Objective To report a new minimally invasive and cosmetic approach for atrial septal defect repair. Methods 46 patients ranged 3.6 to 32 (12.5?7 7) years underwent minimal right vertical infra axillary thoracotomy for atrial septal defect repairs under beating hearts from January 1997 to March 2000. One had a functional single atrum,two had an associated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection,and three had the moderate pulmonary hypertension. Results The average bypass time was (30 3?7 8) min. There was no operative or late mortality and no morbidity directly related to the thoracotomy with beating heart. 37 patients had been Followed up for 3 months to 2 4 years(1 3?0 6) years. All of patients were free of symptoms. Conclusions The minimal right vertical infra axillary thoracotomy is a safe,cosmetic and minimal invasive approach to median sternotomy for repair of atrial septal defect or anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

Objective To evaluate the role of autophagy on acute kidney injury after liver transplantation.Method Fifty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups:sham group,orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) group,sirolimus pretreated (SRL) group and 3-methyladenine pretreated(3-MA) group.OLT model was established.Then the rats were sacrificed at 6 h after reperfusion.The renal function and the extent of oxidative stress relative proteins malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed.The levels of apoptosis relative genes caspase-3 and cyt c and the expression of autophagy relative proteins were detected.The pathological changes were microscopically examined in renal tissues.TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells.Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the ultrastructure changes of tubular epithelial cells.Result As compared with sham group,OLT and 3-MA groups showed a serious renal injury including cellular vacuolization,loss of brush borders,and a significant rise in BUN,Cr and MDA,while a decrease in SOD activity.The levels of caspase-3 mRNA and cyt c rnRNA were increased significantly.Whereas compared to OLT and 3-MA groups,renal function and oxidative stress levels in SRL group ameliorated,and histopathologic damage and apoptosis alleviated after OLT.Simultaneously,the levels of caspase-3 mRNA and cyt c mRNA were decreased.The expression of beclin-1 and LC3-]Ⅱ was effectively upregulated.Conclusion Autophagy could alleviate acute kidney injury after liver transplantation through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the role of autophagy in hydrogen-induced inhibition of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons in a rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Fifty-six pathogen-free healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 220-250 g,were used in the study.Thirty-two rats were selected and assigned into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),OLT group,hydrogen-rich saline group (group HS) and chloroquine group (group CQ).The other 24 rats severed as the donors.In group S,laparotomy was performed,and the related blood vessels were isolated.The model of OLT was established in OLT,HS and CQ groups.In group OLT,normal saline 6 ml/kg was slowly injected via the inferior vena cava at 5 min before anhepatic phase.In group HS,hydrogen-rich saline 6 ml/kg was slowly injected via the inferior vena cava at 5 min before anhepatic phase.In group CQ,autophagy inhibitor chloroquine 60 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 1 h before establishment of the model,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group HS.At 6 h of reperfusion,the rats were sacrificed and hippocampi were isolated for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,for pathological examination (with light microscope),and for detection of cell apoptosis (by TUNEL staining) and expression of autophagy-and apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3,cytochrome c (Cyt c),microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3 Ⅱ),Beclin-1 and p53 in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot analysis).Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the MDA content and AI were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of caspase-3,Cyt c,LC3 Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and p53 was up-regulated in OLT,HS and CQ groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group OLT,the MDA content and AI were significantly decreased,the SOD activity was increased,the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was down-regulated,and the expression of LC3 Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and p53 was up-regulated in group HS (P＜0.05).Compared with group HS,the MDA content and AI were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was up-regulated,and the expression of LC3 Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and p53 was down-regulated in group CQ (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen inhibits apoptosis in hippocampal neurons is related to promotion of autophagy in a rat model of OLT.

Objective To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) / heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in reduction of acute kidney injury following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) by hydrogen-rich saline in rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy adult male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),OLT group,hydrogen-rich saline group (HS group),and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group.Laparotomy was performed,and the related blood vessels were isolated in group S.The model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established in OLT,HS and ATRA groups.Normal saline and hydrogen-rich saline 6 ml/kg were injected through the inferior vena cava at 5 min before the portal vein was clamped in OLT and HS groups,respectively.In group ATRA,Nrf2 inhibitor ATRA 7 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 2 consecutive days,the model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established at 16 h after the last injection of ATRA,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group HS.At 6 h of reperfusion,blood samples were collected for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr),interleukin10 (1L-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations.After blood sampling,the lungs were removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,expression of HO-1,Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA (by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction),and HO-1 protein expression in lung tissues (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination.The damage to the renal tubules was scored.Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA,and Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group OLT (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group OLT,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were increased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were decreased,the SOD activity was increased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mR-NA was up-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was down-regulated in group HS (P＜0.05).Compared with group HS,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA was down-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group ATRA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen-rich saline reduces acute kidney injury following OLT is probably associated with activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has indicated that graphite carbon nanoparticles have a strong adsorbability. While, when the concentration is effectively controlled, graphite carbon nanoparticles also have well compatibility and sensitizing effect. OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphology of graphite carbon nanoparticles, and to investigate the effects of graphite carbon nanoparticles on cell proliferation and ultramicrostructure.METHODS: Graphite carbon nanoparticles (0.5 g) were put in 100 mL triple distilled water to obtain graphite carbon nanoparticle mother liquid after oscillation and microfiltration. HepG2 cells, L02 cells, HI7702 cells, and 3T3 cells in the logarithmic phase were adjusted to the concentration of 5×10~7/L and inoculated in 6-well culture plate with 0.5 mL per well. Thereafter, the cells were cultured with RPMI-1640 culture media (1.5 mL) containing fetal bovine serum, penicillin, and streptomycin. The original culture solution was removed after 24 hours. The 1-5 wells were considered as the experimental group, and 25, 10, 7.5, 5, 0.25 mg/Lgraphite carbon nanoparticles (2.0 mL) were respectively added into each well; while, the sixth well was considered as the blank control group without graphite carbon nanoparticles. The cells in the blank control group were cultured for 24 hours. Particle diameter was measured using atomic force microscopy; morphology was observed using electron microscope; effect of different concentrations of graphite carbon nanoparticles on cell number was detected using hemacytometry under optic microscope; the effect of 7.5 mg/L graphite carbon nanoparticles on ultramicrostructure was observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Graphite carbon nanoparticles were around and 20 nm diameter. Compared with the blank control group, cell numbers except HepG2 cells were increased, especially the effect of 7.5 mg/L graphite carbon nanoparticles was greatest (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscope indicated that graphite carbon nanoparticles were distributed into cells, including cytoplasm, nucleus, and mitochondrion; while, subcellular structure damage and cell apoptosis and necrosis were absent. Graphite carbon nanoparticles have no side effects on in vitro cultured cells and can promote cell proliferation, showing a dose-dependence correlation, especially the concentration of 7.5 mg/L.

Objective:To explore the association and gene-environment interaction between single nu-cleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)involved in cell-cell adhesion and non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P)among Chinese population.Methods:A total of 806 NSCL/P trios were drawn by an international consortium,which conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS)using a case-parent trio design to investigate genes affecting risks to NSCL/P.The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT)was used to explore the association between cell-cell adhesion genes,including CDH1,CT-NNB1,PVRL1,PVRL2,PVRL3,ACTN1,VCL,LEF1,and NSCL/P.Conditional Logistic regression models were used to estimate effects on risk of exposed and unexposed children.Four common maternal exposures including maternal smoking,environmental tobacco smoke,alcohol consumption and multivita-min supplementation during pregnancy were included in this study.Results:A total of 226 SNP markers were tested after quality control in this study.Although 23 SNPs in three genes (CTNNB1,CDH1, ACTN1)showed nominal significant association with NSCL/P in the TDT (P <0.05).There were no sig-nificant evidence of linkage and association that remained in the transmission disequilibrium test after Bonferroni correction(P >0.000 2).Tests for gene-environment interaction yielded significant results be-tween rs7431 27 in ACTN1 and environmental tobacco smoke (P =0.000 1 )with an estimated OR (case |G and E)=2.00(95%CI:1 .23 -3.26)and OR (case |G no E)=0.59 (95%CI:0.38 -0.90).Among the lower P value results in gene-environment tests,there were no significant results be-tween rs1 475034,rs370535,rs227341 9 in ACTN1,rs1 06871 in CTNNB1 and environmental tobacco smoke interaction.There were also no significant results between rs7634000,rs2971 366,rs2634553, rs1 489032,rs762481 2 in PVRL3 and multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy in gene-environ-ment tests(P >0.000 2).Conclusion:There is no association between cell-cell adhesion genes,inclu-ding CDH1,CTNNB1,PVRL1,PVRL2,PVRL3,ACTN1,VCL,LEF1,and NSCL/P when the genes are considered alone.But our results suggest that SNPs in ACTN1 may influence the risk to NSCL/P through gene-environment interaction.

Objective: To examine the effects of obesity and central obesity on hypertension, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control measures of hypertension. Methods: From September to December 2018, residents at ages of 35 to 75 years were sampled using the multi-stage random sampling method in Baiyin District, Baiyin City, Gansu Province, and subjected to questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. The interaction between obesity/central obesity and hypertension was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The synergy index ( SI ), relative excess risk due to interaction ( RERI ) and attributable proportion due to interaction ( AP ) were calculated using Excel compiled by Andersson et al. Results: A total of 6 246 questionnaires were allocated and 6 169 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 98.77%. The respondents included 3 038 men ( 49.25% ) and 3 131 women (50.75%), with a mean age of ( 52.05±8.78 ) years. There were 832 respondents with obesity ( 13.49% ) and 2 278 with central obesity ( 36.93% ). The crude and standardized prevalence rates of hypertension were 35.89% and 33.05%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that obesity ( OR=2.020, 95%CI: 1.705-2.393 ) and central obesity ( OR=1.622, 95%CI: 1.433-1.836 ) were statistically associated with hypertension. There was no multiplicative interaction between obesity or central obesity and hypertension ( OR=1.011, 95%CI: 0.655-1.560 ), and no additive interaction was detected between obesity or central obesityand hypertension ( SI=1.405, 95%CI: 0.815-2.424; RERI=0.658, 95%CI: -0.298 to 1.614; AP=0.201, 95%CI: -0.075 to 0.476 ). Conclusions Obesity and central obesity increase the risk of hypertension; however, no interaction is detected between obesity or central obesity and hypertension.

The current methods of preparation of pesticide residue analysis in traditional Chinese medicine were summarized in this paper. And the new preparation techniques used in recent years were reviewed, which included solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME), QuECHERS, matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). In addition, the determination method of the pesticide residue methods in the traditional Chinese medicine were also included in the paper, and analysed the problem in the determination based on the characteristics of TCMs.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Solid Phase Extraction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a common complex disease characterized by progressive and incomplete reversible airflow limitation.COPD is one of the leading causes on morbidity and mortality in China.Genetic risk factors play important roles on the occurrence of COPD.However,the genetic risk factors of COPD remain unknown,to some extent.The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview on literature concerning the most promising findings related to genetic risk factors of COPD.