Objective To observe the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and the effects of ERK5 selective inhibitor XMD8-92 on human platelet activation in vitro,and to explore its mechanism.Methods Western blot was applied to detect the phosphorylation levels of ERK5,Akt473 and Akt308 in AMI patients (n =34) and stable angina patients (n =33,control).The effects of different concentration of XMD8-92 on human platelet aggregation induced by collagen was tested by aggregometer in vitro.The release of ATP was measured simultaneously by luciferase detection.The effects of XMD8-92 on integrin aIIbβ3 were detected by platelet spreading on immobilized fibrinogen and clot retraction.The effects of XMD8-92 on phosphorylation levels of Akt473,Akt308 PTEN370 and ERK5 were detected by Western blot.Results The levels of phosphor-Akt473,Akt308 and phosphor-ERK5 were significantly higher in AMI patients than that in control group (P＜0.05).ERK5 inhibitor XMD8-92 diminished collagen-induced platelet aggregation,ATP secretion,the average area of platelet spreading on immobilized fibrinogen and the clot retraction extent.The levels of phosphor-Akt (Ser-473/Thr-308) and phosphor-PTEN (Ser370) were significantly down-regulated in the presence of XMD8-92.Conclusions ERK5 plays a role in platelet activation in AMI process.It regulates platelet activation by regulating PTEN and Akt phosphorylation.Its specific inhibitor is hoped to be new antithrombotic drug.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique used in karyotype analysis of chorionic villi from missed abortion. Methods Feb 2008 to Oct 2008, 91 patients with missed abortion diagnosed by hormonal measurement, type B ultrasound and physical exam matched with 20 normal pregnant women undergoing artificial abortion were enrolled in this study. Chorionic villi was obtained by suction dilation and curettage in aseptic condition, then those villi was cultured and analyzed by traditional cytogenetic karyotyping method, in the mean time, the DNA extracted from villi was detected by MLPA. The results of chromosomal G-banding of chorionic villi were compared between two methods. Results The diagnostic concordance of MLPA and traditional karyotyping was observed in 92% (84/91) cases, there were 84 cases in the case group with diagnostic concordance by traditional karyotyping and MLPA except 7 cases of euploidy could not be detected by MLPA. The 84 cases included 40 normal karyotype,29 trisomy of euchromosome, 1 double trisomy of euchromosome, 10 monosomy X , 1 monosomy X combined with trisomy of euchromosome, 2 chimaera of X chromosome, 1 structural abnormity of euchromosome. Among 7 cases with discordance diagnosis, 2 cases with trisomy and 5 cases with tetrasomy of euchromosome were identified in traditional karyotyping, however, they were all diagnosed with normal disomy by MLPA. Of 20 villi from normal pregnancy, two methods got the consistent results. Conclusion The MLPA was rapid and efficacy method used for analyzing aneuploids in chorionic villi.

Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human epidermal growth factor(hEGF) gene with signal peptide(SP).Methods After two pairs of primers were designed and synthesized,the cDNA fragment of hEGF and SP genes were amplified from total RNAs. The amplified cDNA fragments were cloned into pGEM-T vector.The expression plasmids were verified by double endonuclease digestion and DNA sequence analysis. Results With RT-PCR using two pairs of primers,two bands(about 90bp and 180bp) were obtained and confirmed as signal peptide and EGF cDNA fragment with electrophoresis analysis and DNA sequencing after cloned into pGEM-T vector.The SP and EGF cDNA fragments were inserted into plasmid pcDNA3.1(+).The bands of 240bp and 5.4kb were obtained and identified as the full length of SP-EGF cDNA fragment by DNA sequence analysis.Conclusion The eukaryotic expression plasmids containing hEGF gene is successfully constructed.

Objective To evaluate the efifcacy and safety of hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) under the guidance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for treating splenic trauma in canine model. Methods A total of 24 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy with creation of uniformly blunt splenic trauma lesion of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm×2.5 cm (length, width and depth, respectively) by hemostatic clamp. Subjects were prospectively randomized into two groups. The treatment group was treated with HIGM under the guidance of CEUS and the positive control group received thrombin solution. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS were performed to record the ascites and the splenic lesion areas at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day. The ifne needle biopsy and splenectomy were performed for histopathologic examination. The weight, free intraperitoneal lfuid and injury site were compared with t test between HIGM and postive group. Results All animals in two groups survived. All dogs stopped hemorrhage after injection of HIGM under CEUS guidance. The area of injury site was (12.91±0.89) cm2, (4.45±0.75) cm2 and (1.38±0.23) cm2 at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and splenic lesions were not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The splenic lesion was (16.74±0.91) cm2, (11.26±0.99) cm2, (8.02±0.82) cm2 and (1.58±0.36) cm2 in the postive group at 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day and splenic lesions were not found at 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 7th and 14th day post-injection, lesion areas were statistically significant between two groups (t=27.162, P=0.008;t=15.129, P=0.001). Free intraperitoneal lfuid was (0.91±0.05) cm at 1st day detected by conventional ultrasound and free intraperitoneal fluid was not found at 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The free intraperitoneal fluid in thepositive group was (1.96±0.17) cm, (1.30±0.11) cm and (0.81±0.12) cm at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and free intraperitoneal lfuid was not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 1st, 3rd and 7th day post-injection, free intraperatitoneal lfuid was statistically significant between two groups (t=20.934, P=0.003; t=41.310, P=0.000; t=22.520, P=0.000). Histopathological examination showed that there was no foreign body and foreign body granuloma and the structure of red pulp was recovered at 7th, 14th and 21st day. Gross anatomy showed that the splenic injury site was recovered completely without complications. Conclusion This study explored the value of HIGM for splenic trauma and provided a preliminary experimental evidence for clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVETo develop and evaluate the short version of patient reported outcomes (PROs) questionnaire for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients with modern test theory and technologies, hoping to provide testing tools for related clinical practice and scientific researches with higher quality and less administrative and response burdens.

METHODSUsing descriptive study design, clinical data were collected with sociological questionnaire and previous developed full items version of PROs instrument for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients via field and online surveys between Sep 2011 and Mar 2012. The statistical analysis group identified the termination parameters firstly, and then selected items with discrimination, fitting residual, item information curve (IIC) , item characteristic curve (ICC), and the rank of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) select proportion, etc. After assumption evaluation of item response theory (IRT), IIC, ICC, difficulty coefficient distribution, items-response relation and thresholds, etc. were used for psychometric evaluation of instrument.

RESULTSA total of 331 patients [Ages: 31.99 +/- 10.29 yrs; Male: 186 (56.3%)] were enrolled in statistical analysis. The test termination criterion was Max SE = 0.2 or Max items number =16. After items selection, a 15-item short version of instrument, which contains symptoms facet (8 items) and impact facet (7 items) was generated. With good unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity, the IC and ICC in IRT analysis showed good working capability of the questionnaire. The difficulty coefficient distribution and items-response relation were also rational, as well as response thresholds.

CONCLUSIONSThe short version of PROs instrument for adult gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients was successfully developed and assessed. The instrument with good methodological and reporting quality could be used in clinical and scientific evaluating their symptoms and impact.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psychometrics ; Stomach Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of homemade hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) for immediately treating blunt hepatic trauma in canine model without additional pressure.

METHODSA total of 27 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy to establish hepatic trauma model after general anesthesia. The dogs were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: the treatment group (n=9, with the direct application of homemade hemostat), the positive control group (n=9, with thrombin solution), and the negative control group (n=9, with 0.9% normal saline). Time to hemostasis and intra-abdominal blood loss were recorded, and heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and hematological parameters were compared among these three groups. Gross examinations were performed 30 minutes after surgery.

RESULTSSignificantly shorter time to hemostasis [(1.20±0.33) min] and less blood loss [(47.22±8.61) ml] were observed in the treatment group than in control groups (P 0.05). No cases of bleeding occurred in any animals in the treatment group, and no signs of infection and adhesion formation were evident due to exposure to HIGM. Two cases in the positive control group (22.22%) were found to have rebleeding. All animals in the negative control group experienced visible bleeding.

CONCLUSIONHIGM is effective for controlling bleeding after hepatic trauma without the additional compression, and therefore may be valuable in field surgery.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Gelatin ; administration & dosage ; Hemostatics ; administration & dosage ; Injections ; Liver ; injuries

BACKGROUNDCC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), expressed on some inflammatory cells, is a member of the chemokine receptor family. Its ligand is eotaxin/CCL11. In this research, we studied the expression and function of CCR3 induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) on human germinal centre (GC) B cells.

METHODSCells isolated from human tonsils were stimulated with IL-2 or/and IL-4 followed by bonding with eotaxin/CCL11. Flow cytometry was used to detect expression of CCR3 on GC B cells and apoptosis of GC B cells. Real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot assays were used to analyse the CCR3 mRNA expressed in the GC B cells. Chemotaxis and adhesion assays were used to determine the effect of eotaxin/CCL11 ligand bonded to CCR3 on GC B cells.

RESULTSThere was no CCR3 expression on human freshly isolated GC B cells. The combination IL-2 and IL-4 could upregulate CCR3 mRNA and protein expression on GC B cells. Eotaxin could not induce GC B cell chemotaxis and adhesion but triggered apoptosis of GC B cells.

CONCLUSIONIL-2 and IL-4 together induced expression of CCR3 on GC B cells, and the receptor acted as a death receptor.

Apoptosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte ; Germinal Center ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, CCR3 ; Receptors, Chemokine ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between fetal chromosomal karyotype and early spontaneous abortion, and the effect of the environmental factors on spontaneous abortion.

METHODSChoronic villi from 252 cases of missed abortion were sampled as patient group and 50 normal pregnancies as control group. Chorionic villi were cultured and karyotype analysis was performed by G-banding. Clinical information was collected.

RESULTSThe rate of chorion chromosome abnormality in the patient group was 58.09%, significantly higher than that in the control group (4.17%) (P<0.01). Among the 140 cases of karyotype abnormalities, 81 were trisomy, 29 were monosomy X and 17 were polyploidy, accounting for 57.86%, 20.71% and 12.14% of total abnormalities, respectively. Long time and low dose radiation exposure of the pregnant female seemed to be related with spontaneous abortion(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONChorion chromosome abnormality is a major reason of early spontaneous abortion and karyotype analysis of chorionic villus is of clinical importance. For pregnant women, long-term exposure to computers and television seems a risk factor for missed abortion.

Abortion, Missed ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chorionic Villi ; metabolism ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the surgical strategy for ectopic kidney and evaluate the clinical outcomes.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to October 2009, 35 cases of ectopic kidney were treated surgically in our hospital. Definite diagnoses were established in all the cases by ultrasound, intravenous urography (IVU), cystoscope, CT, magnetic resonance urography (MRU) and radionuclide imaging before the surgery. In these patients, 26 had ipsilateral ectopic ureteral orifice (including 5 with bilateral duplicated kidneys and ureter), 9 had moderate or severe hydronephrosis (including 3 with ectopic kidney calculi), and 24 had dysplastic kidney (24/35). All the patients underwent operations, including 26 with ectopic nephrectomy, 7 with ectopic ureterovesical reimplantation, and 3 with ectopic renal pelvis incision.

RESULTSThe clinical effect was satisfactory in all the cases during the follow up of 7 to 29 months.

CONCLUSIONAppropriate surgical approaches according to the concurrent deformities and complications can achieve good clinical results in patients with ectopic kidneys.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Ureter ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

Blotting, Western ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics