Objective To observe the incidence and the rate of embolism in patients undergoing hysteroscopy procedures by using the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), as well as the changes of respiratoric and haemodynamic variables. Methods Fourty ASA Ⅰ~Ⅱ patients undergoing hysteroscopy procedures under general anesthesia received intraoperative TEE monitoring. The systolic pulmonary artery pressure, the incidence of the venous gas embolism (VGE) and the eegmental wall motion abnormality (SWMAs) were observed. Results In the 40 patients, 38 patients received intravenous anesthesia hysteroscopic surgery, with the intraoperative TEE to monitor the intracardiac VGE. The degree of gas embolism was related with the perfusion and the usage of monopolar or bipolar diathermia (P<0.05). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure promoted and SWMAs were also observed. Conclusions The continue TEE monitor during hysteroscopy could detect the intracardiac gas embolism in time , contributing to early diagnosis and avoiding the occurrence of malignant arrhythmias or myocardial ischemic events.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and distribution of G types of rotavirus diarrhea in infants and children in Suzhou and Maanshan areas.Methods 1267 stool specimens were collected from children under 5 years with acute diarrhea. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and nested polymeras chain reaction (Nested-PCR) were used to detect rotavirus and serotypes.Results In 1267 stool specimens, 378 were detected RV positive, and serotype G was the prevalent type in the two cities with number of 250 and the G3 and G1 types were the most prevalent which accounted for 40%(100/250) and 44.40 % (111/250), respectively. While the G2 ,G4, G9 types and mixed infections were 8,3,3,4 and the un-identified type was 8.40%(21/250). G1 type was the most prevalent in Maanshan are which accounted for 58.54% in all cases,while the G3 type accounted for the most of case(47.85%) in Suzhou area.Conclusions The results indicated that rotavirus was the most important etiologic agent in Maanshan and Suzhou areas,G1 and G3 were the most prevalent types,respectively. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(3):208-210

OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer cell line and expression of p21 and survivin genes.

METHODSThe inhibition effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on Tca8113 and human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TCSSA) cell lines were detected by methyl thiazoly terazolium (MTT) and the apoptosis of the cancer cells after being induced by sodium phenylbutyrate examined by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of p21 and survivin genes were observed with Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the level of p21 mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline increased to 0.09 ± 0.08 and increased 0.72 ± 0.10, that of TCSSA cellline increased 1.34 ± 0.12 and 1.56 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the level of surrive mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline decreased to 1.10 ± 0.05 and 1.14 ± 1.10, that of TCSSA cellline decreased to 0.12 ± 0.08 and 0.94 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibited the cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis and arrested the cells in G₁/G₀ phase. The amount of p21 mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression of survivin gene was decreased.

CONCLUSIONSSodium phenylbutyrate exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on human tongue squamous cancer cell proliferation and induced cancer cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be due to up-regulation of p21 gene and down-regulation of survivin gene. The mRNA level of p21 gene and survivin gene showed a strong correlation.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Phenylbutyrates ; pharmacology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic etiology of an autosomal dominant dentinogenesis imperfecta in a Chinese family.

METHODSThe molecular change of the disease in the family was analyzed through the clinical examination, linkage analysis, mutational screening of the DSPP gene and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSThe disease related gene was completely linked with microsatellite marker D4S1534. We found a novel mutation in the first exon of the DSPP gene (c.49C>T, p.Pro17Ser). All patients in the family had the mutation, while this mutation was not observed in the normal individuals of this family and 100 unrelated controls.

CONCLUSIONThe p.Pro17Ser identified in the family was a new pathogenic mutation. Our finding provided further understanding of the molecular mechanism of dentinogenesis imperfecta.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Dentinogenesis Imperfecta ; genetics ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phosphoproteins ; Sialoglycoproteins ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) on radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in relation to TNFalpha-induced cell cycle synchronization.

METHODSThe radio-resistance of a NPC cell line subclone CNE-2Z-S1 was verified by in vivo experiments and flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell cycle synchronization in TNFalpha-treated CNE-2Z-S1 cells. The radiosensitivity of the cell synchronized CNE-2Z-S1 cells was determined by clone formation in vitro and in vivo experiment in nude mice.

RESULTSTNFalpha was capable of inducing cell cycle arrest and synchronization of CNE-2Z-S1 cells. Pretreatment with TNFalpha remarkably enhanced the radiosensitivity of CNE-2Z-S1 in vitro, and in vivo experiments with nude mice also suggested the role of TNFalpha in enhancing the radiosensitivity of NPC.

CONCLUSIONTNFalpha can enhance the radiosensitivity of NPC cells by inducing cell cycle synchronization.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo detect the possible relationship between PARKIN gene and the Chinese pedigree with autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease(AREP).

METHODSClinical examination was carried out in 6 patients from 3 Chinese pedigrees with AREP and their 23 family members. PCR amplification of all exons of PARKIN gene was performed. The PCR products were analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) to screen for point mutation and polymorphism. And in the samples with abnormal DHPLC result, further sequencing was conducted to confirm the type of mutation and polymorphism.

RESULTSAll exons of PARKIN gene from the research subjects were successfully amplified. A heterozygous point mutation (Gly284Arg) in exon 7 was found in one pedigree. A polymorphism (Ser167Asn) in exon 4 was found in another pedigree. All the patients had the past history of exposure to environmental poison.

CONCLUSIONWhen acting together with risky environmental factors, the heterozygous mutation Gly284Arg in PARKIN gene may cause AREP. The polymorphism Ser167Asn in PARKIN gene increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and may cause AREP when acting together with hydrargyrism.

Age of Onset ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Recessive ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) caused by cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms and regulation function of transcription factor.

METHODSELISA assay was used to determine the expression level of serum sCTLA-4 in MG. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CTLA-4 at exon 1 +49, promoter -318, -1661, -1772 were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Transcription factor nuclear factor 1(NF-1) and c/EBPbeta binding site were confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation(CHIP) assay.

RESULTSIt was found that the frequencies of the GG+49 genotype and G+49 allele are higher in MG patients with thymoma than those in patients of thymic hyperplasia and normal thymus subgroups. T/C-318 is not correlated with MG. The frequency of CT-1772 genotype is significantly higher in MG patients, especially in MG patients with thymoma, when compared with that in healthy controls. Meanwhile, the frequency of the G-1661 allele and GG-1661 genotype is lower in MG patients. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between each SNPs in promoter -1772, -1661, -318 and coding sequence 1 (CDS 1) +49 is apparent. sCTLA-4 levels in patients' sera are correlated with the haplotype and genotype. T/C-1772 and A/G-1661 SNPs change the sequence of transcription factor NF-1 and c/EBPbeta binding sites. DNA variants lose site-specific binding activity of transcription factor regulated by lectin ConA and PHA.

CONCLUSIONThere are strong positive linkages among four SNPs. C/T-1772 and A/G-1661 polymorphisms can result in inefficient transcription of CTLA-4 gene. T>C-1772 mutation also affects gene splicing. These SNPs may constitute a factor of susceptibility to disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; Antigens, Differentiation ; blood ; genetics ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta ; genetics ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; genetics ; immunology ; NFI Transcription Factors ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thymoma ; genetics ; Thymus Hyperplasia ; genetics ; Thymus Neoplasms ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the effects of seawater immersion of open abdominal wound and drowning on plasma electrolyte levels in dogs.

METHODSTwenty-one dogs with open abdominal wounds were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the control group (n=7), seawater immersion group (n=7) and seawater immersion and drowning group (n=7). The dogs in the control group were subjected to simple open abdominal wound, and those in the latter two groups were immersed into seawater after the abdominal injury. The changes in the plasma electrolytes and osmotic pressure were observed after the treatments. RESULTS AMD CONCLUSION: Seawater immersion of the open abdominal wound results in hypematremia, hyperkalemia and hypertonic dehydration, and the effect is proportional to the length of immersion time, but seawater airway perfusion does not cause obvious changes of the plasma electrolytes and osmotic pressure in dogs.

Abdominal Injuries ; blood ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Drowning ; Electrolytes ; blood ; Immersion ; Plasma ; chemistry ; Seawater

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of angiotensin II on phosphoinositide-3 kinase/Akt cascade in cultured fibroblasts derived from patients with hypertrophic scars.

METHODSThe expression of AT1 and AT2 receptor was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Cultured human skin fibroblasts were treated with Ang II (10(-9) - 10(-7) mol/L), with or without an AT1 receptor blocker, valsartan or an AT2 receptor antagonist, PD123319. The phosphorylation of Akt was detected by western blotting, and PI3K activity was measured by Assay of PI3-K activity.

RESULTSImmunofluorescence staining showed that cultured fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars expressed both AT1 and AT2 receptors. Ang II increased Akt phosphorylation and PI3K activity in cultured hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, Ang II-induced Akt phosphorylation was blocked by wortmannin, a PI3-K inhibitor. This Ang II-activated PI3-K/Akt cascade was significantly inhibited by valsartan, an AT1 receptor specific blocker (P<0.05), whereas enhanced by PD123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that Ang II receptors regulates PI3-K/Akt cascade of hypertrophic scars fibroblasts via AT1 and AT2.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; Signal Transduction ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVEThis study was undertaken to observe the change in the local level of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the expression of its corresponding receptors AT1 and AT2 during wound healing, and explore the possible role of Ang II in wound healing .

METHODSA model of full-thickness cutaneous wound was developed on the back of C57/BL6 mice. Specimens were taken from the wound of each mouse on the day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 after wounding. The change in the generation of Ang II in wounded tissue during the healing process was detected with ELISA. The proliferation and the apoptosis of cells were detected by bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in wounded skin during the healing process, respectively. The cellular localization and the mRNA level change of Ang II receptors in wounded tissue during healing were detected with immunostaining and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAng II produced in wounded skin was increased in the first 7 days to reach the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing. BrdU labeling index was increased gradually in the first 7 days to reach the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was increased slowly in the first 7 days after wounding. The increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells was more markedly after epithelization of the wound. In normal mice, AT1 and AT2 receptor were found positively expressed in the whole epidermal layer, while positive expression was only found in the endothelial cells of the capillary vessels within the dermal layer, and positive expression was also found in appendages of the skin, i. e. hair follicle, sweat gland and sebaceous gland respectively. Positive staining signal of both AT1 and AT2 receptors were increased in the first 7 days to reach the peak, then gradually decreased. Expression of AT2R was increased again following the epithelization of wound. The result of RT-PCR showed that the expression of both AT1 and AT2 receptors was detectable, and AT1 receptor was increased in the first 7 days to the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing, while AT2 receptor expression reached its peak value on day 7, then gradually decreased, and increased again following the epithelization of wound.

CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that Ang II participate in wound repair and related to remolding in the late stage of wound healing through the change in production of angiotensin II and expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors. AT1 receptor might be closely associated with cell proliferation, while AT2 receptor might play a role in cell apoptosis and remolding during wound healing.

Angiotensin II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Skin ; injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Wound Healing ; physiology