Aim To investigate the relationship be-tween the cardioprotection of apigenin ( Api ) from an-oxia/reoxygenation ( A/R) injury and Bcl-2 pathway. Methods H9 c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured and di-vided into normal control group, A/R group, Api pre-treatment group ( Api ) , Api + Bcl-2 inhibitor group ( Api + ABT-737 ) . Expression of Bcl-2 was deter-mined by Western blot,and cell viability was measured by MTT method. LDH, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA activity were determined by chromometry. ROS generation, mi-tochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis were de-termined by flow cytometry. Results 25h after apige-nin precondition,the expression of Bcl-2 was upregulat-ed in cardiomyocytes ( P <0. 01 ) . In the group pre-treated with 40 μmol · L-1 apigenin before A/R, the activity of LDH in culture medium decreased; the ac-tivity of intracellular SOD, GSH-Px increased; the content of MDA and ROS generation decreased; cell viability increased; mitochondrial membrane potential could be more stable and cell apoptosis decreased ( P<0. 01 ) . However, all these protective effects were attenuated significantly in the group pretreated with apigenin and Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 . Conclusion The effect of apigenin against A/R injury in cardiomyo-cytes involves Bcl-2 pathway, and at least partly de-pends on its effect on upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 .

Objective To explore the clinical features, surgical techniques and treatment efficacy of blood blis?ter-like aneurysms (BBA) of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Method We retrospectively reviewed 45 BBAs of the ICA treated surgically at our department between Jan. 2006 and Jan. 2016. The data was analyzed. Results Direct clipping of BBA was performed in 38 patients, clipping over wrapping in 3 patients and trapping of ICA in 4 patients. Intraoperative rupture occurred in 12 patients (27%). Postoperative cerebral infarction developed in 10 cases (22%). Seven patients died (16%). During the follow-up time of 47 months (range, 6~126 months), Good results were achieved in 34 patients (76%) with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0~2 and 4 patients were in mRS 3~5. Follow-up angiography revealed a re?currence of BBA in one patient, which was retreated with endovascular coiling. No rebleeding was found in all fol?lowed-up patients. Conclusions BBAs of the ICA are difficult to treat surgically with high risk and complications. Thoughtful pre-operative evaluation of BBA and application of various surgical strategies during operation can signifi?cantly reduce the surgical risk and achieve good outcomes.

Objective To investigate the significance of androgen and estrogen receptor expression levels on aneurysm walls.Methods From November 2007 to June 2016,32 patients received craniotomy for clipping intracranial aneurysms in the West China Hospital,Sichuan University were enrolled prospectively.Nineteen intracranial aneurysm walls and 26 superficial temporal artery branches were obtained (a total of 45 qualified specimens).Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the superficial temporal artery branches and smooth muscle layer of intracranial aneurysm wall and the expression levels of estrogen receptor-α,β and androgen receptors.Image Pro Plus 6.0 software was used to analyze and detect the integral optical density values of the positive cell expression levels.The χ2 test and rank-sum test were used for statistical analysis.Results The median (M) and interquartile range (P25,P75) of the expression levels of estrogen receptor-α,β of the intracranial aneurysm walls were 3 049 (2 112,5 554) and 4 364 (2 314,5 667) respectively.They were lower than 6 544 (3 507,10 103) and 6 972 (5 694,10 024) of the superficial temporal artery branches.The expression level of androgen receptor of aneurysm wall was 3 299 (1 375,4 895),it was higher than 1 130 (794,1 922) of the superficial temporal artery branches.There was significant difference between the two groups (all P<0.05).Conclusion The decreased expression levels of estrogen receptor-α,β and the increased expression level of androgen receptor in the cerebrovascular walls may promote the progress of intracranial aneurysms,however,the specific mechanism needs further study.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Guilu Erxianjiao (GLEXJ) in suppressing chemotherapy induced cell apoptosis in mice and to discuss its possible acting mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-two tumor-bearing Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, Group A, treated with normal saline; Group B treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX), Group C treated with Chinese herbal medicine, and Group D-F, the three combined treated group received CTX plus high, moderate and low dose GLEXJ. All mice were sacrificed after 9-day medication, their splenic tissues were taken for determining T-lymphocyte apoptosis with flow cytometer, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and Caspase-3mRNA detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with Group A, FITC+/PI- cell proportion of spleen T-lymphocyte cells and Caspase-3mRNA expression were higher, while bcl-2 mRNA expression was lower in Group B; as compared with Group B, the former two indexes were lower and the latter was higher in the three combined treated groups (all P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONGLEXJ could efficiently suppress the splenic T-lymphocyte apoptosis in tumor bearing mice undergoing chemotherapy, one of its mechanisms may be through up-regulating of bcl-2 mRNA expression and down-regulating of Caspase-3mRNA expression.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Spleen ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, therapeutic methods and effects of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBA) of the supraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods: A total of 40 patients with BBAs of the ICA treated at Department of Neurosurgery of West China Hospital between January 2010 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 14 males and 26 females with the mean age of 44.7 years (ranging from 25 to 64 years). There were 38 patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 2 patients were found incidentally with unruptured aneurysms in regular examination. Surgical treatment was performed in 22 patients, including direct clipping, clipping over wrapping and trapping. Endovascular treatment with single or multiple stents and coiling was performed in 18 patients. Clinical outcomes were assessed with modified Rankin Scale. The patients were followed up with CT angiography. Results: Direct clipping of BBA was performed in 18 patients, clipping over wrapping in 3 patients and trapping of ICA in 1 patient. Intraoperative rupture occurred in 5 patients. Postoperative cerebral infarction developed in 6 cases, 4 patients died. Single stent-assisted coiling was performed in 8 cases, and multiple stents with coiling in 10 patients. Procedure-related hemorrhage occurred in 2 patients, postoperative massive cerebral infarction developed in 1 patient with stent-assisted coiling. The follow-up time was 26.8 months (ranging from 6 to 72 months), among the patients with surgery, good results (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) were achieved in 16 patients; one patient was score 3, and the other was 4. In endovascular group, 15 patients had good results and one with mRS 4. Follow-up angiography revealed recurrence of BBA in 2 patients treated with stent and coiling, which was retreated with coiling. No recurrence was found in surgical group. Conclusions BBA of the supraclinoid ICA is a specific and complicated intracranial aneurysm with high risk and complications no matter the treatment is surgical or endovascular, take proper operation methods could achieve satisfactory results.

ORF3 and partial ORF1 regions were amplified with RT-PCR f rom two patients (T1 and T11)infected with new genotype of hepatitis E Virus. Th e PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The results showed that G-C rich regi on in ORF3 was deleted when amplified with normal PCR reaction. However, PCR rea ction containing G-C melt solution can overcome this problem. The sequence anal ysis showed that T1 and T11 belong to a new genotype of HEV which differs from g enotype I,II and III reported.T1 and T11 have 79%～82%, 80%～81% and 83%～85% id entical to genotype I,II and III respectively.

Objective To investigate the effects of physical exercises on cardiac function and plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in hypertensive patients combined with diastolic cardiac dysfunction.MethodsA total of 66 essential hypertension patients who had abnormal left ventricular relaxation and normal systolic function were assigned to the intervention group ( n =33 ; doing physical exercises once a day,5 days a week) or control group (n =33 ).All the patients received standard treatment.At 6 months,body weight,blood pressure,heart rate,NT-proBNP,and echocardiography were measured.ResultsAt 6 months,body weight [ (68 ± 7 ) kg vs (72 ± 8 ) kg ],systolic blood pressure [ (135.4 ±5.1) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) vs (141.9 ±5.2) mm Hg ],diastolic blood pressure [ (81.1 ±4.0) mm Hg vs (84.7 ±4.6) mm Hg],New York Heart Association class (1.4 ±0.3 vs 1.8 ±0.4),NT-proBNP level [ (526 ± 126 ) ng/L vs (741 ± 189 ) ng/L] were significantly decreased in the intervention group when compared with the control group ( all P ＜ 0.05 ) although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (62.9 ±6.7 vs 59.0 ±5.6) and E/A ratio ( 1.1 ±0.3 vs 0.9 ±0.3) were significantly increased ( both P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionPhysical exercises could play a role in reduced blood pressure and body weight and improved cardiac function in hypertensive patients with diastolic cardiac dysfunction.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate efficacy of microsurgical hemilaminectomy approach and use of intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography for patients with intradural dorsal arteriovenous fistula.

METHODSMedical records and follow-up data of 24 patients who were microsurgically treated at a single institution for intradural dorsal arteriovenous fistula between January 2004 and August 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperatively DSA was performed for definite diagnosis. All patients were evaluated with the Aminoff and Logue scale. Preoperative, 4 patients had excellent spinal condition having mean score of 1.0; 8 cases had good spinal condition with mean score of 3.4; 9 cases had average spinal condition with mean score of 6.9; 3 cases had poor spinal condition with mean score of 10.0. Twenty two cases had one feeder while 2 cases had two feeding arteries. All the patients underwent microsurgical hemilaminectomy via a posterior approach. Two patients received complemented surgery because of the recurrence of the lesion after embolisation failed. Three patients received intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography. Combined followed-up imaging and myelonic function were used for evaluating followed-up data.

RESULTSMean follow up was done up to 36 months. Followed-up imaging didn't reveal any residual lesion or its recurrence. Spinal functional assessment using Aminoff and Logue scale showed 16 patients of excellent outcome and had mean score of 0.7; 4 had good outcome having mean score of 4.8; 3 was of average nature with mean score of 6.7; 1 had poor outcome with 9.0 scores. With the surgical treatment, 16 cases were cured, 6 were improved and 2 cases had no change according to synthetic curative effect.

CONCLUSIONSMicrosurgical treatment, especially the microsurgical hemilaminectomy via a posterior approach, is effective treatment intradural dorsal arteriovenous fistula. Intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography is a simple auxiliary tool for intraoperative quality control and favorable surgical outcomes.

Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation of the viral markers in serum and those expressed by hepatocytes to pathological lesions of hepatic tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSThe relation of viral markers including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb and HBV DNA in serum of 647 patients with chronic hepatitis B and HBsAg, HBcAg expressed by hepatocytes in 418 of these patients to pathological lesions of hepatic tissue was determined.

RESULTSViral markers in serum and those expressed by hepatocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis B were closely correlated with pathological lesions of hepatic tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe degree of inflammation and fibrosis in hepatic tissue is milder in serum HBsAg, HBeAb, HBcAb positive and HBV DNA negative patients but more serious in those with negative hepatocytic expression of HBsAg and HBcAg. HBV DNA is not significantly associated with pathological lesions of hepatic tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; pathology ; virology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Liver ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-damage effect of iminoethyl-lysine on noise-induced cochlea damage in guinea pig.

METHODS40 healthy red eye guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A, normal control group; Group B, noise group; Group C, noise and drug group; Group D, iminoethyl-lysine group. Guinea pigs of both group B and group C were exposed to 115 dB white noise for 6 hours/day for 6 days. Group C and Group D were treated with iminoethyl-lysine(10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, while Group B were treated with the same volume of physiological saline. ABR hearing threshold was measured in all animals before and after experiment. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(NOS II) in the cochlea was examined by the method of immunohistochemistry. Also the cochlea of four groups were examined with scanning electronic microscope. ABR hearing threshold, expression of NOS II and structure of cochlea of four groups were compared with each other.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in ABR hearing threshold among four groups before the experiment(P > 0.05). There was no significant ABR hearing threshold shift in Group A and Group D after the experiment(P > 0.05), and there was significant ABR hearing threshold shift in Group B and Group C(P < 0.05). After the experiment, the ABR hearing threshold of group B(60.23 +/- 11.23) dB, was higher than that of Group C(38.46 +/- 7.24) dB, P < 0.05. The expression of NOS II was negative in the cochlea of Group A and Group D, but was stronger in Group B than that in Group C. The damage of outer hair cells of cochlea of Group B was more severe than that of Group C.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of NOS II in the guinea pig's cochlea damaged by noise is positive. Iminoethyl-lysine could inhibit the activity of NOS II and has the anti-damage effect on noise-induced cochlea damage. It is indicated that nitric oxide plays an important role in the pathogenesis of noise-induced hearing loss.

Animals ; Auditory Threshold ; Cochlea ; pathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lysine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; analysis ; Noise ; adverse effects