Objective To explore the pathogeny, pathology, ultrasonic and clinical expression of upper extremity deep venous flow obstruction and superior vena cava syndrome. Methods Retrospective analysis and summarize the disease changes of 10 cases in recent 5 years. Results 7 patients of 10 cases were superior vena cava syndrome, in which 4 cases caused by upper right lung malignant tumor, 3 cases caused by upper and media mediastinal malignant tumor. 2 patients of 10 cases were found thrombosis in right subclavian vein caused by duct of artificial pacemaker. The left 1 patient was no reason thrombosis in right axillary vein. Conclusion Ultrasonography combine with color and spectral Dopper image can evaluate the clinical development and therapeutic efficiency, which is a useful and effective non-invasive examination.

Using whole cell patch clamp, the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the current L-type calcium channel (I(Ca.L)) were observed in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes under simulated ischemia condition, which was realized through hypoxia, glucose deficiency, high lactic acid and acidosis. The results showed that, under the condition of simulated ischemia, the peak of I(Ca.L) was reduced with maximal activation potential at 0 mV. Administration of Ang II (100 nmol/L) enhanced the peak of I(Ca.L) during ischemia and shifted the maximal activation potential to -10 mV. The possible mechanism of these effects is discussed.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes on lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced hepatocyte inflammation of rats and TLR4/p38MAPK signal pathway.

METHODThe hepatocytes of SD rats were cultured and identified in vitro. The medicated serum of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes was prepared. The hepatocytes were treated with soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes. Then Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in cultural supernatants were assayed by ELISA. The expressions of Toll-Like 4 (TLR4), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTThe rat medicated serum of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes was extracted for 2-3 mL. The purified rat hepatocytes were 1.5 x 10(8)-2.0 x 10(8). The cell viability was above 95% detected by Typan blue staining. The hepatocytes were identified by immumofluorescence assay. The detection of hepatocyte cultural supernatants: compared with that of the control group, IL-6 and TNF-α expression were increased in the LPS group (P < 0.01). While compared with that of the LPS group, the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased after soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes intervention (P < 0.01). The detection of hepatocyte proteins: compared with that of the control group, the protein expressions of p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK and TLR4 were all increased significantly in the LPS group (P < 0.01). Compared with that of the LPS group, the protein expressions of p38MAPK was decreased significantly in SB239063 group and it was also decreased in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group, but with no significant difference. Compared with that of the LPS group, p38MAPK expression was reduced significantly in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group and the SB239063 (p38MAPK pathway inhibitor) group (P < 0.01). TLR4 protein expression was decreased markedly in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group (P < 0.01) but had no difference between the SB239063 group and the LPS group.

CONCLUSIONThe soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes may regulate hepatocyte inflammatory injury of rats through TLR4/p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

The experiments were carried out on guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes by using whole-cell patch clamp. The effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on potassium ion channels of acute ischemic myocytes were observed. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed that physiological potassium current, including delayed rectifier potassium current and inward rectifier potassium current were inhibited under the condition of simulated ischemia, and then further inhibited by treatment with Ang II. ATP-sensitive potassium currents were increased under simulated ischemia and were further enhanced by Ang II treatment.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; physiology

The cDNA encoding the precursor of cobrotoxin was cloned from the venom gland of the Chinese continental cobra ( Naja naja atra ) by RT-PCR. Its deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed that the mature protein was identical to that identified from the Taiwan cobra ( Naja naja atra ) by protein sequencing technique. The cDNA encoding the mature protein was then subcloned into the expression vector pMAL-P2. The gene of CMl 1, which was formed by ligation of the fragments of the synthetic oligonucleotides, was also cloned into the expression vector pMAL-P2. After induction of IPTG, both of the neurotoxins were overexpressed as soluble fusion proteins which were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The expressed fusion proteins was purified by sepharose 6B-amylose affinity chromatography and DEAE-sepharose FF chromatography. Both of the recombinant proteins achieved after digestion by factor Xa showed the in vivo toxicity.

Objective: The current study was designed to explore the relationship between the epithelial cadherin (E-cd) expression and clinical appearances of salivary tumor. Method: The paraffin embedded tissue specimens were studied immunohistochemically using the ployclone antibody against E-cd and ABC method. The E-cd expression level was determined semiquantatively. The semi-quantitative parameters of E-cd expression were analyzed retrospectively with the clinical information. Result: The E-cd positive expressions were normal (＋ ＋ ) in two cases of normal salivary tissue, 5 cases of benign mixed tumor and paracancerous salivary tissue, 39 cases of of 47 malignant salivary malignancies it was decreased even to no E-cd expression. There was a significant correlation between decreased E-cd expression and preoperative clinical appearances, postoperative survival, recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: The E-cd expression level may be a useful prognostic parameter for salivary malignancies.

BACKGROUNDInterleukin-13 (IL-13) has been implicated to be responsible for recruitment of inflammatory cells from the blood to the lung, regulation of matrix metalloproteinase and induction of mucin production and secretion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and investigated its association with common polymorphisms of IL-13 gene in a case-control study.

METHODSWe genotyped 160 cases and 175 control subjects in a local hospital using Mass-Array(TM) Technology Platform then tested the association of four SNPs in IL-13 (rs1295685, rs1800925, rs1881457, rs20541) with COPD, and then determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and controls.

RESULTSAssociation was found between IL-13 gene SNPs (rs20541 and rs1800925) and an increased risk of COPD. By linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, two blocks (rs1881457 and rs1800925; rs20541 and rs1295685) were found. The risk of COPD was found associated with the IL-13 gene polymorphism among southern Chinese Han population. Plasma IL-13 level was increased in COPD patients compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe polymorphism of the IL-13 gene is associated with an increased risk of COPD in southern Chinese Han population. Plasma IL-13 levels were found elevated in patients with COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo develop an simple and sensitive method for detecting anti-coronavirus IgG antibodies in bat sera based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

METHODSA commercial ELISA kit for detecting SARS-CoV antibody was modified for detecting coronavirus antibodies in bat serum samples. The second antibody in the kit was replaced with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated protein-A (HRP-SPA) based on the characteristics of binding between Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA) and mammal IgG Fc fragment. The sera of 55 fulvous fruit bats (Rousettus dasymallus) were tested using the SPA-ELISA.

RESULTSThe test results of the positive and negative controls in the kit and the serum samples from convalescent ;patient were consistent with expectation. Coronavirus antibody was detected in 2 out of the 55 bat serum samples. Serum neutralization test confirmed the validity of the SPA-ELISA method.

CONCLUSIONThis SPA-ELISA method is applicable for detecting coronavirus antibody in bat sera.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Chiroptera ; virology ; Coronavirus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood

BACKGROUNDResistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a dominant inherited syndrome of reduced tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormone. It is usually due to mutations located at the ligand-binding domain and adjacent hinge region of the thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). We report the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the genetic analysis of a patient with this rare disorder and his family members.

METHODSThe clinical presentations and changes of thyroid function tests (TFTs) including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pituitary and other laboratory tests were analysed. TFTs of his family's members were detected as well. Direct DNA sequencing of the TRβ gene was done for those with abnormal TFTs.

RESULTSThe RTH child had goiter, irritability, aggressiveness, and sudoresis. His TFTs showed high levels of circulating free thyroid hormones (FT(4) and FT(3)) and normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. He felt worse when treated as hyperthyroidism (Grave disease) with thiamazole and his clinical presentations got improved obviously when treated as RTH with bromocriptine without obvious advert effect. We identified a novel missense mutation, A317D, located in exon 9 of the gene of this boy and his mother. His mother had not any clinical presentation, but having abnormal TFTs results.

CONCLUSIONSThis patient reported here was concordant with the criteria of RTH. The feature is dysfunction of hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. A novel mutation was found in the TRβ, A317D, of this family. This research verified the phenomena that there is a clinical heterogeneity within the same mutation of different RTH patients.

Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta ; genetics ; Thyroid Hormone Resistance Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological feature of primary hepatic carcinoma and the clinical significance.

METHODSFrom August 2000 to December 2007, there were 89 patients with cirrhosis and carcinoma of liver who accepted whole liver resection. The whole liver was cut into 10 mm slices to examine the tumor size, number, distribution, capsule, satellite nodes, portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT). The invaded adjacent tissue and lymph nodes were recorded, the distance from satellite to major tumor was measured, then histological examinations were carried out, and the final diagnosis was made by pathologists.

RESULTSThe total of 89 cases included hepatocellular carcinoma in 86 cases and cholangiocarcinoma in 3 cases; 53 cases with multiple tumors and 36 cases with solitary tumor; complete capsule only in 14 cases, no obvious margin in 11 cases, 13 cases had a major tumor in the right lobe and a small tumor in the left lobe; 8 of 25 cases with gross invaded tissue were confirmed by histological examination, 7 of 16 cases with swollen lymph nodes were infiltrated by cancer cells. There were 47 cases with PVTT (47.2%) and 39 cases with satellite nodes (43.8%). PVTT and satellite nodes increased with the increase of sizes and the numbers of the tumors. The distance from satellite node to major tumor mostly were 0.5 - 3.0 cm.

CONCLUSIONSThe whole explanted liver can completely reflect the characteristics of growth and infiltration of hepatic carcinoma. Attention must be paid to the small cancer lesions in another lobe, distal satellite nodes from major tumor, and tumor thrombi in a small branch of portal vein, which can not be found by imaging, and might influence the curative effectiveness after liver resection or transplantation.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult