OBJECTIVETo observe the pathological changes in rabbits with spinal cord injury induced by decompression sickness (DCS), and to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in spinal cord injury induced by DCS.

METHODSRabbits were randomly divided into normal control group, DCS group, and safe decompression group. The rabbit model of DCS was established. Light microscopy, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemical method were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the thoracolumbar spinal cord and the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, respectively. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to observe the apoptosis in the spinal cord.

RESULTSIn the DCS group, cavities formed in the white matter of spinal cord and gliosis occurred around necrotic areas. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α was significantly higher in the DCS group than in the normal control group and the safe decompression group (P<0.01). The results of TUNEL showed that the number of positive apoptotic cells was significantly larger in the DCS group than in the normal control group and the safe decompression group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis plays an important role in spinal cord injury induced by DCS. In the early stage of DCS, the massive release of TNF-α initiates apoptosis and contributes to the pathological changes in spinal cord injury induced by DCS.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Decompression Sickness ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; RNA, Messenger ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of modified scleral tunnel for the prevention of Ahmed valve tube exposure in Ahmed valve implantation for refractory glaucoma.Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 72 patients with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory glaucoma.All the patients were divided into unmodified and modified scleral tunnel group.In the unmodified scleral tunnel group,38 patients (38 eyes) underwent traditional scleral tunnel in Ahmed valve implantation,while in the modified scleral tunnel group,34 patients (34 eyes) received modified scleral tunnel in the procedures.The changes in intraocular pressure and visual acuity after operation were observed,and the incidence of drainage tube exposure and other complications were compared between the two methods after Ahmed valve implantation.The patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months with an average of 18 months.Results The intraocular pressure was (16.30 ±5.73) mmHg (1kPa =7.5 mmHg) in the unmodified scleral tunnel group and (15.80 ± 6.12)mmHg in the modified scleral tunnel group,with no significant difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but there was significant difference with the preoperative data (48.4 ± 5.79) mmHg (P ＜ 0.01).During the follow-up,conjunctival tube exposure was seen in 3 eyes (7.9％) in the unmodified scleral tunnel group,whereas there was no tube exposure in the modified scleral tunnel group.Conclusion The modified scleral tunnel is capable to prevent conjunctival tube exposure in patients with refractory glaucoma,which is more efficient and safe than traditional scleral tunnel in Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

OBJECTIVETo compare the safety, efficacy and complications of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LPL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for treatment of renal pelvic stones larger than 2.5 cm.

METHODSFrom 2011 to 2016, 32 patients underwent LPL and another 32 patients received PCNL for renal pelvic stones larger than 2.5 cm. The baseline characteristics of the patients, stone size, mean operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, stone-free rate, postoperative analgesia, blood transfusion, and the intraoperative, early postoperative and long-term complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe baseline characteristics and stone size were comparable between the two groups. The mean operative time of LPL and PCNL was 117∓23.12 and 118.16∓25.45 min, respectively (P>0.05). The two groups showed significant differences in the mean estimated blood loss (63∓11.25 vs 122∓27.78 mL, P<0.01) and blood transfusion rate (0 vs 6.2%, P<0.01) but not in postoperative hospital stay (4.5∓1.34 vs 4.8∓2.2 days, P>0.05), stone-free rate (93.1% vs 87.5%, P>0.05) or the postoperative analgesia time (1.7∓0.5 and 1.9∓0.6 days, P>0.05). The incidence of intraoperative complications were significant lower in LPL group than in PCNL group (6.2% vs 25.0%, P<0.01), but the incidences of early postoperative complications (25.0% vs 34.4%, P>0.05) and long-term postoperative complications (9.4% vs 12.5%, P>0.05) were similar between them.

CONCLUSIONPCNL is the standard treatment for pelvic stones larger than 2.5 cm, but for urologists experienced with laparoscopic technique, LPL provides a feasible and safe option for management of such cases.

Blood Transfusion ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Kidney Calculi ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

To approach the effect of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) on un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells after treatment with Arsenic Trioxide ( As_2O_3) . Methods The changes of cell morphology were observed by Wright staining, the alteration in the cell proliferation was determined by WST1 experiment and the NBT reduction assay was used to detect the differentiation condition of cells, determination and analysis cell cycle. The expressions of C/EBP? and C/EBP? mRNA in HL-60 cells exposed to ATRA and As_2O_3 were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that ATRA could up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? obviously, but down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?. As_2O_3 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? lightly, down-regulate the expression of C/EBP?. Conclusion Both of ATRA and As_2O_3 can down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?,but there is no significant difference between these two groups,ATRA and As2O3 can up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?, with significant differences (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level on day 3 of embryo culture with embryo development.

METHODSSpent culture media were collected from individually cultured embryos on day 3 of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. HCG concentration in the culture media was measured using an ELISA kit and its association with embryo development was assessed.

RESULTSIn the 163 samples of embryo culture media from 60 patients, HCG was positive in 153 sample (93.8%) with a mean level of 0.85 ± 0.43 mIU/ml. The concentration of hCG in the culture media increased gradually as the number of blastomeres increased (F=2.273, P=0.03), and decreased as the morphological grade of the embryo was lowered (F=3.900, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONELISA is capable of detecting HCG levels in spent culture media of embryos on day 3 of in vitro culture. The concentration of HCG in spent culture media is positively correlated with the status of early embryo development and implantation rate and thus serves as a useful marker for embryo selection in IVF-ET procedure.

Biomarkers ; chemistry ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; chemistry ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hypertriglyceridemic waist to height ratio phenotype (HWHtR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a community population in South China.

METHODSA cross sectional study was conducted among 2142 residents in Zhuhai (Guangdong Province, China) from June to October of 2012. The HWHtR phenotype was defined as a waist to height ratio(WHtR) ≥0.55 and triglyceride level ≥2.0 mmol/L, based on which the participants were divided into HWHtR group and nonHWHtR group. CKD was defined as an eGFR<60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or an ACR ≥30 mg/g. A logistic regression model was established to investigate the relationship between chronic kidney disease and HWHtR phenotype.

RESULTSCompared with the nonHWHtR group, the HWHtR group had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (11.1% vs 33%, P<0.001). Analysis using the logistic regression model showed that HWHtR was significantly associated with CKD in the unadjusted analyses (OR=3.23, 95% CI: 2.32-4.48, P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, drinking, physical exercise, education and current smoking, HWHtR was significantly associated with CKD (OR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.52-3.67, P<0.001); the association of HWHtR and CKD was still significant after further adjustment for BMI (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.34-3.35, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONOur finding suggests that HWHtR is associated with CKD in this community population.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Mps1 on BRAFWT/MEK/ERK pathway in the presence of wild type BRAF or BRAFV600E in melanoma.

METHODSMelanoma cells harboring BRAFWT genotype were transfected either with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAF-WT and/or pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT or pBabe-puro-GST-BRAFV600E and/or pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, followed by Western blot to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression. The melanoma cells harboring BRAFWT and BRAFV600E genotype were infected with pSUPER-Mps1 retrovirus to knockdown the endogenous Mps1 protein, followed by Western blot to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression. Meanwhile, melanoma cells harboring BRAFV600E genotype were infected with pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1 and Western blot was performed to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression.

RESULTSIn melanoma cells harboring BRAFWT genotype and transfected with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAF-WT and pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, phospho-ERK levels were notably reduced as compared to either negative control or empty vector. However, cells transfected with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAFV600E and pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, phospho-ERK levels did not change significantly compared with either negative control or empty vector. Knockout of Mps1 in BRAF wild-type cell lines led to an increased ERK activity. However, there was no significant change of ERK activity in BRAFV600E cell lines in the absence of Mps1. The expression of p-ERK in BRAFV600E mutant cell lines infected with pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT did not show any significant difference from either negative control or empty vector.

CONCLUSIONSBased on these findings, it suggests that there exists an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop between the Mps1 kinase and BRAFWT/ERK signaling. Oncogenic BRAFV600E abrogates the regulatory negative feedback loop of Mps1 on the MAPK pathway.

Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Melanoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in rabbits with decompression disease (DCS), and to investigate the functioning mechanism.

METHODSA total of 21 healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, DCS group, and safe relief group, with 7 rabbits in each group. A rabbit DCS model was established by quick decompression. The changes in pathological morphology and mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α and GFAP in the brain and spinal cord of rabbits with DCS were determined by light microscopy, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTSCavity formation was observed in the white matter of spinal cord in DCS group. The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α and GFAP was significantly higher in the DCS group than in the normal control group and safe relief group (P < 0.01), while no significant differences were observed in the brain (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpinal cord is the main part of central nervous system injury in DCS. Activation of TNF-α and GFAP genes accompanied by increase in their protein expression can be observed at the early stage of DCS. The astrocytes and TNF-α play important roles in the process of spinal cord injury in DCS.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Decompression Sickness ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Male ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Xingxiong injection (XXI) is a widely used Chinese herbal formula prepared by the folium ginkgo extract and ligustrazine for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Compared with the pharmacological studies, chemical analysis and quality control studies on this formula are relatively limited. In the present study, a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF MS) method was applied to comprehensive analysis of constituents in XXI. According to the fragmentation rules and previous reports, thirty ginkgo flavonoids, four ginkgo terpene lactones, and one alkaloid were identified. A high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-QQQ MS) method was then applied to quantify ten major constituents in XXI. The method validation results indicated that the developed method had desirable specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy. The total contents of ginkgo flavonoids were about 22.05-25.51 μg·mL(-1) and the ginkgo terpene lactones amounts were about 4.41-8.70 μg·mL(-1) in six batches of XXI samples, respectively. Furthermore, cosine ratio algorithm and distance measurements were employed to evaluate the similarity of XXI samples, and the results demonstrated a high-quality consistency. This work could provide comprehensive information on the quality control of Xingxiong injection, which be helpful in the establishment of a rational quality control standard.
Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Lactones ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Terpenes ; analysis

The randomized controlled trials about modified Sangbaipi Decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( AECOPD) patients were collected from 7 databases( PubMed,CNKI,et al) from the establishment to December 5,2018. All the studies searched were strictly evaluated. Literatures were independently screened by two researchers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and the methodological quality of included studies was evaluated. To systematically review the efficacy of modified Sangbaipi Decoction in treating AECOPD,the Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis were conducted by using Stata/SE 14. 0 and TSA 0. 9. 5. 10 Beta,respectively. A total of 25 RCTs involving 1 784 patients were included. According to the results of Meta-analysis,compared with the control groups,the trial group had a higher clinical efficacy in AECOPD patients( RR =1. 18,95%CI[1. 13,1. 22],P = 0),improved pulmonary functions including forced expiratory volume in one second( FEV1,WMD =0. 44,95%CI[0. 01,0. 87],P = 0. 046),and the forced vital capacity( FVC,WMD = 0. 42,95%CI[0. 07,0. 22],P = 0),but no statistical significance in the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second( FEV1%,P = 0. 067) and the first seconds breathing volume percentage of forced vital capacity( FEV1/FVC,P = 0. 238); it improved the arterial oxygen partial pressure( PaO2,SMD =0. 85,95%CI[0. 41,1. 30],P = 0) and decreased the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide( PaCO2,SMD =-0. 94,95% CI[-1. 70,-0. 18],P= 0. 016); and in terms of inflammatory markers,it improved the white blood cell count( WBC,WMD=-0. 94,95%CI[-1. 17,-0. 70],P = 0). The trial sequential analysis showed that the studies included with the improvement of clinical efficacy had passed the conventional and TSA threshold,so as to further confirm the evidence. According to the findings,in addition to conventional Western medicine treatment,modified Sangbaipi Decoction could improve the efficiency in treating acute exacerbation patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,increase PaO2,and decrease PaCO2,with a high safety but no effect on pulmonary function. However,restricted by the low quality of studies included,this conclusion shall be further verified by more high-quality clinical trials.
Arterial Pressure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; Partial Pressure ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Vital Capacity