Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of artificial blood vessel sheath around re-nal vein for the treatment of left renal vein entrapment syndrome. Methods Eight cases with left re-nal vein entrapment syndrome (7 males and 1 female, mean age, 16 years) with history of gross hema-turia for 6 to 36 months were reviewed. Doppler ultrasound reports suggested compression of the left renal vein at mesenteric angle in all eases. CT scan showed the abnormal angle between aorta and su-perior mesenterie artery in 5 cases. Cystscopy showed hematuria from the left ureteral orifice in 5 ca-ses. All cases with left renal vein entrapment syndrome were treated ,with the method of putting artifi-cial blood vessel as a sheath around left renal vein. Results The operations were all successful. The average operation time was 150 min, the average blood loss was 50 ml, and the average hospital stay after operation was 9 d. No surgical complications occurred. The gross hcmaturia disappeared in 6 ca-ses and Doppler ultrasound showed that left renal vein outflow was normal in 7 when the patients dis-charged from the hospital. The gross hematuria disappeared during 2-24 months' follow-up in 7 pa-tients. Conclusions The surgical aim of renal vein entrapment syndrome is to reduce the compres-sion of renal vein. The method of putting artificial blood vessel around renal vein could be a simple, safe and effective method.

Objective To identify the polyreactivity of a monoclonal natural anti-keratin autoantibody 3B4 and to analyze its possible molecular me chanism.Methods enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)and immunohistoche mistry were applied to test the binding reactivity of 3B4 against different anti gens and tissues.The variable region genes and their amino acid composition wer e sequenced.Results 3B4 could reacted with a range of antigens and tissues,i n addition to keratin and skin.The variable region genes of its light chain and heavy chain showed high homology with germline genes VK1 am4 and VH1 J558.42.H CDR3 region,which mainly composed of short side chain amino acids(from 294 to 324 nucleotides around the heavy chain),was the only motif that differs from ot her highly homologous immunoglobulin genes.Conclusions The monoclonal natural anti-keratin autoantibody 3B4,with its variable region genes highly homologo us to germline genes,is highly polyreactive.The flexibility of HCDR3 may contr ibute to the polyreactivity.

Objective To evaluate the possible mechanism of traumatic brain injury (TB1) affecting the speed of bone fracture healing.Method TBI combined with unilateral tibial fracture (group A) was used to build multiple injury model and simple unilateral tibial fracture (group B),and the FOS,JUN,bFGF,and VEGF protein expression in different time points between the two groups were compared,and roentgenogram was used for the evaluation of bone healing.Results The expression of FOS,JUN,bFGF,and VEGF protein of the cerebral tissue was low in the normal rats,but was slightly enhanced in group B.There was consistence of development for FOS and JUN expression in the brain tissue in group A,reaching peak at post-TBI 3 hours,and then reducing to control level after 12 hours.The bFGF and VEGF reached peak at post-TBI 12 hours and 24 hours and reduced to control level after 72 hours,respectively.In group A and group B,an increase in the FOS,JUN protein expression around the fracture site was observed at 3 hours after injury,which reached the peak at 6 hours,and reduced to the control level after 24 hours;the comparison between group A,group B and the control group at 3 hours,6 hours and 12 hours had significant difference (P

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipoproteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nephrosis, Lipoid ; metabolism ; pathology

Critical Illness ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Patient Safety ; Risk Factors

In patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury with associated extremity fracture, there is often a clinical perception that the rate of new bone formation around the fracture site increases.(1) An overgrowth of callus is observed and ectopic ossification even occurs in the muscle,(2) but the mechanism remains unclear. Whether this rapidly-formed new bone is fracture callus or a variant of heterotopic ossification, a common complication of traumatic brain injury, is the subject of some debates.(3) It is generally believed that the process of fracture healing is a recapitulation of normal embryonic osteogenesis,(4) i.e. ,a series of changes in the intracellular and extracellular matrix, which start from the injury of cells, blood vessels and bone matrix to a complete reconstruction of the bone.(5) It is a complex process influenced by multi-level and multi-route regulations of the general and local environments in the body, and many growth factors participate in this process, which is the base of bone healing;(6) whatever methods are used to promote bone healing, they are based on accelerating the changes of growth factors.(7) So it is worth making a thorough study on the mechanism, by which traumatic brain injury influences the expression levels of growth factors and consequently affects the speed of bone healing.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; physiology ; Fracture Healing ; Gene Expression ; physiology ; Humans ; Oncogene Protein p65(gag-jun) ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins v-fos ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of L-arginine on expression of human FVIII gene.

METHODSPlasmid pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhF VIII containing B domain deleted human coagulant factor VIII cDNA (BDDhF VIII cDNA) was constructed and transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). After 72 h incubation with L-arginine (final concentration was 10 mmol/L) , the supernatant was collected for determining the antigen and clotting activity of human FVIII (FVIII: Ag and FVIII: C ) with ELISA and one stage clotting assay respectively. HUVECs were harvested for detecting human FVIII mRNA by Northern blot analysis. The five functional domains of BDDhFVIII cDNA including A1, A2, A3, C1 and C2 were amplified with PCR and inserted into pcDNA6/V5-HisA to construct the expression plasmids pcDNA6/V5-Hi-sA-BDDhFVIII-A1, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-A2, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-A3, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-C1 and pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-C2, respectively. HUVEC were transfected with the five plasmids respectively and incubated with L-arginine (at the final concentration of 10 mmol/L) for 72 h. Nucleoli were then isolated and underwent run-on assay.

RESULTSAfter 24 h incubation with L-arginine, FVIII: Ag and FVIII: C were increased markedly in the supernatant of HUVEC [FVIII: Ag was (146.08 +/- 4.78) ng/ ml, and FVIII: C (0.752 +/- 0.009) U/ml/10(6) cells x 24 h, while in control supernatant without L-arginine, FVIII: Ag was (34.66 +/- 3.98) ng/ml, and FVIII: C (0.171 +/- 0.006) U/ml/10(6) cell x 24 h, P < 0.01]. Northern blot analysis indicated that, after adding L-arginine, the transcription of human FVIII mRNA was intensified remarkably in HUVEC transfected with pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII, but no any transcription in those transfected with pcDNA6/V5-HisA. Run-on assay demonstrated that with L-arginine induction, A1 and A2 domains transcription was increased obviously, while no change in A3, C1 and C2 domains transcription.

CONCLUSIONL-arginine increases expression of human FVIII gene in HUVEC through enhancing its transcription, particularly, domain A1 and A2 within FVIII gene.

Arginine ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVEVasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin were previously shown in animal models of adventitia injury. We investigated the contribution of angiotensin II (AngII)/AngII receptors and oxidative stress to vascular contractility and reactivity in this model.

METHODSWistar Kyoto rats were divided into 3 groups: normal (n = 6, no any intervention, only for measuring the serum AngII concentration), vehicle (n = 12, collared), and valsartan (n = 12, collared + valsartan 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)). After one week of treatment, adventitia injury was induced by positioning a silicone collar around the right carotid artery for one week. Blood flow and vascular reactivity to serotonin were determined one week after injury, the blood from left ventricle was taken to measure the serum AngII concentration by ELISA, and carotids were harvested for morphometry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSAdventitia injury induced lumen cross-sectional area reduction (-44% vs. -5%), media diameter increase (62% vs. 10%), blood flow reduction [(2.79 ± 0.22) vs. (4.33 ± 0.84) ml/min] were significantly attenuated by valsartan. The increased vascular reactivity sensitivity to serotonin in vehicle group was also significantly reduced in valsartan group. Serum AngII concentration was significantly increased in vehicle group [(45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml vs. (19.83 ± 0.5) pg/ml in normal rats, P = 0.0148] and the expression of AngII type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, AngII type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, as well as p22(phox) in collared arteries were significantly upregulated. Valsartan did not affect the AT(1) receptor expression but further increased serum AngII concentration [(89.73 ± 20.44) pg/ml vs. (45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml, P = 0.001], and AT(2) receptor expression, while downregulated p22(phox) expressions.

CONCLUSIONSCollar-induced adventitia injury resulted in chronic vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin via increased serum AngII level, upregulated AngII receptors expression in the vascular well, and activated local oxidative stress. These changes could be blocked by valsartan suggesting a crucial role of AngII/AngII receptors on vascular contractility and reactivity changes in this model.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Connective Tissue ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

Objective To study the clinical and imaging features of patients with bone metastases from breast cancer and identify the factors related to the incidence of bone metastases. Methods Three hundred and thirty-four patients with breast cancer were recruited into this study. Whole-body 99Tcm-methylene disphosphonate (MDP) bone scan, clinical staging, pathological, immunohistochemical and serological test results were analyzed retrospectively. χ2 test was used for statistical analysis. Results The incidence rate of bone metastases for patients with and without lymph node metastases was 71% (152/214) and 22. 5% (27/120), respectively (χ2 =72.80, P =0.000). The incidence rate of bone metastases from infiltrated non-specified and specified breast cancer was 69% (203/294) and 41.7% (5/12), respectively (χ2 =3. 97, P=0.046). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was elevated in 28.5% (51/179) and 14.9%(11/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 5. 25, P = 0.022 ). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 15-3, CA125, CA19-9 increased in 68.7% ( 123/179) and 27.0% (20/74) of patients with and without bone metastases, respectively (χ2 = 37. 03, P =0. 000). Conclusions The incidence of bone metastases from breast cancer is correlated to pathological types of primary tumor and lymph node metastases. Bone metastases occurs more frequently in patients with infiltrated, non-specified, primary cancer and with lymph node metastases. Serum ALP, CEA, CA15-3,CA125, CA19-9 might be the tumor makers for early diagnosis of bone metastases from breast cancer.

Objective To study the correlation between serum miRNA-21 (miR-21) level and chemosensitivity and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. Methods A total of 68 osteosarcoma patients who were treated in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from August 2016 to August 2017 were selected. All patients received routine chemotherapy after admission. They were followed up for one year. According to the effectiveness of chemotherapy, they were divided into effective group (52 cases) and ineffective group (16 cases). The general clinicopathological characteristics of the two groups were recorded. Univariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the serum miR-21 level and chemosensitivity in osteosarcoma patients. The prognostic efficacy of serum miR-21 was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results The serum miR-21 expression in the effective group was higher than that in the ineffective group (6.6 ±0.7 vs. 5.2 ±0.7), and the tumor metastasis rate in the effective group was lower than that in the ineffective group [33.9％ (18/52) vs. 37.5％ (6/16)], and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (both P< 0.05). There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, size of tumors and TNM stage between the two groups (all P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression model showed that serum miR-21 and metastasis were the factors affecting chemosensitivity (both P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of using serum miR-21 to predict the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients was 0.774. Youden index indicated that the best cut-off points of serum miR-21 and chemosensitivity for predicting the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients was 6.25. Conclusion Serum miR-21 level in osteosarcoma patients is significantly correlated with chemosensitivity and prognosis, and it can be used as an effective index to predict the effect of chemotherapy and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.