Objective To investigate the effects of heart displacement on hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) while the sites for anastomosis were being exposed. Methods Forty-seven patients of both sexes (36 male, 11 female) aged 50-82 years undergoing OP-CABG were enrolled in the study. Preoperative cardiac function was assessed : class Ⅱ in 22 patients; Ⅲ in 23 and Ⅳ in 2 according to NYHA classification.The mean ejection fraction was 0.55?0.14 before surgery.They received on average 3.2 grafts. Premedication consisted of intramuscular morphine 10 mg, midazolam 3-5 mg and scopolamine 0.3 mg.Before induction of anesthesia ECG and SpO2 were monitored and radial artery was cannulated for continuous direct BP monitoring. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.1 nig?kg-1 , fentanyl 4?g?kg-1 and pancuronium 0.1 mg?g-1 iv.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation and PETCO2 was maintained at about 40 mm Hg. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and 50%-60% N2O in O2 and intermittent intravenous boluses of fentanyl and pancuronium. Swan-Ganz catheter which can continuously monitor mixed venous blood O2 saturation (SvO2) was placed in pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein. SvO2, cardiac output (CO), BP, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and HR were continuously monitored. Right atrial pressure (RAP) and PAWP were measured intermittently. Cardiac index (CI),stroke index (SI),systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI),PVRI, left and right ventricular work index (LVWI,RVWI) and left and right ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI,RVSWI) were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia before surgery (T1,baseline),before heart displacement (T2), while anastomosis to anterior descending branch was being made (T3), while anastonosis to right coronary artery or posterior descending branch (T4) and to left circumflex artery or diagonal branch (T5) was being made, after normal heart position was resumed (T6) and at the end of operation (T7). Results While anastomosis to the anterior descending branch was being made (T3) SI and LVSWI significantly decreased as compared with the baseline (P

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Yizhi Jiannao Granules for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and its effects on intelligence, daily life and social activity ability.

METHODSEighty-four cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, 28 cases in each group. The combined acupuncture and medication group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Dazhui (GV 14), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. and oral administration of Yizhi Jiannao Granules; the Chinese herb group was treated with Yizhi Jiannao Granules, and the western medicine group with oral administration of Aricept. The scores for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Ability of Daily Life (ADL) and the therapeutic effects were assessed and compared before treatment and after treatment for 12 weeks among the groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores for MMSE and ADL were improved in the combined acupuncture and medication group, the Chinese herb group and the western medicine group, which were better in the combined acupuncture and medication group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of 85.7% in the combined acupuncture and medication group was better than 71.4% in the Chinese herb group and 67.9% in the western medicine group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with Yizhi Jiannao Granules has a significant therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's disease, which is better than that of Yizhi Jiannao Granules or Aricept.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; psychology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Indans ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nootropic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To obtain highly efficient small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) for future functional analysis of BMP-7 in bone homeostasis. Methods We designed 4 independent siRNA sequences against rat BMP-7 and transfected them in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells. After 72 h, we examined BMP-7 mRNA and protein level in the transfected cells using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results All the 4 siRNAs effectively reduced BMP-7 expression in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells, and among them BMP-7-3 siRNA showed the highest efficiency. Conclusion We have obtained an efficient siRNA to knockdown BMP-7 expression in vitro for further investigation of the role of BMP-7 in bone and cartilage formation.

Objective To obtain highly efficient small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) for future functional analysis of BMP-7 in bone homeostasis. Methods We designed 4 independent siRNA sequences against rat BMP-7 and transfected them in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells. After 72 h, we examined BMP-7 mRNA and protein level in the transfected cells using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results All the 4 siRNAs effectively reduced BMP-7 expression in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells, and among them BMP-7-3 siRNA showed the highest efficiency. Conclusion We have obtained an efficient siRNA to knockdown BMP-7 expression in vitro for further investigation of the role of BMP-7 in bone and cartilage formation.

OBJECTIVETo obtain highly efficient small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) for future functional analysis of BMP-7 in bone homeostasis.

METHODSWe designed 4 independent siRNA sequences against rat BMP-7 and transfected them in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells. After 72 h, we examined BMP-7 mRNA and protein level in the transfected cells using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSAll the 4 siRNAs effectively reduced BMP-7 expression in rat umbilical vein endothelial cells, and among them BMP-7-3 siRNA showed the highest efficiency.

CONCLUSIONWe have obtained an efficient siRNA to knockdown BMP-7 expression in vitro for further investigation of the role of BMP-7 in bone and cartilage formation.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the RHD zygosity of Rh(D)-positive Chinese Hans in order to study the mother-fetus Rh isoimmunization prophylaxis.

METHODSRh(D) blood group of 31 115 donors were serotyped, and the RHD zygosities were analyzed, or determined through a PCR method for 3628 donors of Rh(D)-positive individuals.

RESULTSAmong the 31 115 donors, 99 were tested Rh(D)-negative by indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) (0.318%). The d frequency was 0.056 41, D was 0.943 59, and Dd heterozygosity was 0.106 45 (10.6%). However the rate was 0.090 32 (about 9.0%) after excluding DEL (IAT-negative). For the 3628 PCR tested donors, 3383 were DD (93.2%), 245 were Dd (6.8%). After excluding nonfunctional RHD alleles, 7.4% of the donors were carrying one functional RHD. It showed that an Rh(D)-negative Chinese Han woman gives an Rh(D)-negative child at a rate of 3.7%-4.5% when her husband is Rh(D)-positive.

CONCLUSIONFetus Rh(D) genotyping may be unnecessary for Chinese Hans if invasive operation was needed for prenatal diagnosis. The Rh prophylaxis could be chosen assuming an Rh(D)-positive fetus.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the benzene exposure level and cytopenia among the benzene exposed workers in Shanghai, China and to analyze the influential factors for the health of benzene-exposed workers.

METHODSA total of 3314 benzene-exposed workers, who were from 85 benzene-related enterprises selected by stratified random sampling based on enterprise sizes and industries, were included in the study. The time-weighted average (TWA) concentration of benzene in each workshop was measured by individual sampling and fixed point sampling, and the benzene exposure level in workshop was evaluated accordingly. The occupational health examination results and health status of benzene-exposed workers were collected.

RESULTSThe median of TW A concentrations of benzene was 0.3 mg/m3. The TWA concentrations measured at 7 ( 1.4%) of the 504 sampling points were above the safety limit. Of the 7 points, 3 were from large enterprises, 2 from medium enterprises, and 2 from small enterprises; 3 were from shipbuilding industry, 1 from chemical industry, and 3 from light industry. Of the 3314 benzene-exposed workers, 451 ( 13.6%) had cytopenia, including 339 males ( 339/2548, 13.3%) and 112 females ( 112/766, 14.6% ). There were significant differences in the incidence rates of leukopenia and neutropenia among the benzene-exposed workers of different sexes and ages (P<0.05); there were significant differences in the incidence rate of cytopenia among the benzene-exposed workers of different ages and working years ( P<0.05 ); there were significant differences in the incidence of neutropenia among the benzene exposed workers of different working years ( P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMonitoring and intervention measures should be enhanced to protect the benzene-exposed workers in the large enterprises in shipbuilding industry and medium and private enterprises in chemical industry from occupational hazards.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Benzene ; toxicity ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Pancytopenia ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct a lentiviral expression vector for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of human survivin gene, and assess its gene silencing effect in human ectopic endometrial cells.

METHODSHuman survivin gene shRNA sequence was designed using a software available on-line. The synthesized shRNA sequence was cloned into the pGCL-GFP vector to construct LV-survivin shRNA, which was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequence analysis. The packaging 293T cells were cotransfected with LV-survivin shRNA, pHelper 1.0 and pHelper 2.0, and the titer of the lentivirus was determined. The recombinant lentivirus was injected into human ectopic endometrial cells and the survivin mRNA expression was examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in comparison with that in the non-transfected and blank vector-transfected human ectopic endometrial cells.

RESULTSPCR analysis and DNA sequencing confirmed correct insertion of the shRNA sequence into the lentiviral vector. The titer of virus after packaging was 8x10(8) U/ml. Survivin mRNA expression in human ectopic endometrial cells transfected by LV-survivin shRNA was significantly inhibited compared with those in the non-transfected and empty vector transfected human ectopic endometrial cells (P<0.01), and no significant difference was found between the latter two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe lentiviral shRNA vector of survivin gene constructed can effectively inhibit the expression of survivin gene in human ectopic endometrial cells in vitro. This vector provides a tool for investigating the role of survivin gene in the occurrence and progression of endometriosis and for searching new therapeutic targets.

Cells, Cultured ; Endometriosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Targeting ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lymphadenectomy adjacent to inferior mesenteric artery root on the prognosis of rectal cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 260 cases with rectal cancer undergone radical operation were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. Group D(2): the lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root were not excised (n=188). Group D(3): the lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root were excised (n=72). Prognosis of two groups was compared during the follow-up period.

RESULTSIn group D(2), the 1-, 3-, 5-year total survival rates (TS) were 97.3%, 87.2% and 77.1%, and tumor-free survival rates (TFS) were 93.1%, 83.0% and 76.8% respectively. In group D(3 ), the 1-, 3-, 5-year total survival rates (TS) were 94.4%, 79.2% and 73.6%, and tumor-free survival rates (TFS) were 86.1%, 76.4% and 71.0% respectively. The differences of TS and TFS between two groups were not significant according to Kaplan-Meier analysis (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the excision of lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root was not statistically correlated with the recurrence, metastasis and survival time after radical operation of rectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONExcision of lymph nodes adjacent to inferior mesenteric artery root has no significant impact on prognosis and it is unnecessary in the radical operation of rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; mortality ; Lymph Nodes ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1(MAdCAM-1) during small bowel graft rejection and the effects of MAdCAM-1 on the development of acute rejection.

METHODSRat heterotopic small bowel transplantation (SBT) was performed in F344/N rats with syngeneic and allogeneic (BN-F344/N) grafts. Bowel and gut-associated lymphoid tissue(GALT) samples were collected from small bowel transplants on postoperative day(POD) 1, 3, 5 and 7. Histopathology assessment of the grafts was conducted to identify the rejection. MAdCAM-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSDuring acute rejection, MAdCAM-1 was highly-expressed on gut lamina propia and GALTs, particularly on vascular endothelial cells in the gut lamina propia. There were no change of MAdCAM-1 expression in syngeneic grafts from POD1 to POD7. In allogeneic grafts, MAdCAM-1 expression in mesenteric lymph nodes was down-regulated, while up-regulated on the vascular endothelial cells in the lamina propria during acute rejection.

CONCLUSIONAlteration of MAdCAM-1 expression may be associated with the development of SBT graft rejection.

Animals ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; metabolism ; Graft Survival ; Immunoglobulins ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; immunology ; Intestine, Small ; transplantation ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Male ; Mucoproteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred BN ; Rats, Inbred F344