AIM: To study the protective effects of HIF-1α gene transfection on hypoxic injury in human HepG2 cells. METHODS: After gene transfection, HepG2 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: normoxia with Ad-GFP transfected group, normoxia with Ad-HIF-1 transfected group, hypoxia with Ad-GFP transfected group and hypoxia with Ad-HIF-1 transfected group. LDH leaking rate, cell viability, contents of NO and ROS, the iNOS activity were measured. RESULTS: High levels of HIF-1α mRNA and protein were detected in Ad-HIF transfected HepG2 cells. Cell viability was significantly lower in Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than that in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05). No marked difference of cell viability was found between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group. ROS was significantly higher in Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than that in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05), while no marked difference was found either between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group or between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group. The content of NO and iNOS activity were significantly higher in Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than those in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05), no marked difference was found either between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group or between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group. CONCLUSION: Higher HIF-1α expression is contributed to protective effects against hypoxic injury in HepG2 cells, the mechanisms of which may be correlated with promoting expression of gene regulated by HIF-1 and restraining over-expression of injure factors.

Objective To study operative morbidity and mortality of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) and analyze the correlation between the preoperative or intraoperative risk factors and the morbidity or mortality. Methods Between Jan 1993 and Dec 2001, 120 IAAA cases undergoing surgery were analyzed. Preoperative cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal condition, time of intraoperative aortic clamping as well as emergent operation were taken into account to evaluate the independent determinants of operative morbidity and mortality. Results The operative morbidity was 56.7% and mortality was 10.0%, with the mortality of elective surgery of 5.4% and emergent surgery of 66.7%. Conclusion Preoperative coronary heart disease, hypertention, renal dysfunction and massive blood transfution intra- or postoperatively adversely influenced the postoperative outcome significantly.

Objective To study the expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 in dissection aorta specimens by Real time PCR and immunohistochemisty. Methods Twelve descending dissection aorta specimens from patients of acute Stanford B dissection were taken during surgery; 12 normal descending aorta specimens were taken from multi-organ donors. The G APDH gene was used as control, gene expression of polycystinl and polycystin2 were compared in these two groups with Real time PCR. The expression of polycystinl and polycystin2 protein were showed with immunohistochemisty in the specimen of these two groups. Three high magnify fields were randomly chosen to count the expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 protein. The counting of polycystin1 and polycystin2 protein were compared between these two groups. Results The gene expression of polycystinl in AD group is 0. 32 fold as that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 ) and polyeystin2 in AD group is 0.34 fold as that in the control group (P ＜0.01 ); The protein expression of polyeystinl was 0.47 folds as that in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ) and polycystin2 in AD group is 0.35 folds as that in the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions The expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 on gene and protein level were down regulated in AD group. The down regulation of polycystinl and polycystin2 may play a pivotal role in the development of AD.

Panax notoginseng (BurK.) F.H.Chen is a traditional Chinese medicinal material with a time-honored history of cultivation.There are a series of problems,such as high pesticide residues,serious disease and pest,and continuous cropping obstacles in the process of the cultivation of notoginseng.Pollution-free cultivation is an effective strategy for the sustainable development of notoginseng industry.We herein summarized three points of the pollution-free cultivation of notoginseng in this review.The standard of lands suitable for the cultivation of notoginseng was established on the basis of the analysis of medicinal plants around global producing areas.The integrated measures of soil improvement were put forward by cfficient rotation and soil disinfection with new varieties breeding combined with the management of water,light and fertilization,and the safe and low-toxic methods of disease and pest control.Additionally,the mode of wild tending should be carried out when the marker-assisted breeding of new varieties was developed,and the platform of comprehensive disease and pest control was founded.Above-mentioned points can effectively perfect and optimize the pollution-free cultivation of notoginseng and promote sustainable development of notoginseng industry.

Objective To explore the shielding effect that Tween has made on the erythrocyte’ s surface antigen( ABO and D antigen mainly) and the stability of the RBC. Methods Various types red blood cells’ surface antigens were incubated with different concentrations of Tween,then the titers of RBC’ s surface antigen before and after incubation were compared. The erythrocyte’ s function alterations and sta-bility through the morphological obersavation,the osmotic fragility,RBC’ s own hemolysis rate,oxygen saturation( SO2 ) ,routine test of blood as well as the supernatant of free hemoglobin determination were confirmed. Results The masking effect of the Tween-20 on D antigen with the weaken titer keeping above“ +” was better and more stable than that on A,B antigen. The impact on B antigen was a little worse,and A was the worst. The advantaged concentration is about 0. 004%. Besides,the influence of Tween-80’s on B and D antigen was not apparent e-nough. Among all of the concentration,0. 74% and 0. 80% did a relatively better job,which also could keep the weaken titer above “ +”. Conclulsion The shielding effect that Tween has made on the erythrocyte’ s surface antigen( ABO and D antigen mainly) is stable,which keeps above “ +”. The morphology and function of the RBC does not change.

Objective To investigated cerebral structural connectivity and its relationship to neuroleptic-na?ve individuals with first episode early-onset schizophrenia using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) which could demonstrate the white matter integrity . Methods We recruited subjects with first episode DSM-Ⅳearly-onset schizophrenia who had never been exposed to antipsychotic medication(n=19) and sex ,age-matched healthy volunteers (n= 19) .All subjects received DTI and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans .Voxel-based analysis was performed to investigate brain regions fractional anisotropy (FA) values .Results Statistics revealed that schizophrenia patients showed significant FA reduction in left inferior frontal gyrus ,left temporal gyrus ,left occipital lobe and right middle temporal gyrus as compared to healthy subjects .Conclusion Deficits of white matter integrity in widespread brain regions of the first episode neuroleptic-na?ve early-onset schizophrenia patients .The presence of white matter abnormalities in the early-onset patients is suggestive of being related to the etilology of schizophrenia .

A method to determine phytolith-occluded carbon ( PhytOC) was explored. Sodium hydroxide solution was used to dissolve the silicon compound(SiO2 ·nH2O) which occluding on the carbon, and then potassium dichromate-sulphuric acid solution was used to oxidize the released organic carbon. The concentration of Gr3+produced from the reaction was measured by spectrophotometry with its absorbance at 590 nm wavelength. The organic carbon concentration was calculated based on the amounts of potassium dichromate consumed. This analytical method was verified well accuracy and repeatability by running standard addition and recovery experiments. It has the advantages of low carbon loss, easy to operate, low cost;and hardly any influence to body health, as compared with acid dissolution-Elementar Vario MAX CN method. The results obtained from this method have a good correlation with these determined by Elementar Vario MAX CN ( Germany) .

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and surgical treatment of Takayasu arteritis accompanied with aneurysms. Methods The clinical features and the effect of operation types in 14 patients were reviewed.Results All the 14 patients had history of Takayasu arteritis and had steroid therapy before the formation of aneurysms.Among the 14 patients,aortic aneurysms were found in 13(including 9 thoracoabdominal aneurysms),carotid aneurysm with subclavian aneurysm in 1 and multiple aneurysms in 5.All the 14 patients underwent operations ,including replacement of aorta in 11 cases,bypass of aorta in 3 cases,reconstruction of visceral vessels in 8, renal autotransplatation in 1 and replacement of carotid in 1.1case had heart failure and cured ;1 died postoperatively. Eight cases were followed up for 4 months - 18 years,of which, 1 died of heart failure,2 were excellent, 3 of 5 cases with hypertension preoperatively showed normal blood pressure,and the other 2 were controlled by medicines.Conclusions Operation should be performed as early as possible if the aneurysm is found in patients with Takayasu arteritis.The stenosis of renal artery should be resolved during the operation.

Objective To analyze the diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies in the mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis infection in a single medical center. Methods From January 2000 to December 2008, clinical data of 8 cases with infected aneurysm caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis were analyzed. Results All cases were treated with endovascular stent-graft treatment, including abdominal aortic aneurysm in six cases, thoracic aortic aneurysm in one, and popliteal artery aneurysm in one case. Six bifurcated stent-graft and two tube stent-graft were used. The surgical success rate was 100% with no perioperative or 30-day mortality nor major morbidity. All of the patients recovered uneventfully and were discharged with oral antibacterial agents. During mid-term follow up (range 15-36 months), four patients are alive and well with no signs of persistent or recurrent infection, three cases with recurrent infection were cured by drainage of local abscess and debridement, one case died of rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Conclusion Endovascular grafting combined with antibiotic therapy and careful surveillance program represent an alternative to conventional surgery in mycotic aneurysms caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis.

Objective To evaluate percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty ( PTRA) and stenting for the treatment of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Method From Feb 2003 through Jun 2005, 19 consecutive RAS patients received interventional therapy including PTRA and/or stents in 12 cases, aortorenal bypass procedures in 4 cases, nephrectomy in 1, and angiography in 2 cases. Among the 12 PTRA and/or stenting cases, stent was deployed in 10 cases, and 2 patients received PTRA only. Results All patients had hypertension preoperatively ( mean blood pressure 172/98 mmHg). Serum creatinine concentration was greater than 1.5 mg/dL in one patient. There was no perioperative mortality nor major complications. Technical success was achieved in 11 patients (91.7%). During follow-up, mean blood pressure was 156/88 mmHg. Hypertension was improved in 8 patients (66. 7% ). Renal function was stable except one patient with renal insufficiency. Restenosis was found in one patient (8.3%). Conclusion PTRA and/or stent is safe, effective for the treatment of RAS in appropriately selected patients.