Objective To review and evaluate the effect of one stage surgical correction of congenital heart disease with tracheal stenosis in infants.Methods Between August 2001 and December 2005,six infants with congenital heart disease with tracheal steno- sis were repaired at one stage operation.The age was 24 d～3 y[mean(13.16?12.03)months]and the weight was 4.2～10.0 kg [mean(7.98?2.03)kg].There were 3 patients with tetralogy of Fallot,1 with pulmonary atresia;2 with ventricular septal defect, 1 with coarctation of aorta;and 1 with pulmonary sling.The congenital heart disease were repaired underwent low temperature and car- diopulmonary bypass,and the tracheal stenosis were corrected simultancously.Results There was one death postoperative because of right and left branch stenosis.One patient with pulmonary sling died of granulation tissue on the patch 3 months after operation.All other 4 patients recovered uneventfully.These patients were followed up from 6 month to 4 years.There were no complications.CT scan shows that the tracheal anastomosis was patent without any stenosis.Conclusion One stage repair of congenital heart disease with tracheal stenosis in infants may have a satisfactory result.To deal with the tracheal stenosis is difficult,the operative methods de- pends on the length of stenosis.The principles of surgical methods consist of using autologous material,maintaining its contour and function of respiratory epithelium,and maintaining its growth.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of hepatitis B vaccination strategies performed over the past 14 years and different alternatives recommended for future immunization programs from the point of view of economic efficacy.Methods Methods used would include:process of decision analysis including building the tree:populating the model with parameters;estimating expected cost benefit and effectiveness and deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity and threshold analysis.Results In China，over the past 14 vears from 1992 to 2005.around 5.348 billion Chinese Yuan were provided for hepatitis B vaccination but the total benefits were 272.825 billion Yuan,with net benefits as 267.477 billion Yuan.The cost for each infection averted was 81.99 Yuan while the benefit of one Yuan being invested had 51.01 Ynan in return.For the future recommendations,data from the study revealed that the priority of hepatitis B vaccination for new borns and vaccinations plus passive immunization of newborns of HBsAg positive mothers were most effective approaches.If the other population as adolescents was included into the vaccination program,then screening for hepatitis B virus markers before accepting the vaccination appeared to be one of the most cost-saving strategies.Sensitivity and threshold analyses showed that hepatitis B virus marker Was the most important factor,followed by the cost of vaccine,vaccination coverage and vaccine efficacy,in order.Conclusion Routine vaccination of infants in successive birth cohorts to prevent HBV transmission was a cost-effective strategy administrated over the past 14 years in China.In the following years,the immunization of newborns was still the preferential strategy from a societal perspective.However,vaccination provided to other population including adolescents seemed economically less attractive.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effect of natural killer (NK) cells on human colorectal cancer cells HT-29 in vitro by blocking transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in NK cells transfected with vector containing dominant negative TGF-β type 2 receptor (DNTβR2).

METHODSTGF-β1 was added at the final concentration of 10 ng/ml for HT-29 cells. Primary NK cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTβR2 and control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP using Amaxa Nucleofector technology respectively. The cytotoxicity of these two types of NK cells to HT-29 cells was detected and analyzed by cell counting kit-8.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency of primary NK cells was 18.85% for the plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTβR2 and 35.28% for the control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP. The expression of DNTβR2 in NK cells was confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Primary NK cells displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells incubated with TGF-β1 than that without TGF-β1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1,14.40%∓ 2.00% vs. 26.14% ∓ 2.50%, P > 0.05; effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 19.18% ∓ 2.49% vs. 40.81% ∓ 3.50%, P > 0.05). The cytotoxicity of NK cells transfected with DNTβR2 vector was significantly higher than that with control vector against HT-29 cells cultured with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1, 21.17% ∓ 2.49% vs. 11.48% ∓ 1.11% ,P > 0.05; and effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 35.30% ∓ 3.78% vs. 17.19% ∓ 2.29%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNK cells transfected with DNTβR2 vector show better antitumor effect, which may provide new method for NK-based adoptive immunotherapy for cancer.

HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines of SMMC-7721, Bel-7402, HepG2, MHCC-97 and normal hepatocellular cell line of L02, and to compare the response of these cell lines to all-trans retinoic acid.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to detect expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and normal hepatocellular cell line. Real time-PCR was used to quantify the expression of the genes.

RESULTSThere are different levels of expression of the stem cell-related gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and control cell line (P less than 0.05). There are significant differences in HepG2 and L-02 for the response to all-trans retinoic acid (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe stem cell-related genes are differentially expressed in different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hep G2 Cells ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smoothened Receptor ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo know the genotype and subtype of hantavirus (HV) which infected persons in Hebei province.

METHODSAccording to G2 coding region of 76-118 and R22 strains, specific type primers were designed to detect and identity the types of HV in HFRS patients' sera with RT-nested PCR. Nucleotides were assayed from partial products after purification and reclaim. Then, gene analysis was done with DNAStar package.

RESULTS17 out of 69 positive serum specimens were successfully detected by RT-PCR and the detection rate was 24.64%, among which, or= 14 days were 0. 17 positive specimens were all belonged to SEO. The nucleotide homology of 9 typical specimens was 92.0%-100%. Between HeB7 and other 8 specimens was 92%-95%, and they belonged to different subtypes. When HeB7 compared with R22 strain, it was 97.7%. HeB7 and R22 belonged to S1 subtype. The 8 specimens except HeB7 was 95.7%-100% and they all belonged to S3 subtype. When compared with 76-118 strain, 9 specimens' nucleotide homology was only 70.3%-72.7%, belonged to different type.

CONCLUSIONSEO was the major type of HV from HFRS patients in Hebei province, S3 was the major subtype and S1 was also existed. In a certain area, the HV which belonged to the same type was correspondingly conservative, and had the characteristic of regional stability.

China ; Genotype ; Hantavirus ; classification ; genetics ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo discuss CT and MRI characteristics of hepatic angiomyolipoma based on pathological findings.

METHODSThe CT and MRI appearances with related pathohistological subtypes of 11 hepatic angiomyolipomas from 10 patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTTen patients with hepatic angiomyolipomas were subcategorized into lipomatous (3 cases), angiomatous (1 case), myomatous (1 case) and mixed (5 cases) subtypes. Lesions of the lipomatous type were mainly composed of adipocytes which could be easily recognized on both CT and MRI. Abnormal vessels were commonly seen in the angiomatous lesions, which showed pronounced enhancement in the early arterial phase and remained higher than or isodense with the normal parenchyma in the portal phase. The myomatous type was predominantly composed of leiomyoid cells mixed with small amount of adipocytes. The mixed type was the most frequent,evenly comprising sheets of epithelioid muscle cells admixed with islands of adipocytes and abnormal vessels, and showing homogeneously low density on plain CT and low signal intensity on T1-weighted,intermediately high signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI scans. On dynamic study with both CT and MRI, the mixed type exhibited obvious enhancement, which retained to some degree during the portal phase.

CONCLUSIONThe discrete CT and MRI appearances of hepatic angiomyolipomas with different pathological subtypes depend on the components of the tumor.

Adult ; Angiomyolipoma ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo further investigate the effects of cisapride on intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO), bacterial and endotoxin translocation, intestinal transit and permeability in cirrhotic rats.

METHODS25 normal control rats, 25 cirrhotic rats, 20 cirrhotic rats received saline, and 20 cirrhotic rats treated with cisapride were included in the study. All animals were assessed with many variables including bacterial and endotoxin translocation, IBO, intestinal transit and permeability.

RESULTSBacterial translocation was found in 48%(12/25) cirrhotic rats and none of control rats. Among the 20 rats with IBO, there were 11 rats with bacterial translocation (BT) while only one rats occurred BT out of the 5 rats without IBO. Cirrhotic rats with IBO had a significantly higher rate of endotoxin translocation, higher intestinal permeability and longer intestinal transit than those without IBO. BT of a specific organism was always associated with IBO of that organism. Compared with the placebo group, cisapride-treated rats had lower rates of bacterial and endotoxin translocation and IBO, which had close relationship with shorter intestinal transit and lower permeability.

CONCLUSIONEndotoxin and bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats may be the result of IBO and higher permeability. IBO may be the result of longer transit. Cisapride which can accelerate intestinal transit and improve intestinal permeability is helpful in preventing and treating intestinal bacterial and endotoxin translocation.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; drug effects ; Biological Transport ; Cisapride ; pharmacology ; Endotoxins ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; microbiology ; Male ; Permeability ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the approach and early effects of endovascular stent-graft deployment in the treatment of portal stenosis of cancerous thrombus.Methods Six cases with portal vein stenosis of cancerous thrombus,which caused by primary hepatic carcinoma(5 cases)and eholangiocarcinoma(1 case)and the severity of stenosis showed on contrast enhanced CT were more than 75% or occluded,were performed percutaneous transhepatie or transsplenic portography.FLUENCY~(TM) endovascular stent-graft(10 mm diameter)was placed at the position of stenosis after gastroesophageal varices embolization.Portal pressure was measured pre-and post-deployment.Results Stents were successfully placed in all patients.The average portal pressure decreased from 50.7 cm H_2O(1 cm H_2O = 0.098 kPa)to 41.3 cm H_2O after endovascular stent-graft deployment.The restenosis were found in 2 cases after one month.Haematemesis and refractory aseites appeared in one case respectively,the other 4 cases showed no significant symptoms above caused by portal hypertension.Conclusion It is safe and feasible for endovaseular stent-graft deployment in the treatment of portal stenosis of cancerous thrombus.Selecting the suitable indications,the symptoms of portal hypertension can be controlled effectively.

BACKGROUNDTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in children and young adults worldwide. Therefore, we investigated the role of AG490 in regulating brain oedema, expression of CD40 and neurological function after TBI.

METHODSSprague Dawley rats (n = 240) were randomly divided into a sham operation group, TBI+saline group and TBI+AG490 (JAK/STAT inhibitor) group. Members of each group were euthanized at 6, 12, 24 or 72 hours after injury. Neurological severity score (NSS) was used to evaluate the severity of neurological damage. Brain water was quantitated by wet/dry weight method. The expression of CD40 was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn both the TBI+saline group and the TBI+AG490 group, the brain water content was elevated after TBI, reached a peak at 24-hour and remained high for the rest of the period investigated; the expression of CD40 reached a peak 24 hours after TBI; the NSS was elevated after TBI and then decreased after 6 hours. Elevations in the level of CD40, degree of brain edema and NSS after TBI were significantly reduced in TBI+AG490 group.

CONCLUSIONInhibition of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway reduces brain oedema, decreases the expression of CD40 and exerts neuroprotective effects after TBI.

Animals ; Brain Edema ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; CD40 Antigens ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; Janus Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; STAT Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tyrphostins ; therapeutic use

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on electrically-induced intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) transient and mechanism of the effects in the cardiac myocytes. The [Ca(2+)](i) transient was measured with a fluoremetric method. The effects of HS-142-1, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) on [Ca(2+)](i) transient in cardiac myocytes were also determined. Isoproterenol (Iso) at 10(-10)~10(-6) mol/L augmented electrically-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient dose-dependently, which was (13+/-8)% (P>0.05), (26+/-13)% (P< 0.05), (66+/-10)% (P<0.01), (150+/-10)% (P<0.01) and (300+/-25)% (P<0.01), respectively. These effects were blocked by an beta-adrenergic bloker propranolol (10(-6) mol/L). The effect of Iso (10(-8) mol/L) on [Ca(2+)](i) transient was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by VNP at 10(-10)~10(-6) mol/L, which was (99+/-3)% (P>0.05), (96+/-2)% (P<0.05), (84+/-6)% (P<0.01), (66+/-3)% (P<0.01) and (62+/-3)% (P<0.01), respectively. 8-Br-cGMP (10(-7)~10(-3) mol/L) aslo attenuated 10(-8) mol/L Iso-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient dose-dependent. The effect of VNP on [Ca(2+)](i) transient was almost abolished in the presence of HS-142-1 (2x10(-5) mol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptors. MB (10(-5) mol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked the effect of VNP in myocytes, but also augmented electrically-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient. VNP and HS-142-1 themselves did not change the [Ca(2+)](i) transient in the cardiac myocytes significantly. But MB augmented the [Ca(2+)](i) transient in the cardiac myocytes significantly. These results suggest that VNP attenuates [Ca(2+)](i) transient induced by Iso. This effect is possibly achieved by binding VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the myocytes, leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Depression, Chemical ; Female ; Guanylate Cyclase ; metabolism ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism