Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of somatostatin on chylothorax after congenital heart disease surgery in children.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed in 13 postoperative chylothorax cases from Jan.2003 to Dec.2012,who were divided into control group (n =6) and treatment group (n =7),and there was no significant difference in age,weight,and time of occurrence between the 2 groups.The diagnosis standard for chylothorax was the same.The changes of chylous volume during the treatment were analyzed between 2 groups,and healing time and other data were analyzed too.Results Control group:clinical cure in 3 cases,conservative treatment failed in 3 cases(2 cases recovered after operation and 1 case died).The chyle volume of control group reduced obviously compared with post treatment from beginning [(256.6 ± 124.2) mL/d] to 1 week [(155.5 ± 85.7) mL/d] and 2 weeks [(142.3 ± 110.3) mL/d] later(t =4.623,2.099 ; P =0.002,0.044).But it did not reduce obviously in 3 weeks later[(139.4 ± 113.4) mL/d] (t =1.745,P =0.07).Treatment group:6 cases in treatment group were successful in recovery after conservative treatment and 1 case underwent operation.The chyle volume of treatment group reduced obviously compared with post treatment from beginning to 1 week [(51.2 ± 18.7) mL/d] and 2 weeks [(19.3 ± 7.05) mL/d] later (t =5.549,6.638 ;P =0.001,0.001).Compared with the control group,the difference between 2 groups in post treatment (1 week later,2 weeks hater) was of statistical significance (t =2.900,2.412 ; P =0.014,0.034).The healing time of conservative treatment in 2 groups (only for recovery) had obvious difference [(32.8 ± 1.8) d,(25.2 ± 1.7) d] (t =2.512,P =0.028).Conclusions The use of somatostatin can significantly promote the recovery of chylothorax in children,and it should be actively used in early conservative treatment.

Objective To discuss the expressions and clinical significance of p53 and p33ING1b in human psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Methods Immunohistochemistry EnVision technique was used to detect the expressions of p53 and p33ING1b in samples of 36 psoriasis vulgaris, 28 BCC and 14 normal skins. Results The expression of p53 increased while p33ING1b had a degressive expression in the control group, the psoriasis group and the BCC group. It was found significant statistical difference between the two groups (all P < 0.05). Prominent positive correlation between p53 and p33ING1b were found in both psoriasis group and BCC group (all P<0.05). Conclusions p53 coacts with p33ING1b at local lesions of abnormal proliferative diseases . It′s one of the most prominent mechanisms contributing to deviant cell proliferation.

Objective To explore the expression alteration and significance of inteleukin (IL)-37 in pso-riasis valguris (PV) patients. Methods Patients with PV had been treated with oral acitretin for 8 weeks. PASI score, ELISA and qRT-PCR were used to exam the data of 38 patients (PV group) and 32 controls (control group). Results IL-37 in PV group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.001) and IL-37 changed slightly after 4 weeks of treatment(P > 0.05) but decreased obviously after 8 weeks(P < 0.001). Signif-icant correlations existed among PASI scores, IL-37, IFN-γ and IL-17, as well as among IL-37 and IFN-γ, IL-17 (P < 0.05). Conclusions The increase of IL-37 is relevant to PV development and is associated with pa-tients’ conditions, IFN-γ and IL-17 but the alteration of IL-37 is not related with IL-4.

Objective Toexplore the expression and significance of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in psoriasis vulgaris. Methods Areal-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method with TaqMan probe technology was performed to detect miR-155 expression in skin lesion area and nonskinlesionalarea of 35 patients with psoriasis vulgaris , compared with that of 30 normal controls. The correlations among miR-155 expression, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and Interleukin-17A(IL-17A)expression were studied. Results The expressions of miR-155 and IL-17A in lesional and non-lesionalgroups were higher than that of control group (all P < 0.01). Also expressions in lesional skin were higher than non-lesional skin (both P < 0.01). In skin lesion group, significant positive correlations existed betweenmiR-155 or IL-17A expression and PASI score as well as miR-155 and IL-17A expression (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Up-expression of miR-155 was relevant to psoriasis development , which is related withthe hyperfunctionof Th17 cells in psoriasis.

Objective To summarize the experiences of surgical treatment for aortic coarctation and/or aortic hypoplasty associated with intracardiac anomalies in infants.Methods The clinical data of 51 cases with aortic coarctation and/or aortic hypoplasty hospitalized in Wuhan Children's Hospital between Jan.2010 and Jun.2013 were analyzed retrospectively.Thirty-two patients had received a expanded end-to-end anastomosis and 19 patients had got a end-to-side anastomosis.Autologous pericardial patch,bovine pericardial patch or autologous pulmonary patch was taken according to the circumstances during surgery.Results There were 2 intraoperative deaths because of serious low cardiac output syndrome,and 2 postoperative deaths,which could not take off long-term respiratory assistance after surgery in aortic one child and low cardiac output syndrome in the other.Three patients appeared trachyphonia but recovered basically after 3 months follow-up.Forty-seven patients were followed up for 2 months-3 years,among them,3 patients had significant upper to lower extremity systolic blood pressure gradient[＞20 mmHg(1 mmHg =0.133 kPa)],and a second operation was proposed recently for 1 of them,while the other 2 children were in follow-up.The other 44 patients did not appear obvious restenosis.The 47 cases of children had no neurologic symptoms.Conclusions There have to be positive diagnoses and strictly surgery indications for aortic coarctation and/or hypoplasty associated with intracardiac anomalies in infants.Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion or deep hypothemic circulatory arrest depends on the surgon's discretion.Both expanded end-to-end anastomosis and end-to-side anastomosis can achieve good operation effects.

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of natural type ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) and its stereoisomers [20 (R)-Rg2 and 20 (S)-Rg2] at different concentrations on oxygen-glucose deprivation/ reperfusion (OGD/R) induced cortical neuronal injury model in vitro, and to explore the mechanism, and compare their differences of action.

METHODSCortical neurons after 7-day culture were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the control group, the model group, the Rg2 group, 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 20 (S) - Rg2 group. Cortical neurons in the Rg2 group, 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 20(S)-Rg2 group were pretreated with 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2, 20 (R) -Rg2, and 20 (S) -Rg2 for 24 h to prepare OGD/R model. The cell survival rate, the activity of Caspase-3, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected 24 h later.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously decreased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously increased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20 μmol/L Rg2 group, 40 μmol/L 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 80 μmol/L 20 (S) -Rg2 group (P < 0.05). Compared with 20(S)-Rg2 group, cell survival rates increased and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). The activity of Caspase-3 decreased and contents of SOD increased in 80 μmol/L 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with 20 (R)-Rg2 group, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 80 μmol/L Rg2 group (P < 0.05); contents of SOD increased in 40 and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05); contents of MDA decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRg2 and its stereoisomers could improve cell vitality of cortical neurons against OGD/R induced injury. This might be related to improving anti-apoptotic capacities and antioxidant abilities, and reducing Ca2+ inflow. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of 20 (R) -Rg2 was better than that of 20 (S) -Rg2, but inferior to that of Rg2.

Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; Stereoisomerism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

The liver possesses an extraordinary ability to regenerate after injury.Hepatocyte-driven liver regener-ation is the default pathway in response to mild-to-moderate acute liver damage.When replication of mature hepatocytes is blocked,facultative hepatic progenitor cells(HPCs),also referred to as oval cells(OCs)in rodents,are activated.HPC/OCs have the ability to proliferate clonogenically and differentiate into several lineages including hepatocytes and bile ductal epithelia.This is a conserved liver injury response that has been studied in many species ranging from mammals(rat,mouse,and human)to fish.In addition,improper HPC/OC activation is closely associated with fibrotic responses,characterized by myofibroblast activation and extracellular matrix production,in many chronic liver diseases.Matrix remodeling and metalloprotease activities play an important role in the regulation of HPC/OC prolifer-ation and fibrosis progression.Thus,understanding molecular mechanisms underlying HPC/OC activa-tion has therapeutic implications for rational design of anti-fibrotic therapies.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the overall effect of transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenomas in recent 5 years and to discuss the surgical technique, application of new technology and postoperative follow-up results.

METHODSThe clinical presentation, image characteristics, endocrinal findings, pathological types, tumor removal percentage, postoperative complication and follow-up of 1 462 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent the transsphenoidal microsurgery from 1997 to 2002 were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSTotal rate of tumor removal for the patients achieved 97.0% in the patients with Hardy I adenomas, 95.2% with Hardy II, 90.5% with Hardy III, and 47.4% with Hardy IV respectively. A significant postoperative improvement both in clinical symptoms and endocrinal parameters was achieved. The tumor recurrence rate was 0.3%.

CONCLUSIONSWith the improvement of microsurgical technique and application of novel technology, the indication of transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenomas was increasingly extended. Endoscope and(/or) neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery via transsphenoidal approach should be of the first choice for the treatment of pituitary adenomas. The routine postoperative radiotherapy is not required for patients with total tumor removal.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphenoid Sinus ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

In order to explore the possible mechanisms by which ethologically relevant sounds can be extracted from complex auditory environments, this study examined the effects of weak noise on the rate-intensity functions (RIFs) of neurons responding to tone burst in the inferior colliculus (IC) of nine mice (Mus musculus Km). Under free field stimuli conditions, a total of 112 IC neurons were recorded. RIFs with and without simultaneous presentation of weak noise, of which the intensity was relative to 5 dB below minimum threshold of tone burst, were measured in 44 IC neurons. By means of evaluating the changes of dynamic range (DR), slope of RIFs, and percent inhibition at different tone burst intensities evoked by the weak noise, three types of variations in RIFs were observed, i. e., inhibition (39/44, 88.6%), facilitation (2/44, 4.6%), and no effectiveness (3/44, 6.8%). Statistical analysis indicated that only inhibitory effect of weak noise was significant (P< 0.001, n = 39). The inhibitory effect of weak noise was greater at lower stimulus intensity of tone burst but decreased significantly with increased stimulus intensity (P< 0.0001, n = 39). In addition, the DR and slope of RIFs became narrower and steeper with weak noise presentation, respectively (P< 0.01, n = 31). The results from the present study suggest that weak noise exerts a dynamic modulatory action on acoustical intensity sensitivity of IC neurons, which possibly leads to a better understanding of neural mechanisms underlying the extraction of sound signals from natural auditory scenes.
Acoustic Stimulation ; Animals ; Auditory Perception ; physiology ; Auditory Threshold ; physiology ; Inferior Colliculi ; physiology ; Mice ; Neurons ; physiology ; Noise