Objective To provide histological evidence for clinic tendon reconstruction on severe medial collateral ligament injury in rabbits. Methods Medial collateral ligaments of two knee joints were completely incised to create own control model of MCL rupture. The operation group intimated the procedure of human being MCL reconstruction with semitendinous tendon. In the 4th,12th,16th,24th weeks, healing of MCL was observed by anatomy and the picrosirius-polarization method. Results In the 4th week, the MCL healing tissue of ex-periment group is more than control group. The average ratios of type Ⅲ collagen to Ⅰ, Ⅲ collagen in the experiment group [(0.263±0.075), (0.235±0.041), (0.210±0.045), (0.197±0.029)] were significantly lower than those in control group [(0.310±0.072), (0.286±0.045), (0.261±0.046), (0.236±0.043) ] in the 4th, 12th, 16th, 24th weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusions The semitendinons tendon reconstruction can improve MCL healing in early and middle period after injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer on the bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary hypertension in immature rabbits.

METHODSImmature rabbits were divided into 4 groups; control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups. The systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure (PASP, PADP, MPAP) were measured by micro-catheter, the pathological changes and the expression of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA of endothelial cells in pulmonary arteries were evaluated by HE stain and in situ hybridization.

RESULT(1) The PAP of BLM and liposome groups was higher than that of control and trans-gene groups. The PASP was 16.5+/-2.9, 25.2+/-7.0, 24.4+/-6.0 and 18.3+/-2.7 mmHg; the PADP was 8.8+/-4.2, 13.1+/-3.8, 13.7+/-4.6 and 10.2+/-2.6 mmHg; the MPAP was 12.1+/-4.0, 18.4+/-4.7, 18.4+/-5.1 and 14.1+/-2.5 mmHg in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups respectively. (2) The thickness of wall increased and the cavity became narrow, and the thickness index (TI) and area index (AI) increased in middle and small pulmonary arteries of BLM and liposome groups. The TI was 0.52+/-0.16, 0.65+/-0.16, 0.63+/-0.11 and 0.55+/-0.13; and the AI was 0.74+/-0.17, 0.84+/-0.14, 0.85+/-0.08 and 0.79+/-0.12 in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups,respectively. (3) The level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells decreased in BLM and liposome groups. The level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in trans-gene group was higher than that in BLM and liposome groups, but lower than that in control group. VEGFmRNA was 0.83+/-0.09, 0.45+/-0.11, 0.45+/-0.13 and 0.65+/-0.18; eNOSmRNA was 0.79+/-0.12, 0.45+/-0.12, 0.50+/-0.14 and 0.56+/-0.08 in control, BLM, liposome and trans-gene groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONVEGF gene transfer in immature rabbits with BLM-induced pulmonary hypertension could attenuate the increasing of PAP and wall thickness in middle and small pulmonary arteries, and increase the level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bleomycin ; Endothelium ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; therapy ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the evolution of pulmonary hypertension induced by intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) in immature rabbits.

METHODSImmature rabbits were divided into control and BLM groups. Two and four weeks after intratracheal normal saline or BLM, the systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure (PASP, PADP, MPAP) were measured by micro-catheter, the pathological changes and the expression of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA of endothelial cells in pulmonary arteries were evaluated by HE and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSPulmonary artery pressure was elevated 2 weeks and 4 weeks after intratracheal BLM. Two weeks after treatment PASP was (16.5 +/- 2.9 compared with 25.2 +/- 7.0) mmHg, PADP (8.8 +/- 4.2 compared with 13.1 +/- 3.8) mmHg, MPAP (12.1 +/-4.0 compared with 18.4 +/-4.7) mmHg in control and BLM groups, respectively; meanwhile 4 weeks after treatment, PASP was (16.7 +/-2.3 compared with 23.8 +/-7.1) mmHg, PADP (7.3 +/-1.5 compared with 13.8 +/-6.6) mmHg, MPAP (11.3 +/- 1.9 compared with 17.6 +/- 6.3) mmHg in control and BLM groups, respectively. The thickness of arterial wall increased and the cavity became narrow, and the thickness index (TI) and area index (AI) increased in middle and small pulmonary arteries 2 weeks and 4 weeks after intratracheal BLM. Two weeks after treatment TI was 0.52 +/- 0.16 compared with 0.65 +/- 0.16, AI 0.74+/- 0.17 compared with 0.84 +/- 0.14 in control and BLM groups, respectively; meanwhile 4 weeks after treatment TI was 0.52 +/- 0.11 compared with 0.64 +/- 0.15, AI 0.71 +/- 0.15 compared with 0.85 +/- 0.10 in control and BLM groups. The levels of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells decreased 2 weeks and 4 weeks after intratracheal BLM. Two weeks after treatment VEGFmRNA was 0.83 +/- 0.09 compared with 0.45 +/- 0.11, eNOSmRNA 0.79 +/- 0.12 compared with 0.45 +/- 0.12 in control and BLM groups, respectively; meanwhile 4 weeks after VEGFmRNA was 0.81 +/- 0.19 compared with 0.46 +/- 0.15, eNOSmRNA 0.89 +/- 0.14 compared with 0.44 +/- 0.12 in control and BLM groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIntratracheal bleomycin may induce the pathological changes of pulmonary arteries and decrease the expression of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA in immature rabbits, which results in pulmonary hypertension.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bleomycin ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVESince 2011 EB-APS conference, we hypotheses that phase switching of inspiration-expiration is dominantly initiated by oscillatory information PaO2, PaCO2 and [H+] via fast peripheral chemical receptors. However, the evidence of the waveform of ABG is lack.

METHODSSix surgery patients with normal heart function and negative Allen test, had been placed the arterial catheterization directly connected to 3 x 1 000 mm pre-heparin plastic pipe for continuous collecting arterial blood. We counted the number of heart beat for the blood collecting time, and separated the blood pipe into the heart beat numbers' short pieces using haemostatic forceps, then put pipe into iced water at once fir analyzing PaO2, PaCO2, pH and SaO2 as soon as possible. We selected two breaths cycles of waveform from each patient for data calculations of magnitudes and time interval.

RESULTSThe heart beat numbers for filling blood into pipe were 16 ± 2, and all covered more than 2 breathing cycles. Each breathing cycle is cover 5 ± 0.6 heart beat. There were significant changes of PaO2, PaCO2, [H+] a and SaO2 (i.e. the highest high values compare to the next lowest values, P < 0.05). The time interval of changing PaO2, PaCO2, [H+]a and SaO2 magnitudes were 11.28 ± 1.13 mmHg, 1.77 ± 0.89 mmHg, 1.14 ± 0.35 nmol/L and 0.52% ± 0.44% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis simple continuous beat-by-beat arterial blood sampling and ABG analyzing method is new and practicable. We obtain a clear evidence of periodic parameters ABG waveform, which following breathing cycle.

Arteries ; physiology ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Respiration

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze the mechanism of Pizhen for the treatment of patients with scapular muscle fasciitis.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen patients were divided into two groups according to random number table method, 58 cases in the treatment group and 58 cases in the control group. After treatment, 109 patients were followed up, and 7 patients lost follow-up (2 cases in the treatment group and 5 patients in the control group). In the treatment group, there were 15 males and 41 females, with a mean age of (28.02 +/- 4.85) years; the course of disease ranged from 0.25 to 3 years; and the patients were treated by Pizhen once a week,and 2 weeks were one treatment course. In the control group, there were 19 males and 34 females, with a mean age of (27.23 +/- 4.54) years old; the course of disease ranged from 0.25 to 1 year; and the patients were treated by acupuncture massage instrument, 20 minutes at a time,once a day for 2 weeks. Soft tissue displacement and banana area were tested by a soft tissue tension tester, pressure value was measured by pressure measuring instrument, and VAS was recorded by pain visual analog scale record.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in tissue displacement, banana area, pressure value and VAS between two groups before and after treatment. The tissue displacement and pressure value in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group,while banana area and VAS were lower than those in the control group. In the treatment group, 30 patients healed, 13 patients got marked improvement, 12 good and 1 poor;while 16 patients healed, 19 patients got marked improvement,11 good and 7 poor in the control group. The therapeutic effects in the treatment group was better than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONPizhen is an effective method to treat pain in patients with scapular muscle fasciitis by relaxing tendon of soft tissue around pain point of scapular and relaxing compress and stimulation of nerves.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fasciitis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions.Methods Seventeen patients with a variety of leptomeningeal lesions were analyzed.The MRI protocol included un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI,Comparisons between contrast-enhanced FLAIR images and T_1WI and between un-enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were made to determine which sequence better depicted the lesions.Results Leptomeningeal lesions showed as either diffusely or locally abnormal hyper-intensity along sulci or cistern on three sequences.Comparison between contrast-enhanced FLAIR and T_1WI showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 7,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 2 ,and both were conspicuous in 7. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,diffuse abnormalities of sulci were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR, abnormalities of cisterns were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Comparison between un- enhanced and contrast-enhanced FLAIR showed that only contrast-enhanced FLAIR revealed the abnormalities in 9,both revealed the abnormalities but the former was superior in 3,and both were conspicuous in 4. In 1 patient of tuberculous meningitis,abnormalities of cisterns were shown only on contrast-enhanced FLAIR,diffuseabnormalities of sulci were shown on both sequences but the former was superior.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images were superior to un-enhanced FLAIR images and contrast-enhanced T_1WI in the detection of leptomeningeal lesions. Contrast-enhanced FLAIR images are helpful and should be considered when findings on un-enhanced FLAIR images and/or contrast-enhanced T,WI are inconclusive.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Wnt signaling suppression on proliferation of non small cell lung cancer to gefitinib, and its related mechanisms.

METHODSPC9 and PC9/AB2 cells of both gefitinib sensitive and resistant were treated with different concentrations of gefitinib, and the proliferation index was measured using CCK8 kit. The members of Wnt signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. Dual luciferase reportor gene assay (TOP Flash) was used to document the transcriptional level of β-catenin. β-catenin siRNA was transfected into PC9/AB2 cells to suppress the Wnt signaling transcription, followed by treatment with different concentrations of gefitinib. Western blot was then used to detect the expression of EGFR and its downstream signaling after inhibit the expression of β-catenin.

RESULTSTreating with different concentrations of gefitinib, the resistance of PC9/AB2 cells to gefitinib was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The members of Wnt signaling expressed at higher level in PC9/AB2 cells than in PC9 cells (t = 24.590, P = 0.000). TOP Flash examination showed that the endogenous transcriptional activity of Wnt signaling was higher in PC9/AB2 cell than that in PC9 cell (t = 4.983, P = 0.008). Compared with the negative control group, apoptotic rate and sensitivity to gefitinib significantly increased in interfered group (P < 0.05). The expression of p-ERK1/2 significantly decreased after Wnt signaling suppression, although other proteins showed no significant alterations.

CONCLUSIONSuppressing the activity of Wnt signaling can partly reverse the celluar resistance to gefitinib in non small cell lung cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

The trichomonad species Tritrichomonas foetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis were recently detected in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. However, little information is available on the prevalence and pathogenicity of these parasites in the canine population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of trichomonads infecting pet dogs in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, east China. In total, 315 pet dogs, with or without diarrhea, from 7 pet hospitals were included in this epidemiological survey. Microscopy and PCR detected P. hominis in 19.7% (62/315) and 31.4% (99/315) of fecal samples, respectively. T. foetus infection was detected in 0% (0/315) of samples with microscopy and in 0.6% (2/315) with PCR. The prevalence of P. hominis was significantly higher in young dogs (≤12 months) than in adult dogs (>12 months), and was significantly higher in diarrheic dogs (50.6%) than in non-diarrheic dogs (24.3%; P<0.05). Infection with T. foetus did not correlate with any risk factors evaluated in this study. A sequence analysis of the P. hominis PCR products showed minor allelic variations between our sequences and those of P. hominis strains from other hosts in different parts of the world. Type CC1 was the most common strain in dogs in east China. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)-5.8S rRNA gene sequences from the 2 T. foetus isolates detected in this study displayed 100% identity and were homologous to the sequences of other strains isolated from domestic cats in other countries.
Adult ; Animals ; Cats ; China* ; Diarrhea ; Dogs* ; Feces ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Sequence Analysis ; Tritrichomonas foetus ; Virulence

OBJECTIVEWe investigate the magnitudes of waveform changes of arterial blood gas (ABG) in patients with heart failure.

METHODSFive patients with heart failure were selected, continuous collecting radial artery blood and measured PaO2, PaCO2, pHa and Sao2. We selected two typical breaths cycles of waveform changes of ABG from each patient for data analysis. Comparison of the adjacent highest and lowest values to verify the presence of a periodic waveform changes of ABG, and in addition, we used t test to analysis the range of waveform changes of ABG in patients with heart failure and patients with normal cardiac function and compared whether the difference between them.

RESULTSThe 5 patients (2 surgical and 3 ICU) with heart failure, were 4 male and 1 female, (69 ± 7)year, (169 ± 10) cm, (75 ± 19)kg, LVEF = (38 ± 3)%. The heart beat numbers for full blood into the blood sampling pipe were 17 ± 2, and all covered more than 2 breath cycles. There were significant changes of PaO2, PaCO2, [H+]a and SaO2 (P < 0.05). The magnitudes of changing PaO2, PaCO2, [H+]a and Sao2 were (7.94 ± 2.02)mmHg, (1.18 ± 0.56)mmHg, (0.54 ± 0.17)nmol/L and (0.21 ± 0.07)%, and they were (6.1 ± 1.5)%, (3.2 ± 1.5)%, (1.5 ± 0.5)% and (0.2 ± 0.1)% from their mean respectively. Even these magnitudes fo all ABG parameters were trendily lower than those of patients with normal cardiac function, but only PaO2 and [H+]a were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUsing this simple continuous beat-by-beat arterial blood sampling method, we obtained a clear evidence of periodic waveform of ABG parameters following by breath cycle in patients with heart failure, but the magnitude trendily be decreased.

Aged ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hypertonic sodium chloride hydroxyethyl starch 40 (HSH) on brain edema and morphological changes during whole body hyperthermia (WBH) in rats.

METHODSSixty adult male SD rats were randomized into control group, WBH group without fluid infusion (group HT), WBH group with Ringer's infusion (group RL), WBH group with HAES + Ringer's infusion (group HRL) and WBH group with HSH infusion (group HSH). WBH was induced by exposure to 36 degrees celsius; for 3 h to achieve a rectal temperature of 41-42 degrees celsius;, and the corresponding fluids were administered intravenously within 30 min at the beginning of WBH. The control rats were housed at a controlled room temperature (22∓1) degrees celsius; for 4 h. After cooling at room temperature for 1 h, the rats were sacrificed and brain water content and morphological changes were evaluated.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, all the WBH groups had significantly increased brain water content (P<0.05 or 0.01), but group HSH showed a significantly lower brain water content than group HT (P<0.05). The rats in groups HT, RL and HRL showed serious to moderate structural changes of the brain tissue and nerve cells, but HSH group had only mild pathologies.

CONCLUSIONHSH can reduce brain edema and ameliorate the damages to brain cells in rats exposed to WBH.

Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Edema ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; adverse effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; therapeutic use