Objective:To propose a method to evaluate the total body water (TBW) of patients on hemodialysis with urea kinetic model (UKM), and compare it with body surface bio-impedance spectrum (BIS) analysis. Methods:We enrolled 24 adult patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) without hyper-catabolism in our dialysis center. All of them had been on hemodialysis for more than 3 months. TBW was measured with BIS analysis immediately before and after dialysis session, and one hour after hemodialysis session. Spent dialysate was collected; blood samples were taken before and one hour after hemodialysis session, TBW before hemodialysis session were calculated by UKM. Results:Patients were 6 men and 18 women, the average age was (51.2?13.5) years and the average time on dialysis was (33.2?36.7) months. Causes of ESRD included chronic glomerulonephritis (8 patients), diabetic nephropathy (1 patients), hypertensive renal damage (1 patients), interstitial nephritis(two patients), chronic pyelonephritis (two patients). The average ultrafiltration volume was (2.7?1.0) L (0.5-4.4 L) . Plasma urea concentrations were (23.06?5.76) mmol/L and (8.15?2.06) mmol/L before and one hour after hemodialysis session, respectively. There was no significant difference between TBW measured immediately after and one hour after hemodialysis session with BIS analysis [(29.9?8.8) L and (29.8?8.6) L, respectively; average difference was (0.1?0.9)L, P=0.70]. These two measurements correlated very well (Pearson r=0.99, P

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of articular chondrocyte and the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos in articular cartilage with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) in order to understand the pathogenesis of chondronecrosis in KBD. Methods The collected samples of human articular cartilage were divided into two groups: control group (15 samples from 15 cases), KBD group (15 samples from 15 cases). KBD patients were diagnosed by "Pathological Criteria to Diagnose KBD in China". Chondrocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and the Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos positive articular chondrocytes were stained by the B-SA of immunohistochemistry. Articular cartilage was classified three zones and the positive rate were counted by light microscope for cytoplasimic staining by polyclonal antibodies of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos and apoptotic chondrocytes by TUNEL. Results ① The percentage of positive apoptotic chondrocytes stained by TUNEL in the middle zone of articular cartilage from the KBD-children group(33.60±2.71%) was higher than that of the control (1.33±0.41% t=11.59, g=28, P<0.01). ②The percentage of chondrocytes staining for Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos among the upper and the middle zone in KBD group were significantly higher than that of the control (t=11.75-18.65, g=14, P<0.01); the remarkable difference in the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos among the upper, the middle and the deep zones was also seen in KBD articular cartilage (F=73.49-114.42, g=42, P<0.01), and staining for Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos in KBD children was prominent in the upper zone(41.93±12.26%, 45.60±15.78%, 53.60±16.49%, 45.47±14.02%) and the middle zone(14.93±3.50%, 13.87±4.32%, 23.27±4.83%, 21.67±6.82%)of articular cartilage, respectively. Conclusion The chondrocyte apoptosis and the present of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos positive chondrocytes in articular cartilage of children with KBD were significantly higher than that of the control.

BACKGROUND: Blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption can clean larger molecules that exceed the molecular weight cutoff of combined continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Hence blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption combined CVVH (HP+CVVH) has higher ability of mediator clearance, and can improve clinical outcomes in theory. This study aimed to investigate the effect of blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption combined continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (HP+CVVH) on plasm cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, cellular immunity and prognosis in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized clinical trial. A total of 30 patients who had been diagnosed with MODS were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to routine treatment+HP+CVVH group (treatment group) and routine treatment+only CVVH group (control group). In the treatment group, patients received blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption for 2 hours, and then received CVVH for 10 hours every day. In the control group, patients received CVVH for 12 hours only every day. The patients in the two groups received blood purification therapy for three days. The plasma of patients in the treatment group was obtained at 0, 2, 12, 24, 26, 36, 48, 50, 60 hours, 5th day, 7th day and 10th day, respectively. The plasma of patients in the control group was obtained at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 hours, 5th day, 7th day and 10th day, respectively. APACHE II score, T-lymphocytes subpopulations, blood lactate acid concentration, heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygenation index were observed. RESULTS: Plasma cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 decreased markedly after HP (P<0.01);T-lymphocytes subpopulations CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ increased after HP+CVVH or only CVVH. The plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the two groups were not markedly different at 12, 36, and 50 hours. But on the 5th day, the plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). On the 28th day, 5 patients died in the treatment group, and 6 patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Both HP+CVVH and CVVH can clean plasma cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and improve cellular immunity and clinical symptoms and signs of patients. Compared with only CVVH, the plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were lower on the 5th day, and patients have an increased survival rate on the 28 day in the HP+CVVH group.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical and oncological outcomes between laparoscopic and open intersphincteric resection in patients with low rectal cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to January 2010, patients with low rectal cancer treated by laparoscopic or open intersphincteric resection were included in a retrospective comparative study. Patients were classified into laparoscopy group (n=27) and open group (n=41). The operative procedures, postoperative complications, anal function and clinicopathological data were compared.

RESULTSCompared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had longer operative time [(242.2±42.5) min vs. (199.1±44.3) min, P=0.000], less blood loss [(150.5±102.2) ml vs. (258.4±149.2) ml, P=0.002], faster recovery of bowel function [(2.9±1.1) d vs. (3.6±1.5) d, P=0.032] and resumption of regular diet [(6.6±1.2) d vs. [(7.5±1.7) d, P=0.012], and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(7.7±1.4) d vs. (9.1±2.4) d, P=0.006]. The postoperative complication rate between the laparoscopic and open groups was not significantly different [18.5% (5/27) vs. 19.5% (8/41), P=0.464]. Oncological parameters were comparable between the two groups including lymph node harvested [(14.1±4.1) vs. (16.4±6.8), P=0.113], distal resection margin [(1.4±0.7) cm vs. (1.6±0.8) cm, P=0.311], and circumferential margin [7.4% (2/27) vs. 2.4% (1/41), P=0.709]. Local recurrence rates in laparoscopic and open groups were 7.4% (2/27) and 2.4% (1/41), and distant metastasis rates were 0 and 4.9% (2/41) respectively, and the differences were not significant (both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic intersphincteric resection possesses same efficacy of open intersphincteric resection with less blood loss, shorter recovery time and hospital stay, and similar oncological outcomes, and no increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP), S-band high power microwave (S-HPM), and X-band high power microwave (X-HPM) on the Ca(2+) concentration and caspase-3 expression in Raji cells and the relationship between Ca(2+) concentration and caspase-3 expression, and to investigate the regulatory mechanism of electromagnetic radiation damage.

METHODSRaji cells were cultured conventionally. Some cells were irradiated by EMP, S-HPM, and X-HPM in the logarithmic growth phase for 6 hours and then collected; others received sham irradiation as a control. The Ca(2+) concentration in the cells was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope; the caspase-3 expression in the cells was evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the control group (Ca(2+) fluorescence intensity = 43.08 ± 2.08; caspase-3 expression level = 0.444 ± 0.13), the EMP,S-HPM, and X-HPM groups had significantly increased Ca(2+) concentrations, with Ca(2+) fluorescence intensities of 69.56 ± 1.71, 50.06 ± 1.89, and 70.68 ± 1.59, respectively (P < 0.01), and had upregulated caspase-3 expression, with expression levels of 0.964 ± 0.12, 0.586 ± 0.16, and 0.970 ± 0.07, respectively (P < 0.01). Each of the EMP and X-HPM groups had significantly higher Ca(2+) fluorescence intensity and caspase-3 expression level than the S-HPM group (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the EMP and X-HPM groups. The linear regression analysis showed that the caspase-3 expression was upregulated as the Ca(2+) concentration increased, with a positive correlation between them (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEMP, S-HPM, and X-HPM cause damage probably by increasing the Ca(2+) concentration in cells and in turn inducing caspase-3 overexpression.

Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans

OBJECTIVEGastric cancer cells are insensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). To sensitize gastric cancer cells to TRAIL, we treated gastric cancer MGC803 cells with TRAIL and cisplatin.

METHODSCell proliferation was measured using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Expression of proteins was analyzed by Western blot. The distribution of lipid rafts and death receptors was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. MGC803 cells were pretreated with 50 mg/L nystatin for 1 h, and followed by the treatment of cisplatin and TRAIL.

RESULTS100 µg/L TRAIL resulted in (8.51 ± 3.45)% inhibition of cell proliferation and caused (3.26 ± 0.89)% cell apoptosis in MGC803 cells. Compared with the treatment with cisplatin alone, treatment with TRAIL (100 µg/L) and cisplatin (8.49 mg/L, IC(50) dose of 24 h) led to a dramatic increase in both inhibition of cell proliferation [(52.58 ± 4.57)% vs. (76.43 ± 5.35)%, P < 0.05] and cell apoptosis [(23.10 ± 3.41)% vs. (42.56 ± 4.11)%, P < 0.05]. Moreover, cleavage of caspase-8 and caspase-3 was detected. TRAIL (100 µg/L) did not induce obvious lipid rafts aggregation and death receptor 4 (DR4) clustering, while cisplatin (8.49 mg/L) significantly promoted the localization of DR4 in aggregated lipid rafts. Pretreatment with 50 mg/L nystatin, a cholesterol-sequestering agent, triggered (3.66 ± 0.52)% cell apoptosis after 24 h. Pretreatment with nystatin for 1 h before the addition of 8.49 mg/L cisplatin for 24 h caused a decreased tendency to cell apoptosis [(25.74 ± 3.28)% vs. (22.76 ± 2.97)%]. While, pretreatment with nystatin before the addition of cisplatin and TRAIL, the proportion of apoptotic cells decreased from (43.16 ± 4.26)% to (31.52 ± 3.99)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCisplatin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC803 cells through clustering death receptors into lipid rafts.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Membrane Microdomains ; metabolism ; Nystatin ; pharmacology ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the oral health-related quality of life in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) using the Chinese version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP)-14.

METHODS51 patients with OLP were included and completed the questionnaire of OHIP-14 subsequently the REU scoring system was utilized to record the local condition and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate the pain they experienced. The reliability and validity were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software.

RESULTSThe score of OHIP-14 was 21.67 +/- 9.45, Cronbach's alpha of the translated scale was 0.901. The items were divided into 5 domains by factor analysis. There was certain logical relation between the items in the same domain. There was highly significant association between the OHIP-14 score and REU score as well as VAS score (r=0.608, 0.807, P<0.000).

CONCLUSIONOHIP-14 performs well in patients with OLP, and have good validity and reliability.

Humans ; Lichen Planus, Oral ; Oral Health ; Pain Measurement ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Adult ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of butenolide (BUT) on cultured chondrocytes differentiation and the possible protective effects of selenium (Se).

METHODSEx-vivo cultured chondrocytes were divided into six groups: (1) Control group (without BUT and Se); (2) Se 0.1 microg/ml control group; (3) BUT 0.1 microg/ml group; (4) BUT 1.0 microg/ml group; (5) BUT 5.0 microg/ml group; and (6) BUT 1.0 microg/ml + Se 0.1 microg/ml group. The expression of collagen II (Col II), collagen X (ColX), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in (or around) chondrocytes in all groups were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe expressions of Col II in 1.0 microg/ml BUT group and 5.0 microg/ml BUT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of Col II in 1.0 microg/ml BUT + Se group were significantly higher than those in the 1.0 microg/ml BUT group and 5.0 microg/ml BUT group (P < 0.05). The expressions of bFGF and PTHrP of BUT groups were significantly higher than those in the Se and control groups (P < 0.05). No expression of ColX was observed in all groups.

CONCLUSIONBUT can affect the collagen II synthesis of the chondrocytes. Selenium supplementation may play a protective role.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; T-2 Toxin ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of microwave radiation on GC-2spd cells.

METHODSWe exposed cultured GC-2spd cells to microwave radiation at the average power densities of 0, 10 and 30 mW/cm2 for 15 minutes and, from I to 24 hours after the exposure, we observed the changes in cell proliferation, histology and ultrastructure, cell apoptosis, and cAMP content by MTIT, light microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the GC-2spd cells showed a significant decrease in proliferation ability at 1 -24 hours after 10 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation, except at 12 hours after 30 mW/cm2 radiation (P <0.05 or P <0.01), with reduced length and number of cell enation and increased intra cytoplasm vacuoles. The rate of cell apoptosis (%) was significantly increased in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 hours (4.56 +/- 2.09 vs 14.59 +/- 1.09 and 8.48 +/- 1.73, P <0.05 or P <0.01) , with agglutination and margin translocation of chromatins and obvious dilation of endo cytoplasmic reticula. The cAMP content (nmol/g) in the GC-2spd cells was remarkably reduced in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 and 24 hours (2.77 +/-0.24 vs 1.65+/- 0. 17 and 1.96+/-0.10, 3.02 +/-0.47 vs 2.13 +/-0.33 and 1.69 +/-0.27, P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONMicrowave radiation at 10 and 30 mW/cm2 may cause injury to GC-2spd cells, which is manifested by decreased content of intracellular cAMP, reduced activity of cell proliferation, and increased rate of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Spermatocytes ; radiation effects