The arterial anastomosis of the atrioventricular(A-V)junctional area of 14adult human hearts was studied with techniques of the coronary radiography,micro-dissection and corrosion.The anastomotic arteries related are the A-V node artery,Kugel's artery,theostial branch of the coronary sinus,the first and second anterior septal arteries,theposterior superior septal artery,the first posterior septal artery and the descendingseptal artery.All the arteries mentioned above form lots of intercoronary andintracoronary anastomoses in the upper interventricular septum and the lower intera-trial septum.The anastomotic branches exist in every heart.The average numberof anastomotic branches is 5 in each heart,and in one of the 13 hearts studied withthe coronary radiographic technique,9 branches were found,being the highestnumber.So far as the normal adult hearts are concerned,the diameter of theanastomotic branches in and/or around the A-V junctional area are 101～200 micrain general and increased in case of coronary occlusions or heart hypertrophy.The characteristics of the terminal branches of the A-V node artery are descri-bed in detail in this article.The A-V node artery was found the only artery whichcould be anastomosed with all other arteries of the A-V junctional area.It is themost important collateral branch.The junctional area could be supplied from otherarteries through its anastomotic branches.In view of the characteristic of the arterial anastomosis of the A-V junctionalarea,it is suggested that an effective compensation for the anemia of the A-V junc-tional area could be obtained from the anastomotic branches when coronary occlu-sions involve the A-V node artery.

Based on the high solubility of azodicarbonamide (ADC) in hot solution and its electrostatic interaction with Nafion film,a new electroanalytical method was developed for the determination of ADC by using Nafion film electrode.The effect of temperature on the solubility of ADC and the mechanism of the reduction reaction of ADC on Nafion film electrode were investigated.Under the experimental conditions such as water bath at a constant temperature of 80 ℃,pH 6.0 and optimal test parameters,the differential pulse voltammetric response was proportional to the concentration of ADC in the range of 0.93-10.5 μg/L,and the detection limit was estimated to 0.58 μg/L.The relative standard deviation was less than 5.86 ％ and the recovery was 95.8％-104.0％ for the determination of the ADC in flour samples.The semicarbazide and nitrofurazone did not interfere with the determination of ADC.

Objective Compared with different decellularization procedures for their potential of cell removal and the ability to preserve the matrix. Methods Specimens of bovine pericardiums were treated by 3 approaches (detergent and enzyme extraction、trypsin 、Triton-X 100 and sodium-deoxycholate). Tissue samples were then observed by HE staining and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the removal of cells. Von Gieson(VG) staining and Gomori staining were used for showing the integrity of collagen and elastin. DNA content was examined by the method of DNA extraction. Tissue shrinkage temperature and mechanical properties were also studied. Results Completely decellularization were achieved in 3 groups. While trypsin、Triton-X 100 and sodium-deoxycholate caused severe structural destruction and declined of mechanical properties of the matrix. In contrast, detergent and enzyme extraction achieved completely deeellularization and effectively preservation the matrix structure. Conclusion This research demonstrated detergent and enzyme extraction could achieve both complete decellularization and preservation of the matrix structure. This approach may provide an ideal platform for the construction of tissue-engineering heart valves.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of transanal stapler partial rectal resection for rectocele. Methods: From January 2012 to January 2018, 90 patients with rectocele treated in Changzhi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were divided into control group (45 cases) and observation group (45 cases) according to the operation method.The control group was treated with closed transrectal repair, while the observation group was treated with partial rectal resection with anal stapler.The operative effect, incidence of postoperative complications, recurrence rate, degree of pain after operation, length of hospital stay and cost of treatment were compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate of the two groups was 100.0%.The incidence of complications in the observation group was 2.2%(1/45), which was lower than that in the control group [17.8%(8/45)] (χ²=4.444, P=0.035). The recurrence rate in the observation group was 0(0/45), which was lower than that in the control group [13.3%(6/45)] (χ²=4.464, P=0.035). The hospitalization time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group[(7.01±2.06)d vs.(11.31±2.42)d]. Compared with the control group, the treatment cost of the observation group was higher[(0.836±0.164)×10⁴CNY vs.(0.605±0.136)×10⁴CNY], and the post-operative pain score was lower[(4.24±1.33) vs.(6.45±1.17)](t=9.076, 7.273, 8.369, all P<0.001). Conclusion Transanal stapler partial rectal resection is effective in the treatment of rectocele, with less complications, lower recurrence rate and less pain after operation, but the cost of treatment is higher.

Aim To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of DTP-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on SGC7901/VCR human vincristine ( VCR )-resistant gastric cancer cells, and to reveal the relationship between DTP-PDT and P-gp. Methods MTT assay was employed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of DTP-PDT and combination treatment with DTP-PDT and VCR. A SGC7901/VCR-bearing nude mouse model was established, and the tumor volume was measured to draw the growth curve. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and the yield of intracellular singlet oxygen (O2) was determined after DTP-PDT. The expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp was determined by qPCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Results DTP-PDT demonstrated significant cytotoxicity on SGC7901/VCR cells and the nude mice transplanted tumor. DTP-PDT could induce the apoptosis of SGC7901/VCR cells and the generation of intracellular O2. DTP-PDT could inhibit the expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp, which could be reduced by a-tocopherol. Combined treatment with DTP-PDT and VCR demonstrated synergistic efficacy on resistant cells, which could be reduced by or-tocopherol. Conclusions O2 generated by DTP-me-diated PDT could inhibit the growth of SGC7901/VCR cells and induce cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, it inhibits the over-expression of P-gp on cell membranes, leading to reduced efflux of VCR and synergistic efficacy with DTP-PDT and VCR eventually.

Background: Alterations in intestinal microbiota and oxytocin receptors (OTR) expression play important roles in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), however, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Aims: To investigate the characteristics of intestinal mucosal microbiota and expression of OTR in patients with IBS and the correlation between intestinal mucosal microbiota and expression of OTR. Methods: Colonic mucosa specimens of IBS-D, IBS-U patients diagnosed by Rome criteria from July 2017 to December 2017 at Peace Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College were collected, and 13 healthy subjects were served as controls. The species diversity and abundance of intestinal mucosal microbiota were detected by high-throughput sequencing platform. The expression of OTR in colonic mucosa was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The mucosal intestinal microbiota of IBS-D group, IBS-U group and control group were mainly consisted of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroides. No significant differences in chao1 index, shannon index were found among the three groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the abundance of Granulicatella was significantly decreased (H=6.212, P<0.05), the abundance of Tissierella was significantly increased (H=6.688, P<0.05) in IBS group. The abundances of Syntrophaceae, Porphyromonas, Marmoricola, Cardiobacteriales, Cardiobacterium and Cardiobacteriaceae in IBS-D group were significantly higher than those in IBS-U group and control group (P all<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of OTR in IBS-D group and IBS-U group were significantly increased (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between Tissierella abundance and colonic mucosal OTR expression (r=0.542, P<0.01). Tissierella, Granulicatella abundance, and colonic mucosal OTR expression were not associated with IBS severity (P>0.05). Conclusions: There is no significant change in intestinal mucosal microbiota diversity in patients with IBS. The abundance of some microbiota is changed, and the abundance of intestinal mucosal microbiota in different subtypes of IBS are different. The expression of OTR in the colonic mucosa of IBS patients is up-regulated and associated with the abundance of Tissierella.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture for episodic cluster headache (CH). METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients with episodic CH were randomly divided into a combined group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off)，an acupuncture group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a sphenopalatine ganglion group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off and 1 case was removed). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with conventional acupuncture at Touwei (ST 8), Yintang (GV 24⁺), Yangbai (GB 14), Hegu (LI 4), etc., once a day, 6 times a week. The patients in the sphenopalatine ganglion group were treated with acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion, once every other day, 3 times a week. On the basis of the conventional acupuncture, the combined group was treated with acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion once every other day. Two weeks were taken as a course of treatment, and 3 courses of treatment were required in the 3 groups. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), the number of headache attacks per week, the duration of each headache attack and the score of migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQ) were observed before and after treatment and in follow-up of 3 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy of each group was compared. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, the VAS score of headache, the number of headache attacks per week, the duration of each headache attack, and each various scores and the total score of MSQ of each group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). Except that the number of headache attacks per week in the combined group was lower than the sphenopalatine ganglion group (P<0.01), other indexes in the combined group were lower than the other two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate in the combined group was 93.0% (53/57), which was higher than 75.9% (44/58) in the acupuncture group and 73.7% (42/57) in the sphenopalatine ganglion group（P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture could reduce the degree of pain in patients with episodic CH, reduce the number and duration of headache attacks, and improve the quality of life of patients. It is more effective than simple conventional acupuncture or acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion alone.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cluster Headache/therapy* ; Headache/therapy* ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the apoptosis of neural stem cells (NSCs) at differential time points after the dissociation of neurospheres by Accutase or trypsin.

METHODSThe NSCs were isolated from striatum of human fetals that suffered abortion at 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. The 3(rd)-5(th) passages of NSCs were digested by Accutase or trypsin. Only vortexing was applied, and the triturating by Pasteur pipette was avoided to attenuate the injury to the cells during the dissociation. The single cells were then stained by Annexin V/propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342. The apoptosis rates 2 and 24 hours after passaging were evaluated.

RESULTSThe trypan blue staining confirmed that immediately after the dissociation,the viability of cells digested by trypsin was (83.10 ± 6.76)%, which was significantly lower than that digested by Accutase,which was (91.65 ± 4.43)% (P<0.05). The apoptosis of the NSCs digested by Accutase was higher than that digested by trypsin at both 2 and 24 hours after passaging (P<0.01). Four days after the passaging, both the new clone formation rate and diameter of new spheres after trypsin digestion were significantly higher than those after Accutase digestion (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the viability of NSCs immediately after the disassociation by trypsin is lower than that digested by Accutase, the apoptosis of NSCs subsequently caused by trypsin is lower than that caused by Accutase. Trypan blue test immediately after the disassociation can not be used as an indicator in estimating the apoptosis of NSCs during the expanding.

This study was aimed to observe the distribution of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor A (MrgA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus of normal rats and its expression in neuropathic pain, and to provide morphological evidence for CSF-contacting nucleus to participate in neuropathic pain. The model of neuropathic pain with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was made in Sprague-Dawley rats. The thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) were measured. The expressions of MrgA in the CSF-contacting nucleus were examined by double labeling with immunofluorescent staining. The results showed that on the 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th days, the values of MWT and TWL in CCI group were all lower than those in sham group (P < 0.05). MrgA was found to be distributed in CSF-contacting nucleus of normal rats; and the expression was markedly up-regulated in rats at the peak of neuropathic pain. Our data suggest that CSF-contacting nucleus may participate in neuropathic pain through the MrgA-mediated signaling pathway.
Animals ; Neuralgia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism* ; Staphylococcal Protein A/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the status of apoptosis in human striatum derived neural stem cells (NSCs) aft er accutase dissociation and passage. METHODS: The NSCs were isolated from fetuses obtained through spontaneous abortion at 13- 18 weeks of pregnancy, which formed neurospheres in vitro. At passages of 3-5, the neurospheres were disassociated into single cell by accutase digestion and then passaged. At 1, 24 and 72 h after passage, the apoptosis of NSCs was measured by several methods, including active caspase-3 or TUNEL staining for fixed cells, Annexin V, Hoechst or PI staining for live cells. RESULTS: At all of the 3 time points, the staining of TUNEL and active caspase-3 overlapped perfectly. The apoptosis rate of NSCs increased significantly from 20%-25% at 1 h to 75%-80% at 24 h after passage (P<0.01). At 72 h, the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased as compared to that at 24 h time point because of the self-renewal and proliferation of survived NSCs (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Many cells in the neurospheres formed by human striatum-derived NSCs underwent apoptosis soon after accutase disassociation. For NSCs cultured in vitro, anti-apoptosis treatments might be a good method to increase the self-renewal and the proliferation of NSCs.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagenases ; chemistry ; Corpus Striatum ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Peptide Hydrolases ; chemistry ; Pregnancy