Purpose To explore the role of scanning laser tomography in the assessment of macular hole surgery. Methods Fifteen eyes of 14 patients with macular holes underwent scanning of their affected macular area using the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT). The significance of topographic changes postoperatively were determined in eleven eyes which received vitrectomy surgery. The scan field was set at 15? of the retina and the depth was set to 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm. All the measurements were taken for 3 times and the average value of the 3 measurements was used. Results The average hole area was (0.499?0.34) mm 2 and the maximal depth of the hole was (0.284?0.11) mm. Topographic difference analysis of the eleven eyes showed a significant reduction in the height of the retina after vitrectomy. The maximal depth of the hole was (0.063?0.04) mm postoperatively. Conclusion Scanning laser tomography provides an objective evaluation of the anatomic outcome of the macular hole surgery.

Objective To detect the disease-causing mutations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene of DMD or Becher's muscular dystrophy (BMD) patients or carriers. Methods Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) were coupled to analyze the disease-causing mutations in DMD gene. Results Ten patients were detected to have deletions in different exons; 1 patient was caused by duplication of exon 50 using DHPLC analysis, and 4 patients were found to be caused by non-sense point mutations. However, the disease-causing mutations of other 5 patients remained to be determined. Conclusion MLPA coupled with DHPLC analysis can be used to detect the disease-causing mutations of DMD or BMD systematically, and provide valuable information for the affected families in preventing from recurrence of DMD or BMD.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide- enhanced(USPIO)-enhanced MR imaging for monitoring synovitis of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbit model and explore the optimal MR imaging sequences.Methods Nine female white rabbits with antigen(0.5 ml mBSA,2 mg/ml)induced arthritis of the right knees were used in the study.The left knees of these rabbits and both knees of another 3 rabbits served as the control.Nine to 28 days(mean 21.3 d)after successful model induction,all knees were imaged before and 24 h after intravenously injection of USPIO (0.3 ml/kg),among which 2 rabbits were also imaged at 48 and 72 h after administration of USPIO respectively.The MR protocol included spin-echo(SE) T_1WI,fast spin-echo(FSE)T_2WI,gradient echo (GRE)T_2~* WI and short tau inversion recovery(STIR).Images were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively based on signal characteristics and patterns of the synovium.Paired t-test was used for the analysis of the signal intensity of inflammatory synovial membrane before and 24 h after injection of USPIO. MR findings were correlated with histopathology.Results Arthritis was successfully induced in all 9 right knees with intraarticular injection of mBSA.Pathological examination revealed hyperplasia of synovium with infiltration of USPIO-loaded-macrophages.MR depicted synovial thickening(thickness 2.07?0.97 mm) and joint effusion.Synovium and joint fluid appeared as slightly hypo- or iso-intense on T_1 WI and hyper- intense on T_2 WI or T_2~* WI.Twenty four hours after USPIO injection,significant T_1 enhancement(ASNR 41.91%?27.94%),negative T_2 and T_2~* enhancement(△SNR -34.92%?11.77% and -57.24%? 16.05%)were demonstrated in the region of synovial inflammation respectively.The signal at 48 h and 72 h changed less than that at hour 24.No signs of arthritis occurred in all left knees and in all knees of the artificial model group.Conclusion Iron oxide phagocytized into macrophages can be a root cause resulted in signal change on USPIO-enhanced MR images.The gradient echo sequence should be the optimal sequence to be used in USPIO-enhanced MR imaging in antigen-induced arthritis.

Objective To study the influence and dose effect of ultrasound on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle in rats.Methods Estradiol benzoate was injected into rats three days before conducting an in-vitro experiment.Their uteri were resected and irradiated with ultrasound(0.8 MHz,3 W/cm~2,0-40 rain).The contrac- tion frequency and amplitude were recorded using an MS-302 biological experiment system.Results It could be seen that the contraction frequency and amplitude,and general contractile activity were significantly increased during ultrasonic irradiation(P＜0.01).The increased contraction frequency and amplitude lasted for ten minutes,and then the normal contraction pattern resumed.The contraction frequency as well as the percentage change in eontraction fre- quency were highest during the first 15 minutes of ultrasonic irradiation;the contraction amplitude as well as the per- centage change in amplitude were highest during 40 minutes of ultrasonic irradiation.Contraction activity was at its highest for 30 minutes,but the percentage change in activity was highest for 20 minutes.Conclusions Ultrasound can induce uterine smooth muscle contraction in rats.This biological effect is related to the irradiation time.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of rhG-CSF on mobilizing bone marrow-MSCs, re-endothelialization and intima hyperplasia in carotid artery of rabbits post balloon catheter injury.

METHODSRabbits were treated with rhG-CSF (25 microg/kg, twice daily, i.p, n = 35) or saline (n = 32) for 5 days, then, carotid arteries of rabbits were injured by balloon catheter. The number of peripheral MSCs was detected with FACS. The morphology of injured artery was examined with hematoxylin and eosin stain, PCNA was determined with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) Number of peripheral MSCs was similar at baseline and significantly increased at 24 hours and peaked at 7 days and remained increased till 14 days post rhG-CSF. (2) Significant endothelial cell deletion was evidenced in the control group, while scatter endothelial cells was observed in the rhG-CSF group at 1 week post injury. Two weeks after injury, new endothelial area was significantly higher in rhG-CSF group compared to control group. At 4 weeks post injury, endothelial connection was evidenced and regularly displayed in rhG-CSF treated group. (3) PCNA-positive cells in the tunica intima were significantly lower in rhG-CSF treated rabbits at 7, 14 and 28 days compared that in control rabbits (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONrhG-CSF could mobilize the bone marrow-MSCs and promote re-endothelialization and attenuate intima hyperplasia post balloon catheter injury in carotid arteries of rabbits.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; Tunica Intima ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis inducing effects of bufalin on various human osteosarcoma cells and the concerning molecular mechanisms.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition rates of osteosarcoma cells U-20S, U-20S/MTX300, SaOS-2, IOR/OS9 treated with bufalin in different concentrations and times. The apoptosis of cells was observed flow cytometry 48 h following bufalin treatment. The proteomic techniques were used to separate and compare the treated and control groups 48 h after bufalin-incubation. Then, the proteomic results were validated by western blot.

RESULTBufalin inhibited the growth of human osteosarcoma cells U20S, U20S/MTX300 (methotrexate resistant cells), SAOS2, IOR/OS9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 72 h IC50 were (37.43 +/- 4.1), (32.24 +/- 5.3) nmol x L(-1) in U20S,U20S/MTX300 cells,respectivly. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis cells were increased following bufalin treatment. The protein expression profile showed 24 differentiated expression proteins. Among these proteins, the level of an anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) decreased significantly and the result was then validated by western blot. Ectopic expression of Hsp27 could reduce the bufalin-induced apoptosis remarkably in U20S and U20S/MTX300 cells.

CONCLUSIONBufalin could inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis on human osteosarcoma cells. The effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets. Among them, downregulation of Hsp27 plays a critical role in the bufalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Proteomics

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a common and serious event in emergency medicine. Despite recent improvements in resuscitation techniques, the survival rate of patients with CA is unchanged. The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of mild hypothermia (MH) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the effect of neurological function and related mechanisms. METHODS: Sixty-five healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) adult rats were randomly (random number) divided into 2 groups: blank control group (n=5) and CPR group (n=60). CA was induced by asphyxia. The surviving rats were randomly (random number) divided into two groups: normothermia CPR group (NT) and hypothermia CPR group (HT). Normothermia of 37 °C was maintained in the NT group after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hypothermal intervention of 32 °C was carried out in the HT group for 4 hours immediately after ROSC. Both the NT and HT groups were then randomly divided into 2 subgroups 12 hours and 24 hours after ROSC (NT-12, NT-24, HT-12, HT-24 subgroups). During observation, the neurological deficit scores (NDSs) was recorded, then the bilateral hippocampi were obtained from rats' head, and monoplast suspension of fresh hippocampus tissue was made immediately to determine the level of intracellular ROS by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultramicro changes of cellular nucleus and mitochondria. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of caspase-3 mRNA, and western-blotting (WB) was used to determine the level of LC3 in frozen hippocampus tissue. Measured data were analyzed with paired sample t test and One-Way ANOVA. RESULTS: Of 60 rats with CA, 44 (73%) were successfully resuscitated and 33 (55%) survived until the end of the experiment. The NDSs of rats in the NT and HT groups were more significantly reduced than those in the BC group (F=8.107, P<0.05), whereas the NDSs of rats in the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups were significantly increased in comparison with those NDSs of rats in the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=9.692, P<0.001; t=14.374, P<0.001). The ROS in hippocampus nerve cells in the NT and HT groups significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=16.824, P<0.05), whereas the ROS in the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups significantly reduced compared with that ROS in the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=9.836, P<0.001;t=7.499, P<0.001). The expression of caspase-3 mRNA in hippocampus nerve cells in the NT and HT groups were significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=24.527, P<0.05), whereas the expression of caspase-3 mRNA in rats of the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups was significantly reduced compared to the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=6.935, P<0.001; t=4.317, P<0.001). The expression of LC3B-II/I in hippocampus nerve cells of rats in the NT and HT groups significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=6.584, P<0.05), whereas the expression of LC3B-II/I in rats of the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups significantly reduced compared to the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=10.836, P<0.001; t=2.653, P=0.02). Ultrastructure damage of nucleus and mitochondria in the NT group was more evident than in the BC group, and eumorphism of nucleus and mitochondria were maintained in rats of the HT group compared with the NT group. CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia lessened the injury of nerve cells and improved the neurological function of rats that survived from cardiac arrest by reducing the ROS production of nerve cells and inhibiting the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and LC3, leading to cellular apoptosis and massive autophagy in rats that survived from cardiac arrest after CPR.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical factors affecting the recurrence of giant cell tumors (GCT) of bone.

METHODSThe complete data of 146 cases with GCT were reviewed. Thirteen clinical factors were analyzed by chi(2) analysis. And the related Campanacci's grade system and Jaffe's grade system was analyzed by Crosstabs analysis. Multipal factors were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSNineteen of 146 cases recurred, and recurrence rate was 13.0%. Recurrence rates of curettage and enblock resection groups were 18.8% and 6.3% respectively. And recurrence rates of curettage with or without of extensive procedure were 12.9% and 38.9%. Five cases had lung metastasis, and two cases presented with malignant transformation. The metastasis rate and the rate of malignant transformation were 3.4% and 1.4% respectively. The two factors of surgery method and burst out of bone-envelope appearance were related with the recurrence. Moreover, Logistic regression revealed that the surgery method significantly affected the recurrence. And Campanacci's grade system and Jaffe's grade system were not related to each other.

CONCLUSIONSSurgery method is the main factor affected the recurrence of GCT, and Campanacci's grade system or Jaffe's grade system has no prognostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the biomarker of manganese exposure by analyzing the relationship between manganese exposure and concentration in some biomaterials.

METHODSThe air samples were collected through the individual air sample. According to the manganese levels in the air, workers were assigned to control group, low concentration group and high concentration group, and manganese in the hair, urine, serum, blood cell and saliva from different group were measured respectively. The correlations between concentration of external manganese exposure and manganese concentrations in biomaterials, and years of employment and concentrations in biomaterials were analyzed.

RESULTSIn the high concentration group, saliva manganese was 32.17 µg/L, hair manganese was 37.39 mg/kg, urine manganese was 2.50 µg/L, plasma manganese was 29.61 µg/L, blood manganese was 14.49 µg/L, were higher than those in the control group (10.40 µg/L, 1.60 mg/kg, 0.77 µg/L, 10.30 µg/L, 4.56 µg/L respectively) (P < 0.01). The manganese concentration in the saliva was significantly correlated with airborne manganese concentration (r = 0.649, P < 0.01), with the years of employment (r = 0.404, P < 0.01), with the total exposure of manganese (r = 0.342, P < 0.01), with the manganese concentration of plasma (r = 0.303, P < 0.01) and with the manganese concentration in blood cells (r = 0.359, P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe concentration of manganese in saliva could work as a biomarker of manganese internal exposure.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Manganese ; analysis ; blood ; urine ; Manganese Poisoning ; prevention & control ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the single or staged endovascular stent-graft repair for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

METHODSThe stent-grafts were inserted through the femoral artery to seal the tears of dissection.

RESULTSBetween January 2001 and June 2004, 8 patients with aortic dissection underwent stent-graft placement. There were 5 tears in one patient, 4 tears in two patients, 3 tears in two patients and 2 tears in three patients. There were 11 tears located at descending thoracic aorta, 11 at abdominal aorta and 4 at iliac artery. Six patients underwent operation in single stage, and 2 in staged maneuver. Total 23 stent-grafts were used, including 20 straight type grafts and 3 bifurcated grafts. Placement of the stent-graft was technically successful in all patients. Follow-up with CT or MRA examination after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively showed the dissection disappeared with thrombosis in the false lumen, no endoleak occurred. All patients survived to present.

CONCLUSIONSingle or staged endovascular stent-graft repair is a promising, safe and effective procedure for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome