To investigate the relationship between endothelium dysfunction and experimental vasospasm, twenty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups: sham operation control group(Group 1, n=8), balloon endothelial denudation + normal diet group (Group 2, n=8) and balloon endothelial denudation + hypercholesterol diet group (Group 3, n=12). Angiography was performed to detect the vasospasm induced by ergonovine and endothelium-dependent vasodilator response induced by acetylcholine before and immediately after denudation and 8 week later. Visible vasospasm was induced at the denuded sites in group 3, and endothelium dysfunction was also found in the same locations. Positive correlation was showed between vasospasm and endothelium dysfunction. Endothelium dysfunction resulted from balloon endothelial denudation and hypercholesterolemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental vasospasm.

[Objective]To compare the treatment effects between posterior single segment fusion or non-fusion in lumbar spinal disease,and to evaluate their influence on adjacent segments.[Method]Thirty-two cases of degenerative lumbar spinal disorders were treated with Coflex(group non-fusion) and PLIF(group fusion),and followed up for over 2 years.The clinical effect was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI).Range of motion(ROM) of lumbar segments was measured by X-ray film.[Result]In group non-fusion,VAS decreased from 7.8?1.2 pre-operatively to 2.1?0.6 at final follow-up,ODI from 30.8?3.2 to 4.6?1.2,ROM improved significantly.In group fusion,VAS decreased from 7.2?1.1 to 2.0?0.6,ODI from 29.9?3.0 to 4.5?0.9,and ROM of L3、4 improved significantly.No significant difference of clinical effect was found between 2 groups.[Conclusion]Both fusion and non-fusion fixation have satisfying effects in treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal disorder.Non-fusion fixation has less influence on ROM of lumbar segments and could reduce adjacent segment degeneration.

Adult ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; microbiology ; Enterococcus faecium ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA and capable of significantly suppressing the ROCK2 gene expression in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODSWe designed and synthesized 4 siRNA fragments targeting the ROCK2 gene and packaged them into lentiviral vectors. We collected corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell samples from 5 male SHRs and randomly divided them into groups A (non-transfection control), B (GFP lentiviral transfection), C, D, E, and F (lentiviral transfection with siRNA fragments 1 -4 targeting the ROCK2 gene). Each group consisted of 5 samples and each sample 3 x 10(4) cells. At 48 hours after transfecting MOI = 80 into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, we detected the expression of GFP under the fluorescent microscope and the mRNA expression of the ROCK2 gene by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency of the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells was > 50%. Compared with group A, the expression of ROCK2 mRNA in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells showed no remarkable change in group B (P > 0.05) but was inhibited very significantly in C ([43.91 +/- 8.19]%), D ([47.15 +/- 6.64]%), and F ([25.7 +/- 6.03]%) (P < 0.01), and significantly in E ([16.81 +/- 5.94]%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWe successfully constructed 4 lentiviral vectors carrying siRNA targeting the ROCK2 gene, all of which can significantly suppress the ROCK2 expression in the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and one has a highly strong inhibitory effect.

Animals ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Penis ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Transfection ; methods ; rho-Associated Kinases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of retroviral endostatin gene transfer on the human colon cancer cell line, LoVo.

METHODSA retroviral vector pLESSN expressing secretable endostatin was constructed and packaged with a titer of 8.2 x 10(5) CFU/ml. A LoVo cell line was subjected to retrovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer. The proviral integration of endostatin was analyzed with PCR. The function of endostatin was tested by MTT assay in vitro and a mouse xenograft model in vivo.

RESULTSAfter transfection and superinfection, amphotropic retrovirus was collected, and transduction with amphotropic retroviruses resulted in endostatin proviral integration. The endostatin secreted by transduced LoVo cells markedly inhibited cell growth up to 67% (P<0.001), compared with the control cells. The gene expression of endostatin in LoVo colon tumor cells significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. There was an 86% reduction in tumor size in the endostatin-transduced group, accompanied by a reduction in vessels, compared with the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONRetroviruses can allow functional expression of the endostatin gene in human colon tumors, showing promise for an antitumor strategy using antiangiogenesis.

Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Endostatins ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Retroviridae

Objective To investigate the effects of tagged fluid and substraction in CT virtual colonoscopy (CTVC) on the conspicuity of polyps and to confirm the optimal attenuation value and the optimal viewing window. Methods Polyps measured 3-10 mm were created in fresh porcine colon in vitro and submerged in saline and mixed with positive contrast medium for the CT values of 200 HU, 400 Hu, 600 HU, and 800 HU. Polyps were measured before and after substraction and compared with those in the control group. The effects of different viewing windows and different attenuation values on the measurement and conspicuity of polyps were analyzed. Results The optimal attenuation value of tagged fluid was 800 HU and the optimal viewing window was colon (-150 HU, 1 500 HU) and bone (500 HU, 2 500 HU). Conclusion The combination of tagged fluid and CT substraction can improve the conspicuity of small polyps covered by colonic fluid.

Now symptomatic extracranial and intracranial stenting usually uses bare metal stents, but the incidence of restenosis is higher.The studies of drug-eluting stems for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis have suggested that the incidence of restenosis decreases significantly. Although extracranial and intracranial drug-eluting stem placement appears to be safe,further large,prospective,randomized,controlled trials are needed to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness.

Objective To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), microvessel density (MVD) and the relationship among angiogenesis,proliferation,and apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Expression of VEGF mRNA was evaluated by semi quantitative RT PCR in 52 CRC samples and 48 adjacent normal colorectal tissue samples. The PCR product was sequenced to verify the desired results. Expressions of VEGF protein, MVD, proliferating index (PI), and apoptotic index (AI) were detected by immunohistochemical methods in 52 human CRC. Results Expression of VEGF mRNA was detected in a significantly greater proportion of colorectal carcinoma samples than that adjacent normal colorectal tissues (76.9% vs. 52.1%; P 0.05). The expression of VEGF protein was positively correlated with PI ( r =0.409, P 0.05). Conclusions VEGF may play an important role in the angiogenesis of colorectal carcinoma and cell proliferation, but may not directly correlate with cell apoptosis.

With the popularization of ureteroscopy, ureteral avulsion has become a common complication of urological surgery in recent years. In the study, we reviewed the clinical management of 2 patients who underwent emergency ureterostomy and selective operation of ileoureteral substitution, emergency repair and selective operation of Boari-flap ureteroneocystostomy respectively. After 22 and 17 months of follow-up, no ureter stricture were found, and hydronephrosis were relieved compared with preoperative in both.

Objective To explore the role of LiCl in microbial suppurative keratitis .Methods Western-blot assay was used to detect the efficacy of LiCl .Inflammatory cytokine levels were examined using Real-time PCR .Cell apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL and flow cytometry assays .Results LiCl promoted corneal resistance to PA infection .Real-time PCR data showed that LiCl enhanced IL-10 expression ,but suppressed TNF-expression .TUNEL and flow cytometry data showed that LiCl promoted the apoptosis of infiltrating cells .Conclusion LiCl promoted host resistance against microbial suppurative keratitis ,via regulating in-flammatory cytokine expression and cell apoptosis .