Objective To investigate expression of Fos protein in rat brains following restraint stress. Methods The experimental rats were restrained in a small plastic tub for,1,3 and 6 hours,and were sacrificed at 30 min after removing restraint.Immunohistochemical ABC method was used to observe distribution of Fos protein-like immunoreactive(-LI)products in rats brain.Results Fos-LI neurons appeared in (1)Frontal brain:the cingulum,cortex(especially in third and fifth layer),lateral septal nucleus,central amygdaloid nucleus.(2)Diencephalon:the thalamic paraventricular nucleus,lateral geniculate body and medial genicular body,hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus,supraoptic nucleus,periventricular area of third ventricle,arcuate nucleus.(3)Brain stem:the superficial layer of superior colliculus,periaqueductal gray,cortical area of inferior colliculus,lateral parabrachial nucleus,locus coeruleus,A5 area,cochlear nuclei,medullary viceral zone in medulla oblongata.The expression of Fos-LI neurons peaked in rats restrained for 1h,at 3h,then began to decrease,at 6h,significantly decreased. Conclusion Fos-LI neurons appeared in many areas of brain induced with restraint stress.The number of Fos-LI neurons decreased following restraint time.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) and its disassembled recipes on rats' neurogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia and to investigate its underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODSFocal cerebral ischemia model was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min using the intraluminal filament model. Rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the BYHWD group, the qi supplementing group, and the blood activating group. Medication was performed by gastrogavage 24 h after ischemia for 14 successive days. 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) (at 50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected, once per day for 14 successive days. The neurological function was assessed using modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and the corner test at day 1, 7, and 14 after ischemia. BrdU/Nestin, BrdU/NeuN, and BrdU/GFAP positive cells were examined by double immunofluorescence at day 14 after ischemia. The protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by Western blot at day 14 after ischemia.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the score of mNSS and the frequency of turning right significantly decreased in the BYHWD group and the qi supplementing group (P < 0.01), the number of BrdU/Nestin in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, and BrdU/ NeuN and BrdU/GFAP positive cells in the peripheral ischemic cortex increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), protein expression of BDNF and VEGF increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the qi supplementing group, there was no statistical difference in BrdU/GFAP. But there was no statistical difference in each index of the blood activating group (P > 0.05). Compared with BYHWD group, the number of BrdU/Nestin, BrdU/ NeuN, and BrdU/GFAP positive cells significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the protein expression of BDNF and VEGF were significantly reduced in the qi supplementing group and the blood activating group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBYHWD could significantly improve neurogenesis and neurological function recovery after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Its mechanisms might be related to up-regulating protein expression of BDNF and VEGF. Drugs for qi supplementing and drugs for blood activating had synergistic effects.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIM: Gene transduction with a recombined murine stem cell retroviral vector has been investigated to find an effective way of gene transduction and to offer theory and experimental basis for the recombined murine stem cell retroviral vector used for gene transduction. METHODS: 1. Construction of retrovirus vector: EC1-4 gene (repeats 1-4 of cadherin-5 extracellular domain) and mutant (Ser 222A) MEK1 gene were cloned into retrovirus vector pMSCV after cut by Bgl Ⅱ and EcoR 1 restriction endonuclease. 2. Obtaining CD41 + cells and cell culture: Cells expressing CD34 + from cord blood were isolated. The inducement of cells expressing CD41 from CD34 + cells was performed by using TPO and cells CD41 + were selected by FACS. NIH 3T3 cells were cultured in high sugar DMEM medium and U937 in RPMI 1640 medium. UT7 cells which is cytokine-dependent cell line were grown in Iscove's modified Dulbeco's medium supplemented by GM-CSF. 3. Determination of viral titers: Retroviral vectors were transferred to packaging cell line 293. Retroviral containing supenatant was collected after transfection. The viral titers was tested on infection of NIH 3T3 cells by FACS analysis. 4. Western blot: Transduced CD41 +,UT7,U937 and MDA-MB-435 cells were analyzed by western blot to examine expression of transduced genes. RESULTS: A packaging cell line 293 produces high-titer MEK1 pMSCV retroviruses (3.1?10 7) and EC1-4 pMSCV retroviruses (1.0?10 8). With 8-folds dilution retroviruses,60.73% GFP positive cells have been obtained in MEK1 pMSCV transduced UT7 cells,72.56% in U937 cells and 30.57% in CD41 + cells,respectively. GFP positive cells have reached up 97.54 % in EC1-4 pMSCV transducted MDA-MB-435 cells. Phosphorylated MEK1 has been decreased in experiment group when TPO has stimulated CD41 + and UT7 cells or serum has stimulated U973 cells. This indicates that is a dominant negative effect of mutation MEK gene. EC1-4 gene transduced MDA-MB-435 cells have expressed EC1-4. CONCLUSION: The recombined murine stem cell retrovirus can effectively mediate gene transduction of CD41 +,UT7,U937 and MDA-MB-435 cells,and transduced genes can be stably expressed.

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for osteoporosis screening. Materials and Methods: Eligible patients who had and had not undergone DXA screening were identified from among those aged 50 years or older at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Age, sex, screening year (index year), and Charlson comorbidity index of the DXA and non-DXA groups were matched using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) for propensity score analysis. For cost-effectiveness analysis, a societal perspective, 1-year cycle length, 20-year time horizon, and discount rate of 2% per year for both effectiveness and costs were adopted in the incremental cost-effectiveness (ICER) model. Results: The outcome analysis included 10337 patients (female:male, 63.8%:36.2%) who were screened for osteoporosis in southern Taiwan between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. The DXA group had significantly better outcomes than the non-DXA group in terms of fragility fractures (7.6% vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) and mortality (0.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.001). The DXA screening strategy gained an ICER of US$ -2794 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) relative to the non-DXA at the willingness-to-pay threshold of US$ 33004 (Taiwan’s per capita gross domestic product). The ICER after stratifying by ages of 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years were US$ -17815, US$ -26862, US$ -28981, and US$ -34816 per QALY, respectively. Conclusion Using DXA to screen adults aged 50 years or older for osteoporosis resulted in a reduced incidence of fragility fractures, lower mortality rate, and reduced total costs. Screening for osteoporosis is a cost-saving strategy and its effectiveness increases with age. However, caution is needed when generalizing these cost-effectiveness results to all older populations because the study population consisted mainly of women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ischemic post-conditioning (PostC) has been demonstrated as a novel strategy to harness nature's protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Hypercholesterolemia (HC) has been reported to block the effect of PostC on the heart. Angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) modulators have shown benefits in myocardial ischemia. The present study investigates the effect of a novel inhibitor of AT1, azilsartan in PostC of the heart of normocholesterolemic (NC) and HC rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HC was induced by the administration of high-fat diet to the animals for eight weeks. Isolated Langendorff's perfused NC and HC rat hearts were exposed to global ischemia for 30 min and reperfusion for 120 min. I/R-injury had been assessed by cardiac hemodynamic parameters, myocardial infarct size, release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, nitrite in coronary effluent, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, a reduced form of glutathione, superoxide anion, and left ventricle collagen content in normal and HC rat hearts. RESULTS: Azilsartan post-treatment and six episodes of PostC (10 sec each) afforded cardioprotection against I/R-injury in normal rat hearts. PostC protection against I/R-injury was abolished in HC rat hearts. Azilsartan prevented the HC-mediated impairment of the beneficial effects of PostC in I/R-induced myocardial injury, which was inhibited by L-N⁵-(1-Iminoethyl)ornithinehydrochloride, a potent inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). CONCLUSION: Azilsartan treatment has attenuated the HC-induced impairment of beneficial effects of PostC in I/R-injury of rat hearts, by specifically modulating eNOS. Azilsartan may be explored further in I/R-myocardial injury, both in NC and HC conditions, with or without PostC.
Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Collagen ; Creatine Kinase ; Diet, High-Fat ; Glutathione ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Postconditioning* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Superoxides ; Troponin I ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Adult ; Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; therapy ; Critical Care ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Patient Positioning ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; therapy ; Prone Position ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; therapy ; virology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONThere is considerable controversy regarding the best method to prevent venous thromboembolism. In 2008, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) published specific guidelines recommending the use of ow-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin, and a target international normalised ratio of 2.0-3.0 for a duration of at least 7-10 days, after elective knee arthroplasties. Many orthopaedic surgeons believe that these recommendations are biased toward reducing deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but neglect the implicated possibility of a higher incidence of wound complications. In order to enable an objective evaluation of the fit of the ACCP recommendations to the needs of our local cohort of patients, we aimed to look at the incidence of DVT in our local population.

METHODSThis study was a prospective observational study involving existing local patients in Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and were on a short course of chemothromboprophylaxis (< 7 days) after the operation. The incidence of DVT in patients was evaluated using DVT imaging 4-6 days after the operation and at one month after the operation.

RESULTSIn our study cohort, the prevalence of DVT during the period between postoperative Days 4 and 6 was 12% (11% were distal DVT and 1% was proximal DVT). Only 9% of the patients had DVT one month after the operation. Using chi-square analysis, we found that there was no significant increase in the number of DVT and pulmonary embolism cases 4-6 days and 1 month after the operation (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONContrary to the ACCP guidelines, a short course of chemothromboprophylaxis post TKA, lasting no more than 7 days, is safe and adequate in the low-risk Asian population.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Venous Thrombosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Warfarin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of enhanced large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel currents (BK) in coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

METHODSCoronary SMCs were isolated by enzyme digestion. Potassium channels in coronary SMCs were identified by applications of different potassium blockers. Effects of DHA and its metabolite 16, 17-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (16, 17-EDP) on BK channels in the absence and presence of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A were studied by patch clamp in whole-cell configuration.

RESULTSBK channels were widely distributed in SMCs, and BK currents in normal SMCs accounted for (64.2 ± 2.7)% of total potassium currents (n = 20). DHA could activate BK channels, and its 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) was (0.23 ± 0.03) µmol/L, however, the effect of DHA on BK channels was abolished after SMCs were incubated with cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A. 16, 17-EDP, a metabolite of DHA, could reproduce the effects of DHA on BK channels, and its EC(50) was (19.7 ± 2.8) nmol/L.

CONCLUSIONDHA and metabolites can activate BK channels and dilate coronary arteries through activating cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; pharmacology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proadifen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley