OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle on analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the impacts on the post-surgical flatus time.

METHODSUnder static absorptive composite general anesthesia, 90 cases of LC were randomized into three groups, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the analgesia was not applied after LC. In the analgesia-pumper group, the patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used. In the needle-retaining group, the electric acupuncture stimulator was used. The needles were inserted transversely at Riyue (GB 24), Qichong (ST 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and fixed with sterile sticker. Separately, in 8 h and 24 h after surgery, the electric acupuncture stimulation with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz frequency was applied continuously for 30 min. Visual analogue scale (VAS), adverse reactions such as vomiting and nausea and the postoperative flatus time in 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h after surgery were observed and recorded in the three groups.

RESULTSIn 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after surgery, VAS scores in the needle-retaining group and the analgesia-pumper group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The analgesia effect at the above time points in the needle-retaining group was better than that in the analgesia-pumper group (all P < 0.05). There was not adverse reaction in the needle-retaining group. But there were 3 cases of somnolence, 6 cases of nausea and 3 cases of vomiting in the analgesia-pumper group, and 2 cases of nausea and 1 case of vomiting in the control group. The flatus time was quite earlier in the needle-retaining group as compared with the other two groups [(14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.50 +/- 4.22) h, P < 0.01; (14.77 +/- 4.99) h vs (18.17 +/- 4.69) h, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe electric stimulation of long-term retaining needle is safe and effective in analgesia after LC. It avoids the adverse reactions of analgesics and promotes postoperative flatus.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; therapy

AIMTo evaluate the hypersensitivity reaction of the blank paclitaxel microemulsion and study the O/W paclitaxel microemulsion's pharmacokinetics in rats.

METHODSAn alternative paclitaxel microemulsion was prepared with small particle size. The hypersensitivity reaction of the blank microemulsion was investigated in guinea pigs. In pharmacokinetic study, 5 rats were given i.v. Taxol or paclitaxel microemulsion. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 h and the concentration of paclitaxel in plasma was determined by HPLC method. The data obtained were processed using 3P87 program.

RESULTSThe mean size of the microemulsion is 17.2 nm. The preparation of blank microemulsion did not show any hypersensitivity, while the injection of commercial product showed significant hypersensitivity. The concentration-time curve of paclitaxel microemulsion and commercial injection (Taxol) fitted a two-compartment model. The K10, K12, K21 and AUC of paclitaxel microemulsion were 0.571.h-1, 1.441.h-1, 3.081.h-1 and 34.98 mg.h.L-1. Those of commercial injection were 1.291.h-1, 1.271.h-1, 0.511.h-1 and 21.85 mg.h.L-1.

CONCLUSIONThe blank paclitaxel preparation of micoemulsion reduced the hypersensitivity in guinea pigs compared with the blank commercial injection. The paclitaxel microemulsion has relatively longer circulating time in rats.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Emulsions ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; methods ; Spine ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

At present, cancer is still one of the most serious threats to human health. Despite the wide application of multiple cancer therapies in clinical practice, the therapeutic effects of most cancers are still far from satisfactory. In recent years, the discovery of regulated cell death may be a good first step on the road to treat cancer. Ferroptosis is triggered by lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membrane catalyzed by iron ion. It has been widely concerned as an emerging target for cancer therapy. With the booming of biomedical nanotechnology, ferroptosis as an emerging therapeutic target has attracted extensive attention. Here, we review the advance on the intersection of ferroptosis and biomedical nanotechnology. First, the research background of ferroptosis and nano-preparation as well as the feasibility of ferroptosis-based nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) for cancer treatment are presented and analyzed. Then, the strategies for inducing ferroptosis based on nano-DDS are summarized, mainly including: the promotion of Fenton reaction, the inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) and the restriction of the cysteine-glutamate exchange transporter (system Xc^-). Furthermore, the combination therapy strategies based on biomedical nanotechnology induced ferroptosis are also discussed. Finally, we shine the spotlight on the prospects and challenges of ferroptosis-based nanotherapeutics in clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene transfected bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) on cochlear spiral ganglion cells (SGC) impaired by aminoglycoside antibiotics (AmAn).

METHODSThe differentiation of BMSC transfected by BDNF gene (BDNF-BMSC) were detected with immunohistochemical examination of Nestin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) antibody in vitro. BDNF gene transfected BMSC were transplanted into the cochleae of guinea pigs deafened by amikacin, while the control groups were designed in which artificial perilymphatic fluid (APF), BMSC or BDNF gene was injected into cochleae alone. The cochleae were obtained on the week 1, 2 and 4 after injection, respectively, paraffin-embedded, and cut in a paramodiolar plane subsequently. The histopathological changes of cochleae were observed, the density of SGC was calculated by staining with HE, and the corresponding optical density (COD) was calculated with immunohistochemical staining using NSE antibody. And the protective role of various groups on the cochlear SGC were compared.

RESULTSThe positive staining rate of BDNF gene transfected BMSC with Nestin, NSE and GFAP antibody were all higher than that of BMSC in vitro (P < 0.01). After transplantation into cochleae, the differences of SGC density and COD among various groups were all significant on the same time points (P < 0.05). The SGC density and COD of the BDNF gene transfected BMSC group were the highest. The SGC density and COD of various groups on week 4 were all obviously decreased than those on week 1 and 2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAmAn-induced SGC damage could be depressed by BMSC, BDNF gene or BDNF gene transfected BMSC transplantation into cochleae, while BDNF gene transfected BMSC showed the best protective role.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Cochlea ; cytology ; Guinea Pigs ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Spiral Ganglion ; cytology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the phenotypes and functions of cord blood dendritic cells of fetuses whose mothers are patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSPeripheral blood and cord blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from whole blood by density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll-Hypaque. The adherent cells were cultured in AIM-V medium containing recombinant human IL-4, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. On day 9, mature DCs (mDC) were harvested and used for phenotype analysis. The amounts of IL-12 which dendritic cells produced were measured. The dendritic cells that were studied and compared were from cord blood of fetuses of both CHB positive and negative mothers and from CHC adult peripheral blood.

RESULTSThe expression rate of CD80 and CD83 of chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood dendritic cells was low compared with that of the healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood, and chronic hepatitis B adult peripheral blood, P < 0.05. The amount of IL-12 produced by chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood dendritic cells was lower than that of healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood, chronic hepatitis B adult peripheral blood (P < 0.05). The T lymphocyte proliferation inducing ability of dendritic cells of healthy adult peripheral blood was higher in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes proliferation, which was greater than that of the healthy adult peripheral blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes and was greater than that of the healthy cord blood dendritic cells in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of the healthy cord blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of chronic hepatitis B mothers in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONThe maturation and functioning of CHB mother cord blood dendritic cells were lower than those of healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood and CHB adult peripheral blood.

Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo establish in vitro culture systems of greater epithelial ridge (GER) cells from rat cochlear and to investigate the characterization, growth pattern and ultrastructure of GER cells.

METHODSUsing a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digestion and mechanical separation to allow isolation and culture of GER cells from P1 rat cochleae. The dissociated GER cells were cultured in serum-free or 10% fetal bovine serum DMEM respectively. BrdU, phalloidin, ZO1, calretinin and myosin VIIa immunostaining and scanning electron microscope observation were performed in GER cell cultures.

RESULTSThe dissociated GER cell cultures showed positive to ZO1, phalloidin and BrdU staining, but negative to myosin VIIa and calretinin. They assumed a polygonal morphology which was similar to epithelial cells and grew in islands-like patches in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum while forming spheres in serum-free medium. The GER cells presented significant ability to proliferate in both conditions. Scanning electron microscope showed that there was microvillus and centre bodies but not hair cell specific stereociliary bundles on the surface of GER cultures.

CONCLUSIONSThe GER cell cultures showed significant ability to proliferate and grew in islands-like patches in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum while forming spheres in serum-free medium. The dissociated GER cells expressed epithelial cell specific marker but not marker of hair cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Cochlea ; cytology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of matrix metalloprotein-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) in the renal allografts of patients with chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), and explore their role in the pathogenesis of ABMR.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry and computer-assisted image analysis were used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in the renal allografts of 46 patients with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA), with 15 normal renal tissue specimens as the control. The association of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 with the pathological grade of IF/TA in ABMR was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 significantly increased in the renal tissues of the patients as compared with the normal renal tissues (P<0.05). MMP-2 expression tended to decrease, while TIMP-1 and serum creatinine increased with the pathological grades of IF/TA (P<0.05). In IF/TA group, the expression of TIMP-1 was positively correlated to serum creatinine level (r=0.718, P=0.00<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAbnormal expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 can promote the development of renal fibrosis in chronic ABMR.

Adult ; Antibody Formation ; Complement C4b ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; etiology ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo report the incidence and analyze the factor predisposing to cardiovascular complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx).

METHODSA retrospective study was made for the patients who develop of all cases in which patients presented with cardiovascular complications after OLTx from April 1993 to December 2001 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou.

RESULTSEighty-nine liver transplants were performed in 88 patients. Cardiovascular complications developed in 65 (73%) patients. Among these 65 complications, 6 were myocardiac ischemia, 9 were heart failure, 59 were hypertension and 5 were pulmonary hypertension. portoperative mortality rate related to cardiovascular complication was 12.4% (11/89). Except for the preexisting coronary artery disease, the unbalance between coagulant and anticoagulant function in patients after OLTx may play a role in myocardiac ischemia after OLTx. Heart failure was correlated with massive intraoperative blood transplantation (chi2=5.714, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCardiovascular complications are common after OLTx. They are severe and highly related to mortality. The unbalance between coagulant and anticoagulant function in patients after OLTx resulting in the thrombosis in coronary artery may be the cause of myocardiac ischemia. Massive intraoperative blood transplantation may be responsible for heart failure.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Female ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; therapy ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; therapy ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the hemodynamics of rats with immunological liver fibrosis and explore the pathogenesis of "blood stasis" in liver fibrosis.

METHODSRat models of liver fibrosis were established by multiple intraperitoneal injections of pig serum. The hematocrit, blood viscosity at the shear rate of 150/s, 30/s, 5/s, and 1/s, serum markers for liver fibrosis, and serum transaminase levels were measured in the control and model rats.

RESULTSThe hematocrit, blood viscosity at different shear rates, hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type III (PCIII), type IV collagen (CIV), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) increased significantly in the rats with experimental liver fibrosis appeared as compared with those in the control rats. Positive correlations were noted between blood viscosity at different shear rates and serum concentrations of the fibrosis markers (HA, LN, PCIII, and CIV) in the model rats.

CONCLUSIONThe changes in the hemodynamics in rats with immunological liver fibrosis suggests the role of "blood stasis" in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and provide experimental evidence for therapies to "activate the blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis" for treatment of liver fibrosis.

Animals ; Blood Viscosity ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; blood ; immunology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley