Aim: To observe the changes in thymocyte and its microenvironment in aged mice after bilateral testicular resection.Methods: In male old mice, at the 25th day after testicular resection, the peripheral blood and thymus were collected. Blood and thymus suspension smears were prepared for quantitative histochemistry and immunohistochemistry study under light and electron microscopes. Results: In testes resected mice the size and the weight of thymus were markedly increased. The demarcation between cortex and medulla was clear. The cortex was thickened and the cell density was increased. The ratio of cortex/medulla stereometry was increased. The total cell count, thymocyte count,the percentage of acid α-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive thymocytes, nonlymphocytes and the rosette formation of macrophages and thymocytes were all increased. The thymocytes surrounded closely to the light thymic epithelial cells, dendritic cells or macrophages. The lymphocytes, particularly the ANAE positive lymphocytes of peripheral blood were increased. Conclusion: After bilateral testicular resection, the thymus of aged male mice showed morphological regeneration and the thymocytes and its microenvironment appeared to be definitely improved. It is suggested that testicular resection may improve immune function.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with cognitive dysfunction.Methods:Ten wild type mice and 20 MRL/lpr mice were applied for the research.MRL/lpr mice were randomly assigned to a MRL/lpr group and a MRL/lpr + dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) group.Interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum and hippocampus were detected.The protein phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P-PI3K),protein kinase B (P-Akt),NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (P-IκBa) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B p65 (P-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blot,the level of P-NF-κB p65 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Treatment with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) alleviated the cognitive dysfunction and decreased the levels of IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α in serum and hippocampus,and reduced the levels of P-PI3K,P-Akt,P-IκBa and P-NF-κB p65 in hippocampus in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion:Dexamethasone may play a protective role in the cognitive function by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1 β in the hippocampus of MRL/lpr lupus mice.

Objective To report the microsurgical outeome of the meningiomas located in the eranio- cervical junction.Methods Seven eases of meningiomas arising from the craniocervical junction operated with microsurgical technique by use of the posterior approaehes including the suboccipital approach,the lower lateral suhoecipital approach and for lateral approach.Reviewed the related ariieales and were analysed relative to their approach selection and outcomes were analysed.Results The tumors ranged in size from 0.8 to 4.8 cm and the tumors location with 2 cases posterior,3 cases anterior and 2 cases lateral to the brain stem.3 in 7 cases were operated by use of the suboccipital approach,2 in 7 cases with the lower lateral suboccipital ap- proach and 2 in 7 cases with farlateral approach.Total excisions were got in 6 of 7 cases,4 in 6 cases with Simpson gradeⅠand 2 in 6 cases withⅡ.The subtotal excision was got in 1 of 7 cass.Follow-up with 6 ca- ses between 6 to 36 months,the occupied symptoms in 6 cases improved good.No remnant tumor and recur- rent were found in the MRI follow-up.Conclusion By using of the proper posterior approaches,the micro- surgical outonmes of the meningiomas arising from craniocervical junction are good.

Early restoration of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium not only saves myocardium but also induces reperfusion injury. While no specific therapy to reduce reperfusion injury has yet been established, recent laboratory studies have shown that G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, insulin, and postconditioning can effectively prevent reperfusion injury in various experimental settings and animal species. The potential mechanisms underlying the cardioprotection initiated by these interventions may include activation of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway, inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), and modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. These encouraging laboratory findings may help us develop successful clinical strategies to salvage reperfused myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; physiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocardium

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the anatomical retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy(RSN)and standardize the procedure of RSN. Methods The retrospective analysis was performed on 405 consecutive patients underwent anatomical RSN in Our institute from January 2002 to June 2008.There were 232 male and 173 female patients with the average age of(57.2±14.2)years,among whom there were 228 renal cell carcinoma patients accepted RSU,96 and 49 renal pelvic carcinoma and ureteral carcinoma cases accepted retroperitoneoscopic ureteronephrectomy (RSUN) and 32 cases accepted simple RSN due to loss of renal function caused by benign renal discsses.The tadical RSN was performed by dissecting outside Gerota's fascia and in the latent cavities between this fascia and lateral conal fascia in the dorsal side and between this fascia and prerenal fusion fascia in the ventral side,whereas the simple RSN was done inside Gerota's fascia by making direct incision on it and dissecting between this fascia and perirenal adipose tissue.Kidneys and perirenal adipose tissue were completely removed by dissection along several avascular planes around the kidney under the amplified view of laparoscopy. The software SPSS 12.0 was used for the statistical analysis of all data. Results The mean operative time was (132±48)min for radical and simple RSN and (245 ± 62)min for radical RSUN, which included the time for position change and second skin preparation. The medium estimated blood loss was 100 ml(10-2500 ml) and the average drainage volume was 150 ml (0-1152 ml) postoperatively. 15 cases (3. 70%) required blood transfusion with the median volume of 400ml (400-1650 ml). Four cases (0. 99%) were converted to open surgery due to severe adhesion (2 cases), difficult exposure of renal helium (1 case) and severe bleeding (1 case).The mean drainage time was (3. 9±1.8)d, the mean time to first oral intake was (2.7±1.2)d and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (8.6±3. 8)d. Conclusion The anatomical RSN is safe and effective and should be the standard surgical procedure for laparoscopic nephrectomy.

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. HGC-27 cells were employed to construct the stable GPR34 knockdown cell model in this study. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to validate the effect of short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) on the expression of GPR34 in HGC-27 gastric cells. The proliferation, migration of these cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell. We also measured expression profile of PI3K/PDK1/AKT and ERK using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe ShRNA directed against GPR34 effectively inhibited both endogenous mRNA and protein expression levels of GPR34, and significantly down-regulated the expression of PIK3CB (P < 0.01), PIK3CD (P < 0.01), PDK1 (P < 0.01), phosphorylation of PDK1 (P < 0.01), Akt (P < 0.01), and ERK (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GPR34 knockdown resulted in an obvious reduction in HGC-27 cancer cell proliferation and migration activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGPR34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro and provides a potential implication for therapy of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Lysophospholipid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion on acupoint Feishu (BL13) in the treatment of acute asthma in children (cold-asthma),and to provide clinical evidence for treatment of asthma with acupuncture and moxibustion.METHODS 87 children with asthma (cold-asthma) who meet the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with moxibustion on bilateral Feihu Points(BL13) on the basis of routine western medicine.CRP,IgE,IL1,IL6,EOS,pulmonary function and symptom score were selected as observation indexes for the clinical effects comparison of patients in two groups.RESULTS Indexes levels such as CRP,IgE,IL6 and EOS in the observation group were significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05~0.01).FEV1 and PEF levels of patients in the observation group were significantly better than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05).Symptom score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05).Apparent rate (73.81%) of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (53.33%) (P<0.05).CONCLUSION Moxibustion on acupoint Feishu in the treatment of acute asthma in children (cold-asthma) can markedly decrease the levels of CRP,IgE,IL6 and EOS in patients,improve pulmonary function,and can achieve remarkable clinical curative effect.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy in pT1bN0 and pT2N0 gastric cancer patients with high risk factors. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathological data of gastric cancer patients, who had undergone gastrectomy in high volume centers in Korea and China and were finally diagnosed with pT1bN0 and pT2N0 between 2006 and 2010, were analyzed retrospectively. Survival analyses stratified by risk factors and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: A total of 1509 patients were enrolled, with 41 (2.7%) patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after gastrectomy and 1468 (97.3%) patients undergoing surgery alone. The adjuvant chemotherapy group showed higher percentages of tumor with maximal diameter >3 cm (51.2% vs. 25.8%), poor differentiation (68.3% vs. 49.8%), and less harvested lymph nodes (17.1% vs. 5.2%) compared to the surgery alone group. The overall survival rates were 95.1% in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 93.3% in the surgery alone group, without significant difference. In multivariable analysis, age was found to be an independent prognostic factor. However, there were no difference in the overall survival between patients with risk factors and those without risk factors, even in terms of age. Meanwhile, patients with more than two risk factors who received chemotherapy showed better survival trend, especially for pT2N0 patients, compared to the surgery alone group, although no significant differences were observed. Conclusion In pT1bN0 and pT2N0 patients, age was found to be an independent prognostic factor. However, adjuvant chemotherapy seemed to be unnecessary, while postoperative chemotherapy might offer survival benefits to pT2N0 patients with more than two risk factors.

Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of the protective effects of resveratrol on oxidant-induced mitochondrial damage in embryonic rat cardiomyocytes.Methods H9c2 cells,a permanent cell line derived from embryonic rat cardiac tissue,and then randomly divided into control group [PBS,cells exposed to H2O2 (600 μmol/L) for 20 min to induce mitochondrial oxidant damage],resveratrol group (0.01,0.1,1,5,10 and 20 μmol/L for 20 min at 20 min before exposing to H2O2),resveratrol plus inhibitor group (1 μmol/L KT5823 for 10 min at 10 min before 5 pmol/L resveratrol treatment) and inhibitor group (1 μmol/L KT5823 for 10 min).Mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) was measured by staining cells with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening was evaluated by measuring the decrease of TMRE fluorescence intensity.Immunofluorescence assay was used to observe GSK-3β phosphorylation.The phosphorylation of GSK-3β and VASP were determined by Western blot.To detect intracellular NO,cells were loaded with DAF-FM DA (specific fluorescent dye of NO) and imaged with confocal microscopy.Results Compared to the control group,resveratrol (0.01-5 μmol/L) attenuated H2O2-inducedmitochondrial damage reflected by attenuating the H2O2-induced TMRE fluorescence intensity decrease in a dose-dependent manner and the efficacy of 10 and 20 μmol/L resveratrol was significantly lower than that of 5 μmol/L resveratrol.Resveratrol also significantly upregulated the protein expression of VASP and increased GSK-3β Ser9 phosphorylation,which could lead the inactivation of GSK-3β.These effects of resveratrol could be significantly abolished by protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823,while KT5823 alone did not affect CSK-3β and VASP phosphorylation.Confocal microscopy showed that DAF-FM (specific NO indicator) was similar between resveratrol and control group,suggesting that resveratrol did not produce NO.Conclusions Resveratrol could attenuate oxidant-induced mitochondrial damage in embryonic rat cardiomyocytes by inactivating GSK-3β via cGMP/PKG signaling pathway independent of NO-related mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects and safty of manipulative reduction with percutaneous poking K-wire fixation for the treatment of the calcaneus fractures and analyze the indication of the minimal invasion.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to December 2011,135 closed calcaneal fractures cases were divided randomly into poking group and plate group, treated respectively by percutaneous poking reduction and operative reduction. In poking group, there were 69 cases (82 feet) including 60 males and 9 females, with an average age of (43.29+/-10.46) years ranging from 18 to 64 years; 30 cases of left, 26 cases of right and 13 cases of double; 54 feet of Essex-Lopresti classification tongue form, 28 feet of joint compression; 33 feet of Sanders type II ,49 of type III. In plate group, there were 66 cases (75 feet) including 58 males and 8 females,with an average age of (46.00+/-2.42) years ranging from 21 to 63 years; 31 cases of left, 26 cases of right and 9 cases of double; 48 feet of Essex-Lopresti classification tongue form, 27 feet of joint compression; 28 feet of Sanders type II, 47 of type III. According to Kerr scoring standard,clinical effects and complications were evaluated combining with Sanders and Essex-Lopresti classification.

RESULTSAll 135 cases were followed up after 24 weeks. Fractures were recoveried in 8 to 12 weeks (means 10.2 weeks). In poking group, there were 2 cases of infection, 5 cases of wire movement; in plate group,18 cases of wound local skin necrosis, 5 cases of calf intestines nerve injured; there were statistical significant (P<0.05). Postoperative evaluation of Sanders type II after 24 weeks, the proportion of excellent results was above 70%,and there were no significant differences on effects of tongue form and compressing form of calcaneus fractures with percutaneous poking and operative redution (P>0.05). In the caes of Sanders type III, there were no significant differences on effects of tongue form fractures with percutaneous poking and operative reduction (P>0.05). There were significant differences on effects and complications of compressing form fractures (P<0.01), operative reduction better than percutaneous poking. Pain, walking,Kerr scoring of tongue form fractures of Sanders II , III with poking reduction were better than compression fractures. In compression fractures of Sanders Ill, plate internal fixation was better than poking redution in working and walking function, there were significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor tongue form or compressing form of Sanders type II and tongue form of Sanders type III, manipulative reduction with percutaneous poking K-wire fixation has advantages of minimal invasion, minimized complications. Compressing form of Sanders type III fracture should be treated with operative redution.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Wires ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged