Background:The diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is usually based on changes in serum creatinine (sCr).However,sCr has poor sensitivity as a biomarker of kidney injury.The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of serum cystatin C (sCysC) to predict CIN after intra-arterial interventions.Methods:A total of 360 consecutive patients underwent intra-arterial procedures using digital subtraction angiography.SCr,sCysC,and estimated glomerular filtration rate were measured at 1 to 2 days before and at 48,72 h,and 7 days after the procedure.Results:Thirty-one patients (8.61％) developed C1N.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that preoperative sCysC levels had good discriminatory power (area under the curve [AUC] =0.634;95 ％ confidence interval [CI] =0.526-0.743) for evaluating the risk of CIN after an endovascular procedure,with a sensitivity of 53.33％ and specificity of 73.70％.ROC analysis showed that sCysC at 48 h after contrast medium administration was predictive of CIN after an endovascular procedure (AUC =0.735;95％ CI =0.647-0.822) with satisfactory sensitivity of 74.20％ and specificity of 63.90％.Diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for CIN (odds ratio =2.778;95％ CI =1.045-7.382;P =0.040).Conclusions:SCysC is an appropriate biomarker to predict the occurrence of CIN.Baseline sCysC before an intervention is useful to obtain a preliminary estimate of the risk of CIN.A 48-h cut-off value of sCysC of 0.99 mg/L after an endovascular procedure may help to rule out patients at lower risk of CIN.

ObjectiveTo investigate the variation of peripheral blood CD34+ cells during the hematopoietic stem cell mobilization,and its influence on the collecting timing and results.Methods Twenty-seven cases of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection from April 2010 to December 2011 were analyzed,including 13 autologous cases mobilized with chemotherapy combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF,10 μg· kg-1 · d-1) and 14 cases of healthy donors mobilized with only G-SCF (7.5 μg · kg- 1 · d- 1 ).The number of peripheral blood CD34+ cells was counted,and its correlation with the yield of mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34+cells was analyzed.ResultsMNCs (5.84 ± 1.48) × 108/kg and CD34+ cells (3.93 ± 2.16) × 106/kg were obtained in healthy donors,and (6.58 ± 3.72) × 108/kg MNCs and (3.98 ± 3.06) × 106/kg CD34+ cells were obtained in autologous cases,respectively.There was only 1 failure in autologous cases.The peak of peripheral blood CD34+ cells in autologous cases appeared at day 4 after the treatment of G-CSF,and in healthy donors the number of peripheral blood CD34+ cells at day 5 was still in ascendant phase.The CD34+ cells/kg in the collection products were positively correlated with the percentage and absolute value of peripheral blood CD34+ cells.The cases ratio of CD34+ cells≥2× 106/kg in the products of single collection was up to 76.2％ (16/21) in the cases with peripheral blood CD34+ cells absolute value greater than 20/μl.ConclusionThe number of peripheral blood CD34+ cells was an important monitoring indicator in hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection,CD34+ cell absolute value ≥20/μl could be used as collection threshold.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of precise hepatic segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy using intraoperative image-guided interventional intravascular segmental vessel balloon catheter occlusion of the segmental hepatic artery and portal vein.Methods 6 patients with liver resection carried out from 2011.3-2011.8 were retrospectively analyzed.Results The mean operating time was (270.83±21.31) min,the median of blood loss was 800 ml,the median of intraoperative transfusion volume was 450 ml.The tumors were mainly located in segments Ⅴ,Ⅵ,Ⅶ,Ⅷ.The mean diameter of tumor was (5.67±1.03) cm.Postoperative liver function in the first postoperative day showed the mean alanine aminotranferase (ALT) was (570.00±157.76) U/L,the mean aspirate aminotrarsferase (AST) was (410.00 ±189.94) U/L,and the mean total bilirubin (TBIL) was (10.83± 1.60) mmol/L.Liver function recovered to normal within 7 days.There was intestinal leakage and wound dehiscence in one patient,pleural and effusion in two patients.Conclusion Imageguided interventional intravascular segmental vessel balloon catheter occlusion was a safe and efficacious maneuver.This technique allowed hepatic segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy to be carried out,decreased intraoperative bleeding,and protected the function of the liver remnant.

Total RNA was isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii fruit by the method of modified Trizol, according to S. grosvenorii fruit characteristics of rich phenols, polysaccharide, oil and proteins. The OD260/280, OD260/230, RNA integrity (RIN) and yield of the total RNA with this method were 2.01, 2.02, 9.50 and 260 mirog.g-1, respectively. The open reading frame (ORF) of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), named as SgDHAR, was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and RT-PCR method from S. grosvenorii. The GenBank accession number for this gene is KC907731. The SgDHAR gene contains a full-length cDNA of 1,252 bp including ORF of 819 bp and encodes a predicted protein of 272 amino acids. The molecular mass is 30.217 7 kD and the isoelectric point is 8.76. Homology comparison showed that it shared 87% nucleotide sequence homology with Cucumis sativus. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that SgDHAR was mainly expressed in fruit and stem, followed by flower, and was lowest in root, while the expression level was 6.83 times in triploid. T than that in diploid. Therefore, SgDHAR gene may be involved in abortion of triploid seedless S. grosvenorii.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Flowers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Fruit ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Conformation ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; RNA, Plant

OBJECTIVETo evaluate efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after D2 dissection on survival for patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSRandomized clinical trials (RCT) that compared adjuvant chemotherapy after D2 dissection with D2 dissection alone for gastric cancer were searched with Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase and CBM databases. Eligible trials published between 1990 and 2012 were included in the study. The quality of RCTs was assessed by the Jadad scale. Data synthesis and statistical analysis were performed by RevMan 5.1 software.

RESULTEight RCTs with 3633 patients were included in this study. Among them, 1824 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 1809 patients didn't. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a significant benefit in terms of overall survival (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.84), disease free survival (RR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.66-0.80) and recurrence rate (RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.62-0.77).

CONCLUSIONAdjuvant chemotherapy was associated with survival benefit for gastric cancer after D2 dissection.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Survival Rate

Objective To investigate the variant distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel type Ⅰ (Nav1.1) on the different types of neurons in rat hippocampus. Methods In brain tissue sections from adult SD rats, the expression of Nav1.1 on the different types of neurons in rat hippocampus was detected and observed by immunohistochemistry (DAB staining) and laser confocal microscopy. Results Nav1.1 protein was expressed weakly on the soma of pyramidal cells and granular cells of the dentate gyrus, while strongly expressed on the scattered interneurons.Conclusions In the hippocampus of SD rats, the expression of Nav 1.1 protein on interneurons was strong, but weak on the projection neurons (pyramidal cells and granular cells of the dentate gyms). It can be inferred that on different types of neurons, different subtypes of sodium channels are predominately expressed.

BACKGROUNDRemodeling of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft usually takes longer than expected. Gene therapy offers a radical different approach to remodeling of the graft. In this study, the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence was used to construct a new recombinant adenovirus which permits co-expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) genes (named Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFbeta1). We investigated the effects of the new adenovirus on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts.

METHODSAdenoviral vector containing TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes was constructed. ACL fibroblasts were obtained from New Zealand white rabbits. After ACL fibroblasts were exposed to Ad-VEGF165-IRES-TGFbeta1, the expression of VEGF165 and TGFbeta1 proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting analysis. Bioassay of VEGF165 and TGFbeta1 proteins were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Proliferation and migration of ACL fibroblasts were assessed by in vitro wound closure assay. Gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers were assessed by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe results showed the successful construction of a recombinant co-expression adenovirus vector containing TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes. Co-expression of TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 can induce relatively rapid and continuous proliferation of ACL fibroblasts and high gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin mRNA among matrix markers.

CONCLUSIONCo-expression of TGFbeta1 and VEGF165 genes has more powerful and efficient effects on the migration of and matrix synthesis by ACL fibroblasts.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; genetics ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; physiology ; Fibronectins ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUNDLow-power helium-neon (He-Ne) lasers have been increasingly widely applied in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and its vasodilation effect has been proven. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low-power He-Ne laser irradiation directed at the precardial region of Wistar rats on capillary permeability in the myocardium and the expression of myocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODSSixteen rats were divided randomly into control and irradiated groups (n = 8, each). A He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) was applied to the irradiated group with a dose of 60.5 J/cm(2). Ferritin was perfused into the left femoral vein and capillary permeability was examined under an electron microscope. VEGF expression in the myocardium was investigated by immunohistochemical methods, RT-PCR, and image analysis.

RESULTSThe ultrastructures of the myocardial capillaries were examined. Compared to the control group, more high-density granules (ferritin), which were present within the capillary endothelium and the mitochondrions of myocardial cells in the internal layer of the myocardium, were observed in the irradiated group. VEGF staining of the myocardium was stronger in the irradiated group than that in the control group. The optic density of the irradiated group (0.246 +/- 0.015) was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.218 +/- 0.012, P < 0.05). Finally, the levels of RT-PCR products of VEGF165 mRNA were 2.79 times higher in irradiated rats than in the control rats.

CONCLUSIONSOur study demonstrates that He-Ne laser irradiation (in doses of 60.5 J/cm(2)) increases myocardial capillary permeability and the production of VEGF in myocardial microvessels and in myocardium. Our study provides experimental morphological evidence that myocardial microcirculation can be improved using He-Ne laser irradiation.

Animals ; Capillary Permeability ; radiation effects ; Female ; Heart ; radiation effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lasers ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanism of Huchang Qingfei pellets on immune function in rats infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae.

METHODA rat model of mycoplasmal pneumonia (MP) was developed in repeated intranasal infectious routes and then the humoral and cellular immunocompetences were detected by radioimmunoassay, immune-turbidimetry and flow cytometry.

RESULTThe levels of serum IgG,IgM and IL-2, IL-6 were enhinced obviously, the complement C3 and TNF-alpha were decreased and the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ was improved significantly in the Huchang groups as compared with MP model group.

CONCLUSIONHuchang Qingfei pellets can reinforce immune function via preventing both cellular and humoral immunity from depression in the rats with MP.

Animals ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platycodon ; chemistry ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; blood ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish the mathematical kinetic model of the components extracted from the FTMC (formulae of the traditional Chinese medicine) and analyze parameters of the astragaloside IV extracted from the BYHWD (Buyang Huanwu decoction).

METHODThe model, including algebra and differential groups, have been set up according to the FICK discipline and Noyes-whitney soluted theories, as well as two transfer diffusive processes ((1) from protoplasate to apoplasmic, also from material compartment interior cell membrane to outside compartment; (2) apoplasmic to solution, also from outside compartment to solvent compartment) on components extraction from the FTMC. The equation groups, according to laplace transform, have been given a expression as solutions, which indicate the quantitative changes of the component concentration in solvent vs. time. The model kinetic parameters have been analyzed, meanwhile the parameters of the astragaloside IV in the BYHWD under 100 degrees C, extracted by water, have been analyzed by way of this model:

RESULTIt has been established a mathematical model that consists of three parts of e exponent. The kinetic parameters: M, alpha, N, beta, L, pi, K, k1', k2', rho1, rho2, tmax, Cmax, AUC, w0, P, D of the BYHWD were respectivelly 0.061 27% , 0.280 2 min(-1), - 1.027% , 0.008 965 min(-1), 1.077%, 0.002 665 min(-1), 3.451 x 10(-3) min(-1), 3.188 x 10(-3) min(-1), 0.375 9 min(-1), 1.420 min, 0.754 7 min, 184.9 min, 0. 0572 1 mg x mL(-1), 289.9 min, 0.070 11%, 46.24%, 22. 35%.

CONCLUSIONThe kinetic model, applied to isolated system, can have been of the rule of multiplex linear. Each parameters can be analyzed completely.

Algorithms ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Kinetics ; Mathematics ; Models, Biological ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification