Objective To investigated the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)in mouse to rat cardiac xenograft and the effects of leflunomide and cyclosporine.Methods NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively.Mouse to rat heterotopic heart transplantation was performed(in the neck).The experiments were divided into 4 groups:CsA group,leflunomide(Lef)group,CsA+Lef group,control group.It was the time of rejection that no pulsation could be detected in the transplanted heart.The expression of ICAM-1 protein in cardiac xenograft tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in each group.Results The survival time of cardiac xenograft in control group,CsA group,Lef group and CsA+Lef group was (2.17?0.41),(2.50?1.05),(4.17?1.33)and(6.50?2.56)days respectively.The expression of ICAM-1 protein(IOD)in cardiac xenograft tissue in control group,CsA group,Lef group and CsA+ Lef group was 155.40?5.33,150.73?5.13,104.65?6.15 and 29.24?2.76 respectively.Conclu- sion The expression of ICAM-1 protein was strong in mouse to rat cardiac xenograft.The combined use of Lef and CsA can significantly suppress the expression of ICAM-1 protein in the cardiac xenograft.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). 40 newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled, including 9 in stage I, 18 in stage II, 13 in stage III. 25 patients were treated with VAD regimen, and 15 patients with the bortezomib and dexamethasone (BD) regimen. 20 healthy individuals as controls were enrolled in this study. The serum VEGF and IL-17 levels were determined by ELISA. The results indicated that the serum VEGF and IL-17 levels in the patients with MM were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P < 0.01). VEGF and IL-17 levels in stage III was significantly higher than that in stage I and II (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between IL-17 and serum calcium β2-microglobulin or C-reactive protein (P < 0.01), and there was also a positive correlation between VEGF and serum creatinine serum Bene-Jones protein λ or urinary Bene-Jones protein λ (P < 0.01). Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels significantly decreased in MM patients after treatment, and the serum levels of VEGF and IL-17 was much lower in MM patients treated with VAD regimen than those in patients treated with BD regimen. It is concluded that the detection of serum VEGF and IL-17 levels is helpful to evaluation of the clinical stages and the severity of MM.
Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

Objective To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of 10 Chinese patients with 17? hydroxylase/17,20 lyase deficiency (17OHD). Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 7 kindreds with 17OHD. PCR products and subclone sequencing were performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene. Results All patients had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. The laboratory examinations indicated decreased plasma cortisol, 17-hydroxy progesterone, estradiol and testosterone, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH), follcie-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH). CT scan showed bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. 5 CYP17A1 mutations were identified, 4 of which are novel types D487_F489del, the most frequent mutation, was identified in 4 families and 45% alleles. Conclusion Our study indicates that 17OHD should be considered in the diagnosis of patients with sexual infantilism. D487_F489del is the most frequent mutation in Chinese 17OHD patients.

BACKGROUNDThe high incidence of neuropsychologic deficits after cardiac surgery, including cognitive dysfunction and mood status, has significantly influenced the prognosis, outcome of treatment and long-term quality of life of patients. With a circadian secretion pattern, melatonin and cortisol are capable of modulating the human physiological processes and neuropsychological status, whereas disorder of their secretion pattern may lead to many diseases. However, it is unclear whether neuroendocrine variations are related to the neuropsychologic status in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODSForty male patients scheduled for CABG with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (n = 20) or off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) (n = 20) were studied. Blood samples were taken intraoperatively at specific time-points and every 3 hours within the first postoperative 24 hours to determine plasma concentrations of melatonin and cortisol. A neuropsychologic test battery including depression and anxiety was administered preoperatively and 7 to 10 days postoperatively. Statistical methods included the nonparametric analysis, multiple linear regression and cosinor analysis.

RESULTSThe patients in the CPB group exhibited more severe neuropsychologic deficits and more anxious than those in the OPCAB group after surgery. In both groups, patients were more depressed postoperatively than preoperatively and recovered 3 months after surgery. Depression and anxiety were correlated with some factors of cognitive dysfunctions. In the postoperative 24 hours, 2 patients in the CPB group, and 6 patients in the OPCAB group showed a circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion. As for cortisol secretion, there were 3 patients in the CPB group and 7 in the OPCAB group respectively. Parameters of circadian rhythm of melatonin in the CPB group and those of secretion rhythm of cortisol in both groups were correlated with depression and some neuropsychologic tests.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of neuropsychological deficits was higher in patients receiving CABG with CPB than in those without CPB. The status of mood may contribute to the perioperative cognitive dysfunctions. The disordered circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in patients undergoing CABG with CPB and the disordered cortisol secretion may correlate directly or indirectly through mood with neuropsychological deficits.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; secretion ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; secretion ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of remifentanil with fentanyl used for intraoperative anesthesia.

METHODSFifty-four patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy or total hysterectomy were randomly assigned to remifentanil group or fentanyl group with 27 cases in each group. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg) and either remifentanil (2 micrograms/kg) or fentanyl (2.5 micrograms/kg), and was maintained with inhalation of nitrous oxide in oxygen (2:1) and a continuous infusion of either remifentanil (0.2 microgram.kg-1.min-1) or fentanyl (0.03 microgram.kg-1.min-1). Depth of anesthesia, hemodynamic changes, recovery profile of anesthesia, postoperative analgesia and adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSThe number of patients exhibited light depth of anesthesia during tracheal intubation and maintenance in the remifentanil group was significantly fewer than that in the fentanyl group (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic changes during intubation, skin incision, maintenance of anesthesia and extubation in the remifentanil group were significantly smaller than those in the fentanyl group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The time to opening eyes on command and the time for extubation after surgery were comparable between the two groups. More patients in the remifentanil group required bolus injection of morphine for postoperative pain relief than those in the fentanyl group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the aspect of adverse reactions.

CONCLUSIONThe anesthetic and analgesic effects of remifentanil are more potent than those of fentanyl. Remifentanil can offer superior intraoperative hemodynamic stability compared with fentanyl without compromising recovery from anesthesia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fentanyl ; therapeutic use ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Piperidines ; therapeutic use

Derris eriocarpa, a traditional Chinese medicine belonging to the family of Leguminosae, is widely distributed mainly over Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou of China. Modern pharmacological researches on this herb showed that it had extensive bioactivities, such as promoting urination, removing dampness and cough and reducing inspissated mucus and other biological activities. The extensive studies on the chemical constituents of this plant have resulted in the isolation of triterpenoids, steroids, fatty acid and others, but the flavone compounds haven't reported before. In our further research on the ethyl acetate of this plant, nine flavone compounds were obtained by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, semi-prep HPLC, polyamide column chromatography and recrystallization for separation and purification. The structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including MS, NMR experiments and comparison with spectroscopic data in the literature, respectively, as diosmetin (1), 3, 3'-di-O-methylquercetin (2), afromosin (3), 6, 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), odoratin (5), 7, 3'-dihydroxy-8, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (6), 6, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 3'-dimethoxyisoflavone (7), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-3, 3', 5'-trimethoxyflavone (8), and alpinumisoflavone (9). All these compounds were isolated from Derris eriocarpa How for the first time. And the in vitro assays showed that compound 2 possessed moderate inhibitory activity against human cancer cells K562 and HEL.
Derris ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the residual paralysis after a single intubating dose of rocuronium and its effect of residual paralysis after a single dose of rocuronium on the postoperative pulmonary function of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries.

METHODSSixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I - II patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries were randomly divided into rocuronium (R) group (n = 30) and rocuronium + neostigmine (R + N) group (n = 30).All patients received midazolam (0.02 mg/kg), fentanyl (1 microg/kg), propofol(1.5-2 mg/kg), and rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) to facilitate tracheal intubation and no more relaxant thereafter. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen (N(2)O:O(2) = 1:1). At the end of the procedure, neuromuscular blockade was not reversed in R group, while antagonism was accomplished with neostigmine (0.04 mg/kg) and atropine (0.02 mg/kg) in R + N group. Immediately after tracheal extubation and on arrival in the PACU, the train-of-four (TOF) ratio at the adductor pollicis of all patients were measured using acceleromyography. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of all patients were measured using spirometry before surgery, after administration of midazolam and fentanyl, immediately after tracheal extubation, on arrival in the PACU, and after the TOF ratio recovered to 1.0. The TOF ratio and pulmonary function between two groups were compared.

RESULTSImmediately after tracheal extubation and on arrival in the PACU, the mean TOF ratio in R group was significantly lower than that in R + N group (P < 0.05). The mean time to achieve TOF ratio of 0.9 and 1.0 in R group was significantly longer than in R + N group (P < 0.05). Immediately after tracheal extubation and on arrival in the PACU, FVC, FEV(1), and PEFR were significantly lower in R group than in R + N group (P < 0.05). FVC, FEV(1), and PEFR after administration of midazolam and fentanyl and after TOF ratio recovered to 1.0 were significantly lower than the baseline values in all patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAfter a single intubating dose of rocuronium, residual paralysis exists in the majority of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries. The pulmonary function is impaired after the surgery, even after recovery of TOF ratio to 1.0.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Airway Extubation ; Androstanols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Paralysis ; chemically induced ; Postoperative Period ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate perioperative patterns of melatonin and cortisol secretion rhyme in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

METHODSEleven male patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled in the study. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol (3 mg.kg-1.h-1) and supplemented with fentanyl (15 micrograms/kg). Blood samples were taken during surgery at specific time-points and every 3 h in the immediate postoperative period and postoperative day 2 and day 3. Plasma melatonin and cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively.

RESULTSDuring surgery, plasma melatonin levels were below the minimum sensitivity level but low levels, without circadian variation, were measured during the immediate postoperative period. During postoperative day 2 and day 3, circadian secretion patterns of melatonin were present in 10 patients and showed an inverse correlation with light intensity exposed (r = -0.480, P = 0.01). Plasma cortisol levels in the immediate postoperative period were significantly higher than those before induction of anesthesia (P < 0.01). During postoperative day 2 and day 3, only 3 patients regained circadian secretion of cortisol.

CONCLUSIONSIt is concluded that melatonin and cortisol secretion are disrupted during cardiac surgery and in the immediate postoperative period.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Circadian Rhythm ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; secretion ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Melatonin ; secretion ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Postoperative Period

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) in the confirmation of malignant hyperthermia (MH).

METHODSOne patient who underwent radical gastrectomy presented with clinical manifestations of MH during routine intravenous-inhalation anesthesia process. Isoflurane inhalation and the operation were ceased immediately and emergency management approaches such as physical cooling therapy were taken. Meanwhile, the levels of serum creatine kinase (CK), serum myoglobin, and urinary myoglobin were examined and rectus abdominis was taken and then CHCT was performed to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Total genome was extracted from the patient and then exons 2-18, 39-46, and 90-104 of ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene were screened to detect mutations using DNA sequencing technique.

RESULTSThe patient was diagnosed as MH episode by clinical characteristics and postoperatively continuous elevation of the levels of CK, serum myoglobin, and urinary myoglobin (30 times higher than normal level). Despite halothane test was negative, the diagnosis of MH was verified by the positive result of caffeine test. DNA sequencing of RYR1 gene of the patient revealed c. 6724C > T (p. T 2 206M).

CONCLUSIONCHCT can be used to confirm the diagnosis of MH.

Anesthetics, Inhalation ; therapeutic use ; Caffeine ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Halothane ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; therapeutic use ; Malignant Hyperthermia ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Muscle, Skeletal ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Myoglobin ; blood ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) on lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer.

METHODSBy the means of immunohistochemistry, COX-2, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and D2-40 were examined in the tissue samples of primary tumors from 94 patients underwent surgical resections for breast cancer from November 1998 to March 2002. Eighty-three patients were followed-up. The expressions of VEGF-C mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot in MDA-MB-231 cell lines by the treatment of selective COX-2 inhibitor Nimesulide at different doses. The expressions of VEGF-C protein were evaluated in MDA-MB-231 cells treated by PGE2 (1 microg/ml) and Trastuzumab (1 microg/ml), respectively.

RESULTSCOX-2 over-expression was observed in 46.8% of surgical specimens (44/94), while VEGF-C overexpression occurred in 51.1% of tumor samples (48/94). COX-2 was strongly correlated with VEGF-C expression (P < 0.01), micro-lymphatic vessels (P = 0.032) and metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0. 035). Patients with COX-2 positive tumors had a significant shorter survival time than those with negative tumors did, including disease-free survival (P = 0.010) and overall survival (P = 0.040). Nimesulide could down-regulate the expressions of VEGF-C mRNA and protein in a does-dependent manner, while PGE2 could up-regulate the expressions. The expression of VEGF-C protein up-regulated by PGE2 treatment was decreased by Trastuzumab.

CONCLUSIONSCOX-2 over-expression can up-regulate the expression of VEGF-C. VEGF-C might promote lymph node metastasis by a lymph-angiogenic pathway, then affect the prognosis of the patients with breast cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; genetics ; metabolism