A Review The elastin has been investigated since the 1950 s, and it has been found that elastin relates to the vascular diseases in recent years. In this review, the elastin gene structure, distribution and its role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases and aging are summarized.

Objective To observe the location of pelvic organs, the morphology and function of levator ani muscle (LAM) in primiparous women post vaginal delivery at 6 months postpartum using static and dynamic MRI, and investigate the correlation between LAM injury and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods A perspective analysis of static and dynamic MRI was performed in fifty-one primiparous women post vaginal delivery at 6 months postpartum and thirty-five nulliparous women without experience of pregnancy and delivery as control group from June 2014 to January 2015. Previous pregnancy and abortion history, previous pelvic surgery and pelvic mass diseases were excluded. Cases with pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms were excluded from the control group. All of the women underwent static and dynamic MRI. The primiparous group was divided into two groups on presence or absence of POP on MRI findings:primiparous POP group and primiparous control group. The levatorani scoring system based on static MRI was used to characterize morphological changes of LAM into none, minor and major injury by the total score of bilateral LAM. A series of parameters including H line (the distance between the inferior margin of pubic symphysis to anorectal junction), M line (the perpendicular distance between the distal end of H line to pubococcygeal line), levator plate angle (LPA), iliococcygeal angle (ICA), and levator hiatus length and area were measured on static and dynamic MR images. Fisher exact test was performed to compare difference in distribution of the LAM injury between the primiparous group and control group, as well as the primiparous POP group and primiparous control group. Independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare difference in LAM parameters between the primiparous POP group and primiparous control group. Results In the 51 cases primiparous group, 44 cases showed none injury, whilst 5 cases with minor and 2 cases with major injury in the puborectal muscle. Thirty two cases showed none injury, whilst 10 cases with minor and 9 cases with major injury in the iliococcygeal muscle. In the 35 cases control group, none injury was shown in puborectal muscle, whilst 32 cases with none, 2 cases with minor and 1 case with major injury in the iliococcygeal muscle. There was no significant difference in the puborectal muscle injury between the two groups (P=0.203), and there was significant difference in the iliococcygeal muscle injury between the two groups (P<0.05). In the 24 cases primiparous POP group, 20 cases showed none injury, whilst 2 cases with minor and 2 cases with major injury in the puborectal muscle. Fourteen cases showed none injury, whilst 6 cases with minor and 4 cases with major injury in the iliococcygeal muscle. In the 27 cases primiparous control group, 24 cases showed none and 3 cases with minor injury in the puborectal muscle, whilst 18 cases with none, 4 cases with minor and 5 cases with major injury in the iliococcygeal muscle. There was no significant difference in the puborectal muscle injury and iliococcygeal muscle injury between the two groups (P=0.588 and 0.559, respectively). The LH during Valsalva status in primiparous POP group and primiparous control group were (6.7 ± 1.1) and (5.0 ± 0.6) cm, respectively, whilst the LHA was (41.6 ± 12.6) and (24.2 ± 5.5) cm2. There were significant difference between the corresponding groups (P=0.042 and 0.004, respectively). There was no significant difference between the corresponding groups of the other LAM parameters on static and dynamic MRI (all P>0.05). Conclusion Vaginal delivery may cause various degrees of LAM injury, the LAM functional deficiency were observed in primiparous women combined with POP.

Objective To explore the fluorescent distribution, and the relation between fluorescent intensity and time after injecting rear-thigh muscles with DiI. Methods Sixty-five new born mice were equally and randomly divided into 13 groups. Fluorescent distribution and intensity were investigated at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 h, and 2, 4, 7, 14, 28 d and 2, 3 months after injecting the left posterior limb rear thigh muscles with 1.5 ?l 4 mg/ml DiI for one mouse. Results The labeling neurons were scattered from L2 level to S2 level and associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG), but the most were located at L4 to L6 section. The faint red fluorescence neurons were observed at dorsal root ganglion and cornu anterius medullae spinalis 6 h post-injection. The labeling neurons increased up to the 4th day. The fluorescent intensity enhanced gradually from 6 h to 24 h, then kept the intensity for 3 months. Conclusion It is a quick, precise, persistent method to trance and label the dorsal root ganglions sensory neuron and spinal motoneuron by injecting rear-thigh muscles with DiI, and the rate of labeling neurons can be improved by prolonging the tracing time properly. It is also provide basic data for clinical or experimental neuron label and location.

BACKGROUND: Changes of elastic fibers in middle cerebral artery(MCA)is close related withthe aged cerebrovascular disease.OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of elastic fibers of MCA in different aging rats.DESIGN: A descriptive and controlled study based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of anatomy and central laboratory in a university.MATERIALS: Totally 36 healthy Wistar rats with either gender, weighing 200 - 280 g, were selected from the Animal Institute of the third medical military university of Chongqing[certification SCXX (army) 2002-007].INTERVENTIONS: Changes of elastic fibers of MCA of different aging rats were observed with light microscope, transmission electron microscope and image analysis system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①) Major outcome: changes of elastic lamella in MCA of different aging rats; ②) Secondary outcome: ultramicrostructural changes of internal lamella under the transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: With the increase of age, the folded extent and quantity of internal elastic lamella were decreased, and the content of elastic fibers were also decreased significantly( P ＜ 0.01 ). However, the ratio of collagen fibers to elastic fibers was increased significantly( P ＜ 0.01 ) . In the aging group above 24 months, the internal elastic lamina thinned, delaminated and disrupted, and the lipid deposited in it. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells passed through the internal elastic lamina. CONCLUSION: Changes of elastic fibers may be related with the increased susceptibility to the cerebrovascular disease in aged people.

Objective To investigate the changes of interleukin(IL)-2 and interferon(IFN)-γin serum and synovial fluid of patients with joint injure with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD), and study the roles of IL-2 and IFN-γ in KBD joint injure. Methods In accordance with the "Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin-Beck disease"(GB16003-1995),48 cases of KBD patients and 26 healthy people(control group) from KBD endemic area in Long county Shaanxi province were enrolled in the study. KBD patient were 24 males and 24 females, respectively, aged 40 to 65 years (mean age 51 years). Forty-eight serum specimens and 28 synovial fluid specimens of patients(14 males and 14 females,respectively) were collected. Healthy control group were 13 males and 13 females, respectively. Twenty-six serum specimens of healthy controls were collected. Serum and synovial fluid IL-2 and IFN-γ levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results In healthy controls and KBD patients, the midian of serum IL-2 were 46.8 ng/L and 55.7 ng/L, respectively, and IFN-γ were 52.3 ng/L and 48.8 ng/L, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant between healthy controls and KBD patients(t = 0.62, 0.70, all P ＞ 0.05).In synovial fluid of KBD patient, the midian of IL-2 and IFN-γwere 48.3 ng/L and 44.1 ng/L, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant between serum and synovial fluid in KBD patients(t = 0.69, 1.72, all P ＞0.05). Conclusion Serum and synovial fluid IL-2 and IFN-γare not significantly increased in KBD patients with articular damage, indicating that IL-2 and IFN-γare not involved in KBD joint injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Young Adult

Objective To observe expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and cholecystokinin (CCK) in the hippocampus and spinal cord in morphine withdrawal or tolerance mice treated by electroacupuncture or catgut embedding and explore the difference between the regulating effects of electroacupuncture and catgut embedding on morphine withdrawal and tolerance.Methods Fifty-six male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to withdrawal control, withdrawal model, withdrawal catgut embedding and withdrawal electroacupuncture groups, and tolerance control, tolerance model, tolerance catgut embedding and tolerance electroacupuncture groups, 7 mice in each group. A model of morphine withdrawal was made by subcutaneous injection of morphine hydrochloride using 7-day increasing addiction method. The withdrawal control group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline at the same time points. In the withdrawal electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture at bilateral points Shenshu was performed using a Han’s acupoint nerve stimulation device (HANS-200) at 15 min after an injection of morphine hydrochloride. In the withdrawal catgut embedding group, 0.5 cm chromic catgut was embedded in bilateral points Shenshu at 15 min after an injection of morphine hydrochloride. Addiction was promoted by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone 4 mg/kg at 10 o’clock on the seventh day’s morning and Withdrawal reactions were observed in the mice. The score was recorded using the Ryuta Tomoji opioid withdrawal symptoms evaluation scale. NMDA receptor and CCK contents in the hippocampus and spinal cord were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A model of morphine tolerance was made by subcutaneous injection of morphine 10 mg/kg. The tolerance control group was injected with tolerance normal saline 10 ml/kg at the same time. In the tolerance catgut embedding group, catgut was embedded in point Shenshu at the first day after model making. In the tolerance electroacupuncture group, point Shenshu was given electroacupuncture at the first day after model making. After seven days of treatment, NMDA receptor and CCK contents in the hippocampus and spinal cord were measured by ELISA.Results There were statistically significant differences in hippocampal NR2B and CCK expressions between the withdrawal model and withdrawal control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal NR2B expression between the withdrawal electroacupuncture and withdrawal model groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal CCK expression between the withdrawal catgut embedding or withdrawal electroacupuncture group and the withdrawal model group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in spinal cord NR2A, NR2B and CCK expressions between the withdrawal model and withdrawal control groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in spinal cord NR2A and NR2B expressions between the withdrawal electroacupuncture and withdrawal model groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in hippocampal NR2A, NR2B and CCK expressions between the tolerance model and tolerance control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal CCK expression between the tolerance catgut embedding and tolerance model groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal NR1 expression between the tolerance electroacupuncture group and the tolerance model or tolerance catgut embedding group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in spinal cord CCK expression between the tolerance catgut embedding or withdrawal electroacupuncture group and the tolerance model group (P<0.05).Conclusions Both catgut embedding and electroacupuncture at point Shenshu have a reducing effect on morphine tolerance and withdrawal. The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture is better than that of catgut embedding.

Objective To study the feasibility of model building methods by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages between the two different methods to build off-pump coronary artery bypass graft animal model. Methods Twenty dogs were randomly divided into two groups:brachiocephalic artery group and descending aorta group. Small-caliber heterogeneous vascular vessels were used as bridge vessels. The incision was in the fourth intercostal space of the left chest. Vascular anastomosis was firstly done between the brachiocephalic artery and bridge vessels,or between descending aorta and bridge vessels,prior to coronary vascular and bridge vessels anastomosis. Results The dogs of two groups were not dead during operation. Brachiocephalic artery group and the descending aorta group:aortic vascular anastomosis times were (33.9 ±4.8) min and (29.6 ±3.5) min respectively (P<0.05),coronary vascular anastomosis time were (28.5 ±3.0) min and (28. 1 ± 2. 3) min respectively (P>0. 05). The surgical blood losses of the two groups were (77. 5 ± 16. 2) mL and (66. 5 ± 12. 3) mL re-spectively (P>0. 05). After side clamping descending aorta,femoral blood pressure significantly decreased in descending aorta group,and the two dogs had melena after operation. Conclusion Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft models were both constructed successfully by the two ways. Descending aorta group of femoral artery blood pressure violently fluctuated and had abdominal organs’ ischemia reperfusion in-jury. Though brachiocephalic artery group anastomosis group spent a little longer time,they had stable artery blood pressure during operation. As a result,the way of constructing animal model of brachiocephalic artery group is safer.

Objective To provide a practical device and protocol to hold conscious rats for subsequent operations which can overcome the disadvantages of existing methods .Users can complete the experiment more efficiently , with or without prior experience .Methods Using transparent plastic film , plastic sealing machine and sponge to make a simple device for holding rats , by taking advantage of their escaping nature .To compare the performance of the new method and existing methods for holding and injecting rats .Results Compared with existing methods , the new device and method can reduce the time-consuming to hold rats by 44.7%, from 18.13 seconds to 10.03 seconds.For holding and injecting , the new method can reduce the time-consuming by 55.3%, from 139.33 seconds to 52.26 seconds .Conclusions The new device and method is good for holding and injecting rats or drawing blood from the caudal veins .It can shorten the time of operation and reduce the stress reaction in the animals .It’ s especially helpful for inexperienced experimenters such as students in teaching and research tasks .

Objective To investigate the nerve recanalization and the motor function of hind legs after transplantation of peripheral nerve grafts treated with microsurgical technique at chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods The SD rats were established into SCI model with improved Allen method.The rats were divided into two parts 12 weeks after the injury.In experimental group:by microsurgieal technique. the sural nerves were removed epineufium and transplanted into SCI lesion,control group rats were treated without any operation.Retrograde HRP tracing through sciatic nerve were practiced at 1 month,2 month,3 month after transplantation of peripheral nerve grafts.The morphological changes were observed at section of spinal cord and the motor functions of both hind legs of rat were detected.Results The morphology of the injured spinal cord sections turned better.Retrograde HRP tracing through sciatic nerve showed some HRP positive markers at the site of near rostral end of the nearly injured part at one month after transplantation and increased with the time going by.Motor function of hind legs of rats recovered significantly in transplantation groups.Conclusion Peripheral nerve grafts treated with mierosurgical technique have repairing effect on chronic spinal cord injury in rats.