Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anal Canal/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo study whether the mAchR agonist Carbachol(Cch, nonselective) causes increased contractions and L-type Ca2+ current [L(Ca(L))] in ventricular myocytes and the mechanism of these effects.

METHODSThe effect of Cch on the I(Ca(L)) and Na/Ca exchange current (I(Na/Ca) was studied in patch-clamped ventricular myocytes isolated from rat hearts and superfused with Tyrode's solution (35 degrees C, 1.8 mmol/L [Ca2+]o) and stimulated at 0.2 Hz and 1.0 Hz evoke contractions of single myocyte.

RESULTS(1) An increase of stimulation frequency decreased the contractions of myocytes(negative inotropic effects). (2) 100 micromol/L Cch increased contraction in 6 cells by 28% (delta L0.2 Hz/ delta L1.0 Hz > or = 1.25) at 1.0 Hz stimulus frequency. (3) The mAchR antagonist Atropine prevented the Cch effect. The mAchR agonist McN-A-343 (M1-selective) did not change the contractions in most of the cells. (4) 100 micromol/L Cch had no significant effect on basal I(Ca(L)), but increased the tail current density on repolarization from +10 mV to -40 mV, suggested that Cch increased I(Na/Ca).

CONCLUSIONThe increase of cell contractions by Cch is apparently mediated by M2 mAchR and eventually increased I(Na/Ca). The increase Ca2+ content of the SR is reflected by the greater magnitude of I(Na/Ca). These results provide an explanation for the increased contraction of the rat ventricular myocytes by Cch and without changes in I(Ca(L)).

Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; physiology ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Cholinergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; physiology

ORF3 and partial ORF1 regions were amplified with RT-PCR f rom two patients (T1 and T11)infected with new genotype of hepatitis E Virus. Th e PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The results showed that G-C rich regi on in ORF3 was deleted when amplified with normal PCR reaction. However, PCR rea ction containing G-C melt solution can overcome this problem. The sequence anal ysis showed that T1 and T11 belong to a new genotype of HEV which differs from g enotype I,II and III reported.T1 and T11 have 79%～82%, 80%～81% and 83%～85% id entical to genotype I,II and III respectively.

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To observe changes of pressing pain along governor vessel on the back(below the spinous process from the 3rd cervical vertebra to the 9th cervical vertebra) in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GRED) after acu-puncture treatment as well as its clinical meaning.METHODS 60 cases of GRED were randomly divided into acupuncture group and medication group,with 30 cases in each group.In the acupuncture group,such acupoints as Shenzhu(GV12), Shendao(GV1 1),Lingtai(GV10),Zhiyang(GV9),Jinsuo(GV8) and non-acupoints(T4,T8) were needled once every other day,three times a week.While those in the medication group were given Omeprazole(20 mg∕time)twice a day,with the treat-ment course lasting for eight weeks.Reflux disease questionnaires (RDQ) were answered in both groups before and after the treatment,then pain degree and pain threshold and pressing pain along governor vessel from T3 ~T9 were assessed.RESULTS The effect rate was 70% in acupuncture group and 43.3% in medication group with significant differences between the two groups (P <0.05).After treatment,the relief of pressing pain below the spinous processes from T3 to T9 in acupuncture group was better than that in medication group(P <0.05),and the increasing of pain threshold from T5 to T7 in acupuncture group was much higher than that in medication group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Acupuncture stimulation along governor vessel on the back is more effective than medication,and the pain threshold after acupuncture was significantly higher than medication.Therefore,the changes of pressing pain along governor vessel can be considered as an index to estimate the effect of treating GRED by acupuncture.

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To investigate the hypoglycemic action and β-cell protective effect of salidroside in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice and cultured mouse islets.METHODS C57BL∕6J mice were injected with a single dose of 1 50 mg∕kg freshly prepared STZ with citrate buffer as control.The salidroside intervention with a dosage of 100 mg∕kg∕d was ini-tiated on the 8th day after STZ injection and conducted for 30 d.Fasting blood glucose levels were measured every five days. After 30 d treatment,the oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed,and blood samples were collected to detect plas-ma insulin concentrations.The isolated mouse islets were cultured with salidroside(50 μmol∕L) or DMSO for 3 d.Ki67 stai-ning and TUNEL assay were performed to investigate the effects of salidroside on β-cell proliferation and apoptosis.Mean-while,the mRNA levels of insulin,Pdx-1,GLP-1R and IL-1βin islets were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS Compared with the STZ group,salidroside displayed significantly hypoglycemic effects,together with increased plasma insulin contents as well as improved OGTT.The Ki67 staining in cultured islets showed the proliferation ofβ-cell was remarkably increased by salidro-side,while the β-cell apoptosis induced by high glucose was strongly inhibited by salidroside.Moreover,the mRNA levels of insulin,Pdx-1 and GLP-1R were up-regulated by salidroside significantly.However,the mRNA level of IL-1βwhich is a cyto-kine involved inβ-cell apoptosis was down-regulated by salidroside.CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that sali-droside can ameliorate the hyperglycemia in STZ diabetic mice by protecting β-cell survival with increased β-cell proliferation and decreasedβ-cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of utilizing two implantable devices made from modified polyurethane films with antibody tethered replication-defective adenoviruses encoding for green fluorescent protein (AdGFP) as gene delivery platforms.

METHODSIntra-aortic button implants of collagen-coated polyurethane films with antibody tethered AdGFP were sutured into the infrarenal aorta of adult pigs and pulmonary valve leaflet in juvenile sheep was replaced by polyurethane pulmonary valve cusp replacement with antibody-tethered AdGFP. After seven days, the buttons, prosthetic leaflets, and their surrounding tissues were explanted and evaluated for biocompatibility and AdGFP-mediated gene transfer by fluorescent microscopy and PCR analysis.

RESULTSIn vivo analysis of gene transfer from collagen-coated polyurethane films in pig infrarenal aorta implants, one week explants of the collagen-coated polyurethane films demonstrated (14.2 +/- 2.5)% of neointimal cells on the surface of the implant. In sheep pulmonary valve leaflet replacement studies, polyurethane films with antibody tethered AdGFP vector demonstrated (25.1 +/- 5.7)% of cells attached to polyurethane valve leaflets were transduced in one week. PCR analyses showed that GFP DNA was not detectable in blood or distal tissues.

CONCLUSIONSite-specific intravascular delivery of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy can be achieved with these two kinds of polyurethane implants utilizing the antivector antibody tethering mechanism.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Male ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Sheep ; Swine

This case report describes the diagnosis and endodontic therapy of maxillary fused second and third molars, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A 31-year-old Chinese male, with no contributory medical or family/social history, presented with throbbing pain in the maxillary right molar area following an unsuccessful attempted tooth extraction. Clinical examination revealed what appeared initially to be a damaged large extra cusp on the buccal aspect of the distobuccal cusp of the second molar. However, CBCT revealed that a third molar was fused to the second molar. Unexpectedly, the maxillary left third molar also was fused to the second molar, and the crown of an unerupted supernumerary fourth molar was possibly also fused to the apical root region of the second molar. Operative procedures should not be attempted without adequate radiographic investigation. CBCT allowed the precise location of the root canals of the right maxillary fused molar teeth to permit successful endodontic therapy, confirmed after 6 months.
Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fused Teeth ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Maxilla ; Molar ; abnormalities ; Molar, Third ; abnormalities ; Pulpitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Root Canal Therapy ; Tooth Root ; abnormalities ; Tooth, Supernumerary ; diagnostic imaging ; Tooth, Unerupted ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To describe the CT and MRI features of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) caused by herbal medicine Gynura segetum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT and MRI features of 16 consecutive Gynura segetum induced HSOS cases (12 men, 4 women) were analyzed. Eight patients had CT; three patients had MRI, and the remaining five patients had both CT and MRI examinations. Based on their clinical presentations and outcomes, the patients were classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. The severity of the disease was also evaluated radiologically based on the abnormal hepatic patchy enhancement in post-contrast CT or MRI images. RESULTS: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and main right hepatic vein narrowing or occlusion were present in all 16 cases. Hepatomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening were present in 14 cases (87.5%, 14/16). Periportal high intensity on T2-weighted images was present in 6 cases (75%, 6/8). Normal liver parenchymal enhancement surrounding the main hepatic vein forming a clover-like sign was observed in 4 cases (25%, 4/16). The extent of patchy liver enhancement was statistically associated with clinical severity classification (kappa = 0.565). CONCLUSION: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and the main hepatic veins narrowing were the most frequent signs of herbal medicine induced HSOS. The grade of abnormal patchy liver enhancement was associated with the clinical severity.
Adult ; Aged ; Ascites/diagnosis ; Asteraceae/chemistry ; Cholecystography ; Female ; Gallbladder/pathology ; Hepatic Veins/pathology/radiography ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/chemically induced/*diagnosis ; Hepatomegaly/diagnosis ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy/*adverse effects ; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids/adverse effects ; Severity of Illness Index ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the feeding pattern of preterm infants between two hospitals in China and the United States.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was conducted. Infants <32 weeks were enrolled from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center Cincinnati University Hospital (CCHMC group) between January 2011 and January 2012 and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH group) between January 2011 and May 2012. Enteral and parenteral feeding data of the two groups was compared.

RESULTSEighty-two infants in the CCHMC group and 74 infants in the PUMCH group were enrolled. The gestational age and birth weight of infants in the CCHMC group were smaller than the PUMCH group (P<0.01). The total dosage of amino acid (58±30 g/kg vs 24.0(19.6, 32.8) g/kg; P<0.01) and fat [35±16 g/kg vs 14.0(11.0, 22.5) g/kg; P<0.01], in the PUMCH group were higher than the CCHMC group. The duration of parenteral nutrition in the PUMCH group was longer than the CCHMC group[(24±10 d vs 8.0(6.0, 11.0) d; P<0.01]. The breast feeding rate in the CCHMC group was higher (94% vs 10%; P<0.01) than in the PUMCH group. The time for achieving full enteral feeding in the CCHMC group was shorter [12.0(10.0, 14.0) d vs 22.4±9.3 d, P<0.01] than in the PUMCH group. The incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis (13% vs 3%; P<0.05) and sepsis (32% vs 12%; P<0.01) in the CCHMC group were higher than in the PUMCH group.

CONCLUSIONSPreterm infants in the PUMCH group have a prolonged duration of parenteral nutrition and an increased incidence of sepsis compared to the CCHMC group. Fortified human milk feeding and more aggressive enteral feeding proposal in PUMCH is recommended.

Breast Feeding ; China ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Parenteral Nutrition ; United States

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles of oxidative stress in the generation and development of aneurysms.

METHODSFive terminal aneurysms and 8 lateral aneurysms were rebuilt on rabbits, and 6 normal artery vessels were prepared as control. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and anti-reactive oxygen species unit (anti-ROS unit) were measured with chemical methods.

RESULTSThe levels of MDA in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (33.85 +/- 8.66) and (27.87 +/- 5.78) nmol/mg prot, respectively, which were significantly higher than (10.91 +/- 2.72) nmol/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). The levels of SOD in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (28.30 +/- 3.58) and (33.00 +/- 8.09) U/mg prot, respectively, which were significantly lower than (127.27 +/- 38.72) U/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). The levels of anti-ROS unit in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (47.86 +/- 5.00) and (62.64 +/- 13.87) U/ mg prot, respectively, which were significantly lower than (116.94 +/- 9.22) U/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). No significant differences were shown between terminal aneurysm and lateral aneurysm in MDA and SOD except anti-ROS unit (P = 0.014). MDA had negative correlations with both SOD and anti-ROS unit, and the correlation coefficients were -0. 830 and -0. 852, respectively.

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress may play an important role in the development of aneurysms. Oxidative stress seems similar among various aneurysms.

Aneurysm ; classification ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism