Objective To evaluate the treatment results and psychological changes in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) before and after TVT-O.Methods Fifty-six female patients with SUI underwent TVT-O from Nov.2011 to Mar.2012.Preoperative and postoperative International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score,Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL) score,one hour urine pad test,Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score,and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score were recorded and analyzed.Results Followed up for 3 months,the subjective satisfactory rate was 94.6％ (53/56),the objective efficiency rate was 91.1％ (51/56),and there was no recurrence in this group.Before operation and 3-month after operation,ICIQ-SF scores were 15.9±3.2(13-20) and 8.6±2.7 (4-13),t=6.02,P=0.01 ; I-QOL scores were 40.3±18.9 (33-62) and 87.6±11.2(76-102),t=6.81,P=0.01; The urine leakages in one hour urine pad test were 26.7±7.1 (9-51)g and 5.2±2.5 (1-8)g,t=7.13,P=0.00; SAS scores were 59.3±8.3 (48-72) and 42.6±4.6 (39-52),t=9.15,P =0.01; SDS scores were 57.2±5.6 (49-69) and 40.2±3.4 (36-54),t=8.63,P=0.01,respectively.No serious and long-term complication occurred.Conclusions TVT-O is a safe and effective treatment option for female SUI.This treatment can improve the quality of life and psychological status of the patients.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) for breast carcinoma.Methods One hundred and twenty consecutive suspicious cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed clinically and/or by imaging modalities were studied with MSCT prospectively. The dynamic contrast-enhanced serial scanning was done as follows:Scanning was triggered 35 s (early arterial phase) after beginning of contrast agent infusion at a speed of 3 mL/s by high pressure automatic injector, and would be repeated at the time point of 60 s and 150 s. Eventually, the CT diagnostic results were compared with the pathological consequences to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of MSCT for breast carcinoma. Results Eighty-nine patients with 100 foci of breast cancer from 120 suspicious cases were confirmed pathologically and their imaging data were analyzed. Among the 89 cases, 61 cases were invasive ductal carcinomas,12 ductal carcinomas in situ, 8 invasive lobular carcinomas, 6 medullary carcinomas and 2 inflammatory carcinomas. According to lesion morphologic appearance, lesion enhancement mode, time-density curve of lesion, and combination of all the above three parameters, the diagnostic accuracies were 78%, 82%, 84% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion MSCT has a great clinical value in diagnosing breast carcinoma.

Aspirin is a kind of anti-inflammatory drug and may be used to reverse hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia by improving insulin resistance. We hypothesized that aspirin improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes by inhibiting hepatic nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-kappaB) activation and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, untreated diabetic, diabetic treated with metformin (100 mg/kg/day), and diabetic treated with aspirin (120 mg/kg/day). Diabetes was induced by high-fat feeding and a low dose of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). After treatment, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations and serum TNF-alpha were determined. The expression of NF-kappaB in hepatocytes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The results showed administration of aspirin caused no significant lowering in fasting glucose level but significant reduction of hepatic NF-kappaB expression and serum TNF-alpha level with improved insulin resistance compared to the diabetic group. The relevant analysis showed positive correlation between the expression of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and NF-kappaB (r = 0.799, P < 0.01); HOMA-IR and serum TNF-alpha (r = 0.790, P < 0.01). It is concluded that aspirin improves insulin resistance by inhibiting hepatic NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha level in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*pharmacology ; Aspirin/*pharmacology ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood/chemically induced/*metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*pharmacology ; Insulin/blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver/metabolism ; Male ; Metformin/therapeutic use ; NF-kappa B/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of anal sphincter electromyography (ASEMG), orthostatic hypotension (OH), and dizziness in diagnosing multiple system atrophy (MSA).

METHODThe characteristics of ASEMG and OH were compared among patients with dizziness (MSA and non-MSA), patients without OH (MSA and non-MSA), and patients with probable MSA (OH and non-OH).

RESULTSTotally 476 patients underwent ASEMG examinations. Dizziness was the onset symptom in 69 patients. Between the MSA group and non-MSA group, the mean duration of dizziness [(14.6 +/- 2.1) vs. (12.8 +/- 2.0) ms, P < 0.01] and satellite potential occurrence rate [(22.7 +/- 11.8)% vs. (12.2 +/- 8.9)% , P < 0.01] were significantly different, while the OH rate (84.6% vs. 55.2% ) and the difference of the blood pressure between standing and supine positions were not significantly different. In 162 patients with symptom of dizziness, the mean duration of dizziness [(15.3 +/- 2.7) vs. (12.8 +/- 1.9) ms, P < 0.001], satellite potential occurrence rate [(25.4 +/- 12.8)% vs. (13.5 +/- 10.4)%, P < 0.001] , and difference of the diastolic blood pressure [(18.5 +/- 17.0) vs. (11.7 +/- 12.7) mmHg, P < 0.05] were significantly different between the MSA group and non-MSA group, while the normal rate of blood pressure at standing position (60% vs. 41.9%) and the difference of systolic blood pressure were not significantly different. In 146 patients with abnormal blood pressure at standing and supine positions, the mean duration of dizziness [(15.0 +/- 2.4) vs. (12.8 +/- 1.7) ms, P < 0.001] and satellite potential occurrence rate [(22.0 +/- 12.2)% vs. (10.6 +/- 8.5)%, P < 0.001] were significantly different between the MSA group (n = 61) and non-MSA group (n = 85). In 125 patients with probable MSA, the mean duration of dizziness [(15.5 +/- 2.4) vs. (15.9 +/- 2.2) ms, P > 0.05] and satellite potential occurrence rate [(24.3 +/- 12.6)% vs. (22.7 +/- 12.4)%, P > 0.05] were not significantly different between those with OH and those without OH. The rates of dizziness and the percentage of dizziness as the onset symptom were 93.2% and 52.3% in OH group and 44.4% and 8.3% in non-OH group.

CONCLUSIONSASEMG is better than OH in diagnosing patients with dizziness suspected as MSA. Neurogenic lesion can be found by ASEMG in patients without OH, which is helpful in the early diagnosis of MSA.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anal Canal ; chemistry ; physiopathology ; Dizziness ; physiopathology ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple System Atrophy ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the protective effects of affiliating portasystemic shunt on small-for-size graft in liver transplantation.

METHODSFifteen Chinese Bama miniature pigs were divided into three groups: group A (small-for-size liver transplantation), group B (distal splenorenal shunt + small-for-size liver transplantation), and group C (mesocaval H-shape shunt + small-for-size liver transplantation). Animals were followed up for 7 days with survival, dynamical liver function biochemical parameters, liver biopsies, portal venous pressure (PVP) and portal blood flow (PBF).

RESULTSAnimal survivals were as follows: group A, 1/5, group B, 3/5 and group C, 5/5.Group A resulted in abnormal liver function parameters that were significantly ameliorated in group B and C. The histological examination of graft in group A displayed severe pathologic changes including hepatocyte vacuolar change or necrosis, sinusoidal congestion, parenchymal hemorrhage. Affiliating portasystemic shunt significantly alleviated graft injuries in group B and C. PVP rose and peaked up to 28.6 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), PBF fluctuated after reperfusion in group A, but group B and C with affiliating portasystemic shunt showed significantly lower PVP and maintained rather stable PBF after reperfusion. There were also statistical differences in PVP or PBF between group B and C.

CONCLUSIONSAffiliating portasystemic shunt effectively might protect small-for-size graft from injuries after reperfusion.

Animals ; Female ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Portal Pressure ; Portal Vein ; physiology ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Random Allocation ; Regional Blood Flow ; Survival Rate ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway in the acute lung injury of severely burned rats.

METHODSForty-eight adult healthy rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, burn control group, and burn + SB203580 group. A third-degree burns over 30% total body surface area rat model was used and pulmonary capillary permeability, lung water content, pulmonary histology and p38 MAPK activity were measured at 24 hours postburn.

RESULTSBurn trauma resulted in increased pulmonary capillary leakage permeability (42.5 +/- 4.7 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.4, P < 0.01), elevated lung water content (P < 0.05), and worsen histologic condition. There was a significant activation of p38 MAPK at 24 hours postburn compared with control. SB203580 inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK, reduced the pulmonary capillary leakage permeability (24.7 +/- 2.9 vs. 42.5 +/- 4.7, P < 0.01), decreased lung water content, and prevented burn-mediated lung injury.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of p38 MAPK is one important aspect of the signaling event that contributes to burn-induced lung injury.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Burns ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Lung ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Objective　To investigate the expression of HGF and TGF-α and their receptor, Met (HGF receptor) and EGFR (TGF-αreceptor) mRNA, in the regenerative liver/hepatocytes after 70% partial hepatectomy (70% PH) in noncirrhotic biliary obstruction rats. Methods　Wistar rats were divided randomly into N-PH group, BDO-RBF-PH group and BDO-RBF group. The expression of HGF/Met mRNA and TGF-α/EGFR mRNA was measured by RT-PCR in the liver/hepatocytes at the time point of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after 70% PH or RBF. Results　In N-PH group, the expression of HGF/Met mRNA increased sharply and peaked at 6 h, and maintained at a high level until 24 h after 70% PH. In BDO-RBF-PH group however, the expression of HGF/Met mRNA increased slowly and peaked at 12 h after 70% PH. The peak level was lower in BDO-RBF-PH group than in N-PH one. The expression of TGF-α/EGFR mRNA increased sharply and peaked at 24 h after 70% PH in N-PH group. However, the expression of TGF-α/EGFR mRNA elevated slowly and peaked at 48 h after 70% PH in BDO-RBF-PH group with a lower peak level than that in N-PH group. Conclusion　The expression of HGF/Met mRNA and TGF-α/EGFR mRNA in the regenerative liver/hepatocytes after 70% PH decreases significantly in noncirrhotic biliary duct obstruction rats. There is a tendency that the expression of HGF mRNA and TGF-α mRNA is less than Met mRNA and EGFR mRNA.

Accurate prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies,vascular ones in particular,is still challenging.A fetal cardiovascular cast model can provide a copy of the cardiac chambers and great vessels with normal or pathological structures.This study was aimed to demonstrate three-dimensional anatomy of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses by means of corrosion casting.Twenty fetuses with prenatal-ultrasound-diagnosed complex cardiovascular anomalies were enrolled in this study (19 to 35 gestational weeks).Fetal cardiovascular cast models were made by a corrosion casting technique.The specimens were injected with casting material via the umbilical vein,and then immersed in strong acid after casting fluid was solidified,to disclose the geometries of cardiovascular cavities.Nineteen cast models were successfully made from 20 specimens.The casts distinctly showed the morphological malformations and spatial relationship between cardiac chambers and great vessels.One hundred and eleven abnormalities were revealed by casting in the 19 specimens,including 34 abnormalities located in the cardiac chambers (3,4 and 27 anomalies in the atria,atrioventricular valves and ventricles,respectively),and 77 in the great vessels (28,20,24 and 5 anomalies in the aorta and its branches,the pulmonary artery,the ductus arteriosus and the major veins,respectively).Corrosion casting can display three-dimensional anatomy of fetal complex cardiovascular anomalies.This improves our understanding of related pathomorphology and prenatal diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of gypenoside (GP) on oxidative damage of the white matter in rats after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and on its alterations of cognitive function.Methods A total of 57 male SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups:sham-operated group (n=12),vehicle group (n=15),200 mg/kg GP treatment group (n=15) and 400 mg/kg GP treatment group (n=15); chronic cerebral hypo-peffused models in the later 3 groups were established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO).The dosage volume of all groups was 10 mL/kg; 3 h after the surgery,all rats orally received the initial administration of 400 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg GP dissolved in saline solution or matched volume of normal saline daily for a consecutive 33 d according to the above-mentioned experimental plan.Spatial learning and memory were assessed using Morris water maze test.Following behavioral tests,the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the corpus callosum and optic tracts were measured by ELISA.The oxidative central nerve cell damages were assessed by immunohistochemical staining for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).Results Rats of the 400 mg/kg GP treatment group spent significantly fewer time in finding the platform,but significantly longer time spending in the platform region as compared with those of the vehicle group (P＜0.05).As compared with those in rats of the sham-operated group,the SOD activity was markedly reduced and MDA content was significantly increased in rats of the vehicle group (P＜0.05).Rats of the 400 mg/kg GP treatment group had decreased MDA content,increased SOD activity and decreased 8-OHdG level as compared with rats of the vehicle group (P＜0.05); however,200 mg/kg GP treatment group had no such significant effects as compared with those of the vehicle group (P＞0.05).Conclusion GP can ameliorate the oxidative damage in the corpus callosum and optic tract of rats after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion,indicating that GP may have therapeutic potential for treating dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion; however,the related mechanisms for its alteration of cognitive function needs further research.

Terpenoids are present in all organisms but are especially abundant in plants, with more than 30,000 compounds. Not only do they play an important role in the life of plant, but also have high commercial values. However, the content of many important terpenoids in plant is very low. Therefore, how to improve the inefficient production of terpenoids is an urgent task. Metabolic engineering has been one of the most potential technologies to improve terpenoids production in recent years, following the study of metabolic pathway and regulation mechanism of terpenoids. Although there are some breakthroughs, metabolic engineering of terpenoids is still full of challenges because of the lack of knowledge on metabolic control of most terpenoids. Functional genomics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, are potential tools for exploring of metabolic engineering. Integrating transcriptomics and metabolomics is an effective way to discover new genes involved in metabolic pathway. In this paper, the representative research outcomes about the metabolic engineering of terpenoids in plant were reviewed concisely and then the application of functional genomics approaches to study metabolic pathway and regulation mechanism of terpenoids and the strategies for metabolic engineering of terpenoids were discussed.
Genomics ; methods ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Plants ; metabolism ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; Proteomics ; methods ; Terpenes ; metabolism