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.

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

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.

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

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

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 investigate the safety and efficiency of the disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD) in the surgical treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 249 outpatients with phimosis or redundant prepuce to be treated with DCSD (n = 129) and by conventional circumcision (CC, n = 120), respectively. Then we compared the safety and efficiency of the two strategies.

RESULTSComparisons between DCSD and CC showed that the operation time was (4.02 +/- 0.69) vs (30.8 +/- 4.05) min, blood loss was (1.07 +/- 1.29) vs (8.72 +/- 2.15) ml, intraoperative pain score was 0.81 +/- 0.81 vs 2.42 +/- 1.15, 24-hour postoperative pain score was 1.84 +/- 1.02 vs 4.99 +/- 1.36, postoperative complication rate was 13. 95% (18/129) vs 9.17% (11/120), wound healing time was (13.99 +/- 9.06) vs (17.48 +/- 3.49) d, satisfaction with the penile appearance was 98.4% (127/129) vs 95% (109/120), and treatment cost was (2215.62 +/- 17.67) vs (576.47 + 15.58) Y RMB. DCSD exhibited obvious superiority over CC for shorter operation time, less blood loss, milder intraoperative pain, sooner wound healing, and better penile appearance, but it also had a higher rate of postoperative complications (P > 0.05) and involved more treatment cost than the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe disposable circumcision suture device affords ideal clinical effects and therefore deserves clinical popularization.

Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; Disposable Equipment ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Surgical Staplers ; 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

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF- C) expression and lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) with clinicopathological features and prognosis in colon cancer.

METHODSThe expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was detected by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in 44 cases with primary colon cancer. LMVD was calculated.

RESULTSVEGF-C positive rate was 43.2% (19/44). VEGF-C expression was associated with tumor (P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (P=0.002), Dukes stage (P=0.001). The mean LMVD was 10.14+/- 4.19. LMVD was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.002), Dukes stage (P=0.001). LMVD in VEGF-C(+) group was (11.34+/- 4.83) higher than (9.24+/- 3.48) in VEGF-C(-) group, but there was no statistically significance between the two groups (P=0.105). The survival rate of the patients with positive VEGF-C was lower than that with negative VEGF-C (P=0.0225). The median survival time of the patients with LMVD(+) group was shorter than that with LMVD(-) (P=0.0036). Distant metastasis (P=0.0004), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.021) and LMVD (P=0.0469) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-C and LMVD appear to be new prognostic factors for colon cancer. Furthermore, LMVD may be a new independent prognostic factor.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism

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