Objective To investigate the effect of catalpol from Radix Rehmanniae on A?25-35-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells.Methods PC12 cells were routinely cultivated and treated by A?25-35(final concentration,20 ?mol/L) 24 hours after the addition of catalpol or saline.Forty-eight hours later,cells were examined for viability and apoptosis by MTT method and TUNEL method,respectively,while Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were analyzed by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. Results Catalpol could significantly elevate the viability at 1?10-5 mol/L and 1?10-4 mol/L(P

Adult ; Coronary Aneurysm ; surgery ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; surgery

It review the structure-function relationship of natural anthraquinone derivatives from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei. The anthraquinone derivatives had many identical activities because they have the identical mother nucleus; but the strength of their activities were different, because they have different substitution groups. The anthraquinone derivatives shown the obvious structure-function relationship in many respects, such as antioxygenation, antibiosis, anticancer, the influence of immunity and so on.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo investigate rapid atrial pacing (RAP) induced atrial ultrastructural changes and mRNA and protein expression changes of L-type calcium channel subunits and potassium channel Kv4.3 in a rabbit model.

METHODSThirty-six rabbits were electrically paced at a frequency of 600 beats/min for durations ranging from 0 - 48 h via bipolar endocardial leads through surgical techniques. Ultrastructural changes of the atrium were observed through a transmission electron microscope (TEM), L-type calcium channel subunits and potassium channel Kv4.3 expressions at mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTSAtrial ultrastructure changes characterized by mitochondrial vacuolization, myofilament lysis, and glycogen accumulation were detected obvious at 3 h post pacing. Down-regulated mRNA expression of Ca(2+) channel beta1 and alpha1 subunits was observed 6 h post pacing, Kv4.3 mRNA down-regulation occurred 24 h post pacing, auxiliary subunit alpha2 was not affected by pacing. Protein expression of alpha1c subunit and potassium channel Kv4.3 paralleled their mRNA expression changes.

CONCLUSIONRAP induced ultrastructural changes of the atrium and down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of L-type calcium channel subunits and potassium channel Kv4.3 occurred thereafter in response to intracellular calcium overload induced by RAP.

Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Female ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits

Objective: To investigate whether there is additi ve effects of hyperinsulinemia and ischemia on expression of canine myocardial G LUT4 gene in vivo. Methods: The expression of myocardial GLU T4 was determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting.The expression of GLUT4 mRN A was determined by semiquantitative Northern blotting. Results: Dramatic changes were seen in GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 expression in the ischemic hearts.After infusing insulin for 8 h,regional GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 levels in is chemic hearts were 2.5, 2.3-fold that of expression in normal hearts(P<0.01 ). Myocardial glucose uptake in ischemic hearts was increased by 4-fold when co mpared with normal hearts(P<0.01). Conclusion: There are not only additive effects of hyperinsulinemia and low-flow ischemia on canine myoc ardial GLUT4 mRNA and GLUT4 expression in vivo, but also increase of myocar dial glucose uptake. Enhanced GLUT4 expression may be an important protective m echanism by which myocardial cells enhance glucose uptake and metabolism during low-flow ischemia.

Chronic enteritis can produce an excess of reactive oxygen species resulting in cellular damage. Stanniocalcin-1(STC-1) reportedly possesses anti-oxidative activity, the aim of this study was to define more clearly the direct contribution of STC-1 to anti-oxidative stress in cattle. In this study, primary intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for different time intervals to mimic chronic enteritis-induced cellular damage. Prior to treatment with 200 microM H2O2, the cells were transfected with a recombinant plasmid for 48 h to over-express STC-1. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining and trypan blue exclusion assays were then performed to measure cell viability and apoptosis of the cells, respectively. The expression of STC-1 and apoptosis-related proteins in the cells was monitored by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The results indicated that both STC-1 mRNA and protein expression levels positively correlated with the duration of H2O2 treatment. H2O2 damaged the bovine IECs in a time-dependent manner, and this effect was attenuated by STC-1 over-expression. Furthermore, over-expression of STC-1 up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression and slightly down-regulated caspase-3 production in the damaged cells. Findings from this study suggested that STC-1 plays a protective role in intestinal cells through an antioxidant mechanism.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Blotting, Western/veterinary ; Caspase 3/*genetics/metabolism ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/etiology/*genetics/metabolism ; Duodenum/metabolism ; Enteritis/etiology/genetics/metabolism/*veterinary ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Glycoproteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/*genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of surgical treatment for cervical esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 82 patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma undergone surgical treatment in Henan Provincial Cancer Hospital from Dec. 1993 to Dec. 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The difference of the therapeutic regimen and 5-year survival rate of these patients were evaluated.

RESULTSBefore 1997, patients mainly underwent surgical therapy solely (27 cases). After 1997, 50 cases received surgical therapy following neoadjuvant radiotherapy (multimodality group), except 5 early-stage cases received surgical therapy solely. Seventy-three patients underwent esophagectomy without thoracotomy, including 21 cases of invert-stripping of the esophagus, and 52 cases of blunt denudation of esophagus. Nine patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy. Concurrent monolateral or bilateral cervical lymph node dissection accounted for 14 cases and combined organ resection 12 cases. No serious hemorrhage and tracheal or bronchial tearing occurred. No hospital death occurred. Postoperative complications were found in 14 patients, and the incidence of complication was 19.5%. In sole surgery group, upper incised margins of 5 patients were confirmed to be positive. The laryngeal function of 26 patients in sole surgery group was preserved, while 47 patients in multimodality group preserved. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 14 cases, including 13 cases cervical lymph node metastasis (monolateral 9, bilateral 4) and 1 case of upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis. During follow-up, 3 patients were lost. The total 5-year survival rate was 43%. The patients in multimodality group had higher 5-year survival rate as compared to those in sole surgery group. (50.2% vs 33.9%,chi(2 )=7.17,P=0.007). The 5-year survival rates of patients with transthoracic esophagectomy, esophagectomy plus concurrent monolateral or bilateral cervical lymph nodes dissection or combined organ resection were 36.5%, 45.8% and 33.3% respectively. All the 5-year survival rates of these subgroups were lower as compared to multimodality group.

CONCLUSIONSFor patients with early stage cervical esophageal carcinoma and with proximal end of residual normal esophagus longer than 2 cm, the optimal therapy should be surgery. For most of the patients, surgery combined with neoadjuvant radiotherapy is the ideal therapeutic strategy, which can lower the risk of positive revised margin, improve the possibility of preserving the laryngeal function and result in the improvement of 5-year survival rate. Esophagectomy without thoracotomy should be preferred. Combined organ resection or bilateral lymph node dissection should be chosen carefully because these operating procedures may lead to severe injury and function lose.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of peroneal tendofascial flap combined with adipofascial flap for the repair of heel tissue defects.

METHODSThe lower extremities of five cadavers (10 sides) were perfused with red latex, the blood supply of peroneal tendofascial flap and vicinity adipofascial flap were observed. The diameter, course, branches and location of the blood vessels were measured. Eight fresh cadavers (16 sides) were perfused with lead oxide-gelatine mixture. The covering fascia tissues of the lower extremities was obtained and photographed by X-ray. The vascular anastomosis and association of nutrient vessel of peroneal tendofascial flap and vicinity adipofascial flap were observed. Two adult lower extremities specimens (4 sides) were used to construct vessel diagrams for observation of the course, distribution and anastomosis of the vessels. Eight cases were treated successfully with theses flaps.

RESULTSThe blood supply of the combined fascial flap is multi-originated. For the area within 4 cm below and above the lateral malleolus cusp, the blood supply includes 2-5 branches from heel lateral artery with an average diameter of (0.5 +/- 0.2) mm, 1-2 branches from posterior lateral malleolus artery with an average diameter of (0.6 +/- 0.2) mm and 2-3 branches from the descending part of perforating branches of peroneal artery with an average diameter of (0.5 +/- 0.2) mm. The blood supply of area 4 cm above lateral malleolus cusp is 1-3 branches from intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery with an average diameter of (1.0 +/- 0.2) mm. These above branches are anastomosed each other and also send off many smaller branches to form vascular net around tendon. The fascial flaps and free skin grafts in eight patients were completely survived. All patients were followed up for 3-24 months, the donor and recipient sites were healed very well. The functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSPeroneal tendofascial flap combined with adipofascial flap, with proximal pedicle or reverse distal pedicle, can be used to repair the defect at the lower leg and refractory small- and medium-sized defects at the heel.

Adipose Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Adult ; Aged ; Fascia ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibula ; Heel ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy and preparation methods of an improved lateral arm free flap (LAFF) for the future clinical application.

METHODSTwenty-two adult upper extremities from cadavers after injected with red latex through common carotid arteries were used. The course, branches, distribution and variations of the blood vessels and nerves of the improved LAFF were observed. The outer diameters of the vessels were measured.

RESULTSThe mean length of vascular pedicle of the improved LAFF was (14.85 ± 1.28) cm, significantly more than that (5.46 ± 2.60) of traditional LAFF (t = -8.483, P < 0.001). The mean outer diameters of pedicle arteries and veins in the improved LAFF were (2.24 ± 0.66) mm and (2.22 ± 0.52) mm, significantly more than those (1.15 ± 0.21 and 1.26 ± 0.23) in traditional LAFF (t = -8.690, P < 0.001; t = -15.057, P < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe improved LAFF has a longer vascular pedicle and larger artery and vein in diameter than conventional LAFF, and is more suitable for the repair of the small and medium-sized defects of the head and neck.

Adult ; Arm ; anatomy & histology ; Free Tissue Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; Skin Transplantation

Object To design a mobile class 1000 laminar flow clean field surgery unit to provide a clean space to facilitate the mobile medical rescue team to execute emergency operations in the field tent, private house and etc.Methods The principle of positive pressure isolation and finite element simulation were involved in the design of two-way air intake channel on the top, flexible isolation laminar flow clean module which could be constructed rapidly, three-stage composite clean air supply module and integrated surgery module with box instrumentation.Results The field surgery unit had all its performances meet the desired requirements, of which, the ventilation rate was 24 times per hour, the relative positive atmospheric pressure value was higher than 5 Pa in the surgical unit, and the cleanness reached level 6 at the operating and surrounding areas.Conclusion The field surgical unit can be deployed rapidly, and has the key indexes accord with the desired requirements for cleanness, ventilation rate and positive pressure difference, and thus can be used for the surgery support of the mobile medical rescue team during wartime operations and emergency medical rescue.