Objective To investigate the effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on contractile function of rat thoracic aorta.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were sacrificed to obtain the thoracic aortic rings.The experiment was performed in 2 parts.Part Ⅰ The thoracic aortic rings were divided into 2 segments and randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each):control group and IL-1 group.In IL-1 group,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution containing 20 ng/ml IL-1 for 2 h,and contracted with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10-9 to 10-5mol/L.In control group,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution for 2 h,and contracted with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10 9 to 10-5mol/L.Part Ⅱ The thoracic aortic rings were divided into 3 segments and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=20 each):IL-1 group,IL-1+ L-NAME (the NOS inhibitor) group and IL-1 +cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin group (IL-1 +Ⅰgroup).The thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution containing 20 ng/ml IL-1 for 1.5 h in the three groups.In addition,in IL-1 +L-NAME and IL-1 +Ⅰ groups,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated for 30 min with Kreb solution containing 100 μmol/L L-NAME and 2.5 mmol/L indomethacin,respectively.Contraction of the thoracic aorta was then induced with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10 9 to 10-5 mol/L.In group IL-1,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution.The maximum contractile tension of the thoracic aortic rings was recorded at each concentration of phenylephrine,and the percentage of the maximum contractile tension at the concentration of 10-6 mol/L in group C was obtained.Results Part Ⅰ The percentage of contractile tension at phenylephrine 10-s,10-7,l0 6 and 10-5mol/L was significantly decreased in IL-1 group as compared with C group.Part Ⅱ The percentage of contractile tension at phenylephrine 10-7,10-6 and 10-5mol/L was significantly increased in IL-1+L-NAME and IL-1+I groups as compared with IL-1 group.Conclusion IL-1 can inhibit the contraction of rat thoracic aorta,and promoted production of NO and prostacyclin may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To determine the distribution of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) iceA, babA2 in patients in Shanghai and explore the association of H. pylori strain genotype with its clinical outcome after infection. Methods A total of 141 H. pylori strains was isolated from gastric biopsy samples of 43 patients with chronic gastritis, 47 patients with duodenal ulcer (DU), 30 patients with gastric ulcer(GU) and 21 patients with non cardia gastric carcinoma. The iceA, vacA, cagA, and babA2 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results iceA1, iceA2 and babA2 were detected in 74.5% (105/141) , 15.6% (22/141) and 63.8% (90/141) of the 141 H.pylori strains, respectively, while 2 of isolated H. pylori strain (1.4%) were positive for both iceA alleles and 16(11.3%) were negative for both iceA alleles. The prevalence of babA2 and the combined genotype of babA2 and cagA in H. pylori isolated from DU patients were significantly higher than that in GU patients (74.5% vs. 50.0% for babA2, P =0.028; 70.2% vs. 46.7% for babA2 and cagA, P =0.039). There was no significant difference in prevalence of babA2 among other disease groups. No association of different clinical diseases with iceA genotype was detected. Conclusions The most common genotype of H.pylori strains isolated from patients in Shanghai is iceA1 +/babA2 +. babA2 may play different role in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer. No association between iceA status and clinical outcome of H.pylori infection was confirmed in our study.

Objective To study the diagnosis accuracy and features of echocardiography on aortic coarctation combined with hypoplastic aortic arch. Methods The echocardiographic characteristics of seven patients who were diagnosed as aortic coarctation combined with hypoplastic aortic arch were analyzed and compared with results of cardiac catheterization, CT scan and operation. The diagnostic features of echocardiography were summarized. Results Besides the echocardiographic characteristics of aortic coarctation,other specific echocardiographic characteristics of hypoplastic aortic arch were:distinct stenoses of transverse and decsending part of aortic arch were visualized in supra-sternal long-axis view; the range of hypoplastic part started from innominate artery beginning or left common carotid artery beginning; the ratio of diameter of hypoplastic aortic arch over that of descending aorta at diaphragm was less than 0. 5; the blood flow speed detected by Doppler at the site of aortic coarctation was in the normal range. The echocardiographic characteristics of the aortic coarctation combined with hypoplastic aortic arch were correspondent to the results of cardiac catheterization, CT scan and operation results. Conclusions There is high accuracy of echocardiography in diagnosis of aortic coarctation combined with hypoplastic aortic arch. Hypoplastic aortic arch should be paid more attention in diagnosis of aortic coarctation.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine preconditioning on the intestinal injury caused by liver cold ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomized into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),I/R group,and berberine preconditioning group (B group).The animals were anesthetized with 5％ chloral hydrate 60 mg/kg.In B group,berberine 200 mg/kg was administered through a gastric tube once a day for 7 consecutive days starting from 7 days before operation.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of berberine in group Ⅰ/R.At 8 h after operation,the rats were sacrificed and the intestines were harvested for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio),levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD),expression of cytochrome C,Bax and Bcl-2 and apoptotic cell count,and for microscopic examination.Intestinal damage was assessed and scored according to Chiu.Results Compared with group S,Chiu's score,W/D ratio,MDA content and apoptotic cell count were significantly increased,SOD activity was decreased,the expression of cytochrome C and Bax was up-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated in I/R and B groups.Compared with group I/R,Chiu's score,W/D ratio,MDA content and apoptotic cell count were significantly decreased,SOD activity was increased,the expression of cytochrome C and Bax was down-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated in B group.Conclusion Berberine preconditioning can reduce the intestinal injury caused by liver cold I/R in rats,and the mechanism is related to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of Helicobacter priori (H.prlori) strains from the patient with gastric cancer on the expression of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes in AGS cells in vitro. Methods AGS cells were co-cultured with ten strains of H.prlori from five patients with gastric cancer and five patients with gastritis respectively.The expressions of DNA MMR genes (hMSH2 and hMLH1) in mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.The enteropathogenic E.coli served as a bacterial control.Results E.coli and H.priori strains from gastritis have no effects on the expression of hMSH2 and hMLH1 in both protein and mRNA levels on the whole,while all the H.prlori strains from gastric cancer reduced expression levels of hMSH2 and hMLH1.Conclusions There are different effects between H. prlori strains from gastric cancer and those from gastritis on DNA MMR in AGS cell line,indicating that infec- tion of some H.prlori strains might lead to the inhibition of DNA MMR,and that in turns increases the risk of gastric carcinogenesis during chronic H.prlori infection.

Objective To investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) pretreatment on the liver injury in rats undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Forty male adult SD rats,weighing 220-250 g,served as liver transplant donors and recipients.The recipient rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =8 each):sham operation group (group S),OLT group and EP group.Group S only underwent simple laparotomy.The model of OLT was established according to the modified Kamada's two-cuff technique in groups OLT and EP.EP 40 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein at 1 h before skin incision in group EP.Venous blood samples were taken at 2 h of neohepatic phase to determine the serum activities of alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino-transferase (AST).Hepatic specimens were obtained to detect the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD).Results Compared with group S,the levels of serum ALT and AST and MDA were significantly increased and the activity of SOD was significantly decreased in groups OLT and EP ( P ＜0.05 or 0.01).The levels of serum ALT and AST and MDA were significantly lower and the activity of SOD was significantly higher in group EP than in group OLT ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ).Conclusion Ethyl pyruvate pretreatment can attenuate the liver injury in rats undergoing OLT.

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the myocardial injury in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation.Methods Forty patients (AHA classification grade A or B),aged 40-64 yr,with a body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2,scheduled for live donor liver transplantation,were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =20 each):control group (group C) and ulinastatin group (group U).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,sufentanil,and cisatracurium besilate.The patients were tracheal intubated and mechanically ventilated.Ulinastatin 300 000 IU in 100 ml of normal saline was infused intravenously over 30 min after anesthesia induction and then the infusion was repeated at 4 h interval until the end of operation in group U,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Blood samples were taken from the central vein immediately before skin incision (T0,baseline),at 30 min of anhepatic phase (T1),at 30 min of neohepatic phase (T2),and at 0,4 and 24 h after operation (T3-5) for determination of the concentrations of serum cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnI),creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).The changing rates of cTnI and CK-MB at T1-5 were calculated.The use of cardiovascular drugs and cardiovsscular accidents were recorded during operation.Results The serum cTnI,CK-MB and NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher at T2-5 than at T0 in the two groups ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group C,the serum cTnI,CK- MB and NT-proBNP concentrations at T2-5 were significantly deceased in group U ( P ＜ 0.05).The maximal changing rates of cTnI,CK-MB and NT-proBNP concentrations were 4.71 ± 1.62,6.85 ± 1.53 and 4.96 ± 1.23 respectively in group C,decreased to 3.26 ± 1.51,4.56 ± 1.62 and 3.67 ± 1.02 respectively in group U.There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular accidents and the use of dopamine between the two groups.Conclusion Intravenous infusion of ulinastatin can attenuate the myocardial injury to some extent in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation.

malities should be alerted in TOF.

Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on brain injury in the pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation (LRLT).Methods Sixty pediatric patients with congenital biliary atresia,of both sexes,aged 6-10 months,weighing 6.5-9.5 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,scheduled for elective LRLT,were randomly divided into either control group (group C,n =30) or ulinastatin group (group U,n =30) using a random number table.Starting from the end of anesthesia induction to the end of surgery,ulinastatin 10 000 U/kg was infused intravenously in group U,while the equal volume of normal saline was infused intravenously in group C.Before operation,at 30 min of anhepatic phase,and at 3 and 24 h of neohepatic phase,blood samples were drawn from the central vein for determination of the concentrations of S-100β protein and neuron-specific enzyme in serum (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-10 and IL-18 in serum (by radio-immunity method).Results Compared with group C,the serum concentrations of S-100β protein,neuron-specific enzyme,IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly decreased,and the serum concentration of IL-10 was significantly increased at 30 min of anhepatic phase and 3 and 24 h of neohepatic phase in group U (P＜0.05).Conclusion Ulinastatin 10 000 U/kg infused intravenously during operation can reduce brain injury in the pediatric patients undergoing LRLT.

Objective To investigate the expression and the role of Tim-3 and Th-17 in ITP patients and to research their clinical application. Methods Total 42 active ITP patients and 39 healthy donors were recruited in this research. The expressions of Th17 and CD4+ CD25+ Treg were measured with flow cytometer. IL-17, IFN-γ levels as well as IL-4 plasma levels were determined by ELISA. The mRNA expression of Tim-3, IFN-γ, IL-4 and T-bet were measured using RT-PCR in all samples. Results The expression of Th17 cells in ITP patients was (2.41 ± 1.43 )%, which was significantly higher than control group ( 1.08 ± 0.59)% ( t = 5.35, P < 0.05 ). But the percentage of Treg in ITP patients was ( 1.64 ±0.74)%, which was lower than control group (3.12 ±0.52)% (t = 10.33, P <0.05). The levels of IL-17 in plasma of ITP and controls were ( 14.42 ±6.37) ng/L and ( 13.91 ±4.47) ng/L respectively (t =0.42, P > 0.05). The level of IFN-γin plasma of ITP was (55.74 ± 15.25 ) ng/L, which was higher than control group (31.33 ± 12.99) ng/L (t = 7.72, P < 0.05 ). The level of IL-4 in the plasma of ITP was (7.42 ± 1.50) ng/L, which was lower than controls ( 18.17 ± 5.19) ng/L ( t = 12.87, P ＜ 0.05 ). Both IFN-γand T-bet mRNA levels were up-regulated in active ITP patients by the factor ( 8.57 ± 3.44 ) -fold and (3.34 ± 1.32)-fold than control group (t = 13.21,6.41 ,P <0.05). The decreases observed in IL-4 and Tim-3 were (0.25 ±0.15 )-fold and (0.29 ±0.15)-fold respectively in ITP patients compared with control group (t=10.02,9.61,P＜0.05 ). Conclusion The imbalance of Th17/Treg and the decrease of Tim-3 might be important determinants in the evolution of ITP.