Objective To evaluate three internal fixation methods in treatment of type C3 fractures of distal humerus.Methods From February 2002 to January 2005,73 cases of humeral intercondylar fractures were treated with single plating (Group A,21 cases),Y-shape plating (Group B,33 eases) and dual plating (Group C,19 cases).According to the AO/ASIF classification,73 cases belonged to type C3.The posterior midline incision and the approach of liguliform flap of musculus triceps brachii were used for all the cases.The recorded clinical data were reviewed to analyze effects of internal fixation methods,functions of the elbow and the complications.Results All the cases were followed up.The follow-ups ranged from 12 to 36 months,with an average of 22.3 months.By the end of the twelfth month,according to the Jupiter scoring system,the elhow function was excellent and good in 57.1% of cases in Group A,81.8% in Group B and 89.5% in Group C,the difference between Gronp A and Groups B and C being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,according to Sodergard's criteria for failure of internal fixation system for intercondylar fracture of humerus,the failure rate was 33.3% in Group A,15,2% in Group B and 5.3% in Group C.The loosening or breakage rate in Group C was significantly lower than in Groups A and B (P＜0.05),and that in Group B was obviously lower than in Group A (P＜0.05).No incision necrosis or deep infection occurred.Conclusions The type C3 fractures of distal humerus should not he treated with single plating,because the functional outcome of elbow joint is poor,and the rate of loosening or breakage of internal fixation is higher than other fixation methods.Y-shape plating and dual plating are good for them,but Y-shape plating is not good for severe intercondytar comminnted fractures of the humerus,because its peculiar shape tends to lead to a higher rate of loosening.

Objective To evaluate the short-term curative effect and the safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy by using microspheres and lipiodol for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A total of 87 patients with pathologically proved HCC were randomly divided into the study group (n=44,using embospheres of 100-300 μm in diameter together with lipiodol) and the control group (n=43,using gelfoam particles of 350-560 μm in diameter together with lipiodol).Postopertaive biochemical (liver function and AFP) findings and imaging (CT and/or MRI) manifestations were recorded,and the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed.Results TACE was performed in all 87 patients.After the treatment,both the disease benefit rate and the postoperative reduction in AFP level in the study group were remarkably better than those in the control group (P＜0.05),but postoperative liver function indexes were not significantly different from the preoperative ones (P＞0.05).The average number of interventional therapy within the follow-up period of 6 months in the study group was smaller than that in the control group (P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences in 6-,12-and 18-month survival rates existed between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion In treating HCC,TACE by combination use of microspheres and lipiodol is safe,its short-term curative effect is more obvious than TACE by combination use of gelfoam particles and lipiodol,and it can reduce the times of interventional procedure.Before TACE,careful planning of the pre-treatment of hepatic artery-portal vein fistula and the superselective catheterization with micro catheter should be taken into consideration.

This research explored the synergistic effects and the potential mechanisms of RCE-4 and various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the proliferation of cervical cancer Ca Ski cells. The MTT assay and CalcuSyn V2.0 software were used to detect cell proliferation and calculate the combination index (CI); the expression levels of various proteins were analyzed using Western blot assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed using JC-1 staining; acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double-fluorescence staining was used to detect the apoptosis of Ca Ski cells; a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was used to analyze the relative content of Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex in Ca Ski cells. The results demonstrate that the combination of RCE-4 and NSAIDs increases the inhibition of Ca Ski cells compared to the single-RCE-4 group, and celecoxib provided the best synergistic effect among the four NSAIDs tested, with a CI of 0.32. The combination of RCE-4 and celecoxib significantly down-regulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), and promoted the expression of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs activity gene-1 (NAG-1). In addition, autophagy induced by RCE-4 was markedly inhibited in combination with celecoxib, which was associated with down-regulation of the expression of microtubule-associated protein 3 (LC3)-II, Beclin 1, p62 and autophagy-related gene (ATG) 3/4B/5/7/14. RCE-4-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by altering the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and the expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B cell lymphoma-xl (Bcl-xl), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2/Bcl-xl-associated death promoter (Bad) and cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (cleaved-caspase) 3/7/9. Furthermore, the formation of the Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex was significantly inhibited in Ca Ski cells treated with RCE-4 in combination with celecoxib. Taken together, this research shows that the combination of RCE-4 and celecoxib has a significant synergistic effect on the proliferation of Ca Ski cells by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting autophagy and disturbing the formation of the Bcl-2-Beclin 1 complex, which may be a novel strategy to increase the sensitivity of anti-cervical cancer drugs.

The purpose of the present study was to explore whether substance P (SP) modulates the response mediated by GABAA receptors. Experiments were carried out on cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons of rats. GABA-activated inward currents were recorded using the whole-cell-patch-clamp techique. The majority of the neurons examined (66/92, 72%) were sensitive to both GABA and SP. When the neurons were treated with SP prior to application of GABA, the GABA-activated current (IGABA) was inhibited markedly, which was concentration-dependent and could be blocked by spantide, an NK1 receptor antagonist. With 10－8, 10－7, 10－6 and 10－5 mol/L SP, IGABA was inhibited by 18%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 28% respectively. Intracellular application of H7, a potent inhibitor of PKC, abolished inhibition of IGABA by SP, suggesting that the inhibition of IGABA by SP may be a result of intracellular phosphorylation of the GABAA receptor.

The modulation by substance P of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-activated currents (I(GABA) and I(5-HT)) was studied by using patch-clamp technique in rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. The majority of neurons examined responded to GABA and 5-HT with inward currents in the same cells (63.8%, 30/47). In 22 out of 30 neurons sensitive to both GABA and 5-HT, pretreatment with substance P (SP, 0.01 micromol/L) suppressed I(GABA) by (35.7 +/-6.1)% and enhanced I(5-HT) by (65.2 +/- 8.7)%. GR 82334, a potent and specific antagonist of NK1 tachykinin receptor, reversibly blocked the modulatory effects of SP. The SP modulation on I(GABA) and I(5-HT) was also abolished by intracellular dialysis of GDP-beta-S, a non-hydrolyzable GDP analog, or GF 109203X, a selective protein kinase C inhibitor. These results suggest that SP exerts opposite modulatory actions on GABA(A) receptor and 5-HT3 receptor activity of the same primary sensory neuron via the same intracellular signal transduction pathway.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; GABA Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Neurons, Afferent ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; physiology ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Substance P ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; physiology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; physiology

AIMTo investigate the mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of oxyphenamone.

METHODSWith the patch clamp technique and whole cell recording, the sodium and L type calcium currents of myocytes isolated from ventricular myocardium of adult guinea pigs were studied.

RESULTS5 - 50 micromol x L(-1)-oxyphenamone not only significantly inhibited Na+ current, but also promoted the process of inactivation and prolonged the recovery time of the inactivation. The action of oxyphenamone on L type calcium channel was dual. The inward calcium current was increased with 2 - 10 micromol x L(-1) oxyphenamone but decreased when the concentration of the drug was elevated to 20 - 50 micromol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of oxyphenamone is neither due to the activation of sodium channel nor entirely depending upon the activation of L type calcium channel. The effects of inhibiting sodium current and, at a high concentration, blocking L type calcium current suggest that oxyphenamone may have an antiarrhythemia action.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Organic Chemicals ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of genistein on the proliferation, apoptosis induction and expression of related gene proteins of human colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and its mechanisms of action.

METHODSMTT colorimetric assay was used to detect the effects of genistein on the proliferation of human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells. Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the histological and ultrastructural changes. Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of genistein on cell cycle and apoptosis. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the effects of genistein on apoptosis induction and expression of related gene proteins of colon cancer cells.

RESULTSThe MTT colorimetric assay showed that genistein inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, and the highest inhibition rate was 60.2% after 80 microg/ml genistein treatment for 72 h. The light microscopy revealed that many genistein-treated cancer cells were shrunken, disrupted, or showing cytoplasmic vacuolization. The electron microscopic examination showed cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation and pronounced chromatin condensation, sometimes formed crescent chromatin condensation attached to the nuclear membrane. The results of flow cytometry showed that: after SW480 cells were treated with 0, 20, 40, 80 microg/ml genistein for 48 h, the FI values of PCNA were 1.49 +/- 0.02, 1.28 +/- 0.04, 1.14 +/- 0.03, and 0.93 +/- 0.08; the FI values of VEGF were 1.75 +/- 0.02, 1.34 +/- 0.06, 1.32 +/- 0.04, and 1.23 +/- 0.04; the fluorescence index (FI) values of p21 were 1.26 +/- 0.05, 1.36 +/- 0.06, 1.61 +/- 0.03, and 1.73 +/- 0.03, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the control group and each treatment group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The scores of immunohistochemical staining of PCNA and VEGF proteins were decreased, while p21 increased. There were statistically significant differences between the control group and each treatment group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGenistein can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells via apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase. The anti-tumor mechanisms of genistein may be related with the down-regulation of expression of VEGF and PCNA, and up-regulation of the expression of p21.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genistein ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; analysis ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; drug effects ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effect of manipulative reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation in treating supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

METHODSFrom July 2010 to December 2012, clinical data of 52 children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus, which treated with manipulative reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation, were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 35 males and 17 females with an average age of 6.7 (ranged from 2.5 to 12) years old. All fractures were type Garland II - III fractures, and 51 cases were extension type and 1 case were flexion type. Flynn evaluation standard of elbow performance score were applied to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 18 months with average of 16 months. According to Flynn evaluation standard of elbow performance score, 41 cases obtained excellent result, 8 good and 3 moderate.

CONCLUSIONManipulative reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation for the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children has many advantages, such as minimally invasive, rapid recovery, stable fixation. It could prevent osteofascial compartment syndrome, Volkmann Contracture and cubitus varus.

Bone Wires ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Humerus ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Hepatitis E, an acute infectious disease transmitted via the fecal-oral route, is caused by hepatitis E virus. However, no effective treatment currently exists for hepatitis E, and the only epidemic control approach is vaccination. But so for there are no commercial vaccine for hepatitis E available in the world. To find a new expression system to develop recombinant hepatitis E vaccine, in this study the expression system of methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha was used to express the gene encoding amino acid 112 - 607 of the open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype IV. In order to achieve high expression level, the coding sequence was optimized according to codon usage bias of Hansenula polymorpha and synthesized through overlapping PCR. Subsequently the gene was subcloned into the multi-copy expression vectors of Hansenula polymorpha, which include pDGXHP1.0 (MOX promotor), pDGXHP2.0 (MOX promotor) and pDGXHP2.1 ( FMD promotor). The series of one-copy and multi-copy recombinant plasmids were transformed into ATCC26012(Ura3-) by electroporation. The transformants were cultured in selection media MDL and screened for the existence of foreign gene by PCR. Then the strains were induced in MM media and the expression products were detected by SDS-PAGE, ELISA and Western blot assays to select the high-level expression strains. The result of SDS-PAGE showed that the HEV ORF2 expression product was accumulated up to 12% of total cellular protein and its molecular weight is 56kD. The expression product showed high immunoreactivity detected by ELISA and the highest titer is 1:2048. The result of Western blot demonstrated that the expression product could be specifically recognized by the polyclonal antibody against HEV. The successful expression of HEV ORF2 protein in Hansenula polymorpha provides foundation for the further development of recombinant subunit vaccine against hepatitis E.
Blotting, Western ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism