Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of intraoperative methylprednisolone used in combination with perioperative enteral nutrition support in improving liver synthetic function after hepatectomy and postoperative recovery.Methods In this prospective controlled trial,79 patients treated with hepatectomy at Departement of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery in Drum Tower Hospital between June 2013 and May 2014 were included and divided into control group (n =39) and steroid group (n =40) according to the order of surgery.The control group underwent hepatectomy only,while the steroid group received intraoperative methylprednisolone (500 mg) at the start of liver excision.Both of the two groups were given the same perioperative enteral nutrition support.Liver function,prealbumin (PA),and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured before and on days 1,3,and 5 after the operation.Human blood albumin infusion volume,postoperative gas passing,postoperative hospital stay,and incidence of complications were recorded.Results The serum level of PA on day 3 after hepatectomy was significantly higher in the steroid group than in the control group [(101.26 ±61.17) mg/L vs.(81.84 ±43.58) mg/L,t =-1.607,P =0.049].The serum level of cholinesterase on day 1 after hepatectomy was significantly higher in the steroid group than in the control group [(5.60±1.54) kU/Lvs.(4.68±1.01) kU/L,t=-3.136,P=0.004].On day1 and day 3 after hepatectomy,the serum levels of CRP were significantly lower in the steroid group than in the control group [(41.79 ±20.86) mg/L vs.(62.08 ±38.33) mg/L,t =2.933,P=0.027;(64.14 ±32.38) mg/L vs.(102.64 ± 49.05) mg/L,t =4.127,P =0.006].The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the steroid group than in the control group [(12.62 ±5.74) d vs.(15.41 ± 10.00)d,t =1.514,P =0.002].Conclusion Intraoperative use of methylprednisolone combined with perioperative enteral nutrition support may inhibit postoperative inflammatory response,promote early recovery of liver synthetic function,and help to promote rehabilitation after hepatectomy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)/CD31 around the cerebral infarction focus in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats and the possible mechanism, thus to provide a new strategy for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke by acupuncture. Methods:A total of 180 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an acupoint group and a non-acupoint group, 45 rats in each group. MCAO model was established using the modified line-embolus method in all rats except for those in the sham operation group; rats in the acupoint group were treated with EA at Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23); rats in the non-acupoint group were treated with EA at the control points; rats in other 2 groups were only subjected to bundling without treatment. Ten rats in each group were randomly selected on the 3rd day, the 14th day and the 21st day after acupuncture stimulation to test the neurological function impairment. The expression levels of CD31 and VEGF were also detected. Results:Compared with the model group and non-acupoint group, the neurological function score of the acupoint group was decreased at each time point, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expressions of VEGF and CD31 in each group were the lowest on the 3rd day, reached the peak on the 14th day and still remained at high level on the 21st day. And the differences among groups were statistically significant both on the 14th day and the 21st day (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the expressions of VEGF and CD31 in the acupoint group were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (allP<0.05). Conclusion: EA at Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23) can significantly improve the neurological function score of MCAO model rats, and shows protective effect on cerebral ischemia. The protective mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of CD31 and VEGF expression around the cerebral infarction focus in the MCAO model rats and induction of angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change rules of peak area ratio of STR loci to Amelogenin (AMEL) locus (STR/AMEL), a sex-determining gene in DNA degradation, and to evaluate the application of STR/AMEL value in the estimation of DNA degradation degree. METHODS: DNA was extracted from iliopsoas, and the variations of STR/AMEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL, FGA/AMEL) were analyzed after the artificial degradation was made by DNase I, and the changes of these three ratios of the iliopsoas naturally degraded in an outdoor environment were also analyzed. The regression curves were analyzed using the periods of DNA degradation and outside the body as the independent variable (x) and the STR/AMEL value as the dependent variable (y) and three curve equations under two conditions were established. RESULTS: Both under the conditions of artificial and natural degradation, STR/AMEL value had a negative relationship with the degradation time. The relationship between STR/AMEL and degradation time can be well simulated by the cubic function. R2 was over 0.99 under controlled degradation condition and over 0.86 under natural degradation condition. CONCLUSION The STR/AMEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL, FGA/AMEL) is negatively related with the DNA degradation degree, which follows mathematical regression models strictly, and it might be applied to evaluate the DNA degradation degree.
Amelogenin/genetics* ; DNA Damage/genetics* ; DNA Primers ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Regression Analysis ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of curcumin (CUR) on cycteinyl aspirate specific protease-12 (Caspase-12) and pneumocyte apoptosis in pulmonary ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury mice.

METHODSThe in vivo unilateral in situ pulmonary I/R injury mouse model was established in C57BL/6J mice. Sixty experimental mice were randomly divided into six groups by random digit table, i. e., the sham-operation group (Sham), the I/R group, the I/R + dimethyl sulfoxide group (I/R + DMSO), the I/R + low dose CUR pre-treated group (I/R + CUR-100), the I/R + middle dose CUR pre-treated group (I/R + CUR-150), the I/R + high dose CUR pre-treated group (I/R + CUR-200), 10 in each group. Mice were euthanized and their left lungs were excised. Wet lung weight to dry lung weight (W/D) and the total lung water content (TLW) were tested. The morphological changes of the lung tissue were observed and index of quantitative evaluation for alveolar damage (IQA) detected under light microscope. The ultra-microstructure of the lung tissue was observed under electron microscope. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Caspase-12 and glucose regulated protein (GRP78) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Apoptosis index (AI) of the lung tissue was determined by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.

RESULTSCompared with the Sham group, expression levels of Caspase-12, GRP78 mRNA and protein all significantly increased in the I/R group (P < 0.05); W/D, TLW, IQA, and AI were all notably higher (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the morphological and ultrastructural injury of the lung tissue were notably observed in I/R group. Compared with the I/R + DMSO group, expression levels of GRP78 mRNA and protein were increasingly higher in the I/R + CUR-100 group, the I/R + CUR-150 group, and the I/R +CUR-200 group (P < 0.05), expression levels of Caspase-12 mRNA and protein were lower (P < 0.05); W/D, TLW, IQA, and AI also decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the morphological and ultrastructural injury of the lung tissue were gradually alleviated in the I/R + CUR groups.

CONCLUSIONCUR had better effect on the lung protection against I/R injury, which might be related to inhibition for pneumocyte apoptosis associated with Caspase-12 in excessive unfolded protein response (UPR).

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control

To study the phenolic constituents from the dry stem of Juncus effusus L. , the constituents were isolated by normal-phase and reverse-phase silica gel column chromatography from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. Six phenolic constituents were purified and identified as 7-carboxy-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-vinyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1) , 2,3-isopylidene-1-O-ferulic acid glyceride ( 2 ) , ( 2S )-2, 3-isopylidene-1-0-p-coumaroyl glyceride (3 ) , dehydroeffusal ( 4 ) , p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5) and luteolin-5,3'-dimethyl ether (6). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds. Compounds 5 and 6 were isolated from Juncaceae plant for the first time. 13C NMR data of compound 6 were reported for the first time.
Anthracenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Benzaldehydes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Coumaric Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

XYL1 gene,which encodes xylose reductase with dual coenzyme activity from Candida tropicalis,was transformed into Pichia pastoris X-33 by expression vector pGAPZB.The recombination strain was immobilized in Ca-alginate beads and fermentation characterization is studied using corn cob hydrolysates.Fermentation conditions were as follow:initial pH value 6.0,30℃,initial cell concentration of 20%,the Liquid volume of 28%,rotation speed 130r/min.The average xylitol yield was 37.5% on the optimum condition.This result is expected to provide a new alternative method for producing xylitol on a large scale by bioconversion.

OBJECTIVETo study how CCR5delta32, CCR5m303, CCR2-64I, SDF1-3'A gene polymorphisms affect the prognosis of Chinese HIV-1 carrier.

METHODSEpidemiologic survey was done to the HIV-1 carriers who were found in Shenzhen area. PCR/RFLP technology was applied to analyze CCR5delta32, CCR5m303, CCR2-64I, SDF1-3'A gene polymorphisms of the HIV-1 carriers. The plasma virus load and CD4+ cell counting was assayed. The incubation period of some carriers was estimated. SPSS11.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSNo persons with CCR5delta32 and CCR5m303 mutation genotype were found from 189 HIV-1 carriers. SDF1-3'A allele frequency was 26.14% and CCR2-64I allele 19.82%. The carriers were divided into high virus load group (virus load < 20,000 copies/ml) and low virus load group (virus load > or =20,000 copies/ml). It was found by one-way ANOVA analysis on the logarithm of virus load that there was no significant difference between CCR2-64I wild genotype and cross bred genotype (P=0.272). One-way ANOVA analysis on delitescence of some carriers showed that there was not significant difference between CCR2-64I wild genotype and cross bred genotype (P=0.662). One-way ANOVA analysis on the logarithm of virus load showed that there was significant difference among SDF1-3'A wild genotype, cross bred genotype and pure mutation genotype (P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONCCR2-64I gene mutation may not significantly affect virus load of Chinese HIV-1 carriers, nor it affect the incubation period of HIV-1 carriers. SDF1-3'A gene mutation can decrease virus load, but it may not prolong the incubation period of HIV-1 carriers.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; Carrier State ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HIV-1 ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prognosis ; Receptors, CCR5 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanical properties of the prefabricated connective tissue tube as blood vessel substitute and its changes after implantation at the femoral artery.

METHODSThe acellular matrix tube of 8-12 cm in length with a silicone rod inside it was implanted into dog peritoneal cavity. 3 weeks later, a new formed tube around the silicone rod was transferred to the femoral artery as blood vessel substitute. The mechanical properties and histological examination of the blood vessel substitute were assessed and compared to those of the carotid artery and vein. 6 months after transfer, the patency of the blood vessels substitute was observed. The histological change was studied by light microscopy, scanning and transmitting electron microscopy.

RESULTS(1) The mechanical properties of blood vessel substitute was not as strong as artery, but better than the vein. (2) There were elastic and collagen fibers with many fibroblasts around the tube wall, but few mesothelial cells around the inner wall. All of the blood vessel substitutes (n = 6) were found to keep patency and the structure of the blood vessels substitutes became similar to femoral artery 6 months after they had been grafted to the femoral artery.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that tissue engineering in vivo is a good approach to construct vessels substitute. The tissue tubes made in dog's peritoneal cavity have good condition when it is used as a blood vessel substitutes.

Animals ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessels ; transplantation ; Carotid Arteries ; surgery ; Dogs ; Extracellular Matrix ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemic status of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes in Shenzhen and to study their transmission source and routes.

METHODSHIV-1 env and gag genes were amplified by nested PCR from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 122 HIV-1 carriers confirmed in Shenzhen. The C2-V3 region (about 450 bp) of HIV-1 env and P17/ P24 region were sequenced.

RESULTSAmong 122 samples, 6 HIV-1 strains including 3 circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) of CRF01_AE, CRF08_BC, CRF07_BC and 3 subtypes of B', B, C were found in Shenzhen, and the percentages were 45.1% (55/122) for CRF01_AE, 31.1% (38/122) for CRF08_BC, 6.6% (8/122) for CRF07_BC, 14.8% (18/122) for B' subtype, 1.6% (2/122) for B subtype, and 0.8% (1/122) for C subtype. The intragroup genetic distances were (4.455 +/- 1.478)%, (2.997 +/- 1.345)%, (4.380 +/- 2.024)%, (5.186 +/- 2.487)%, and (4.869 +/- 2.638)%, respectively. In comparison with the sequence of respective international strains 01AE. TH. 90. CM240, 97CNGX-9F, CN. 97. C54A, B. US. 83. JRFL, and RLA2, the genetic distances were (5. 228 +/- 0.823)%, (3.634 +/- 1.073)%, (4.233 +/- 1.119)%, (4.950 +/- 2.564)%, and (5.795 +/- 2.198)%, respectively. The major subtypes found in injection drug users (IDUs) were CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, and CRF01_AE strains. CRF01_AE and B' strains were epidemic mainly in sexual workers.

CONCLUSIONThere are 3 HIV-1 subtypes (B', B, C) and 3 CRFs (CRF01_AE, CRF08_BC, CRF07_BC) epidemics in Shenzhen. The predominant subtypes varies among different transmission routes. While CRF01_AE is predominant among sexual workers, CRF08_BC and CRF01_AE are major subtypes among IDU population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genes, env ; genetics ; Genes, gag ; genetics ; Genes, pol ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE Crosslink decellularized canine carotid artery allograft by EDC [1-3-(dimethylamino)propyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide methiodide] and evaluate the biocompatibility of it.

METHODSUse the multi-step detergent-enzyme method to construct decellularized canine carotid artery allograft and cross-link it by EDC with the weight ratio of decellularized artery to EDC 1:1 and 1:2. Evaluate the biocompatibility of it by the cytotoxical MTT test and the rat subdermal bury test.

RESULTSDecellularized canine carotid artery cross-linked by EDC has a lower degradation rate treated by collagenase type II, the result of MTT test show that the EDC cross-linked decellularized artery has no cytotoxity and the rat subdermal bury test show that crosslinking greatly enhance the ability of decellularize artery to resist the enzyme degradation and lower the immune reaction. The more the artery was cross-linked , the more effects it has.

CONCLUSIONSDecellularized canine carotid artery cross-linked by EDC has fairly good biocompatibility and ability to resist the collagenase degradation.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Carbodiimides ; Carotid Artery, Common ; transplantation ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Engineering