Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Stress, Physiological

Objective To investigate the changes of serum and bile from victims attacked by infantile hepatitis syndrome(IHS).Methods The constituents from 42 IHS subjects and 16 controls,including total bilirubin(TB),direct bilirubin(DB),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),glutamyltranspeptidase(?-GT),total bile acid(TBA),interleukin 6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor ?(TNF-? )both in bile and serum,were assayed by fully-auto chemistry analyzer and ELISA,respectively.The subjects of IHS were divided into cholestasis group and hepatitis group.Results Of IHS group,the values of serumal TB,DB,ALT,?-GT,TBA,IL-6 and TNF-? were higher than those of control(P_a

Atherosclerosis ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; Humans ; Proteomics

Objective To explore the importance of gene diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy(SMA),and improve the clinical diagnosis of SMA by analyzing the electrophysiological and gene characteristics of SMA.Methods Fifteen cases with SMA including 9 male and 6 female were enrolled in this study.The age was 5 months to 12 years.The 15 cases were subdivided into 3 clinical types,5 cases of type Ⅰ including 3 male and 2 female aging 5-18 months;7 cases of type Ⅱ including 4 males and 3 females aging 5 months-3 years;3 cases of type Ⅲ including 2 male and 1 female aging 3-12 years.They were all characterized by symmetric muscle weakness(more proximal than distal)associated with atrophy,absence or marked decrease of deep tendon reflexes,loss of voluntary movement and inability to sit or stand.The clinical characteristics and changes of electromyography(EMG)and nerve conduction velocity were assessed in all cases by using Danish Medoc Keypoint myoelectricity and evoked potentials inducer.The survival of motor neuron(SMN)gene was detected by PCR and restriction endonuclease spectrum analysis in 10 cases.Results EMG analysis found 94% patients had spontaneous potential,90% patients had increased duration of motor unit,and amplitude increased in 89% patients.Motor nerve conduction velocity was determined in 78 nerves.Motor nerve compound action potential wave amplitude decreased in 52 nerves,among them,distal latent period prolonged and motor conduction velocity reduced slightly in 36 nerves.Sensory nerve conduction velocity was determined in 45 nerves and remained normal.The SMN gene detection revealed deletion of exon 7 and 8 in 9 cases,deletion exon 7 in 1 case.The SMN gene detection in 10 patients and their parents didn't find any deletion of exon 7 and 8.Conclusions The definite diagnosis of SMA will rely on the typical clinical characteristics,changes of EMG and gene deletion analysis.Gene diagnosis of SMA lays a basis for prenatal diagnosis.

Objective: To observe the changes in numbers and degranulation status of local mast cells (MCs) of the complementary acupionts, as well as the concentrations of serum histamine and bradykinin after acupuncture at rat's complementary acupionts of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 10), for exploring the mechanisms of the synergistic effect of complementary acupionts. Methods: Using random number table method, 40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group K), an acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (group A), an acupuncture at Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group B), an acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group AB), and an acupuncture at points near Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group CD), 8 rats in each group. Group A received acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34); group B received acupuncture at Yinlingquan (SP 9); group AB received acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9); group CD received acupuncture at the control points [points 3 mm away from Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) respectively]. Acupuncture was performed at bilateral points in each group. Rats in group K were fixed using the same method as rats in the other 4 groups without acupuncture stimulation. Needles of 0.35 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length were used for acupuncture. Needle handle was connected to the G6805-Ⅱ mode electroacupuncture (EA) device after needling qi was obtained, with sparse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and current of 1 mA to keep the needle handles slightly tremulous while the rats kept quiet. Rats were continuously stimulated by EA for 20 min each time. Experimental interventions were conducted on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days when the experiment started, for 4 times in total. Specimens from rats in each group were collected 2 h after the 7th day. The levels of histamine and bradykinin in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Local tissues of the points were used to prepare cryosections. The changes of MCs were observed after toluidine blue staining. Results: Compared with group K, the numbers and degranulation rates of MCs in group A, group B, group AB and group CD were significantly increased (all P<0.05). The number and degranulation rate of MCs in group AB were significantly higher than those in group A, group B and group CD (all P<0.05). The order of histamine levels from high to low was: group AB >group B > group A > group CD > group K, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); the levels of bradykinin in group AB, group A and group B were significantly higher than those in group K and group CD (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the bradykinin level between group A and group B, nor between group CD and group K (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The number and degranulation rate of MCs of the complementary acupionts are significantly increased after acupuncture at complementary acupionts of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) of rats, and the serum levels of histamine and bradykinin are increased, which may be one of the mechanisms of the synergism produced by the combination of complementary acupionts.

BACKGROUND:Surgical management of sternoclavicular joint dislocation takes relatively larger risks for its adjacent mediastinal and other important structures. However, the surgical methods are varied and remain controversial.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the feasibility and validity of intramedul ary fixation of the proximal clavicle and sternum for sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
METHODS:On 22 adult cadaver upper limb specimens, the anatomical features of the sternoclavicular joints and associated ligaments, the size of articular surface between the medial clavicle and manubrium and the morphology of articular disc, costoclavicular ligament and sternoclavicular ligament were observed and measured. From January 2009 to July 2012, three patients with sternoclavicular joint dislocation received the intramedul ary fixation with wire rope or absorbable suture in figure-of-eight shape. They were males, aged 9, 45 and 62 years, with an average age of 38.6 years. The outcome was evaluated by upper limb function DASH score.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Anatomic results demonstrated that the anteroposterior and coronal diameters of the surface of the medial clavicle were greater than that of the sternum, so they did not match each other. The minimum thickness of the manubrium sterni was at the superior margin of articular surface and the largest was at the sternal angle. The minimum width of the manubrium sterni was at the superior margin of articular surface and the largest was at the inferior margin. The articular disc, liked an el ipse and matched with the articulating surface of the manubrium sterni more, whose anteroposterior diameter was greater than its coronal diameter. Central thickness was greater than the edge thickness. The costoclavicular ligament was thicker and denser than the anterior and posterior sternoclavicular ligament. The anterior and posterior sternoclavicular ligaments were close in length, width and thickness. Clinical trial results demonstrated that al cases were fol owed up for 14 to 36 months. DASH score was 10-16, 13.3 in average. Effects of internal fixation were satisfactory. Surgical management of sternoclavicular joint dislocation by the fixation of the proximal clavicle and sternum through the intramedul ary cavity with wire rope or absorbable suture is reliable and effective.

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Calcinosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Skin Diseases ; pathology ; surgery