OBJECTIVETo explore a new method in estimating extent and degree of arterial injury in upper limbs sustaining high tension electric burns.

METHODSEighteen patients (twenty-four upper limbs) with high tension electricity injury were admitted from December 1998 to September 2002, The damaged limbs consisted of four parts: wrist wound part, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm parts around wrist wound, where the radial and ulnar arteries were detected using B ultrasound and color WP Doppler examination. The changes of endangium, vessel diameter, thickness of the vessel wall and volume of blood flow were recorded respectively. The parameters of normal radial and ulnar arteries were also determined as normal control.

RESULTSB ultrasound and color WP Doppler examination showed that the endangium in radial and ulnar arteries become coarse, edema or exfoliation. The vessel wall was thicker than that of the normal control and the thickness was heterogeneity. The vessel wall could be necrosis in severe patient and the vessel cavity was stricture or beaded. Thrombosis or occlusion could occur at the site of severe injury area in vessel. The decrease in volume of blood flow was observed. The condition of the radial and ulnar arteries become well apart from 10 - 15 cm of wrist wound.

CONCLUSIONSThe ultrasonography can be used to detect the changes in endangium, diameter, thickness of the vessel wall, blood flow volume in injury blood vessel caused by electric burn injury. It is helpful in judging the degree and extent of injury vessel and could be a safe, non-invasive diagnostic method and is worth popularizing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ulnar Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist Injuries ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo establish a mouse model of iron overload by intraperitoneal injection of iron dextran and investigate the impact of iron overload on bone marrow hematopoiesis.

METHODSA total of 40 C57BL/6 mice were divided into control group, low-dose iron group (12.5 mg/ml), middle-dose iron group (25 mg/ml), and high-dose iron group (50 mg/ml). The control group received normal saline (0.2 ml), and the rest were injected with intraperitoneal iron dextran every three days for six weeks. Iron overload was confirmed by observing the bone marrow, hepatic, and splenic iron deposits and the bone marrow labile iron pool. In addition, peripheral blood and bone marrow mononuclear cells were counted and the hematopoietic function was assessed.

RESULTSIron deposits in bone marrow, liver, and spleen were markedly increased in the mouse models. Bone marrow iron was deposited mostly within the matrix with no significant difference in expression of labile iron pool.Compared with control group, the ability of hematopoietic colony-forming in three interventional groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Bone marrow mononuclear cells counts showed no significant difference. The amounts of peripheral blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin) in different iron groups showed no significant difference among these groups;although the platelets were decreased slightly in low-dose iron group [(780.7±39.60)×10(9)/L], middle dose iron group [(676.2±21.43)×10(9)/L], and high-dose iron group [(587.3±19.67)×10(9)/L] when compared with the control group [(926.0±28.23)×10(9)/L], there was no significant difference(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe iron-overloaded mouse model was successfully established by intraperitoneal administration of iron dextran. Iron overload can damage the hepatic, splenic, and bone marrow hematopoietic function, although no significant difference was observed in peripheral blood count.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Iron Overload ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Iron-Dextran Complex ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spleen ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference between digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and type B ultrasonography in the evaluation of vascular injury in patients inflicted with high voltage electrical injury.

METHODSNineteen patients with high voltage electrical injury of upper limbs were enrolled in the study as burn group, and another 12 healthy volunteers as controls. The endovascular membrane, vascular wall thickness, intra-vascular blood flow and endovascular thrombosis formation of ulnar and radial arteries at wound site and in regions 5, 10 and 15 cm proximal to the wounds were examined by DSA and type B ultrasonography and compared with imagings of healthy volunteers as control. The injury degree of the ulnar and radial arteries was examined during operation for evaluation to corroborate with DSA and ultrasonography findings. Necrotic and/or thrombotic vessels were excised and sent for pathomorphological examination.

RESULTSBy DSA images abnormal signs as thrombosis, vascular lumen stenosis and blood flow deceleration were found in 14 ulnar and 11 radial arteries, and the signs were more pronounced in ulnar arteries. By type B ultrasonography, abnormal signs as roughing of tunica intima, swelling or exfoliation, thickening of vascular wall, lumen stenosis, decreased blood flow, even necrosis of vascular wall and thrombosis were identified in 19 ulnar and 16 radial arteries in burn group (P < 0.05 approximately 0.01). The blood flow in ulnar artery 5 cm to the approximal part of the wound edge was obvious lower than that of the control (31.60 +/- 13.90 ml/min vs 47.70 +/- 9.60 ml/min, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONType B ultrasonography and DSA could be helpful in the evaluation of vascular injury in patients inflicted with high voltage electrical injury.

Adult ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Burns, Electric ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ulnar Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of deep electric injury.

METHODSHP-IPHX high resolution color and pulse doppler ultrasonography was employed in the study. The hemodynamic indices were determined in the burn wound area and tissues 5 - 15 cm proximal to the wound in 12 patients with deep electric injury. At the same time, injuries to subcutaneous and muscular tissue and blood vessels (fifty-six blood vessels detected) were detected.

RESULTS1. It was found by two-dimentional ultrasonography that the injury degree in different tissue after deep electric injury was different, i.e. blood vessels were most liable to injury followed by muscles and subcutaneous tissue. In the burn wound area, endothelium was not visualized in 7 blood vessels and endothelial swelling was identified in 12 blood vessels. Furthermore, vascular occlusion was found in 4 blood vessels and thrombosis found in 5 vessels. 2. It was also demonstrated by color ultrasonography that change in course of blood vessel and tortuesity were observed in 12 blood vessels, stenosis of lumen in 21 vessels and widened intravascular space in 11 vessels, All these findings were confirmed in the subsequent operations. 3. It was revealed by pulse Doppler that the top blood flow speed increased during vascular contraction period in narrowed blood vessels with decreased blood flow per minute.

CONCLUSIONBeing an non-invasive examination, ultrasonography could directly demonstrate the morphological changes in subcutaneous tissue, muscle and blood vessels after a deep electric injury, which might help determine the injury degree and the hemodynamic changes in the injured site.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Burns, Electric ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Skin ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; methods

OBJECTIVETo construct the vectors of human glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1), P1 (GSTP1), T1(GSTT1) genes and express in Escherichia coli (E. coli).

METHODSHuman GSTA1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 gene whole length cDNAs were amplified by RT-PCR and then subcloned into pET-28a(+) vectors. The proteins were expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). After purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography, the enzymatic activities of GSTs were measured with 1-chloro-2,4 -dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate.

RESULTSThe correct GSTA1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genes were cloned. And soluble GSTA1, GSTT1, GSTP1 proteins were expressed in E.coli. After purification, GSTA1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 showed good enzymatic activities, which were 17.55, 0.02, 18.75 μmol·min-1·mg-1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe expression plasmids for GSTA1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 have been constructed and the recombinant proteins are expressed successfully.

DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang (BYHWT) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) at different stages. Method:The 36 female C57BL/6 mice were immunized subcutaneously with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptides (MOG_35-55),then randomly divided into 9, 17, 28 d EAE control group. Each BYHWT group was orally given drugs on the 3^rd day after immunization (50 g·kg^-1·d^-1), and EAE control group was given the same volume of normal saline in the same way once a day for 9, 17 and 28 d after immunization. The effect of BYHWT on EAE mice was observed with internationally accepted clinical score. Brain and spinal cord specimens were collected at 9, 17 and 28 d after immunization. The neuroprotective effect of BYHWT was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and solid blue staining (LFB). The expressions of BDNF and GAP-43 in spinal cord and brain were detected by Western blot. Result:After treatment, BYHWT can significantly inhibit myelitis cell infiltration and alleviate myelin loss. Compared with EAE group, the expression of Nogo-A in the spinal cord of each BYHWT group was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression of BDNF in the spinal cord was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the BYHWT group 17 and 28 d group compared with EAE group 17 and 28 d group. Compared with EAE 9, 17 d group, GAP-43 expression was significantly up-regulated in the spinal cord of BYHWT 9, 17 d group (P<0.01). Conclusion:BYHWT can improve the local nerve growth microenvironment and promote the expression of NTFs, reduce the expressions of neuroinhibitory factors, and play a role in neuroprotection.

Spontaneous remission (SR) of leukemia is a rare event in clinic, which possibly correlated with severe infection and sepsis, but its exact mechanism has not been confirmed. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) play a key role in innate and adaptive immunity respectively. A patient with severe infection of staphylococcus aureus acquired completely spontaneous remission (SR), moreover a increased number of pDC were observed, suggesting that bacteria-activated pDC may play an important role in SR. This study was purposed to explore if the bacteria can stimulate pDC successfully and get a functional pDC. Both pDC and mDC were isolated from freshly collected, leukocyte-rich buffy coats from healthy blood donor and leukemic patient with SR by using MACS and FACS. The pDC were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and were stimulated with different kinds of bacteria and the expression of CD40, CD86 and HLA-DR on the cell surface was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cytokine (IFN-α, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10) production was measured by using ELISA kits. The results showed that the stimulation with staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in the maturation of pDC, which secrete a large number of IFN-α and promote the differentiation of naive CD4⁺ T cells to Th1 cells. The activated pDC expressed high level of CD40 and CD86 and showed higher T cell stimulatory capacities. It is concluded that staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa can activate pDC, the activated pDC secrete high quantity of IFN-α. This result suggests that bacteria stimulated pDC may play a key role in SR of leukemia following severe infections.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Leukemia ; diagnosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4) on the cell cycle and apoptosis of hemaropoictic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in conditions of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-inducing bone marrow suppression and stress hemogenesis, and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The C57BL transgenic mice with BMP4 overexpression were established and were enrolled in transgenic group (BMP4 group), at the same time the wild type mice matching in age, sex and body weight were selected and were enrolled in control group (WT group). The bone marrow suppression was induced by injection with 5-FU in dose of 150 mg/kg, then the nucleated cells were isolated from bone marrow. After the HSPCs were markered with C-kit/sca-1 fluorescent antibodies, the changes of cell cycle and apoptosis of HSPC were detected by Aunexin V/PI and Ki67/DAPI double staining; the cell cycle-essociated hemotopoietic regulatory factors were detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Under physiologic status, there were no significant differences in cell cycle and apoptotic rate of HSPC between WT group and BMP-4 group. After the bone marrow was suppressed, the ratio of HSPC at G0 phase in BMP4 group significantly decreased(P＜0.05); the apoptosis rate of HSPC significantly increased(P＜0.05); the mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducing factor Hif-1α and chemotactic factor CXCL12 in stroma of BMP4 group were down-regulated significanfly(P＜0.05). CONCLUSION Under non-physiologic conditions such as stress hemogenesis or bone marrow suppression, the up-regulation of BMP4 can promote HSPC into cell cycle and apoptosis of HSPC, moreover, the BMP4 may play a regulatory role for cell cycle of HSPC through direct or indirect down-regulation of Hif-1α and CXCL-12 expressions.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Apoptosis ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; Cell Cycle ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of Shengmai Injection (SMI, ) on anti-sepsis and protective activities of intestinal mucosal barrier. METHODS: The contents of 11 active components of SMI including ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, ophioposide D, schisandrol A and schisantherin A were determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Fifty mice were randomly divided into the blank, the model, the low-, medium- and high-dose SMI groups (0.375, 0.75, 1.5 mL/kg, respectively) by random number table, 10 mice in each group. In SMI group, SMI was administrated to mice daily via tail vein injection for 3 consecutive days, while the mice in the blank and model groups were given 0.1 mL of normal saline. One hour after the last SMI administration, except the blank group, the mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) saline solution (2 mL/kg) at a dosage of 5 mL/kg for development of endotoxemia mice model. The mice in the blank group were given the same volume of normal saline. Inflammatory factors including interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10 were measured by flow cytometry. Myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels, and change of Occludin proteins in jejunum samples were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: The decreasing trends of INF-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 were found in serum of SMI treatment groups. In SMI-treated mice, the content of Occludin increased and MLCK protein decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The content of cellular and nuclear NF-κB did not change significantly (P>0.05). CONCLUSION SMI may exert its anti-sepsis activity mainly through NF-κB-pro-inflammatory factor-MLCK-TJ cascade.
Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Occludin ; Saline Solution ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of dichloromethane extraction phase of ethanol extract from stem of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch.(DPSS) on proliferation and differentiation of K562 cells and its related mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect the effects of DPSS at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml on the proliferation of K562 cells at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the changes of cell cycle and apoptosis at 24 and 48 hours. Wright-Giemsa staining was used to observe the morphological changes of K562 cells. The cell surface antigens CD33 and CD11b were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The proliferation of K562 cells treated with different concentrations of DPSS was inhibited in a time-dose dependent manner (r=-0.96). Cell cycle analysis showed that with the increase of DPSS concentration, cells in G₂/M phase increased (r=0.88), and cells were blocked in G₂/M phase. Flow cytometry results showed that with the apoptosis rate of K562 cells was the highest when treated with 200 μg/ml DPSS for 48 h. Morphological observation showed that the K562 cell body increased, the amount of cytoplasm increased, the ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm decreased, and the nuclear chromatin was rough after DPSS treatment. Cell differentiation antigen, CD33 and CD11b, were positively expressed after treated with DPSS. CONCLUSION DPSS can induce apoptosis through cell cycle arrest, inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells, and induce K562 cells to differentiate into monocytes, which has a potential anti-leukemia effect.
Humans ; K562 Cells ; Patrinia ; Methylene Chloride/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Differentiation