Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical oulcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) performed with minimally invasive technique.Methods From June 2010 to October 2011,20 cases of minimally invasive AVR were performed.The mean age was (47.60±12.28) ;12 males and 8 females.All patients are ventilated with a double-lumen endotracheal tube,through the 3nd anterior intercostals space with a 5 -6cmskin incision,right femoral artery and vein cannulation are used to establish CPB,direct aortic cross-clamped by Chitwood sliding clamp through the right 4th intercostals space,and completed the aortic valve replacement.Results Mean length of incision was (4.73±0.54)cm.Mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was (124±39.83)min,crossclamp time was (97.21±33.17) min.Median intubation time was (13.55±3.87)hours.Median duration of intensive care and postoperative hospital stay was (16.34±3.82)hours and (6.63±1.45) days,respectively.Hospital mortality was 0.There was no perivalvular leakage,Conclusion Minimally invasive aortic replacement with a modified Port-Access approach is feasible,small incisions,more cosmetic,shorter length of bospital stay and less need for blood transfusion are attainable.

In this paper, three spoilage organisms were separated from five transmutative soy milks, and all the three spoilage bacteria could survive condition of both 1?105Pa,30min and 300mg/kg Nisin. Morpha character, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA gene sequences reveal that these three strains are Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus and Brevibacillus borstelensis respectively. GenBank accessions for these three strains are EF439666-EF439668。

To investigate the effect of losartan on the axis of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP)--kallikrein of the two-kidney, one-clipped (2K1C) hypertensives rats, and explore the novel protection mechanism of losartan on the kidney. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to develop the 2K1C hypertensive rats. Then, the rats were treated with prazosin (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or losartan (5, 15 and 45 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or vehicle, separately. At the same time, the blood pressures were observed. After treated for four weeks, the ratio of right kidney weight and body weight, the change of glomerular morphology, and K+, Na+, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of the serum were used for evaluation of kidney. The expressions of PRCP mRNA in the kidneys were determined by RT-PCR. The protein levels of PRCP, tissue kallikrein, plasma kallikrein, TGF-beta1 in kidney or plasma were measured by Western blotting. Results showed that the changes of body weight and kidney weight ratio, glomerular fibrosis degree and the biochemistrical index of serum induced by hypertension were relieved when the hypertensive rats treated with losartan for four weeks. Meanwhile, treatment of losartan also significantly decreased expression of TGF-beta1 and increased expressions of PRCP, plasma kallikrein and tissue kallikrein. The protective effects of losartan on the kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats are activation of the axis of PRCP-kallikrein and reducing the expression of TGF-beta1.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kallikreins ; blood ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Organ Size ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; metabolism

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

This study was purposed to compare the significance of multiplex short tandem repeat polymerase chain reaction (STR-PCR) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for monitoring chimerism after sex-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The chimerism of bone marrow or peripheral blood cells from 38 patients was analyzed by STR-PCR and FISH on days 14, 28 and at 3 months after allo-HSCT. The results indicated that on day 14, the complete chimerism (CC) was detected in 14 of 30 cases by STR-PCR and in 8 of 30 cases by FISH (p > 0.05). On day 28, the CC was detected in 26 of 31 cases by STR-PCR and in 15 of 31 cases by FISH (p < 0.01). At 3 months, the CC was observed in 22 of 24 cases by STR-PCR and 17 of 24 cases by FISH (p > 0.05). 14 cases were found to have a graft rejection or relapse among 28 cases which were continuously monitored more than 3 months post the transplants. Donor cell decrease in 9 of 14 cases was proved by FISH alone. It is concluded that FISH is more sensitive than STR-PCR in early monitoring chimerism status of post-transplant and in predicting graft rejection or disease relapse.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Transplantation Chimera ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genotype and phenotype correlation in the hemoglobin E (HbE) carriers, and to investigate the effect of HbE on hematological parameters.

METHODSThe capillary electrophoresis was used to screen total 14 141 samples and blood cell analysis was further processed to the HbE carrying samples. Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization method were used for the detection of Chinese common mutation of α and β thalassemia.

RESULTSThere is a statistical difference in hematological phenotype index (HGB, MCV, MCH, HbE, HbA(2)) between samples of HbE heterozygous (53 samples), HbE homozygous (2 samples), HbE composite α thalassemia (α-thal, 7 samples) and HbE composite β thalassemia (β-thal, 8 samples). Among the four groups, HbE heterozygous \[HGB (122.7 ± 19.99) g/L, MCV (78.65 ± 5.03) fl\] and HbE composite α-thal \[HGB (113.6 ± 22.68) g/L, MCV (73.50 ± 7.73) fl\] had slight effect on hematological parameters, but HbE composite β-thal \[HGB (76.4 ± 12.30) g/L\], MCV (59.23 ± 5.28) fl\] had the heaviest effect on hematological parameters.

CONCLUSIONCo-existence of HbE heterozygous and other type thalassemias showed variation in their hematological phenotype, so patients should be informed of genetics in prenatal diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Hemoglobin E ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Thalassemia ; blood ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop the quality control standard of Zhishidaozhi Tabloid Pills.

METHODApplying TLC to identify Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, and HPLC to determine the content of emodin of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.

RESULTRadix et Rhizoma Rhei, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rhizoma Coptidis and Radix Scutellariae could be indentified by TLC. Emodin showed a good linear relationship at a rang of 0.0612-0.612 microgram, r = 0.9999. The average recovery was 97.9%, and RSD was 2.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe methods are accurate and quick, and can be used for the quality control of Zhishidaozhi Tabloid Pills.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; standards ; Emodin ; analysis ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Scutellaria ; chemistry

Aqueous dispersion and stability of Fe3O4 nanoparticles remain an issue unresolved since aggregation of naked iron nanoparticles in water. In this study, we successfully synthesized different Fe3O4 super-paramagnetic nanoparticles which were modified by three kinds of materials [DSPE-MPEG2000, TiO2 and poly acrylic acid (PAA)] and further detected their characteristics. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly showed sizes and morphology of the four kinds of nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) proved successfully coating of the three kinds of nanoparticles and their structures were maintained. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) verified that their magnetic properties fitted for the super-paramagnetic function. More importantly, the particle size analysis indicated that Fe3O4@PAA had a better size distribution, biocompatibility, stability and dispersion than the other two kinds of nanoparticles. In addition, using CNE2 cells as a model, we found that all nanoparticles were nontoxic. Taken together, our data suggest that Fe3O4@PAA nanoaparticles are superior in the application of biomedical field among the four kinds of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the future.

Background: We found microRNA (miR)-1246 to be significantly differentially expressed between severe active alopecia areata (AA) patients and healthy individuals. Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of miR-1246 in severe AA. Methods: Expression of miR-1246, dual-specific tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1c (NFATc1) in peripheral CD4+ T cells and in scalp tissues of patients were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from the AA patients were transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing miR-1246. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA or protein expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17, DYRK1A, NFATc1, and phosphorylated NFATc1. Flow cytometry was used to assay the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion. ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels. Results: miR-1246 levels decreased and DYRK1A and NFATc1 mRNA levels significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells and scalp tissues of severe active AA samples.NFATc1 protein expression was also significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells but not in the scalp tissues. NFATc1 positive cells were mainly distributed among infiltrating inflammatory cells around hair follicles. In peripheral CD4+ T cells of severe active AA, overexpression of miR-1246 resulted in significant downregulation of DYRK1A, NFATc1, ROR-γt, and IL-17 mRNA and phosphorylated NFATc1 protein, as well as a decrease in the CD4+ IL-17+ cells proportion and the IL-17F level. Conclusion miR-1246 can inhibit NFAT signaling and Th17 cell activation, which may be beneficial in the severe AA treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in rabbit penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells. METHODS: New Zealand White Rabbit CCSM cells were cultured by primary tissue culture. Using CCSM cells and fibroblast have different adherence velocity, CCSM cell can be purified. Identification of CCSM cell was by inverted microscope and immunofluorescence technique. The cDNA sequence of RyRs was found out by searching genebank. Three pair of primers were designed by Primer Premier 5.0. The RyRs subunits mRNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR in cultured CCSM cells. RESULTS: After 7d, we found growth of cultured cells. While 15 to approximately 20 d, cells filled the bottom of culture flask. They were identified by inverted microscope and immunofluorescence technique. After purification, purity of CCSM cells was near to 100%. It suggested only RyRs1 subunit was expressive in CCSM by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION RyRsl subunit is expressed in CCSM cells. It suggests that RyRs contribute to the regulation of Ca2+ in CCSM cells.
Animals ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Cell Culture Techniques/methods* ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Primers ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism* ; Penis/cytology* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/metabolism*