Adult ; Asthma ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sputum ; cytology

Objective To compare the functional and radiographic outcomes of modified dual plating and less invasive stabilization system(LISS)in treatment of patients with complex tibial plateau fractures.Methods From November 2003 to November 2004,84 patients with complex tibial plateau fracture were treated with modified dual plating or LISS fixation.Their functional and radiographic outcomes were reviewed to compare the differences in bone union time,full weight-bearing time,knee joint's HSS(The Hospital for Special Surgery)scores,complications, tibia plateau angle(TPA)and posterior slope angle(PA).Results The 84 cases had complete follow-up records and a mean tollow-up of 16.2 months(range,12 to 23 months).Nine complications occurred in the modified dual plating group.The mean full weight-bearing time and radiographic bone union time were 16.8 and 15.1 weeks respectively for this group which had a mean HSS score of 87.4 points.Six complications were found in the LISS group.The mean full weight-bearing time and radiographic bone union time were 14.1 and 13.8 weeks respectively for this group which had a mean HSS score of 89.6 points.There were no significant differences between the two groups in changes of TPA and PA.Conclusion LISS can provide as good fixation as modified dual plating can for most complex tibial plateau fractures,but additional medial plate fixation may be necessary for some special cases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly lower in group C ([0.63 +/- 0.15] nmol/L) than in A ( [ 16.55 +/- 4.17] nmol/L) and E ( [ 18.99 +/- 4.62] nmol/L) (P <0.05), as well as in group D ([0.70 +/-0.22] nmol/L) than in B ([15.44 +/-5.18] nmol/L) and F ([20.99 +/-6.41] nmol/L) (P <0. 05) , and so were ICP/MAP after 5 and 7 V electrical stimulation of the pelvic ganglia (P <0. 05) , H2 S concentration (P <0.05), and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P <0.05). The expressions of CBS and CSE proteins were also significantly decreased in group C as compared with D (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced expressions of CBS and CSE may inhibit the H2 S signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying androgen deficiency-induced ED in rats.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Human tissue kallikrein-binding protein (Kallistatin, KAL), a secretory protein that participates in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways by binding to the extracellular receptor, however, at present has not been reported about the intracellular activity, and whether it has the similar biological activity with extracellular activity. Here we constructed no signal peptide KAL (NSK) into the adeno-associated virus vector to explore the intracellular activity of KAL. Both the endothelial cell and lung cancer cells could express KAL, but not secreted after rAAV2-NSK transfection. The proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were inhibited, but the apoptosis rate was not affected. The proliferation rates, mobility and tubule formation of all the three tested lung cancer cells, such as NCI-H446, NCI-H460 and A549, were inhibited to different extents. This cellular study not only confirmed the intracellular activity, but also suggested it may serve as a kind of "balance factor" in multi-targeted controlling, which may provide a new train of thoughts to explain the regulatory contradiction in PI3K-Akt signaling pathways by KAL.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Dependovirus ; Genetic Vectors ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Serpins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

The chemical constituents of Safflower injection were isolated and purified by polyamide, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatographies and preparative HPLC. As a result, sixteen compounds have been isolated. Based on the spectral data analysis, their structures were elucidated as scutellarin (1), kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside(2), hydroxysafflor yellow A(3), rutin (4), coumalic acid(5), adenosine(6), syringoside(7), (3E)-4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one(8), (8Z)-decaene-4, 6-diyne-1-Oβ-D-glucopyranoside(9), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (10), (2E, 8E) -tetradecadiene-4, 6-diyne-1, 12, 14-triol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), kaem-pferol-3-O-β-sophorose (12), uridine (13), roseoside (14), cinnamic acid (15), and kaempferol (16). Compounds 1,2,7,9,11 and 12 were isolated from the Safflower injection for the first time. The anti-platelet aggregation activities of the isolated compounds were assayed. The results indicated all tested compounds exhibited potent activity except for 5, while 2, 3, 9 and 12 showed strong activity against platelet aggregation.
Animals ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; physiology ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (VOA) on experimental asthma in rat model based on abnormal immune functions of Treg cells.

METHODSAfter grouping, the asthmatic rats were developed through injecting OVA and AI(OH)3 for sensitization and then administering OVA aerosol for challenge, and the respiratory functions, asthmatic behaviors, IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (ELISA) and Foxp3 expression (immunohistochemistry) in lung of asthmatic rats were observed.

RESULTSVOA at the doses of 40-160 mg/kg could improve the respiratory functions and the asthmatic behaviors, and upgrade IL-10 levels in BALF and Foxp3 expression in lung of asthmatic rats.

CONCLUSIONVOA has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to improving the lower immune functions of Treg cells.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; chemistry ; Lung ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate and clarify the indications of breast reconstruction after mastectomy with various methods.

METHODSA clinical analysis was made, based on 44 patients with the 45 breasts who had received breast reconstruction after mastectomy in our hospital from 2003 to 2005. The methods of breast reconstruction included in tissue expander/implant (5 cases), implants covered by latissimus dorsi flap (13 cases), latissimus dorsi flap along (3 cases), DIEP flap (6 cases), TRAN flap (10 cases) and solid double-pedicle TRAM flap (8 cases).

RESULTSAll of the flaps survived well in total 40 patients (40 breasts) who were used a flap for breast reconstruction. Superficial skin necrosis occurred in 1 case with the method of tissue expander/implant; rupture of breast prosthesis and infection occurred in 1 case with the technique of implant with a latissimus dorsi flap; subcutaneous seroma occurred in 1 case with the method of DIEP flap; partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 cases with the method of TRAM flap. By the follow-ups of 3 - 12 months, the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped and there were no complications such as abdominal hernia.

CONCLUSIONSThese 6 methods for breast reconstruction achieved the satisfactory results for the requirement of breast reconstruction in Chinese women. With the development of plastic surgery technique, the indications of breast reconstruction were enlarged.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period

Objective To investigate pathogens and drug resistance of lower respiratory tract infection(LRTI)in Intensive Care Unit(ICU).Methods Retrospective study of the clinical data,the distribution and the drug-sensitivity of pathogens of 220 cases with LRTI in ICU.Results Totally 280 strains of pathogens were identified by bacterial culturing.The ratio of G-bacteria to total pathogens isolated was 63.5%,of the G+ bacteria was 25.1%,and of the fungi was 11.4%.The main kinds of the G-bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae(17.1%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.2%),Acinetobacter baumannii(12.5%),and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(10.4%).Staphylococcus aureus(SA)(91.4%)was the most prominent in G+ bacteria,and MRSA was 98.4% in SA.The result of drug sensitive test in vitro showed the multiple drug fast rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was comparatively high,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to Levofloxacin was low,Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii were highly sensitive to carbapenems.The susceptibility rate of MRSA to vancomycin was 100%.Conclusion G-bacteria are the majority of the pathogens,isolated from patients with LRTI in ICU.Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Acinetobacter baumannii,and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are the chief G-pathogens.Except Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,imipenem and merpenem are relatively active against the G-bacilli.The proportion of MRSA and fungal infection is increasing.It is suggested that there be urgent need for surveillance of bacterial resistance and rational use of antimicrobial agents during clinical therapy.

Objective To summarize the ultrasonic characteristics of urinary calculus in infants who had history of feeding melamine contaminated milk powder.Methods A total of 163 children[aged(19.4?10.9)months] with urolithiasis,who had feeding melamine contaminated milk powder,were retrospectively analyzed using ultrasonography.Twenty children [aged(16.7?9.9)months] with urolit-hiasis,who had no feeding history of melamine contaminated milk powder,were chosen as controls.Ultrasonic characteristics were compared between the 2 groups.Results For melamine calculus cases,sporadic spot or hyperechic mass with different size and shape in the collecting system,partly without acoustic shadow,was found in 65 cases;dense echo and luminous belt with obscured acoustic shadow under a band without echo was found in 48 ureteral calculus cases;irregular strong echo mass or small spot with thick acoustic shadows without side lobe artifact in the dark liquid areas was found in 8 cases with bladder calculus.There was significant difference in morphology of the calculus(P0.05).Conclusions The unique ultrasonic characteristics in infants with melamine calculus had become a very useful tool to diagnose the pediatric urinary melamine calculus.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):67-69

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein on the activity of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (stat3). METHODS: A cell line expressing stable HCV core protein-QSG7701-core was constructed by transfecting the pcDNA3. 1-core (expressing HCV core protein) into the human immortalized hepatocyte line QSG7701. The phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of stat3 were detected by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: The expression level of phosphorylated stat3 in QSG7701-core cells was significantly lower than that in QSG7701-pcDNA3. 1 cells and untransfected QSG7701 cells, but there were no significant differences in the expression levels of total stat3 among the 3 groups. The positive signal of phosphorylated stat3 in nucleus of QSG7701-core cells was obviously weaker than that in QSG7701-pcDNA3. 1 cells and untransfected QSG7701 cells. EMSA showed that DNA binding activity of stat3 in QSG7701-core cells significantly decreased. CONCLUSION The expressionof HCV core protein in human hepatocyte line may suppress the phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of stat3, which may be one of the causes for resistance against interferon.
Cell Line ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics