Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences between computer aided identification and ultra-thin layer slicing in measuring the lesions of femoral head necrosis,and to confirm the accuracy and practicability of computer aided method.

METHODSFrom June 2012 to December 2013, the X-ray and MRI of 24 patients (24 hips on unilateral) were reviewed, who had avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFA) at late stage (stage III and IV) according to the ARCO international staging system. There were 15 males and 9 females, with an average age of (65.1 ± 8.8) years old, ranged 33 to 74 years old. Based on the software system with seeds point identification, the ragional adaptive search method with computer aid was used to calculate the volume of necrotic lesion in femoral on MRI. Then the pathological slices of those intraoperative femoral heads were made to measure the gross volume of necrotic lesion in femoral head,and the values were compared with the data in the computer.

RESULTSFor 24 hips, by the calculation of computer, the necrotic volume was (20.00 ± 3.04) cm (ranged, 18.72 to 21.29 cm³). Under the pathological section, the necrotic volume of the femoral head was (19.89 ± 3.17) cm³ (ranged, 18.55 to 21.23 cm³). In computer and pathology two kinds of measurement, the two entire femoral head volume had no significant difference using these two measurements (t = -1.227, P = 0.232).

CONCLUSIONComputer aided identification for necrotic area of femoral head adaptive can demonstrate the morphology of femoral head necrosis accurately and reliably, which will help surgeon better understand the morphology and orientation in femoral head.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experiences and advantages of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery for neonatal intestinal atresia and stenosis.

METHODSTwenty patients of neonatal intestinal atresia and stenosis were treated with LESS procedure in Huai'an Women and Children's Hospital of Jiangsu Province between October 2010 and April 2012. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong these patients, 13 were male, 7 were female. Age at admission ranged from 10 min to 1 d. Four cases were premature, and 3 were born with low birth weight (<2500 g). One was diagnosed with duodenal atresia, 1 with duodenal stenosis, 9 with jejunal atresia, 2 with jejunal stenosis, and 7 with ileal atresia. Laparoscopic exploration was performed in all the cases by transumbilical procedure, the proximal and distal ends were exteriorized from the umbilical port site for anastomosis. Twenty neonates with intestinal atresia and stenosis were performed using this new minimally invasive approach, with no cases converted to open operation or standard laparoscopy. The operative time was 35-60 (mean, 40) min. The intraoperative bleeding was 3-5 ml. Two cases were given up treatment by their parents on the second postoperative day. For the other 18 patients, oral intake started on postoperative day 5-10 (mean, 7), and discharged from hospital on the postoperative day 10-20 (mean, 13). The follow up ranged from 1 to 11 months, during which 1 case died, 3 cases were managed with conservative treatment for diarrhea or malnutrition. The other 14 cases grew up healthily.

CONCLUSIONThe technique of LESS in the treatment of neonatal atresia and stenosis is simple and the outcomes are satisfactory.

Constriction, Pathologic ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Atresia ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

This study was aimed to investigate the biological behavior of annonaceous acetogenin mimic AA005 in various kinds of leukemia cells and further elaborated its possible mechanisms in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4. The proliferative inhibition of leukemia cells was measured by CCK-8 method. Cell death was determined by trypan blue. Cell morphological features of NB4 treated with AA005 were examined by microscopy after Wright's staining. The form of cell death was measured by flow cytometry. Proteins PARP-1 and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle arrest induced by AA005 of low concentration. The results showed that AA005 (> 200 nmol/L) significantly inhibited proliferation of all tested leukemia cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The vast majority of cells went to die after leukemia cell lines of NB4, U937 and K562 were treated with different concentration of AA005 for 48 h. Typical morphologic changes significantly appeared in NB4 cells after AA005 treatment. AA005 almost simultaneously induced early apoptosis and late apoptosis. The little cleavage of PARP-1 and activation of caspase-3 happened in AA005-induced cell death, and caspase-3 inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk could not block the cell death. The non-toxic concentrations of AA005 (< 200 nmol/L) caused NB4 cells G(2)/M-phase arrest. It is concluded that annonaceous acetogenin mimic AA005 induces significant proliferative inhibition of various leukemia cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, which may be associated with cell death and G(2)/M-phase arrest induced by AA005.
Acetogenins ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDMost cardiac regenerative approaches can restore injured heart muscles. In this study, we investigated if fibrin sealant could help neonatal cardiomyocytes restore myocardial function in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

METHODSThe left anterior descending artery in adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was ligated to make a myocardial infarction model. Neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes from one-day male SD rats were isolated, labeled and cultured. The cells were injected into the infarcted area three weeks later. The animals were randomized into four recipient groups: (1) cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant (group CF, n = 10); (2) cardiomyocytes alone (group C, n = 10); (3) fibrin sealant recipients alone (group F, n = 10); (4) control group (n = 10). Four weeks after transplantation, echocardiography and Langerdoff model were used to assess heart function. Immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to track the implanted cardiomyocytes and detect the sex-determining region Y gene on Y chromosome.

RESULTSEchocardiography showed the fraction shortening (FS) in groups CF, C, F and control group was (27.80 +/- 6.32)%, (22.29 +/- 4.54)%, (19.24 +/- 6.29)% and (20.36 +/- 3.29)% respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The Langendoff model revealed that the left ventricular development of peak pressure (LVDPmax, mmHg) in groups CF, C, F and control group was 104.81 +/- 17.05, 80.97 +/- 21.60, 72.07 +/- 26.17 and 71.42 +/- 17.55 respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Pathological examination and PCR indicated that transplanted cardiomyocytes in group CF survived better than those in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONTransplanted neonatal cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant can survive in myocardial infarctioned area and improve heart function greatly in rat models.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Shikonin, the main active ingredient of Lithospermum, and its derivatives have been proved to have antitumor effects, and the anti-tumor mechanisms involve multiple targets. Based on recent literatures, this review focuses on the antitumor effects and its mechanisms. More emphases are given on the aspects of induction of apoptosis, induction of necrosis, acting on matrix metalloproteinase, acting on the protein tyrosine kinase and antiangiogenesis. The current status and problems of shikonin derivatives in antitumor effects are simply summarized and lookout for the development of antitumor drugs with shikonin as leading compounds.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lithospermum ; chemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Necrosis ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

This study aimed to investigate the reconstruction of the thumb and finger extension function in patients with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus.From April 2010 to January 2015,we enrolled in this study 4 patients diagnosed with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus via imaging tests,electrophysiological examinations,and clinical confirmation.Muscular branches of the radial nerve,which innervate the supinator in the forearm,were transposed to the posterior interosseous nerve to reconstruct the thumb and finger extension function.Electrophysiological findings and muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis,as well as the distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip,were monitored.All patients were followed up for 24 to 30 months,with an average of 27.5 months.Motor unit potentials (MUP) of the extensor digitorum communis appeared at an average of 3.8 months,while MUP of the extensor pollicis longus appeared at an average of 7 months.Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) appeared at an average of 9 months in the extensor digitorum communis,and 12 months in the extensor pollicis longus.Furthermore,the muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis both reached grade Ⅲ at 21 months.Lastly,the average distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip was 8.8 cm at 21 months.In conclusion,for patients with middle and lower trunk injuries of the brachial plexus,transposition of the muscular branches of the radial nerve innervating the supinator to the posterior interosseous nerve for the reconstruction of thumb and finger extension function is practicable and feasible.

Objective To investigate the methods ofmicrosurgical treatment of Arnold-Chiari Ⅰ malformation combined with syringomyelia and their curative effects.Methods The clinical data of 185 patients with Arnold-Chiari Ⅰ malformation combined with syringomyelia,admitted to our hospital from January 1997 to June 2010 and received different surgical treatments,were summarized.The relationship between curative effects and operative methods were analyzed.Results When these 185 patients were discharged from our hospital,the clinical signs and symptoms eliminated in 156 (84.3％)and not changed in 29; no symptomatic deterioration and death were noted.One hundred and forty-seven patients were followed up for 3 months-12 years; symptoms disappeared or alleviated in 110 (74.8％),not changed in 26 and deteriorated in 11.The MR findings in 95 patients demonstrated that the cisternals reconstructed and expanded in 82 and the cavities in spinal cords reduced in 79.Conclusion Both posterior fossa decompression + duraplasty and removal of cerebella tonsils + plastic operation of cistern magna are effective and advisable methods in the treatment of Arnold-Chiari Ⅰ malformation combined with syringomyelia.

OBJECTIVETo detect the hepatic tissue and serum level of TGFbeta1 in patients with viral hepatitis, in order to clarify their relationship of the starting, developing of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThis study included 92 patients with viral hepatitis. Liver puncture was performed in 31 patients. Hepatic collagen staining (Masson's three colors) and TGFbeta1 immunohistochemistry staining of the liver tissue specimens were performed, morphometric quantitative measurements of hepatic histological collagen and TGFbeta1 were made. The serum level of TGFFbeta1 was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe surface density of hepatic TGFbeta1 increased linearly with the elevation of fibrosis stage (P < 0.05), there were no significant differences between every two groups of G1, G2, G3 and G4 (P > 0.005). There was a closely positive correlation between the levels of TGFbeta1 in hepatic tissue and serum, the coefficient was 0.896 (P < 0.01). The levels of TGFbeta1 in tissue and serum both had positive correlation with hepatic collagen, coefficients were 0.863 and 0.667 (P < 0.001). The level of TGFbeta1 in tissue and serum both had positive correlation with serum levels of PCIII, HA, LN, CIV (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThere was a closely relationship between the levels of TGFbeta1 in hepatic tissue and serum and liver fibrosis. The detection of TGFbeta1 in liver and serum are more sensitive than HA, LN, CIV in early period of hepatic fibrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Collagen ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; chemistry ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHX) on the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system of rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its possible action mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred 3- month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (control, castrated, BPH model, and BSHX). BPH models were made by subcutaneous injection of testosterone following castration; the rats in the BSHX group were treated intragastrically with BSHX at 2.34 g/ml after modeling, while those in the other two groups with equal volume of saline, all for 37 days. On the 38th day, all the rats were sacrificed and their prostates harvested for detection of the distribution of TGF-beta1 and alpha-actin and the count of positive cells in the prostatic ductal system by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased in the rats of the BSHX group as compared with the BPH models in both the proximal prostatic duct ([15.28 +/- 4.30]% vs [36.42 +/- 8.10]%, P < 0.01) and the distal prostatic duct ([4.42 +/- 2.07]% vs [8.71 +/- 2.28 ]%, P < 0.05), while the expression of alpha-actin in the proximal duct was remarkably higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the models ([28.14 +/- 7.43]% vs [18.28 +/- 4.07]%, P < 0.01), but lower than in the control animals ([33.57 +/- 6.85]%, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the BPH models and BSHX-treated rats both exhibited markedly decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells in the proximal prostatic duct ([39.42 +/- 9.20]% vs [3.86 +/- 1.34]%, P < 0.01, and [31.14 +/- 5.64]%, P < 0.01) and distal prostatic duct ([17.60 +/- 4.86]% vs [3.07 +/- 1.14]%, P < 0.01, and [12.37 +/- 2.25]%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was significantly higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the BPH models (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the expression of TGF-beta, BSHX can suppress the reduction of smooth muscle cells in the proximal prostatic duct, promote the apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells, and thus effectively inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism