BACKGROUNDCorneal neovascular leakage can lead to edema and secondary scarring. Previous studies have shown that pericytes play a key role in maturation of angiogenesis. The present studies investigate the relationship between vascular permeability and pericyte coverage of endothelial cells in rat corneal neovascular induced by alkali burns.

METHODSCorneal neovascular vessels induced by alkali burns was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. Corneas were excised on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after cauterization. The vascular permeability rate was measured by the Evans blue method. The microvessel pericyte coverage index (MPI) was applied to quantify the pericyte coverage through double immunofluorescent staining of frozen sections of corneas with CD31 as the endothelial and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) as the pericyte markers. The correlation between permeability rate and MPI was analyzed. Pericyte coverage was confirmed ultrastructually using transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe vascular permeability rate was (1.14 +/- 0.17), (0.24 +/- 0.08), (0.29 +/- 0.16), (0.14 +/- 0.10), (0.09 +/- 0.06) and (0.05 +/- 0.04) microg x ml(-1) x mm(-2) respectively on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after cauterization. The MPI was 0, 16.07%, 11.95%, 43.84%, 73.97% and 86.21% respectively at the above mentioned time points. The correlation coefficient between MPI and the permeability rate was -0.943 (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSPericyte recruitment was significantly correlated with the permeability of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burns in rats. Therapeutic strategies aiming at anti-leakage should be most effective if they promote pericytes proliferation in the course of corneal neovascularization.

Alkalies ; Animals ; Burns, Chemical ; physiopathology ; Capillary Permeability ; Cell Movement ; Cornea ; blood supply ; ultrastructure ; Corneal Neovascularization ; physiopathology ; Eye Burns ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Pericytes ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Purpose::The purpose of this study was to review the microsurgical anatomy and clipping of ruptured anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms and to plan and avoid complications before operation.Methods::A total of 523 cases of cerebral aneurysms admitted to the neurosurgery department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2010 to October 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 85 patients had ruptured AComA aneurysms. This study was limited to 85 of these cases, whose satisfactory preoperative angiographic diagnostic films can be retrieved from the hospital database system because of the need for detailed review.Results::We performed supraorbital eyebrow keyhole approach (SOEK) craniotomy in 85 patients to clip 85 AComA aneurysms, in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patients’ mean age was (52.69 ± 9.94) years (range, 28-78 years). The proportions of small, medium and large aneurysms were 83.5%, 15.3%, and 1.2%, respectively. The average size of the aneurysms was (5.07 ± 2.36) mm. There were 77.8% of patients with inferior aneurysms and 81.3% of patients with superior aneurysms achieved good results. There was a significant correlation between A1 dominance and operation method ( p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between surgical approach and aneurysm projection or A2 plane ( p = 0.157 & p = 0.318). Conclusion::Regardless of whether the A2 plane is open or closed, the A1 dominant side is still a better choice for accessing AComA aneurysms to avoid dangerous premature bleeding.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein expressions and nitric oxide (NO) content in the rat glomeruli in response to leptin stimulation.

METHODSThe glomeruli isolated from male SD rats were stimulated with 3 nmol/L leptin for 2 h. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to analyze the mRNA and protein expressions of AGT, AT(1)R and eNOS in the glomeruli, and nitrite concentration in the glomeruli was measured by nitrate reductase assay.

RESULTSIn comparison with the control group, exposure to leptin increased the mRNA levels of AGT, ATR(1) and eNOS in the isolated glomeruli by 2.69-/+0.17, 3.77-/+0.16 and 2.56-/+0.29 folds (P=0.024, 0.018 and 0.044), and their protein levels by 2.06-/+0.10, 2.67-/+0.08 and 1.61-/+0.13 folds (P=0.021, 0.015 and 0.032), respectively. The NO production in the glomeruli was also increased by 2.77-/+0.14 folds (P=0.000) following leptin exposure.

CONCLUSIONLeptin exposure of isolated rat glomeruli directly causes activation of the internal renal renin-angiotensin system and enhanced NO production, suggesting that leptin plays a role in the pathogenesis of maladaptation in renal hemodynamics in obesity.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of THY1 protein expression in epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry (IHC) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining were used to detect the protein expression of THY1, Ki67 and cell apoptosis in 76 epithelial ovarian cancers by tissue microarray. The correlation between THY1 expression and patients' clinical features was analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 76 epithelial ovarian cancer samples, 64 were informative for IHC and TUNEL assays and 42 (65.6%) among them showed down-regulated/loss expression of THY1 protein. A significant positive correlation of THY1 protein expression with clinical stage and distant metastasis was observed in this ovarian cancer cohort (P < 0.05). The more advanced the tumor stage, the more frequency of loss expression of THY1 protein. In addition, the mean positive rate of Ki67 staining in tumors with down-regulated/loss expression of THY1 was 33.7% +/- 3.5%, significantly higher than that in the tumors with normal expression of THY1 (17.3% +/- 6.1%, P = 0.0027). However, no significant correlation was observed between THY1 protein expression and tumor cell apoptosis as well as patients' survival in this series (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDown-regulated/loss expression of THY1 protein in epithelial ovarian cancer is significantly correlated with cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in the epithelial ovarian cancer, and it may be used as one of the new molecular biomarkers to predict the disease progression in patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Thy-1 Antigens ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the approach and efficacy of dealing the rectal ligament in resection of rectal cancer in obese male patients.

METHODSA total of 92 patients (BMI>25 kg/m(2)) undergoing resection of rectal cancer from December 2008 to December 2010 in Henan Tumor hospital were assigned into 2 groups according to the surgical technique, the modified group (paralleled clipping of rectal ligament, 48 patients) and traditional group (44 patients). Operative time, intra-operational bleeding, rectal ulceration, ureteral injury, mesorectal integrity, and positive rate of lateral margin of pelvic wall were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe operative time was (66.9±99.8) min in modified group, which was significantly shorter than that in traditional group [(125.4±12.2) min, P=0.000]. Intra-operative bleeding was (160.3±27.2) ml in modified group and (150.5±28.5) ml in traditional group (P=0.093). Rectal ulceration rated were 0 and 18.2% (8/44), mesorectal disintegrity rates were 6.2% and 22.7%, pelvic infection rates were 2.1% (1/48) and 20.4 (9/44) in modified and traditional groups respectively, whose differences were all significant (all P<0.05). No ureteral injury and positive margin were found in both two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe approach of paralleled clipping of rectal ligament around the rectum meets the principle of TME, which is simple, safe and effective.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Ligaments ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Rectum ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo describe the characteristics of child pedestrian traffic injuries among aged 0-14 years old in Guangzhou city and to provide information on road, vehicle and human injuries in pedestrian.

METHODSA database of all motor vehicle crashes involving child pedestrian traffic injury cases over a five-year period (2000-2004), was from the police department.

RESULTSThe annual pedestrian traffic injury rates on incidence, mortality and case fatality were 17.63/ 1,100,000, 1.78/ 100,000 and 10.07% respectively. Both incidence rate and mortality peaked in the 5-9 age group were 26.80/ 100,000 and 2.57/ 100,000, with case fatality peaked in the 0-4 age group (13.29%). For males, the incidence (20.98/ 100,000) and mortality (2.00/ 100,000) were higher than that in females (13.83/ 100,000, and 1.52/ 100,000). The main injured parts of body would include multi-areas (40.34%), head (26.75%) and lower limbs (21.53%). 10.07% of the cases died and 66.18% and 23.75% of them having had severe and slight injures. The major causes were due to drivers (57.50%) and pedestrians (33.47%) faults with top three responsible vehicles were cars (40.14%), two-wheeled motorcycles (34.38%) and vans (22.15%).

CONCLUSIONData from pediatric pedestrian injury poses a threat to children and adolescents, data suggesting that it is important to change behaviors of both drivers and pedestrians.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and natural history of post-transfusion hepatitis C (PTHC).

METHODSNinety-nine post-transfusion hepatitis C patients were analyzed using retrospective and prospective study and follow-up.

RESULTS(1) Ninety-nine post-transfusion HCV patients were infected during 1989-1994, mostly between 1990-1992. (2) Ninety patients were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C, and 9 as hepatic cirrhosis (period of compensation). (3) The intervals between their transfusions and their initial diagnoses of PTHC were 7.4+/-6.6 years in all 99 patients, and the intervals in 9 cirrhosis patients were 12.7+/-5.8 years. (4) Among 63 male patients, 59 cases were chronic hepatitis C and 4 were cirrhosis while among 36 female patients, 31 were chronic hepatitis C and 5 were cirrhosis. There was no significant difference of the ratio for hepatitis C and cirrhosis between the male and female patients (P>0.05). (5) Repeat abnormal liver function occurred accompanied with a fluctuation of ALT elevation in those patients with cirrhosis. (6) No patient developed hepatic carcinoma during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The possibility of HCV infection by transfusion has declined greatly since 1995 in Guangzhou. (2) Nine of the 99 (9.1%) chronic HCV-infected patients developed a compensated cirrhosis after 12.7+/-5.8 years. (3) For those PTHC patients with repeat abnormal liver functions, interferon combined with ribavirin is recommended to prevent the development of cirrhosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; diagnosis ; transmission ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Transfusion Reaction

We recently developed a mouse model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection by intravenous (i.v.) injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV to C57BL/6 mice. To define the responses of different mouse strains after injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV, we intravenously injected rAAV8-1. 3HBV at doses of 4 x10(9) (Viral genome,vg), 4 x 10(10) vg and 4 x 10(11) vg to C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice,respectively, and determined the levels of serum HBV antigen and antibody by ELISA,serum viral DNA by real-time PCR,and HBcAg expression in liver by immunohistochemical staining. For C57BL/6 mouse strain with injection of rAAV8-1. 3HBV at three doses, 100% of the mice carried HBV for more than 8 months. The levels of serum HBsAg and HBeAg, serum viral DNA and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes increased in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. For C57BL/6 mice injected with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at the dose of 4 x 10(11) vg,over 40% of hepatocytes expressed HBcAg and serum viral DNA reached over 10(5) IU/mL. No HBV antibody was detected in sera of C57BL/6 mice. For BALB/c mice with injection of rAAV8-1. 3HBV at three doses, serum HBeAg, serum viral DNA and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes persisted for more than 8 months, but serum HBsAg declined remarkably at 2 weeks after injection. The levels of serum HBeAg and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes in BALB/c mice increased in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. Injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at the dose of 4 x 10(11) vg resulted in over 50% of BALB/c mice hepatocytes expressing HBcAg. Serum anti-HBsAg were detected in BALB/c mice with rAAV8-1. 3HBV injection at the dose of 4 x10 (10) vg. In conclusion, both C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains can be developed to chronic HBV infection mouse models by i. v. injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at doses of 4 x10(9) - 4 x 10(11) vg and the levels of HBV replication increase in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. In contrast to C57BL/6 strain, the BALB/c mice carry out humoral immunity to HBsAg, but fail to mediate HBV clearance.
Animals ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Hepatocytes ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transduction, Genetic ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo explore multi-drug resistance (MDR) of bladder cancer for the intravesical instillation.

METHODSUsing immunohistochemical staining, in 44-case human bladder cancer cells, the expressions of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi) and topoisomerase (TOPO-II), were detected to find out the resistance to drugs.

RESULTSP-gp had a higher expression in 54.5% cases. GST-pi had no or a lower expression in 65.9% cases. TOPO-II had a higher expression in 29.5% but a lower expression in 65.9% cases.

CONCLUSIONDetecting the factors of MDR in bladder cancer cells could help to choose drugs for intravesical chemotherapy.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; analysis ; Administration, Intravesical ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Glutathione Transferase ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the role of suPAR in the pathogenesis of podocyte injury in FSGS. Methods① The sera of primary FSGS patients （17 cases） were collected. Healthy volunteers （10 cases） and patients with other types of primary nephrotic syndrome （10 cases） were set as normal and disease controls. SuPAR levels were detected by ELISA； ② Podocytes were stimulated by suPAR in vitro， and cells were collected to analyze apoptosis by flow cytometry and for RNAseq analysis； ③ Differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were screened from RNAseq data. Both up-regulated and down-regulated genes were analyzed by KEGG and GO enrichment analysis. Heat map was used to show expression of genes related to podocyte focal adhesion， slit diaphragm and actin dynamics and endocytosis. Differentially expressed genes were verified by qPCR. Results① The level of suPAR in FSGS patients was significantly increased， and that in other nephrotic syndrome（NS） patients was also significantly increased； ② suPAR stimulation significantly altered the transcriptome pattern of human podocytes. A total of 272 up-regulated genes and 288 down-regulated genes were screened； ③ KEGG and GO enrichment analysis of up-regulated and down-regulated genes showed that Focal adhesion and DNA replication and DNA repair related pathways were significantly down-regulated； ④ suPAR did not increase podocyte apoptosis. ConclusionThe level of suPAR is significantly increased in patients with primary FSGS. SuPAR may promote podocyte injury by interfering with genomic homeostasis and disrupting focal adhesion， slit diaphragm， actin dynamics and endocytosis-related functional molecules of podocytes.