Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of MMP-7 in peripher- al blood and esophageal cancer.Methods By using Real time RT-PCR, blood samples from 82 cases with postoperative esophageal cancer were detected.Results 37.8 %(32/82)patients were positive for MMP-7 mRNA expression.MMP-7 mRNA positivity significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis,stage,and hematogeneous metastasis.Recurrent disease was found in 28 of 82 cases. Of 28 patients experiencing re- lapse,15 patients were serially follow-up in every three months.The number positive of MMP-7 mRNA be- fore detection by imaging,at the same time of detection by imaging,and after detection by imaging was 5 cas- es,8 cases and 2 cases respectively.Conclusion Examination of MMP-7 mRNA in peripheral blood during follow-up is useful for early detection of occult recurrence.

Objective To discuss the key points of endovascular therapy for complex subclavian artery occlusive diseases. Methods During the period from January 2012 to December 2013, a total of 92 patients with complex subclavian artery occlusive disease were admitted to Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The features of the lesions, the success rate of endovascular therapy, the use of combined approaches, the relief of symptoms after treatment, etc. were evaluated. Results The complex subclavian artery occlusive diseases could be divided into three types. Type Ⅰ: long segment of the left subclavian artery was occluded; type Ⅱ: ostial stenosis or occlusion of the right subclavian artery; and type Ⅲ: subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion was associated with the ostial disorder of the vertebral artery, or the opening of vertebral artery was affected by the subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion. The technical success rate was 82.6%. Combination use of femoral artery and brachial artery approach was employed in 27.2% of patients, which had improved the technical success rate. After the treatment the symptom improvement rate was 81.6%. Conclusion Upper limb artery approach can improve the re-canalization rate of left subclavian artery with long segment occlusion, and can ensure the accurate positioning of stent at the site of right subclavian artery opening. During the procedure of endovascular intervention for subclavian artery occlusion disease, attention should be paid to the protection of the vertebral artery.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the systemic changes of iron metabolism following manganese exposure.

METHODSNinety-seven welders and 91 workers with no history of exposure to manganese were recruited from the same factory in Beijing serving as the exposure group and the control group respectively. The welding rods used were type J422. The concentration of the manganese in the air of the work place was determined respectively with the national standard method. The serum iron and manganese, ferritin, transferrin and transferrin receptors were measured with the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry and ELISA in both groups.

RESULTSThe permissible concentration-STEL of ambient Mn in welders' breathing zone ranged from 0.53 mg/m(3) to 2.19 mg/m(3), while the permissible concentration-TWA of ambient Mn was between 0.29 mg/m(3) and 0.92 mg/m(3) in the breathing zone of the workplace. Serum Mn and Fe concentrations in welders were about 1.40 times (P < 0.0l) and 1.2 times (P < 0.01), respectively, higher than those of control subjects. At the same time, the transferrin concentrations in serum were significantly higher (about 1.2 times, P < 0.05) in welders than in controls. In contrast, transferrin receptors were significantly lower (about 1.2 times) in exposed subjects than controls (P = 0.001). There was no difference in serum ferritin between the two groups (P = 0.112). Although there was no significant trend, the serum ferritin level was increased by 18% in comparison with that of the control. The abnormal percentage of serum Fe and Serum Mn in welders were 55.67% and 67.01% respectively, higher than those of control subjects. In addition, the correlations between all indicators and the duration of employment were not observed.

CONCLUSIONThe long term exposure to the manganese can induce the disorder of the iron metabolism, which is found in the expression of increase of the serum iron and transferrin as well as the decrease of transferrin receptors.

Female ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Iron ; metabolism ; Iron Metabolism Disorders ; chemically induced ; Male ; Manganese ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Receptors, Transferrin ; blood ; Transferrin ; analysis ; Welding

AIMTo investigate the effects of Nrf2 (Nuclear-E2 related factor) on gamma-glutamylcysteine synthase (gamma-GCS) in lung of guinea pigs with bronchial asthma.

METHODS20 adult male guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10): control group (C group) and asthmatic group (A group), asthmatic model was established by ovalbumin intraperitoneal and ovalbumin inhalation. The reactive oxygen piece (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidant glutathione (GSSG) and total GSH in lung tissue were examined respectively. Inflammatory cell infiltration and index of remodeling of bronchiole were detected. In situ hybridization detected the gamma-GCS heavy subunit (gamma-GCS h) mRNA in lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry detected the expression of Nrf2 protein and gamma-GCS protein in lung tissue. RT-PCR measured the expression of Nrf2 mRNA in lung tissue. The activity of gamma-GCS was measured by coupled enzyme assay.

RESULTS(1) The number of eosinophils and lymphocytes in bronchiole of A group were significantly higher than that of C group (P < 0.05), the remodeling of bronchiole in A group was definite. (2) ROS (U/mg pro), GSSG (micromol/g pro) and total GSH in lung tissue of A group were significantly higher than that of C group (P < 0.01). The GSH/GSSG in lung tissue of A group was much lower than that of C group (P < 0.01), GSH in lung tissue showed no difference between A group and C group. (3) Immunohistochemistry indicated that Nrf2 protein and gamma-GCS protein were more positively expressed in A group than that in C group (P < 0.01). In situ hybridization discovered that the expression of gamma-GCS-h mRNA in lung tissue of A group was more positive than that of C group. (4) RT-PCR showed that the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was no difference between A group and C group (P > 0.05). (5) The activity of gamma-GCS of A group was (28 +/- 8)U which was significantly higher than that of C group (9 +/- 2)U (P < 0.01). (6) Linear correlation analysis indicated that in lung tissue of guinea pig with asthma there existed strongly positive relationship among ROS, GSSG and the expression of Nrf2, gamma-GCS mRNA, gamma-GCS protein, the activity of gamma-GCS, there existed strongly negative relationship among GSH/GSSG and the expression of Nrf2, gamma-GCS mRNA, gamma-GCS protein, the activity of gamma-GCS.

CONCLUSIONThere existed oxidative stress in lung of guinea pigs with bronchial asthma, which possibly positively regulated gamma-GCS via up regulating transcription factor Nrf2.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; metabolism ; Guinea Pigs ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of glucocorticoid receptor antagonist-M8046 on the behavior and the cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2( COX-2/PGE2) expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rats.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 36 rats in each group: Sham operation group (Sham), chronic constrictive group (CCI), M8046 treated group (M8046) and solvent controlled group (Sc). M8046 3 mg/(kg x d) intraperitoneal injection was given after operation in group M8046. Paw thennal withdrawal (PTWL) and paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) of rats were measured on 2 pre-operative and 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 post-operative days. The spinal cord and L15 DRG of the operated side was removed at 3, 7, 14 days after surgery. The change of COX-2 and PGE2 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining and ELISA separately.

RESULTSPTWL and PMWT in CCI group were significantly lower than those in Sham group on every post-operative day (P < 0.05). PTWL and PMWT in M8046 group were significantly higher than those in CCI group on 7, 10, 14 post-operative day (P < 0.05). In spinal dorsal horn, the level of COX-2 and PGE2 expression in CCI group was significantly higher than that in Sham group (P < 0.05). M8046 could significantly attenuate the activation of COX-2 and PGE2 induced by CCI (P < 0.05). The expression of COX-2 and PGE2 in DRG was similar to that in spinal dorsal horn.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of M8046 ameliorate the CCI-induced neuropathic pain may be related to attenuate the expression of COX-2 and PGE2 in spinal cord and DRG.

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuralgia ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective:To analyze the prognostic factors of vision of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody positive associated optic neuritis (ON) after methylprednisolone pulse therapy.Methods:A clinical observational study. A total of 32 patients (47 eyes) with MOG antibody positive ON were observed and followed up in the ophthalmology department of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and Beijing Puren Hospital from March 2019 to January 2022. Clinical data including the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and orbital magnetic resonance imaging were recorded. The BCVA was examined by Snellen visual acuity chart, which was finally converted into the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. There were 22 case (38 eyes) with complete image data. All patients were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse (IVMP) for 3-5 days. According to the intervention time (from onset to glucocorticoid treatment), the patients were divided into three groups: <7 d group, 7-14 d and> 14 d group, with 16, 13, 11 eyes, respectively. The median follow-up time was 28 months. After 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months treatment, the same equipment and methods were used for relevant examinations to observe the changes of visual acuity and the factors influencing the prognosis of visual acuity after IVMP treatment. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to analyze the prognostic correlation factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the critical cut-off point of intervention timing.Results:Among the patients, 16 were male and 16 were female. The median onset age was 26 years. The onset duration time was 5-60 days. There were 18 cases (56.3%, 18/32) with abnormal serum immune indexes. The initial symptom was decreased vision with unilateral or bilateral ON. Seventeen (53.1%, 17/32) cases had unilateral ON and 15 (46.9%, 15/32) cases with bilateral ON. Thirty-six eyes (76.6%, 36/47) got optic disc edema, 37 eyes (78.7%, 37/47) accompanied by pain of ocular movement. The nadir logMAR BCVA was mean 1.69±0.13. Long T2WI signals with segmental thickening in the orbital segment of the optic nerve were obtained in 27 eyes (71.1%, 27/38) and in 24 eyes (63.2%, 24/38) with optic nerve and sheath enhancement. During the follow-up period, there were 10 cases of relapse (31.3%, 10/32). The logMAR BCVA of attacked eyes were 0.52±0.09, 0.22±0.06, 0.12±0.06, 0.10±0.06 at 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months after IVMP treatment, respectively. The rate of BCVA improvement was the fastest at 1 week after treatment, and BCVA returned to stability at 3 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that the timing of intervention was significantly correlated with the prognosis of vision in primary onset patients (odds ratio=12.17, P=0.006), with a negative linear regression relationship ( r=-0.48, 95% confidence interval -0.71--0.17, P=0.008). Comparing the logMAR BCVA between the intervention time >14 group with the <7 group and the 7-14 group, there were statistically significant difference ( P=0.017, 0.037), respectively. The cut-off point of ROC curve to predict the optimal intervention time was 13.5 days. Other factors such as: gender, age, predisposing factor, pain of eye motion, edema of optic disc, bilateral ON, imaging changes, abnormal autoimmune indicators were not associated with the prognosis of visual acuity. Conclusion:The timing of hormone intervention in primary onset patients is an important factor affecting the prognosis of vision and the optimal intervention time window of IVMP is two weeks.

Objective To investigate the influence of temperature on active constituents of the superfines of Qianghuo (Notopterygium). Methods Qianghuo was micronized by using vibromill at room temperature and low temperature (-10 ℃) respectively. The content of volatile oil in the superfines prepared at different temperature was detected, and the content of ferulic acid was determined by using HPLC.Results The content of ferulic acid was not lost after micronized by vibromill at room temperature, but the content of volatile oil was lost, which could be avoided by the micronization at low temperature (-10 ℃). Conclusion The vibromill at low temperature is proved initially that it is suitable for the preparation of superfines of Qianghuo.

This study was aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of Toll like receptor (TLR)5 agonist flagellin on acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its possible mechanism. The animal model with allo-HSCT aGVHD was established by using purebred mice (male mouse C57BL/6 as donor, female mouse BALB/c as recipient) with complete-unidentical major histocompatibility antigen. The recipient mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 in which mice were injected with high purity (95%) flagellin before and after allo-HSCT respectively, group 2 in which mice received allo-HSCT without injection of flagellin, group 3 in which mice were radiated alone. The aGVHD features of mice in group 1 and 2 were observed and compared. The results showed that the typical symptoms of aGVHD appeared in transplanted mice. The death peak of mice in group 2 appeared at day 4-5 after transplantation. The aGVHD symptoms were obviously alleviated and the mean survival time was prolonged significantly in mice group 1 as compared with mice in group 2 (P < 0.05). The comparison of WBC count in peripheral blood of mice in 3 groups before transplantation showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), while WBC count of mice in group 1 and 2 showed the significant difference at days 14 and 21 after transplantation (P < 0.05). The pathological appearances of aGVHD in mice of group 1 were obviously reduced as compared with mice in group 2. The flow cytometric detection of Treg cell/CD4(+) T cell levels at different time before and after transplantation demonstrated that the Treg cell level in mice of group 1 at weeks 2-4 after transplantation significantly increased as compared with mice in group 2 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that flagellin can effectively prevent the aGVHD occurrence after allo-HSCT, reduce the symptoms and pathological changes of aGVHD, obviously prolong mean survival time of mice in group 1. The mechanism of flagellin effect may be associated to increase of Treg cell level in mice after allo-HSCT.
Animals ; Female ; Flagellin ; therapeutic use ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Toll-Like Receptor 6 ; agonists ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDTotally laparoscopic aortic surgery is still in its infancy in China. One of the factors preventing adoption of this technique is its steep learning curve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD).

METHODSFrom November 2008 to November 2012, 12 patients were treated for severe AIOD with a totally laparoscopic bypass surgery at our university hospital. The demographic data, operative data, postoperative recovery data, morbidity and mortality were analyzed and compared with those of conventional open approach.

RESULTSTwelve totally laparoscopic aortic surgery procedures, including two iliofemoral bypasses (IFB), three unilateral aortofemoral bypasses (UAFB), and seven aortobifemoral bypasses (ABFB), were performed. Conversion to open procedures was required in three patients. The mean operation time was 518 (range, 325-840) minutes, mean blood loss was 962 (range, 400-2500) ml, and mean aortic anastomosis time was 75 (range, 40-150) minutes. Compared with conventional open approach for aortofemoral bypasses performed concomitantly during this period, laparoscopic patients required fewer narcotics and a shorter in-hospital stay and earlier recovery. Postoperative complications developed in four patients, including a single patient with transient left hydronephrosis, ischemic colonic fistula and pneumonia, residual aortic stenosis proximal to the anastomotic site, and asymptomatic partial left renal infarction. All patients recovered and were discharged on postoperative Days 7-14 except one patient that died of respiratory failure on Day 46. All grafts were patent with follow-up imaging performed by Duplex examination, with a mean follow-up time of 10.7 (range, 2-61) months.

CONCLUSIONTotally laparoscopic bypass surgery is a feasible and safe procedure for AIOD, but attention needs to be paid to improve laparoscopic skills of vascular surgery in order to minimize morbidity during the learning curve of this advanced procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Diseases ; surgery ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology

Objective To construct active phages against Chlamydia trachomatis,and to evaluate its effect on Chlamydia trachomatis.Methods The M13 phage was recombined with the IN5 sequences encoding the capsid protein VP1 of chlamydiophage phiCPG1,and then the recombinant M13-IN5 phage was obtained.PCR amplification,enzyme digestion and sequencing were performed to verify whether the target fragment was inserted into the phage successfully.The viability of the phage was evaluated by plaque formation assay.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was conducted to evaluate the effect of M13 phage and recombinant M13-IN5 phage at the titer of 1011 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml on the proliferation of Hela cells,and Hela cells uninfected with chlamydia served as the blank control group.Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of the IN5 loop protein in the recombinant M13-IN5 phage,M13 phage and Escherichia coli ER2738 at exponential growth phase.Cultured standard Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E strain was treated with M13 phage and recombinant M13-IN5 phage at the titer of 1011 PFU/ml separately,and chlamydia control group without the treatment with phages was set up.After 36-hour infection,confocal microscopy was performed to detect the location of the M13 phage and the recombinant M13-IN5 phage.Moreover,iodine staining was conducted to count inclusion bodies at 36,48,60 and 72 hours separately after infection.Statistical analysis was carried out by a two-sample t-test for comparisons between two groups,one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparison,and Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons.Results The bioactive recombinant M13 phage containing the IN5 loop gene was constructed successfully,and Western blot analysis confirmed that the recombinant phage expressed IN5 loop/p Ⅲ fusion protein with a high titer of 3.05 × 1011 PFU/ml.As CCK8 assay showed,there was no significant difference in proliferation of Hela cells among the blank control group,M 13 phage group and recombinant M13-IN5 phage group (A450 values:3.63 ± 0.01,3.55 ± 0.02,3.70 ± 0.01,respectively,F =12.0,P ＞ 0.05).Confocal microscopy showed overlap between the phage fluorescence and chlamydial inclusion body fluorescence.The M13-IN5 phage group and M13 phage group both showed significantly decreased number of inclusion bodies compared with the control group (both P ＜ 0.05) at 36 and 72 hours after chlamydial infection,and the number of inclusion bodies was significantly lower in the M 13-IN5 phage group than in the M13 phage group (P ＞ 0.05).After 48,and 60 hours of chlamydial infection,the number of inclusion bodies did not differ among the M13 phage group,M13-IN5 phage group and control group (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The recombinant M13-IN5 phage was bioactive and could successfully express the IN5 loop protein.In the in vitro experiments,the recombinant phage could enter into chlamydia inclusion bodies,and markedly inhibited the infection of Chlamydia trachomatis.