OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological characters of human skin fibroblasts in fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL).

METHODSThe human fibroblasts were cultured in 3D and the collagen of the rat tail was also prepared. They were examined with the comprising cell cycle and apoptosis, mRNA expression of TGF beta1, and fibronectin, and cell morphology.

RESULTSThe flow cytometry showed that the G0/G1, stage cells were 79% +/- 3%, 87% +/- 2% after the 7 days and 14 days separately, and there were not apoptosis peak observed. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of TGF beta1, and fibronectin had no difference between human skin fibroblasts cultured in 3D and 2D. Electron microscope showed the cells were plenty of chromatin and organelles.

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation of the human skin fibroblasts in FPCL is slow, but its biological viability is better.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Rats ; Skin ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate three dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D-DCE MRA) in diagnosis of cavernous transformation of portal vein (CTPV).

METHODSTwenty-four patients with CTPV underwent 3D-DCE MRA examinations and the reconstructed images were retrospectively analyzed. A series of clinical, laboratory and imaging studies were performed on all these cases. Among all cases 14 underwent operations and 2 with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated portal thrombosis received transhepatic artery chemoembolization.

RESULTThe CTPA was located in the main trunk in 10 cases, in both the main trunk and left/right branches in 8, and in left or right branches of the portal vein in 4. In the remaining 2 cases CTPA was located at the level of superior mesenteric vein. MRA revealed multiple circuitous collateral veins striding over obstruction to extend into the liver in 9 cases,and in 7 it simultaneously showed streaky or dot-like low signal intensities representing thrombi in the extensively dilated network of portal system. MRA did not clearly demonstrate the structure of the portal vein but only showed multiple sinuous network of venous collaterals strangling together in 6 cases. In 15 cases it also showed the route and distribution of multiple hepatofugal venous collaterals.

CONCLUSION3D-DCE MRA can provide adequate information about the site and severity of CTPA.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the effects of puerarin on the proliferation,migration,and apoptosis of glio-blastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms.Meth-ods Differentially expressed genes associated with gli-oma and mitochondrial disease were analyzed using the GEO database.Cytotoxicity was detected by CCK-8 as-say.Cell migration was detected by the scratch wound healing assay and Transwell assay.Cell proliferation was assessed by EdU assay.Apoptosis level was meas-ured by TUNEL assay.Mitochondrial membrane poten-tial was detected by Mito-Tracker assay.ATP contents were detected using the ATP kit.The protein expres-sion levels were detected by Western blot.Antitumor efficacy of puerarin was analyzed using subcutaneous xenograft.Results There were 178 genes co-related differentially expressed genes in glioma and mitochon-drial disease.Core genes of co-related differentially ex-pressed genes were screened by GO and KEGG enrich-ment analyses,and the interaction networks.Among them,ubiquitin C(UBC)level was highly expressed in tissues of glioma patients.Puerarin could bind to UBC and reduce UBC expression at the animal and cell levels.Puerarin treatment inhibited the growth of glio-ma and decreased cell proliferation,migration and pro-moted cell apoptosis signals.Meantime,puerarin treat-ment also reduced mitochondrial membrane potentials and ATP contents,and down-regulated the levels of UBC related proteins.Conclusion Puerarin inhibits the proliferation,migration and promotes apoptosis of glioma cells.The mechanism of induction of mitochon-drial dysfunction is involved.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of exogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), batimastat, in the lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in dogs.

METHODSThirty healthy mongrel puppies were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, low-dose group [batimastat 10 mg/(kg.d) for 3 days before operation] and high-dose group [batimastat 30 mg/(kg.d) for 3 days before operation]. The off-pump puppies' model of acute lung injury was established, and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored. The preoperative and postoperative alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (A-aDO(2)) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated. From the beginning of surgery, blood samples were taken at the time 0, 60, 120, and 270 min. Plasma concentrations of MMP-9 were measured by ELISA, and blood MMP-9 mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of centrifugal bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by Colorimetry. And MMP-9 activity was determined by Gelatin zymography. Light and electronic microscope were used to observe the morphological changes of lung tissue. A small piece of left lung tissue was taken, weighed and baked to calculate the wet weight (W/D) index.

RESULTSAfter cardiopulmonary bypass, the concentrations of MMP-9 and mRNA expressions of the control group were increased significantly, and lung injury was apparent. At 270 min, the MMP-9 plasma concentration of high-dose group (17.36 +/- 1.18) microg/L was significant reducing than control group (30.47 +/- 2.22) microg/L (P < 0.05). After operation, A-aDO(2) and RI of high-dose group were significantly improved than control group (P < 0.05). The W/D index of the high-dose group (2.8 +/- 0.48) was significantly lower than that of control group (4.7 +/- 0.6) (P < 0.05). And the pathological changes of lung tissue were significantly improved in the high-dose group. However, there was no significant difference in the MMP-9 mRNA expression in three groups.

CONCLUSIONSBatimastat plays a role in the protection of the lung injury of CBP by reducing the concentration and activity of MMP-9, the degradation of the cell membrane and pulmonary neutrophil infiltration and reduction of pulmonary edema.

Acute Lung Injury ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Lung ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; Phenylalanine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Thiophenes ; pharmacology

In order to study whether erythroleukemia was really a subtype of acute leukemia, the clinical laboratory characteristics and development of disease in 21 cases of erythroleukemia were analyzed. The results indicated that the percentage of patients with leucocytopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were 42.9%, 81% and 81% respectively at the time of diagnosis. These were 85.7% of patients with myelocytes and premonocyte, 52.4% of patients with erythroblast in their blood smear respectively. All of the bone marrow showed active or significantly active proliferation. The median percentage of erythro-lineage, myeloblast of NEC and displasia were (58.3 +/- 8.0)%, (58.0 +/- 18.4)% and 66.7% respectively, that is different from typical AML. 52.4% of M(6) patients transferred to RAEB/RAEB-T and AML-M(2) subtype in the disease progression. 11/19 cases (57.4%) achieved remission (CR 10; PR 1) after chemotherapy. The median remission length were 6 months for CR patients and 2 months for PR patients, but most of CR patients displayed obvious displasia of bone marrow and cytopenia of blood in the period of CR. The median survival length of M(6) and MDS-->M(6) from time of diagnosis were 13.0 +/- 13.2 and 2.3 +/- 1.3 months respectively. It is concluded that there are differences between M(6) and typical AML. Most of M(6) patients would rather be classified MDS RAEB and RAEB-t with over-hyperplasia of erythron lineage than a subtype of AML.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; classification ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the access to the frontal recess by identifying the agger nasi cell and uncinate process.

METHODSForty-seven patients (85 sides) who underwent endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in our department constituted the study population. Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the sinuses were obtained in coronal and axial views. The frontal ostium was identified by using agger nasi cell approach or identifying the uncinate process.

RESULTSThe frontal sinus ostium was identified in 100% of patients (85 sides). After an average follow-up of 9 months, 41 sides of 49 sides (84%) had endoscopically healed sinuses by using agger nasi cell approach. And 21 sides of 36 sides (81%) had endoscopically healed sinuses by identifying the uncinate process.

CONCLUSIONSThe agger nasi cell approach to the frontal recess gives an access and allows identification of the frontal ostium. In addition, it provides direct visualization with a 0 degree endoscope into the frontal recess.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose ; surgery ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Sinusitis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the method and effectiveness of rigid-bronchoscopic cryosurgery for advanced central lung cancer.

METHODSForty-eight patients were enrolled in this study from June 2002 to December 2008, including 33 male and 15 female. The average age was 70 years (ranged from 45 to 83 years old). For the 48 patients, 38 cases were patients with advanced central lung cancer who were not suitable for surgery, and the remaining 10 cases were patients with local recurrence in trachea or main bronchus postoperatively. Cryosurgery was performed 120 times for all patients, 2.5 times per patient on average. The trachea or bronchus station, symptom such as dyspnea, hemoptysis, respiratory function and quality of life were observed.

RESULTSThe unblocked ratio of trachea and bronchi was 97%. All patients got satisfied improvement ratio of symptoms, 87.5% for dyspnea, 72.9% for cough, 93.8% for hemoptysis and 62.5% for chest pain. Respiratory function tests showed that both the mean forced expiratory volume in first second and forced vital capacity got an improvement from (1.03+/-0.05) L to (1.85+/-0.13) L and from (1.69+/-0.18) L to (2.96+/-0.14) L respectively (P<0.01). Karnofsky score also got no less than 20 scores improvement. The Follow-up time was 6 to 62 months. The longest survival was 62 months. The median survival time was 20 months. There was no severe perioperative complications and mortality except for 3 cases of moderate exeduation.

CONCLUSIONSCryosurgery is easy to perform with minimal complications. Not only could it provide an effective and rapid control of symptoms caused by central lung cancer, it could also unobstructed bronchus promptly and improve patients' quality of life.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchoscopy ; Cryosurgery ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the Chinese medical formula Qubi Zhentong Recipe(, QZR) on the synovial gene expression profile in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSTen rats were randomly chosen from 60 rats as the control group, and the other 50 rats were used for the CIA models. The CIA model group was constructed by bovine injection of type II collagen through the rats' neck and tail. Twenty rats were randomly chosen from 34 successful CIA models and randomly assigned into two groups: the model group (n =10) and the QZR group (n=10). The QZR group was fed intragastrically with QZR 22.9 g/(kg·d) (10 times the clinical adult dose), and the CIA model group was given the same dose of normal saline. Both model and QZR groups were administered treatment once a day. Total RNA was collected from the knee joint synovium after 30 days. The change in gene expression profile was analyzed by a whole gene chip.

RESULTSA total of 76 genes showed a difference in expression between CIA model group and the control group; 35 genes were down-regulated and 41 were up-regulated. A total of 67 genes showed a difference in expression between the model group and the QZR group; 48 genes were down-regulated and 19 were upregulated.

CONCLUSIONSQZR may affect CIA by stimulating multiple genes and targets, which are related to oncogenes, apoptosis, metabolism, the immune system, ion channels, and transport proteins.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; genetics ; Cattle ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Extremities ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synovial Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and mechanism of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNk) inhibitor (SP600125) in amelioration of insulin resistance after scald.

METHODSTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham (the process of scald was mimicked by water at room temperature) , scald, scald and SP600125 groups. The rats were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald in the latter two groups. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp experiment was carried out 4 days after scald. SP600125 was administered to the rats in scald and SP600125 2 hrs before Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp was performed. Changes in the phospho-Serine307 and phospho-tyrosine of IRS-1 activity, as well as expression of phospho-JNK in muscles were determined.

RESULTSEuglycemic-Hyperinsulinemic Glucose Clamps experiment showed that the infusion rate of 100 g/L glucose in sham, scald, scald and SP600125 groups were (12. 33 +/-0. 42) , (6. 61 +/-0. 27) , (11. 11 +/-0. 68) mgx kg(-1) x min(-1) , respectively ( P <0.01). The level of IRS-1 Serine307 phosphorylation and JNK activity in muscles were significantly increased, while insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 decreased markedly after scald. Compared with scald group, the level of IRS-1 Serine307 phosphorylation and JNK activity in scald and SP600125 group were decreased but tyrosine phosphorylation was elevated.

CONCLUSIONSP600125 can partially ameliorate insulin resistance after scald by inhibition of JNK activation, and decrease the level of IRS-1 phospho-serine307.

Animals ; Anthracenes ; pharmacology ; Burns ; complications ; metabolism ; Hyperinsulinism ; etiology ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley