BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that the responses of myocardium to short periods of ischemia/reperfusion are associated with changes in the expressions of a variety of genes. However, the characteristics of these changes are unknown.OBJECTIVE: To clone and analyze a stress-inducible gene characteristics in order to study the molecular mechanism of myocardium to short periods of ischemia/reperfusion damage.DESIGN: A controlled animal study.SETTING: Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.MATERIALS: Sixteen castrated male German Landrace-type domestic porcines, weighing between 21 and 39 kg, were provided by the laboratory of Department of Experimental of Cardiology at Bad Nauheim in Germany. The porcines were randomly divided into two groups ischemia/reperfusion group (n =14) and control group (n =2). The porcines in the ischemia/reperfusion group were observed at 0, 30 and 90 minutes of reperfusion after reocclusion, and ischemia and non-ischemia myocardial tissues were harvested from each pocrine.METHODS: The experiments were performed in the laboratory of Department of Experimental Cardiology of Max-Planck Institute for Physiological and Clinical Research at Bad Nauheim in Germany and the Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July in 1998 to May in 2007. All the animals were anesthetized and thoracotomized. Following 30 minutes of stabilization, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 10 minutes followed by 30-minute reperfusion and then another 10-minute reocclusion. The porcines were killed immediately at corresponding time points. The sham-operated animals were killed without occlusion. Experimental tissue was removed from the LAD area and control tissue from the region of the left circumflex coronary artery area. Firstly, a porcine heart cDNA library was screened, DNA and deduced amino acid sequences were then analyzed. Meanwhile, short periods of myocardium ischemia/reperfusion was performed by occluding porcine LAD followed by reperfusion as mentioned above, and total RNAs isolated from myocardium or a variety of other tissues were used for Northern blotting. Quantitation of mRNA levels was accomplished by using a PhosphorImager and Image Quant software, the ration of mRNA/18S rRNA was suggested as the level of gene expression.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① DNA and amino acid sequences analysis of the cloned gene; ② Analysis of the cloned gene expression.RESULTS: All the 16 porcines were involved in the final analysis of results. After screening, a cDNA fragment with 3 461 base pairs was obtained. DNA sequencing and searching revealed that this cDNA shared 86% identity to human structural maintenance of chromosome 6 gene (hSMC6), and 84% identity to Mus musculus SMC6 (mSMC6). Furthermore, a largest polypeptide deduced from this cDNA contained 1007 amino acid residues, and protein homology searching indicated that the predicted polypeptide carried 92% and 89% identity to hSMC6 or mSMC6 protein respectively. Thus, the cloned cDNA was referred to as a porcine homology gene to hSMC6 (pSMC6). The results of Northern blotting showed that the expression of the pSMC6 mRNA in ischemia/reperfusion myocardium was increased, and its mRNA existed in all organs tested. CONCLUSION: A stress-inducible gene of pSMC6 from porcine myocardium has been cloned, which is high homology to hSMC6 gene, and the pSMC6 or along with other molecules is possible involved in the early repair of myocardium to DNA damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion in the porcine heart.

The distribution of TrkA and the postnatal development(PD) of TrkA and ChAT-immunoreactive(-IR) neurons andthe relation between them in the basal nucleus of Meynert of rats were studied with immunohistochemical method. The number,mean profile areas and grey degree of TrkA-IR and ChAT-IR neurons were examined with image analyser. The data revealed thatTrkA-IR neurons were localized in the basal forebrain of rats. TrkA immunostaining was present at PDI, but ChAT was not.ChAT immunostaining was present at PD5. Most densely stained TrkA and ChAT neuronal bodies and fibers were present atPD20, the mean grey degrees of TrkA-IR and ChAT-IR neuronal profiles reached its peak. Both TrkA and ChAT neurons beganto cline at PD30 and maintained a relatively higher level in the adult. However, during aging both TrkA and ChAT-IR neuronsatrophy and became smaller than that in the adult. The number of TrkA-IR and ChAT-IR neurons were decreased by 41.38% and 51.61%; the mean profile areas decreased by 15.7% and 12.8%; and the mean grey degrees by 29.9% and 9.9%, respec-tively. The mean profile areas of TrkA-IR and ChAT-IR neurons from PD5 to aged rats were positively correlated. The resultsindicated that the expression of TrkA was earlier than ChAT. The expression of TrkA and ChAT followed a very similar tempo-ral pattern in the basal nucleus of Meynert from PD5 to aged rats, suggesting that TrkA might participate the regulation ofChAT-IR neuronal development, differentiation, maturation, and ageing. The down-regulation of TrkA and ChAT of aged ratsis associated with neuronal atrophy and loss and may contribute to the pronounced vulnerability of these neurons to degenerationin aging animals and Alzheimer's disease.

By means of cell hybridization in situ with digoxigenin labeled probe, we detected the expression of C-myc protooncogene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 31 SLE patients and 10 healthy persons. The results showed that the level of C-myc mRNA in SLE patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls, and the increased level correlated with disease activity. There was also a positive correlation between C-myc mRNA and serum levels of ANA, anti-dsDNA, IgG, C3. Our study indicates that C-myc gene is important for the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objective To detect the expression of integrin ?5?1 in restenosed human vein grafts.Methods The expression of integrin ?5?1 and ?-smooth muscle actin(?-SMA) in 30 resected restenosed human vein grafts(from Kerfuff clinical hospital of Germany) was detected by confocal immunofluorescence with specific antibodies against ?5?1 and ?-SMA.Images were processed with Silicon Graphics Octane.Results In normal veins,integrin ?5?1 expression was very weak in media smooth muscle cells and in endothelium,and ?-SMA expression was present in media smooth muscle cells.In the restenosed vein grafts,integrin ?5?1 was strongly stained in the media smooth muscle cells and intimal endothelial cells,and moderately in the intimal smooth muscle cells,?-SMA was present in media smooth muscle cells and in the intimal smooth muscle cells.Conclusion Our research reveals that integrin ?5?1 is significantly upregulated in the media smooth muscle cells and intimal endothelial cells in the restenosed human vein grafts,suggesting the participation of integrin ?5?1 in the restenosis formation of human vein grafts.

Objective To observe the efifcacy and safety of XELOX plus bevacizumab as a ifrst-ine treatment for Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods In this study, we retrospectively reviewed cases in which XELOX plus bevacizumab were administered in order to evaluate its efifcacy and safety in clinical practice.In total, 40 patients with mCRC who presented at Fuchu Hospital received XELOX plus bevacizumab as a ifrst?line treatment from September, 2009 to April, 2012. Eligible patients had histologically conifrmed mCRC. XELOX consisted of a 2-h intravenous infusion of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 on day 1 plus oral capecitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 twice daily for two weeks of athree?week cycle. Overall survival (OS) and survival benefit were analyzed when patients continued with XELOX plus bevacizumab beyond disease progression. Results The median progression?free survival (PFS) was 290 days [95%conif-dence interval (CI):222?409 days] and the median OS was 816 days (95%CI:490?842 days). The response rate (RR:complete plus partial response) was 67.5%, and the disease control rate (RR plus stable disease) was 90%. Conclusion XELOX plus bevacizumab may be considered a routine ifrst?line treatment option for patients with mCRC.

Objective To investigate the nutrition statuses of thiamine and riboflavin and their relationship with the antioxidant capacity and blood glucose and lipids levels in the middle-aged and elderly. Methods Totally 314 subjects aged above 40 years old from communities in Shanghai were enrolled. The 3-day survey of 24-hour's diet recall was made to evaluate the daily nutrient intakes using a nutrition assessment software provided by CDC China. Thiamine and riboflavin levels were detected by urine load test. Fasting blood glucose ( FBG), total choles-terol (TC), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were deter-mined by commercial kits. Results The average daily intakes of thiamine and riboflavin were (0. 82 + 0. 36) and (0. 91 +0.48) rag, respectively. The middle-aged and elderly whose intakes of thiamine and riboflavin reached recommended nutrient intake (RNI) level accounted for 11.8% and 17.2%, while those lower than 60% RNI ac-counted for 51.3% and 49. 4%, respectively. Urine load test showed the deficiency rates of thiamine and ribofla-vin were 65.0% and 58.6%, respectively. Compared with the normal group, plasma MDA, FBG, TC, and TG levels progressively increased and SOD activity decreased in insufficient and deficient groups; the plasma MDA, FBG, and TC levels were significantly different between normal group and thiamine deficient group ( P < 0. 05 ).The FBG and TC levels were negatively correlated with the status of thiamine ( r = - 0. 246, r = - 0. 154, P <0. 05). The MDA and TG levels were negatively correlated with the status of riboflavin ( r = - 0. 136, r =-0. 297, P <0. 05). Conclusions The nutrition statuses of thiamine and riboflavin are poor in the middle-aged and elderly in Shanghai. The nutritional statuses of thiamine and riboflavin are positively correlated with the antioxi- dant capacities and are negatively correlated with the level of FBG, TC, and TG.

Objective To study the relationship between trace elements and blood lipids and glucose in Shanghai adults. Methods Totally 245 subjects aged above 18 years from two communities in Shanghai were en-rolled into this study. Blood trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Pb, Mn, and Cd) were examined with atom ab-serption spectrophotometry. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip rate (WHR), and blood pressure (SBP, DBP)were also determined. Results Compared with the normal control group, plasma Fe and Mn levels were signifi-cantly lower while Zn and Zn/Cu levels were significantly higher in hyperlipemia group (P <0.05 or P <0. 01 ) ;plasma Zn, Zn/Cu, and Mn levels were significantly lower while Cu and Pb levels were significantly higher in dia- betes mellitus group (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01 ) . A tendency of lower Mg and higher Cd levels were also found in both disease groups, but there were no statistical significance ( P >0. 05 ). Conclusions The metabolism of trace elements is abnormal in patients with hyperlipemia and diabetes mellitus. Intervention of these trace elements disor-der may be valuable in the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

Twenty-six strains of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated in cultured fish and soft-shelled turtles were collected from various areas of China. Their susceptibilities to 21 antibacterial agents were studied by disc diffusion method. It was showed that all strains tcsted were resistant to pcnieillin and cephalosporins. Most of the strains were sensitive to norfloxacin, chloramphenicol and furazolidone, but up to 73.1%, 70. 1% and 50. 0% of strains tested showed resistance to sulfonamides, aminogylcosides and tetracyclines respectively. Meanwhile, their susceptibilities were examined by micro-dilution procedure against 8 commonly used antibacterials including ampicillin, furazolidone, teltracycline, oxytetracyeline ,steptomycin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides and ciprofloxacin. Only two of 26 strains of A. hydrophila were sensitive to all drugs tested except ampicillin. The remaining 24 strains were resistant to various combinations of 8 drugs. Majority of the strains carried a marker of resistance to 2～3 drugs and highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. The results indicated that A. hydrophila was highly resistant to most of common antibioties in China and more new antibacterials should be introduced into aquaculture to control ever-increasing fish diseases. The criterion for drug resistant bacteria was also discussed in this paper.

Background and purpose:Stromal tumor is one of the common gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. There is certain understanding about the typical cases. However, the diagnosis of those occurring in rare location or with rare imaging findings is often difficult. This research summarized this kind of cases,in order to increase the radiological knowledge of the disease.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed clinical, radiological and pathological data from 550 patients who had stromal tumor conifrmed by pathology in our hospital. Those with incomplete data were eliminated. Forty-nine patients were selected for further study according to the typical imaging findings.Results:Among these 49 patients, 9 were pathologically confirmed to have extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor, while 40 patients had gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Among the patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor, 22 were found in rare locations, 12 in retroperitoneal space, 3 in omentum majus and mesenterium, 5 in esophagus, and 2 in prostate. Obvious cystic degeneration was found in 16 patients. Bulky calciifcation, such as lfake or annulus, was found in 7 patients. The analysis result of risk-stratiifcation showed 19 patients were conifrmed as high-grade among the patients with tumors found in rare locations, 15 as high grade among those with obvious cystic degeneration, and 7 as high-grade among those with extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor.Conclusion:Rare stromal tumor often occurs in the locations, such as retroperitoneal space, omentum majus and mesenterium. Obvious cystic degeneration and bulky calciifcation can be seen. The risk-stratiifcation of these patients often showed high-grade. Comprehensively analyzing its clinical features and imaging ifndings can help improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods A total of 161 patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH underwent PVP via transurethral with Niagara PV TM system.The therapeutic results were assessed using following variables:the safety and efficacy of sacral anesthesia,blood loss,operative time,indwelling catheterization,mean Qmax,IPSS,QOL and the sexual function. Results The PVP was successfully performed on all the 161 patients with BPH.There were 160 patients under sacral anesthesia and only 1 under epidural anesthesia.The mean operative time was (44.5?22.4)min (range,15～210 min).All patients had minimal or no blood loss and no patients required blood transfusion.No postoperative catheterization was needed in 21 patients. The mean catheterization time was (34.4? 20.8 )h (range,24-72 h).Postoperatively 2 cases had transient dysuria and 2 experienced delayed hematuria.All cases were followed up for 3 to 6 months after treatment.The mean Qmax increased from (6.5? 2.4 )ml/s to (19.8?2.1)ml/s;mean IPSS and QOL decreased to 5.8?1.6 and 1.7?0.4,respectively,which showed significant improvement,compared with those before operation( P