pcDNA3.1/Hygro(-)+pCMV?. Conclusions Transactivation competence of genotype B HBx was higher than that of genotype C HBx, while the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of genotype B HBx was lower than of genotype C HBx. B and C genotype-specific functional differences of HBx may closely co-related with the pathogenicity of HBV.

Objective To study the effects of obstructive sleep apneas on endothelial function and autonomic modulation. Methods From June 2009 to June 2011, male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) were consecutively enrolled in this study. Patients with an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of greater than 15 and without previous treatment for OSAHS were included as Group OSAHS and obese subjects with an AHI of less than 5 were included as non-OSAHS controls (Group Control). Electrocardiography and beat-to-beat blood pressure were continuously recorded from the radial artery by applanation tonometry which was synchronized with polysomnography recording. Endothelial function was measured by arterial augmentation index (AAI). Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) were computed for cardiac parasympathetic modulation (high frequency power, HF); sympathetic modulation (low frequency power, LF), sympathovagal balance (LF/HF power of R-R variability, LF/HF) and BPV sympathetic modulation (BPV LF) in normalized units [total power of the components/(total power-very LF power)×100]. Results Finally, 27 moderate-severe OSAHS patients and 22 non-OSAHS obese controls were recruited in the Group OSAHS and Group Control, respectively. In Group OSAHS, the age was 43.3±9.3 year-old, body mass index (BMI) was 36.8±8.7 kg/m2; in Group Control, the age was 42.9±8.6 year-old, BMI was 34.4±7.9 kg/m2; there were no significant differences in age and BMI between the Group OSAHS and Group Control (all P>0.05). The baseline AAI (12.5%±2.2% vs. 8.2%±2.1%) and BPV LF (68.3%±13.5% vs. 61.1%±11.7%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly higher than those of the Group Control (all P<0.05). And after overnight sleep, systolic BP (143.7±14.2 vs. 132.8±13.3 mm Hg), diastolic BP (87.7±7.7 vs. 78.6±5.5 mm Hg), HRV LF (69.7%±14.4% vs. 64.3%±12.1%), HRV LF/HF (3.7±2.0 vs. 2.3±1.3) and BPV LF (77.8%±15.6% vs. 68.3%±13.5%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly increased (all P<0.001), while HRV HF was significantly decreased (21.1%±9.3% vs. 27.5%±10.3%, P<0.05) from baseline.
Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive

Objective To study the effects of vaginal estrogen application on blood flow of the lower urinary tract in post-menopausal women. Methods Arterial blood flow frequency spectrum, peak systolic blood flow, end-diastolic blood flow velocity and resistance index of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder, as well as changes in their genitourinary system, were measured with color Doppler ultrasound imaging in post-menopausal women before and three months after their use of premarin ointment containing natural estrogen per vagina. Results Three months after treatment with estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina in post-menopausal women, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the peri-urethra arteries increased to 13.23 cm/s from 11.94 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 3.92 cm/s from 1.91 cm/s and resistance index decreased to 2. 79 from 3. 84 (P <0. 01 ). And, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the arteries of the neck of the urinary bladder increased to 17.09 cm/s from 12. 77 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 2. 83 cm/s from 1.31 cm/s and resistant index decreased to 2. 78 from 3.78 (P<0.01). It indicated that local vasodilatation and decrease dresistance of the lower urinary tract made blood flow of the arteries of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder increase, urinary frequency and nocturia occurrence decrease, and sexual satisfaction improve.Conclusions Blood flow, symptoms of the lower urinary tract and their quality of life can be improved in post-menopausal women after treatment with natural estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina.

Objective To explore the factors influencing the sitting early away from bed after operation in elderly patients having hip fractures.Method Forty-six elderly patients with hip fractures who were taking postoperative functional exercises of sitting away from bed and 32 nurses were investigated on the influential factors by a questionnaire.Results More than 52.1%of the patients believed the factors influencing their sitting early away from bed including lack of family support,worry about insufficient physical strength and fear of pains.65.6%of the nurses thought the factor was their inadequate assessment.Conclusion Such measures as enhancing family support,nutritional support,relief of pains from sitting from bed and improving nurse’s ability in rehabilitative training instruction are important for the patients to sit early away from bed after operation on hip fractures.

BACKGROUND:Animal modeling has reported that psychological stress can lead temporomandibular joint disease in rats, and there wil be pathological changes.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of psychological stress on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 in rat temporomandibular joint condylar chondrocytes
METHODS:Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, 6 rats in the experimental group and 12 rats in the control group. Thirty-six Wister male adult rats in the experimental group were subjected to the fol owing stimulating factors, such as electroshock, keeping stil ness, climate change and food tempting in order to make them under psychological stress. Then, the experimental group rats were executed at 3 weeks after stimulation (3 weeks stimulation group), 6 weeks after stimulation (6 weeks stimulation group) and 6 weeks normal feeding after 6 week stimulation (recovery group), 12 rats were sacrificed at each time point. The 12 rats in the control group were executed at the same time as the last experimental group. The temporomandibular joint specimens were taken to produce slices.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The vascular endothelial growth factor-positive rate of recovery group was significantly larger than that of the 3 weeks stimulation group and the control group (P<0.05);transforming growth factor-β1 positive rate in the 6 weeks stimulation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). It indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor was related with the new blood capil aries repairing tissue, and transforming growth factor-β1 might play a role that stimulates bone resorption in psychological stress.

Aim To investigate the effects of stromal cell-derived factor-1α ( SDF-1α) on cell proliferation in primary cultured rat astrocytes and the possible mechanisms. Methods The primary cultured rat astr-cytes were treated with recombinant human SDF-1α at different concentrations, the cell proliferation was as-sessed by cell counting and 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assay;intracellular calcium concentration was detected with calcium sensitive fluorescent probe;phorphorylation of extracellular regulated protein ki-nase1/2 ( ERK1/2 ) was determined by Western blot analysis;cell cycle transition was analyzed by flow cy-tometry analysis; mRNA expressions of cyclin A2 and cyclin B1 were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results Treatment of astrocytes with SDF-1α (5 -40 nmol·L-1 ) for 48 h induced significant cell prolifera-tion. SDF-1α at 20 nmol·L-1 increased the intracel-lular calcium concentration and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In addition, SDF-1α at 20 nmol·L-1 pro-moted the cell cycle transition from G0 to S and M pha-ses, and up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Cyclin A2 and Cyclin B1 . Conclusion SDF-1α significantly induces cell proliferation in primary cultured rat astro-cytes via enhancing calcium influx, ERK1/2 phospho-rylation, Cyclin expression and promoting cell cycle transition.

Purpose To explore the clinicopathologic characteristics, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extraskeletal myxiod chondrosarcoma. Methods The clinical and pathological features were studied with HE and immunohistochemical staining in 5 cases of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, and the related literatures were also reviewed. Results Extraskeletal myxoid chondro-sarcoma was male predominance (4 males: 1 female), and the age ranged from 32 to 62 years with an average of 52 years. Four tumors occurred in thigh and another in chest. Histologically, the neophlasm were composed of round and oval cells. Immunohisto-chemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin in five cases, synaptophysin expressed in one case, S-100 showed focal positivity in two cases, but negative for CK, p63, EMA, CD34, SMA in all cases. Molecular genetics detection shows chromosome exchange be-tween number 9 and 22. Conclusion Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor which has no special characteristics in clinical and iconography, and its diagnosis mainly depends on the histopathologic features, immunohistochemistry and molecular genet-ics. Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma grows slowly, but have a high tendency for local recurrence and metastases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of relay flaps pedicled by perforator from digital artery for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at finger tip.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2012 to Jun. 2014, 9 cases with soft tissue defects at finger tip were reconstructed with relay flaps at one side of finger pedicled by perforator from digital artery. The flap size ranged from 1.3 cm x 1.6 cm to 1.6 cm x 2.2 cm. The defects at donor sites were covered by adjacent web perforator V-Y advanced flaps.

RESULTSAll the 18 flaps in 9 cases survived completely with primary healing both in recipient and donor sites. The patients were followed up for 5 months to 2 years ( average, 12 months) with good elasticity and cosmetic results. No pain happened in the treated finger. The 2-point discrimination distance was 7-8 mm in fingertip flaps, and 10-12 mm in web perforator flaps. Hand function was graded as excellent in 7 cases, good in 2 cases, based on ATM assessment. The affected fingers had normal temperature and cold-resistance during winter. The width and depth of web in the donor site were not affected.

CONCLUSIONSThe relay flaps pedicled by perforator from digital artery can be applied for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at finger tip. The procedure is easy with satisfactory results and reservation of main artery. No skin graft is necessary for closure of defects on donor sites.

Arteries ; Elasticity ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Fingers ; blood supply ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Time Factors ; Transplant Donor Site ; Wound Healing

AIM: To evaluate the effects of NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. METHODS: The effects of NS-398 on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT. DNA fragmentation gel analysis was used to analyze the apoptotic cells; DNA ploidy and apoptotic cell percentage were examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression of COX-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA was identified by competitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: NS-398 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA ploidy analysis showed that S phase cells were significantly decreased with NS-398 concentration increasing. The quiescent G_0/G_1 phase was accumulated with decreasing of Bcl-2 mRNA. Whereas NS-398 had no effect on the expression of COX-2 mRNA, no correlations were found between COX-2 mRNA and the HepG2 cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by NS-398 (r=0.056 and r=0.119, respectively). CONCLUSION: NS-398 significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2. Mechanisms may be involved in accumulation of quiescent G_0/G_1 phase and decrease in Bcl-2 mRNA expression, but independent to COX-2 mRNA expression. [

To explore the expression and clinical significance of molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), HSP90 was detected in PBMC by Western blot assay and the plasma level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA in 38 SLE patients and 20 normal controls. The correlation analysis was performed between the SLE disease activity index (SLE-DAI) and the expression of HSP90 and IL-6. The results showed that there was increased expression of HSP90 in the SLE patients. The active SLE group exhibited higher HSP90 levels (0.82+/-0.10) than the inactive SLE group (0.54+/-0.09) (P<0.01). The expression of HSP90 in normal control group (0.37+/-0.11) showed significant statistical difference as compared to both the inactive and active SLE groups (P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). The plasma level of IL-6 exhibited a significant increase in both the inactive and active SLE groups (28.99+/-1.74 pg/mL, 44.58+/-9.15 pg/mL, respectively) compared with normal control group (P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). The expression of HSP90 and IL-6 in SLE patients showed significant positive correlation with SLEDAI scoring (r=0.80, P<0.01: r= 0.74, P<0.01, respectively). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the level of IL-6 and HSP90 in SLE patients (r=0.86, P<0.01). The increased expression of molecular chaperone HSP90 and IL-6 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE by regulating autoimmunity.