BACKGROUND:Aortic root homograft has been widely used, but it stil has a high incidence of calcification and degeneration after operation.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the alteration of biological and immunological properties of rabbit aortic root homograft treated with de-endothelialization and decellularization methods, and to find a better decellularization method.
METHODS:Aortic root homografts obtained from rabbits were randomly divided into fresh group, de-endothelialization group, and decellularization group. The morphology of homografts was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson and VG stainings. The biological properties such as thickness, tensile strength, broken extension rate, and heat shrinkage temperature were detected. The immunological features (inflammatory cellinfiltration, calcium content and CD152 expression) were determined with immunohistochemistry and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As demonstrated in morphological observation, protocols of de-endothelialization and decellularization methods we used attained our desired aim of decellularization perfectly. Tensile strength and broken extension rate of decellularization group were decreased significantly compared with fresh group (P<0.01), while the difference between de-endothelialization group and fresh group was not significant (P>0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that, inflammatory reaction was the most apparent in fresh group, showing a large amount of inflammatory cells infiltration;compared with fresh group, inflammatory reaction was significantly attenuated in de-endothelialization group, the number of inflammatory cells was significantly decreased. The inflammatory reaction was the lowest in the decellularization group, only inflammatory cells infiltrated the tissue edge. Immunohistochemistry showed that, CD152 expression was significantly increased in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups compared with fresh group (P<0.05). Calcium content in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups was significantly decreased compared with fresh group (P<0.05). It could be concluded that the immunogenicity of de-endothelialized and decellularized aortic homografts is decreased significantly, and the de-endothelialization method could better maintain the tensile property.

Objective: To observe the clinical curative effect of narrow band ultraviolet combined infrared with 8-Methoxypsoralen for the treatment of vitiligo,to seek a new method for the treatment of vitiligo. Methods: Sixty cases of vitiligo patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group adopted 365-nm narrow band ultraviolet LED combined 850-nm infrared LED with 8-Methoxypsoralen for the treatment of vitiligo, the control group adopted 365-nm narrow band ultraviolet LED irradiation combined with 8-Methoxypsoralen for the treatment of vitiligo, the clinical curative effect of two group were observed when treated with 1 months,2 months. Results:After 2 months of treatment, the efficiency rate of the experimental group was 66.67%, higher than that of the control group with an efficiency of 40%, the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.653, P<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of narrow band ultraviolet combined infrared with 8-Methoxypsoralen for the treatment of vitiligo is better than that of narrow band ultraviolet combined with 8-Methoxypsoralen in the treatment of vitiligo.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Nervous System Neoplasms ; therapy ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System ; therapy

To analyze the composition and medication regularities of prescriptions treating hypochondriac pain in Chinese journal full-text database (CNKI) based on the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system, in order to provide a reference for further research and development for new traditional Chinese medicines treating hypochondriac pain. The traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform software V2. 0 was used to build a prescription database of Chinese medicines treating hypochondriac pain. The software integration data mining method was used to distribute prescriptions according to "four odors", "five flavors" and "meridians" in the database and achieve frequency statistics, syndrome distribution, prescription regularity and new prescription analysis. An analysis were made for 192 prescriptions treating hypochondriac pain to determine the frequencies of medicines in prescriptions, commonly used medicine pairs and combinations and summarize 15 new prescriptions. This study indicated that the prescriptions treating hypochondriac pain in Chinese journal full-text database are mostly those for soothing liver-qi stagnation, promoting qi and activating blood, clearing heat and promoting dampness, and invigorating spleen and removing phlem, with a cold property and bitter taste, and reflect the principles of "distinguish deficiency and excess and relieving pain by smoothening meridians" in treating hypochondriac pain.
Databases, Factual ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Meridians ; Pain ; drug therapy

BACKGROUND: The expression and significance of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in different diseases are different.OBJ ECTTVE: To investigate the expression of TGF-α and EGF-R in human liver cirrhosis tissues.DESIGN : Non-randomized controlled trial.SETTING: Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: This trial was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA during March 2003 to May 2004. Sixty-three samples of human liver cirrhosis tissue were obtained from Department of General Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA (Informed consents were obtained). Five human normal liver tissues were obtained form autopsy in Department of Pathology, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA (patients with liver diseases were excluded).METHODS: Sixty-three samples of human liver cirrhosis specimens and five human normal liver tissues were studied with immunohistochemical method and in situ hybridization technique. The positive rates of TGF-α and EGF-R were calculated and managed statistically.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Detection of the expressions of TGF-α and EGF-R in liver cirrhosis tissues were detected with immunohistochemical method and in situ hybridization technique.RESULTS: The expression rate of TGF-α and EGF-R in 63 samples of human liver cirrhosis tissues was 84% (53/63)and 52% (33/63) respectively. These positive granules were brown and most of them were in cytoplasm of hepatocytes.There was significantly positive correlation between TGF-α and EGF-R (r =0.32,P ＜ 0.05). In five normal liver tissues,TGF-α and EGF-R were not detectable in hepatocytes and bile ducts. In situ hybridization showed the levels of TGF-αmRNA and EGF-R mRNA were higher (86%, 54%) than those of immunohistochemistry. There was no significant difference between two detective methods (P＞0.05).CONCLUSrON: Liver cirrhosis might be under the autocrine regulation of TGF-α/EGF-R. Increasing expression of TGF-αand EGF-R might be one of important factors in liver cirrhosis pathogenesis.

Objective To investigate the antibiotic-resistant gene mecA and the prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene, toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-Ⅰ) gene in S. aureus. Methods A total of 74 S. aureus were collected from clinical specimens. The mecA, PVL and TSST-Ⅰ genes were detected by PCR.Results PVL gene was identified in 22 S. aureus isolates. The prevalence of PVL was 29.7% in S. aureus, 36.6% in MRSA and 21.2% in MSSA. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of MRSA was 55.4% in 74 S. aureus. The prevalence of TSST-Ⅰ gene was 6.8%. TSST-Ⅰ gene was not detected in MSSA.Conclusions MRSA strains show highly resistant to antibiotics. PVL- and TSST-Ⅰ-positive S. aureus are more pathogenic.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to imipenem.Methods Anti-microbial susceptibility was evaluated by disk diffusion test,Seven imipenem-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were select-ed.And PCR was used to amplify so as to detect eighteen resistant genes.Results Seven imipenem-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were more sensitive to aminoglycosides and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.The positive rates of KPC,ant(3′′)-Ⅰ, SHV,CTX-Mand ant(2′′)-Ⅰin these imipenem-resistant strains were high.Conclusion Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumon-iae isolated from our hospital carries several kinds of resistant genes.Carrying KPC may be the main resistant mechanism of Kleb-siella pneumoniae resistant to carbapenem,but other mechanisms also exist at the same time.

Isocitrate lyase (ICL) which plays a pivotal role in the glyoxylate cycle of mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) could be a potential target against mycobacterium tuberculosis.Deoxyribozyme(DRz) is a small single-strand,enzymatic DNA molecule.Assistant by sketch of secondary structure,appropriate and not appropriate target sequences of MTB ICL mRNA were predicted.Two DRzs were designed targeting above sequences respectively.To affirm feasibility of this kind of prediction,in vitro cleavage of MTB ICL mRNA segment by DRz-ICLcf and DRz-ICLcj were performed.The results showed that sketch of secondary structure could indeed predict potential target of DRz.This research will provide basis for developing DRz as a novel antimicrobial agent against MTB.

This paper introduces the nursing care for 36 patients with framework exposure in auricular reconstruction by temporal superficial fascia flaps combining with split skin grafts transplantation,such as pre-and post-operative behavioral in-struction,psychological care,and close observation of blood circulation of reconstructed auricular. The patients' wounds healed up well and all the split skin grafts survived successfully. No infection and stent exposure occurred once more. The appear-ance of the reconstructed auricular was pleasing too. It is suggested that high quality of pre-and post-operative nursing,care-ful health education and psychological care be beneficial for the successful repair of framework exposure after auricular recon-struction.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal nephrohydrosis and its prognosis.Methods Prenatal ultrasanography was performed on 9526 women at more than 20 weeks gestation,and 162 women whose anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis was≥8 mm were included in this study.The grade of fetal nephrohydrosis was classified according to Grignon grading method.The changes in fetal nephrohydrosis were observed regularly until delivery.Results(1)The incidence of fetal encephalic fluid and Grignon grade:there were 162 fetuses with fetal nephrohydrosis among 9526 fetuses,with an incidence of 1.7%.The numbers of fetuses with Grades 1 to 5 were 71,59,7,3 and 22,respectively.(2)The distribution in gestafional weeks of fetal nephrohydrosis:generally,fetal nephrohydrosis was first diagnosed at(33±5)weeks,and the maximum degree of nephrohydrosis was observed at(36±3)weeks.One hundred and ten fetuses with nephrohydrosis recovered during the process of gestation,at about(37±4)weeks.(3)Poor terminations of pregnancy:there were 40(25%)fetuses with poor terminations among totally 162 cases.Among these 40 fetuses,3(27%)were first diagnosed at 20 to 24 weeks within 11 fetuses,6(24%)were first diagnosed at 25 to 28 weeks within 20 fetuses,14(26%)were first diagnosed at 29 to 32 weeks within 53 fetuses,11(23%)were first diagnosed at 33 to 36 weeks within 48 fetuses,and 6(20%)were first diagnosed at 37 to 40 weeks within 30 fetuses,The results demonstrate that high grade of fetal nephrohydrosis according to Grignon grading method indicates a poorer prognosis of the fetus.(4)Follow-up results:there were 122(75%,122/162)live and healthy neonates in total,including 110 neonates whose nephrohydrosis recovered prior to birth and 12 neonates whose nephrohydrosis recovered within 1 week after birth.These neonates all developed well without any urinary sequela within the first 2 years.There were also 20(12%,20/162)hydronephrotic neonates who were still diagnosed as nephrohydrosis within 1 week after birth,including 11 fetuses graded below Grignon grade 3,whose nephrohydrosis recovered 3 to 12 months after birth and who developed well without any urinary symptoms.Conclusions The study demonstrates that hydronephrotic fetuses who are diagnosed at earlier gestational weeka and with higher grading have poore prognosis.The Grignon grading method can be used in the prenatal evaluation of fetal nephrohydrosis to predict the prognosis of the fetus.