OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning on chaperone hsp70 expression and protein aggregation in the CA1 neurons of rats, and to further explore its potential neuroprotective mechanism.

METHODSTwo-vesseloccluded transient global ischemia rat model was used. The rats were divided into sublethal 3-min ischemia group, lethal 10-min ischemia group and ischemic preconditioning group. Neuronal death in the CA1 region was observed by hematoxylineosin staining, and number of live neurons was assessed by cell counting under a light microscope. Immunochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to observe the distribution of chaperone hsp70 in the CA1 neurons. Differential centrifuge was used to isolate cytosol, nucleus and protein aggregates fractions. Western blot was used to analyze the quantitative alterations of protein aggregates and inducible chaperone hsp70 in cellular fractions and in protein aggregates under different ischemic conditions.

RESULTSHistological examination showed that ischemic preconditioning significantly reduced delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus CA1 region (P < 0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group). Sublethal ischemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression in the CA1 neurons after 24 h reperfusion following 10-min ischemia. Induced-hsp70 combined with the abnormal proteins produced during the secondary lethal 10-min ischemia and inhibited the formation of cytotoxic protein aggregates (P < 0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group).

CONCLUSIONIschemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression and inhibited protein aggregates formation in the CA1 neurons when suffered secondary lethal ischemia, which may protect neurons from death.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; Cell Count ; methods ; Cell Death ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the differential gene expression profiling of rats exposed to silica using the normal rats as control.

METHODSAnimal models were established using intratracheal injection of the lung and 22 107 genes were screened in the differential expression profiling of silicosis by using oligonucleotide bead array. Differential expression profiling data were analyzed by using DAVID bioinformation software.

RESULTSTotally 1567 differentially expressed genes were identified in lungs of silica exposed rats including 765 up-regulated genes and 802 down-regulated genes as compared to the normal controls. Among 406 annotated genes in KEGG pathways, 204 genes and 11 pathways were up-regulated as well as 202 genes and 3 pathways were down-regulated in silica exposed rats.

CONCLUSIONAll 1567 genes are involved in the formation of silicosis. The differential gene expression profile of silicosis describes the general changes in the gene expressions in silicosis at transcriptional level. Further analysis of the identified genes might help reveal the molecular mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Silicosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo introduce the clinical experience of nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap.

METHODSThe arrow flaps were modified for nipple-areolar reconstruction in 12 cases. Among them, 2 cases were treated with combined thin split-thickness skin graft; 4 cases with autologous rib implant and tattoo; 6 cases with tattoo.

RESULTSAll the reconstructed nipples were survived. The reconstructed nipples lost projection 1 month after operation in 2 cases. The other 10 cases retained 50% of the nipple projection 3 months after operation. The results were maintained with satisfactory symmetry during the follow-up period of 6 months to one year.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified flap is easily performed with reasonable design and no need of donor site. The nipple projection can be maintained with good long-term effect.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Nipples ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo establish the rat model of estradiol valerate medication in early pregnancy, and to investigate the effects of estradiol valerate on the development of the reproductive system of the first filial generation (F1) male rats by evaluating the anogenital distance (AGD) and the development of the testis and epididymis.

METHODSPregnant SD rats were divided at random into a blank control group and a low dose, a medium dose and a high dose medication group to receive intragastric estradiol valerate at 0.2 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively. The newborn F1 male rats were normally fed. Their anogenital distances were measured on postnatal day (PND) 3 and 21, the organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis (testicular and epididymal weight g/body weight 100 g) were obtained on PND 60, the morphological changes of spermatogenic cells were observed by testis biopsy, and the diameter of the seminiferous tubule and epithelial height were measured.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the control and medicated F1 male rats in AGD on PND 3 and 21 (P > 0.05), nor in the organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis on PND 60 (P > 0.05), nor in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule and epithelial height.

CONCLUSIONMedication of estradiol valerate (0.2 -0.8 mg/kg) to rats in early pregnancy neither significantly affects the reproductive system development, nor induces obvious histological changes of the testis in the sexual maturation period of their F1 males.

Animals ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of preoperative MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap.

METHODSPreoperative MDCT angiography scans were performed on 34 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps during December 2006 to June 2009. The operation was designed based on the MDCT results. Then the MDCT results were proved intraoperatively. Another 22 cases who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flap without preoperative MDCT were selected as controls. The rate of operative method change, the operation time and the flap necrosis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe preoperative design changed in 23.53% of the patients, based on the MDCT results. No one had any method change intraoperatively in the group with MDCT. The operative method was changed intraoperatively in 13.64% of the patients in the control group. The mean time spending on flap harvesting was (2.51 +/- 0.64) h in the experimental group and (4.42 +/- 0.21) h in the controlled group (P < 0.05). The rate of complication was 6.12% in the experimental group and 12.5% in the control group (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative MDCT angiography is an easy and reliable method for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap. The preoperative design can be more reasonable. It helps to save the operation time and reduce the risk.

Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Epigastric Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Preoperative Care ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo seek differentially expressed serum proteins in recovered SARS patients complicating avascular necrosis of femoral head (AVNFH).

METHODS2-DE and MALDI-TOF MS were used to study the comparative serum proteomics among female SARS AVNFH group, female SARS non-AVNFH group and female healthy group. ELISA method was used to detect serum amyloid P component in individual serum; specificity and sensitivity of serum amyloid P component were analyzed.

RESULTSAverage protein points on 2-DE of 3 groups were 632 +/- 28, 671 +/- 55, 688 +/- 42 respectively, and the matching rate of protein points was ranged from 85% to 95%; eighteen differentially expressed proteins were discovered including transthyretin, serpin peptidase inhibitor, alpha-1-antitrypsin precursor, serum amyloid P components, etc. Compared to healthy group and SARS non-AVNFH group, transthyretin, C4B3, fibrinogen gamma, apolipoprotein L, apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, albumin and prealbumin showed lower expression, inversely serpin peptidase inhibitor, alpha-1-antitrypsin precursor and serum amyloid P components showed higher expression in serum in the SARS AVNFH necrosis group. The serum amyloid P component in 3 groups were 0.54 +/- 0.30 ng/ml, 0.83 +/- 0.39 ng/ml, 1.21 +/- 0.29 ng/ml respectively. The areas under the ROC curve on serum amyloid P component was 0.854, the specificity was 77.8% and the sensitivity was 85.2%.

CONCLUSIONThere were differentially expressed serum proteins in three groups. Serum amyloid P components might be one of the potential biomarkers in serum of recovered SARS patients complicating avascular necrosis of femoral head.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; blood ; etiology ; Humans ; Proteomics ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

BACKGROUNDMatrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays an important role in atherosclerosis. This study was to examine expression of MMP-1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to explore its relationship with atherosclerosis in SLE.

METHODSFluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of MMP-1 mRNA in PBMCs in 80 SLE patients, including 39 prone to atherosclerosis (Group A) and 41 unprone to atherosclerosis (Group B). Meanwhile, 30 patients who were free of cardiovascular diseases and 30 healthy individuals were selected as disease and normal control group (Groups C and D). The changes of MMP-1 gene expression were analyzed by differences of cycle threshold (DeltaCt), with the following formula: DeltaCt = Ct(target) gene - Ct(reference) gene.

RESULTSThe expression level of MMP-1 mRNA in Group A was significantly higher than that of group B (DeltaCt = 8.64 +/- 2.43 vs DeltaCt = 12.09 +/- 2.26, t = 6.588, P < 0.01). The expression level of MMP-1 mRNA of SLE patients was significantly higher than that of Group C (DeltaCt = 10.41 +/- 2.90 vs DeltaCt = 12.29 +/- 2.51, t = 3.135, P < 0.01) and Group D (DeltaCt = 10.41 +/- 2.90 vs DeltaCt = 12.48 +/- 1.69, t = 3.675, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn comparison to disease and control group, expression of MMP-1 mRNA in PBMCs of SLE patients was significantly elevated, and significant difference of MMP-1 mRNA expression was also found between SLE patients prone and unprone to atherosclerosis, indicating that expression of MMP-1 mRNA may be correlated with the pathogenesis and activity of atherosclerosis in SLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

Background Matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1)plays an important role in atherosclerosis.This study was to examine expression of MMP-1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),and to explore its relationship with atherosclerosis in SLE.Methods Fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to examine the expression of MMP-1 mRNA in PBMCs in 80 SLE patients,including 39 prone to atherosclerosis(Group A)and 41 unprone to atherosclerosis(Group B).Meanwhile,30 patients who were free of cardiovascular diseases and 30 healthy individuals were selected as disease and normal control group(Groups C and D).The changes of MMP-1 gene expression were analyzed by differences of cycle threshold(△Ct),with the following formula:△Ct = Ct_(target) gene-Ct_(reference) gene.Results The expression level of MMP-1 mRNA in Group A was significantly higher than that of group B(△Ct=8.64±2.43 vs △Ct=12.09±2.26,t=6.588,P＜0.01).The expression level of MMP-1 mRNA of SLE patients was significantly higher than that of Group C(△Ct=10.41±2.90 vs △Ct=12.29±2.51,t=-3.135,P＜0.01)and Group D(△Ct=10.41±2.90 vs △Ct=12.48±1.69,t=3.675,P＜0.01).Conclusions In comparison to disease and control group,expression of MMP-1 mRNA in PBMCs of SLE patients was significantly elevated,and significant difference of MMP-1 mRNA expression was also found between SLE patients prone and unprone to atherosclerosis,indicating that expression of MMP-1 mRNA may be correlated with the pathogenesis and activity of atherosclerosis in SLE.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic value of ST resolution (STR) measured in a single ECG lead obtained early after primary PCI in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODSIn this retrospective study, STR, MACE and factors contributed to STR were analyzed in 964 patients underwent primary PCI post STEMI. The ECGs analysis was made by technicians blinded to the clinical data. MACE was compared between the STR (n = 662) and the non-STR (n = 302) groups. Factors associated with non-STR were analyzed by logistic regression method.

RESULTSAlthough TIMI grade III flow was achieved after PCI, non-STR was shown in nearly 1/3 patients and these patients were older, dominant with anterior myocardial infarction, cardiac dysfunction, diabetes and was associated with a higher MACE ratio (25.5% vs. 4.4%, P < 0.001). Cox regression showed that non-STR was one of the independent predictors of in-hospital MACE (RR = 3.33, P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that anterior myocardial infarction, the pain to balloon time, cardiac dysfunction and white blood cell count on admission were predictive factors of non-STR.

CONCLUSIONSSTR obtained in a single ECG lead is an easy and important prognosticator of MACE post PCI in patients with STEMI. It could therefore be used to identify low- and high-risk STEMI patients post primary PCI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Electrocardiography ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.