.39 ± 5.32,P =0.002 ; 236.60 ± 24.90vs.288.24 ± 17.17,P =0.004).Immunohistochemistry showed NF-κB and COX-2 in livers were significantly elevated,but PPARγ wasdecreased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis rats.Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot found mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were increased in the model group (0.57 ± 0.08 vs.2.83 ± 0.24,P =0.0007 ; 0.38 ± 0.03 vs.1.00 ± 0.03,P =0.004).Compared with the model group,the expressions of PPARγsignificantly increased and the expressions of NF-κB and COX-2 significantly decreased ( mRNA:2.83 ± 0.24 vs.0.46 ± 0.11,P =0.002 ; protein: 1.00 ± 0.03 vs.0.62 ± 0.02,P =0.006 ) in the rosiglitazone prevention group.ConclusionBy inhibiting NF-κB and COX-2 expressions,rosiglitazone can reduce insulin resistance and then prevent the occurrence and deve lopment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Objective　To explore the effect of hypoxia on the apoptosis of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells（HUVECs） and the role of vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） in inhibition of apoptosis． Methods　①Culture and identification of HUVECs．②Establishment of hypoxic model（0，12，24，48 h）in HUVECs．③Incubation of HUVECs with VEGF(0 ng, 100 ng) under hypoxic condition for 24 h. ④Detection of apoptosis of HUVECs with TUNEL method． Results　The percentages of apoptosis were different under different hypoxic conditions． The longer hypoxic time was，the higher apoptosis percentage was．VEGF reduced the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by hepoxia． Conclusion　Over-apoptosis EVCs in one of the important factors for the impairment of endothelial function. HEGF inhibits the apoptosis of HVCs and having a pretive function on them.

AIM To explore the effect of hypoxia on apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and the role of ecdysterone(EDS)in inhibition of apoptosis. METHODS ① Culture and identification of HUVECs;② Hypoxic model(0,12,24,48 h) in HUVECs was established. While HUVECs was incubated 24 h with EDS(100 mg?L -1 ) under hypoxic condition. Apoptosis in HUVECs was detected by TUNEL;③ HUVECs received EDS 100 mg?L -1 in normal and hypoxic condition. After 24 h, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected with immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS The apoptosis percentages are different under different hypoxic condition. The longer hypotic the time was, the higher the apoptosis percentage was. EDS reduced apoptosis of HUVECs. EDS could enhance expression of VEGF protein in cardiac myocytes of rat in normal and hypoxic condition. CONCLUSION The role of hypoxia in HUVECs apoptosis is more significant along with prolonging of hypoxic time. VEGF play an important role in protective effect of EDS on endothelial cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of total saponins of panax notoginseng(PNS)on the production of collagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ and TGF-?1 in rats with experimental fibrosis.Methods Experimental fibrosis model was copied by intracutaneous injection of BSA and rats feeding on diet rich in lipid.From the 1st day after BSA injection,SPN(60 or 30 mg/kg)or Colchicine were given intracutaneously once a day for 42 days.All animals were sacrificed on the 43rd day.Their hepatic function was evaluated by determining the levels of ALT,AST,ALB in serum.The progression of hepatic fibrosis was confirmed by pathological analysis.Then type collagenⅠ,Ⅲ and TGF-?1 were observed with immunohistochemical method.Results The BSA injection significantly elevated the levels of ALT and AST,while SPN treatment significantly down-regulated them.But the level of ALB was opposite to that of ALT or AST in SPN treatment group.The positive staining of the collagenⅠ,Ⅲ and TGF-?1 was stronger in hepatic fibrosis model group than in SPN treatment group.The contents of the collagen were identical to the immunohistochemical results.Conclusion SPN has the protective effect against liver fibrosis.

Light, auxin and brassinosteroid play important roles in plant growth and development. Genetic analysis has demonstrated complex interactions between their signaling pathways, but the gene regulatory mechanisms connecting these pathways are poorly understood. CYP72B1 and AUR3 are two important genes responsive to light, auxin and brassinosteroid at transcription level. To understand the regulation mechanism of the two genes, a new tool called OCMMat was developed for identifying cis-elements, OCMMat combines both the over-representation property of regulatory elements in co-expressed genes and the conservation property in orthologous genes, for the latter, it was estimated by an enrichment score of regulatory element in orthologous promoter sequences. Using this tool, 3 regulatory motifs shared by genes CYP72B1 and AUR3 were reported, motif GAGACA which is the same as a known cis-element AuxRE, motif AAGAAAAA containing the sequence of GT element and the third ATCATG which is a new one named EDIB element. The space and the order of AAGAAAAA and EDIB show the same pattern in promoters of both the co-expressed genes and the orthologs of CYP72B1. Based on the sequence analysis and the literature knowledge to date, a model was proposed for describing the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of CYP72B1 and AUR3 in response to light, auxin and brassinosteroid. The model presents how the signaling pathways of light, auxin and brassinosteroid are interplaying at gene transcription level. In response to light, the transcription factors GT factor and an unknown protein repress the expression of CYP72B1 and AUR3, the hormone pathways are not interfered and thus work in their own way. While in the absence of light stimulation, CYP72B1 and AUR3 are expressed and the products, in turn, inhibit both the auxin pathway and the brassinosteroid pathways. On the other side, at high hormone level, gene expression is up-regulated through ARF binding, the gene products inhibit the hormone pathways in a feedback manner, and meanwhile, rescues the light signal through the photoreceptor phyB.

Objective To observe the osteogenic and/or chondrogenic differentiation potential of cartilage endplate derived stem cells ( CESCs) .Methods The cartilage endplate ( CEP) was obtained from 5 patients who underwent posterior discectomy procedure for the lumber degenerative disease.The agarose culture was used to select CESCs.The expanded CESCs were injected into the hydroxyapatite ceram-ic(HA) and incubated for 7 days.After that,the HA contained CESCs were implanted into the subcutaneous of nude mouse for 7 weeks.Then the HA was obtained and sliced for the specific stain and immunohistochemisty.The expanded CESCs were injected into the degenerated in-tervertebral disk of the rabbit for 16 weeks.Then MRI was used to detect the repair of the degenerated disc.Results The metachromasia of toluidin blue indicated that cartilage matrix was formed in the vacant space of HA.Mallory stain indicated that there was bone matrix was formed.The results of immunohistochemistry indicated that there was more collageⅠand collageⅩ,and a small quantity of collage Ⅱ.MRI results indicated that the CESCs could be induced into the chondrocyte-like cells in the rabbit intervertebral disk.Conclusion The CESCs could be induced into the bone/cartilage in vivo.