Objective To investigate prophylaxis and therapy of early complications following relatives' partial live small bowel transplantation.Methods Four relatives' partial live small bowel transplantations were carried out.Among the 4 patients,there were 3 cases of short intestine syn- drome and one case of non-function of small bowel caused by the absence of nerve ganglion of small in- testine.More than 4 antigens of HLA were completely matched between donators and receptors.In- testines of donators were got from terminal ileum with the length of (150?10) cm.After operations, tacrolimus (FK506),mycophenolate mofetil (MMF),and methylprednisolone were used to prevent rejections.Measures such as use of anticoagulation,improving microcirculation and albumin infusion, aimed at regulating the function of blood coagulation and preventing bleeding and formation of thrombus at anastomotic stoma;famotidine and omeprazole were used to prevent irritable ulcer;use of the third generation of cephalosporins antibiotics,ganciclovir and fluconazol could prevent bacteria,vi- rus and eumycete infections;disinfection and care of easily-infected organs were emphasized;receptors were encouraged to get out of their beds to move frequently;glutamine and enteral nutrition were used early to promote recovery of intestinal function.Results Three days after operation,one patient's lung was infected with baumanii,and the infection had been under control after being treated with the third generation cephalosporins antibiotics;five days after operation,haematoma was detected on an- other patient and was cleared through the second operations growth of eumycete was found in 2 pa- tients' excretion and secretion from enteron,and their situations were improved with fluconazol;acute rejections of the 4 patients were detected 20 days after operation and reversed by the increased use of FK506 combined with methylprednisolone.Among the 4 patients,2 of them have survived for a long time,and the first patient has survived for 6 years and 8 months till now and the other one for 3 years and 2 months;furthermore,other 2 patients respectively died of infections 5 months and 35 days after the operations.Conclusion Because of special constitution of intestine,early complications of rela- tives' partial live small intestine transplantation are frequent and complicated.Therefore,prophylaxis and therapy of early complications are crucial to the success of the transplantation.

Background Pathologic myopia is one of the common blinding eye diseases.Recent research suggests that immune response participates in the pathogenesis of pathologic myopia,and inflammation is an important factor that influent immune status.Objective Present study was to observe the change of high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) in serum in the patients with pathologic myopia and explore the role of inflammation in the development of pathologic myopia. Methods Serum hs-CRP was measured from 30 patients with pathologic myopia,30 patients with simple myopia and 30 normal controls with Nephelometric Turbidity in the OLYMPUS AU5400 automatic biochemical analyzer.Written informed consent was obmined from each subject before medical examination.Results The mean age was(30+10) years in pathologic myopia group,and(32+8)years in simple myopia group and(32+9)years in normal control group.The range of preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was (-6.00--22.00) D in pathologic myopia group,(-1.00--6.00) D in simple myopia group and(-1.00-+1.00) D in normal control group.The level of hs-CRP in serum was(3.68±1.15)mmol/L in the patients with pathologic myopia and was significantly higher than that of simple myopia group(1.99±0.68 mmol/L)and normal controls (2.11±O.66 mmol/L)(q=10.69,P＜0.01;q=9.91,P＜0.01),respectively.No significant correlation was found between hs-CRP level and myopic degrees in pathologic myopia group(R2=0.037,P＞0.05). Conclusion Hs-CRP may play rule in the inflammatory reaction during the pathogenesis of pathologic myopia.

The primary object of this fundamental research was to survey the synergistic cardiovascular effects of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, and clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium antagonists, thiazide diuretics and β receptor blockers by a 2 x 2 factorial-design experiment. It would provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combined antihypertensive therapy program after iptakalim is applied to the clinic. Amlodipine besylate, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol were chosen as clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac functions were observed in anesthetized normal rats by an eight-channel physiological recorder. The results showed that iptakalim monotherapy in a low dose could produce significant antihypertensive effect. There was no interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P > 0.05). However, the effects of combination iptakalim/amlodipine on the maximal changes of SBP, DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP were more obvious than those of iptakalim or amlodipine monotherapy. And there was strong positive interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of HR (P>0.05). According to the maximal changes of DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP (P < 0.05) of combination iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide, there was strong positive interaction between them. But there was no interaction between iptakalim and hydrochlorothiazide on the maximal drop of SBP and HR (P > 0.05). According to the maximal drops of DBP, MABP of combination iptakalim with propranolol, there was strong positive interaction between them (P < 0.05). But there was no interaction between iptakalim and propranolol on the maximal changes of SBP, LVSP, LVEDP and HR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was the first time to study the effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol, which had different mechanisms of action from iptakalim, on cardiovascular effects of iptakalim in anesthetized normal rats. This study proved that the combination of iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol respectively had significant synergism on lowering blood pressure, while the combination of iptakalim/amlodipine had additive action on lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile the antihypertensive effect was explicit, stable and long-lasting. Iptakalim thus appears suitable for the clinical treatment of hypertensive people who need two or more kinds of antihypertensive agents.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo identify the effective stress management strategies among the Chinese.

METHODSThe sample was selected from Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Taiyuan by using a multi-stage sampling procedure, including 3679 subjects. The data were collected using the household interviewing survey method. The Chinese perceived stress scales (CPSS) measured stress. Stress management strategies included the cognitive and behavioral ones, the former were further divided into positive, neutral and negative ones and the latter were divided into three kinds, i.e. looking for support, liberating and displacing, and relaxing and detracting. The frequency of their usage and their perceived effectiveness were assessed. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the association between various stress management strategies and stress.

RESULTSThe prevalence of health risk stress (HRS) was 44.54% (95% CI: 42.90% - 46.12%). Among the cognitive strategies, all the positive strategies and one of neutral strategies ("Suiyuan") were associated with lower HRS, and the rest of them had no effects. Among the behavioral strategies, all were associated with lower HRS except that of looking for support.

CONCLUSIONThe effective stress management strategies identified in this study might be used to develop a stress management program.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; Psychology, Social ; Sampling Studies ; Social Behavior ; Social Environment ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of iptakalim (Ipt), an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, on cardiac remodeling induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in Wistar rats.

METHODSISO was given subcutaneously (85 mg/(kg x d), sc, 7 days) to induce cardiac remodeling in rats. The rats in Ipt treated group were administrated with Ipt 3 mg/kg (po) after ISO injection. After treated with Ipt for 6 weeks, the hemodynamic parameters were tested by an eight channel physiological recorder (RM-6000). Then the heart weight was weighed and the cardiac remodeling index was calculated. HE stain and Masson's stain were employed to perform histological analysis, the hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in cardiac tissue was detected by colorimetric method, radioimmunoassay was used to measure the plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostacyclin (PGI2).

RESULTSSix weeks after ISO injection, the cardiac functions of model group were damaged markedly compared with those of normal group. The characteristics of ventricular remodeling in model group included that the heart weight index, myocyte cross-sectional area, myocardial fibrosis, and the hydroxyproline content in cardiac tissue were all increased significantly. The plasma level of ET-1 was increased, while the plasma level of PGI2 was decreased significantly. These changes could be reversed by Ipt treatment (3 mg/(kg x d) for 6 weeks).

CONCLUSIONIpt can reverse cardiac remodeling induced by isoproterenol in rats. The endothelial protective effect regulating effects of Ipt on the balance between the ET-1 and PGI2 system may be involved in its mechanisms.

Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Hemodynamics ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; KATP Channels ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Prostaglandins I ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the prevalence change of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis and the effect of control measures implemented in Huangyuan county of Qinghai province. Methods In 2009, all the endemic fluorosis villages in Huangyuan county were divided into two degrees, light and medium, according to the water fluorosis content before implementing the improving water project, 1 to 2 villages were selected from each degree village, respectively,as monitoring sites, and a total of 3 villages were selected. Source water and tap water samples were collected from each village and water fluoride concentration was determined. Dental fluorosis of all children aged 8 to 12 of monitoring villages was examined, and urine samples were collected by age group of children for determination of urinary fluoride. Clinical skeletal fluorosis of adults over 16 years of age was examined, and 20 copies of adults urine samples were collected to determine urinary fluoride. One village was selected in the 3 villages monitored to conduct X-rays examination of skeletal fluorosis. Water fluoride was tested in accordance with the "Non-metallic Targets Test Methods for Drinking Water" (GB/T 5750.6-2006); urinary fluoride was tested by fluoride ion-selective electrode method (WS/T 89-1996); dental fluorosis was diagnosed using Dean method;adult skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed by "Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis"(WS 192-2008). Results Twelve water samples were assayed, water fluoride was (0.35 ± 0.43) mg/L. The detectable rate of dental fluorosis of 122 children aged 8-12 was 34.43%(42/122) and the geometric mean urinary fluoride was 0.89 mg/L of the 96 children. Of the 834 adults aged 16 and over, clinical detection of skeletal fluorosis was 47.72% (398/836) and geometric mean urinary fluoride was 1.10 mg/L of the 65 cases of adult urine samples assayed, detection rate of X-rays was 31.4% (11/35) in Gangou village of the 35 adults examined.Conclusions In Huangyuan county, water fluoride of the 3 surveyed villages are normal but the endemic fluorosis is still serious. It should strengthen monitoring and analyze the causes and improve prevention measures.

AIM:To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the fatty liver of db/db mice and whether autophagy is involved in the process.METHODS:Male db/db mice(n=24)were randomly divided into model group and irbesar-tan group,and 12 db/m mice with similar age and weight were selected as normal control group.After 16 weeks of inter-vention respectively,the fatty liver-related parameters including body weight, liver index, blood lipid, liver function and pathological changes in the liver were observed.The protein levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR,as well as Atg-7,bec-lin-1 and LC3B in the liver tissues were detected by Western blot,and the autophagosomes in the liver were observed under electron microscope.RESULTS:Compared with the model group,the body weight,liver index,blood lipids,alanine and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased in irbesartan group(P<0.05).Moreover,the pathological changes in the liver were significantly ameliorated in irbesartan group than that of model group.Importantly, the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR were decreased with irbesartan administration,while the expression of Atg-7,beclin-1 and LC3B-Ⅱwas increased(P<0.05),which resulted in a distinct increase in autophagosomes.CONCLUSION:Irbesartan alleviates he-patic steatosis in db/db mice by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and upregulating the protein expression of Atg-7,beclin-1 and LC3B-Ⅱ,thereby inducing autophagy in hepatocytes.

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Pyrazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on palmitate-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the underlying mechanism. HUVECs were cultured in vitro, and then treated by palmitate to induce apoptosis. Meanwhile, GLP-1 was added to explore its effect. After 24 h of the treatments, Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation were measured using ELISA kits. Phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) expression was detected by Western blot. The results showed that incubating HUVECs with 0.125 mmol/L GLP-1 increased Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. GLP-1 significantly inhibited palmitate-induced increases of Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, GLP-1 inhibited the up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK expression induced by palmitate in HUVECs. These results suggest GLP-1 protects HUVECs against lipo-apoptosis, and this effect may be mediated through inhibiting p38 MAPK pathway.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; DNA Fragmentation ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the expression level of candidate tumor suppressor gene N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in human colon cancer.

METHODSThirty samples of colon cancer tissues with matched normal colon tissues were collected. The NDRG2 mRNA level was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and the NDRG2 protein level was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSTwelve samples of colon cancer tissues had low NDRG2 mRNA level and low protein level. The positive rates of NDRG2 in normal tissues and the tumorous colon tissues were 90.0%(27/30) and 53.3%(16/30) by immunohistochemistry respectively. There was a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The NDRG2 expression was not correlated with age, sex, metastasis of lymph node, depth of infiltration, as well as the Dukes staging(P>0.05), while it was correlated to the histology grading. The positive rate of NDRG2 in the well- and moderate-differentiation group was higher than that in the poor-differentiation group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of NDRG2 is low in some colon cancer tissues, which indicates that the low level of NDRG2 expression may be engaged in the development of colon cancer.

Blotting, Western ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism