Objective Toinvestigate the changes of liver and kidney function and morphology of the renal artery of the metabolic syndrome (MS) rats.Methods The rats were respectively fed with ordinary or high-fructose diet for 10 weeks,and then took the blood and anatomical observation,to explore the changes of liver and kidney function and morphology of the renal artery of the rats.Results The serum levels of ALT,AST,UA,BUN,CR in the control group and MS group were gradually increased with the feeding time.But those in MS rats were significantly increased than the control rats.MS rats showed dysfunction of liver and kidney,which similar to the clinical MS cases.Compared with the control group,the renal artery of MS rats had the same pathological changes as MS cases,presented with intima uneven thickening and structural disorder,medial smooth muscle cells hyperplasia to intimal,the internal elastic membrane with different degrees of damage and fracture,the film elastic fibers thickening and structural disorder,smooth muscle cell proliferation apparently,medial obvious thickening.Conclusion MS rats have mild dysfunction of liver and kidney and abnormal changes in intima and tunica media of renal artery.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the combination of general anesthesia ( GA) and single-shot bilateral thoracic paravertebral block ( TPVB) by ropivacaine in the patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery ( OPCAB) . Methods Forty patients with coronary heart disease scheduled for elective OPCAB surgery were randomly divided into two groups:general anesthesia group (group A, n=20) and general anesthesia combined with bilateral thoracic paravertebral block group (group B, n=20). The frequency of hemodynamic abnormalities and dosage of vasoactive drugs during the period of operation were recorded. Meanwhile, other reference data were recorded, such as the consumption of sufentanil during operation and postoperative analgesia, the time of endotracheal tube retention and intensive care unit ( ICU) stay. Results Two cases were excluded from the study in group B for failure block. Compared with group A, the frequency of hypertension and the amount of nicardipine was lower during operation in group B (P<0. 05), the consumption of sufentanil was less both during operation (P<0. 01) and postoperative analgesia (P<0. 05). Moreover, the time of tracheal tube retention and ICU stay were shorter in group B (P<0. 05). Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that GA combined with single-shot TPVB is superior to GA alone in improving haemodynamic stability in patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. The combination therapy can also reduce the use of opiates and shorten the time of recovery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the toxic effects of the CD-TK fusion gene systems against prostate carcinoma cell line RM-1 for assessing the value of suicidal gene therapy for prostate carcinoma.

METHODSCD-TK fusion gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene were transfected into RM-1 cells through adenovirus vectors. RT-PCR was used to demonstrate successful transfection and transcription of the suicidal genes. The toxic effects of 5-FC and GCV used alone or in combination on the transfected cells were observed by MTT assay, with the non-transfected RM-1 cells serving as control.

RESULTSCytotoxic activity of CD/5-FC and TK/GCV systems against RM-1 cells was observed, and combined treatment with the two drugs resulted in significantly lowered survival of CD-TK-expressing cells (P<0.05). After exposure to 5-FC and GCV for 72 h, the survival rate of the transfected cells decreased to 71.56% and 47.27%, respectively, and their combined use resulted in a survival rate as low as 18.46%.

CONCLUSIONCD-TK fusion double suicidal gene system can produce significantly stronger toxic effect against RM-1 cells in vitro than either of suicidal genes.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytosine Deaminase ; pharmacology ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymidine Kinase ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of Schwann cells transplantation to promote the repair of injured brain stem reticular structure in rats.

METHODSSchwann cells originated from sciatic nerves of 1 to 2-day-old rats were expanded and labelled by BrdU in vitro, transplanted into rat brain stem reticular structure that was pre-injured by electric needle stimulus. Immunohistochemistry and myelin-staining were used to investigate the expression of BrdU, GAP-43 and new myelination respectively.

RESULTSBrdU positive cells could be identified for up to 8 months and their number increased by about 23%, which mainly migrated toward injured ipsilateral cortex. The GAP-43 expression reached its peak in 1 month after transplantation and was significantly higher than that in the control group. New myelination could be seen in destructed brain stem areas.

CONCLUSIONThe transplantation of Schwann cells can promote the restoration of injured brain stem reticular structure.

Animals ; Antimetabolites ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; veterinary ; Brain Stem ; injuries ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; veterinary ; Electrophysiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Schwann Cells ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo label a human bladder cancer cell line and establish a novel human bladder cancer mouse model.

METHODST-24 cells, a human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cell line, were transfected with GFP plasmid to screen stable GFP-expressing clones. The latter were implanted into the wall of the bladder or the subcutaneous tissue of the neck of nude mice. The growth, invasion, and metastasis of the implanted tumor were observed and evaluated with whole-body optical imaging system. The findings were compared with those of HE staining on routine paraffin sections.

RESULTSGFP-labeled tumor cells displayed green fluorescence under fluorescent microscopy and showed stable GFP expression in vitro and in vivo. One week after in situ transplantation of 5 x 10(5) T24 cells, the new bladder cancer was observed and evaluated under whole-body optical imaging system. Two weeks later, the new bladder tumor could be palpated, and 4 weeks later, metastasis to regional drainage lymph nodes in the pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph nodes occurred. The growth and metastasis of the implant bladder tumor were easily observed and accurately evaluated by fluorescent microscope.

CONCLUSIONGFP-labeled tumor cells display green fluorescence under fluorescent microscopy and show stable GFP expression. GFP-labeled T-24 cells and the novel human bladder cancer model described hereby provide a simple and reliable means for studying human bladder cancer in vivo.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism and the treatment of acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation.

METHODSSeven patients (6 male and 1 female) with acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation admitted from 1997 to 2006 were studied retrospectively. The age ranged from 8 to 33 years(mean 17 years). All the types were the dorsal dislocation. The dislocation were occurred on index finger in 3 cases, thumb in 2 cases, middle finger in 1 case and small finger in 1 case.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 3 to 42 months with an average time of 21 months. Operative finding revealed the rupture of volar capsule and entrapment of metacarpal head. The joint function and postoperative X-ray showed anatomical reduction were good in all the patients.

CONCLUSIONRepeated manipulative reduction should not be advocated if the close reduction was not successful. In order to avoid influencing the joint function,early open reduction of acute complex metacarpophalangeal dislocation is necessary.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe expression levels of hTERT mRNA and protein were detected using RT-RCR and Western blotting in 45 RCC tissues, 45 adjacent tissues and 786-0 cell line, and the associations of hTERT expression with the tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type and grade were evaluated.

RESULTShTERT mRNA and protein was expressed at significantly higher levels in RCC tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P=0.000), and no correlation of hTERT expression was found with the tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type or grade.

CONCLUSIONhTERT might serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for RCC, and also shed light on the new clues for gene therapy of RCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of cytocine deaminase-thymidine kinase (CD-TK) fusion double suicide gene therapy using adenovirus mediated CD-TK gene and green fluorescent rotein (GFP) gene combined with ganciclovir(GCV) or 5-flourocytosine(5-FC) in a murine subcutaneous bladder carcinoma model.

METHODSA replication defective adenovirus vector containing CD-TK gene was used. Subcutaneous tumors were established in syngenic C57BL/6 female mice with 1 x 10(6) Mb49 cells. Intratumoral injection of AdCD-TK (1.58 x 10(8) PFU, qd x days) in combination with GCV (40 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), ip, qd x 10 days) or 5-FC (400 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), ip, qd x 10 days) was administered in vivo for the determination of treatment efficacy in separate controlled experiments.

RESULTSIn vivo experiments demonstrated that the mean volume of tumor in the group of AdCD-TK/GCV(326.58+/-109.56 mm(3)), AdCD-TK/5-FC (235.33+/-62.94 mm(3)) and AdCD-TK/(GCV+5-FC) (23.58+/-6.78 mm(3)) was reduced significantly compared with that of control group (993.51+/-158.32 mm(3)) (P=0.00), the mean volume of tumor in the group of AdCD-TK/(GCV+5-FC) was significantly less than that in the group of AdCD-TK/GCV or AdCD-TK/5-FC (P=0.04). Tumor necrosis was revealed by histomorphology compared with control animals.

CONCLUSIONSAdenovirus mediated CD-TK double suicide gene combining with GCV or 5-FC could provide an effective therapy in an experimental murine bladder carcinoma by significantly inhibiting tumor growth. The treatment efficacy of AdCD-TK combining GCV and 5-FC was superior to that of AdCD-TK combining GCV or AdCD-TK combining 5-FC.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Defective Viruses ; genetics ; Female ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy

INTRODUCTIONThere is paucity of local data on the prevalence of blood transmitted infections (BTIs), such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, among illicit drug users. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of BTIs among substance dependent inpatients and identify the factors associated with BTIs.

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical notes of 170 inpatients with a diagnosis of substance dependence who were admitted at the National Addictions Management Service, Singapore, between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010.

RESULTSMajority of the 170 inpatients were male (88.2%) and Chinese (58.2%). The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years, and the main drug of abuse was opioids (86.5%). BTIs were found in 70 (41.2%) inpatients; the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections was 3.7%, 39.6% and 0%, respectively. Lifetime intravenous drug use, but not needle-sharing, was more common among inpatients who were positive for BTIs (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that lifetime intravenous drug use (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7- 10.8, p < 0.01) was the only significant predictor of BTIs.

CONCLUSIONA large proportion (41.2%) of the substance users seeking help was positive for at least one BTI. Lifetime intravenous drug users were found to be more than four times more likely to have a BTI. Early detection and prevention is essential to improve prognosis.

Adult ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV Infections ; blood ; complications ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; complications ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needle Sharing ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; blood ; complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo isolate the wild-type virulent phage of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and simulate the treatments in vitro to investigate the methods for oral Hp-assisted penetration of the phage through the gastric barrier and offspring phage release for infection and treatment of gastrointestinal Hp.

METHODSThe Hp strain was cultured with the candle cylinder method and the virulent phage was isolated by single plate or double plate experiment. A simulated gastric juice was applied and the bactericidal effect of the phage was tested with double flats experiment.

RESULTSAfter a 1.5-h treatment in simulated gastric juice, the orally derived Hp-borne phage was still capable of forming plaques while the control phage was not.

CONCLUSIONThe oral Hp can help the phage resist the gastric juice and then infect the gastrointestinal Hp.

Bacteriophages ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections ; therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; virology ; Humans ; Virulence