Objective:To observe the influence of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the fat pad at the right pulmonary vein- atria junction(RPV fat pad)on Bezold-Jarisch reflex(BJR)induced by veratridine in canine.Methods:Ten mongrel dogs were anesthetized and their chest were opened through a right thoracotomy to expose the RPV fat pad.Veratridine was injected into the left ventricle at bolus doses of 10?g/kg through a catheter to induce BJR.The sinus cycle length(SCL),systolic arterial pressure(SAP),diastolic arterial pressure(DAP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),left ventricle systolic pressure(LVSP), left ventricle diastolic pressure(LVDP)and mean left ventricle pressure(MLVP)were measured under the baseline and after ablation of the RPV fat pad;the changes of the above parameters(?SCL,?SAP,?DAP,?MAP,?LVSP,?LVDP,and?MLVP)were calculated.Then the same dose of veratridine was injected under the pad after ablation and the changes of the a- bove parameters were observed.Results:BJR was successfully induced in the 8 animals;the animals has prolonged sinus cycle length(SCL)and decreased MAP and MLVP.After ablation,the prolongation of SCL after injection of veratridine was markedly reduced([229.2?92.3]ms vs[39.3?14.1]ms,P

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), mediated by plasmids, can hydrolyze and cause resistance to penicillins, broad spectrum-cephalosporins, and monobactams. Most ESBLs are derived from the widespread broad-spectrum beta-lactamases TEM-1 and SHV-1. There are also other families of ESBLs, including CTX-M and OXA-type enzymes as well as novel unrelated beta-lactamases. This article reviews recent advances in the classification, characteristics, and other molecular biological aspects of ESBLs.
Molecular Biology ; beta-Lactamases ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo extract RNA from Pinellia ternata and lay a foundation for studying the formation mechanism of P. ternata.

METHODBy modifying the method recommended by Guanidinium for extracting total RNA from plant tissues rich in phenolic and polysaccharidic compounds, a simple and convenient method for extraction of total RNA from the tubers, stems and leaves of P. ternate containing abundant polyphenols and polysaccharides was established. High concentrated p-mercaptoethanol was added in the RNA extracted buffer to remove polyphenols, phenol and chloroform were used to eliminate proteins, and isopropanol and sodium acetate were used to precipitate polysaccharides.

RESULTThe A260/A230 value of RNA extracted with improved method were all over 2.0 and the values of A260/A280 were between 1.7 and 2.0. The electrophoresis bands were cleared on agarosegel and integrity of RNA was good.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that RNA obtained from the tubers, stems and leaves of P. ternate with this method had high purity and quality and could be used in molecular biological research, as DDRT-PCR and reverse Northern blotting analysis directly. This method is simple, economic, stable performance, and has a good repeatability as well as is suitable for extracting total RNA of medicinal plants with high concentrations of phenolics and polysaccharides.

Blotting, Northern ; Pinellia ; genetics ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plant Stems ; genetics ; Plant Tubers ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Plant ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo radiographically analyze the osseous fixation zone for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws and in order to guide their placement.

METHODSNine adults with 2.0-mm-slice continuous pelvic axial CT scans were selected as research subjects. Each CT scan data was imported into MIMICS 10.0. The osseous fixation zone the upper portion of the anterior column of the acetabulum which is located between the anterior superior iliac spine and the gluteal medius pillar and between the iliac crest and the acetabulum-for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws was reconstructed into true sagittal and true coronal planes by using the software. Then the measurements were taken on the reconstructed planes with measuring tools. Finally, the measured data was analyzed.

RESULTSThe palpable iliac crest segment, which was of 49.6 mm width and located 16.5 mm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine could be used to locate the start points of the Schanz screws. Under the above-mentioned iliac crest segment, the osseous zone was deep, got ample bony materials and could intraosseously contain Schanz screws with 5.0 mm diameter. The screws could be safely inserted to a minimal depth of 71.7 mm towards the acetabular dome and to a maximal depth of 143.5 mm posterior to the acetabulum.

CONCLUSIONThe study can guide the effective insertion of the iliac crest Schanz screws. By setting a suitable start point in the above-mentioned iliac crest region and angling correctly relative to the acetabulum,the Schanz screw can be inserted into the relative strong cancellous bone above or posterior to the acetabulum with a considerable depth, to getting more bone engagement.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo distinguish lingual thyroglossal duct cyst (LTDC) from laryngomalacia in newborn infants.

METHODSData of 10 newborn infants with laryngeal stridor and dyspnea, admitted to the department of neonatology in our hospital during December, 2004 to August, 2007, who were finally diagnosed with LTDC though previously diagnosed as congenital laryngeal stridor in other hospitals, were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTSInspiratory stridor with chest wall retractions was cardinal symptom of newborn with LTDC. A slightly gray and round cyst with smooth surface at the base of the tongue was found with laryngoscopy. On computed tomography examination of larynx, a well-circumscribed lesion with low intensity was detected at the base of the tongue protruding into the air passage. Pathological examination demonstrated that the cyst wall was composed of tabular and columnar epithelium.

CONCLUSIONSLTDC is a common disease in newborns, which is similar to laryngomalacia. For neonates suspected of LTDC, laryngoscopic examination should be performed first, while laryngeal CT scan is an important diagnostic basis. Cyst puncture can ameliorate the symptoms of the patients, while surgical removal is the method of radical cure.

Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory Sounds ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglossal Cyst ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early diagnostic significance of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) compared with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to find the dynamic pattern of DWI and conventional MRI in newborn infants with neonatal cerebral infarction (NCI).

METHODSThe imaging studies and clinical records of six newborn infants with NCI admitted to our ward between April 2004 and October 2005 were reviewed. All examinations were performed on a 3.0-T MRI system (Philips Intera Acheva Magnetom Vision) with echo-planar imaging capability with the use of a standard protocol. The imaging protocol for all the patients contained diffuse weighted images (EPI-SE, TR = 2144 ms, TE = 56 ms), T(1)-weighted images (TR = 389 ms; TE = 15 ms; slice thickness = 4 mm) as well as T(2)-weighted images (TR = 3035 ms; TE = 100 ms; slice thickness = 4 mm). Except the magnetic resonance image examination mentioned above, the following examinations were performed in all patients: whole blood cells count, serum total calcium and ionized calcium, blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood culture, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, chest radiograph (CR), cardiac color Doppler, conventional MRI and DWI of brain.

RESULTSAll the patients were full term infants. One had severe asphyxia and the other five had neither intrauterine distress nor birth asphyxia. Five of the patients had no localized neurological signs in the early course except for abnormal muscular tone to some extent, but just seizure as their major symptom. A seizure episode was the most common sign and no other positive signs of nervous system was found in the newborn with NCI. All the patients had normal white blood cells, red blood cells, blood platelet, blood glucose, serum total calcium and ionized calcium, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, CRP and cardiac color Doppler. The first MRI was performed from 18 hours to 4 days after the onset of illness when four patients showed abnormal findings on routine MRI (T(1)WI hypointensity, T(2)WI hyperintensity) and the other two showed normal results while all the six showed abnormal hyperintensty on DMI. On following up, all the patients showed T(1)WI hypointensity and T(2)WI hyperintensity on routine MRI while hypointensity was shown on DWI. There were cortical and subcortical white matter damage with obvious high signal intensity on DWI in left temporal lobe and parietal-occipital lobes of 4 cases and in left frontal-parietal lobes of one patient and in left basal ganglia of another patient, but lesions of hypointensity on T(1)W and hyperintensity on T(2)W in only 3 patients between 2nd day and 3rd day after onset; two weeks later there were the lesions of hypointensity on T(1)W and on DWI and hyperintensity on T(2)W seen in all patients in the areas similar to those found before on DWI. Lesions of hypointensity on T(1)W and DWI and of hyperintensity on T(2)W remained in two patients at sixth month and in one patients at 15th month.

CONCLUSIONSeizure was the most common sign of newborn infants with NCI and seizures in the neonatal period may be the single symptom of acute ischemic cerebral infarction. It was difficult to establish the diagnosis in the acute phase by the use of ultrasound, CT, and conventional MRI because of the high water content of the immature brain.. DWI seems to be a sensitive early diagnostic measure for NCI. Hyperintensity was shown on DWI at the early stage of the disease. Two weeks later, the hyperintensity turned to hypointensity and lasted long with the same signal characters and lesions on T(1)WI. The lesions of hypointensity on T(1)W and DWI and hyperintensity on T(2)W appeared at 2 weeks and remained for more than 1 year. T(2)-weighted sequences should supplement DW images to reliably detect subacute ischemic infarctions in the neonatal period.

Brain ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnosis ; Diffusion ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Stroke ; diagnosis

Objective To detect the expressions of DNA damage checkpoint genes including A TR, A TM, Chk1 and Chk2 in human primary gliomns and explore their relations with tumor progression. Methods SYBRTM Green real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expressions of ATR, A TM, Chk1 and Chk2 genes in 35 cases of primary gliomas and 10 of normal brain tissues. Results In glioma tissues of various pathological grades, the expressions of the target genes, with the exception of A TM gene, were significantly increased as compared to those in normal brain tissues (P<0.05). Chk1 gene expression was significantly higher in grade Ⅳ than in grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ gliomas (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in A TR or Chk2 gene expression between grade Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ gliomas (P>0.05). Conclusion The up-regulation of ATR, Chk1 and Chk2 genes in primary glioma suggests their association with the pathogenesis of glioma. Chk1 expression may indicate the malignancy of glioma and help evaluate the pathological grade of glioma.

OBJECTIVEPeriventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the principal form of brain injury in the premature infant, is characterized by overt focal necrotic lesions in periventricular white matter and diffuse cerebral white matter injury. The early detection of the disease is not consistently possible with cranial ultrasonography or conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recently, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been shown to be highly sensitive in detecting acute ischemic cerebral injury. This study aimed to evaluate possible role of DWI in early diagnosis of PVL.

METHODSImages and clinical data from 12 preterm infants with PVL diagnosed in our NICU from August, 2005 to April, 2007 were reviewed. MRI using conventional and diffusion-weighted imaging, as well as the assays of blood routine test, serum bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood culture, blood gas analysis, blood sugar and serum ions were performed in these preterm infants. All examinations were performed on a 3.0-T MRI system (Philips Intera Acheva Magnetom Vision) with echo-planar imaging capability with the use of a standard protocol. The imaging protocol for all the patients contained diffuse weighted images (EPI-SE, TR = 2144 ms, TE = 56 ms), T1-weighted images (TR = 389 ms; TE = 15 ms; slice thickness = 4 mm) as well as T2-weighted images (TR = 3035 ms; TE = 100 ms; slice thickness = 4 mm). The first MR examinations were performed in all these twelve preterm infants (mean age 4.5 days, range 2 - 7 days). Conventional MRI and DWI sequences obtained in the acute phase were compared. All the neonates underwent another two MRI examinations up to 2 and 4 weeks after delivery; five subjects also underwent MRI follow-up for up to 4 - 8 months (in 3 for 4 months, in 1 for 7 months, and in another for 8 months). Qualitative evaluations were performed to assess the presence of DWI changes compatible with PVL.

RESULTSThe gestational ages of these twelve patients were from 31 to 35 weeks. None of them had intrauterine distress or birth asphyxia. None of the patients had localized neurological signs in the early course except for abnormal muscular tone of some extent, but seizure and apnea were their major symptoms. No other positive signs of nervous system was found in these preterm infants with PVL. First DWI detection (on the average of 4.5 days) in all these infants showed bilateral, symmetric, diffuse high signal intensity (including genu and plenum of corpus callosum), while conventional MRI showed normal images on both T1- and T2-weighted imaging; two weeks later, DWI showed irregularly high, low mixed signals while conventional MRI showed punctate high signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging and slightly lower signal on T2-weighted imaging. Four weeks later, DWI showed cystic low signal intensity where conventional MRI showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging (cystic PVL). Four months later, DWI showed that the cystic cava became diminished and disappeared, while conventional MRI showed reduced cerebral white matter and dilation of ventricle.

CONCLUSIONBilateral, symmetric, diffuse high signal intensity on DWI seems to be the earliest evidence of PVL; diffusion-weighted imaging performed in the acute phase of the disease may have a higher correlation with later evidence of PVL than does conventional MR imaging. DWI is likely to be a considerable technique in the early assessment of white matter injury and later PVL in preterm infants.

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant adenoviral vector harboring human transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor-IgG1Fc (TbetaRII-IgG1Fc) fusion gene.

METHODSThe cDNA fragments of human TbetaRII and IgG1Fc genes were amplified by RT-PCR and fused with overlap PCR to obtain the fusion gene TbetaRKK-IgG1Fc. The TbetaRII-IgG1Fc gene was cloned into the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV, which was linearized and transfected into E.coli BJ 5183 strain containing the adenoviral backbone vector. The recombinant adenovirus vector was constructed by homologous recombination. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid was linearized and transfected into 293 cells, followed by amplification and purification of the virus and detection of TbetaRII-IgG1Fc mRNA expression by RT-PCR. The functional activity of the recombinant adenoviral plasmid was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe results of restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing indicated correct sequence of the target TbetaRII-IgG1Fc fusion gene. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid expressed hTbetaRII-IgG1Fc and neutralized TGF-beta1 in vitro after infection of the human lung fibroblasts (HLF), as confirmed by RT-PCR and ELISA.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant adenoviral plasmid capable of neutralizing TGF-beta1 in vitro is constructed successfully.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lung ; cytology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo introduce a technique pertaining to S2 iliosacral screw insertion.

METHODSThe screw pathway was first measured on the preoperative pelvic CT scan or the standard sacral lateral radiograph to make sure the existence of the "safe zone" in the S2 segment for screw insertion. Under general anesthesia, patients were positioned supine or prone, depending on the injury pattern of pelvic ring or associated injuries requiring concomitant operation. The operation field was routinely sterilized using iodine and subsequent alcohol solution and draped. The tip of a guide wire was inserted through a stab wound to the posterior outer iliac table, manipulated in the "safe zone" being enclosed by the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel, the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae, and the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen under the guidance of the standard sacral lateral fluoroscopy, and then the tip was hammered one to two millimeters into the iliac cortex. The guide wire progressed along the trajectory between the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen and the superior aspect of the S2 foramen on the pelvic outlet fluoroscopic view, and then along the posterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 sacral vertebrae and alae on the pelvic inlet fluoroscopic view with a predetermined length. At that moment, in order to ensure the safety, another standard sacral lateral view was imaged to detect the guide wire's tip which should locate posterior to the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae and anterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel. Subsequently, the depth was measured, the trajectory was drilled and tapped, and the screw was inserted. Following the removal of the guide wire, the wound was irrigated and sutured.

RESULTSUtilizing this insertion technique, there were 30 S2 iliosacral screws in total being placed to stabilize the injured and unstable posterior pelvic ring in 27 patients. Each S2 screw was accompanied by an ipsilateral S1 screw. The S2 screw location was completely intraosseous in all patients, which was verified by postoperative pelvic outlet and inlet radiographs and CT scans. The insertion accuracy was 100 percent in the present series.

CONCLUSIONThe S2 iliosacral screw insertion technique is safe and reproducible to guide the placement of the S2 screw, enhancing the stability for the compromised posterior pelvic ring.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Sacrum ; injuries ; surgery