Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To clarify whether the Cosmc gene down-regnhtion in lgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients is resulted from genetic disorders or external suppressions. Methods Forty IgAN patients, 16 non-IgAN glomerulonephritis patients and 21 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genomie DNA was extracted and then Cosmc gene was amplified and sequenced. Peripheral B lymphoeytes were isolated and cultured with RPMI-1640 alone or plus lipopolysaecharide (LPS). The Cosmc mRNA expression levels at baseline, after RPMI-1640 culture or RPMI-1640+LPS treatment were measured respectively by real-time RT-PCR. Results (1) Only 2 missense mutations and 2 silent mutations were detected in coding frame region of Cosine gene in 2 IgAN patients. (2) The baseline Cosmc gene expression level was significantly lower in IgAN patients (31% of that in healthy controls) than that in healthy controls. (3) Relative quantification PCR indicated that Cosmc mRNA expression level was significantly increased (219% of baseline) after RPMI-1640 culture, and treatment of LPS could strongly inhibit this effect. (4) The Cosmc gene expression of healthy control was not affected by RPMI-1640 or LPS. Conclusion It is not genetic disorders but external suppression to cause the down-regulation of Cosmc gene mRNA expression in IgAN.

Objective To review clinical experience of free flap transferring in the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Methods Fifteen free anterolateral thigh flaps, 5 free deep inferior epigastric flaps and 3 free lateral arm flaps were used to reconstruct large area head and neck defects. Results All 23 free flaps were alive with good appearance. 1 case survived by performing embolectomy after suffering arterial crisis and delayed recovery of wound took place in 2 cases. Conclusion Free flap transplantation is an ideal choice for reconstructing large area cranio-facio-cervical defects.

Aims To study the effects of clenbuterol on anoxia/reoxygenation( A/R) injury in neonatal Wistar rat cardiomyocytes and to explore whether its mecha-nism is related to reperfusion injury salvage kinase ( RISK) or not. Methods The cultured primary neo-natal cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into eight groups: ①normal culture group; ②anoxia/reoxygen-ation( A/R) group;③ clenbuterol ( 1 μmol · L-1 ) +A/R;④ICI118,551(10 μmol·L-1) + clenbuterol ( 1 μmol · L-1 ) + A/R; ⑤Metoprolol ( 10μmol · L-1 ) + clenbuterol(1μmol·L-1 ) + A/R group;⑥Metoprolol ( 10 μmol · L-1 ) + A/R group; ⑦PD98059 ( 20 μmol · L-1 ) + clenbuterol ( 1 μmol · L-1 ) + A/R group;⑧ LY294002(10 μmol·L-1 ) +clenbuterol(1 μmol · L-1 ) + A/R group. Cell via-bility was determined by the conventional MTT reduc-tion assay. The content of LDH in cultured medium was measured with colorimetry. Cardiomyocyte apopto-sis was determined by Hoechst33342 . Intracellular re-active species( ROS) were monitored by the fluorescent DCFH-DA. Total ERK2 and phosphorylated ERK were detected by western blot. Results Compared with A/R group, clenbuterol significantly increased vaibility of cells, reduced LDH release, lowered the rate of apop-tosis and ROS production. When addedβ2 receptor an-tagonist ICI118 , 551 , PI3 K inhibitor LY294002 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 , the effects of clenbuterol a-bove were inhibited; but β1 receptor antagonist Meto-prolol protected the cardiomyocytes from A/R injury, as evidenced by decreased LDH release and increased cell viability. There were no synergistic effects in the combined use of clenbuterol and Metoprolol. Conclu-sion clenbuterol exerts cardioprotective effects against A/R injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and apopto-sis. The protection of clenbuterol is inhibited by ICI118 , 551 , LY294002 and PD98059 . clenbuterol protects cardiomyocytes against A/R injury via RISK pathway by activation of β2 receptor.

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of improved wire- maintaining technique in performing transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects. Methods During the period from June 2011 to June 2013 at Changhai Hospital, percutaneous transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect with improved wire-maintaining technique was carried out in 62 patients. According to the manipulation used , the patients were divided into traditional wire-maintaining technique group (group A, n = 30) and improved wire- maintaining technique group (group B, n = 32). The use of occluder during the procedure, the fluoroscopy time, the operation time and the complications were recorded. Follow-up examinations with ECG, echocardiogram and chest radiograph were performed at 24 hours and at 1 , 3 and 6 months after the procedure. The results were analyzed. Results No statistically significant differences in the use of occluder and in the incidence of complications existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). No severe complications occurred in both groups. The fluoroscopy time and the operation time in group A were (11.96 ± 3.63) min and (53.43 ± 14.48) min respectively, while the fluoroscopy time and the operation time in group B were (9.37 ± 2.77) min and (45.34 ± 10.38) min respectively, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion In performing transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects, the practice.

Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of interventional transcatheter destruction of the aortic valve to establish an animal model with acute aortic valve regurgitation. Methods Eight healthy goats were used for this study. A limited sternotomy approach was used to access the apex of the heart. Puncturing of the apex of the heart was performed to establish a wire track, then, under fluoroscopic guidance a 10 F sheath was inserted along this track of hard wire until to the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. The internal sheath was removed. Via the 10 F sheath a 10 mm occluder of ventricular septal defect (VSD) was introduced into the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. The sheath was pulled back to the left ventricle, while the occluder remained in the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. Then the occluder was quickly pulled back into the left ventricle in order to make some certain damage to the aortic valve. And an acute aortic valve regurgitation model was thus established. Angiography of ascending aorta above the aortic Among the 8 animals, two died of acute left ventricular failure on the spot due to excessive regurgitation blood flow after the operation. Macroscopically, damage of the aortic valve was seen. In the six survivors, angiography of ascending aorta above the aortic valve and Doppler echocardiography showed that moderate degree of regurgitation was detected in 5 and small amount of regurgitation in one. Two experimental goats with moderate degree of regurgitation died of heart failure separately at seven days and fifteen days after the operation. The remaining four experimental goats survived for more than three months. Follow- up checkups with echocardiography suggested the presence of mild- moderate degree of regurgitation. Conclusion Acute aortic valve regurgitation model in experimental goats can be established through transapical transcatheter damage of aortic valve by quickly pulling back a VSD occluder which has been placed in the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. This method is clinically feasible, technically simple and repeatable, the result is reliable, and the degree of regurgitation is controllable.

To explore the role of regulatory peptides in the secretion of bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), we observed the effects of four peptides, i.e.vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), on the secretion of ILs from unstimulated or O3-stressed BECs. The results of the experiments showed that VIP exerted an inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-1 and IL-8 from unstimulated and O3-stressed BECs, VIP also decreased the secretion of IL-5 from O3-stressed BECs; EGF promoted secretion of IL-1 and IL-8 from unstimulated BECs, but decreased the secretion of ILs from O3-stressed BECs; ET-1 and CGRP enhanced the secretion of IL-1, IL-5, and IL-8 from unstimlated BECs, CGRP also increased the secretion of ILs from O3-stressed BECs. The results obtained demonstrate that intrapulmonary regulatory peptides modulate the secretion of ILs from BECs, and may play an important part in transduction of inflammatory signals.
Animals ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Female ; Interleukins ; secretion ; Male ; Rabbits ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

To explore the roles of regulatory peptides in the process of various anaphylactic inflammation of the airway, we observed the influence of four peptides, i.e., vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), on the adhesion of eosinophil (EOS) to unstimulated and O(3)-stressed bronchial epithelial cells (BEC). From the experiments we observed that VIP and EGF decreased EOS adherence to O(3)-stressed BEC and downregulated airway inflammation; ET-1 and CGRP increased the adhesion of EOS to BEC in the inflammatory process; and CGRP aggravated O(3)-stressed reactions. The effects of ET-1 and CGRP were inhibited by W(7)and H(7). Anti-ICAM-1 antibody inhibited the adhesion of EOS to BEC, which brings to light that EOS adherence to BEC may be related to the expression of ICAM-1 of BEC.
Animals ; Antibodies ; pharmacology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; physiology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; physiology ; Female ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; immunology ; physiology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe footprint of most prostheses is designed according to Caucasian data. Total disc replacement (TDR) has been performed widely for cervical degenerative diseases in China. It is essential to analyze the match sizes of prostheses footprints and Chinese cervical anatomic dimensions in our study.

METHODSThe anatomic dimensions of the C4-C7 segments of 138 patients (age range 16-77 years) in a Chinese population were measured by computed tomography scans. We compared the footprints of the most commonly used cervical disc prostheses (Bryan: Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Prestige LP: Medtronic, Fridley, Minnesota, USA; Discover: DePuy, Raynham, MA, USA; Prodisc-C: Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA) in China with Chinese cervical anatomic dimensions and assessed the match of their size.

RESULTSThe mismatch of available dimensions of prostheses and anatomic data of cervical endplates ranged from 17.03% (C4/C5, Prestige LP, Prodisc-C) to 57.61% (C6/C7, Discover) in the anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, and 35.51% (C4/C5, Prodisc-C, Prestige LP) to 94.93% (C6/C7, Bryan) in the center mediolateral (CML) diameter. About 21.01% of endplates were larger than the largest prostheses in the AP diameter and 57.25% in the CML diameter. All available footprints of prostheses expect the Bryan with an unfixed height, can accommodate the disc height (DH), however, 36.23% of the middle DH was less than the smallest height of the prostheses. The average disc sagittal angles (DSAs) of C4-C7 junctions were 5.04°, 5.15°, and 4.13° respectively. Only the Discover brand had a built-in 7° lordotic angle, roughly matching with the DSA.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a large discrepancy between footprints of prostheses and Chinese cervical anatomic data. In recent years, possible complications of TDR related with mismatch sizes are increasing, such as subsidence, displacement, and heterotopic ossification. Manufacturers of prostheses should introduce or produce additional footprints of prostheses for Chinese TDR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of pulmonary fungal infections related to hematologic malignancies.

METHODSA retrospective case-controlled study was conducted to analyze the patients with pulmonary fungal and bacterial infections in association with hematologic malignancies. The risk factors of pulmonary fungal infections related to hematologic malignancies were identified.

RESULTSThree hundred and four cases (194 of pulmonary fungal infections and 110 of pulmonary bacterial infections) were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression show that such factors as corticosteroid, halo sign, previous fungal infections, ANC lower than 0.5 x 10(9)/L for over 10 days, nodus near pleura, transplantation (immunodepressant use), chemotherapy, and broad spectrum antibiotics were all the independent risk factors of pulmonary fungal infections related to hematologic malignancies.

CONCLUSIONThere are many risk factors for pulmonary fungal infections related to hematologic malignancies, and early identification of these factors for timely antifungal treatment is of much clinical significance.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; complications ; microbiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult