Objective To evaluate the effects of nicotine or electric vagal stimulation on injury to transplanted lungs in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats with transplanted lung,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),nicotine group (group NI) and electric vagal stimulation group (group VS).Nicotine 2 mg/kgwas injected intraperitoneally at 15 min after lung transplantation in group NI.Right cervical vagus nerve trank was stimulated for 20 min with continuous electric rectangular pulses (5 V,2 ms,1 Hz) at 10 min interval twice in total starting from 15 min after lung transplantation in group VS.Arterial blood samples were then collected for blood gas analysis at 15,30,45,75,105 and 135 min after lung transplantation.Arterial blood samples were then collected at 135 min after lung transplantation for determination of the plasma concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by ELISA.The rats were sacrificed at 135 min after lung transplantation and the tissue of transplanted lung was removed for determination of lung injury score (LIS) according to the pathological changes obtained with light microscope,and of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio).Results Compared with group C,PaO2 and pH value were significantly increased,and LIS,W/D ratio,and the concentrations of plasma IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α were decreased in NI and VS groups.Conclusion Nicotine or electric vagal stimulation can attenuate injury to transplanted lungs in rats.

BACKGROUND:Pathological mechanism of femoral head necrosis is not fuly known, and high-dose corticosteroids are prone to induce femoral head necrosis.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels combined with theaflavin on steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head in rats.
METHODS: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were isolated and culturedin vitro and compounded onto gelatin sponge, and then, divided into four groups: model group, decompression group, cel transplantation group and combined group. Models of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head were established using liquid nitrogen method. In the combined group, gelatin sponge carrying bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels was transplanted and 250 mg theaflavin was given daily after modeling.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 4 weeks after modeling, the femoral head samples in the four groups were round with exfoliation of articular cartilage that was pale in color. Then, the exfoliation of articular cartilage was aggravated in the model group, and some specimens appeared to colapse; the femoral head specimens in the combined group were round and pale. Until the 8th week after modeling, bone necrosis was increased in the model group; osteoblasts were found in the decompression group with fibrous calus formation; a few of empty bone lacunae appeared with irregular medulary cavity in the cel transplantation group; a large amount of new bone tissues formed in the combined group, and intramedulary adiocytes were in regular array. At 4 and 8 weeks after modeling, the number of empty bone lacunae was significantly lower in the combined group than the other groups (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels combined with theaflavin is an ideal therapy for steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.

Objective To establish the high myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in guinea pigs and to investigate the role of (matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor-2 of metalloproteinase (TIMP-2) in high myopic CNV.Methods Seventy-two 2-week-old guinea pigs were randomized into control group (n =36) and high myopia group (n =36).Right eyes were indued form deprivation high myopia for 6 weeks.Thirty guinea pigs were randomly selected in each group,and CNV were induced in the right eyes br the 532 nm laser.MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expressions were investigated by immunohistochemistry pre-laser and 7,14,21,28,35 days after laser induction,respectively,while MMP-2 and TIMP-2 relative expression levels in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid-sclera complex were detected by real-time PCR.Integral opitical density (IODs) of positive expression and mRNA relative expression levels of these factors were performed by statistical analyses.Results The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were up-regulated in the two groups after laser photocoagulation through immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR examinations.Expression of MMP-2 peaked at 21 d and TIMP-2 at 28 d,respectively.IODs of positive expression and mRNA relative expression levels of MMP-2 were higher in high myopia group than those in control group at each inspective time point,and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).TIMP-2 expression was significantly reduced in high myopia group compared with control group before laser photocoagulation (P＜0,05),while there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after laser photocoagulation.Conclusions MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were closely related to the formation of high-myopic CNV.Balance disorders of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 might participate in the occurrence and development of high-myopic CNV.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhalation of different concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) on brain death (BD)-induced lung injury in rats. Methods Thirty-two pathogen free adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n= 8 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S);group Ⅱ brain death (group BD) and group Ⅲ and Ⅳ BD + CO 0.025% and 0.050% (group C1, C2 ). The animals were anesthetized and tracheally intubated. Fogarty catheter was inserted into the skull. BD was induced by inflating the balloon slowly at 20 μl/min until apnea developed. The animals were then mechanically ventilated (VT 10 ml/kg, RR 50 bpm, PEEP 2 cm H2O) with 40% O2 in N2 . In group Ⅲ and Ⅳ CO 0.025% and 0.050%were added to the air mixture respectively. In group S the balloon was not inflated. BD was confirmed by apnea,dilated pupils and flat EEG. In group BD,C1 and C2, MAP was maintained at 80-120 mm Hg by norepinephrine infusion. The arterial blood gas analysis was performed before (baseline) and immediately after BD was confirmed (T1) and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min (T2-5) of CO inhalation. The animals were then sacrificed. The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the lungs were measured. The W/D lung weight ratio and lung injury score (LIS) were recorded. Results BD significantly decreased PaO2/FiO2, BE and pH while increased plasma IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations, MPO activity in the lungs, the W/D ratio and lung injury score as compared with group S. CO inhalation ameliorated the deleterious effects induced by BD. The antiinfiammatory effect of 0.050% CO was better than that of 0.025 % CO. Conclusion Inhalation of 0.025 % or 0.050% CO can ameliorate BD-induced lung injury in rats, but there is no significant difference in the efficacy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between syndrome differentiation types and the objective indexes of fatty liver.MethodsA cross-sectional study was adopted. Clinical observation table of fatty liver for TCM diagnostic performance was used to collect the data of patients and cluster analysis was adopted for syndrome differentiation. The difference of the objective indexes among different syndromes was studied.ResultsFatty liver showed more severity in spleen Qi deficiency and dampness group compared with heart and liver yin deficiency group(χ2=8.218,P=0.041). Patients in the spleen and stomach Qi deficiency group had less smoking history(χ2=8.416,P=0.038). Patients in the spleen Qi deficiency and dampness group had higher AST, TP, ALP and WHR indexes and lower Alb.ConclusionsDifferences of objective indexes in different fatty liver syndromes can be used for enriching syndrome differentiation contents, and provide the basis for microcosmic syndrome differentiation of fatty liver.

Objective To investigate the etiologic effect of the lumbar facet joint morphology on the occurrence of degener?ative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). Methods From January 2007 to July 2013, 115 patients with DLS treated in our hospi?tal were randomly selected. There were 28 males and 87 females with an average age of 57.3 years (range, 41-76 years). 115 age? and sex? matched people including 31 males and 84 females with an average age of 56.4 years (range, 45-77 years) free from DLS and back or leg pain were selected randomly as control group from a group coming for routine physical examination in our hospital. Both groups received lumbar anteroposterior and lateral X?ray films、CT scanning and multiplanar reformation, the degree of spondylolisthesis (Taillard index) was measured in DLS group on lateral radiographs; at L3,4 and L4,5 level of both groups the facet joint angles on CT scan images were measured and facet tropism was evaluated, the pedicle?facet angle (the P?F angle) was measured in the sagittal plane on multiplanar reformation CT images, and then all angles of corresponding level were compared and analyzed; L4,5 facet joint degeneration in both groups was evaluated and compared in bone window, the de?gree of spondylolisthesis (Taillard index) in DLS group at different degenerative grade of facet joints were analyzed. The corre?lation between L4,5 facet joint angle、P?F angle and degrees of spondylolisthesis were analyzed. Results All L4,5 spondylolisthe?sis in DLS group were grade I, the facet joint angles were more sagittal in DLS group than those in the control group at L 3,4 and L4,5 levels, and the P?F angles were more horizontal in DLS group compared with control group;the facet tropism in DLS group at L 4,5 level were significantly different as compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference at L 3,4 level between the two groups. Significant difference was found in L4,5 facet joint degeneration grade between two groups,but there was no significant difference in degree of spondylolisthesis during different degeneration grades in DLS group. There was no significant correlation between the facet joint angle and the P?F angle and degree of spondylolisthesis at L4,5 level in DLS group. Conclusion The facet joint morphology abnormality (smaller facet joint angle, horizontal P?F angle, the facet tropism) has an important etiologic meaning in the occurrence of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, however its role cannot be excessively exaggerated. The facet joint de?generation is a secondary change with aging,while the development of DLS aggravates the degeneration.

The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats from Liaoning province, northeastern China. From October 2014 to September 2016, sera of 651 cats, including 364 domestic cats and 287 feral cats (332 females and 319 males) were assessed. They were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using SNAP Heartworm RT test kit. In this population, the average prevalence was 4.5%. Age and rearing conditions (feral or domestic) were found to be associated with the prevalence of D. immitis. The prevalence was significantly higher in feral cats compared with domestic cats (8.4% vs 1.4%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between males and females (4.7% vs 4.2%, P>0.05), but older cats (≥3 years old) showed a statistically higher prevalence compared with younger cats ( < 3 years old) in feral populations (16.8 vs 2.4%, P < 0.01), while the difference between the age groups was not statistically significant in domestic cats (2.4% vs 0.51%, P>0.05), all these results suggest that outdoor exposure time may be one of the most important factors for D. immitis prevalence in cats. Results reveal that D. immitis are prevalence in domestic and feral cats in northeastern China, which indicates that appropriate preventive measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of feline heartworm disease in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
Animals ; Cats* ; China* ; Dirofilaria immitis* ; Dirofilaria* ; Dirofilariasis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

Objective:To review and analyze the clinical experience of children with aortic valve stenosis and/or insufficiency treated with autologous pulmonary valve for aortic valve replacement procedure(Ross operation) with ePTFE artificial valve for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.Methods:From 2015 to 2020, 8 cases of aortic stenosis and/or aortic insufficiency treated by Ross operation in our center were collected, with an age of 0.5-13.2 years old. 4 cases of aortic stenosis were diagnosed preoperatively, 3 cases of aortic stenosis with aortic insufficiency, and 1 case of infective endocarditis involving the aortic valve. The operation was carried out in three steps: Harvest autologous pulmonary valve; the diseased aortic valve was resected and autologous pulmonary valve was transplanted to the aorta by aortic root transplantation; the right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed by a handmade ePTFE artificial flap blood vessel.Results:In 6 cases, the right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed by hand-sewn ePTFE trileaflets, and artificial univalve in 2 cases, no death occurred during operation; all patients were cured and discharged. The patients were followed up for 1 to 36 months, with mean of(12.63±12.19) months. There was no long-term death or valvular complications. During follow-up echocardiography indicated 1 case of moderate aortic regurgitation, 1 case of mild-moderate regurgitation, and moderate regurgitation was found in 2 patients with artificial single pulmonary valve. For the remaining patients, they were mild aortic regurgitation, and a trivial or mild pulmonary artery regurgitation with hand-sewn three-leaflets ePTFE artificial vessel; All patients were followed up at the last time with a peak pressure of(6.63±3.46) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) across the aortic valve. The left ventricular outflow tract and aortic annulus shrank slightly after surgery(the diameter of one patient with Ross-Konno operation increased), but the annulus diameter increased with age. There was no need for further intervention.Conclusion:The Ross operation is safe for the treatment of aortic valve disease, it has good hemodynamic effect, and the autologous pulmonary artery has growth potential, especially suitable for children and young patients. Hand-sewn ePTFE with trileaflet vessels for reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract performs well in anti-regurgitation function in the short term or may be used as a replacement material for the homograft/heterograft vessel, but longer follow-up and more cases are needed.

Objective To explore the correlation between main indicators of donor liver and early prognosis after liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 166 donors and recipients of post-mortem organ donation (DD) from June 2017 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The effects of donor age,sex,body mass index,serum sodium level,total bilirubin,prothrombin time and international standardized ratio on early allograft dysfunction (EAD) in liver transplant recipients were investigated.According to the culture results of donor liver preservation solution,the results were divided into positive group and negative group.Combined with the culture results of blood,sputum and drainage fluid after liver transplantation,the early infection rate of recipients in the two groups was observed.Results Univariate analysis showed that preoperative donor bilirubin total ＞17.1 mmol/L and donor cold ischemia time ＞8 h were risk factors for postoperative EAD in transplant recipients.Multivariate analysis showed that donor cold ischemia time ＞8 h was an independent risk factor for postoperative EAD in liver transplant recipients;the incidence of EAD in the group with cold ischemia time ＞8 h was significantly higher than that in the group with cold ischemia time ≤8 h (26.3％ vs.7.0％;P =0.003).The positive rate of postoperative sputum culture and drainage fluid culture in the donors with positive donor culture was 43.9％ and 48.8％,respectively,which was significantly higher than that in the negative group (10.7％ and 13.1％).The difference was statistically significant (P =0.000,P =0.000).The positive rate of postoperative blood culture in the positive group and the negative group was 12.2％ and 6.0％ with the difference being not statistically significant (P =0.161).Conclusion Cold ischemia time of the donor ＞8 h is an independent risk factor for EAD in recipients after liver transplantation.Shortening the cold ischemia time of donor liver can reduce the incidence of postoperative EAD in recipients.The culture results of preservation solution have a certain guiding effect on the postoperative anti-infective treatment of the recipients.