OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and anticoagulation effect of polysaccharides from the sea cucumber (PSU) on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia (AICI).

METHODSAdult SD rats were randomly divided into 5 group (n = 12): sham operation group, model group, low-dose (30 mg/(kg x d)), middle-dose (60 mg/(kg x d)) and high-dose (120 mg/(kg x d)) groups. The cerebral ischemia rat model was established by permanently ligating the common carotid arteries on both sides of rats. We observed the change of behavior disturbance, brain water content, the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as the effects on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen(FIB).

RESULTSDue to the use of polysaccharides, the behavioral disturbance was improved, brain water content and the levels of serum CRP were significantly decreased. Also PSU significantly prolonged APTT, TT and reduced the content of FIB (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPSU has protective effect on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia injured rats and significant anticoagulation effect.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sea Cucumbers ; Thrombin Time

In order to understand the intracellular mechanism of preconditioning, we investigated the relationship among activities of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs), the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor -1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and the effect of hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) on cell injury induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes 24 h after brief hypoxia. Cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), hypoxia preconditioning (HPC), hypoxia preconditioning + mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 (HPC+PD98059), and control (C). We measured the survival rate and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes at 6 or 12 h after hypoxia/reoxygenation, activities of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs), and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). We found that the survival rate of cardiomyocytes in hypoxic preconditioning group increased by 6.08% and 7.91% at 6 and 12 h after hypoxia/reoxygenation (n=6, P<0.05), respectively, and the apoptotic rate decreased by 10.92% and 14.34% (n=6, P<0.05) respectively. Hypoxic preconditioning increased the abundance of phospho-ERK1/2 by 3-folds and expression of HIF-1alpha by 1-fold in whole cell extracts from hypoxic preconditioned cardiomyocytes. PD98059, an inhibitor of the upstream kinase of ERKs, abolished the anti-injury effect, ERKs activation, and expression of HIF-1alpha induced by hypoxic preconditioning. Statistical analysis indicated that there was negative correlation between apoptotic rate and activities of ERKs or expression of HIF-1alpha, and positive correlation between activities of ERKs and expression of HIF-1alpha. It is concluded that hypoxic preconditioning protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury and that upregulation of HIF-1alpha through ERKs pathway mediates the cardioprotection of hypoxic preconditioning.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; physiology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; pathology ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo systematically review the effectiveness of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty (MIS-THA) versus traditional total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with hip diseases.

METHODSThrough a method of combining Free words and keywords,we searched databases including PubMed,The Cochrane Library, EMbase,Web of Science, CBM , CNKI and Wanfang Data for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the comparison between MIS-THA and THA for hip disease from inception to June, 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies according to the "bias risk assessment" tool recommended by Cochrane Handbook 5.0 for Systematic Reviews. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTSThirteen RCTs involving 1 213 cases of surgeries and total 1 284 hips (MIS-THA: n = 631; THA: n = 653) were identified. The results of meta-analysis showed that statistically significant differences were found in Harris hip score on the 3rd month after operation [MD = 8.37, 95% CI (6.02,10.72)], Hematocrit [MD = 0.02, 95% CI (0.01, 0.03)] and Hemoglobin [MD = 0.50, 95% CI (0.16, 0.85)] at the 48th hour after operation, changed value of femoral offset [MD = 0.30, 95% CI (0.04, 0.56)] between two groups. In the change value of femoral offset, THA was better than MIS-THA; There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in Harris hip score at 1st year after operation [MD = 3.26, 95% CI (-3.25, 9.76)], WOMAC score [MD = -0.53, 95% CI (-3.67, 2.60)] and Oxford score [MD = 1.34, 95% CI (-3.46, 6.13)] at the 6th week after operation, Hematocrit at the 8th hour after operation [MD = -0.01, 95% CI (-0.02, 0.00)], the incidence of hip varus [RR = 0.82, 95% CI (0.45,1.52)] and dislocation [RR = 1.40, 95% CI (0.48, 4.12)].

CONCLUSIONTHA brings less trauma, less hemorrhage and better early clinical outcome compared with MIS-THA, but the difference of the complication rates between the two groups is similar.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

In order to effectively remove the invalid impurities in Tongan injection, optimize the optimal parameters of the impurity removal technology of liquid mixing process, in this paper, taking Tongan injection as the research object, with the contents of celandine alkali, and sinomenine, solids reduction efficiency, and related substances inspection as the evaluation indexes, the removal of impurities and related substances by the combined process of refrigeration, coction and activated carbon adsorption were investigated, the feasibility of the impurity removal method was definited and the process parameters were optimized. The optimized process parameters were as follows: refrigerated for 36 h, boiled for 15 min, activated carbon dosage of 0.3%, temperature 100 degrees C, adsorption time 10 min. It can effectively remove the tannin, and other impurities, thus ensure the quality and safety of products.
Adsorption ; Charcoal ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Quality Control

Objective To investigate the clinical and mammographic features of plasma cell mastitis.Methods Twenty-five patients(28 lesions)with histologically confirmed plasma cell mastitis, aged from 26 to 70 years(mean age 41 years),were examined with X-ray mammography.The clinical manifestations and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed.Results No case was in lactation.The painful irregular masses,ranged from 1.3 to 8cm in size,were found in 22 patients,while 3 patients with acute episode.Recurrent episodes of breast masses were noted in 4 patients.Based on the mammographic appearances,the plasma cell mastitis were classified as the following four types:inflammation-like type (2/28),ductal ectasia type(3/28),focal infiltration type(10/28)and nodular type(13/28).The valuable radiogyaphic signs:(1)An asymmetrically increased density along the lactiferous duct with a flame-like appearance,inhomogeneous low density tubular structures and scattered stick-shape calcifications.(2) Architectural distortion and oil cysts formation in adjacent area,(3)Subareolar ductal ectasia.Conclusions The clinical and mammographic characteristics of plasma cell mastitis are critical to avoiding unnecessary surgery.Histopathological result is needed for the diagnosis in patients highly suspected of malignancy.

AIMTo establish an HPLC-fluorescent spectrometric method for the determination of mexiletine hydrochloride in plasma after derivatization with fluram.

METHODSFluram acetone solution was added to the deproteinized plasma with acetone to obtain the derivative of mexiletine. The HPLC method was performed on a column of Allitima C18 (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microns) with the mobile phase of methanol-water-diethylamine-phosphoric acid buffer (2.4 mol.L-1, pH 4.0) (70:28:2), and the detective wavelength were set at Ex 392 nm and Em 480 nm.

RESULTSMexiletine has a liner range over the concentration range from 0.100-6.400 mg.L-1. The lowest detectable concentration of this method was 5 micrograms.L-1 (S/N > or = 4). The intra-day and inter-day RSDs were 1.34%-5.31%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, selective and can be used for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and pharmacokinetic studies of mexiletine.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Fluorescamine ; chemistry ; Humans ; Mexiletine ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antithrombin (AT) activity (AT: A) and AT antigen (AT: Ag) level in a Chinese family with type I antithrombin (AT) deficiency, and to explore the molecular mechanism of AT deficiency.

METHODSImmuno-nephelometry and chromogenic assay were used to detect the plasma level of AT: A and AT: Ag, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood, and all the seven exons and exon-intron boundaries of AT gene were amplified by PCR and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of AT: A and AT: Ag of the proband were 45% and 97 mg/L, respectively, which led to a type I AT deficiency. A heterozygous T to A mutation was found at nucleotide 9833 in exon 5 resulting in a Tyr363Stop nonsense mutation. The sequencing results from the pedigree indicated that four other members also had this mutation.

CONCLUSIONThis heterozygous nonsense mutation of T9833A in exon 5 resulting in venous thrombosis is a novel genetic defect of hereditary AT deficiency, which has not been described before.

Antithrombin III Deficiency ; genetics ; Antithrombins ; genetics ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate vasculogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from human umbilical cord blood and their contribution to the neovascularization of malignant glioma in vivo.

METHODSEPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation. After 7-10 days of culture, EPCs were investigated for CD34 and VEGFR-2 expression by direct immunofluoresent staining. The proliferative activity, migratory capability and forming capillary-like tubules were also monitored after stimulation with VEGF(50 mg/L) in vitro. Moreover, EPCs were administered into tumor-bearing mice, and the tumor and mouse organs were examined under confocal laser scanning microscope to visualize the distribution and localization of transplanted EPCs. In order to quantity the incorporation of EPCs into tumor vessels, cryosections of the tumor tissue were double-labelled with antihuman CD31 and anti-mouse CD31.

RESULTSAfter 7 to 10 days of culture, EPCs assumed cobblestone-like monolayer growth pattern with nearly complete confluence, and expressed CD34 and VEGFR-2. Significant proliferative activity, increased migratory capability and forming capillary-like tubules were observed when stimulated with VEGF. The transplanted EPCs in vivo specifically homed to solid tumor tissue and incorporated into the tumor's endothelium. Quantitative analysis revealed that human EPCs contributed significantly to tumor neovascularization by incorporation into tumor vasculature (18.68 +/- 1.32)% of the total vessels.

CONCLUSIONEPCs possess the potential to form neovascular network in tumor and play a role in the phenotypical heterogeneity of tumor microvascular architecture.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Glioma ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; immunology ; Stem Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of delayed open reduction and internal fixation with minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate for the treatment of type II and III Pilon fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to September 2009, 32 patients with type II and III Pilon fractures were treated with open reduction and anatomic plate fixation (AP group) and minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate osteosynthesis (LCP group). There were 11 males and 6 females in AP group, with an average age of (37.4 +/- 13.3) years (ranged, 19 to 55 years). And there were 10 males and 5 females in LCP group, with an average age of (34.6 +/- 11.3) years(ranged, 21 to 56 years). The operating time, fracture healing time, aligned angulation and ankle function were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the during ranged from 12 to 25 months, with a mean of (15.0 +/- 1.7) months. The average operation time was (76.5 +/- 8.3) min for AP group and (58.3 +/- 3.4) min for LCP group; the average time of fracture healing was (20.5 +/- 0.4) weeks for AP group and (15.7 +/- 0.2) weeks for LCP group; the total angulation between anterior posterior film and lateral film was averaged (6.6 +/- 0.5) degrees for AP group and (3.6 +/- 0.2) degrees for LCP group. As to above index, the results of LCP group were better than those of AP group (P < 0.05). According to Kofoed criteria for ankle joint, the results of LCP group were better than those of AP group in ankle joint pain, wakling and ankle joint function (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe method of minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate internal fixation is effective in the treatment of Pilon fracture with less invasion, faster bone union, more stabilized fixation, quicker recovery of ankle function and fewer complications, which is more advantaged for type II and III Pilon fractures.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo identify the fibrinogen (Fg) gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree of congenital afibrinogenemia.

METHODSThe plasma Fg activity and protein of the proband and his family members were detected. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibrinogen gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced thereafter.

RESULTSTwo mutations, 7972 del G in FGB and T2543A in FGG, were found in the proband.

CONCLUSIONSFGG2543 is a polymorphism site, which lead to the polymorphism of gamma144 I/K. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB contributes to the frameshift mutation after amino acid 419, resulting in the truncated beta chain without the terminal 27 amino acids. The latter may contributes to the pathogenetic mechanisms in Chinese congenital afibrinogenemia patients. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB is identified for the first time.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction