AIM and METHODS: To study the changes of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and its significance. Eighty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. MI was produced by left coronary arterial ligation in 80 animals, and eight rats undergoing thoracotomy but not coronary ligation served as controls (sham).Blood samples were drawn from the right atrium before (sham animals) and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours and 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after MI( n =8,respectively). Serum VEGF concentrations were measured by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for VEGF. RESULTS: In 8 sham animals, the concentration of serum VEGF was (66 99?17 83) pg/mL. Six hours after MI, the level of serum VEGF significantly increased to (125 68?28 07)pg/mL ( P

Objective To prepare quercetin liposomes and establish a method for determination of its entrapment efficiency.Methods The film dispersion-homogenizing method was used to prepare quercetin liposomes.The formulation was optimized on the basis of orthogonal design and its entrapment efficiency was performed by the protamine sedimentation method.Results The optimal conditions were found to be cholesterol-egg phospholipid=1:3,quercetin-vehicle = 1:40,homogenization pressure 103.4 MPa for three times.The average entrapment efficiency of the optimized nano-liposomes was 92.1%.Conclusion The film dispersion-homogenizing method could be used to prepare quercetin liposomes.The protamine sedimentation method is convenient,accurate,and suitable for the determination of the entrapment effi- ciency of quercetin liposomes.

OBJECTIVETo compare postoperative blood loss under different negative pressures of drainage after total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

METHODSFrom January 1st to December 30th 2013, 74 patients with femoral neck fractures treated with total hip arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups: high negative pressure drainage group and low negative pressure drainage group. In high negative pressure drainage group, there were 34 cases including 10 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (75.94 ± 9.02) years old, and the patients were treated with 60 kPa negative pressure of drainage. In the low negative pressure drainage group, there were 40 cases including 13 males and 27 females, with an average age of (74.93 ± 8.90) years old, and the patients were treated with 30 kPa negative pressure of drainage. The amount of total drainage, total blood loss, and hemoglobin change were compared between these two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients got primary healing without infections. In high negative pressure drainage group,the change of hemoglobin was (41.74 ± 15.69) g/L, total blood loss was (1,217.73 ± 459.50) ml and the drainage volume was (312.94 ± 103.44) ml; while in low negative pressure drainage group,the results were (34.90 ± 12.90) g/L, (904.01 ± 381.58) ml and (129.25 ± 44.25) ml separately. All the results in high negative pressure drainage group were higher than those in the other group. Three days after operation, the change of hemoglobin was (46.00 ± 13.29) g/L and total blood loss was (1,304.72 ± 421.75) ml; while in low negative pressure drainage group, the changes of hemoglobin was (43.87 ± 11.39) g/L and total blood loss was (1,196.78 ± 344.20) ml; there were no statistically significant differences between two groups.

CONCLUSIONWhen placing drainage devices after total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures, the level of negative pressure should be chosen according to preoperative level of hemoglobin and HCT in patients. For old patients with femoral neck fracture, low negative pressure is more suitable.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; prevention & control

Objective To assess set-up errors measured with kilovoltage cone-beam CT (KV-CBCT), and the impact of online corrections on margins required to account for set-up variability during IMRT for patients with prostate cancer. Methods Seven patients with prostate cancer undergoing IMRT were enrolled onto the study. The KV-CBCT scans were acquired at least twice weekly. After initial set-up using the skin marks, a CBCT scan was acquired and registered with the planning CT to determine the setup errors using an auto grey-scale registration software. Corrections would be made by moving the table if the setup errors were considered clinically significant ( i. e. , ＞ 2 mm). A second CBCT scan was acquired immediately after the corrections to evaluate the residual error. PTV margins were derived to account for the measured set-up errors and residual errors determined for this group of patients. Results 197 KV-CBCT images in total were acquired. The random and systematic positioning errors and calculated PTV margins without correction in mm were:a) Lateral 3. 1,2. 1,9. 3;b) Longitudinal 1.5, 1.8, 5. 1 ;c) Vertical 4. 2,3.7, 13.0. The random and systematic positioning errors and calculated PTV margin with correction in mm were:a) Lateral 1.1,0. 9, 3.4;b) Longitudinal 0. 7, 1.1, 2. 5;c) Vertical 1.1, 1.3, 3.7. Conclusions With the guidance of online KV-CBCT, set-up errors could be reduced significantly for patients with prostate cancer receiving IMRT. The margin required after online CBCT correction for the patients enrolled in the study would be appoximatively 3-4 mm.

AIM: To investigate the effect of DDP and ADM on cell cycle in leukemia cell line K562. METHODS: The change of cell cycle was observed by means of flow cytometry after different interval in which the K562 cells were treated with DDP and ADM. RESULTS: K562 cells attested at S phase after treated 36 hours with DDP at concentration of 10 ?mol/L or 48 h with ADM at concentration of 1 36 ?mol/L. K562 cells attested at G 1 phase after treated 24 h with DDP at concentration of 20 ?mol/L or at G 2/M phase after treated with ADM at concentration of 0 17 ?mol/L. CONCLUSIONS: K562 cells showed different patterns to change the cell cycle induced by DDP and ADM with different concentrations at different time, which reflected that different checkpoints of cell cycle were activated at different conditions.

Objective To evaluate long-term outcome of simultaneous kissing sirolimus-eluting stent (SKS) technique versus single sirolimus-eluting stent (SSS) technique for percutaneous treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions in large-size vessels.Methods This randomized study assigned 190 patients with a coronary bifurcation lesion to simultaneous kissing stenting (SKS) in both main and side branches and 190 patients to main vessel stenting only (SSS).The endpoints included restenosis,death,non-fatal myocardial infarction,target-lesion revascularization (TLR),stent thrombosis,success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the operation duration.Results During 1-year follow-up,the SKS group and the SSS group had similar incidences of overall re stenosis [30 ( 15.8 ％ ) vs.24 ( 15.2 ％ ),x2=0.000,P＜0.05],mainbranch restenosis [20 ( 10.5％ ) vs.16 ( 10.1％ ),x2=0.003,P ＞ 0.05];side-branch restenosis [13 ( 6.8％ )vs.23 ( 14.6％ );x2=4.73,P＜0.05];death [2 ( 1.1％ ) vs.1 ( 0.6％ ),x2=0.026,P ＞ 0.05],non-fatal myocardial infarction [4 (2.1％ ) vs.2 ( 1.3％ ),x2=0.034,P ＞ 0.05],TLR [23 ( 12.1％ ) vs.20 ( 12.7％ ),x2=0.000,P ＞ 0.05] and stent thrombosis [4 (2.1％ ) vs.2 ( 1.3 ％ ),x2=0.034,P ＞ 0.05] and a shorter operation duration[(20 ± 8) min vs.(45 ± 9) min,t=1.98,P＜0.05] than the SSS group.Conclusion For true coronary bifurcation lesions in large-size vessels,SKS and SSS have similar long-term outcomes.The SKS group has a higher success rate of PCI and shorter operation duration.

Background Phlyctenular ophthalmia is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to some microprotein and affected mainly by adolescent in high incidence.Objective This study was to investigate the microscopy findings of phlyctenular ophthalmia and evaluate the histological changes by laser scanning confocal microscope.Methods Twenty-nine eyes suffered from phlyctenular ophthalmia and twenty normal eyes were examined using laser scanning confocal microscope.The pictures were taken by a CCD camera.All the cases had initially chest X-ray,tuberculin test,bacterial and mycobacteria culture.Results Dendritic and inflammatory cells were increased and concentrated in conjunctiva,and epithelial cells were deformed and squamatizated.The capillaries engorged and the goblet cells were injured.The corneoscleral Vogt meshing of the phlyctenular keratitis was obscured and dendritic cells were intruded into the corneas.The corneal epithelium of phlyctenular keratitis was absent and the subepithelial nerve plexus were bended and fractured,and the dendritic and inflammatory cells were intruded.Scarring of corneal stroma was seen under the laser scanning confocal microscope.Conclusions Laser scanning confocal microscopy is valuable for basic research and clinical diagnosis of phlyctenular ophthalmia.

OBJECTIVETo describe the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of cerebral schistosomiasis.

METHODSTwenty-five patients whose diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) schistosomiasis had been pathologically (n = 8) and clinically (n = 17) confirmed were randomly selected. MRI was performed on a Signal 1. 5T MRI scanner before and after the intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine constrast medium. We reviewed the MRI studies obtained at the time of initial presentation, as well as follow-up studies obtained during and after medical treatment.

RESULTSImmunological tests in 15 patients indicated schistosomiasis haematobium. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in 22 cases showed central linear enhancement surrounded by multiple enhancing punctate nodules, which appeared "arborized". Through operation and pathological examination, 8 cases had the granuloma formation of schistosomal eggs extensive surrounded by inflammation and venous congestion. And 17 cases were treated with praziquantel and corticosteroid therapy. And they were followed up for 2 months by taking MRI, which turned out to be complete resolution of the enhancing structure and edema. At follow-up, all the patients' initial symptoms also resolved.

CONCLUSIONThe specified MRI enhancement pattern of cerebral schistosomiasis is common in most cases of CNS schistosomiasis, so it should be taken account into the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroschistosomiasis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Schistosomiasis haematobia ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of detecting specific serum IgG antibodies in clinical diagnosis of SARS as well as affecting factors.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunoassay kit for SARS coronavirus antibodies developed by HuaDa Biological Company was applied to detect specific serum IgG from SARS patients and the production of SARS specific antibodies among patients of different age groups, sex and with or without steroid treatment were statistically compared.

RESULTSOut of 121 patients studied, 71.1% were SARS specific IgG positive. Patients younger than 15 years, between 15 to 59 years, older than 59 years had positive rates of 60.0%, 70.2%, and 85.7%, respectively with no statistically significance (P=0.766); patients with or without steroid treatment showed positive rates of 70.6% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.84); patients exhibiting either severe or light syndromes showed positive rates of 78.1% and 67.4%, respectively (P=0.493); both male and female patients showed the same positive rate of 71.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity of the SARS specific IgG kit utilized needs to be further improved. The production of SARS IgG is not notably correlated with sex, age, seriousness of symptoms, and steroid treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Sappan wood (SW) on the expression of perforin mRNA in myocardium of rats after allogeneic cardiac transplantation.

METHODSThe animal model of allogeneic (abdominal) cardiac transplantation was established by taking Wistar rat as provider and SD rat as receptor, perforin mRNA expression in the model's myocardium was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSSW could obviously reduce the perforin mRNA expression, it also could alleviate the pathological morphology and ultrastructural damage of myocardial cells.

CONCLUSIONSW has obvious effect in antagonizing immune rejection after transplantation, the mechanism of its immunosuppression could be through lowering the perforin mRNA expression.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Heart Transplantation ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Perforin ; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Transplantation, Homologous