Objective To explore the relationship of the ratio of plasma adrenomedullin(AM)and endothelin-1(ET-1)with serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in full-term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Plasma concentrations of AM,ET-1 and serum NSE from 32 full-term neonates with HIE were detected by radioimmunoassay(RIA)on the 1,3 and 7 d after parturition,30 neonates in the corresponding periods in our hospital were employed as controls.The infants with HIE were divided into mild,moderate or severe group in terms of diagnostic standard of HIE.Results 1.Plasma concentrations of AM and ET-1 in newborns with mild,moderate or severe HIE were significantly higher than that of control group at 1 d after life with a decline from 3-7 d(Pa

Objective To explore the effect of exogenous adrenomedullin(ADM) on expressions of glutathion in plasma and brain tissue inneonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemia reperfusion brain damage(HIRBD) and the mechanism of action.Methods Fifty-six cases of 7 d SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including normal control group(without any treatment),HIRBD group(the model with hypoxia for 2 h and ischemia for 1 h),primed group(abdomen infusion of ADM at 0.5 h before making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group)and treatment group(abdomen infusion of ADM at onces after making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group).The neonatal rats in 4 groups were derived blood and brain tissue after decapitation at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of gtutathion(GSH) in plasma and brain tissue were determined by using chromatometry.Results In HIRBD group,the affection areas at 24 h after reperfusion enlarged compared with those at 4 h after reperfusion.Meanwhile,the affection of punctiform degeneration or necrosis at 4 h after reperfusion transformed into the affection of lamellar or diffuse degeneration or necrosis at 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of GSH in plasma and brain tissue in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion were significantly lower than that in normal control group(Pa0.05).Meanwhile the pathology score of brain section in primed group and treatment group were significantly lower than that in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion(Pa0.05).Conclusion Exogenous ADM can induce the neuroprotection in HIRBD by adjusting the expression of GSH.

Objective:To observe the effects of AFP gene silencing by siRNA on the Survivin mRNA of hepatocellular carcino-ma cell line HepG2. Methods:AFP gene expression was downregulated in HepG2 cell by RNAi, and the AFP content in the superna-tant was detected by ELISA. Survivin mRNA level was tested by RT-PCR. MTT was applied to evaluate cell proliferation. Flow cytom-etry was employed to observe cell apoptosis. Results:At 48 h after transfection, AFP expression was almost completely inhibited, cell proliferation activity was decreased by 43.1%, cell apoptosis rate was increased by 24.3%, and the Survivin mRNA expression was re-duced to 22.0%in the experimental group. No evident changes were observed in negative control and blank groups. Conclusion:AFP gene silenced by RNAi induces growth inhibition and apoptosis promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. This gene may be associated with the suppression of Survivin mRNA.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of the superficial venous trunk (SVT) and its nourishing vessels on early revascularization of the reverse-flow random flap in order to provide theoretical evidences for clinical applications.

METHODSThe morphologic changes of micrangium of the reverse-flow random flap with SVT and without SVT were observed at different phases and compared by optical microscopy and stereological methods.

RESULTSThe micrangium density of the flaps with SVT and without SVT showed a tendency of increasing at 3 days after the operation. At 5 to 10 days, the micrangium density of the flap with SVT was much higher than the flap without SVT. There was significant difference between the two groups, which was proved by the optical microscopy observation.

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that SVT and its nourishing vessels could promote early revascularization of the flap after transplantation. The SVT can be of benefit to the survival of the reverse-flow random flap.

Animals ; Graft Survival ; Microcirculation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Veins ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo prepare monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and to study their biological characteristics.

METHODSBALB/C mice were immunized with pooled hMSCs. McAbs were prepared by hybridoma technique and their biological characteristics were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

RESULTFive hybridoma cell lines were successfully established, which secret McAbs specifically against hMSCs. Investigations showed that all these McAb reacted only to hMSCs and had no cross-reaction to other human cells, the relative affinities of 5 McAbs were 1x10(6) (ZUB1), 1x10(5) (ZUB4), 1x10(6) (ZUC3), ZUE12 (1x10(5)) and 1x10(5) (ZUF10), respectively. Isotype analysis showed that ZUB1, ZUE12, ZUF10 against the same isotype, while ZUC3, ZUB4 against other two different isotypes alone. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the positive expression rate of cultured hMSCs was 87.39% (ZUB1), 88.07% (ZUB4), 88.12% (ZUC3), 69.89% (ZUE12) and 83.67% (ZUF10).

CONCLUSIONThe prepared five McAbs can specifically react against hMSCs, which can be used for selection and study of hMCSs.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Antibody Specificity ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; methods ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; secretion ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin M ; immunology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo study the oncogenic potential of mouse translation initiation factor 3 (TIF3) and elongation factor-1delta (TEF-1delta) in malignant transformed human bronchial epithelial cells induced by crystalline nickel sulfide (NiS).

METHODSAbnormal expressions of human TIF3 and TEF-1delta genes in two kinds of NiS-transformed cells and NiS-tumorigenic cell lines were investigated and analyzed by the reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR), respectively.

RESULTSRT-PCR analysis primarily showed that both human TIF3 and TEF-1delta mRNA expressions in two kinds of NiS-transformed cells and NiS-tumorigenic cell lines were increased as compared with controls. FQ-PCR assay showed that the levels of TIF3 expressions in the transformed cells and tumorigenic cells were 3 and 4 times higher respectively, and the elevated expressions of TEF-1delta cDNA copies were 2.7- to 3.5-fold in transformed cells and 4.1- to 5.2-fold in tumorigenic cells when compared with non-transformed cells, indicating that the over-expressions of human TIF3 and TEF-1delta genes were related to malignant degree of the cells induced by nickel.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings demonstrate that there are markedly abnormal expressions of TIF3 and TEF-1delta genes during malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cell lines induced by crystalline NiS. They seem to be the molecular mechanisms potentially responsible for human carcinogensis due to nickel.

Biomarkers ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; DNA, Complementary ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prokaryotic Initiation Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investegate the role of calcineurin (CaN) and its downstream nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc3) in abdominal aorta restenosis following balloon dilatation in rats.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, balloon group and cyclosporine A (CsA) group. The rats in the latter two groups were subjected to abdominal aorta injury with balloon dilatation, and those in CsA group were treated with CsA at the daily dose of 12.5 mg/kg from 3 days before the surgery to the end of the experiment. Thirty days afer the injury, histological analysis of the arterial wall was carried out with HE staining and immunohistochemistry. The expressions of CaN and NFATc3 in the abdominal aortas were detected with rea1-time PCR, and serum concentration of MCP-1 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIntimal hyperplasia with irregular thickness of the neointima was observed in the aorta of rats with ballon injury. In rats with CsA treatment, the area of the intimal layers and the ratio of the intimal to the medial layers were obviously lower than those in the balloon injury group (P<0.05). Compared to those in the sham-operated group, the expressions of calcineurin protein and mRNA and NFATc3 mRNA in the arterial wall and serum level of MCP-1 increased significantly in the ballon injury group (P<0.05). CsA treatment significantly suppressed aorta restenosis and the alterations of CaN, NFATc3 and serum MCP-1 induced by ballon dilatation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCaN-NFATc3 signal transduction pathway mediates restenosis of rat abdominal aorta following ballon dilatation, and CsA can attenuate the restenosis by suppressing this pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the new characteristics on diagnosis and treatment of renal tuberculosis (RT).

METHODSEighty-seven patients with renal tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed; their diagnosis was established by standard microbiological and histological techniques.

RESULTSAtypical RT was diagnosed by various examinations, including urinary analysis, polymerase chain reaction of tuberculosis (PCR-TB), ultrasonography, intravenous urography (i.v.U), and computerized tomography (CT). Treatment consisted of antituberculous chemotherapy in all patients, in combination with nephrectomy (62.5%) or enterocystoplasty (4.6%).

CONCLUSIONSThe differential diagnosis of RT should be emphasized, especially for atypical RT, provided a much more specific diagnosis in clinical suspicion of RT. i.v.U can not be regarded as a specific examination for RT. Computerised tomography (CT) can be used for early diagnosis of RT. Surgery for RT is still ablative.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical value and application range of defecography, CT and MRI in diagnosis of puborectalis syndrome (PRS).

METHODSThe clinical data of 83 PRS patients, including defecography, CT and MRI scanning in pelvic floor resting and defecation at maximum exertion, measurement of anorectal angle (ARA), length and depth of ARA impression and the thickness of the puborectalis muscle, were collected, and compared with those of 56 normal persons.

RESULTSFor normal persons, ARA at maximum exertion was more significantly increased than that at resting. In 62 cases with PRS, ARA at maximum exertion was more obviously reduced than that at resting and associated with puborectalis muscle (PRM) impression. In the other 21 cases, ARA showed no changes at either maximum exertion or resting, a little or no excretion of barium appeared and "shelving syndrome" was showed. The cross-sectional images of CT and MRI showed that the puborectalis of PRS patients were thicker than that of normal persons (P<0.01). PRS patients also showed clear pelvic floor muscle, fasciae and peripheral crevice.

CONCLUSIONSDefecography, manifested the abnormal function of the puborectalis muscles, is a reliable method for diagnosis of PRS. In the meantime, CT and MRI are able to clearly display the position, growth status and size of the puborectalis muscles as well as its relation with adjacent structures, which provide further understandings on anatomical changes, abnormal adjacent structure and other functional diseases of pelvic floor in PRS patients. Therefore, an appropriate combination of the 3 methods play an important role in the early diagnosis of PRS and guidance for surgical treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Muscular Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Perineum ; Radiography ; Rectal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between malignant transformation and abnormal expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3 p36) in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2).

METHODS16HBE cells were treated several times with different concentrations of CdCl2. Tumorigenic potential of transformed cells was identified by assays for anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and for tumorigenicity in nude mice after the 35th passage. Total RNA was isolated from 16HBE cells induced by CdCl2, including non-transformed, Cd-transformed, and Cd-tumorigenic cell lines. Special primers for eIF3 p36 were designed and the expression of eIF3 mRNA in different cell lines was detected with fluorescent quantitative-polymerase chain reaction technique (FQ-PCR).

RESULTSThe 35th passage of 16HBE cells transformed by CdCl2 exhibited overlapping growth. Compared with the non-transformed cells, colonies of transformed cell lines in soft agar showed statistically significant increases and dose-dependent effects (P<0.01). All Cd-induced transformed cell lines formed tumors in nude mice within 2 weeks of inoculation, but none of the mice injected with non-transformed cells showed tumors even after 3 weeks. All tumors were pathologically identified as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The eIF3 p36 genes in different stages of 16HBE cells transformed by CdCl2 were elevated as compared with the non-transformed control (P<0.01), and the eIF3 expression increased with the degree of cell malignancy.

CONCLUSIONCdCl2 is capable of inducing morphological transformation in 16HBE cells and transformed cells are potentially tumorigenic. Over-expression of eIF3 p36 is positively correlated with malignant transformation of 16HBE cells induced by CdCl2 and may be one of the molecular mechanisms potentially responsible for carcinogenesis due to Cd.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cadmium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; DNA Primers ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polymerase Chain Reaction