BACKGROUND:As the multipotent differentiation potential, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exert an important role in bone metabolism disorders, which is regulated by a variety of hormones and cytokines. Currently, the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are unclear, and association between histone deacetylase (Hdac) and osteoporosis needs to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the epigenetic mechanisms of bone formation by analyzing the expression of Hdac1, 3, 4 mRNA profile in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated from ovariectomized mice. METHODS:A total 30 female healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham group and ovariectomy group. After 7 days of adaptive feeding, mice in the ovariectomized group (n=15) were subject to bilateral ovariectomy;mice in sham group (n=15) were sham-operated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the ovariectomy group, the trabecular bone of the femur was sparse or broken, the width of trabecular bone was narrowed, the trabecular separation was widened, and the trabecular bone volume was reduced. The level of Hdac3 mRNA was lower in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from ovariectomized mice compared with controls, but there was no significance between Hdac1, Hdac4 mRNA expression of the two groups. These findings demonstrate that Hdac might play an important role in bone remodeling in the model of estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis.

Background Many eye diseases such as central retinal artery occlusion,glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy,etc.lead to retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) and furthmore visual functional damage.It is neeessary to study the treatment of RIRI.Objective This study was to observe and discuss the influence of aminoguanidine on the retina morphological changes and its mechanism after RIRI.Methods Eighty clean healthy male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal injury group,RIRI group and aminoguanidine (AG)treated group.The model of RIRI was established by infusing saline solution into the anterior chamber to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) in both RIRI group and AG group.AG was intraperitoneally injected in the models of the AG group,and normal saline solution was used at the same method in tbe normal group and the RIRI group.The fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) were pertormed on the rabbits at the moment of retina ischemia and 6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion.The parts of rabbits were sacrificed 1,6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion,followed by the enucleation of the eyeballs.Retinal section was prepared for TUNEL examination to evaluate the apoptosis of retinal cells.Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in retina was detected with nitrate reductase,and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by colorimetric detection.The use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The fundus photography and FFA showed that the retinal edema was more mild,and the percentage of vascular occlusion was lower in the AG treatment group than that in RIRI group and the amount and area of fluorescein leakage were also smaller than the treatment group.The numbers of TUNEL positive cells in the AG treatment group were less than those in the RIRI model group at 1,6,24 and 72 hours after experiment (F分组 =2762.37,P =0.00 ; F时间 =894.24,P =0.00).Numbers of TUNEL positive cells between adjacent time points were significantly different in both RIRI model group and AG treatment group (RIRI group:q =24.475,36.591,-20.37,P＜0.05;AG group:q =20.94,16.79,-6.92,P＜0.05),with the peak value at 24 hours after experiment.NO contents were significantly higher in the RIRI model group compared to AG group at various time points(q =3.84,4.01,8.91,3.75,P＜0.05),and those between adjacent time points showed significant differences (RIRI group:q=4.77,13.403,-10.29,P＜0.05;AG group:q=4.55,9.05,-5.08,P＜0.05).iNOS activity was significantly elevated in the RIRI model group compared with AG group(q=-3.74,-4.94,-6.53,-3.98,P＜0.05),and obvious differences also were seen between the adjacent time points in both two groups(RIRI group:q =8.43,6.71,-6.39,P＜0.05 ;AG group:q =4.16,5.08,-3.93,P＜0.05).Conclusions Aminoguanidine can protect the retinal function and morpbology from oxidative stress damage after RIRI by reducing the NO level and inhibiting the iNOS activity in retina.

Objective To explore the neuroprotection of Shuxuetongmai capsule pretreatment, and the effect on the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods Ninety-six male SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group,ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R),ischemia preconditioning group (IP),and Shuxuetongmai group(n=24). Each group was further randomly divided into 4 subgroups by 3 h, 6 h, 24 h and 72 h after reperfusion, 6 rats in each subgroup. Sham-operated group was only performed artery separation . The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was set up in I/R rats by Longa method. The IP rats were performed for three minutes on the bilateral carotid artery ligation, and formed MCAO model 24 hours later. The rats in the Shuxuetongmai group were pretreated with Shuxuetongmai capsules for 14 days on gavage before the establishment of MCAO model. The neurological deficits were graded in rats by Zea Longa method. Western Blot was used to determine the protein expression of p38MAPK and P-p38MAPK. Tunel method was applied to detect the apoptosis of neurons and the relationship between expression of p38MAPK, P-p38MAPK and apoptosis of neuron. Results No neurological dysfunction appeared in the sham-operated group at each time points, but not for the other groups, which reached the peak at 24 h. Compared with the I/R group, IP group and Shuxuetongmai group presented the mild neurologic function deficiency at different time points in rats (P<0. 05), and no significant differences occurred between ischemia preconditioning group and Shuxuetongmai group (P>0.05). The obvious variation of the value of P-p38MAPK/p38MAPK wasn't detected in sham-operated group at different time points, while obviously presented in I/R group, and the ratios of P-p38MAPK/p38MAPK were increased gradually followed with reperfusion, approaching to the highest level at 24 h. Compared with the I/R group, the P-p38MAPK/p38MAPK declined from 3 h and to the lowest level at 24 h of reperfusion, in both IP and Shuxuetongmai groups(P<0. 05), and with similar phosphorylation. At different time points,very few neurons apoptosis were detected in sham-operated groups, but which increased gradually after reperfusion in other groups, and reached to the peak at 24 h. The neurons apoptosis in both IP group and Shuxuetongmai group were less than that in IR group ( P<0. 05 ) at different time points, and it showed no significant differences on neurons apoptosis between ischemia/preconditioning group and Shuxuetongmai group in rats (P>0. 05). Conclusion Shuxuetongmai capsule pretreatment can induce brain ischemic tolerance, attenuate the apoptosis of neurons in cerebral ischemia reperfusion, and improve neurologic function. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of p38MAPK phosphorylation.

AIMTo develop a fluorescence polarization-based high throughput screening and identify ligands for human Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (hLOX-1).

METHODSSequential ultracentrifugation at 4 degrees C from normolipidemic fasting volunteers to obtain low density lipoprotein (LDL), which was modified by CuSO4 (5 micromol x L(-1)) at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The assay was based on the interaction between receptor and ligand, and hLOX-1 was labeled by FITC and bound to its specific ligand, oxLDL. Different reaction time and DMSO concentration were optimized to determine the stability and tolerance of fluorescence polarization (FP) assay. 3 200 compounds were screened in black 384-well microplate by FP-based competitive displacement assay, at excitation filter of 485 nm and emission filter of 530 nm. Z' was used to assess the assay quality.

RESULTSThe FP-based HTS was formatted in a 384-well microplate with a Z' factor of 0. 75, and three active compounds for hLOX-1 were identified with IC50 below 40 micromol x L(-1) from total 3 200 compounds.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the fluorescence polarization assay is stable, sensitive, reproducible and well suited for high throughput screening efforts.

Binding, Competitive ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Fluorescence Polarization ; methods ; Humans ; Ligands ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of glucagonoma.

METHODSA retrospective review of glucagonoma cases was committed between June 1993 and July 2008 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. It was measured by sex, age, misdiagnosis, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, imaging studies, diagnosis, treatment procedures and so on.

RESULTSThe tumors of eleven cases were found in the tail, and one case was in the head of the pancreas at the same time. Ten had solitary lesion, one had multiple lesions. The average diameter of the lesions was 3.9 cm. Nine patients had the metastasis out of pancreas and all of them had the liver metastasis. One case was a member of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndromes. Eight patients being treated with operation had the detailed pathological reports. The glucagon was detected by immunohistochemistry and was positive in five patients. Six patients were pathologically malignant. Multimodal treatments included tumor resection, chemoembolization, treated with somatostatin analogues and (or) radionuclides and so on were applied to all patients.

CONCLUSIONSGlucagonoma is a rare pancreatic endocrine tumor. Radical tumor surgery is used as the first choice. Multimodal approach may improve the prognosis.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucagonoma ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

The cardiovascular circulation feedback control treatment instrument (CFCTI) is an automatic feedback control treatment system, which has the function of monitoring, alarming, trouble self-diagnosis and testing on the line in the closed loop. The instrument is designed based on the successful clinical experiences and the data are inputted into the computer in real-time through a pressure sensor and A/D card. User interface window is set up for the doctor's choosing different medicine. The orders are outputted to control the dose of medicine through the transfusion system. The response to medicine is updated continually. CFCTI can avoid the man-made errors and the long interval of sampling. Its reliability and accuracy in rescuing the critical patients are much higher than the traditional methods.
Automation ; instrumentation ; Cardiovascular System ; Feedback ; Medication Systems

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term results and safety of propranolol for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma.

METHODSOral propranolol was administered to 17 infants with parotid hemangioma at a dose of 1.0-1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The patients were revisited once a week. The changes of the tumor size, texture and colour were monitored and recorded at a regular interval. The adverse effects after medication were observed and managed accordingly. The short-term results were evaluated using a 4 scales system.

RESULTSAmong the 17 patients treated, the follow-up time was 5 to 10 months. The overall response was scale I in 0 patient, scale II in 0 patients, scale III in 5 patients, and scale IV in 12 patients. No serious adverse effects were encountered.

CONCLUSIONSOral propranolol at a lower dose is a safe and effective method for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma. The short-term results were excellent and the side effects minimal.

Administration, Oral ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parotid Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomical characteristics about ascending aortic and aortic arch in Chinese population by CT.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to September 2007, 388 patients free of current known aortic pathology undergone thoracic aorta CTA. The diameter of ascending aorta, aortic arch, and branch vessels of aortic arch were measured respectively by AW4.2 work station. The data base about all the measurements was set up. The CHISS statistical software was used to analysis data.

RESULTSThe aortic diameter above coronary artery (CA), the level at origin of and brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), the halfway of the ascending aorta, the level at origin of left common carotid artery (LCCA), the level at origin of left subclavian artery (LSA) and the level at distal of origin of LSA respectively were (34 +/- 5) mm, (34 +/- 5) mm, (33 +/- 4) mm, (30 +/- 4) mm, (28 +/- 3) mm and (26 +/- 3) mm. The diameters of two level between the origin of BCT and right subclavian artery (RSA) were (13.1 +/- 1.9) mm and (12.8 +/- 2.3) mm. Diameters of two level at LCCA were (8.7 +/- 1.5) mm and (7.9 +/- 1.0) mm. The diameters of two level between the origin of LSA and left vertebral artery were (10.7 +/- 1.7) mm and (9.3 +/- 1.3) mm. The aortic lumina length between the origin of CA and BCT was (5.3 +/- 1.2) cm, the aortic lumina length between the origin of BCT and LCCA was (1.3 +/- 0.4) cm, the lumen length between origin of BCT and RSA was (4.1 +/- 0.8) cm, the lumen length between origin of LSA and left vertebral artery was (3.8 +/- 0.8) cm. The distance between the wall of BCT and LCCA was (0.4 +/- 0.2) cm, the distance between the wall of LCCA and LSA was (0.7 +/- 0.6) cm.

CONCLUSIONSModular branched stent-graft system is fit for most part of the Chinese. The size fit for human could be got on this basic.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta ; anatomy & histology ; Aorta, Thoracic ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortography ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery, Common ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Design ; Subclavian Artery ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo review the experience of hybrid conventional open and endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), and evaluate the immediate and long term outcomes.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to October 2008, 15 TAAA patients were treated by hybrid-procedures. The mean patient age was 58.7 years (ranged from 44 to 72 years). The aneurysms were Crawford type I in 2, type II in 8, type III in 2, type IV in 3. The median aneurysms diameter was (67.5 +/- 7.5) mm (ranged from 55 to 82 mm). Patients were followed up before dismissal, 3, 6, 12 months later, and annually thereafter.

RESULTSTwo patients were antegrade revascularization, the others were retrograde revascularization. Mean operation time was (8.1 +/- 1.4) h (ranged from 6.8 to 12.7 h), mean blood loss was (956.7 +/- 80.1) ml (ranged from 750 to 3,000 ml). Two patients died during perioperative time, no paraplegia. During follow up revealed shrinkage of aneurysm, no graft migration and paraplegia, but 1 died for acute myocardial infarct.

CONCLUSIONSHybrid treatment is a safe and effective option for treatment of TAAA. Immediate and mid-term outcomes are favorable, but long-term surveillance is indefinite.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction and to evaluate the therapeutic methods of these disease.

METHODSForty-seven children with airway obstruction and dyspnea (25 males, 22 females) were treated from Jun 1985 to Dec 2007, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among 47 patients, there were 27 cases of venous malformations, 17 cases of macrocystic lymphatic malformations, and 3 cases of microcystic lymphatic malformations. Injection with absolute alcohol were performed in 20 patients with venous malformations, whereas both surgery and injection were performed in 7 patients with extensive or multiple lesions. Seventeen patients with macrocystic lymphatic malformations were treated with pingyangmycin injection. While surgery combined with pingyangmycin injection were used in other 3 patients with microcystic lymphatic malformations. According to the degree of airway obstruction and therapeutic conditions, tracheal intubation was performed in 27 patients, urgent preoperative tracheotomy was performed in 3 patients, prophylactic tracheotomy was performed in 2 patients, and postoperative tracheotomy was performed in 1 patient.

RESULTSTracheal intubation was remained for 24 to 48 hours in 30 patients, whose intubation was removed successfully in 29 patients except 1 patient who occurred dyspnea after removal of tracheal intubation resulting in tracheotomy. Tracheal cannula was successfully removed in all 6 patients 3 weeks to 4 months after the tracheotomy. There were 9 patients treated once, whereas injections were repeated 2 to 5 times in 38 patients. Necrosis of mucosa occurred in 2 cases after the injection with absolute alcohol, while temporary hemoglobinuria one occurred in 1. There were 5 cases of light or mediate fever after the pingyangmycin injection who recovered well after the symptomatic treatment. Follow-up lasted 1 to 23 years, 38 patients cured, 9 patients valid, and no patient invalid.

CONCLUSIONSIt is suggested that sclerotherapy should be the first choice in the treatment of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction, in which absolute alcohol should be used in venous malformations compared to pingyangmycin in lymphatic malformations. Combined therapy should be carried out in patients with extensive lesions in order to shorten the course of treatment and to get good therapeutic result.

Adolescent ; Airway Obstruction ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Malformations ; complications ; therapy