OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus(AM) on vascular circles and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe study was performed with the model of isolate rat thoracic aorta rings in organ bath. When the endothelium of rat thoracic aorta was removed,the effect of accumulated AM on aorta rings in resting tension, or pre-constricted with KCl, or pre-constricted with phenylephrine (PE) was observed. And to explove the mechanism, the aorta rings were incubated with Ca(2+)-free medium alone, or Ca(2+)-free medium plus heparin, or propranolol alone before pre-contraction with PE.

RESULTSAM had no significant effects on aorta rings in resting tension or pre-constricted with KCl. When the concentration of AM was cumulated to 10(-1), 3 x 10(-1),10(0), 3 x 10(0) g/L, it caused concentration-dependent relaxation while aorta rings were pre-constricted with PE(3 x 10(-7)mol/L), compared with the control [(90.4 +/-4.2)% compared with (94.7 +/-2.4)%,(86.1 +/-5.0)% compared with (92.6 +/-3.2)%, (82.3 +/-5.9)% compared with (90.4 +/-3.6) %, (78.3 +/-6.0)% compared with (88.1 +/-4.0)%]. This effect was not inhibited by Ca(2+)-free medium or propranolol alone. However, the effect was attenuated by the co-incubation with heparin and Ca(2+)-free medium [without heparin:(76.2+/-4.3)% compared with (92.3 +/-5.9)%, with heparin: (95.3+/-0.5)% compared with (95.1+/-0.6)%].

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that AM can relax the rat thoracic aorta rings without endothelium. The mechanism may include the inhibition of intracellular calcium ions release by the 1,4,5-triphosphate inositol-receptor-dependent pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Phosphatidylinositols ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of the spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) on computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODSTwenty-five patients with unexplained acute abdominal pain received CTA.

RESULTSFour cases with the SISMAD were found and all were male with a mean age of (45.3±6.7) years. Two patients had hypertension history. CT showed enlarged diameter of the superior mesenteric artery with dissection in 4 cases, intimal flap and visible false lumen in 2 cases, ulcer-like laceration in 1 case, and intramural hematoma in 1 case. The proximal lacerations or entries were all at the proximal segment of the superior mesenteric artery. CTA classifications were type Ia (n=2), IIb (n=1), and III (n=1). Two patients underwent repeated CTA when discharged, and progressive changes were discovered.

CONCLUSIONCTA can clearly show the characteristics of the superior mesenteric artery dissection, confirm the diagnosis, and provide an important basis for the classification and follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of major histocompatibility complex classⅡgene in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Methods Two-hit porcine model of MODS was duplicated in 18 swine that were randomly assigned into experimental group(Group M,n=9) and control group(Group C,n=9).The Group M was given compound factors including hemorrhagic shock,reperfusion injury and endotoxemia,and the Group C only underwent anesthesia and arterious/ve- nous eannula.After seven days,the animals were killed to remove splenic tissues fro extracting total RNA by Trizol method.The primer of SLA-DQA(MHC classⅡgene of swine)was designed to construct cD- NA by reverse transcription and the quantity of SLA-DQA mRNA detected with real time fluorescent quan- titative polymerase chain reaction(real time FQ-PCR).The standard curve was described by UVP com- puter image analysis system.Results The mortality of Group M was 78%(7/9),and the incidence rate of MODS was 89%(8/9).The expressing quantity of Group M was(1.376?1.006)?10~3,signifi- cantly lower than(5.330?3.053)?10~3 of Group C(P＜0.01).Conclusion Duplication of por- cine MODS model is satisfactory.Down-regulation of MHC classⅡgene may be due to control of classⅡtransactivator(CⅡTA)and release of multiple eytokine,such as TNF-?and IL-10.

Objective To investigate diffusion-weighted(DWI)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the thrombi in patients with cerebral sinus thrombosis(CST),and explore their relation with the recanalization rate alter thrombolytic therapy. Methods The clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed in 14 CST cases,including conventional MRI,FLAIR,DWI and MRV features.The hyperintense signals on DWI at the site ofvenous occlusion were analyzed,and MRV was performed 1-3 months after the thrombolytic therapy to assess the recanalization.The relation between the findings by T1WI,FLAIR and DWI before the thrombolytic therapy and the recanalization rate after the therapy was evaluated.Results Hyperintense signals Was detected in 21 occluded sinuses in 9 patients(41%)with a recellt CVT.Hyperintense signals in the thrombi on the initial MRl were associated with a significantly lowered rate of complete recanalization of the vessel as compared with that among cases without the hyperintense signals(19.0%vs 68.2%,P=0.005). Conclusion The DWI signals of the thrombi in the cerebral venous sinuses can be associated with the progression of the thrombosis,and the presence of hyperintense signals in the occluded cerebral sinuses on the initial DWI may suggest a low rate of sinus recanalization after 1 t0 3 months of thrombolytic therapy.

OBJECTIVETo know genotypes and serotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) detected from hepatitis B infected people in Yunnan Province.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from HBsAg carriers detected from people who had a physical examination at Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The S genes of HBV were amplified by nested PCR and the PCR products were sequenced. The viral genotype was identified by phylogenetic analysis. 27 reference sequences corresponding to HBV genotype A to I were obtained from GenBank. According to the amino acid sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences of S gene, the dominant serotype of HBV detected from these people were confirmed.

RESULTS39 HBsAg positive serum samples were detected from 2216 people who had a physical examination. The results shows that 76.9% were C genotype; 15.4% were B genotype; 5.1% were D genotype; 2.5% were I genotype. Three serotypes were found. The rates of adw2, adrq+ and ayr serotypes are 71.8%, 17.9% and 10.3% respectively. All of adw2 subtype specimens are C genotype. Among the serum specimens in which both HBsAg and HBeAg are positive, 75% were C genotype and adw2 subtype.

CONCLUSIONIt is determined that the main genotype and subtype of HBV prevailed in Yunnan province is C genotype and adw2 subtype.

Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; China ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Population Surveillance

OBJECTIVETo investigate the imaging features and pathological manifestations of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

METHODSThe imaging characteristics and pathological manifestations of 26 surgically treated patients with histologically confirmed GISTs were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe tumors were found to originate from the small bowel (n=10), stomach (n=8), colon (n=6), mesentery (n=1) and omentum (n=1). The imaging and pathological features of GISTs were (1) most of GISTs were well-defined and exophytic (n=19, 73.1% ), which usually compressed the adjacent tissues but no invasion. The tumor diameter ranged from 5.1 to 23.5 cm with a mean diameter of 11.6 +/- 5.9 cm, (2)most tumors had an inhomogenous density or signal intensity due to necrosis(n=21, 80.8%), hemorrhage (n=15, 57.7%) or calcification (n=3, 11.5%) within the tumor, (3) on the CT or MR images, heterogeneous enhancement pattern presented as peripheral or intra-tumor patchy enhancement was common (n=21, 80.8%). Furthermore, enhanced striped vessels were seen in 12 patients. However, homogenous enhancement pattern was rare (n=5, 19.2%), (4) the most common site where GIST metastasized to was the liver (n=7), followed by the peritoneum (n=4), but rarely to lymph nodes, (5) of these 26 patients, spindle-cell type was observed in 69.2% (n=18), epithelioid-cell type in 23.1% (n=6), and mixed cell type in 7.7% (n=2). Immunohistochemical studies showed positive CD117 expression in all of these 26 patients, but positive CD34 expression in only 22 patients.

CONCLUSIONGastrointestinal stromal tumor usually presents as a exophytic, well-defined large tumor, with internal striped vessels, necrosis or hemorrhage within. It usually metastasizes to the liver or the peritoneum but rarely to lymph nodes. Pathologically, most of gastrointestinal stromal tumors consist of spindle-cells, while a small portion of the tumors are composed of epithelioid-cells or mixed ones. Both CT and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

For exploring pathogenesis of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5'N) deficiency, a quantitative assay method for human erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase was established. The specific substrate uridine monophosphate (UMP) of P5'N was used as ligand. The UPM-ADH-Sepharose 4B affinity column was prepared. P5'N of human erythrocyte was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and precipitation, ion chromatography and affinity chromatography. Rabbit anti-human P5'N antibody was acquired by immunizing rabbits with purified P5'N. Using rabbit anti-human antibody as the coated anti-body and HRP-rabbit anti-human antibody as demonstrated anti-body, the double antitody sandwich ELISA for quantitative assay of human erythrocyte P5'N was established after square rank trial, antigen blocked trial and antigen substituted test. Results showed that the titer of rabbit anti-human erythrocyte was 1:4 and the sensitivity of double antibody sandwich ELISA was 5 ng/ml. Its blocking rate was more than 95% and the rate of substitution less than 30%. The content of P5'N was (71.77 + 10.98) ng/mg NHP in normal human erythrocyte. A new ELISA method for quantitative determination of human erythrocyte P5'N was first established. It not only had high specificity and sensitivity but also could assay the minimun content of P5'N as 5 - 20 ng/ml. It could be a suitable method for large sample in clinics.