Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on neuronal apoptosis in anterior horn of spinal cord in rabbits with spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods Sixty New Zealand white rabbits aged 4-6 months weighing 2.0-2.5 kg were randomized to receive normal saline (group C), 10% intralipid (group F) and propofol 30 mg/kg (group P1 ), 40 mg/kg (group P2), 50 mg/kg (group P3) and60 mg/kg (group P4 ). 10% intralipid was added to propofol solution to make the fluid infused equal in volume between the 6 groups ( n = 10 each). Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of abdominal aorta distal to the left renal arteries combined with simultaneous occlusion of bilateral common iliac arteries for 30 min. A catheter was inserted into abdominal aorta close to the site of occlusion via left femoral artery. Normal saline, 10% intralipid or different doses of propofol was infused through the catheter as soon as aorta was clamped at the rate of 12 ml·kg-1·h-1 for 30 min. The aorta and bilateral iliac arteries were then declamped. The L4-6 of spinal cord was removed at 48 h of reperfusion for microscopic examination and the total number of normal motor neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord was counted. The total number of neurons and apoptosis neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord was counted by TUNEL and the apoptosis index of neurons was calculated. The expression of caspase-3 in the anterior horn of spinal cord was determined by immunohistochemical technique. Results The number of normal motor neurons was significantly higher, and the apoptosis index and expression of caspase-3 were significantly lower in group P1-4 than in group C and F ( P < 0.05). Compared with group P1, the number of normal motor neurons was significantly increased and the apoptosis index was significantly decreased in group P2-4 and the expression of caspase-3 was down-regulated in group P3 and P4 ( P < 0.05). Compared with group P2, the number of normal motor neurons was significantly increased in group P3 while decreased in group P4, and the apoptosis index was significantly decreased and the expression of caspase-3 was down-regulated in group P3 and P4 ( P < 0.05). Compared with group P3, the number of normal motor neurons was significantly decreased and the apoptosis index was significantly increased and the expression of easpnse-3 was up-regulated in group P4 ( P < 0.05) . Conclusion Propofol 30-60 mg/kg infused through aorta during occlusion can inhibit the neuronal apoptosis and attenuate IR injury to spinal cord dose-dependently in rabbits. The underlying mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of caspase-3 expression.

Adult ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the changes of microarchitecture and gene expression of subchondral bone in the initial stage of traumatic arthritis ,to explore the characteristics of subchondral bone remodeling and its role in the articular cartilage de‐generation .Methods The medial meniscal tear (MMT) was performed on the right knees of 13 SD rats to simulate the traumatic osteoarthritis ,while sham operation on the control group .Three weeks later ,all the rats were executed and dissected ,with proximal tibiae being kept and distributed into the two groups ,10 respectively .Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) was adopted to re‐construct and analyze the subchondral bone .After being fixed by 4% paraformaldehyde ,all the samples were decalcified until six weeks passed ,followed by paraffin‐sectioning ,safranin O and fast green staining ,and examining and photographing under an ordina‐ry optical microscope .The RNA of another 3 SD rats′subchondral bone was extracted ,and a real‐time PCR test was carried out to illuminate the expression variation of bone‐formation marker genes (ALP ,RUNX2 ,and OCN) ,and bone‐resorption marker genes (TRAP ,CTSK and MMP9) ,between the two groups .Results Three weeks after MMT surgery ,subchondral bone disorders were observed among the experimental samples through micro‐CT scanning .There was lesser BV/TV ,Conn .D and Tb .Th(P<0 .05) and more Tb .Sp(P<0 .05) in the experimental group compared with the control group .In the pathological section ,arthritic degen‐eration was not spotted in both groups ,but trabeculae of the experimental group were found to be sparse .Compared with control group ,the level of mRNA expression of the bone‐formation marker genes of the experimental group was decreased(P<0 .05) ,while bone‐resorption related genes increased(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The model of initial traumatic osteoarthritis induced by MMT in rats′knees showed an active bone remodeling ,more bone absorbing than bone formation ,lowered bone volume ,and microarchitec‐ture changing of the subchondral bone .

Objective: To investigate the association between the left atrial appendage (LAA) volume and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Methods: We prospectively enrolled sixty-two patients with AF (40 cases with paroxysmal AF, 22 cases with persistent AF) who successfully underwent a first AF catheter ablation and had performed contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) prior to the procedure to measure LAA volumes in our hospital from January 2012 to August 2015. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation was performed under the guidance of three-dimension mapping system (CARTO system). Linear ablation or ablation of complex fractioned atrial electrograms was also undertaken if necessary. All patients were followed up at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months after ablation by 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitoring, and were divided into the non-recurrence group (n=42) and the AF recurrence group (n=20). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to assess the factors related to AF recurrence. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to assess the best cut-off value of LAA volume to predict AF recurrence. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the rate of freedom from AF recurrence. Results: Mean LAA volume in all patients was (9.5±3.6)ml. AF recurrence occurred in 20 patients (32%) during the follow-up period. The LAA volume was significantly larger in the AF recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group ((11.5±3.8)ml vs. (8.3±3.1)ml, P=0.002). In the univariate regression analysis, LAA volume (HR=1.36, 95%CI 1.14-1.82, P<0.001), persistent AF (HR=4.43, 95%CI 1.52-12.06, P<0.001) and hypertension (HR=1.61, 95%CI 1.13-2.04, P=0.041) were risk factors of AF recurrence. However, multivariate regression analysis revealed that LAA volume (HR=1.32, 95%CI 1.12-1.51, P<0.001) and persistent AF (HR=4.22, 95% CI 1.48-11.05, P<0.001) were independent predictors for AF recurrence after ablation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that a LAA volume >8.80 ml was associated with AF recurrence after ablation (sensitivity: 94% and specificity: 66%, area under the curve=0.76). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower rate free from AF recurrence in the group with LAA volume >8.80 ml (P<0.001). Conclusion Larger LAA volume is associated with AF recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with AF. A LAA volume greater than 8.80 ml could be used to predict AF recurrence after ablation.

Objective To explore the influencing factors and relationship of serum 25 (OH) D levels between late-term pregnant women and newborns. Methods A total of 600 pregnant women and 600 newborns were selected in Lishui Maternal and Children Health Institution during 2016 and information were collected by questionnaires. Serum 25 (OH) D levels in pregnant women's venous bloods and newborns' cord bloods were tested respectively before and after delivery. Results Serum 25 (OH) D levels in 600 pregnant women's venous bloods before delivery were (36.25 ±14.92) nmol/L and 75.16% (451 pregnant women) had lower serum 25 (OH) D levels. Serum 25 (OH) D levels in newborns' cord bloods after delivery were (29.59±16.13) nmol/L and 82.50% (495 newborns) had lower serum 25 (OH) D levels. The relationship of serum 25 (OH) D levels between pregnant women and newborns was significant (r=0.892, P<0.05) . Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in pregnant women (400 IU/d) 25 (OH) D level was higher than those of not (P<0.05) . Serum 25 (OH) D levels of pregnant women were influenced by seasons (P<0.05) as higher in summer and autumn and lower in spring and winter. Conclusion Serum 25 (OH) D levels of pregnant women and newborns in Lishui were lower and different among seasons. Serum 25 (OH) D levels of pregnant women could have influence on serum 25 (OH) D levels of newborns. It should be encouraged to increase vitamin D intakes and outdoor activities, especially in spring and winter.

It was recently discovered that a subset of osteoblasts functions as a key component of the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) niche in vivo, controlling HSC self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. Disruption of Smad4 gene specifically in osteoblasts leads to a remarkable decrease of osteoblast number and endosteal surface area. In order to elucidate if the osteoblast loss has any effect on hematopoietic activity, the bone marrow (BM) and extramedullary hematopoiesis in the osteoblast-specific Smad4 knockout mice were systematically analyzed, the proportions of mature hematocytes in BM, liver and spleen were detected by flow cytometry, the hematopoietic progenitor number in different stages was measured by colong-forming assay, CFU-S and analysis of LSK cells. The results indicated that the conditional mutant mice demonstrated normal BM hematopoiesis without sign of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Furthermore, the proportion of hematopoietic progenitor cells was normal, while cell number/body weight of the conditional knockout mice increased. It is concluded that hematopoiesis is normally maintained in osteoblast-specific Smad4 knockout mice, and osteoblast loss does not of necessity result in the decrease in BM hematopoiesis.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; physiology ; Smad4 Protein ; genetics

Since pang set up the perfused rat intestine-liver preparation and applied it to study the disposition of enalapril, this model has been widely considered to have the particularly advantage in studying the absorption, metabolism and first-pass effect. Now the methods and applications are to be reviewed and the perspective is to be discussed.
Animals ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; chemistry ; physiology ; Liver ; chemistry ; physiology ; Models, Animal ; Perfusion ; methods ; Rats

A novel practical binary vector to get marker-free transgenic plant was constructed. The estrogen-inducible Cre/loxP DNA recombination system was adopted in this system. All non-target genes located between two identical orientation loxP sites could be excised from the transgenic genome by the Cre expression. In order to analyze this system, the target gene, GUS expression box (CaMV35s: :GUS), was inserted in the MCS outside the region franked by two loxP sites. Then it was introduced into the tobaccos. Results showed that the high-efficiency DNA recombination had take place and the target gene was working order after DNA excitation.
Base Sequence ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Integrases ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Tobacco ; genetics

Objective To report operative course and relative complications in a group of patients who underwent Excessive Pressure Regulation System (Ex-PRESS) glaucoma shunt implantation in the real world,and discuss the ralated factors and possible interventions in clinical practice.Methods Preferred Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt implantation were performed on 11 eyes with deverse types of glaucoma.Operative course and relative complications were analyzed from recorded tapes and documents.The correlations between complications,types of glaucoma,and previous procedures were analyzed,the complications were appropriately managed.Results 11 patients with diverse types of glaucoma who underwent Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt implantation were recruited for the study.Among them,2 patients had combined phacoemulcification surgery,1 patient had repeat shunt implantation.During the procedure,1 patient had dislocated shunt into anterior chamber;1 patient had shunt entirely inserted into anterior chamber with plunger.4 patients had hypotony and flat anterior chamber,2 of them had hyphema,2 experienced subchoroid detachment.1 patient had intraocular lens pupil clamping after combined cataract and glaucoma surgery;4 cases had flat filtering blebs and uncontrolled intraocular pressure during the follow-up period,2 of them had blocked drainage and proliferative anterior synechia around the head,which was found in the patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma who had previous operation history.The common long-term complication was external ostium occlusion (4/11).The complications of drainage are related to the type of glaucoma and the history of operation.Conclusions Other than the complications which present commonly in trabeculectomy procedure,there were some complications related to the Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt.History of ocular surgery,surgical techniques and the type of disease were associated with the incidence of complications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tumor regression and local immune function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with p53 gene therapy. METHOD: The two-step immunohistochemical was done to detect the expression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) T-cell receptor-CD3, CD4, CD8 and B cell receptor-CD20 in the primary tumor tissue of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasal endoscopy with MRI or CT was used for evaluation of tumor size. RESULT: The expression of CD3, CD4, CD8 was significantly increased after p53 gene treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in expression of CD20 after p53 gene treatment (P > 0.05). In conventional treatment group, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD20 (P > 0.05) did not show any significant difference. In gene therapy group at 3 months after treatment, 20 patients had achieved CR, 10 PR, 1 SD, 1 PD. In conventional treatment group, 11 patients had achieved CR, 12 PR,5 SD,3 PD. The response rate between treatment group and control group (CR+PR) was different (P < 0.05). CD3 and CD4 expression was correlated with tumor regression rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and CD8 expression was correlated with the CR rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION T cells are the most proliferative cell of TII. in NPC patients after p53 gene therapy The local cellular immune status is positively correlated with tumor regression rate.
Adult ; Aged ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Carcinoma ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy