Objective: To explore the relationship between plasma Jagged1 protein level and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) formation in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods: According to coronary angiography (CAG) examination, our research was categorized in 2 groups: CAD group, n=89 patients with at least one of left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex(LCX) or right coronary artery(RCA) stenosis ≥ 95％ and Control group, n=30 subjects without abnormal findings by CAG. Based on Rentrop grading system, CAD group was further divided into 2 subgroups: Good CCC subgroup, n=42 patients with Rentrop grade ≥ 2 and Poor CCC subgroup, n=47 patients with Rentrop grade≤1. Plasma levels of Jagged1 protein,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA and the relevant correlation study was conducted by multivariate regression analysis. Results: Compared with Control group, CAD group had increased plasma levels of Jagged1 protein (38.74±10.60)ng/L vs (23.04±8.97)ng/L and elevated VEGF (113.98±30.80)pg/L vs (72.73±14.55)pg/L. Compared with Poor CCC subgroup, Good CCC subgroup presented increased Jagged1 protein (46.77±8.49)ng/L vs (31.56±6.26)ng/L and elevated VEGF (128.10±20.24) pg/L vs (92.43±21.09)pg/L. Correlation study showed that Jagged1 protein was positively related to VEGF in CAD patients (r=0.730, P<0.01); multivariate regression analysis indicated that Jagged1 protein (OR=1.318, P=0.000) and VEGF (OR=1.043, P=0.043) were the independent predictors for CCC processing.Conclusion: CAD patients with good CCC had the higher plasma Jagged1 protein level than the patients with poor CCC which implied that Jagged1 protein played important role in CCC processing, such finding may provide a new direction for treating CAD patients in clinical practice.

The different biological functions were studied in mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells isolated by differential time attachment to obtain the optimal adherent time in this study. Density gradient centrifugation-isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells were seeded on the fibronectin-coated dish. The 1-day cultured unattached cells were seeded on the second dish for 2 more days. Then unattached cells in the second dish were seeded on the third dish. The cells on 3 dishes were defined as 1-day adherent cells, 3-day adherent cells and 3-day unattached cells, respectively. After 20-day culture, the biological functions, such as the percentage of biomarkers, the ability of adhesion, and the ability of forming tubes in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the percentages of positive CD34, FLK-1, and CD34/FLK-1 expressions in 1-day attached cells were significantly increased compared to those in the 3-day adherent or unattached cells (P < 0.01), which showed the strongest adhesion ability. The expression of eNOS in 1- or 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). These results suggest the biological functions of 1-day adherent cells are significantly stronger than that of 3-day adherent or unattached cells. VEGF expression in 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells. The expression of eNOS in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 3-day unattached cells. The optimal adherent time to obtain mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells is 1-3 d.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the rotation of femoral component and tibial component with CT and evaluate the relationship between patellofemoral complications and rotational alignment of the components.

METHODSThirty patients with isolated patellofemoral complications after total knee arthroplasty were compared with 20 patients with well functioning total knee replacements free of patellofemoral complications. The epicondylar axis and tibial tubercle were used as references on CT scans to quantify the rotational alignment of the femoral and tibial components.

RESULTSPatients with patellofemoral complications had excessive combined (tibial plus femoral) internal component rotation, which was directly proportional to the severity of the patellofemoral complications. Mild combined internal rotation (1 degree-4 degrees) was correlated with patellar and lateral tracking tilting, moderate rotation (3 degrees-8 degrees) with patellar subluxation, and severe rotation (7 degrees-17 degrees) with early patellar dislocation or late patellar prosthesis failure. The control group had combined external rotation of 10 degrees-0 degree.

CONCLUSIONSThe direct correlation of combined internal component rotation to the severity of the patellofemoral complication suggests that internal component rotation may be the predominant cause of patellofemoral complications in patients with normal axis alignment. CT scans can be used intraoperatively and postoperatively to determine whether the rotational malalignment is present to require revision of one or both components.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Prosthesis Failure ; Radiography ; Rotation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of thoracic duct ligation during transthoracic esophagectomy on preventing post-operative chylothorax in different tumor locations.

METHODSBetween March 2003 and June 2007, 243 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent esophageal resection in our hospital. All the cases were divided into five groups according to tumor localization, including cervical, upper middle, middle, lower middle and lower sections. Each was then subdivided into 2 groups: with and without intraoperative thoracic duct ligation. Statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the relevance between ligation and non-ligation of the thoracic duct during esophagectomy and the incidence of post-operative chylothorax.

RESULTSA total of 8 cases of post-operative chylothorax was recorded and the incidence was 3.3%. Incidence with respect to tumor location was as follows: cervical section: ligation subgroup 3 cases and non-ligation subgroup 5 cases; upper middle section: no one for both ligation and non-ligation subgroups; middle section: ligation subgroup 0/26 and non-ligation subgroup 1/28 (3.6%); lower middle section: ligation subgroup 1/39 (2.6%) and non-ligation subgroup 1/35 (2.9%); lower section: ligation subgroup 1/37 (2.7%) and non-ligation subgroup 2/44 (4.5%). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant difference between ligation and non-ligation subgroup in the prevention of post-operative chylothorax (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThoracic duct ligation as preventive measure can not decrease the incidence of chylothorax secondary to esophagectomy.

Aged ; Chylothorax ; etiology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Thoracic Duct ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between the pneumoconiosis severity and the cytokines levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or blood T cell subsets.

METHODSThe subjects were divided into five groups: control group (6 cases), group exposed to dusts (6 cases) and 3 pneumoconiosis groups (36 in stage I, 12 in stage II and 10 in stage III). ELISA was used to detect IL-6, sIL-2R and TNF-α levels in serum and BALF. The subsets of blood T cells were classified by flow cytometer.

RESULTSAs compared with control group and group exposed to dusts, the levels of serum IL-6 and sIL-2R in patients with II or III stages significantly increased, which were positively correlated with pneumoconiosis stages (r(1) = 0.74, r(2) = 0.81, P < 0.05). The level of serum TNF-α significantly decreased in patients with III stages, as compared with control group and group exposed to dusts. There was a negative correlation between serum TNF-α level and pneumoconiosis severity (r = -0.58, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the levels of IL-6, sIL-2R and TNF-α in BALF and the levels of IL-6, sIL-2R and TNF-α in serum (r(1) = 0.77, r(2) = 0.96 and r(3) = 0.88, P < 0.05). The proportion of CD(4)(+)T cells and the ratio of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) decreased dramatically in patients with II and III stages. But there was no correlation between these values and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONThe immune function in Th cell was inhibited. The levels of IL-6, sIL-2R and TNF-α in serum and BALF were associated with the severity of pneumoconiosis.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Pneumoconiosis ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; metabolism

To study the detection of weak D and Del from samples initially screened RhD(-), RhD phenotype was initially screened by routine serological test, out of which weak D phenotype was detected by indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) and Del phenotype was detected by chloroform-trichloroethylene absorption-elution test. The results showed that 56 samples were RhD(-) confirmed by routine serology test, which were screened out of 26 200 donors, among them 5 samples were typed as weak D by IAT and 9 cases samples were typed as Del by absorption-elution test. In conclusion, the samples which typed as RhD(-) by routine serological test must be identified by IAT and chloroform-trchloroethylene absorption test is order to detect weak D and Del phenotype. It is important for clinical transfusion safely.
Blood Donors ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; methods ; standards ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; Humans ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; blood ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore whether delayed umbilical cord clamp timing of newborn can improve iron stores of infant period and growth and development.

METHODSMother-infant pairs were randomly assigned to early clamping (94 cases, < 15 s after delivery) and delayed clamping (64 cases, 1 min after delivery) by draw lots, and followed up until 4 months postpartum. Infant hematological status, iron status, the level of growth and development of infants after 4 months were measured respectively. Transcutaneous bilirubin at the third day after delivery was also measured.

RESULTSAt 4 month age, the median of serum ferritin and mean of corpuscular volume value in delayed group were 87.30 µg/L and (79.62 ± 4.13) fl, significantly higher than the values in early group (64.3 µg/L, (78.21 ± 4.38) fl), respectively (Z = -2.36, t = 2.23, both P values < 0.05). The hematocrit value was (33.59 ± 2.48)%, higher than that in early group (32.76 ± 2.69)% (t = 1.95, P = 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference at other iron nutrition indicators and infants' weight and body length at 4 month (P > 0.05). Under the different cut-off values (hemoglobin (Hb) < 105 g/L and Hb < 110 g/L, respectively), the prevalence of anemia in delay and early clamping group were 6.25% (4/64), 21.86% (14/64), and 12.77% (12/94), 34.04% (32/94), respectively (both P values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDelayed umbilical cord clamp timing until 1 min can improve iron stores of breastfed infants at 4 month; there is no significant adverse effects to growth.

Adult ; Breast Feeding ; Child Development ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron, Dietary ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; Umbilical Cord ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of B-ultrasound-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy with 2% iodophor for treatment of renal cysts.

METHODSTwenty-eight cases of sympotomatic renal cysts were treated with B-ultrasound-guided aspiration followed by sclerotherapy with 2% iodopher, which was maintained for 20 min. After extraction of iodopher, another injection of 2% iodopher (5-10 ml) into the cysts was given. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 18 months.

RESULTSFull recovery was achieved in 25 cases and improvement in 2 cases. Recurrence was found in 1 case after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONSB-ultrasound-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy with 2% iodophor is safe, minimally invasive, and highly effective for treatment of symptomatic renal cysts.

Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Iodophors ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sclerosing Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Sclerotherapy ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Aneurysm, Dissecting/surgery* ; Aorta, Thoracic/surgery* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery* ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Surgical Procedures

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