Background Conventional chemical method to fix the entire eyeball results in the edema of retinal nerve fiber layer and therefore influent the evaluation of tissue structure.Research showed that microwave irradiation can avoid this phenomenon. Objective This study was to investigate the appropriate energy and time duration of microwave irradiation for fixation of rabbit eyes specimen and compare the influence of different fixation methods on retinal structure. Methods Twenty-two New Zealand white rabbits were sacrificed by using venous air embolism.The eyeballs were enucleated from the rabbits and immersed in chemical reagents with glacial acetic acid,methyl aldehyde and chloroform for 2 days as the control group.The eyeballs were immersed in 400 ml physiological balance solution immediately,and then were fixed by microwave irradiation for 80,160,240 and 320 seconds under the lower power as the microwave irradiation groups.In the microwave irradiation+chemical fixation group,the specimens were immersed in chemical reagents for 1-2 hours after the microwave radiation.The morphology of retinal structure was examined and area of retinal detachment was calculated by hemotoxylin and eosin staining under the light microscope. Results A better fixation effect was obtained in the retinal section of microwave radiation for 240 seconds in comparison with that of the traditional chemical reagent fixation method for 2 days.The retina detachment ratio was 16.3%±11.5% for simple microwave method,50.0%±24.5% for chemical method,and 6.7%±7.8% for microwave+chemical method.showing a significant difference among 3 groups(F=32.43,P=0.000).Retinal staining was clear and retinal structure was almost normal in the specimens of microwave+chemical fixation group with 200-240 seeonds microwave irradiation and 1-2 hours chemical fixation. Conclusion Microwave irradiation method is a more ideal way for the fixation of retina because of taking short duration,lower toxicity and better staining.The combination of microwave radiation and chemical reagents can acquire an excellent quality of retinal section.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-tumor recurrent and metastatic efficacy of Ru'ai Shuhou Recipe (RSR) on HER2 positive breast cancer, to evaluate the effects of RSR on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the recurrence and metastasis of HER2 positive breast cancer, thus revealing its anti-tumor recurrent and metastatic mechanisms.

METHODSSelected were 30-week-old HER2/neu transgenic spontaneous breast cancer mice FVB/neu. The primary tumor resection was carried out. After surgery they were randomly divided into the blank control group, the RSR group, the Herceptin group, and the combination group (RSR + Herceptin group). The treatment lasted for 4 months. The inhibition rate of the recurrent tumor volume and the inhibition rate of the lung metastasis were evaluated. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1), and TIMP-2 in the recurrent tumor tissue were detected using Western blot.

RESULTSBy the end of the treatment the average recurrent tumor volume was 11.11 +/- 8.71 cm3 in the blank control group and 5.56 +/- 5.55 cm3 of the RSR group, showing statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.037). The average lung metastatic nodule was 16 in the blank control group and 10 in the RSR group. The inhibition rate of lung metastasis was 37. 85% in the RSR group, but with no statistical significance. The expression level of activated MMP-2 in the RSR group was down-regulated when compared with the blank control group, the Herceptin group, and the combination group (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP-9 of the RSR group, the Herceptin group, and the combination group was significantly down-regulated when compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP-9 of the RSR group and the combination group was further down-regulated when compared with the Herceptin group (P < 0.05). The expressions of both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 of the RSR group, the Herceptin group, and the combination group were all up-regulated when compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05). The increased expression of TIMP-1 was more significantly in the RSR group and the combination group when compared with the Herceptin group (P < 0.05). It was higher in the combination group than in the RSR group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRSR could inhibit the tumor recurrence of FVB/neu mice. It could reduce the degradation of extracellular matrix and increase the protective effects of extracellular matrix. It might achieve its anti-tumor effect through effecting the invasive and metastatic capabilities of breast tumor cells.

Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

Acute Disease ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestine, Small ; abnormalities

Abstract: Objective　This paper aims to explore the effect of live attenuated varicella vaccine on the sensitivity of tuberculin skin test(TST), and to provide reference for tuberculin skin test in the future. Methods　TST and emergency varicella vaccine were administered to students in grade one of a high school in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, who had both TB and varicella cases. Independent-samples t test was used to analyze the mean diameter of induration of TST in day 0, day 83 and day 195. The retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the effect of live attenuated varicella vaccine on TST. 　　Results　The mean induration diameter of 45 students who participated in three TST tests on day 0, day 83 and day 195 were analyzed by independent sample t test. On day 0, there was a difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the unvaccinated and vaccinated groups(1.630±2.837 vs 5.818±4.530) (t=-3.692, P=0.001). On day 83, there was no difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the two groups(0.001±0.001 vs 0.114±0.533) (t=-1.000, P=0.329). On day 195, there was a difference in the mean diameter of TST induration between the two groups(1.913±3.774 vs 5.023±5.126) (t=-2.309, P=0.026). Moreover, the retrospective cohort study showed that the mean diameter of TST induration changed more significantly after inoculation with varicella vaccine, RR=6.071, 95%CI (1.667-22.116), P<0.05; After inoculation with varicella vaccine, the mean diameter of TST test did not change significantly from day 0 to day 195 with no statistical significance RR=3.474, 95%CI (0.333-36.240), P>0.05. Conclusions　Live attenuated varicella vaccine may temporarily affect the sensitivity of tuberculin skin test.

The high price of the reference substances is an obstacle for the HPLC analysis of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. To solve this problem, a new method based on the standard reference extract (SRE) was proposed. In this study, the extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was calibrated, and the long-term stability was investigated. Different concentration solutions of SRE were prepared for establishment of the calibration profiles, and 6 organic acids were determined. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results via reference substances and SRE, and the results demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The presented method can be used for the quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and will also offer reference to resolve similar problems.
Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

BACKGROUNDThe goal of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is to restore knee kinematics. Knee prosthesis design plays a very important role in successful restoration. Here, kinematics models of normal and prosthetic knees were created and validated using previously published data.

METHODSComputed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of a healthy, anticorrosive female cadaver were used to establish a model of the entire lower limbs, including the femur, tibia, patella, fibula, distal femur cartilage, and medial and lateral menisci, as well as the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligaments. The data from the three-dimensional models of the normal knee joint and a posterior-stabilized (PS) knee prosthesis were imported into finite element analysis software to create the final kinematic model of the TKA prosthesis, which was then validated by comparison with a previous study. The displacement of the medial/lateral femur and the internal rotation angle of the tibia were analyzed during 0-135° flexion.

RESULTSBoth the output data trends and the measured values derived from the normal knee's kinematics model were very close to the results reported in a previous in vivo study, suggesting that this model can be used for further analyses. The PS knee prosthesis underwent an abnormal forward displacement compared with the normal knee and has insufficient, or insufficiently aggressive, "rollback" compared with the lateral femur of the normal knee. In addition, a certain degree of reverse rotation occurs during flexion of the PS knee prosthesis.

CONCLUSIONSThere were still several differences between the kinematics of the PS knee prosthesis and a normal knee, suggesting room for improving the design of the PS knee prosthesis. The abnormal kinematics during early flexion shows that the design of the articular surface played a vital role in improving the kinematics of the PS knee prosthesis.

Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Prosthesis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the basic procedure of endovascular stent-graft repair in the treatment of aortic arch aneurysm.

METHODS>From March 2000-February 2002, a total of 46 patients with aortic arch aneurysms were treated with the custom-made endovascular stent-graft. Of them, twenty-three patients (50%) had aneurysms at the middle of the arch, 22 patients (48%) had aneurysms at the arch-descending aorta, and 1 patient (2%) had aneurysm at the descending thoracic aorta. The diameter of all stents was 0.15 - 0.25 times larger than that of the aorta proximal to the entry tear of dissection or the opening of aneurysm. The diameter of the proximal end of the stents was ranged from 34 - 38 mm. The length of stents ranged from 90 - 120 mm. The stent was made of shape memory nitinol.

RESULTSThe stent was delivered successfully in 45 patients (98%). None of the patients had any access-related complications. Either the primary entry tear of aortic dissection or the inlet of aneurysm was occluded in 43 patients (96%), with an early endoleak in 2 patients (4%). All truth lumen of the dissection recovered to normal. Of the patients in acute period, 1 was referred to surgical repair and 2 died. Follow-up for 1 month to 23 months, showed late endoleak in 3 patients (7%). Forty-three patients restored normal life.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular stent-graft could be applied in the repair of aortic arch aneurysm. Further studies are needed to to assess the long-term efficacy of this method.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To compare the anesthetic effects of interscalene brachial plexus combined with ulnar nerve and axillary brachial plexus block guided by nerve stimulator. Methods Eighty patients belonging to ASA ⅠorⅡ and undergoing replantation of severed palm or wrist were divided randomly into 2 groups, Each group had 40 patients. Nerve stimulator guided nerve block. Patients in groupⅠreceived interscalene brachial plexus combined with ulnar nerve block, and those in groupⅡreceived axillary brachial plexus block. The onset time, hold time, tourniquet tolerance of radial nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve of two groups was recorded. The phrenic nerve block, Horner′s syndrome and recurrent laryngeal nerve block was compared between two groups. Results The onset time of radial nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve in group Ⅰwas (5.13 ± 0.76), (7.13 ± 1.04), (3.23 ± 0.62) min , in group Ⅱ was (9.23 ± 1.61), (12.35 ± 1.76), (8.83 ± 1.13) min, and there were significant differences (P<0.05). The excellent rates of sensory block of radial nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve in group Ⅰ were 90.0%(36/40), 85.0%(34/40), 97.5%(39/40), in group Ⅱ were 72.5%(29/40), 65.0%(26/40), 70.0%(28/40), and there were significant differences (P<0.05). The full rates of motor block of radial nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve in groupⅠwere 75.0%(30/40), 37.5%(27/40), 80.0%(32/40), in groupⅡ were 47.5%(19/40), 40.0%(16/40), 45.0%(18/40), and there were significant differences (P < 0.05). The tourniquet tolerance rate in group Ⅰwas significantly higher than that in groupⅡ:90.0%(36/40) vs. 62.5%(25/40) , P<0.05. In groupⅠ, phrenic nerve block occurred in 2 patients, and Horner syndrome occurred in 1 patient. None had laryngeal recurrent nerve block in both group. Conclusions The interscalene brachial plexus combined with ulnar nerve block guided by nerve stimulator is more suitable for a long time microsurgery of the palm or wrist, because it takes action faster, has better sensory and motor block effects, improves the rate of tourniquet tolerance without increasing untoward reaction.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of antithrombinⅢ(AT3)gene in hepatocellu-lar carcinoma(HCC)and its relationship with clinical features and prognosis.Methods The profiles of gene expression and related clinical data of 214 HCC tissues were collected from the public database.Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the associa-tion between the level of AT3 expression and clinical features,and the prognosis.Results Univariate analysis showed that with the low expression of AT3 in HCC tissues,there were a higher level of blood alpha fetoprotein(AFP)(P<0.001),a larger tumor size(P=0.015),a poorer TNM stage(P=0.001),and a higher metastasis risk(P<0.001).Survival analysis showed that tumor size was larger(P=0.023),multiple nodules(P=0.047),simultaneous cirrhosis(P=0.016),a poorer TNM stage(P<0.001),a higher metastasis risk(P=0.001),and the lower expression of AT3(P=0.005).These were the risk factors of prognosis.Multivarate Cox a-nalysis also showed a negative association between the expression of AT3 and the prognosis of HCC(HR=0.850,95% CI:0.745~0.970,P=0.016).Conclusion The expression of AT3 in HCC is associated with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients.The low expression of AT3 is one of the risk factors for the prognosis of HCC.

OBJECTIVETo establish the methods of calculating and analyzing the multi-coefficient of variation significance test for the toxicology study.

METHODSThe paper aimed to confirm the significance level with the method of Bonferroni and then compared the methods of calculating and analyzing of the experiment groups with the control group respectively.

RESULTSThe significance level of multi-coefficient of variation significance test was confirmed as alpha1=0.0167. Compared with the control groups, the activity of ALT in serum both in 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups did not change in the average significance test, which was not statistically significant (P>0.05), while it changed in the variation significance test, which was of statistical significance (P<0.0167). The activity of AST in serum in 60 mg/kg group did not change in the average significance test (P>0.05), while it changed in the variation significance test (P<0.0167).

CONCLUSIONThe complete changes of the indexes can only be shown by use of both the average significance test and the variation significance test together.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Lead Poisoning ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Statistical Distributions