Objective To investigate effects of different doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in fetal mouse osteoblasts.Methods Calvaria osteoblasts of fetal mice of 19 days were cultured.The effects of rhBMP-2 at different doses and different action times on VEGF expression patterns in fetal mouse osteoblasts were observed with reverse transcrip- tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot staining.Results In the present study,RT-PCR detected a steady expression of VEGF mRNA in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.The levels of VEGF mRNA increased in an apparent biphasic manner with a maximum stimulation (about 2-fold above the control,P＜0.05 ) in both VEGF mRNA species observed at 300 ng/mL of rbBMP-2.After 48 h of rhBMP-2 treatment,the VEGF mRNA levels approached those in the control.The VEGF mRNA levels appeared to be biphasic in rhBMP-2-treated cultures,showing peak induction at 3 and 24 h and remaining elevated at 48 b.Compared with the individual control value at each time point,an apparent maximum increase (about 2.5-fold above the control,P＜0.05) occurred at 6 h.The second peak induction,about 2-fold above that in the control,occurred at about 36 h.Conclusions The expression of VEGF mRNA is steady in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.RhBMP-2 can promote the expression of VEGF in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners.

Objective To investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the effects of its complications on prognoses in past 7 years in the north area of Guizhou province. Methods Data of 209 patients with SAP admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College from January 2009 to January2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a survival group (178 cases) and a death group (31 cases) according to the prognosis. The gender, age, diagnosis (primary and recurrent), the length of stay in hospital, the levels of creatinine and total bilirubin (TBil), the time of blood purification, hematocrit (HCT) level on the first day after admission, pathogenesis, complications [infection, pseudocyst, intra-peritoneal hemorrhage, acute renal failure (ARF), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), pancreatic encephalopathy, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)], sequential organ failure (SOFA) score (maximum SOFA score during hospital stay), application of hormones, surgical interference, etc. related factors were compared, the SAP epidemiological characteristics, factors affecting prognosis and the effect of complications on prognosis in intensive care unit (ICU) were analyzed in the two groups.Results Of the 209 patients 98 cases were diagnosed biliary pancreatitis accounting for the majority (46.9%), hyperlipidemic pancreatitis 76 cases (36.3%), alcoholic pancreatitis 6 cases (2.8%) and idiopathic pancreatitis29 cases (13.9%). The age (years: 47.1±13.5 vs. 53.2±12.0), creatinine (μmol/L: 109.4±100.3 vs. 335.7±222.4), the ration of intra-peritoneal hemorrhage [4.5% (8) vs. 38.7% (12)], ARF [1.1% (2) vs. 54.8% (17)], ACS [1.1% (2) vs. 9.7% (3)], MODS [18.5% (33) vs. 74.2% (23)] and SOFA score (3.3±2.4 vs. 10.5±5.4), percentage of patients using hormones [5.6% (10) vs. 29.0% (9)] were significantly lowered (allP < 0.05) and the time of blood purification was shortened (days: 1.95±1.97 vs. 4.81±5.84) in survival group than those in death group; while the gender, diagnosis, the length of stay in hospital, TBil, HCT on the first day after admission, pathogenesis, complications (infection, pseudocyst, ARDS and pancreatic encephalopathy) and surgical treatment situation were compared between the two groups, no statistical significant differences were seen (allP > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that creatinine > 300μmol/L [odds ratio (OR) was 2.651, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.459-3.935,P = 0.017], intra-peritoneal hemorrhage (OR was 5.231, 95%CI was 3.517-7.159,P = 0.000), ARF (OR was 3.731, 95%CI was 2.641-4.857,P = 0.000), ACS (OR was 2.517, 95%CI was 1.003-3.098,P = 0.000), use of hormone (OR was 1.012, 95%CI was 0.825-2.051,P = 0.000) and SOFA score (OR was 3.179, 95%CI was 2.630-6.021 andP = 0.000), MODS (OR was 4.716, 95%CI was 2.086-7.902 andP = 0.031) were the risk factors having critical effects on the prognosis of thedisease, The higher the creatinine level, the worse the prognosis. The mortality of ARF was very high reaching 89.5%; the mortalities of patients with complications as intra-peritoneal haemorrhage, ACS, MODS, pancreatic encephalopathy, AKI, infection, pancreatic pseudocyst and ARDS were as follows: 60.0%, 60.0%, 41.1%, 33.3%, 32.1%, 23.1%, 17.7%, 13.1% respectively.Conclusion Biliary disease andhyperlipidemia are the major causes of SAP in north area of Guizhou province, creatinine > 300μmol/L, intra-peritoneal hemorrhage, ARF, ACS, SOFA score, use of hormones are the independent risk factors leading to poor outcome in patients with SAP and the use of hormones cannot ameliorate the disease situation.

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effects of internal fixation in treating displaced clavicle fracture combined with coracoid process.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to July 2012, 9 patients with displaced clavicle fracture combined with coracoid process were treated by internal fixation. Among them, there were 6 males and 3 females with an average age of 40.1 (ranged from 20 to 57) years old. According to Eyres classification: 3 cases were type II B, 1 case was type II A, 3 cases were type III B, and 2 cases were type V A. All patients had history of injury, and diagnosed as coracoid fracture X-ray and CT before operation. Herscovici criteria was used to evaluate function of shoulders joint after operation.

RESULTSSeven of 9 patients were followed up from 6 to 18 (averaged 11) months. The incisions were healed at stage I, coracoid process obtained bony healing, and reduction of acromioclavicular joint well. According to Herscovici criteria, 6 patients got excellent results and 1 in good.

CONCLUSIONInternal fixation for the treatment of displaced clavicle fracture combined with coracoid process could restore physiological anatomical position of coracoid process, and benefit for recovery of limb function.

Adult ; Clavicle ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Scapula ; injuries ; Shoulder Joint ; injuries

Objective To study the relationship between the choice of operation and the efficacy on hepa- tolithiasis.Methods From Januray of 1995 to December of 2006,89 patients with hepatolithiasis underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed.Of them 33 cases underwent hepaticoplasty,hepatolobectomy in 7 cases, cholangiojejunostomy in 22 cases,choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage in 27 cases.Results Out of the 89 cas- es,follow-up was completed in 81 cases for 6 months to 12 years.The postoperative stone residual rate of the group which underwent hepaticoplasty was 15.15 %(5/33)and cholannitis recurrence rate was 12.50 %(4/32),hepa- tolobecromy was 14.29%(1/7)and 16.67%(1/6),cholangiojejunostomy was 18.18%(4/22)and 30%(6/20), choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage was 33.33 %(9/27)and 29.17 %(7/24).Conclusion Hepaticoplasty and hepatolobecromy were superior to cholangiojejunostomy and choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage for treat- ment of hepatolithiasis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of Wnt/beta-catenin and the effects of tanshinone IIA (TII A) on Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in high glucose induced renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation.

METHODSHuman kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were divided into three groups, i. e., the normal glucose group, the high glucose group, and the high glucose plus tanshinone IIA group. The expression of beta-catenin was observed using immunocytochemical staining. The protein expression of beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of beta-catenin and E-cadherin were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal glucose group, both the protein and the mRNA expressions of beta-catenin were significantly enhanced (P < 0.01), the expression of E-cadherin significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the expression of beta-catenin increased in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the high glucose group. TIIA at the final concentration of 100 micromol/L significantly reduced the ectopic expression of beta-catenin. At that concentration, the protein and mRNA expressions of beta-catenin in the nucleus significantly decreased, while the protein and mRNA expressions of E-cadherin were up-regulated. Meanwhile, the expression of alpha-SMA obviously decreased.

CONCLUSIONSWnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway participated in the high glucose induced renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation. TIIA inhibited the transdifferentiation process possibly through down-regulating the activities of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, thus further playing a role in renal protection.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the root of Paeonia sinjiangensis.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and their physical-chemical constants.

RESULTFive compounds, paeoniflorin( I ), albiflorin (II), lactiflorin(III), daucosterol(IV), sucrose (V), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONAll of the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Benzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the pacemaker cells in the left ventricular outflow tract (aortic vestibule) and compare them with those of the cells in the sinoatrial node (SAN). By using conventional intracellular microelectrode technique to record their action potentials, some ionic channel blockers were used to observe their electrophysiological effects on the two types of pacemaker cells in the rabbit, especially on the ionic movement during phase 0 and phase 4. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Perfusion with 1 micromol/L verapamil (VER) resulted in a significant reduction in the amplitude of action potential (APA), maximal rate of depolarization (V(max)), absolute value of the maximal diastolic potential (MDP), velocity of diastolic depolarization (VDD) and rate of pacemaker firing (RPF), and also a prolongation of the 90% of the duration of action potential (APD(90)) in the pacemaker cells of the SAN and aortic vestibule (P<0.05). (2) Perfusion with 180 micromol/L nickel chloride (NiCl2) resulted in a decrease in VDD in the two types of the pacemaker cells (P<0.01). APA, V(max) and RPF fell notably, and the APD(90) prolonged in the sinoatrial node cells (P<0.05). (3) 2 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) led to a increase in VDD in both types of pacemaker cells (P<0.01). At the same time the absolute values of MDP, APA and V(max) decreased significantly, and APD(90) prolonged notably (P<0.05). During the perfusion, RPF in SAN increased markedly, while RPF in aortic vestibule exhibited no significant change. (4) 2 mmol/L cesium chloride (CsCl) led to a decrease in VDD and RPF in the two types of the pacemaker cells (P<0.05).These results suggested: (1) the ion currents in phase 0 and phase 4 of depolarization and repolarization of slow-response activity in aortic vestibule are similar to those in dominant pacemaker cells of sinoatrial node; (2) for the pacemaker cells in the left ventricular outflow tract, Ca(2+) current is the main depolarizing ion current of the phase 0, K(+) current is the main factor responsible for the repolarization. Attenuation of K(+) current is responsible for the phase 4 spontaneous depolarization. In addition, it seems that I(Ca-T), I(Ca-L) and I(f ) play some role in the pacemaker currents.
4-Aminopyridine ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Male ; Nickel ; pharmacology ; Periodicity ; Rabbits ; Sinoatrial Node ; cytology ; physiology ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced (MR-DCE) and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in the differentiation of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

METHODSSixty-three patients with pathologically confirmed musculoskeletal tumors were examined with MR-DCE and MR-DWI. Using single shot spin echo planar imaging sequence and different b values of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 s/mm(2), we obtained the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions. ADC values were measured before and after MR-DCE, with a b value of 600 s/mm(2). The 3D fast acquired multiple phase enhanced fast spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence was obtained for multi-slice of the entire lesion. The time-signal intensity curve (TIC), dynamic contrast-enhanced parameters, maximum slope of increase (MSI), positive enhancement integral, signal enhancement ratio, and time to peak (T(peak)) were also recorded.

RESULTSADC showed no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors when the b value was 400, 600, 800, or 1000 s/mm(2), and it was not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors in both pre-MR-DCE and post-MR-DCE with b value of 600 s/mm(2). TIC were classified into four types type1 showed rapid progression and gradual drainage; type2 showed rapid progression but had no or slight progression; type 3 showed gradual progression; and type 4 had no or slight progression. Most lesions of type1 or type2 were malignant, whereas most lesions of type 3 or type 4 were benign. When using type1 and type 2 as the standards of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 87.23% and 50.00%, respectively. The types of TIC showed significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors(χ(2)=17.009,P=0.001). When using MSI 366.62 ± 174.84 as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 86.78% and 78.67%, respectively. When using T(peak)≤70s as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 82.89%and 85.78%, respectively. Positive enhancement integral and signal enhancement ratio showed no significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

CONCLUSIONSTIC, MSI and T(peak) of MR-DCE are valuable in differentiating benign from malignant musculoskeletal tumors. T(peak) has the highest diagnostic specificity, and TIC has the highest diagnostic sensitivity. The mean ADC value are no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore and evaluate the feasibility, safety, radicality and the short-term outcome of minimally invasive esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to October 2009, 67 patients with esophageal cancer received minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE group), while 38 patients underwent conventional open esophagectomy (OE group: via right thorax, abdomen, left neck). The operative procedures, clinicopathological data and short-term outcome were collected and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe clinical data of the two groups were comparable. No significant differences was found in demographics between the two groups. Median blood loss in MIE group was less than that in OE group (chest: 112.3 ml vs. 175.3 ml, P = 0.035, abdominal: 31.4 ml vs. 100.5 ml, P = 0.026). More patients in OE group were transferred to ICU (P = 0.042) and more obvious pain (P = 0.005). The rate of pulmonary infection and intestinal obstruction in OE group were higher than MIE group (P = 0.046 and 0.045). There were no differences in the number of lymph node dissection for two groups, the average was 20.9 and lymph node metastasis rate was 26.9% in MIE group. Mean follow up was (14.0 ± 2.2) months (range, 2 to 29 months). Recurrence rate and survival rate were no differences.

CONCLUSIONThe Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible, safe, and reliable short-term effect, and can achieve radical tumor resection, which may lead to better future of surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of T-614 in treating rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Methods Two hundred and eighty patients with active RA were randomly allocated to 3 groups:T-614 50 mg each day,25 mg each day or placebo.Clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed at baseline,2,4,6,12, 18 and 24 weeks.Results The ACR response rate was significantly higher in the T-614 treatment group com- pared with the placebo group during the first 6 weeks.After 24 weeks,25 mg/d,50 mg/d dosage group and the placebo group showed 39.1%,61.3% and 24.2% in ACR20,23.9%,31.2% and 7.4% in ACR50 respectively.A time-response in ACR response after 24 weeks was observed,with clear superiority of the 25 mg/d and 50 mg/d dosage groups compared to the placebo,and 50 mg/d dosage group compared to 25 mg/d dosage group(P