Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; drug therapy

Chronic spinal cord lesions (CSCL) which result in irreversible neurologic deficits remain one of the most devastating clinical problems. Its pathophysiological mechanism has not been fully clarified. As a crucial factor in the outcomes following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption is considered as an important pathogenic factor contributing to the neurologic impairment in SCI. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multirole element in the spinal cord vascular event. On one hand, VEGF administrations can result in rise of BSCB permeability in acute or sub-acute periods and even last for chronic process. On the other hand, VEGF is regarded to be correlated with angiogenesis, neurogenesis and improvement of locomotor ability. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a primary regulator of VEGF during hypoxic conditions. Therefore, hypoxia-mediated up-regulation of VEGF may play multiple roles in the BSCB disruption and react on functional restoration of CSCL. The purpose of this article is to further explore the relationship among HIF-1, hypoxia-mediated VEGF and BSCB dysfunction, and investigate the roles of these elements on CSCL.
Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; physiology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Neurogenesis ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

Bletilla striata has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for several centuries. In recent years, the quality and quantity of wild B. striata plants have declined sharply due to habitat deterioration and human over-exploitation. Therefore, it is of great urgency to evaluate and protect B. striata wild plant resource. In this study, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were applied to assess the level and pattern of genetic diversity in twelve populations of B. striata. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity (PPB = 90.48%, H = 0.349 4, I = 0.509 6) and moderate genetic differentiation among populations (G(st) = 0.260 9). Based on the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA), twelve populations gathered in three clusters. The cluster 1 included four populations. There are Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Xuancheng and Hangzhou. The seven populations which come from Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Jiangxi Province and Guizhou Province belonged to the cluster 2. The cluster 3 only contained Wenshan population. Moreover, Mantel test revealed significant positive correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances (r = 0.632 9; P < 0.000 1). According to the results, we proposed a series of conservation consideration for B. striata.
China ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; Orchidaceae ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics

BACKGROUNDAscorbic acid has important antioxidant properties, and may play a role in the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning on later ischemia-reperfusion. Herein, we examined the role of endogenous extracellular ascorbic acid in ischemic preconditioning in the kidney.

METHODSWe developed a solitary rabbit kidney model where animals received ischemia-reperfusion only (ischemia-reperfusion group, n = 15) or ischemic preconditioning followed by ischemia-reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning group, n = 15). Ischemia-reperfusion was induced by occluding and loosening of the renal pedicle. The process of ischemic preconditioning included 15-minute brief ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion. In vivo microdialysis coupled with online electrochemical detection was used to determine levels of endogenous extracellular ascorbic acid in both groups. The extent of tissue damage was determined in kidney sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were also detected to assess renal function.

RESULTSDuring ischemia-reperfusion, the extracellular ascorbic acid concentration during ischemia increased rapidly to the peak level ((130.01 +/- 9.98)%), and then decreased slowly to near basal levels. Similar changes were observed during reperfusion (peak level, (126.78 +/- 18.24)%). In the ischemic preconditioning group there was a similar pattern of extracellular ascorbic acid concentration during ischemic preconditioning. However, the ascorbic acid level was significantly lower during the ischemia and early reperfusion stage compared to the ischemia-reperfusion group. Additionally, the extent of glomerular ischemic collapse, tubular dilation, tubular denudation, and loss of brush border were markedly attenuated in the ischemic preconditioning group. Levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were also decreased significantly in the ischemic preconditioning group.

CONCLUSIONSIschemic preconditioning may protect renal tissue against ischemia-reperfusion injury via use of extracellular ascorbic acid. In vivo microdialysis coupled with online electrochemical detection is effective for continuous monitoring extracellular ascorbic acid in the renal cortex.

Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; analysis ; Coal Mining ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; metabolism ; Pneumoconiosis ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; analysis

Objective To investigate the cognitive, intelligent and cranial MRI status of 4 patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods A pedigree of 4 patients,admitted to our hospital from September 2011 to December 2011 and diagnosed as having DM1, were chosen in our study; Chinese edition tests of Wechsler adult intelligence scale and Wechsler memory scale were used to test the intelligence of these patients; Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Neurobehavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE) were applied to evaluate the patients' cognitive function.All of the 4 patients received a cranial MRI scan. Results Except for 1 patient,the other 3 patients had low intelligent quotient (IQ) and memory quotient (MQ),and their verbal IQs were all lower than performance IQs.Three patients showed impaired visual space/executive skills,calculation,memory,and conceptual thinking abilities; 1 patient showed impaired sentence repetition and verbal fluency on MoCA,though his final scores were within normal range. Three patients had brain atrophy to some extent on MRI scan,prominently in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe; white matter lesions and thickened skull were founded in all 4 patients. Conclusion Multiple cognition disorders and brain involvements can be found in DM1 patients and deserve further investigation.

Adult ; Humans ; Indium ; adverse effects ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the surgical results of two kinds of posterior approach for osteoporotic thoracolumbar Kvmmell's disease.

METHODSClinical and radiographic results of 1-segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty (Group A, n equal to 12) or posterior shortening osteotomy (Group B, n equal to 16) for osteoporotic thoracolumbar Kvmmell's disease were analyzed retrospectively. Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were used for clinical evaluation. Neurological status was judged by Frankel grades. X-ray was used to evaluate the radiographic results. Complications related to operation and devices were also considered.

RESULTSThe follow-up period was 12-54 months (average 29 months). Pre-and post-operative VAS were 9.3 and 3.2 in Group A, 8.9 and 2.5 in Group B, respectively. The mean JOA score at the final follow-up was significantly higher than that of pre-operation (t equal to 5.306, P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between Groups A and B (t equal to 0.618, P larger than 0.05). The kyphosis were corrected from preoperative 33.9 degree A)/37.3 degree B) to postoperative 10.3 degree A)/6.5 degree B), and 15.3 degree (A)/13.7 degree B) at the final follow-up. There was a significant difference between the two groups at the final follow-up. Frankel grade was improved from grade C preoperatively to postoperatively grade D or E in 7 cases of Group A and 5 cases of Group B, from grade D to E in 5 cases of Group A and 11 cases of Group B. The mean improvement was 1.6 and 1.7 grades for Groups A and B, respectively. There were no serious complications related to internal fixation.

CONCLUSIONSThe similar clinical results can be obtained by the two kinds of posterior surgical methods for osteoporotic Kvmmell's disease. Posterior spinal shortening is a better choice for patients with serious kyphosis combined with neurological deficit than the other.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Osteotomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Vertebroplasty

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of reconstruction of maxillary defects with vascularized iliac crest flap and simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding.

METHODSDuring September to October 2003, two patients with maxillary defects from tumor resection underwent microsurgical reconstruction. The free iliac osteomuscular flap transferring and simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding were performed to repair the defects. Three months after the reconstructive surgery, an abutment operation was preformed and denture was applied in both cases.

RESULTSThe flaps survived well. Postoperative follow-up for 8 to 9 months showed that the patients obtained good zygomaxillary appearance, normal occlusion, and satisfactory pronunciation, without oronasal fistula or other serious complications.

CONCLUSIONSThe free iliac crest osteomuscular flap with simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding is an ideal, effective and cosmetically acceptable method for maxilla reconstruction.

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Ilium ; transplantation ; Male ; Maxilla ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) in patients with esophageal cancer, and to probe the relationship between the levels of IL-2, IL-8, IgG, IgA and IgM and the progress of cancer.

METHODSThe serum levels of IL-2 and IL-8 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 72 case of primary esophageal cancer, 68 advanced esophageal cancer and 120 healthy controls, and the level of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) in patients with esophageal cancer was dynamically observed.

RESULTSThe IL-2 level in patients with early esophageal cancer [(1.69 +/- 0.53) ng/ml] or late esophageal cancer [(1.11 +/- 0.60) ng/ml] was lower than the control group [(2.78 +/- 0.51) ng/ml] (P < 0.01), the late esophageal cancer group was lower than early esophageal cancer group (P < 0.05). The level of IL-8 in patients with early esophageal cancer [(85.48 +/- 6.14) ng/L] or late esophageal cancer [(121.41 +/- 6.22) ng/L] was much higher than the control group [(54.48 +/- 12.20) ng/L] (P < 0.01), the late esophageal cancer group was much higher than early esophageal cancer group (P < 0.01); There was correlation between the levels of IL-2 and IL-8 and the worsen-extent of the tumour in patients with early esophageal cancer or late esophageal cancer. But the level of IgG [(12.23 +/- 2.50) g/L], IgM [(1.60 +/- 0.80) g/L] in the patients with esophageal cancer compared with the level of IgG [(11.65 +/- 3.70) g/L], IgM [(1.46 +/- 0.71) g/L] in the health control group have no significant difference (P > 0.05), the level of IgA [(3.50 +/- 1.10) g/L] in patients with esophageal cancer Compared with the control group [(1.88 +/- 1.08) g/L] has significant difference (P < 0.01), and along with the worsen-extent of the tumor in patients the level of IgA has the increased tendency.

CONCLUSIONThe IL-8 might accelerate the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer, and the IL-2 might restrain. The positive correlation between the level of IgA and the patients with esophageal cancer is observed in this study; the immune maladjustment of IL-2, IL-8 and IgA might be correlative to esophageal cancer, and the IL-2, IL-8 and IgA levels might be an available index for the severity of esophageal cancer, Which may be of some help for clinic practitioners to judge the progress, curative effect and prognosis of the cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging