AlM: To study the therapeutic effect of external-route microsurgery forrhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
METHODS: ln 55 patients ( 55 eyes ) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, drainage of subretinal fluid, examination of locating the holes, sclera cryotherapy, scleral buckling, and vitreous cavity injection of filtrated air were performed under surgical microscope.
RESULTS:The retinal reattachment occurred in 50 cases after the primary surgery. The final rate of reattachment was 91% during 6 - 12mo follow - up. The retinal reattachment occurred in 1 case ( recurrent retinal detachment) after the secondary surgery and in 4 cases ( recurrent retinal detachment ) after vitrectomy. The eyesight was improved with different degrees in 55 cases.CONCLUSlON: The external- route microsurgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is simple, safe and effective.

Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The stems and branches of Hypericum petiolulatum were extracted by alcohol and liquid-liquid extraction. Seven furofuran lignans were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of H. petiolulatum by using silica gelchromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by the spectroscopic methods as pinoresinol (1), medioresinol (2), 8-acetoxypinoresinol (3), epipinoresinol (4), (+)-syringaresinol (5), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol (6) and erythro-buddlenolE (7). All the isolates were firstly found in H. petiolulatum. In the bioassay, compound 7 showed remarkable antioxidative activity inhibiting Fe(+2)-cystine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation with inhibitory rate 38% at a concentration of 1 x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) (positive control Vit E with the inhibitory rate of 35% at the same concentration).
Animals ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rats

AIM:To explore the effect of curcumin(Cur)and curcuminoids(Y20 and 6B)on the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor(SLPI), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)and the possible mechanism.METHODS:BEAS-2B cells incubated with SP were set up as an inflammation model of pneumonia.The mRNA levels of SLPI at 1 h,3 h,6 h and 9 h,and the mRNA expression of TNF-αand IL-1βat 3 h,6 h and 9 h in control group,SP infection group,Cur treatment group,Y20 treatment group and 6B treatment group were measured by qPCR.The protein levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA.The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB) p65 at 3 h,6 h and 9 h were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The mRNA level of SLPI was increased in Cur, Y20 and 6B treatment groups compared with SP group(P<0.05).The protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were sig-nificantly increased after SP stimulation.After treatment with Cur,Y20 and 6B,the protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-αand IL-1βwere significantly increased after SP stimula-tion.Cur,Y20 and 6B significantly decreased the levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the supernatant(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION: Cur, Y20 and 6B increase SLPI expression, reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-1β. The possible mechanism might be associated with inhibiting TLR 2 expression and down-regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that delayed X-irradiation can enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord in rats.

METHODSSeventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, 35 rats in each. The control group sustained a one-minute clip compression (force of clip was 30 g) injury of the spinal cord at the T2 level, without X-irradiation. The experimental group received X-irradiation 14 days after injury. Neurological function was assessed by the modified Tarlov method, including hind limbs movement, inclined plane, and pain withdrawal. These tests were performed in a blinded fashion at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after injury. At 43 days after injury, histological examination of the injured spinal cord was performed following decapitation of the rats.

RESULTSSixty-two rats met the experimental requirements (spinal cord injury was similar), 32 rats in experimental group and 30 rats in control group. Statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in hind limbs movement and inclined plane (P < 0.01), but not in the pain withdrawal test. The edema and necrosis areas of injured spinal cords in experimental group were less than those in control group, and axons in experimental group were significantly more than those in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDelayed X-irradiation following spinal cord injury may enhance functional recovery by improving and restoring structural integrity of the injured spinal cord in rats.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Hindlimb ; Joints ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; Movement ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; radiotherapy ; rehabilitation ; Weight-Bearing ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hypothermia on the antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of equal number: Group A (torsion) , Group B (torsion + hypothermia) and Group C (control). The animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, and underwent detorsion two hours later. Fourteen days later, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde(MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer and histological changes were observed by light microscope.

RESULTSThe T-AOC of Group B was significantly greater than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but less than that of Group C (P < 0.01). The MDA level of Group B was lower than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but higher than that of Group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHypothermia can restrain the production of oxygen free radicals following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats, which in turn can inhibit lipid peroxidation and increase the survivability of the torsional testis.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Lipid Peroxidation ; physiology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Testis ; pathology

Objective To express, purify and refold recombinant luteinizing hormone releasing hormone-angiogenin(LHRH-Ang) toxin using E. coli. expression system. Methods Recombinant LHRHAng expression vector was constructed by replacing of EGF fragment in plasmid pET28a/EGF-Ang with LHRH-P Ⅱ fragment amplified from plasmid pET28/MSH-PEA0. DNA sequencing would be used to verify the correction of fused LHRH-P Ⅱ -Ang gene. Then, E. coli strain BI21 (DE3) was transformed by pET28a/LHRH-Ang vector. Expression of recombinant LHRH-Ang toxin was induced by Isopropyl-β-D-Thiogalactoside( IPTG ). Refolding effects of gradient dialysis was evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Results Prokaryotic expression vector pET28a/LHRH-Ang, containing LHRH-P Ⅱ -Ang fusion gene, was constructed by PCR amplification, restriction enzyme digestion and ligation method. Sequence correction of fusion gene was confirmed by DNA sequencing After IPGT induction, recombinant LHRH-Ang protein was expressed in BL21 ( DE3 ) as inclusion body ,it took 18.43% of total protein. Inclusion body was resolved in 8 mol/L urea and purified by DEAE-Sepharose FF column, the purity was 85%. Recombinant LHRH-Ang toxin was refolded and concentrated by gradient dialysis and PEG 20000, respectively. Conclusions Recombinant LHRH-Ang protein was expressed in E. coli and refolded successfully.

BACKGROUNDLong-term use of steroid with large dosage might cause many adverse effects in kidney transplant patients; reducing steroid dosage to a low level for maintenance is helpful in avoiding the side-effects, but meanwhile, acute rejection may rise to be a main concern. The present research monitored the immune function changes and the incidence of acute rejection and infection after rapid steroid reduction to investigate the safety of this strategy.

METHODSA prospective trial was conducted, using tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil as the basic immunosuppressive regimen, in addition to antibody induction with basiliximab. Corticosteroid dosage was rapidly reduced to 10 mg/d seven days post-transplantation in the experimental group, and the standard corticosteroid therapy was employed in the control group. Patient immunity was monitored by the Immune Cell Function Assay pre- and two weeks post-transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection and infection were compared between the experimental and control group.

RESULTSComparison of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) values detected two weeks post-transplantation for the control group ((324 ± 45) ng/ml) and the experimental group ((345 ± 91) ng/ml) did not reveal a significant difference (P > 0.05). The incidence of acute rejection was analogous between groups (P > 0.05), while an increased incidence of infection was observed in the control group (53% (n = 16)) versus the experimental group (22% (n = 6), P < 0.05). Overall, recipients in the control group had longer and more recurrent infections than those in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Patients in the control group had a lower immune response ((235 ± 35) ng/ml) than those in the experimental group ((286 ± 16) ng/ml) when infection occurred (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRapid reduction of steroid early after kidney transplantation does not lead to a significant rise in patient immunity. It is a safe and effective therapy for kidney transplant patients.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transperineal ultrasonic therapy for chronic prostatitis (CP) by analyzing the scores of NIH-CPSI and the results of prostate fluid routine examination.

METHODSWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, multi-centered trial on 96 CP patients that met the inclusion criteria. We divided the patients into groups A (trial) and B (control) of equal number, the former treated by transperineal ultrasound, while the latter with the same machine but no ultrasound waves, 10 min a time qd alt for 2 weeks. Then we evaluated the therapeutic effect and safety by comparing the scores of NIH-CP-SI and counts of white blood cells (WBC) and lecithin corpuscles (LC) in the prostate fluid between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effectiveness rate was 70.83% in group A and 25% in group B (P < 0.01). The scores on prostate pain, urinary symptoms and quality of life as well as the total NIH-CPSI score were significantly improved in group A as compared with pretreatment (P < 0.05), and so were the prostate pain score and total NIH-CPSI score in group B (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the scores on prostate pain and urinary symptoms and total NIH-CPSI score after treatment (P < 0.05), but not in any of the NIH-CPSI scores before treatment (P > 0.05), nor were there any significant differences in the counts of WBCs and LC either between the two groups or within each group before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Two patients experienced adverse events in group A, and 1 in group B (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransperineal ultrasonic therapy is highly effective for CP, especially in relieving prostate pain. With its advantages of safety, easy operation and high acceptability, it deserves a wider clinical application.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perineum ; surgery ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the durability of quantum dots with that of green fluorescein for labeling survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) and investigate the difference in growth and apoptosis of cells transfected with the labeled survivin ASODN.

METHODSSurvivin ASODN labeled with quantum dots or green fluorescein was transfected into MCF-7 cells via Lipolifectmain(TM2000). The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was assessed with MTT assay, survivin mRNA expression determined by RT-PCR and its protein expression measured by Western blot analysis. The apoptosis rate of the transfected cells was estimated by flow cytometry, and the fluorescence distribution in the cells observed under fluorescent inverted microscope.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of survivin were significantly decreased in the MCF-7 cells after cell transfection with survivin ASODN labeled with quantum dots or green fluorescein, and no significant difference was noted between the two labeling methods (P>0.05). Nor did survivin ASODN transfection with different labeling methods produced significant difference in cell proliferation and apoptotic rate (P>0.05). For green fiuorescein labeling, the fluorescence disappeared 4 days after transfection, whereas the fluorescence sustained for 1 week for quantum dots labeling.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin ASODNs labeled with quantum dots and green fiuorescein do not significantly differ in survivin expression or the transfected cell proliferation and apoptosis rate, but quantum dot labeling can be more stable with longer maintcnance of the labeling.

Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescein ; chemistry ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; chemistry ; genetics ; Quantum Dots ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Transfection