OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of flexible bronchoscopy in congenital great vessel diseases complicated with airway compression.

METHODThe medical records of patients with great vessels abnormalities who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from October 2005 to June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed; 34 cases were diagnosed as airway compression by flexible bronchoscopy, 10 cases as vascular ring, 24 cases as aortal arch obstruction. The age of the patients was 6 d - 11 m, body weight 2.2 - 8.7 kg [(4.6 +/- 1.4) kg]. Recorded airway abnormalities detected by bronchoscopy and CT, cardiac vascular defects and airway compression were consistent with the findings on operation. The relation between the airway compression and cardiac vascular abnormalities, treatment of the airway compression and outcome were analysed.

RESULTBronchoscopic assessment was successfully performed in NICU or operating room for all the patients. (1) Initial presentation of the 34 cases were tachypnea, stridor, refractory lung infection and prolonged mechanical ventilation. (2) Extrinsic compression was found in all the 10 cases with vascular ring by bronchoscopy initially which indicated vascular ring, airway compression was mainly of lower part of trachea. Diagnosis of 9 cases was consistent with CT diagnosis and in 1 case the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery; among these cases, 7 had congenital tracheal stenosis. (3) In the 24 cases with aortic obstructive lesion, 5 were detected to have tracheal stenosis by CT before correction of vascular abnormality, among whom one case was indicated to have tracheal stenosis by bronchoscopy, the other 19 cases were found with airway compression by bronchoscopy during or after vascular correction. Among the 24 cases, 21 had left main bronchial stenosis, 2 had congenital tracheal stenosis. Airway compression diagnosed by bronchoscopy agreed with the findings of CT. Two cases developed transient decrease of oxygen saturation, 5 cases developed transient tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONFlexible bronchoscopy plays an important role in assessment of the airway compression complicated with great vessel abnormalities. Bronchoscopy is an accurate, convenient, safe and rapid way for airway assessment, but further examination of the peripheral structure and vascular malformation need combined examination with CT.

Airway Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Bronchoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Malformations ; complications ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of N-desulfated heparin on tumor metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) gene expression of orthotopically implanted human gastric carcinoma in NOD-SCID mice.

METHODSHuman gastric cancer SGC-7901 tissues were orthotopically implanted into the stomach of the NOD-SCID mice. Twenty mice were randomly divided into two groups which received either intravenous injection of 0.9% NaCl solution(0.9%NaCl solution group) or 10 mg/kg N-desulfated heparin (N-desulfated heparin group) twice a week for three weeks. Mice were sacrificed six weeks after tumor implantation. Tissues from stomach and other organs were obtained for histopathological evaluation. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in tumor was evaluated immunohistochemically. Real time PCR was used to detect bFGF mRNA expression.

RESULTSThe tumor metastasis rates were 9/10 in 0.9% NaCl solution group and 2/10 in N-desulfated heparin group(P<0.05).MVD was 9.1+/-3.4 in 0.9% NaCl solution group and 4.7+/-1.8 in N-desulfated heparin group (t=3.617,P<0.05). bFGF mRNA expression was lower in N-desulfated heparin group(2.60+/-0.56%)than that in 0.9% NaCl solution group(30.65+/-6.84%).

CONCLUSIONN-desulfated heparin can inhibit the metastasis of gastric cancer through inhibiting tumor bFGF gene expression and tumor angiogenesis with no obvious anticoagulant activity.

Animals ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Heparin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo search for the genes which could interact with newly found homo sapiens cross-immune reaction antigen (PCIA1) gene and accordingly to provide insights into the study of the gene function.

METHODSThe Stratagene's BacterioMatch Two-Hybrid System and BacterioMatch Fetal Kidney Library were adopted and the recombinant bait plasmid pBT-PCIA1 was cotransformated with the target plasmid pTRG-cDNA library DNA into the reporter stain. After screening and isolation of positive pTRG clones, the target genes were identified by DNA sequencing and bioinformation analysis.

RESULTSAmong all the seven detected target genes, three genes' function were not known, the other four genes had important functions. Their mutations or abberant expression resulted in severe diseases and overexpression of ACTN4 (actinin, alpha 4), PSAP (prosaposin) or EIF3S10 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit 10 theta) could promote tumor development and progression.

CONCLUSIONThe bacterial two-hybrid system technique is an efficient method, which can provides insights into the study of novel genes' function by detecting protein-protein interactions. This study indicates that PCIA1 gene expression correlates with tumor formation, invasion and metastasis.

Bacteria ; genetics ; metabolism ; Computational Biology ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; metabolism ; Gene Library ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Objective:To explore the protective effect and the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan（DSS） on angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）/transient receptor potential cation channel 6 （TRPC6） pathway in nephrotic syndrome （NS） rats. Method:In animal experiments， doxorubicin （4 mg·kg^-1 for the 1^st week and 2 mg·kg^-1 for the 2^nd week） was injected twice to the tail vein of rats to induce NS model in 160 rats， which were then randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， losartan group （30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-（4.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-（8.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （17.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1） DSS groups. Besides， a normal group was also set. After intervention for four weeks， ultrastructure changes of the kidney were identified by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The 24-hour urine protein was detected by kits. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the content of AngⅡ and Calcineurin （CaN） in plasma. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPC6， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， podocyte slit diaphragm-specific protein （Nephrin）， and cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3） in the renal cortex. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TRPC6 and AT1R in the slit diaphragm. In cell experiments， AngⅡ stimulated MPC5 podocytes. The cells were randomly divided into a normal group， an AngⅡ group， an AngⅡ+SAR7334 （TRPC6-specific inhibitor） group， an AngⅡ+5%DSS group， an AngⅡ+10%DSS group， and an AngⅡ+15%DSS group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPC6， AT1R， Nephrin， and Caspase-3 in podocytes. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein content （P<0.01） and AngⅡ and CaN in plasma （P<0.01）， incomplete glomerular structure， the extensive fusion of podocyte process with elevated fusion rate （P<0.01）， increased expression distribution of AT1R and TRPC6 in the renal cortex， and up-regulated protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6， and Caspase-3 in renal tissues （P<0.01）， and reduced Nephrin protein expression （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the losartan group and the high-dose DSS group exhibited decreased 24-hour urine protein content （P<0.01） and the content of AngⅡ and CaN in plasma （P<0.01）， improved glomerular structure， reduced fusion rate of podocyte process （P<0.01）， diminished expression distribution of TRPC6 and AT1R in the renal cortex， declining protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6 and Caspase-3 in renal tissues （P<0.01）， and elevated Nephrin protein expression （P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with the normal podocytes， AngⅡ-stimulated podocytes showed increased protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6 and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， and decreased expression of Nephrin （P<0.01）. Compared with the AngⅡ group， the AngⅡ+SAR7334 group displayed reduced protein expression of AT1R， TRPC6， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and increased protein expression of Nephrin （P<0.01）. Conclusion:DSS can improve the pathological characteristics of NS presumedly by inhibiting the interaction between AngⅡ and TRPC6 in podocytes and improving the structural integrity of podocytes to repair the damage of glomerular molecular barrier and slow down the progression of NS-induced proteinuria.

Objective:To establish a rapid method to identify Levisticum officinale adulterated in Angelica sinensis by polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymophism（PCR-RFLP）. Method:By comparing sequences restriction sites in ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer（ITS） of A. sinensis and L. officinale，the specific restriction site Fnu4HI of L. officinale was selected，and the primers for PCR-RFLP reaction were designed. Different A. sinensis and L. officinale were amplified by PCR. The conditions affecting the PCR-RFLP reaction，such as annealing temperature，primer concentration，cycle number and enzyme digestion reaction time，were optimized，and the accuracy of the method was investigated. The established PCR-RFLP identification method was used to investigate the applicability of L. officinale adulterated in A. sinensis with different aduleration ratios and different origins. Result:A PCR-RFLP method for identifying A. sinensis mixed with L. officinale was established. When the annealing temperature was 62 ℃ and the number of cycles was 30，when the L. officinale adulterated in A. sinensis could be digested by Fnu4H I restriction endonuclease after amplification with specific primers，and the two single DNA bands were detected between 100-500 bp，the A. sinensis were all negative. The minimum detection limit of this method for adulterated L. officinale in A. sinensis was 3%，which could be used for the detection of adulterated L. officinale in A. sinensis. Conclusion:The established PCR-RFLP identification method is sensitive and accurate in detecting whether there is L. officinale in A. sinensis，and it provides inspection reference and basis for the quality control of A. sinensis，with great significance to ensure the safety of its clinical medication.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH) mouse model, and to investigate the effect of ruxolitinib on the disease manifestation of model mice. METHODS: Wild type C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: two groups of mice were intraperitoneally injected with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 (CpG-ODN1826) every other day to induce HLH, and other two groups were control groups. One group of the CpG-ODN1826 groups and one of the control groups were given ruxolitinib, and other two groups were given the same amount of PBS. Blood samples, serum ferritin and hepatic/spleen weights of experimental mice were detected and serum cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, the levels of white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets in the CpG-ODN1826 groups were significantly lower (P＜0.05); and liver/body weight, spleen/body weight, serum ferritin, sCD25, IL-10, IL-1β, IFN-Ƴ, IL-12p70, GM-CSF, TNF-α and IL-18 levels significantly increased (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-22, IL-13, IL-27 and IL-23 between the two groups (P＞0.05). The spleen in CpG group had disordered internal structure, expanding red pulp and hyperplastic nucleated cells. The liver had severe perivascular inflammations. The spleen/weight of the ruxolitinib-treated mice in the CpG-ODN1826 group was significantly smaller than that of the unapplied ruxolitinib (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION The CpG-ODN1826 can induce secondary HLH symptoms in wild type C57BL/6 mice. Ruxolitinib can alleviate the symptoms of splenomegaly in HLH model mice.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pyrazoles

The aim of present study was to explore the effect of triptolide derivative LB-1 on imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasiform inflammation in BALB/c mice, and to investigate the immune mechanism of LB-1 in the prevention and treatment of psoriasis. In the present study, topical application of IMQ for seven days induced the psoriasiform inflammation in BALB/c mice. This is a promising mouse model of psoriasis for the natural immune reaction compared to those induced by xenograft, trangenic or gene knockout. psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and flowcytometry were employed to investigate the changes of psoriasiform inflammation, histopathological response and percentage of T cells, respectively. The result showed that LB-1 significantly attenuated the psoriasiform inflammation. Com-pared with model group, PASI score were decreased in the LB-1 group. In the isolated immunocytes of spleen, LB-1 decreased percentage of CD8⁺ (P < 0.01) T cells and increased the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells at the dosage of 2 mg·kg^-1 (P < 0.01), whereas LB-1 raised percentage of CD4⁺ T cells and CD3⁺ T cells at the dosage of 4 mg·kg^-1. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that LB-1 attenuated psoriasiform inflammation induced by imiquimod in BALB/c mice. The mechanism of LB-1 action may be related to change percentage of CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen. These results provide a basis for LB-1 or other triptolide derivative in the intervention of psoriasis in the future.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 and PARP2 function as ADP-ribosylases involved in DNA repair. PARP1/2 is highly expressed in cancers and emerged as an attractive target for antitumor drug. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of a novel PARP1/2 inhibitor YHP-743 in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that YHP-743 had potent enzymatic inhibitory activity against PARP1 and PARP2 to down-regulate the PAR level. YHP-743 not only inhibited breast cancer cells with genes deficiency of homologous recombination repair, but also potentiated chemotherapy agent's cytotoxicity, such as temozolomide, topotecan, cisplatin and doxorubicin. YHP-743 elicited good antitumor activity in combination with temo-zolomide in vivo.