Objective To investigate the effect of levodopa on melanogenesis in Penicillium mameffei (PM),and to determine if melanization affects the antifungal drug susceptibility of PM.Methods A clinical isolate of PM,GXMU121011,was inoculated onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) containing different concentrations (0.1-10 mmol/L) of levodopa at an inoculum density of 1.0 × 106 cfu/ml,or onto SDA containing 1 mmol/L levodopa at three inoculum densities (1.0 × 105,1.0 × 106,1.0 × 107 cfu/ml),and cultured at 37 ℃ for 7 days.Subsequently,melanization of PM colonies was observed.The paper-disk method was used for antifungal susceptibility testing,and the diameter of inhibition zones of itraconazole,fluconazole and amphotericin B against 8 clinical strains of PM was determined on SDA with or without levodopa.Results The melanization of PM colonies increased when the concentration of levodopa increased from 0.1 to 1.0 mmol/L,peaked when that reached 1.0 and 3.0 mmol/L,but mildly decreased when that continuously increased beyond 3.0 mmol/L,and a slight shrinkage was observed in PM colonies when that was 10.0 mmol/L.The color of colonies deepened along with the increase in inoculum density of PM.The average diameters of inhibition zones of itraconazole,fluconazole and amphotericin B against PM were all significantly lower on SDA with levodopa than on SDA without levodopa (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Levodopa concentration and inoculum density both affect melanogenesis in PM.Melanization may decrease the susceptibility of PM in yeast phase to itraconazole,fluconazole and amphotericin B in vitro.

Objective To study the role of early release of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) and nuclear factor-?B(NF?B) activation on inflammatery mediators expression and neutrophil accumulation in the liver after ischemia/reperfusion . Methods The models of partial hepatic ischemia in Wistar rats were established. Rats received either Pentoxifylline (PTX) 50mg/kg(PTX group) or sterile saline (control group) via peritoneal injection at 1h before ischemia;Sham operation group was also established. Results Compared with control group,in PTX treatment group, the release of the TNF-?, the content of NF?B p65, expression of MIP-2 mRNAand ICAM-1 mRNA were significant decreased;the levels of MPO,AST,ALT, LDH,and W/D were also reduced significantly(all P

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of infrapopliteal arterial balloon angioplasty in the treatment of ischaemic diabetic lower limbs.Methods 53 cases of ischaemic diabetic lower limb containing 64 ischeamic limbs were treated with infrapopliteal angioplasty by Amphirion Deep Balloon.Observation of clinical remission including the ulcers was carried out before and after the procedure.Results 119 ateries of the 53 cases were chosen for PTA and 101 PTA in 50 cases were accomplished,with technical success rate of 84.9%.All the 50 patients got clinical remission including the shrinkage of ulcers and none amputation.Conclusin Infrapopliteal arterial angioplasty is effective,minimal invasive and safe for the ischaemic diabetic lower limbs.

ObjectiveTo investigate the methods of hepatic arterial reconstruction in orthotopic liver (transplantation)(OLT), and the prevention and management of associated complications, so as to improve the therapeatic results and donor survival rate of OLT.MethodsThe clinical data of 85 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation performed in our institute from May 1995 to May 2004 were retrospectively analysed. Hepatic artery reconstruction was made by use of Carrels patch of donor celiac artery or bifurcation of donor common hepatic artery and splenic artery anastoniosed to left and right hepatic artery of recipient in 16 cases((18.82)%), to bifurcation of gastroduodenal and proper hepatic arteries of recipient in 61 cases((71.76)%), or use of donor iliac artery interposition graft to abdominal aorta in 8 cases(9.42%). Regular heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin as a prophylactic anticoagulation therapy was maintained during and after (operation) as indicated by prothrombin time. Intra-and postoperative Doppler ultrasonography was used to (monitor) hepatic arterial blood supply.ResultsHepatic artery thrombosis(HAT) was observed in 1 case (intraoperatively)(overall incidence 1.2%).Thrombectomy and reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis were performed immediately.This patient currently has a survival time of 13 months without HAT. HAT was not observed in any of the other 84 cases during the follow up of 2 to 52 months.Conclusions Hepatic artery thrombosis may be minimized by proper selection of anastomotic site of hepatic artery reconstruction and (effective) use of postoperative anticoagulation.Close follow-up by Doppler ultrasonography may make a prompt diagnosis of HAT, salvage grafts and avoid re-transplantation.

Obesity is an established risk factor for endometrial cancer. Leptin, a secreted protein of the ob gene by white adipose tissue, plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy consumption in the brain and acts as a potential growth stimulator in normal and neoplastic cancer cells. However, a direct role for leptin in endometrial cancer has not been demonstrated. In the present study, the effect of leptin on the proliferation of Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells was investigated as well as the possible mechanism(s) underlying this action in endometrial cancers which express both short and long isoforms of leptin receptors. The expression of leptin receptor (ObRb) in Ishikawa cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The cells after serum starvation, were treated by leptin with various concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 150 ng/mL) for different durations (6, 12, 24 h). The effect of leptin treatment on cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay. Meanwhile, inhibitory effect of Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor AG490 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation of Ishikawa cells induced by leptin was also studied. Ishikawa cells were treated with 100 ng/mL leptin for various periods (0, 20, 40, 60 min), and the levels of STAT3 phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were examined by Western blotting. The results showed that leptin induced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and the activation of ERK1/2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Blocking STAT3 phosphorylation with the inhibitor AG490, or blocking ERK1/2 activation by the specific ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor, PD98059, abolished leptin-induced proliferation of Ishikawa cells. In addition, leptin was found to potently induce the invasion of endometrial cancer cells in a Matrigel invasion assay. Leptin-stimulated invasion was effectively blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of STAT3 (AG490) and ERK1/2 kinase (PD98059). These results suggested that leptin promotes endometrial cancer growth and invasiveness by activating STAT3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and therefore blocking its action at the receptor level can be a rational therapeutic strategy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality around the world. Paraneoplastic syndrome refers to the manifes-tation outside the lung caused by lung cancer.Initial manifestation included the disorder of neurological system, endocrine system, hematological system and skin changes.

Objective To summarize our experience in the liver transplantation from the donation after cardiac death (DCD).Methods The livers from three DCD donors (2 cases of brain trauma and 1 case of cerebral hemorrhage) were harvested according to the Guidelines for Donation after Cardiac Death in China.These grafts were orthotopically transplanted into three recipients including 2 cases of decompensative hepatic cirrhosis and 1 case of primary liver cancer.The warm ischemic time ranged from 7.5 to 10 min and the cold ischemic time was 4.5,8.2 and 6.5 h respectively.Postoperative immunosuppressive regimens included prednisone,FK506 and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).Antibiotics and anticoagulatants were used accordingly.Results All of the 3 recipients obtained normal liver function within 3 weeks since the grafts were implanted without PNF,thrombosis and rejection.No postoperative complications occurred in 3 recipients during the follow-up period of 2 to 9 months with normal liver function.Conclusion The liver transplant from DCD donor showed good results in our center.Chinese group Ⅲ of DCD donor,UW score above the middle level and the short warm ischemic time are three keys ensuring the success of the liver transplant from DCD donors.

To investigate the expression of mRNA of leptin long-form receptor (OB-Rb) in luteinized granulosa cells of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to determine the role of leptin in the physiopathology of PCOS, luteinized granulosa cells were collected from the follicle fluid of 10 obese women who met the diagnostic criteria for PCOS and their BMI was equal to or greater than 25 kg/m2, and at the same time, granulosa cells were collected from 10 normal women undergoing IVF-ET who served as the control group. Some luteinized granulosa cells were taken from normal women for in-vitro culture, into which human leptin of different concentrations was added (0, 10, 100 and 1000 ng/mL). After stimulation with leptin for 48 h, RT-PCR was employed for the detection of the expression of OB-RLmRNA in the luteinized granulosa cells. Our results showed that the level of OB-RLmRNA in luteinized granulosa cells of obese PCOS women was higher than those in the control (P＜0.05). In luteinized granulosa cells cultured in vitro and stimulated by human leptin for 48 h, the level of OB-RLmRNA was higher than those without leptin stimulation (P＜0.01), and when leptin concentration was at 100 ng/mL, and the level of OB-RLmRNA reached a peak. It is concluded that in obese PCOS women, the level of serum leptin is increased, which promotes the expression of OB-RL in luteinized granulosa cells and increases the sensitivity of the granulosa cells to leptin. Leptin may contribute to anovulation in obese women with PCOS.

Obesity is an established risk factor for endometrial cancer.Leptin,a secreted protein of the ob gene by white adipose tissue,plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy consumption in the brain and acts as a potential growth stimulator in normal and neoplastic cancer cells.However,a direct role for leptin in endometrial cancer has not been demonstrated.In the present study,the effect of leptin on the proliferation of Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells was investigated as well as the possible mechanism(s) underlying this action in endometrial cancers which express both short and long isoforms of leptin receptors.The expression of leptin receptor (ObRb) in Ishikawa cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.The cells after serum starvation,were treated by leptin with various concentrations (0,10,50,100,150 ng/mL) for different durations (6,12,24 h).The effect of leptin treatment on cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay.Meanwhile,inhibitory effect of Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor AG490 or extracellular signal-regulatedkinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation of Ishikawa cells induced by leptin was also studied.Ishikawa cells were treated with 100 ng/mL leptin for various periods (0,20,40,60 min),and the levels of STAT3 phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were examined by Western blotting.The results showed that leptin induced the phosphorylation of STAT3and the activation of ERK 1/2 in a time-and dose-dependent manner in the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells.Blocking STAT3 phosphorylation with the inhibitor AG490,or blocking ERK1/2 activation by the specific ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor,PD98059,abolished leptin-induced proliferation of Ishikawa cells.In addition,leptin was found to potently induce the invasion of endometrial cancer cells in a Matrigel invasion assay.Leptin-stimulated invasion was effectively blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of STAT3 (AG490) and ERK1/2 kinase (PD98059).These results suggested that leptin promotes endometrial cancer growth and invasiveness by activating STAT3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and therefore blocking its action at the receptor level can be a rational therapeutic strategy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of Rotarex ? S in debulking the femoropopliteal calcified lesion. Methods:The data of 5 patients with femoropopliteal calcified lesions treated with Rotarex ? S combined with drug balloon treatment admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from March 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The success rate and complications of all operations were recorded. CT software was used to compare the effective lumen area of the target lesion area before and after surgery in all cases, and the ischemic grade of the affected limb before and after surgery was recorded in all patients. Results:All 5 femoropopliteal calcified lesions were successfully treated with Rotarex ? S debulking followed with drug-coated balloon angioplasty without flow-limited dissections, vascular perforation and distal embolizations, with a success rate of 100%. The effective lumen area for calcified lesions were increased 9-15.11 mm 2 (median: 13 mm 2). The Rutherford classifications were improved from R 2-4 to R 1-2. Conclusions:Femoropopliteal calcified lesion debulking with Rotarex ? S was safe and effective.