Experiments were performed to study the relationship between presynaptic calcium and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) using voltage-clamp technique with whole cell mode in Xenopus optic tectal slices. The results are as follows: The frequency of mIPSCs decreased from 1.91+/-0.59 Hz to 0.34+/-0.09 Hz in calcium-free solution (paired t test, P=0.019, n=8), the value of mIPSCs frequency being (25.5+/-4.4)% of control. In order to rule out the effect of remaining calcium in perfusing solution we further applied calcium-free solution containing egtazic acid, ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-aminoethylether)-N,N -tetraacetic acid (EGTA) (200 nmol/L-2 mmol/L). The mIPSCs frequency changed from 1.57+/-0.57 in control to 0.89+/-0.41 Hz in calcium-free solution containing EGTA (paired t test, P=0.002, n=12), decreasing to (40.0+/-5.9)% of control. There is no statistical difference in the results between Ca(2+)-free perfusion and Ca(2+)-free solution containing EGTA (paired t test, P=0.74, n=9). When cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 100 micromol/L), a non-specific Ca(2+) channel blocker, was applied to the bath solution, the mIPSCs frequency decreased from 1.15+/-0.34 Hz in control to 0.25+/-0.09 Hz in CdCl2-containing solution (paired t test, P=0.008, n=11), reaching (29.25+/-6.1)% of control. However, the amplitude did not change much. An endoplasmic reticulum pump inhibitor thapsigargin increased the mIPSCs frequency from 0.93+/-0.19 Hz to 1.58+/-0.28 Hz (paired t test, P=0.002, n=11). The value in the latter is (214.6 +/-49.1)% of that in the former. In order to exclude the remaining calcium from the bathing solution, the mIPSCs frequency was first recorded from calcium-free solution as control (0.41+/-0.08 Hz) and then from calcium-free containing TG solution (8-16 micromol/L)(0.71+/-0.15 Hz)(paired t test, P=0.026, n=5), increasing to (175.0+/-14.6)% of control. The endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) store RyR agonist (ryanodine, 10-100 nmol/L) enhanced mIPSCs frequency from 1.18+/-0.40 Hz to 1.80+/-0.44 Hz with increment of (261.8+/-89.5)% (paired t test, P=0.004, n=6). However, the endoplasmic reticulum RyR antagonist (procaine, 2 mmol/L) could inhibit mIPSCs from 1.26+/-0.35 Hz to 0.43+/-0.15 Hz (paired t test, P=0.027, n=6). U73122 (40 micromol/L), a phosphalipase C inhibitor, decreased also mIPSCs frequency from 2.01+/-0.58 Hz in control to 0.92+/-0.40 Hz in U73122-containing solution (paired t test, P=0.002, n=10). Caffeine (10 mmol/L) markedly diminished mIPSCs frequency from 3.22+/-0.64 Hz to 0.15+/-0.30 Hz (paired t test, P=0.003, n=7), which is (4.6+/-2.9)% compared to control. Furthermore, in some cases the caffeine could abolish mIPSCs. Taken together, our results demonstrated that cytosolic calcium might be important for mediating the generation of mIPSCs. The cytosolic calcium could be increased by calcium influx through membrane calcium channel on presynaptic membrane, and/or by calcium released through RyR and IP(3)R in presynaptical internal store. The increased cytosolic Ca(2+) both from external solution or internal Ca(2+) stores might increase the transmitter vesicles at the presynaptic terminal, which in turn results in the increase of the mIPSCs frequency in the postsynaptic neurons.
Animals ; Biological Transport, Active ; Calcium ; physiology ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Electrophysiology ; Extracellular Space ; metabolism ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors ; Neurons ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Presynaptic Terminals ; physiology ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Synapses ; physiology ; Synaptic Transmission ; physiology ; Xenopus

Objective:To explore the changes of mRNA N6-methyladenosine methylation level and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) in the blood of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with normal controls.Methods:From January 2020 to June 2021, totally 40 AD patients treated in the outpatient and inpatient department of Neurology of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University were selected as the patient group, and 40 healthy volunteers as the control group. The blood samples were collected to extract plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and m6A methylation quantification experiments respectively to detect the methylation levels of METTL3, FTO and m6A. The data were analyzed by SPSS 23.0 statistical software for t-test. Results:The plasma concentrations of METTL3 and FTO protein in AD group were lower than those in control group (METTL3: (22.33±3.01)ng/mL, (25.63±1.70)ng/mL, t=6.055, P<0.01; FTO: (63.51±4.95)pg/mL, (69.60±4.60)pg/mL, ( t=5.704, P<0.01). The band gray values of METTL3 and FTO protein in blood cells in AD group were lower than those in control group (METTL3: 0.399 5±0.028 7, 0.676 6±0.053 3, t=7.935, P=0.001; FTO: 0.439 4±0.017 8, 0.782 6±0.087 6, t=6.652, P=0.003). The expression levels of METTL3 and FTO in blood cell RNA in AD group were lower than those in control group (METTL3: 0.387 8±0.020 3, 1.010 0±0.177 0, t=6.041, P=0.004; FTO: 0.442 8±0.037 1, 1.003 0±0.090 4, t=9.931, P=0.001). The levels of m6A in blood cell RNA in AD group were lower than those in control group((0.000 571±0.000 167)%, (0.002 514±0.001 284)%, t=6.041, P=0.004). Conclusion:The levels of METL3, FTO and m6A methylation are down-regulated in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with AD, indicating that there is a certain association between mRNA N6-methyladenosine methylation and AD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hernia, Obturator ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; etiology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo review the experience for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava.

METHODSFrom July 2003 to May 2005, hepatectomy combined with thrombectomy were performed on 7 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava. In order to remove the tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava, total hepatic vascular exclusion were adopted on all cases to control the blood flow of IVC. According to the position of extension of tumor thrombus, 5 different procedures were adopted in the cases to control the suprahepatic IVC and extract the tumor thrombus out of IVC and atrium. Procedure 1: Median sternotomy, extracorporeal bypass, cardiac arrest, incision on right atrium and IVC were performed on 1 case for thrombectomy. Procedure 2: Median sternotomy, extracorporeal bypass without cardiac arrest, incision on IVC and (or without) incision on right atrium were performed on 2 cases for thrombectomy. Procedure 3: Abdominal approach to control intrapericardial IVC through an incision on diaphragm was performed on 1 case for thrombectomy. Procedure 4: Abdominal approach to control suprahepatic IVC above diaphragm through a small incision made on vena cava foramen for thrombectomy was performed on 1 case. Procedure 5: Abdominal approaches to control suprahepatic IVC below diaphragm for thrombectomy were performed on 2 cases.

RESULTSAll operations were successfully performed. The postoperative complications included pleural effusion in 1 case, subphrenic fluid collection in 1 case and wound infection in 1 case. The average survival time of 7 cases was 9.8 month. The longest survival time was 26 months.

CONCLUSIONHepatectomy and thrombectomy can be safely performed on the case of HCC combined with tumor thrombus in IVC. Surgical treatment can relieve the patient from the risk of sudden death caused by heart failure and pulmonary.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Embolectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance of surgical treatment of HCC originating from caudate lobe.

METHODSFrom 1995 to 2003, caudate lobectomy, including 19 cases of isolated lobectomy and 20 cases of combined lobectomy, were performed in 39 patients with HCC originating from caudate lobe, and the factors that might influence postoperative liver function were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll tumors were resected successfully. One patient died of postoperative renal failure. Hydrothorax occurred in 3 patients, ascites in 4 patients, and bile leakage in 1 patient. The survival rates of 1, 3, 5 year were 53%, 50%, 39% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCaudate lobectomy is a effective method for HCC originating from caudate lobe.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo discuss the value of a simple occlusive technique of the triple vessels, ie, portal vein, superior mesenteric vessels and splenic vein, in complicated pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODSThe technique was fulfilled with a No.8 urethral catheter to encycle the portal vein, superior mesenteric vessels and its near tissue plus pancreatic tail and splenic vein than the neck of pancreas was transected and well exposure superior mesenteric vein and complete transaction of uncinate. From November 2005 to November 2006 the technique was applied to 12 cases of pancreatic malignancy which presented very infiltrated and adhesive to the hilar vascular structure.

RESULTSThe 12 cases were accomplished according with this technique. The operating time was (292.4 +/- 36.3) min (270 - 390 min) and the intraoperative blood loss was (833.3 +/- 618.4) ml (300 - 2500 ml). The postoperative complication included one case of lymphatic leakage, two cases of pneumonia, one case of abdominal infection and two cases of wound infection. There was no perioperative mortality. The postoperative hospital stay was 17 d (11 - 29 d).

CONCLUSIONSUse this triple vessels occlusive technique can improve the safety and feasibility in complicated cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology ; Splenic Vein ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the strategy of isolated complete resection of the caudate lobe of the liver through the anterior liver-splitting approach.

METHODSFrom January 1995 to June 2006, isolated complete caudate resection of the caudate lobe of the liver through the anterior liver-splitting approach in which accessed the caudate lobe by separation the liver parenchyma along the interlobar plane, was performed on 19 patients with tumors originated in caudate lobe. They were included hepatocellular carcinoma in 13 cases, cholangiocarcinoma in 4 cases and hemangioma in 2 cases, the tumor size range from 4 - 12 cm. The approach to hepatic resection involved routine use of Peng's multifunctional operative dissector, inflow and outflow of hepatic vascular control before hepatic parenchyma transection, low central venous pressure and selective use of liver hanging maneuver, as well as retrograde caudate lobectomy.

RESULTSThe operations were successful in 19 patients. Operating time averaged at (296 +/- 55) min. The average amount of blood loss were 1200 ml (ranged from 500 - 3000 ml). Postoperative complications included ascites in 2 cases, pleural effusion in 5 cases and bile leakage in 2 cases. They were cured by drainage. No mortality occurred in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of anterior approach for isolated caudate lobectomy can converse certain kind of caudate lobe tumor from non-resectable to respectable resulting in widening the indication. The intraoperative routine use of Peng's multifunctional operative dissector, application of inflow and outflow of hepatic vascular control, low central venous pressure and selective use of liver hanging maneuver, as well as retrograde caudate lobectomy make the anterior liver-splitting approach for isolated complete caudate lobectomy safer and easier.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma ; surgery ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective Functional constipation (FC) is a common complaint in childhood but the prevalence still remains unclear, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of FC in childhood in the northern parts of China. Methods A screening program on FC in childhood was carried out in 5 northern cities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin) of China according to symptoms under the Rome Ⅲ criteria. Random clustered sampling of the inhabitants was carried out under stratification of cities, geographic zones, schools or nurseries.Sample size of each area was in proportion to the population of the area. The range of age was 4-14. All subjects under study were requested to fill in a questionnaire distributed by the teachers. The screening program was carried out immediately after a section survey was completed. All together, 20 000 questionnaires were distributed with 19 638 retrievals. According to the result of the screening, a small number of patients who met the criteria were further selected to undergo a detailed clinical examination in the hospital including laboratory examination, colonic transit time, defecography or/and barium enema, electromyologram and anorectal manometry to exclude organic disease of the colon. Simultaneously, a detailed questionnaire was requested to fill under the assistance of trained doctors or medical students.Prevalence of FC of the population was adjusted by the rate of correct diagnosis from the detailed study. Results The adjusted point prevalence of FC in 5 northern cities of China according to Rome Ⅲ criteria was 4.73% with higher prevalence rate of FC seen in the Beijing area (5.02%) than in other cities (4.82%, 4.76%, 4.27%, 4.40%, with P＜0.001 ). Male to female ratio was 1.26:1 with majority of the FC fell in the 4-6 year olds (5.76%). Conclusion FC appeared a common disorder in childhood in the northern parts of China which called for greater attention. Higher prevalence was noted in the age groups of 4-6.

Objective To explore early postoperative gait characteristics and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods From February 2023 to July 2023,26 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis(KOA)were treated with TKA,including 4 males and 22 females,aged from 57 to 85 years old with an average of(67.58±6.49)years old;body mass in-dex(BMI)ranged from 18.83 to 38.28 kg·m-2 with an average of(26.43±4.15)kg·m-2;14 patients on the left side,12 pa-tients on the right side;according to Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)classification,6 patients with grade Ⅲ and 20 patients with grade Ⅳ;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with an average of(5.54±3.29)years.Images and videos of standing up and walking,walking side shot,squatting and supine kneeling were taken with smart phones before operation and 6 weeks after operation.The human posture estimation framework OpenPose were used to analyze stride frequency,step length,step length,step speed,active knee knee bending angle,stride length,double support phase time,as well as maximum hip flexion angle and maximum knee bending angle on squatting position.Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC)arthritis index and Knee Society Score(KSS)were used to evaluate clinical efficacy of knee joint.Results All patients were followed up for 5 to 7 weeks with an average of(6.00±0.57)weeks.The total score of WOMAC decreased from(64.85±11.54)before op-eration to(45.81±7.91)at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.001).The total KSS was increased from(101.19±9.58)before opera-tion to(125.50±10.32)at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.001).The gait speed,stride frequency and stride length of the affected side before operation were(0.32±0.10)m·s-1,(96.35±24.18)steps·min-1,(0.72±0.14)m,respectively;and increased to(0.48±0.11)m·s 1,(104.20±22.53)steps·min-1,(0.79±0.10)m at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.05).The lower limb support time and active knee bending angle decreased from(0.31±0.38)sand(125.21±11.64)° before operation to(0.11±0.04)s and(120.01±13.35)° at 6 weeks after operation(P＜0.05).Eleven patients could able to complete squat before operation,13 patients could able to complete at 6 weeks after operation,and 9 patients could able to complete both before operation and 6 weeks after operation.In 9 patients,the maximum bending angle of crouching position was increased from 76.29° to 124.11° before operation to 91.35° to 134.12° at 6 weeks after operation,and the maximum bending angle of hip was increased from 103.70° to 147.25° before operation to 118.61° to 149.48° at 6 weeks after operation.Conclusion Gait analysis technology based on artificial intelligence image recognition is a safe and effective method to quantitatively identify the changes of pa-tients'gait.Knee pain of KOA was relieved and the function was improved,the supporting ability of the affected limb was im-proved after TKA,and the patient's stride frequency,stride length and stride speed were improved,and the overall movement rhythm of both lower limbs are more coordinated.

Humans ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging* ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention