OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of Radix Rhapontici water extract (RRWE) on the damage of vascular endothelial cells induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in vitro. METHODS: The cellular model was established by treating human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TBHP, and randomly assigned to 4 groups:the control, TBHP, low and high-dose RRWE groups. Cell viability was tested by MTT assay, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by colorimetric method, the reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potentials were observed by fluorescent staining, and the protein expressions of NF-κB, JNK, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were determined with Western blotting method. RESULTS: Pretreatment with RRWE significantly increased the cell viabilities, reduced ROS levels, decreased MDA formation, increased the GSH contents and SOD activities, elevated the mitochondrial membrane potentials, down-regulated the p-JNK and p-NF-κB levels, reduced Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, suppressed caspase-3 activation, and inhibited cell apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: RRWE has a protective effect on the damage of vascular endothelial cells induced by TBHP in vitro, and suppresses the cell apoptosis maybe through inhibiting JNK and NF-κB activation.

Liquid chip technology have been licensed to be used in clinic because of its advantage of high-throughput, high-sensitivity, good signal to noise ratio, reaction in liquid phase, convenient operation and short time consuming, etc. The optimization of a liquid chip system for the detection of serum biomarkers of colorectal tumour and initial application in the detection of CEA were studied. The optimized reaction conditions of liquid chip were determined through orthogonal design after it was prepared. The results showed that the consuming reaction time of the coated antibody and the antigen was 1hour. The microspheres, biotinylated detecion antibody and the consuming complexes and avidin-PE time of the microspheres and the biotinylated tested antibody was 1hour, 1hour and 15minutes respectively.the consuming time of the complexes and avidin-PE was fifteen minutes, The optimized dilution of the biotinylated tested detection antibody was 1∶300 and the optimized concentration of avidin-PE was 12?g/ml. Totally 55 clinical samples were detected by the liquid chip and by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) simultaneously and the results of the two methods were compared. The results of the two methods showed good correlation between positive and negative samples but the detection limits and the dynamic ranges of the liquid chip method were more sensitive and wider than those of the ELISA. The multiple tumour biomarkers may be detected simultaneously and the time of clinical test and manpower requirements were reduced by the liquid chip method.

Objective Despite regular treatment,antineutrophil eytoplasmie antibodies(ANCA)asso- ciated systemic vasculitis(AASV),in which the role of Fc?Rs has been established,are still associated with significant long-term mortality and remain an important cause of end-stage renal failure.ANCA plays an im- portant role in the pathogenisis of primary systemic small vessel vasculitis(PSV)by their potential to activate neutrophils.Because the interaction between ANCA and its receptors on the Fc portion of immunoglobulins (Fc?R)on neutrophils is essential in the activation process,we investigate the inhibitory,effect of tg19320 on ANCA induced activation of neutrophils,which is a tetrameric tripeptide that interferes with IgG/Fe?Rs in- teraction.Methods We prepared tg19320 by solid-phase peptide syntbesis.The binding between tg19320 and human IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The biological activity of tg19320 to intefere with FcF?receptor recognition was identified by rosette formation assay.ANCA IgG was prepared from the sera of active Wegener's granulomatosis(WG)and microscopic polyangiitis(MPA)patients.Neu- trophils isolated from the blood of healthy volunteers were primed with TNF-?(2 ng/ml)and then incubated with ANCA IgG(200?g/ml),or pretreated with tg19320(2.5 mg/ml)and then added with ANCA IgG.Su- peroxide burst of neutrophils was determined by Ferri-cytochrome reduction assay.Results We found that tg19320 bound tightly to human IgG in a dose dependent manner and the inhibition of the rosette formation between SRBC-IgG and U937 cells was statistically significant(20.3% vs 53.2%,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of penile augmentation with superficial fascia retrocession.

METHODSThe first annular incision line was designed, reserving the inner plate 0.5 -0.8 cm. The second annular incision line was determined, according to the length of penile erection. The skin tissue between the double loops was stripped, reserving the superficial fascia and the superficial dorsal veins. Before the closure of two annual incision with no tension, the superficial fascia tissue was pushed proximally and fixed sectionally to augment penis.

RESULTSFrom Jun 2009 to Jun 2011, 60 patients with redundant prepuce or phimosis were treated with this method. During 3 to 12 months follow-up, the postoperative penile perimeter increased significantly. The glans were exposed and the prepuce looked smooth. The function of the penis maintained undamaged.

CONCLUSIONSThe penile augmentation with superficial fascia retrocession can make full use of autologous tissue to augment penis, meanwhile, redundant prepuce can be resected. It is very practical for clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; surgery ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; surgery ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clubfoot ; physiopathology ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVEThe effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(165) (VEGF(165)) on intracellular free magnesium ([Mg(2+)](i)) and the relationship between Mg(2+) and angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated in this study.

METHODS[Mg(2+)](i) in HUVECs loaded with fluorescent magnesium indicator mag-fura-2 were quantitatively detected with the use of intracellular cation measurement system. HUVECs were obtained from normal fetus and cultured in M199 with 0.2 fetal bovine serum. The angiogenesis effects of VEGF(165) were observed in presence of 0 mmol/L, 1 mmol/L or 2 mmol/L of extracellular Mg(2+).

RESULTSVEGF(165) significantly increased [Mg(2+)](i) in a dose-dependent manner independent of extracellular Mg(2+), Na(+) and Ca(2+) and this effect could be blocked by pretreatment with VEGF(165) receptor-2 (KDR) inhibitor (SU1498). The angiogenesis induced by VEGF(165) was significantly inhibited cells with 0 mmol/L extracellular Mg(2+), the angiogenesis effects of VEGF(165) were similar in cells with 1 mmol/L and 2 mmol/L extracellular Mg(2+) and these effects could be blocked by SU1498.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the [Mg(2+)](i) increase induced by VEGF(165) originates from intracellular Mg(2+) pools and promotes angiogenesis via KDR-dependent signaling pathways.

Cations, Divalent ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnesium ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior corrective operation for degenerative scoliosis and analyze the possible reasons for its late complications and their proper management.

METHODSThirty-five patients with degenerative scoliosis, who were treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation and interbody fusion with cage implantation from September 1997 to September 2002, were reviewed. Their clinical outcomes were determined according to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The fusion area and its adjacent segments were evaluated through radiographic measurements of coronal Cobb angle, lumbar lordosis and coronal balance of the spine. The association of late complications, spinal alignment, and range of fusion was analyzed.

RESULTSAt final follow-up, ODI was 17.8 - 62.2 (average 34.7). Late complications occurred in 13 patients, accounting for 37.1%. Among the 13 cases, 10 were symptomatic and 6 received revision surgery. The late complications were proximal junctional scoliosis in 4 patients, proximal junctional kyphosis in 4 patients, proximal compressed vertebral fracture in 1 patient, pseudarthrosis in 1 patient, pedicle screw loosening in 1 patient, and distal segment degeneration in 1 patient. Junctional kyphosis had no obvious relationship with abnormality of spinal alignment. Adjacent segment degeneration occurred more commonly in the cases with the proximal ultimate vertebra below L1 (9/ 18) than above T12 (4/17).

CONCLUSIONSThe rate of late complications is relatively high after posterior corrective operation for degenerative scoliosis. Spinal alignment should be evaluated carefully in preoperative planning. The proximal ultimate vertebra should be extended to the level above T12 to avoid late complications.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the possible reasons for proximal junctional lordosis (PJL) after short-segment posterior pedicle screw fixation in lumbar spine and discuss its proper management.

METHODSFrom December 2001 to August 2005, 345 patients were treated by short-segment pedicle screw fixation and these patients were reviewed. Clinical outcome was evaluated according to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Proximal junctional lordosis was assessed evaluated on radiographs, by measuring lumbar lordosis angle, segmental angle at proximal level and lumbar-sacral angle. Risk factors of proximal junctional lordosis were analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up for 2 to 6 years (average 3.8 years). ODI after lumbar surgery was 9.7-46.2 ( average 19.6 +/- 10.7). PJL was noted in 78 patients (22.6%), 37 (10.7%) of whom were symptomatic and 21 (6.1%) received revision surgery. PJL was more commonly occurred in patients over 60 years old, with reduced lumbar lordosis or vertical sacrum. The number of fusion-segment was not correlated to the occurrence of PJL.

CONCLUSIONSShort-segment posterior pedicle screw fixation can not improve lumbar sagittal alignment. Age over of 60 years, reduced lumbar lordosis and vertical sacrum are possible risk factors of PJL sacrum.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lordosis ; etiology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDLenalidomide has emerged as an important treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, its role in the management of MM is still controversial and requires further clarification. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of lenalidomide for MM using a meta-analysis.

METHODSWe searched the electronic databases including: PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials. Seven randomized clinical trials were identified, which included a total of 2357 patients with MM who received lenalidomide-containing, noncontaining lenalidomide regimens or placebo as induction therapy or maintenance therapy. The outcomes included overall response (OR) rate, complete response (CR) rate, 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate, 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, and different types of treatment-related adverse events. We calculated the risk ratios (RRs) as well as their 95% confidence intervals of these outcomes and pooled the results using RevMan 5.2 software.

RESULTSFor patients with previously untreated MM, OR rate and CR rate was significantly higher in lenalidomide-containing group than the control group. For relapsed or refractory MM patients, lenalidomide-containing regimens significantly improved the OR rate, CR rate, 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate. With regard to MM patients after autologous stem cell transplantation, lenalidomide maintenance therapy significantly improved 3-year PFS rate but did not result in improved 3-year OS rate. In terms of toxicities, lenalidomide therapy has a higher rate of Grade 3-4 grade cytopenias, infection, deep-vein thrombosis, and diarrhea. Furthermore, the incidence of second primary malignancies was significantly higher in the lenalidomide group.

CONCLUSIONSThe lenalidomide-containing regimens as induction therapy clearly increased response rates and improved intervals of survival with acceptable toxicity rates for patients with MM. However, when physicians choose to use the lenalidomide as maintenance therapy, whether the benefits outweigh the risks should be taken into account.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Thalidomide ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of a new temporary abdominal wound closure,vacuum system for temporary management of the open abdomen.

METHODSVacuum pack system consisted of polyethylene sheet,surgical towel,silicone drain, adhesive plastic drape. Clinical data of the patients undergoing exploratory celiotomy were recorded,and the indications for such temporary abdominal closure and its complications were reviewed.

RESULTSThirteen trauma patients underwent such vacuum abdominal closure for 15 times, including 5 times (33.3%) for increased intra- abdominal pressure so that tension-free fascial closure was unable to achieve, 4 times (26.7%) for reexploration, 2 times (13.3%) for damage control, and 4 times (26.7%) for combined factors. Finally, seven patients (53.8%) received direct closure and 5 patients (38.5%) received skin grafting after granulation because the defect could not be closed directly. One patient (7.7%) died before abdominal closure was attempted. None of the patients developed enterocutaneous fistula and evisceration. Three patients (23.1%) developed intra-abdominal abscess.

CONCLUSIONSThe vacuum pack is a better temporary abdominal wound closure device, and primary closure can be achieved in most of the patients. The technique is simple and easily mastered with a low complication rate.

Abdominal Injuries ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bandages ; Female ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vacuum ; Young Adult