Objective To investigate the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) mRNA expression in neonatal rat amygdala. Methods Forty-two 8-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 21 each): control group and experimental group. 5% sevoflurane was inhaled for 1 min, and then the inhaled concentration of sevoflurane was decreased to 3 % and maintained for 4 h. The rats were sacrificed at the end of sevoflurane inhalation and 24 h after the end of sevoflurane inhalation, and amygdala was removed for determination of DNMT, mRNA, DNMT3, mRNA and DNMT3b mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Blood samples were taken at the end of sevoflurane inhalation for blood gas analysis. Results Compared with control group, the DNMT, mRNA and DNMT3, mRNA expression was down-regulated (P ＜ 0.05). There were no significant differences in DNMT3b mRNA expression and parameters of blood gas analysis between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane anesthesia can down-regulate DNMT, mRNA and DNMT,, mRNA expression in neonatal rat amygdala, which may result in functional deficits during the development of central nervous system.

Objective To compare the effects of labor epidural analgesia initiated in latent phase and active phase on parturients and neonates. Methods One hundred twenty nulliparous women at full term (single, head presentation, ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ ) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=40 each):control group(group C) ; PCEA initiated in latent phase group (cervical dilatation 0.5-3.0 cm) (group L) and PCEA initiated in active phase group (cervical dilatation＞3.0 cm) (group A). Epidural catheter was placed through L2,3 interspace. 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg/ml was used for PCEA. A test dose of 5 ml was followed by a loading dose of 10 ml. PCEA device was programmed to allow a bolus of 6 ml with a 30 min lockout interval. The intensity of pain was measured with VAS (0=no pain, 10=worst pain) before analgesia, at 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after beginning of PCEA and cervical dilatation of 7-8 cm and 10 cm. Degree of motor block was assessed by lower extremity muscle strength (modified Bromage scale,0=no motor block, 3=inability to flex ankle joints).Plasma cortisol in maternal venous blood obtained before analgesia and at delivery of fetus and in umbilical cord blood and plasma ropivacaine concentrations in umbilical core blood were determined.The length of every stage, duration of analgesia,delivery mode, the amount of oxytocin used, maternal satisfaction, Apgar scores of the neonates and adverse effects were recorded. Results PCEA initiated in latent phase or active phase significantly reduced VAS score, the plasma cortisol level at delivery, the duration of 1st stage of labor, and the rate of cesarean section and increased the use of oxytocin in L and A groups as compared with group C, but there was no significant difference in the above variables between L and A groups. The duration of analgesia was shorter in group A than in group L. Conclusions Labor epidural analgesia initiated in latent phase or active phase can decrease the rate of cesarean section but does not prolong the duration of labor and is safe for the newborn.

Objective To compare the influence of postoperative pelvic floor function after different surgical procedures of hysterectomy. Methods A total of 260 patients who underwent hysterectomy in Renmin hospital of Wuhan University from January 2012 to January 2014 were enrolled in the study, and divided into 5 groups by different surgical procedures, which were total abdominal hysterectomy (A-TH;46 cases), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (L-TH;59 cases), total vaginal hysterectomy (V-TH;42 cases), abdominal intrafascial hysterectomy (A-CISH;78 cases), laparoscopic intrafascial hysterectomy (L-CISH;35 cases). Pelvic examination, pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q), test of pelvic muscle strength, pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) and the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire were measured after 6 months and 12 months. Results The differences of pelvic organ prolapse incidence after 6 months, A-TH and A-CISH [7%(3/46) versus 3%(2/78)], A-TH and L-CISH [7%(3/46) versus 3% (1/35)] were statistically significance (all P＜0.05).POP-Q grade after 6 months between A-TH and A-CISH was statistically different in degree (P＜0.05). The differences of incidence of abnormal pelvic floor muscle fatigue after 6 months of A-TH and A-CISH [59% (27/46) versus 29% (23/78)], A-TH and L-CISH [59%(27/46) versus 26%(9/35)] were statistically significant (all P＜0.05), after 12 months the difference of L-TH and A-CISH [61% (36/59) versus 29%(23/78)] was statistically different (P＜0.05). The differences of incidence of abnormal pelvic floor muscle strength after 6 months of L-TH and A-CISH [53%(31/59) verus 24%(19/78)], V-TH and A-CISH [60%(25/42) verus 24%(19/78)], V-TH and L-CISH [60%(25/42) verus 23%(8/35)] were statistically significant (all P＜0.05);after 12 months the difference of V-TH and A-CISH [57% (24/42) versus 26% (20/78)] was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Stress urinary incontinence, abnormal bowel movements after 6 months and 12 months were no significant difference between groups (all P＞0.05), PFDI-20 total score was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). FSFI total score after 6 months and 12 months in A-TH and A-CISH, L-TH and A-CISH, A-CISH and L-CISH were statistically significant (all P＜0.05). Conclusion The influences of different surgical procedures to pelvic floor function are no statistical difference; as to the surgical resection of hysterectomy, intrafascia hysterectomy compared with extrafascia hysterectomy, the former is more helpful to the protection of the structure and function of the pelvic floor.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic efficacy of unilateral multiple channels approach in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

METHODSA retrospective review (from March 2003 to October 2012) was conducted on 685 consecutive patients, a total of 885 vertebrae were involved. Eighty-two cases (99 vertebrae) with bone cement leakage when less than 0.3 ml bone cement was injected to fill the fracture were given PVP procedure by unilateral multiple channels approach. 38 cases were male (45 vertebrae) and 44 cases were female (54 vertebrae). The average age was 75.4 years old (from 69 to 92). The operation time, amount of injected bone cement and complications were recorded. Rate of excellent and good outcomes was studied by measuring the cement distribution on the X-ray film. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) system were used to evaluate the pain relief and improvement of daily activity function respectively at preoperation and 1 hour, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSAll these ninety-nine vertebrae were treated in 82 cases with PVP of unilateral multiple channels approach. The average operation time was 33 minutes. The rate of excellent and good outcomes of cement distribution was 98.8%. The VAS score was (8.40 +/- 0.73) before surgery,and (2.50 +/- 0.43), (2.00 +/- 0.33), (1.80 +/- 0.28), (2.10 +/- 0.17) at 1 hour, 1 month,3 months and 6 months respectively after operation. ODI was (40.94 +/- 2.72) before surgery, (9.64 +/- 2.60) at 1 month after surgery, (8.52 +/- 2.30) at 3 months after surgery and (7.77 +/- 2.15) at the final follow-up. The differences of the VAS and ODI between pre-operation and post-operation had statistical significance (P<0.01). No spine or nerve injuries occurred intraoperatively.

CONCLUSIONThe unilateral multiple channels approach in percutaneous vertebroplasty can obviously relieve the pain and effectively improve the functional activity, provide a satisfied cement distribution in vertebral body with cement leakage after a small amount infusion.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty

This study is to elucidate the immunoregulation mechanisms of artesunate (AST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Pharmacodynamics analyses, HE staining, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the effects of AST on the related cytokines, transcription factor and signaling molecule of ACD respectively. The results indicated that topical administration of AST not only reduced the increase of ear swelling, spleen index and inflammatory cells infiltration in ACD mice, but also inhibited remarkably the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and NF-kappaB p65. It's suggested that AST could exhibit suppressive effects on inflammatory response and immune function of ACD, which indicates the possibility of developing AST as a novel immunoregulatory agent in the treatment of ACD and other immune-related diseases.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Male

AIM and METHOD:To study the changes of contents of phosphatidyl inositol (PtdIns),phosphatidylserine (Ptdser),phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) and phosphatidylcholine(PtdCho) in hepatic mitochondria membrane of goats in vivo at 5 h after administration of E. coli endotoxin(1800 U/kg body weight) with HPLC. The membrane fluidity of the erythrocyte and liver mitochondria of E. coli endotoxin treated group was examined with the fluorescence polarization technique, in which 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5,-hexatriene was used as a fluorescence probe. RESULTS: E. coli endotoxin treated group (group II) led to a marked decrease of PtdIns, PtdSer, PtdEtn, PtdCho contents of hepatic mitochondria in vivo at 5 h as compare to the normal control (group I) ( P

Objective To investigate the photo-toxic effects of indocyanine green (ICG) based on photodynamic therapy (PDT) on vascular endothelial cells in vitro. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with ICG with different concentrations in 96-well plate. According to the dose of ICG , they were divided into 6 groups as 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 μmol/L group. Each group consists of 8 wells, 4 of them were irradiated with a 810 nm laser of total power 24.0 J/cm2. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay 24 h after light irradiation. Morphological changes in cells were observed by light microscope. Results With the irradiation of 810 nm light , there was a significant decrease in relative cell viability in all groups except 0 μmol/L group (all P < 0). With the increase of concentration of ICG, the cell viability dropped rapidly (P < 0). Apoptotic changes can be seen in all groups except 0 μmol/L group and necrosis was the main change in cells of 200 μmol/L and 250 μmol/L group. Conclusion PDT with appropriate concentration of ICG has a strong inhibition to vascular endothelial cells in vitro and ICG-PDT may be a good new therapy for nevascularization.

Aim To discuss the pathway of resveratrol for anti-acute myeloblastic leukemia.Methods Human acute myeloblastic leukemia cell Kasumi-1 was applied in this study.After different doses of Res treatment for different time, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)colorimetry was used to detect the cell proliferation.Furthermore, apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry.Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)were used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax for mRNA and protein.The activity of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3)was detected by immunoblotting and Luciferase reporter gene assay.On the other hand, leukemia-bearing mice models were made to investigate the live situation, survival time and the activation of STAT3 by Western blot and immunohistochemical method.Results Resveratrol could suppress the proliferation of Kasumi-1, and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.At the same time, the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and phosphor-signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(p-STAT3)were decreased significantly.In vivo, resveratrol could prolong the life span of Kasumi-1-bearing mice and attenuate the activity of STAT3 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions Resveratrol is a natural occurring chemotherapeutic agent present in Chinese Herbals.The regulatory effect on signaling pathways involved in STAT3 by resveratrol may be associated with its anti-leukemia effect.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and other clinical parameters were measured in patients with types 2 diabetes mellitu (with or without angiopathy of lower limbs). The serum levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP were higher in type 2 diabetic patients and those with angiopathy by Doppler ultrasonography than those in normal controls. The change of serum MMP-9 was positively correlated with the level of hsCRP. The extent of angiopathy was correlated positively with both hsCRP and MMP-9.