AIMTo investigate the effect of 8-opioid receptors in the cardioprotection elicited by ischemic postconditioning and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe isolated perfused hearts of male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Formazan content of myocardium was measured spectrophotometrically, and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was measured. In isolated ventricular myocytes hypoxic postconditioning was achieved by 3 cycles of 5 min reoxygenation/5 min hypoxia starting at the beginning of reoxygenation, and cell viability was measured.

RESULTSIn the Langendorff perfused rat heart model, ischemic postconditioning (6 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s global ischemia starting at the beginning of reperfusion) increased formazan content, reduced LDH release, improved the recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure, maximal rise/fall rate of left ventricular pressure and rate pressure product (left ventricular developed pressure multiplied by heart rate), attenuated the decrease of coronary flow during reperfusion and increased the isolated cell viability. Pretreatment with naltrindole, an antagonist of delta-opioid receptors and calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) blocker paxilline attenuated the effect of ischemic/hypoxic postconditioning.

CONCLUSIONThe findings indicate that ischemic postconditioning protects myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activating delta-opioid receptors and opening KCa.

Animals ; Cell Survival ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, delta ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of lead exposure at different levels in utero on the teeth eruption and enamel development of rat offsprings.

METHODS27 pregnant SD rats were divided into three groups randomly: high level lead group (HLG), low level lead group (LLG) and control group with nine rats in each group. The three groups from the gestation day to the end of the gestation were given either deionized water in control group or deionized water containing 200 mg/L Pb2+ as lead acetate through drinking method in high level lead experimental group and 50 mg/L Pb2+ as lead acetate through drinking method in low level lead experimental group. The incisors of newborn rats were marked at the level of the gingival papilla on the 26th day after birth. On the 36th day, the incisors of newborn rats were marked again at the same level. Then the rat offsprings were killed and their blood was collected for lead analysis. The mandible incisors of rat offspring were separated and the content of Pb in incisors was determined by using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method. The teeth of rat offspring were observed and the distance between two marks were measured by means of stereomicroscope. The ratio of calcium to phosphate of enamel of rat offspring was compared by electron probe microanalyses.

RESULTSThe level of blood lead in 200 mg/L, 50 mg/L treated rat offspring groups was higher than that in control group. The tooth lead of 200 mg/L, 50 mg/L treated rat offspring groups [(77.3 +/- 6.3), (27.8 +/- 4.5) microg/g] were higher than the control [(6.6 +/- 0.8) microg/g, P < 0.01]. Compared with the control group, the teeth of lead exposure experimental groups were smaller and severity of attrition was obvious and pulpal perforations were often observed. These appearances was more distinct in rats of high level lead experimental group. The incisors of lead-treated rat offspring erupted [(0.25 +/- 0.08), (0.30 +/- 0.09) mm/d] more slowly than control ones [(0.39 +/- 0.09) mm/d, P < 0.01]. The ratio of calcium to phosphate (Ca/P) decreased with the increase of lead exposure. It was found that Ca/P in lead exposure experimental groups (1.68 +/- 0.54), (1.37 +/- 0.47) was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.14 +/- 0.33).

CONCLUSIONLead exposure in utero affects the normal eruption of teeth and enamel formation and the degree was related with the lead exposure level.

Animals ; Enamel Organ ; drug effects ; Female ; Lead ; adverse effects ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tooth Eruption ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study whether As(2)O(3) has an apoptotic effect on human solid tumor cells, and the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of this treatment using human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (EC8712) as a model.

METHODSDNA microarray, biochemical and cytological analyses were used.

RESULTSThe growth and survival of EC8712 cells were markedly inhibited by As(2)O(3) treatment at a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 micromol/L. EC8712 cells were obviously arrested at G2/M phase with As(2)O(3) treatment and apoptosis induced at micromolar As(2)O(3) concentrations, as shown by morphology, histogram related nuclear DNA contents, and DNA gel electrophoresis. As(2)O(3) activated caspase-3, which might be involved in the process of As(2)O(3), induced apoptosis in EC8712 cells.

CONCLUSIONSAs(2)O(3) changes the expression of many genes at transcription level. The regulation of expression of many genes might be involved in the process of As(2)O(3) inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that As(2)O(3) can be clinically useful for solid tumor treatment.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

Disease Management ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in the treatment of severe pressure sore.

METHODSFrom Aug. 2007 to Jun. 2011, 21 cases of severe pressure sore with 43 III-IV degree lesions were treated with combination treatment, including vacuum sealing drainage technique, local fascia flaps, upper or lower gluteus maximus island myocutaneous flaps, lower gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap, neurocutaneous femoris posterior flaps, tensor fascia lata island myocutaneous flaps, free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, and skin graft, combined with stryker frame and nursing tracking guidance. 13 of 21 cases had multiple pressure sore. Among them, 5 III degree pressure sores were covered by skin grafting and 3 non-caudal III degree pressure sores (< 2 cm in width) were directly closed after debridement. 8 of 21 cases had single IV degree pressure sore.

RESULTSAll the 43 wounds healed completely. 5 wounds in 3 cases had effusion under flap which healed after re-drainage. The wounds were not healed in 3 cases with flap transposition which were also healed after re-debridement. All the flaps survived completely. 16 cases were followed up for 2-26 months. Recurrence happened in 4 cases after discharge because of not following the required nursing care.

CONCLUSIONSComprehensive application of vacuum sealing drainage technique, multiple myocutaneous flaps and skin grafting, combined with stryker frame and nursing tracking guidance after discharge can be used for the treatment of severe pressure sore with satisfactory results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Debridement ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pressure Ulcer ; surgery ; therapy ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of insular pectoralis major myocutaneous flap on repair of jaw and neck tissue defect as a result of high-voltage electric burn.

METHODSEighteen patients with large area tissue defect in jaw and neck caused by high-voltage electric burn hospitalized from August 2001 to December 2007 were repaired with insular pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The flaps (from 12 cm x 10 cm to 16 cm x 13 cm) was transplanted in 8 patients after early wound debridement, and in 10 patients on infected wounds.

RESULTSAll flaps survived wells except in 4 patients necrotic area (length 2-5 cm, width 1-2 cm) appeared in the distal wound edge, localized dehiscence of wound edge in 2 cases, which were healed after dressing change or secondary suturing. Patients were followed up from 6 months to 3 years, and the appearance and function were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSPectoralis major muscle island myocutaneous flap has the advantage of large tissue mass, with thin and flat muscle belly, and rich blood supply, which is suitable for repair of large deep tissue defect in jaw and neck.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Neck ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of a 10-day sequential therapy which was made up of omeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and metronidazole for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children.

METHODA total of 214 children with abdominal pain, who were confirmed to have Hp infection through endoscopy, biopsy, and Hp culture. The 214 cases were randomly divided into four groups. A 10-day sequential therapy group accepted omeprazole 0.8 - 1.0 mg/(kg·d) plus amoxicillin-clavulanate 50 mg/(kg·d) for five days and omeprazole 0.8 - 1.0 mg/(kg·d), clarithromycin 20 mg/(kg·d) and metronidazole 20 mg/(kg·d) for the remaining five days. The 7-day triple therapy group, 10-day triple therapy group and 14-day triple therapy group received omeprazole 0.8 - 1.0 mg/(kg·d), amoxicillin-clavulanate 50 mg/(kg·d) and clarithromycin 20 mg/(kg·d) for 7 days,10 days,14 days, respectively. All drugs were given twice daily. All these patients received (13)C urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) four weeks after the treatment.

RESULTFinally, 199 patients were followed up, and the total rate of loss to follow-up was 7.0% (15/214). Hp eradication rate was 85.2% and 90.2% in the 10-day sequential therapy group on intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses, 66.0% and 71.4% in the 7-day triple therapy group on ITT and PP analyses; 60.0% and 67.3% in 10-day triple therapy group on ITT and PP analyses, and 78.8% and 82.0% in patients who received the 10-day sequential regimen on ITT and PP analyses, respectively. By ITT analysis, there was significantly difference between the 10-day sequential therapy group and 7-day or 10-day triple therapy group (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between the 10-day sequential therapy group and 14-day triple therapy group (P > 0.05). The results of the ITT analysis and the PP analysis were the same. The four groups had neither significant difference in abdominal pain relief (P > 0.05) nor in incidence of adverse reactions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 10-day sequential regimen was significantly more effective than both 7-day triple regimen and 10-day triple regimen, while had the same eradication rate compared with the 14-day sequential therapy. But 10-day triple regimen to eradicate Hp infection in children had the advantages such as short course of treatment and better compliance.

Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Amoxicillin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; administration & dosage ; Breath Tests ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clarithromycin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Metronidazole ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Omeprazole ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of the Beijing genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and the relationships between Beijing genotype strains and drug-resistant phenotypes in China.

METHODSClinical isolates were collected during a 9-month research period from April to December in 2008 in six geographic regions of China. One isolate that had been biochemically confirmed to be a member of the M. tuberculosis complex was collected from each patient. The demographic data of the patients (eg. sex, age, and history of tuberculosis) as well as the drug resistance patterns and sources of the clinical isolates were collected. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using proportion method. Beijing genotypes of M. tuberculosis were identified by spacer oligonucleotide typing or insertion of IS6110 in the genomic dnaA-dnaN locus.

RESULTSAmong the 410 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates, 67.1% (275/410) isolates were Beijing genotypes of M. tuberculosis. Significantly larger proportions of tuberculosis patients were infected with Beijing genotypes in the northeastern regions of China than that of in the central-western regions (chi2 = 20.50, P = 0.000). No significant associations were found either between Beijing genotype strains and patients' age, sex, or treatment history. Multidrug-resistant isolates and rifampin-resistant isolates were more common among Beijing genotype strains than among non-Beijing strains (P = 0.002, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSAbout two third of the clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis in China are Beijing genotypes. Beijing genotype strains are not correlated with patients' age, sex, treatment history. People living in the northeastern regions of China are more susceptible to Beijing genotypes than those living in the central-western of China. Beijing genotype strains tend to be rifampin-resistant or multidrug-resistant.

Antitubercular Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; classification ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Rifampin ; pharmacology ; Tuberculosis ; drug therapy ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; genetics

A quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to measure the proviral load of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in peripheral blood. The technology utilizes special primers and Taqman MGB fluorescence probe to measure amplification products from the gag-pro-pol polyprotein gene of HTLV-I. HTLV-I copy number was normalized to the amount of cellular DNA by quantitation of the beta-actin gene, The amplification system was sensitive to detect 5 copy/microL. The standard curve had a good linearity when the quantity for the gene was between 10(3) and 10(7) copy/microL (R2 = 0.999). Good reproducibility was observed in each intra- and inter-assay. We also measured proviral load in peripheral blood in 12 HTLV-I seropositive former blood donors. Proviral load for HTLV-I infected donors ranged from 0.015 to 12.819 copy/cell in WBC with the mean of 3.116 copy/cell.
Gene Products, gag ; genetics ; Gene Products, pol ; genetics ; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Molecular Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-2 ; agonists ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trypsin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects