Objective To evaluate the efifcacy and safety of hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) under the guidance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for treating splenic trauma in canine model. Methods A total of 24 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy with creation of uniformly blunt splenic trauma lesion of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm×2.5 cm (length, width and depth, respectively) by hemostatic clamp. Subjects were prospectively randomized into two groups. The treatment group was treated with HIGM under the guidance of CEUS and the positive control group received thrombin solution. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS were performed to record the ascites and the splenic lesion areas at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day. The ifne needle biopsy and splenectomy were performed for histopathologic examination. The weight, free intraperitoneal lfuid and injury site were compared with t test between HIGM and postive group. Results All animals in two groups survived. All dogs stopped hemorrhage after injection of HIGM under CEUS guidance. The area of injury site was (12.91±0.89) cm2, (4.45±0.75) cm2 and (1.38±0.23) cm2 at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and splenic lesions were not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The splenic lesion was (16.74±0.91) cm2, (11.26±0.99) cm2, (8.02±0.82) cm2 and (1.58±0.36) cm2 in the postive group at 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day and splenic lesions were not found at 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 7th and 14th day post-injection, lesion areas were statistically significant between two groups (t=27.162, P=0.008;t=15.129, P=0.001). Free intraperitoneal lfuid was (0.91±0.05) cm at 1st day detected by conventional ultrasound and free intraperitoneal fluid was not found at 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The free intraperitoneal fluid in thepositive group was (1.96±0.17) cm, (1.30±0.11) cm and (0.81±0.12) cm at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and free intraperitoneal lfuid was not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 1st, 3rd and 7th day post-injection, free intraperatitoneal lfuid was statistically significant between two groups (t=20.934, P=0.003; t=41.310, P=0.000; t=22.520, P=0.000). Histopathological examination showed that there was no foreign body and foreign body granuloma and the structure of red pulp was recovered at 7th, 14th and 21st day. Gross anatomy showed that the splenic injury site was recovered completely without complications. Conclusion This study explored the value of HIGM for splenic trauma and provided a preliminary experimental evidence for clinical treatment.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of reoperation(after I stage anterior/posterior operation)for thoracolumbar fractures combined with kyphosis and spinal cord injury. Methods A retrospective study was done on the medical records of 12 patients who underwent two-stage decompression with kyphosis and neurologic deficit due to single-stage approach(anterior or posterior) operation of thoracolumbar fractures combined with spinal cord injury between January 2005 and April 2009.There were 9 males and 3 females,at mean age of 34.6 years(range,19-57 years).According to the Denis classification,there were five patients with burst fractures,five with compression fractures and two with fracture dislocation.All the patients had couns medullaris injury.Of all the patients,five underwent one stage anterior approach surgery and the others underwent posterior approach operation.All the patients had vailous degrees of neurological symptoms.The patients treated with one stage anterior surgery were treated with two stage posterior surgery and the patients treated with one stage posterior surgery were treated with the two stage anterior operation.The mean interval from one stage operation to two stage decompression was 13.4 months(range,12-18 months).The radiologic,neurologic and functional outcomes were assessed through observation of the Cobb angle,Frankel spinal cord injury grading and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores(JOA). Results AIl the patients were followed up for mean 25 months (12-48months),which showed primary healing of the incisions in all the patients.The average anterior and posterior heisht of the vertebrae wers corrected from preoperative 42.6%and 70.5%to postoperative 92.5%and 95.7%and to 87.3%and 92.2%at the final follow-up respectively.Neurologic status was improved at least one Frankel grade in the patients who had preoperative incomplete paraplegia.The Cobb angle was corrected from preoperative 36.3°to postoperative 5.8°and to 5.9°at the final follow-up(P<0.05).No patient had any notable loss of correction between discharge and final follow-up.According to JOA coring,the results were excellent in nine patients,good in two and fair in one,with excellence rate of 92%. Conclusions Two stage decompression for epiconus and cauda equina syndrome resulted from one stage approach(anterior or posterior)operation of thoracolumbar fractures combined with spinal cord injury call attain satisfactory correction of the kyphosis and nerve decompression as well as various degrees of nerve function recovery.

Objective:To determine the diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of ketamine-associated cystitis.
Methods:Clinical data from 3 patients with ketamine-associated cystitis were analyzed retrospectively and discussed in light of relevant literature.
Results:In the 3 cases, 2 presented severe lower urinary tract symptoms, including frequency, urgency, dysuria, urge incontinence, and painful haematuria. Urinalysis and urine culture were negative. Imaging examination demonstrated thickening of the bladder wall and a small capacity. Inflammatory changes in the bladder mucosa were observed by cystoscopy and biopsies. After cessation of ketamine use, with the addition of steroids or hydrodistension, the symptoms in the 3 patients improved. The symptoms recurred in 2 patients, as 1 was exposed to ketamine again and 1 had severe bladder contraction after for 3-4 month follow-up.
Conclusion:Ketamine-associated cystitis is a new urinary system inlfammatory damage. Its etiology and treatment methods are not clear. early abstinence from ketamine use and early treatment are crucial for patients with ketamine-associated cystitis to avoid irreversible damage.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of total flavonoids of epimedium (TFE) on the streptozocin (STZ)-induced kidney injury in diabetic rats and discuss the possible mechanism.

METHODSDiabetes was produced by a single injection of streptozocin (40 mg/kg, iv) in male SD rats. The rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): control group, model group and TFE group (100 mg/kg, ig). Animals were sacrificed 12 weeks later. The level of blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) as well as the renal index were determined. Detect the specific biochemical of renal tissue: superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA). Use masson staining to observe the morphology of the renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1).

RESULTSCompared to control group, the enhancement of blood glucose, renal index, BUN and Cr was found in model group, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with TFE. Meanwhile, elevated MDA level in renal tissue as well as decreased SOD activities in renal tissue were significantly remitted by TFE. Furthermore, TFE decreased the expression of TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONTFE can evidently relieve renal damage in rats with diabetic nephropathy induced by STZ, which might be related to antioxidation and modulating the expression of TGF-beta1 protein.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This research is to study the relationship between HPLC fingerprints of Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba and their activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. HPLC fingerprints of each extract of Moutan Cortex,Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were established by an optimized HPLC-MS method. The activities of all samples against protein and tumor necrosis a factor were tested by the model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. The possible relationship between HPLC-MS fingerprints and the activitieswere deduced by the Partial least squares regression analysis method. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS to identify the major peaks. The results showed that each sample had some effect on acute lung injury. Four components with a lager contribution rate of efficacy were calculated by the research of spectrum-effect relationship. Moutan Cortex exhibited good activity on acute lung injury, and gallic acid, paeoniflorin, galloylpaeoniflorin and paeonol were the main effective components.
Acetophenones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gallic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective:To determine the effect of ketamine on the apoptosis of human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC-1) and the pathogenesis of ketamine-associated cystitis. Methods:SV-HUC-1 cells were cultured under various concentrations of ketamine and different time. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the rate of cell apoptosis. hTe protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, pro-caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with the control group, the apoptotic rate of ketamine cultured SV-HUC-1 cells increased. hTe expression of Bax increased, Bcl-2 expression decreased, and Bax/Bcl-2 in the ketamine cultured SV-HUC-1 cells was signiifcantly higher. hTe protein level of pro-caspase-3 was signiifcantly lower, and that of cleaved caspase-3 was signiifcantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), positively correlated with the dose of ketamine and time of culture (P<0.05). Conclusion:Ketamine can induce the apoptosis of SV-HUC-1 cells in a dose and time dependent manner.

Objective: To determine the therapeutic effect of regular urethral dilatation on patients with postoperative urethral stricture. Methods: A total of 142 patients underwent urethral stricture. The unimproved patients after the surgery were divided into a reoperation group and a regular urethral dilatation group. All the patients were followed up for 1-3 months, and the curative effect was compared. Results: Of the 142 patients, 42 had no improvement and 27 of them had reoperation, and symptoms in 21 were improved. Another 15 patients received regular urethral dilatation, and 5 improved. hTere was signiifcant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: Regular urethral dilatation has some effect on postoperative patients, but no obvious effect on patients with dissatisifed operation for urethral stricture or restenosis.

Objective To compare the differences of electrical activity in calf muscle of children with growing pains from normal children when standing and heel raising. Methods 32 children with growing pains and foot pronation were as growing pains group, and 32 normal children as control group. All the children were measure with surface electromyography (sEMG) of tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial gastrocnemius and tibialis posterior when standing and heel raising. Results The root mean square (RMS) of peroneus longus increased significantly in growing pains group when standing (P<0.01). The RMS decreased significantly in medial gastrocnemius (P<0.05) and increased significantly in tibialis posterior (P<0.01) when heel raising. Conclusion The characteristics of electrical activity in calf muscle is difference from the normal in the growing pains children with foot pronation during standing and heel raising.

Homo sapiens longevity assurance homologue 2 (LASS2) is a novel gene isolated from a human liver cDNA library by our laboratory, and it is a human homologue of the yeast longevity assurance gene LAG1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae longevity assurance gene). According to our previous results, LASS2 could interact with subunit c of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), and the overexpression of LASS2 could inhibit the cell growth of a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, SMMC-7721. In order to understand the role of the interaction between LASS2 and V-ATPase in HCC cell growth, we transiently transfected plasmid pCMV-HA2-LASS2 into HCCLM3, a HCC cell line without the significant expression of endogenous LASS2. The pH-sensitive fluorescence probes, BCECF and BCECF-AM, were used to measure the intracellular and extracellular H(+) concentrations of HCCLM3 cells respectively. The effect of LASS2 gene on apoptosis was evaluated with Annexin-V/FITC and propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect cytochrome c (Cyt c) in the cytosol and mitochondria, as well as pro-caspase-3 in cytosol. The results showed that the cell growth of LASS2-transfected HCCLM3 cells was significantly inhibited compared with that of the mock control. LASS2 transfection increased intracellular H(+) concentration of HCCLM3 cells, while decreased extracellular H(+) concentration. Moreover, LASS2 transfection significantly enhanced the apoptosis of HCCLM3 cells. In LASS2-transfected cells, the amounts of Cyt c increased in the cytosol, while decreased in the mitochondria. Meanwhile, the expression of pro-caspase-3 in the cytosolic extracts was decreased. These results implicate that LASS2 gene might increase intracellular H(+) of HCC cells via the interaction with V-ATPase, thereby inducing cell apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of homemade hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) for immediately treating blunt hepatic trauma in canine model without additional pressure.

METHODSA total of 27 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy to establish hepatic trauma model after general anesthesia. The dogs were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: the treatment group (n=9, with the direct application of homemade hemostat), the positive control group (n=9, with thrombin solution), and the negative control group (n=9, with 0.9% normal saline). Time to hemostasis and intra-abdominal blood loss were recorded, and heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and hematological parameters were compared among these three groups. Gross examinations were performed 30 minutes after surgery.

RESULTSSignificantly shorter time to hemostasis [(1.20±0.33) min] and less blood loss [(47.22±8.61) ml] were observed in the treatment group than in control groups (P 0.05). No cases of bleeding occurred in any animals in the treatment group, and no signs of infection and adhesion formation were evident due to exposure to HIGM. Two cases in the positive control group (22.22%) were found to have rebleeding. All animals in the negative control group experienced visible bleeding.

CONCLUSIONHIGM is effective for controlling bleeding after hepatic trauma without the additional compression, and therefore may be valuable in field surgery.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Gelatin ; administration & dosage ; Hemostatics ; administration & dosage ; Injections ; Liver ; injuries