ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of simvastatin preconditioning on the expression of inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS,eNOS) in thoracic aorta in a rat model of sepsis.Methods Eighty pathogen-free female Wistar rats aged 4 months weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups:group normal control (group Ⅰ,n =8) ; group sham operation (group Ⅱ,n =8) ; group sepsis (group Ⅲ,n =32) and group simvastatin preconditioning (group Ⅳ,n =32).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ.In group Ⅳ simvastatin 20 mg/kg was given via a gastric tube once a day for 2 weeksbefore CLP.The thoracic aorta specimens were taken at 3,6,24 and 48 h after CLP (n =8 at each time point)for detection of iNOS and eNOS protein expression by Western blot analysis.ResultsCLP significantly up-regulated iNOS expression and down-regulated eNOS expression in group Ⅲ as compared with groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Simvastatin pretreatment significantly attenuated CLP-induced increase in iNOS expression and decrease in eNOS expression in group Ⅳ as compared with group Ⅲ.ConclusionSimvastatin preconditioning can protect vascular endothelial cells from septic injury by down-regulating iNOS expression and up-regulating eNOS expression in vascular endothelial cells.

Objective To explore clinical feasibility of liver transplant from child of brain death to adult, to summarize the clinical experiences that a child of brain death transplants liver to an adult. Methods The recipient was a 39-year-old woman patient with primary hepatic carcinoma and posthepatitis cirrhosis (decompensation stage); while the donor was a 8-old-year child of brain death because of brain neoplasms. Donated liver was gained by the method of en bloc multivisceral procurement in a short time; the operative method was classic orthotopic liver transplantation. The postoperative managements included immunosuppression, prevention of infection, hepatic protection, and other relevant supports etc. Results The transplantation operative duration was 6 hours, after which not only did the recipient survive but also her body functioned well including the liver part, with no severe postoperative complications. Conclusions The technology of transplanting livers from children to adults is feasible. The key to ensure the success of transplant operation is systematic preoperative evaluation, excellent operative technique, and perfect postoperative treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of simvastatin on endothelial cell function in a rat model of sepsis. Methods Ninety-six pathogen-free female Wistar rats aged 4 months weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 32 each): group sham operation (group Ⅰ ); group sepsis (group Ⅱ )and group simvastatin + sepsis(group Ⅲ ) . Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In group Ⅲ simvastatin 20 mg/kg was given via a gastric tube once a day for 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken from carotid artery at 3,6, 24 and 48 h ( n = 8 at each time point) for WBC count and measurement of serum E-selectin concentration (by ELISA) . Results CLP significantly increased WBC count and serum E-selectin concentration in group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅰ . The peak values were reached at 6 h after operation. Simvastatin pretreatment attenuated the sepsis-induced increase in WBC count and serum E-selectin concentration in group Ⅲ. Conclusion Protection of endothelial cell function is involved in the mechanism of treatment of sepsis with simvastatin.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of low-dosage methyltestosterone or andriol in men with senile osteoporosis. MethodsA total of 134 male patients with senile osteoporosis and the decreased serum level of free testosterone were divided into three groups. 45 patients were treated with low-dosage methyhestosterone(100 mg, once a day, sublingual) and 46 patients were treated with low-dosage andriol (40 mg, once a day, orally), while 43 patients were treated with placebo. The duration of treatment in each group was 1 year. The bone density, blood and urine biochemical indexes related to bone metaholites,the quality of life indexes, ultrasonography for prostate,serum prostate specific antigen,blood routine, urine routine, hepatic and renal function were detected before and after the treatment. ResultsBoth low-dosage methyltestosterone and low-dosage andriol could prevent the decrease of bone mineral density and improve patients' general health, role-emotional function and vitality (all P＜0.05). The difference values of femoral neck bone mineral density before and after treatment with low-dosage andriol and low-dosage methyltestosterone were (0.14+0.18)g/cm2 and (0.12±0.09)g/cm2 , respectively(P＜0.05). Low-dosage andriol hadstronger effects in increasing the level of estradiol (32.5±14.2 )ng/L than low-dosage methyltestosterone(19.3±9.2)ng/L(P＜0.05) and showed more notable effects in improving the physical functioning and role-physical function than low-dosage methyhestosterone. The use of the two androgenic hormones at low dosage showed safety. ConclusionsBoth low-dosage methyltestosterone and low-dosage andriol can be used to treat senile osteoporosis in men and to improve life quality. Both of them are effective and safe therapeutic choices.

Objective To explore and evaluate an extracorporal method for inducing magnetic capsule endoscopy into small intestine. Methods 40 patients receiving magnetic capsule endoscopy were randomly divided in two groups: the control group: doctors stopped manipulating capsule after the examination of stomach, and the capsule entered small intestine by the natural gastrointestinal motility; and the study group: after the examination of stomach, the patient lay on the right side, doctors moved the capsule to the pylorus, and then moved magnetic ball to induce capsule into small intestine. Gastric inspection time, gastric residence time, small intestine transit time and the completion rate were compared between the two groups. Results The average time for checking stomach was (32.50 ± 11.71) min in control group and (31.75 ± 9.12) min in study group respectively, and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). After the observation of stomach, the gastric residence time in the control group was (40.60 ± 21.43) min, and the completion rate was 40%, while the average gastric residence time in the study group was (13.55 ± 9.62) min, and the completion rate was 75%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Small intestine transit time was (329.25 ± 90.00) min in the control group and (342.00 ± 89.80) min in the study group, and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion By doctors moving magnetic ball and the patient lying on the right side after the observation of stomach, gastric residence time could be reduced and the completion rate could be elevated obviously.

Objective To explore the relationship between blood lipids level with creatinine clearance rate(Ccr)in patients with heart failure(HF). Methods A total of 955 patients who were diagnosed with heart failure(cardiac function NYHAⅡ~Ⅳclassification)upon discharge from the Department of Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, between January 2010 to June 2013 were enrolled as HF group. Healthy adults (n=200) with normal cardiac function which approximately matched basic condition with HF group were selected as control group. The HF group was fur?ther divided intoⅡ,Ⅲ,Ⅳclassification according to their cardiac function(NYHA classification). HF group was also divid?ed into normal renal function group, mild renal injury group and moderate-severe renal injury group based on their Ccr. Ef?fect of gender and lipid parameters were also compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing renal function in patients with HF. Results Compared with people in the control group, the levels of triacylglycerol(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c)and non high density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-c)in patients of HF group were increased while Ccr and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c)were decreased. Ccr and lipids were obviously decreased in patients with HF of Ⅳclassification. TG and HDL-c were decreased in moderate-severe renal injury group. Females had a higher lipid levels than males in HF group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Advanced age, coronary heart disease and hypertension were all risk factors for renal impairment in patients with HF by binary logistic re?gression. On the other hand, weight gain and HDL-c were the protection factors for renal function in HF patients. Conclu?sion Dyslipidemias may lead to renal insufficiency in patients with HF. It was important to control lipids and improve re?nal function in patients with HF.

Objective TALE-TFs were adopted to provide a new way in detection of the expression result ofβ-ca-sein gene promoter-interesting gene expression cassettes in mouse fibroblasts.Methods TALE-TFs of eukaryotic expres-sion plasmid and expression cassette withβ-casein gene promoter and red fluorescent protein reporter gene were co-nucleo-fected into mouse fibroblasts by Amaxa nucleofector.Results and Conclusion β-casein gene promoter was activated by artificial TALE-TFs in the mouse fibroblasts.The way is a new expression verification system instead of mammary epithelial cells with fibroblasts.

Objective To compare the accuracy of the lung ultrasound and pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) in predicting volume responsiveness in septic shock patients with myocardial suppression.Methods Fifty patients of both sexes with septic shock complicated with myocardial depression,aged ≥ 18 yr,were enrolled in the study.The method for fluid replacement test was as follows:0.9％ sodium chloride injection or lactated Ringer's solution 500 ml was rapidly infused intravenously.PiCCO was used to monitor cardiac output,stroke volume,extravascular lung water index (EVLWI),pulmonary vascular penetration index (PVPI),intra-thoracic blood volume index and global end-diastolic volume index.The chest wall was scanned by ultrasound and the lung ultrasound score (LUS) was assessed.Positive fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in PiCCO-monitored cardiac output＞ 10％ after fluid replacement.Patients were divided into positive fluid responsiveness group and negative fluid responsiveness group according to the results of fluid resuscitation test.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of each index in predicting fluid responsiveness.Results Compared with negative fluid responsiveness group,EVLWI,PVPI and LUS were significantly decreased,the number of patients in whom the bilateral anterior chest wall presented as B-line was increased in positive fluid responsiveness group (P＜0.01).The area under the ROC curve and 95％ confidence interval of LUS in predicting volume responsiveness was 0.836 (0.720-0.952),the cutoff value was 14.5 points,sensitivity 88％,and specificity 72％.The area under the ROC curve and 95％ confidence interval of EVLWI in predicting volume responsiveness was 0.818 (0.701-0.936),the cutoff value was 9.6 ml/kg,sensitivity 84％,and specificity 72％.The area under the ROC curve and 95％ confidence interval of PVPI in predicting volume responsiveness was 0.720 (0.575-0.865),the cutoff value was 1.55,sensitivity 92％,and specificity 52％.Conclusion The lung ultrasound and PiCCO produce higher accuracy in predicting volume responsiveness in septic shock patients with myocardial suppression;LUS has more advantages due to non-invasive examination.

Objective To compare the accuracy of inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound,central venous pressure (CVP) and pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) in predicting fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients with myocardial depression.Methods Fifty patients with septic shock complicated with myocardial depression,aged ＞ 18 yr,were enrolled in the study.The method for fluid replacement test was as follows:0.9％ sodium chloride injectionor lactated Ringer's solution 500 ml was intravenously infused over 20 min,and positive fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in PiCCO-monitored CO＞ 10％ after fluid replacement.Patients were divided into positive fluid responsiveness group and negative fluid responsiveness group according to the fluid replacement test.PiCCO was used to monitor stroke volume (SV),stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variability (PPV) before fluid replacement,CVP was measured,and the diameter of IVC (d-IVC) and variability of IVC (v-IVC) were measured by bedside ultrasound.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of each index in predicting fluid responsiveness.Results Compared with negative fluid responsiveness group,d-IVC was significantly decreased and v-IVC,SVV and PPV were increased before fluid replacement in positive fluid responsiveness group (P＜0.01).Three point five mmHg,14.5 mm,16.5％,17.0％ and 11.5％ were selected as the cutoff value for CVP,d-IVC,v-IVC,SVV and PPV,respectively.The sensitivity of CVP,d-IVC,v-IVC,SVV and PPV in predicting fluid responsiveness was 100％,92％,80％,44％ and 68％,respectively,and the specificity was 28％,80％,72％,100％ and 72％,respectively,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95％ confidence interval) was 0.609 (0.450-0.768),0.862 (0.750-0.974),0.777 (0.642-0.911),0.734 (0.596-0.873) and 0.733 (0.594-0.872),respectively.Conclusion PiCCO and IVC ultrasound provide higher accuracy in predicting fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients with myocardial depression,and IVC ultrasound is more superior because of non-invasive examination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether morphine preconditioning has the delayed protective effect on rabbit myocardium. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a NS group, a Mor-12 group and a Mor-24 group (n=10). In the Mor-12 group and Mor-24 group, morphine (3 mg/kg) was infused into rabbits, while the same volume of normal saline (NS) was given to rabbits in the NS group. Twelve hours after morphine infusion in the Mor-12 group, 24 h after NS or morphine infusion in the NS group and Mor-24 group, rabbits were subjected to 30 min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusions and were reperfused for 120 min. In 8 of the 10 rabbits in each group, arterial blood samples were taken before the ischemia (T1), 30 min after the ischemia (T2) and 120 min after the reperfusion (T3) to determine the concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and the myocardial infarct area was determined at the end of reperfusion. In the other 2 of the 10 rabbits in each group,the cell ultramicro-structure injury of myocardium was examined by electron microscope at the end of reperfusion. RESULTS: The concentration of cTnI at T2 and T3 in the Mor-24 group was lower than that in the NS group and Mor-12 group.The myocardial infarct size, and cell ultramicrostructure injury of myocardium in the Mor-24 group were decreased compared with the NS group and Mor-12 group. CONCLUSION Morphine preconditioning has delayed protective effect on rabbit myocardium.
Animals ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Time Factors ; Troponin I ; blood