Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Male ; Silicosis ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Aim Toinvestigatetheroleofbrain-de-rived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)-tyrosine receptor ki-nase B (trkB ) signaling pathway in the therapeutic effects of ketamine on diabetic neuropathic pain.Meth-ods Forty-eightWistarrats,aged3months,weighing 200~250 g,were equally randomized into 4 groups(n=12 ):control group (C group ), saline group (S group),ketamine group (K group)and ketamine +ANA-12 group (KA group ).Rats in S,K and KA groups were intraperitoneally injected with a single of streptozotocin(STZ)65 mg·kg-1 to construct diabetic neuropathic pain model.After twenty-eight days,rats in S,K and KA groups were intraperitoneally injected with saline, ketamine 10 mg·kg-1 and ketamine 10 mg·kg-1 +ANA-12 0. 5 mg·kg-1 for consecutive 7 days, respectively. On the 8th day, mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT)of rats was measured.Af-ter that,the rats were immediately sacrificed,and dor-sal ganglion of lumbar spine and prefrontal cortex (PFC)were harvested for measuring BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density by Western blot andglogistaining.Results ComparedwithCgroup, rats in S group significantly decreased MWT,BDNF, p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density in dorsal ganglion and PFC (P <0. 05 ).Compared with S group,rats in K group showed a significant increase of MWT,BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density in the all observed regions(P<0. 05 ).On the contrary,rats in KA group showed a significant de-crease of MWT and BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophys-in and spine density as compared with K group in all regions(P<0. 05 ).Furthermore,BDNF was positive-ly correlated with spine density in all regions (P <0.05).Conclusion BDNF-trkBsignalingpathway mediates ketamine-induced therapeutic effects in dia-betic neuropathic pain.

Objective To study the effect of liver transplantation using right liver lobe Ⅴ and Ⅷ segments with middle hepatic vein(MHV) and without main MHV on the regeneration of liver transplantation. Methods 25 pair of donors and receptors of liver transplantation were divided in to two groups:with M HV group (group A, n= 14) and without main MHV (group B, n=11). The volumes of Ⅴ and Ⅷ segments of liver were measured in donors presurgicaUy,half month and 3 month in receptors postsurgically, the rates of regeneration of the Ⅴ and Ⅷ segment were calculated half month and 3 months postsurgically and compared between two groups. Results In group A,the regenerate rates of the Ⅴ,Ⅷ segment were 0.360±0.043 and 0.853±0.059 half month after surgery,0.253±0.043 and 0.708±0.059 three months after surgery respectively. In group B, the regenerate rates of the Ⅴ,Ⅷ segment were 0.306±0.049 and 0.815±0.066, respectively half month after graft, 0.161±0.049 and 0.627±0.066, respectively three months after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in regenerate rates of the Ⅴ, Ⅷ segment of graft be-tween the two groups (P= 0.685 ,P>0.05 and P= 0.738, P>0.05). Conclusion The right lobe living donor liver transplantation, maintaining the MHV or reconstruct MHV tributaries without MHV has similar effects on the regeneration of Ⅴ,Ⅷ segment of graft.

Objective:To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) on metabolism of aflatoxin B_1(AFB_1) in Wistar rats. Methods:Seventy one Wistar rats were divided into three groups at random: group A (AFB_1 group), group B (AFB_1+EGb761 group), and group C (control group). The rats in groups A and B were given AFB_1(intraperitoneal injection, 100-200 μg/ kg body weight, 1-3 times/week). The rats in group B were fed the food containing EGb761 while the rats in groups A and C were given normal food. Blood samples were collected and liver biopsy was performed on the 14th, 28th and 42nd week. All the rats were sacrificed at the 64th week. The incidence of hepatoma was observed. The hepatic phase Ⅰ drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP450 and phase Ⅱ enzyme GST were detected by spectrometry. The serum AFB_1-lysine adduct was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The expression of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine(8-OHdG) was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results:The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (26.92% vs 76.00%,P<0.001). No hepatocellular carcinoma developed in group C. EGb761 had no effects on the activities of CYP450 and GST in rat liver tissues. The level of AFB_1-lysine adduct reached the peak (4 356.01 pg/mg albumin) at the 14th week in group A. EGb761 significantly inhibited the formation of AFB_1-lysine adducts in serum by 13.07% at the 14th week (P＝0.033), and 73.63% at the 42nd week (P＝0.002). The expression of 8-OHdG protein in rat liver tissues in group B was significantly lower than that in group A at the 28th, 42nd, and 64th week (P<0.05). Conclusion:The main mechanism underlying the effect of EGb761 in blocking hepatogenesis induced by AFB_1 may not be fully related with its influence on the activity of liver phase Ⅰ and phase Ⅱ metabolizing enzymes. EGb761 inhibites the production of AFB_1-lysine addcuts, decreases the expression of 8-OHdG protein, and finally alleviates the DNA oxidative injury, which may be one of the mechanisms for the effects of EGb761 in inhibiting or delaying hepatogenesis induced by AFB_1.

PURPOSE: To report a case of congenital lacrimal outflow dysgenesis with supernumerary lacrimal puncta. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-years-old woman presented with chronic bilateral epiphora with no specific medical history. Slit-lamp examination revealed bilateral upper and lower double puncta. The accessory puncta were situated along the lid margin, medial to the normal one and had a typical slit configuration. Additionally, there was a lower canalicular system block that appeared unresponsive to simple probing. Bilateral endoscopic conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube was performed. Chronic bilateral epiphora was relieved after bilateral endoscopic conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube. CONCLUSIONS: A case of congenital lacrimal outflow dysgenesis with supernumerary lacrimal puncta was observed, which has not been previously reported in Korea. Surgical repair of the congenital lacrimal outflow dysgenesis with supernumerary lacrimal puncta should be considered to achieve a functional recovery of the lacrimal drainage system.
Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases

Equipment Design ; Facial Injuries ; therapy ; First Aid ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT-DSD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 2 cases of OT-DSD treated in our hospital. The patients were 19 and 15 years old, respectively, and both received systematic physical examination and examinations of the karyotype, sex hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), color Doppler ultrasonography, urethrocystoscopy, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test. Under the laparoscope, we performed surgical gonad exploration, gonadectomy, and vulvar orthopedics. Intraoperative exploration and pathology confirmed true hermaphroditism in both cases, with sex selection as female. One underwent laparoscopic resection of the ovotestis, and the other removal of the testis with the ovarian tissue reserved.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively, which found no abnormality in either the vulvas or the genital glands.

CONCLUSIONSurgical exploration of the gonad is the only method for the diagnosis of OT-DSD and sex selection is the key to treatment. Laparoscopic surgical exploration of the gonad and vulvar orthopedics are the first treatment options.

Adolescent ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Ovary ; Ovotesticular Disorders of Sex Development ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective:To test the expression of Minichromosome maintenance complex component 7(MCM7) protein in hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC) of different species including human, rat and tree shrew (tupaia) by cross-species oncogenomics approach, and to investigate the relationship between the expression of MCM7 and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance. Methods:Western blot and Immunohistochemistry were applied to detect the expression levels of MCM7 protein in HCC tissues,corresponding HCC-adjacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues collected from different species including human, rat and tree shrew, respectively. The clinicopathologic factors were also analyzed with the results of Immunohistochemistry. Results:Western blot analysis showed that the expression of MCM7 protein in HCC tissues of human and rat were higher than that in corresponding HCC-ad-jacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues, respectively and significantly (P<0.05). However, the expression of MCM7 protein in HCC tissues of tree shrew were also higher than that in corresponding HCC-adjacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues, but no significant difference was found among three types of tissues (P>0.05).There was also no significant difference between HCC-adjacent liver tis-sues and normal liver tissues in three species (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that MCM7 protein was mainly ex-pressed in nucleus of HCC cells, and the positive rate of MCM7 protein in HCC tissues of human, rat and tree shrew were significantly higher than that in corresponding HCC-adjacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues, respectively (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between HCC-adjacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues (P>0.05). Moreover, the protein level of MCM7 was intimately related to patient's HCC stage, extrahepatic metastases and postoperative recurrence (P<0.05). Conclusion:MCM7 protein might play a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, it was probably related to patient's HCC stage, extrahepatic metastases and postoperative recurrence. It seems very likely that MCM7 may be applied as a new molecular target in HCC prevention and treat-ment.

Objective To study the effect of injured podocytes on glomerular maturation and its underlying mechanism in neonatal mice.Methods Single i.p.injection with puromycin aminonucleoside (PA,0.1 mg/g BW) was given to ICR neonatal mice at day 1 after birth (1 dpp). Littermates injected with normal saline (NS) were used as control.Animals were examined for urine protein,blood pressure,kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW),renal histology at 2,4,8,12, 30,60 and 90 dpp (n=6～9 for each group).Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR were performed to examine the expression of WT-1,CD31,VEGF,Flk-1,Ang-1,Ang-2,Tie-1 and Tie-2.Results Mice with PA injection had lower kidney weight and body weight at all time points as well as lower KW/BW at 4,8,12 dpp when compared with NS controls.Electron microscopy revealed nearly complete foot process effacement and segmental microvillous transformation as early as 1 day after PA injection.PA-injected kidneys showed fewer capillary loops and decreased maturation index as well as less CD31-positive endothelium in cortical glomeruli at 12 dpp. Glomerular mesangial injury and developing glomerulosclerosis along with proteinuria were noted in PA-injected kidneys starting from 30 dpp.Significantly increased systolic blood pressure was detected at 60 dpp in PA mice.Compared with NS injection,PA injection significantly induced decreased mRNA expression of Flk-1 and Tie-2 as well as increased expression of Ang-1,without obvious changes of VEGF at 2 dpp.Conclusions Podocytes in neonatal kidney of ICR mice are susceptible to PA. Such podocyte injury can alter the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin system in glomeruli,leading to abnormal development of glomerular capillaries,and subsequent proteinuria,hypertension and glomerulosclerosis.

Hirudin (HV) is known as the most potent and specific inhibitor of thrombin. Although hirudin has many advantages , it has the bleeding side effect and this is the great shortage of hiudin for clinical application. In order to alleviate bleeding side effect of hirudin, fusion protein, named as FHV (fusion hirudin linked with FXa recognition peptide) was designed. The fusion protein gene ( fhv) was cloned into plasmid pPIC9K. FHV engineered Pichia pastoris containing high copies was chosen for fermentation and purification at 30 L fermentor scale, finally, FHV with purity of above 97% was obtained. To investigate the function of FHV in vivo, mouse tail thrombosis model was used. In the mice thrombus tail model induced by carrageenan, FHV decreased the length of tail thrombus significantly, similar to that of HV control, and had no obvious effects on the TT, PT and APTT. In conclusion, FHV is constructed and expressed in yeast. FHV fusion proteins is obtained by fermentation and purification. FHV has antithrombotic effects not influencing IT, PT and APTT after administration immediately in animal models. Therefore, FHV is a promising anticoagulant and antithrombotic drug.