0.05).Conclusions There is no obvious effect of danazol alginate microspheres used for uterine arterial embolization on ovarian function in rabblits.After UAE some animals are able to achieve pregnancies,while harmful effects are observed on short term pregnant rate.

Stem cell factor is an important hematopoietic growth factor. In this study, the human stem cell factor was produced by recombinant E. coli, and the structure and biological activity of the recombinant stem cell factor(rhSCF) was studied. It was indicated that the rhSCF was a uncovalent dimer in phosphate buffer,and had the correct mass spectra, mass peptides spectra, composition of amino acid, N-terminal sequernce, C-terminal sequence and intrachain disulfide linkages, rhSCF alone or synergy with rhG-CSF could mobilze hematopoietic progenitors to blood in monkey.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Haplorhini ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Stem Cell Factor ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDIt is known that excessive release of glutamate can induce excitotoxicity in neurons and lead to seizure. Dexamethasone has anti-seizure function. The aim of this study was to investigate glutamate-dexamethasone interaction in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, identify differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of glutamate-induced epileptic rats by mRNA differential display, and observe the effects of dexamethasone on these genes expression.

METHODSSeizure models were established by injecting 5 microl (250 microg/microl) monosodium glutamate (MSG) into the lateral cerebral ventricle in rats. Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally at 30 minutes after MSG inducing convulsion. The rats' behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) were then recorded for 1 hour. The effects of dexamethasone on gene expression were observed in MSG-induced epileptic rats at 1 hour and 6 hours after the onset of seizure by mRNA differential display. The differentially expressed genes were confirmed by Dot blot.

RESULTSEEG and behaviors showed that MSG did induce seizure, and dexamethasone could clearly alleviate the symptom. mRNA differential display showed that MSG increased the expression of some genes in epileptic rats and dexamethasone could downregulate their expression. From more than 10 differentially expressed cDNA fragments, we identified a 226 bp cDNA fragment that was expressed higher in the hippocampus of epileptic rats than that in the control group. Its expression was reduced after the administration of dexamethasone. Sequence analysis and protein alignment showed that the predicted amino acid sequence of this cDNA fragment kept 43% identity to agmatinase, a member of the ureohydrolase superfamily.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study suggest that the product of the 226 bp cDNA has a function similar to agmatinase. Dexamethasone might relax alleviate seizure by inhibiting expression of the gene.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Electroencephalography ; drug effects ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Glutamate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the images of early lesions of condylar cartilage of osteoarthritic rats in synchrotron radiation diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI).

METHODSThe animal model of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis was established in rat following the method of partial resection of the joint disc. The changes of osteoarthritic condylar cartilage in different pathological stages were observed by DEI and compared with those in situ histopathological sections.

RESULTSWith DEI, straight and orbicular lines were detected in condylar cartilage 45 to 60 days after discs resection. The lines were confirmed by histopathology to be collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation inside the cartilage.

CONCLUSIONSDEI is capable of imaging the early stages of pathological changes of excised condylar cartilage such as collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation, and this technique is of potential value to clinical application.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether intrapericardial urokinase irrigation along with pericardiocentesis could prevent pericardial constriction in patients with infectious exudative pericarditis.

METHODSA total of 94 patients diagnosed as infectious exudative pericarditis (34 patients with purulent pericarditis and 60 with tuberculous pericarditis, the disease courses of all patients were less than 1 month), 44 males and 50 females, aged from 9 to 66 years (mean 45.4 +/- 14.7 years), were consecutively recruited from 1993 to 2002. All individuals were randomly given either intrapericardial urokinase along with conventional treatment in study group, or conventional treatment alone (including pericardiocentesis and drainage) in control group. The dosage of urokinase ranged from 200000 to 600000 U (mean 320000 +/- 70000 U). The immediate effects were detected by pericardiography with sterilized air and diatrizoate meglumine as contrast media. The long-term investigation depended on the telephonic survey and echocardiographic examination. The duration of following-up ranged from 8 to 120 months (mean 56.8 +/- 29.0 months).

RESULTSPercutaneous intrapericardial urokinase irrigation promoted complete drainage of pericardial effusion, significantly reduced the thickness of pericardium (from 3.1 +/- 1.6 mm to 1.6 +/- 1.0 mm in study group, P < 0.001; from 3.4 +/- 1.6 mm to 3.2 +/- 1.8 mm in control group, P > 0.05, respectively), and alleviated the adhesion. Intrapericardial bleeding related to fibrinolysis was found in 6 of 47 patients with non-blood pericardial effusion and no systemic bleeding and severe puncture-related complication was observed. In follow-up, there was no cardiac death, and pericardial constriction events were observed in 9 (19.1%) of study group and 27 (57.4%) of control group. Cox analysis illustrated that urokinase could significantly reduce the occurrence of pericardial constriction (relative hazard coefficient = 0.185, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe early employment of intrapericardial fibrinolysis with urokinase and pericardiocentesis appears to be safe and effective in preventing the development of pericardial constriction in patients with infectious exudative pericarditis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericarditis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Pericarditis, Constrictive ; prevention & control ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDWhen performing superior vena cava isolation, the major concerns are inadvertent ablation on sinus node and right phrenic nerve. However, little is known about the spatial relationship of electrical connections between superior vena cava and right atrium with the sinus node and phrenic nerve locations among individual patients.

METHODSWe studied 87 patients (male/female 60/27, mean age of (51 +/- 9) years) with atrial fibrillation. Before superior vena cava isolation, the sinus node site was defined by right atrium activation mapping during sinus rhythm and the right phrenic nerve site was localized via pacing manoeuvre. Superior vena cava was isolated by ablation at the electrical connection under the guidance of circular mapping catheter. The sites of sinus node, phrenic nerve and electrical connections were noted. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSRight atrium activation mapping revealed that the sinus node located at the anterior lateral segment of superior vena cava-right atrium junction in all patients. In 82 patients with detectable diaphragmatic stimulations, the phrenic nerve sites were predominantly at the lateral segment (70/82) with anterior lateral and anterior segments for a few patients. A total of 165 electrical connections were located among all 87 patients, and this averaged 1.8 +/- 0.6 (1-3) per patient. The anterior septum (72 patients (43.6%)), the anterior wall (40 (24.2%)), and the posterior septum (35 (35.4%)) of superior vena cava-right atrium junction were the electrical connection regular sites. Superior vena cava was isolated in all patients. Two patients developed sinus bradycardia, with 3 mild superior vena cava stenosis and 2 phrenic nerve palsy.

CONCLUSIONSThe sinus node, phrenic nerve and electrical connection sites were distributed along the superior vena cava-right atrium junctions at expected locations for most patients. The electrical connections were separated from the sinus node and phrenic nerve sites. With the activation mapping of right atrium and pacing along superior vena cava-right atrium junctions, the sinus node and phrenic nerve were localized and superior vena cava isolated in most patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Echocardiography ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phrenic Nerve ; pathology ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Sinoatrial Node ; pathology ; surgery ; Vena Cava, Superior ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) expression, microlymphatic density (MLD) and microvessel density (MVD) levels with the development and metastasis of rectal cancer.

METHODSEighty specimens from resected middle-lower rectal cancer diagnosed by pathology were examined by immunohistochemistry for VEGF-D,MLD and MVD. Simultaneously, 40 biopsy specimens from rectal polyps and 80 specimens from normal rectal tissue were examined as controls. Correlation between the expression of above three factors and the tumor size, gross morphology, histological type, metastasis, differentiation grade, infiltration depth, Dukes stage, lymph node metastasis and long-distance metastasis before operation were investigated with Spearman method.

RESULTS(1) Positive expression rate of VEGF-D was 55 % (44/80) in rectal cancer, and zero in rectal polyps and normal rectal tissues. The expression of VEGF-D in rectal cancer was significantly higher than that in rectal polyps and normal rectal tissues(P<0.05). MLD was significantly higher in rectal cancer (2.80+/-1.31) than that in rectal polyps (0.50+/-0.72) and normal rectal tissues(0.25+/-0.44)(P<0.05).Meanwhile MVD was significantly higher in rectal cancer (80.10+/-23.18) than that in rectal polyps (27.00+/-11.01) and normal rectal tissues (10.45+/-5.34) (P<0.05). (2) VEGF-D, MLD and MVD were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and long-distance metastasis before operation (P<0.05). (3) VEGF-D was positively correlated with MLD (P<0.05) and MLD was positively correlated with MVD as well(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLymphangiogenesis exists in rectal cancer tissues. VEGF-D and MLD can be used as good predictors of lymphangiogenesis and they are the important factors affecting biological behavior of rectal cancer. Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis may have a cooperative function in the development of rectal cancer.

Female ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have investigated the technique of linear ablation at the mitral isthmus (MI) in patients with idopathic atrial fibrillation (AF), but MI ablation in patients with prosthetic natural mitral valves (MVs) was not described in detail. Present study sought to summarize our initial experience of ablating MI in patients with prosthetic MVs

METHODSPatients with drug refractory AF and prosthetic MVs were eligible for this study, and the patients with natural MVs but received MI ablation served as control group. Left atrium (LA) mapping and ablation was carried out guided by CARTO system. The anatomy of MI was assessed via computer topography scan.

RESULTSDuring the study period, a consecutive of 19 patients (male/female = 12/7, mean age of (48 ± 6) years) with prosthetic MVs (16 with metal valves, 3 with biologic valves) entered for AF ablation, other 35 patients served as control group. In study group, mapping along MI documented lower voltages ((2.0 ± 1.0) vs. (3.1 ± 1.3) mV, P = 0.002), more fragmented potentials (19/19 vs. 20/15, P < 0.001), and higher impedance ((132 ± 34) vs. (110 ± 20) Ω, P = 0.004). After initial ablation, more residual gaps along the MI lesions were found in study group (2.4 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3, P < 0.001). The mean length of MI ((6.2 ± 3.3) vs. (7.1 ± 2.3) cm, P = 0.25) was comparable between 2 groups, but the MI in study group was much thicker ((3.1 ± 1.8) vs. (2.1 ± 1.07) cm, P = 0.01) and all were found as pouch type (19/19 vs. 2/35, P < 0.001). The follow-up results were comparable (65.1% vs. 72.3%, P = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONFor patients with prosthetic MVs, linear ablation at MI could be successfully carried out despite anatomical and pathological changes.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Heart Atria ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the geographical characteristics of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of candidate genes associated with coronary artery disease in Chinese Han population.

METHODSStudy population were Chinese Han nationality recruited from Xi'an, Shiyan and Ningbo districts. Patients with coronary artery disease were defined by coronary angiography with stenosis >or= 50% and control subjects with stenosis < 10%, respectively. The DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cell by approach comprised proteinase K digestion, phenol and chloroform extraction as well as isopropanol precipitation. The SNP of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCA1)-G596A, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)-Taq1B, Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-Hind III and LPL-Pvu II were genotyped by PCR-RFLPs, and verified by gene sequencing.

RESULTSA Total of 615 patients undertaken coronary angiography were recruited from cardiac center in Xi'an (220), Ningbo (209) and Shiyan district (186), China (mean age 60 +/- 10 years, 75.9% males). Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent in Xi'an Cohort population than Shiyan and Ningbo cohort (P < 0.01). Plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Xi'an Cohort population were significantly higher, and HDL-C siginificantly lower than in Shiyan and Ningbo cohort population [HDL-C: (1.17 +/- 0.48) mmol/L vs. (1.25 +/- 0.33) mmol/L and (1.29 +/- 0.44) mmol/L, P < 0.05]. Distribution differences for ABCA1-G596A and CETP-Taq1B genotypes were found in Xi'an Cohort population compared to Ningbo and Shiyan cohorts (for ABCA1, Xi'an: 0.24, 0.53, 0.23 and Shiyan: 0.17, 0.62, 0.21 and Ningbo: 0.34, 0.37, 0.29, for GG, AG, AA, respectively, P < 0.01; and for CETP, Xi'an: 0.29, 0.54, 0.17 and Shiyan: 0.38, 0.40, 0.22 and Ningbo: 0.39, 0.49, 0.12 for B1B1, B1B2, B2B2, respectively, P < 0.01), but not for LPL variants. ABCA1-G596A variant predicted HDL-C [Xi'an: (1.2 +/- 0.3) mmol/L, (1.3 +/- 0.2) mmol/L and (1.4 +/- 0.4) mmol/L, P = 0.01; Shiyan: (1.1 +/- 0.4) mmol/L: (1.2 +/- 0.3) mmol/L and (1.3 +/- 0.4) mmol/L, P = 0.03; Ningbo, (1.2 +/- 0.3) mmol/L, (1.3 +/- 0.4) mmol/L and (1.4 +/- 0.3) mmol/L, across GG, GA to AA genotype, respectively, P = 0.01] and TG levels [Xi'an: (2.4 +/- 1.3) mmol/L, (1.9 +/- 0.9) mmol/L and (1.6 +/- 0.8) mmol/L, P < 0.01; Shiyan: (2.1 +/- 1.0) mmol/L, (1.9 +/- 0.8) mmol/L and (1.8 +/- 0.7) mmol/L, P = 0.03; Ningbo: (1.9 +/- 1.1) mmol/L, (1.8 +/- 0.9) mmol/L and (1.6 +/- 0.7) mmol/L, across GG, GA to AA genotype, P = 0.05] with dose-dependent relationship. LPL-Hind III (+) carriers had higher triglycerides in three cohort population [Xi'an: (2.2 +/- 1.0) mmol/L, (1.8 +/- 0.9) mmol/L, (1.6 +/- 0.7) mmol/L, P = 0.01; Shiyan: (2.1 +/- 0.7) mmol/L, (1.9 +/- 1.0) mmol/L, (1.7 +/- 0.6) mmol/L, P = 0.01; Ningbo: (1.8 +/- 1.0) mmol/L, (1.6 +/- 0.6) mmol/L and (1.4 +/- 0.5) mmol/L, for +/+, +/- and -/- genotypes, respectively, P = 0.001]. SNP of CETP-Taq1B, LPL-Hind III and LPL-Pvu II predicted HDL-C and/or TG levels in different cohort population with different manners. All these SNP were not significantly associated with the development of coronary artery disease (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONA geographical heterogeneity of environmental and genetic risk factors related to the development of coronary artery disease exists in Chinese Han population. Irrespective of the different geographical cohort of Chinese Han population, the SNP of candidate genes can partly predict the differences in risk-related plasma HDL-C and/or TG levels rather than angiographic coronary artery disease.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins ; genetics ; Coronary Artery Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Geography ; Humans ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

[Objective]To construct miR-18a overexpression and inhibition lentivirus vectors and to determine their effects on human nasopharyngeal cancer(NPC)cell line CNE1 and CNE2.[Methods]Designed the primers for Real-time polymerase chain(PCR)reaction to obtain the miR-18a premature gene.The premature gene and the siRNA oligo-nucleutides of miR-18a were connected to the lentivirus vector GV369 and GV280,respectively.The construction vectors were confirmed by DNA sequencing.Then,293T cell was infected with the vectors plus Helper 1.0 and pHelper 2.0 vec-tors to obtain recombinant lentivirus vector for miR-18a overexpression and inhibition. The NPC cell line CNE1 and CNE2 were infected with the successful recombinant lentivirus vectors.Puromycin was added to select the positive infect-ed cells. PCR method was used to detect the miR-18a expression level after infecting the recombinant lentivirus vector into the NPC cell line.[Results]A recombinant lentivirus vector expressing miR-18a interference oligonucleutides was obtained and confirmed by DNA sequencing.The virus titer was 3×108TU/mL,and the expression of its target gene ATM was downregulated in CNE1 and CNE2.A recombinant lentivirus vector expressing miR-18a premature gene was obtained and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The virus titer was 3×108TU/mL,and the miR-18a was overexpressed in CNE1 (20.3 fold upregulation,P<0.01)and CNE2(122.5 fold upregulation,P<0.01),and its target gene ATM was downregu-lated.[Conclusions]The miR-18a overexpression and suppression lentivirus vectors are successfully constructed.These vec-tors could alter the expression level of miR-18a in NPC cell line significantly,and provide a stable cell line for functional studies in the future.