Objective To analyze the features of normal high-frequency ultrasonography of tarsal tunnel. Methods Forty volunteers (20 males and 20 females) were examined with high-frequency ultrasound (12 MHz). The tendons,nerve and blood vessels in tarsal tunnel were observed from short-axis and long-axis views dynamically. The areas of tarsal tunnel and posterior tibial nerve were measured and com-pared between the males and females. Results High-frequency ultrasonography depicted the anatomical structure of tarsal tunnel,and the tendons,nerve and blood vessels presented different sonographic features that were easy to differentiate. The area of tarsal tunnel: male (7.61 ±1.00) cm2,female (6. 61 ± 1. 07) cm2 (P <0. 01). The area of posterior tibial nerve: male (9. 59 ± 0. 75) mm2,female (8.91 ±0.74) mm2(P<0.01). Conclusion High-frequency ultrasonography can clearly show and accurately measure the tarsal tunnel structure. To be familiar with the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of tarsal tunnel will help to improve the efficacy of ultrasound diagnosis of tarsal tunnel abnormalities.

Adult ; Female ; Forearm ; surgery ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.Methods Biopsy specimens were resected from 14 patients with basal cell carcinoma,19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 30 normal controls.Quanti- tative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical techniques were utilized to assess the expression of Smad 7, Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 in these specimens.Results The gray scale for staining of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 was 166.61?7.11,166.08?8.71,and 166.25?8.15 respectively in basal cell carcinoma,161.66?5.52,166.84?9.27,and 169.98?9.48 respectively in squamous cell carcinoma.The expression levels of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 were all significantly increased in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell car- cinoma in comparison with normal controls.Conclusions The over-expression of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 may interfere with transforming growth factor?signaling transduction pathway through several links,therefore prevent the inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor?on epidermal proliferation,and accelerate the abnormal proliferation in above epidermal tumors.

Antibodies ; analysis ; Biopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Progression ; Drug Resistance ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Kidney Glomerulus ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Nephrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Steroids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: The ideal biomaterial means absence of cytotoxic effect and immunological rejection, degradation at right moment, and a well histocompatibility. Whether bio-derived bone can be used in vivo for long time and exerts functions deserves to be studied.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the local histocompatibility after bio-derived bone implanted into mouse and the effect on immunofunctions.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING: Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University from March to July in 2006. Eighteen BALB/C mice (weighing 20±2 g, half male and half female), one male Kunming mouse (weighing 20 g), and one female rabbit (weighing 2.5 kg) were included in the experiment. All the experimental animals were provided by Laboratory Animal Center, School of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University. The disposal of the experimental animals in the test process accorded with ethical guidelines for the use and care of animals. Porcine cancellous bone (iliac bone) was purchased from the market. Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM, Hycolone, USA), fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco Co., Ltd, USA), methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT, Sigma, USA), and concanavalin A (ConA, Sigma Co., Ltd, USA) were used.METHODS: Bio-derived bone was prepared from commercial porcine bone. ① Eighteen BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups with 6 mice in each group: a control group (simple local muscle injury without implantation), a bio-derived bone implantation group ( implanting bio-derived bone into the lower limb), and a xenogenic bone implantation group (femoral bone from Kunming mouse was implanted into the muscle of lower limb). ② Twenty-one days after operation, the implant material and surrounding tissue were obtained for gross observation and haematoxylin-eosin staining to investigate the histocompatibility of bio-derived bone. Mouse immunofunction was assessed by complement-mediated cytotoxicity test. Absorbance was determined with an automatic ELISA reader at 570 nm to assess the cytotoxicity.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Histocompatibility of implant surrounded tissue. ②Lymphocyte stimulation indices after induction of concanavalin A. ③ Cytotoxicity in each group after complement-dependent cytotoxicity test.RESULTS: Eighteen BALB/C mice were included in the final analysis. ①Histocompatibility of implant surrounded tissue: In the bio-derived bone implantation group, 21 days after bio-derived bone implantation, there were no presentation of congestion, degeneration, necrosis and diapyesis around the implant in gross, plenty of fibrous connective tissue invaded into the pores of the bio-derived bone, encapsulation and forming the fibrous capsule. A great quantity of neutrophils and macrophages were not detected around the implant by haematoxylin-eosin staining. Bio-derived bone was encapsulated with fibrous tissue, and part of the biomaterial began to degrade, and being replaced with fibrous tissue. Regarding xenogenic bone implantation group, necrotic tissue was detected in the cross-section of the muscle in gross. A lot of neutrophils, macrophages and necrotic tissue were detected around the implant by haematoxylin-eosin staining. ②Lymphocyte stimulation indices: The stimulation index of xenogenic bone implantation group was significantly larger than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the bio-derived bone group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05). ③Cytotoxicity: The cytotoxicity of xenogenic bone implantaion group was significantly larger than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference in cytotoxicity between the bio-derived bone implantation group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The obtained bio-derived bone causes little immunoreactions, has no obvious cytotoxicity or inflammatory reactions, and possesses a good histocompatibility and bio-safety.

Objective To investigate the resistance mechanisms and epidemiology of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical with reduced susceptibility to imipenem or meropenem.Methods 18 strains of Enterobacteriaceae with reduced carbapenem susceptibility were collected during January to August in 2010.The MICs of these strains were determined using automated microbial identification system.ESBLs,AmpC and KPC were tested using the agar dilution method.PCR amplification and DNA sequence were performed to analyze the KPC genes,PFGE was used to examine the molecular epidemiology.Results All 18 strains were detected ESBLs and AmpC,14 strains were detected KPC-2.3 strains with EDTA paper method positive may produce other metal carbapenem,in which 2 strains harbor KPC-2.PFGE types indicate that there were six genotypes among 15 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae.Conclusion Plasmid-mediated KPC-2 was the main reason which makes Enterobacteriaceae reducing carbapenem susceptibility and causes short-term epidemic in hospital.Clinical strains harboring KPC-2 gene may carry multiple resistance genes meanwhile.

To establish a cell model in vitro that stable expressing HBV by integrating HBA1.3 DNA into cell chromosome. The HBV1.3 full-length DNA was obtained by digested pGEM-HBV1.3 plasmid with HindIII and then was linked with PU-21 vector digested by HindIII. This was resulted in generation of a recombined plasmid named PU21-HBV plasmid. The recombined plasmid was introduced into HepG2 cells by electroporation. The transfected cells were screened with G418. The insertion and expression of HBV were identified by X-gal staining, RT-PCR and Southern blot. The result of PU21-HBV plasmid sequence demonstrated that HBV1.3 DNA was linked correctly with PU-21 vector. A series of positive cell colonies were obtained with G418 screening followed transfecting PU21-HBV plasmid into HepG2 cells. The results of Southern blot and RT-PCR exhibit that HBV1.3 DNA had successfully integrated into the chromosomes of HepG2 cells and had functional HBV gene transcription. HBV1.3 DNA was inserted into HepG2 genome and could stable transcript HBV RNA. The stable HBV expression cell line was constructed successfully. There are LoxP sites in the trapping vector PU21. With the Cre enzyme, interesting genes could be excganged into the LoxP sites. Therefore, double stable expression of interesting gene and HBV cell lines could be generated. The cell lines will be useful for further research some target gene function on replication of HBV.

Background Hypertension is a multigenetic inheritable disease.Gene therapy with long-term effects and less side effects by regulating gene expression has been shown to be a potential and exciting prospect. Objective To investigate the effects of RNA interference(RNAi)targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)on the blood pressure and ACE expression in kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR).Methods SHR were randomly to receive placebo(n=12)or control adenovirus Ad5-EGFP)or a single injection of recombinant adenovi- ral vectors,Ad5-EGFP-ACE-shRNA(n=12,iv).Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats(WKY)were served as normal control group.SBP was measured before and after the intervention.Aorta,lung,myocardium and kidney were studied using fluorescence microscope to identify the sites of Ad5-EGFP-ACE-shRNA.Expressions of ACE mRNA and protein in kidney were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results SBP of the treat group was effectively reduced by 19.0?3.2 mmHg at the 3rd day,and 22.1?3.3 mmHg at the 13th day of the experiment.The anti- hypertensive effect significant remained at least for 14 days.On the contrary,increase in BP was shown in placebo and the adenovirus control group.Compared with placebo or adenovirus control rats,ACE mRNA expression level in kidney of the treated rats was lower by 61.1% and 62.3% respectively,with ACE protein expression level lower- ing by 56.2% and 53.30% as well(ail P0.05). Conclusion RNA interference targeting ACE gene inhibits the expressions of ACE mRNA and protein.A single dose injection resulted in a prolonged decrease in BP.The evidence of strong antihypertensive effect by genetic therapy justifies efforts for further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dry red wine in the different stages of experimental atherosclerosis (AS) at the cell, molecular and gene regulation levels in order to provide scientific basis for using dry red wine in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

METHODSBlood vessel wall pathological changes, activity of NF-kB and the expressions of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and protein kinase C (PKC alpha) were observed in dietary induced atherosclerosis rabbit model by morphology study, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and in situ hybridyzation, and the effects of dry red wine intervention were examined.

RESULTSDry red wine significantly suppressed the proliferation of atherosclerosis intima and NF-kappaB activation (4w: 18.5 +/- 0.6 vs 13.7 +/- 0.3; 8w: 26 +/- 0.9 vs 17.8 +/- 0.5; 12w: 39.9 +/- 1.2 vs 27.8 +/- 0.8), and down-regulated the expressions of MCP-1 and PKC alpha.

CONCLUSIONSThe results confirmed that dry red wine could protect AS tissues and prolong its development by suppressing NF-kappaB activation, down-regulating the expressions of MCP-1 and PKC alpha, which may take part in pathogenesis of AS.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Blood Vessels ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Wine

The study aims to investigate the embryo-fetus development toxicity of the novel PPAR-δ agonist HS060098 on SD rats. The pregnant rats that were randomly divided into the solvent control group (1% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose water solution) and HS060098 suspension groups (10, 30 and 100 mg x kg(-1) xd(-1)) were orally administered with HS060098 suspension or vehicle during the gestation of 6 -15 days (GD6-15). At termination (GD20), female rats were sacrificed. The pregnant females were evaluated by corpora lutea count, implantation sites, existence and death of embryos. Fetal sex, weight, externals, variations and malformations of viscus and skeleton were observed. The results show that there were no significant abnormality in maternal general conditions and fetal appearance as well as viscera, but in the 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) group, the maternal weight gain decreased greatly (P < 0.01) and the skeletal ossification delayed remarkably (P < 0.01); in the 30 mg x kg(-1) xd(-1) group, the fatal and litter number of incompletely ossified sternebrae II was higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05); the skeletal malformations occurred in all dose groups, which indicate that the novel PPAR-δ agonist HS060098 had maternal toxicity and adversely effected fetal skeletal development under the experimental conditions.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; Embryonic Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Fetal Weight ; PPAR delta ; agonists ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Toxicity Tests