Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in cartilage of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of KOA. Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group and an acupuncture-moxibustion group by random digits table, 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the acupuncture-moxibustion group were injected with papain in the right posterior knee joint to prepare the models. The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in rat synovium of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 2 weeks of treatment. The level of TGF-β1 was determined by Motic B5 Micro-camera system. Results:The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the cartilage of the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (allP<0.01); the levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were higher than those in the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The level of TGF-β1 in cartilage tissues of the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.01); the level of TGF-β1 in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but it was lower than that in the blank control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion can effectively recover the abnormal expressions of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in KOA model rats and somewhat up-regulate TGF-β1, which may be one of its mechanisms of acupuncture plus thunder-fire for KOA.

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.

Objectives:To evaluate the use of needle catheter jejunostomy for early enteral nutrition in liver transplant recipients . Methods:Five liver transplant recipients who had indication were performed with needle catheter jejunostomy before abdominal wall closure.The Flocare jejunokath was inserted on the small bowel at the point 20 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz,continued to go ahead in the wall of the bowel for a distance of about 4～5 cm,and then pierced into bowel lumen.Enteral nutrition was given through jejunostic tube at postoperative 1st day. Results:The time for placing needle catheter jejunostomy during operation was (9.2?2.3)min.The jejunostic tube was used well and pulled out from 14 to 46 days after operation.One patient occurred with jejunostic tube obstruction, and the tube was reused after treatment.No other complication occurred associated with needle catheter jejunostomy. Conclusions:Needle catheter jejunostomy may become the preferable method for early enteral nutrition in indicated liver transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of adenovirus delivered tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (Ad-TIMP-3) on the biological behaviors of cervical cancer cell lines and to evaluate its potential application in cervical cancer gene therapy.

METHODSWe transferred Ad-TIMP-3 into cervical cancer cells. The TIMP-3 mRNA expression was assessed by RT-PCR, and the TIMP-3 and p53 protein expressions were assessed with Western blot. The apoptotic changes of cells were illustrated with morphology and DAPI staining. The viability of cells was determined with MTT assay. The abilities of in vitro invasion and adhesion were evaluated by the invasion and adhesion assays respectively.

RESULTSAfter infection, the TIMP-3 mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner. Overexpression of TIMP-3 markedly increased p53 protein level in spite of the backgrounds of p53 gene in cells. Ad-TIMP-3 infection induced massive apoptosis of cervical cancer cells with a marked bystander effect. The abilities of in vitro invasion and adhesion were inhibited significantly (P < 0.01). The cytotoxicity of Ad-TIMP-3 was significantly stronger than that of Ad-p53 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAd-TIMP-3 infection has cytotoxic effects on cervical cancer cells and can inhibit the expressions of these malignant phenotypes. Ad-TIMP-3 may be a potentially useful agent for cervical cancer gene therapy.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo establish a method through which murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be induced into hepatocytes in vitro.

METHODSA conditioned medium of injured hepatocytes (with CCl4 in vivo) was used to culture the isolated MSCs. The differentiated cells were identified by morphological observation, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence assay (for AFP, Albumin, and CK18) and periodic acid schiff reaction (PAS) for glycogen.

RESULTSThe differentiated cells showed characteristics of hepatocytes. PT-PCR detected AFP mRNA on day 5 and it increased gradually until day 15, and then decreased; CK18 mRNA was detected on day 10; TAT was detected on day 20. Immunofluorescence assay for AFP, albumin and CK18 showed positive staining reactions on day 20. PAS positive glycogen granules appeared in the cytoplasm of the differentiated cells.

CONCLUSIONMSCs of adult mice cultured in a conditioned medium of injured hepatocytes can differentiate into hepatocytes. This method can be used in further studying of the mechanism of transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR

BACKGROUNDTricuspid regurgitation (TR) is frequently associated with severe mitral stenosis (MS), the importance of significant TR was often neglected. However, TR influences the outcome of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) procedure in rheumatic heart disease patients with mitral valve (MV) stenosis and tricuspid valve regurgitation.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in this study due to rheumatic heart disease with MS combined with TR. Mitral balloon catheter made in China was used to expand MV. The following parameters were measured before and after PBMV: MV area (MVA), TR area (TRA), atrial pressure and diameter, and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). The patients were followed for 6 months to 9 years.

RESULTSAfter PBMV, the MVAs increased significantly (1.7 ± 0.3 cm 2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.3 cm 2 , P < 0.01); TRA significantly decreased (6.3 ± 1.7 cm 2 vs. 14.2 ± 6.5 cm 2 , P < 0.01), right atrial area (RAA) decreased significantly (21.5 ± 4.5 cm 2 vs. 25.4 ± 4.3 cm 2 , P < 0.05), TRA/RAA (%) decreased significantly (29.3 ± 3.2% vs. 44.2 ± 3.6%, P < 0.01). TR velocity (TRV) and TR continue time (TRT) as well as TRV × TRT decreased significantly (183.4 ± 9.4 cm/s vs. 254.5 ± 10.7 cm/s, P < 0.01; 185.7 ± 13.6 ms vs. 238.6 ± 11.3 ms, P < 0.01; 34.2 ± 5.6 cm vs. 60.7 ± 8.5 cm, P < 0.01, respectively). The postoperative left atrial diameter (LAD) significantly reduced (41.3 ± 6.2 mm vs. 49.8 ± 6.8 mm, P < 0.01) and the postoperative right atrial diameter (RAD) significantly reduced (28.7 ± 5.6 mm vs. 46.5 ± 6.3 mm, P < 0.01); the postoperative left atrium pressure significantly reduced (15.6 ± 6.1 mmHg vs. 26.5 ± 6.6 mmHg, P < 0.01), the postoperative right atrial pressure decreased significantly (13.2 ± 2.4 mmHg vs. 18.5 ± 4.3 mmHg, P < 0.01). The pulmonary arterial pressure decreased significantly after PBMV (48.2 ± 10.3 mmHg vs. 60.6 ± 15.5 mmHg, P < 0.01). The symptom of chest tightness and short of breath obviously alleviated. All cases followed-up for 6 months to 9 years (average 75 ± 32 months), 2 patients with severe regurgitation died (1 case of massive cerebral infarction, and 1 case of heart failure after 6 years and 8 years, respectively), 2 cases lost access. At the end of follow-up, MVA has been reduced compared with the postoperative (1.4 ± 0.4 cm 2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3 cm 2 , P < 0.05); LAD slightly increased compared with the postoperative (45.2 ± 5.7 mm vs. 41.4 ± 6.3 mm, P < 0.05), RAD slightly also increased compared with the postoperative (36.1 ± 6.3 mm vs. 28.6 ± 5.5 mm, P < 0.05), but did not recover to the preoperative level. TRA slightly increased compared with the postoperative, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The PAP and left ventricular ejection fraction appeared no statistical difference compared with the postoperative (P > 0.05), the remaining patients without serious complications.

CONCLUSIONSPBMV is a safe and effective procedure for MS combined with TR in patients of rheumatic heart disease. It can alleviate the symptoms and reduce the size of TR. It can also improve the quality-of-life and prognosis. Its recent and mid-term efficacy is certain. While its long-term efficacy remains to be observed.

Adult ; Aged ; Balloon Valvuloplasty ; methods ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy

BACKGROUND:At present,most of the experiments on the treatment of skin wound by mesenchymal stem cells have been performed in rats,mice and rabbits,while the research on skin wound treatment by canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem calls is less reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem calls on skin wound healing.METHODS:A 3 cmx3 cm wound was made on the both sides of the scapula and buttocks of the dog,with the right side as experimental group and the left side as control group.After the wound was made,allogeneic canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem calls suspension was injected subcutaneously around the wound in the experimental group on the 1st and 3rd days.The control group was injected subcutaneously around the wound with mesenchymal stem call culture medium on the 1st and 3rd days after the wound was made.Wound healing was observed dynamically in both groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the 1st week,there were pale yellow inflammatory substances in the wound of two groups indicating obvious inflammations.Compared with the control group,the inflammatory substances were fewer and the growth rate of the granulation tissue was faster in the experimental group.From the 2nd week until the wound healing,epithelialization on the wound became obvious following the formation of the granulation tissue,which was mainly displayed by the formation of fresh epithelial tissues from the surrounding to the wound center.The epithelialization time of the experimental group was earlier than that of the control group,and the wound area of the experimental group was smaller than that of the control group.In the 3rd week,the wound in the experimental group healed completely,and became smoother than that in the control group.The wound area of the experimental group was slightly smaller than that of the control group on the 8th and 12th days after cell transplantation,and the healing speed of the experimental group was slightly faster than that of the control group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups.Our findings indicate that the transplantation of canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells has the possibility or trend to promote skin wound healing.

BACKGROUNDMore and more percutaneous coronary intervention were done from radial artery approach. But the great limitation of radial artery approach and main failure cause of transradial coronary intervention is smaller size and more variations of a radial artery approach. The aim of the study is to explore the features and variations of a radial artery approach in southern Chinese populations and their clinical significance in percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODSA total of 1400 patients who underwent scheduled first time transradial coronary angiography between July 2007 and September 2010 were enrolled. Radial arteriography was performed in all patients to detect the anatomical variations of this vessel. All patients' radial and ulnar artery inner diameters were measured using a computer assisted quantification method. A detailed patient history was recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of variables (including age, gender, ethnicity, height, weight, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia) in arterial tortuosities and variations of this vessel.

RESULTSIn southern Chinese populations, there were no significant differences in the diameters of the forearm arteries: the mean radial artery inner diameter was (3.04 ± 0.43) mm in ethnic Han Chinese and (3.05 ± 0.42) mm in ethnic Zhuang Chinese, P > 0.05), the mean ulnar artery inner diameter was (3.03 ± 0.38) mm in Han Chinese and (3.05 ± 0.36) mm in Zhuang Chinese, P > 0.05). It was estimated that the inner diameter of the radial artery was not smaller than a 6F Cordis sheath in 86.1% of male patients and in 57.0% of female patients, and not smaller than a 7F Cordis sheath in 59.3% of male patients and 24.9% of female patients. The factors found to positively affect the size of the radial artery were sex (bj = 0.309, P < 0.01), weight (bj = 0.103, P < 0.01), and diabetes mellitus (bj = -0.088, P < 0.01) was found to negatively affect radial artery size. Arterial tortuosities occurred in 12.1% of patients and arterial variations in 4.1%. The incidence of tortuosities and variations included radial artery tortuosity (3.6%), high origin of radial artery (1.7%), radial artery loop (0.6%), double radial artery (0.1%), brachial artery tortuosity (0.4%), double brachial artery (0.1%), subclavian artery tortuosity (5.4%), small subclavian artery (0.4%), right retro-esophageal subclavian artery (0.6%), brachiocephalic trunk tortuosity (2.8%), small brachiocephalic artery (0.1%), and brachiocephalic artery anomaly (0.4%). For people in Guangxi province, tortuosities of the subclavian artery and radial artery are the most common among the vascular tortuosities of the radial artery approach. The overall rate of transradial procedural success was 96.1%. Procedural failure was more common in patients with anomalous radial artery approach than in patients with normal radial artery approach (22.8% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.000). According to multivariate Logistic regression analysis, age (OR = 2.695, 95%CI 2.232 - 3.253, P = 0.000), female gender (OR = 5.127, 95%CI 3.000 - 8.762, P = 0.000), height (OR = 0.612, 95%CI 0.465 - 0.807, P = 0.000), body mass index (OR = 2.377, 95%CI 1.834 - 3.082, P = 0.000), hypertension (OR = 1.668, 95%CI 1.132 - 2.458, P = 0.010), hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.273, 95%CI 1.425 - 2.049, P = 0.034) and smoking (OR = 5.750, 95%CI 3.636 - 9.093, P = 0.000), were independently associated with arterial tortuosities of the radial artery approach. Female gender was independently associated with arterial variations of the radial artery approach (OR = 3.613, 95%CI 3.208 - 7.826, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe diameters of the radial and ulnar arteries between the Han people and the Zhuang people in southern Chinese populations are similar. In a transradial operation, the most southern Chinese populations, the use of a 6F sheath and guiding catheter is safe, and using a 7F sheath and guiding catheter is feasible in some selected patients. Radial arterial tortuosities and variations in southern Chinese populations are relatively common and are a significant cause of the failure of transradial coronary procedure. Old age, female gender, short stature, high body mass index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, were independently associated with an increased risk of arterial tortuosity. In addition, female gender was an independent predictor of arterial variations.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Coronary Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo make multi-central clinical evaluation of the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel for treatment of infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.

METHODSBy using multi-central, randomized and controlled method, 275 cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 137) and a control group (n = 138). The observation group were treated by the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel, and the control group by routine massage therapy in Tuina Science, a teaching material for college and school of TCM. After treatment for 7 days, their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe cured rate was 83.2% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with a signifi cant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being better than the latter. The mean cured time was (3.22 +/- 1.04) days in the observation group and (4.20 +/- 1.11) days in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being shorter than the latter.

CONCLUSIONThe massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel has a definite therapeutic effect on infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, with rapid effect.

Combined Modality Therapy ; Diarrhea, Infantile ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Massage ; Qi ; Splenic Diseases ; therapy