BackgroundIron-containing foreign body trapped in the eyeball wall without affecting the opticus occurs occasionally in clinic. Operation always is performed in an attempt to avoid the deposition of rust in different tissues of the eye-balls. However,a few animal experimental studies showed that a small foreign body does not affect the retina and opticus in the period of three months. The question of whether surgery needs to be carried out is worth discussion. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of posterior intrascleral iron foreign body on the rabbit retina and opticus. MethodsTwelve healthy adult Japan flap-eared white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Medium carbon iron with rust or without rust( size of 2. 0 mm × 1. 0 mm×0. 2 mm) were implanted into the posterior sclera of the left eye to create the animal model with iron foreign body in the eyeball wall. The cornea, anterior chamber, crystalline lens, vitreous and fundus of the rabbits were observed under a slit lamp microscope 1weekbeforeoperationand 1week, 2weeks, 1monthand 3months after operation.Flash electroretinogram(F-ERG) and flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) were recorded at the time points mentioned above. All the rabbits were sacrificed and the eye balls were extracted at the end of the experiment, and the position of the iron foreign body was determined. The histopathological examinations of the retina and opticus were performed under the light microscope. This experiment complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission. ResultsThere were no statistical differences for the a-wave amplitude of F-ERG among different time points( F =1. 885,P =0. 129 ) and different treatment groups ( F =1. 188, P =0. 340 ), as with the ERG b-wave amplitude ( time: F =2. 73, P =0. 064 ; group : F =1. 114, P =0. 367). The differences in the latencies of F-VEP N1-wave were insignificant among the different time points( F =1. 605, P =0. 263 ) as well as various groups ( F=1. 556, P =0.314 ), and those of F-VEP P1 -wave were not evidently changed ( time: F =2. 329, P =0. 092 ; group : F =2. 186, P =0. 103 ). No correlations were seen between the time factor and grouping factor ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). There was no apparent siderosis bulbi change during the follow-up duration. No morphological abnormality in the retina and optical nerve was found under the light microscope. At the end of the experiment,intrascleral iron foreign body was wrapped by surrounding tissue in a stable condition. Conclusions The small posterior intrascleral iron foreign body, whether it is oxidized or not, does not produce distinctive functional or pathological damage on retina and opticus in the short term.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: Seventy-two PTC cases were divided into 3 groups according to the level of invasion: papillary microcarcinoma group (PMC group), intrathyroid carcinoma group (IPC group), and extrathyroid carcinoma group (EPC group). They were again divided into 2 groups according to lymph node metastasis: lymph node metastasis group and lymph node no-metastasis group. The expressions of VEGF-C, CD105 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) were detected by SP method of immunohistochemical staining. The expression of VEGF-C was analyzed quantitatively by image analysis system, and the PI of VEGF-C (VEGF-C-PI), the number of MVD (microvessel density), and LVD (lymphaticvessel density) were obtained. RESULTS: The VEGF-C-PI of lymph node metastasis group (23.15 +/- 3.75) was higher than that of lymph node non-metastasis group (14.54 +/- 2.93) (P <0.01). MVD was 35.25 +/- 2.06 in the PMC group, 41.75 +/- 5.46 in the IPC group, and 52.58 +/- 4.16 in the EPC group, which showed the elevatory tendency with the increase of invasion (P < 00.5). LVD was 6.00 +/- 0.81 in the PMC group, 13.80 +/- 1.81 in the IPC group, and 19.17 +/- 2.96 in the EPC group, which again showed the elevatory tendency with the increase of invasion (P <0.05). The LVD of lymph node metastasis group (19.56 +/- 2.45) was significantly higher than that of lymph node non-metastasis group (12.48 +/- 2.84) (P < 0.05). VEGF-C was positively correlated with MVD and LVD (r = 0.743, 0.90, P <0.01). CONCLUSION The expressions of VEGF-C and LVD are related to lymph node metastasis of PTC. MVD and LVD are related to the invasion of PTC. VEGF-C may play an important role in the angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; biosynthesis ; genetics

AIMTo explore the differentially expressed proteins between hypobaric hypoxic delayed preconditioning (HHDP) and normal mouse hippocampus.

METHODSAfter the animal model of HHDP was constructed, hippocampal proteins were obtained by a series of abstraction with lysis solution containing high concentration urea. As soon as isoelectric focusing and SDS-PAGE was performed. The resolved proteins in the 2-DE gels were visualized by Coomassie blue R-250. The gels were scanned, and the images were processed with PDQuest software. Differential proteins were exactly excised from the gels, destained and digested with trypsin. The peptides were isolated and sent for MALDI-TOF-MS testing. Database searching was performed using peptide masses obtained from MALDI-TOF-MS.

RESULTSAverages of 481 +/- 38 and 477 +/- 21 protein spots were detected in control gels and preconditioning gels, respectively. 169 +/- 6 protein spots were matched between these two types of gels. Among the matched spots, while the quantities of 21 +/- 12 spots in control gels increased by above 2 times than that in preconditioning one, the quantities of 33 +/- 10 spots in preconditioning gels increased by the same times than that in control one. The correlation coefficient between these two patterns were 0.7748 +/- 0.0267. 12 spots in preconditioning gels significantly increased compared with the control (P < 0.05, n = 4). Among 12 spots excised from the gels, perfect peptide mass fingerprinting spectrums of 8 spots were acquired. The results showed that one protein was fructose biphosphate aldolase A. Three proteins matched nothing might be new proteins. The other four proteins just matched the partial sequences of the proteins of database were no coincidence to it's isoelectric point and molecular weight. So they might be homological proteins.

CONCLUSIONMany proteins, for example fructose biphosphate aldolase A, has been differentially expressed in hippocampus of mice during HHDP. This may be one of the molecule mechanisms of HHDP.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Hypoxia, Brain ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Proteins ; isolation & purification ; Proteome ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the behaviors of the children suffered from the secondary deformity after the repair of the cleft lip.

METHODSWith the application of the PCPI, eighty patients with the secondary deformity after the repair of the cleft lip were selected in this study and 134 normal children was used for the control.

RESULTSIn the age between 6 and 11 years, there were no significant difference of the behaviors between the children suffered from secondary deformity of cleft lip and the normal children,but in the age from 12 to 16, the children with the deformity showed more behavior problems with the social withdraw and the poor social relationships, compared with the normal children.

CONCLUSIONThe children with the secondary deformity after cleft lip repair in adolescence could have the tendency to suffer from the behavior problems, especially showing the social withdraw and the poor social relationships.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; psychology ; Behavior ; physiology ; Child ; Child Behavior ; psychology ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; psychology ; Social Behavior Disorders ; etiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor a receptor 1 (TNFalphaR1) plays an important role in the signal pathway of apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TNFalphaR1 knockout on the up-regulation of erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R) and the coordinated anti-apoptosis functions during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

METHODSThe ischemia-reperfusion injury model for cardiomyocytes was performed by ligating the left circumflex branch artery of TNFalphaR1 knockout (P55(-/-)) C17 B6 mice, as well as wild-type (P55(+/+)) C17 B6 mice. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to observe the damaged area of the heart. TUNEL staining and DNA fragmentation were used to identify apoptosis. Mitochondrial Bcl-2 and Bax as well as expression of Epo-R and its downstream genes (Jak-2, stat-5, Akt, IkB-alpha, HIF-1alpha) were measured by Western blotting. The gene knockout mice were assigned into those undergoing the apoptosis surgical model group (KO group), and those subjected to sham operation (KOs group). Similarly, wild-type mice were either exposed to the surgical model (WT group) or subject to a sham operation (WTs group).

RESULTSThe myocardial damage ratio of the wild-type group after the operation was significantly higher than that of the knockout group, (50.5 +/- 6.4)% vs (36.9 +/- 6.9)%, P < 0.01. Similarly, TUNEL positive ratio of the wild-type group was significantly higher than that of the knockout group, (63.1 +/- 5.6)% vs (42.1 +/- 4.7)%, P < 0.01. The gray value ratios of Epo-R, Jak-2, stat-5, Akt, IkB-alpha, HIF-1 and mitochondrial Bcl-2 in the KO group were significantly higher than those of the WT group, P < 0.05; however, mitochondrial Bax was significantly lower than that of the WT group significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUsing the ischemia-reperfusion injury model in mice, cardiomyocytes of TNFalphaR1 knockouts exhibited anti-apoptotic characteristics. This information could be used to coordinate the prevention of myocardial apoptosis by up-regulating and activating the Epo-R pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; In Vitro Techniques ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Oncogene Protein v-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Erythropoietin ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe present study was designed to test whether transplantation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in New Zealand rabbits with myocardial infarction can improve heart function; and whether engrafted donor cells can survive and transdifferentiated into cardiomyocytes.

METHODSTwenty milliliters bone marrow was obtained from healthy men by bone biopsy. A gradient centrifugation method was used to separate bone marrow cells (BMCs) and red blood cells. BMCs were incubated for 48 h and then washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The culture medium was changed twice a week for 28 d. Finally, hematopoietic cells were washed away to leave only MSCs. Human MSCs (hMSCs) were premarked by BrdU 72 h before the transplantation. Thirty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into myocardial infarction (MI) control group and cell treated group, which received hMSCs (MI+MSCs) through intramyocardial injection, while the control group received the same volume of PBS. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery. Cell treated rabbits were treated with 5 x 10(6) MSCs transplanted into the infarcted region after ligation of the coronary artery for 1 h, and the control group received the same volume of PBS. Cyclosporin A (oral solution; 10 mg/kg) was provided alone, 24 h before surgery and once a day after MI for 4 weeks. Echocardiography was measured in each group before the surgery and 4 weeks after the surgery to test heart function change. The hearts were harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemical studies after MI and cell transplantation for 4 weeks.

RESULTSOur data showed that cardiac function was significantly improved by hMSC transplantation in rabbit infarcted hearts 4 weeks after MI (ejection fraction: 0.695+/-0.038 in the cell treated group (n=12) versus 0.554+/-0.065 in the control group (n=13) (P<0.05). Surviving hMSCs were identified by BrdU positive spots in infarcted region and transdifferentiated into cardiomyocytes characterized with a positive cardiac phenotype: troponin I.

CONCLUSIONTransplantation of hMSCs could transdifferentiate into cardiomyocytes and regenerate vascular structures, contributing to functional improvement.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Rabbits ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVERecent experimental and clinical observations have suggested that cell transplantation could be of therapeutic value for the treatment of heart failure. This study was performed to explore the efficacy and safety of intracoronary autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation for treating patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

METHODTwenty-four consecutive patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy received standard drug therapy were randomly divided into intracoronary injection of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (treated, n = 12) or saline (control, n = 12) groups. Serum IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP, plasma brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) were determined and echocardiography, Holter electrocardiogram monitoring and six minutes walk test were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post injection.

RESULTSIL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP remained unchanged after MSCs transplantation. Plasma BNP levels at 3 months and 6 months post MSCs injection were significantly higher than that of pre-injection (378.10 +/- 147.47, 420.40 +/- 148.50 vs. 292.40 +/- 148.54 ng/L, respectively, P < 0.05) but were significantly lower than that in control group at comparable time points (3 months: 378.10 +/- 147.47 vs. 473.10 +/- 106.31 ng/L; 6 months: 420.40 +/- 148.50 vs. 544.60 +/- 93.11 ng/L, P < 0.05). Six-minute-walking distance significantly increased at 6 months after MSCs injection compared with pre-injection level and which is also higher than that in control patients (519.00 +/- 43.28 vs. 396.33 +/- 42.19 and 464.00 +/- 76.5 m, respectively, P < 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction and LVEDd remained unchanged post MSCs injection. No malignant arrhythmias and severe side effects could be observed around transplantation and during six months follow-up. Survival was similar between the two groups during six months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous coronary autologous mesenchymal stem cells transplantation can attenuate the increase of plasma BNP, increase six-minute-walking capacity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aged ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Prospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the apoptosis of germ cells in male rats.

METHODSAdult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group raised at sea level; a 5 d, a 15 d and a 30 d hypoxic group raised in a hypobaric chamber simulating 5000 m altitude for 5 days, 15 days and 30 days respectively. Flow cytometry and TUNEL were used to evaluate the apoptosis of germ cells in the testis. Bax and Bcl-2 in the testis were measured by Western blot.

RESULTSSeminiferous tubules with apoptotic germ cells were significantly more in the hypoxic groups than in the control (P < 0.01). Most apoptotic germ cells were spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Compared with the control group, apoptotic germ cells detected by PI flow cytometry were significantly increased in the hypoxic 15 d and 30 d groups (P < 0.05); Bax was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and so was the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 in the hypoxic 30 d group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHypoxia promotes apoptosis of testicular germ cells in male rats. Chronic hypoxia increases Bax expression in the rat testis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo construct a high metastatic potential human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) orthotopic transplantation model with palliative liver resection in nude mice.

METHODSA human HCC orthotopic nude mice model was established by administering a single inoculation of the highly metastatic MHCC97H tumor tissue (size 2 mm * 2 mm * 2 mm) into the left liver lobe. At day 14 post-inoculation, a random group of the mice received palliative liver resection; the unresected mice served as controls. Changes in expression levels of 113 genes with metastasis-related functions were evaluated in the residual HCC tissues. At day 35 post-resection, a random group of the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and a comprehensive metastases examination was performed. The remaining mice were used to observe life span. All statistical analyses were performed by the SPSS v17.0 software, and significance was defined as P less than 0.05.

RESULTSThe nude mouse model of highly metastatic HCC with palliative liver resection was successfully established. Incidences of intrahepatic and abdominal metastases were higher in the palliative resected group (vs. unresected group: 11.7+/-4.7 vs. 6.3+/-2.8, t = -2.412, P less than 0.05 and 9.8+/-3.4 vs. 5.2+/-2.6, t = -2.641, P less than 0.05 respectively). In addition, the palliative resected group showed significantly enhanced pulmonary metastasis (vs. unresected group: 14.3+/-4.7 vs. 8.7+/-4.7, t = -2.348, P less than 0.05). Differential gene expression levels were found for MTSS1, TGFbl, SMAD2, IL-1b, and MMP7, and were situated in the central position of gene function net of residual HCC. The life-span of the palliative resected group was significantly longer than that of the unresected group (60.8+/-2.7 vs. 51.3+/-1.4 days, x2 = 12.850, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe highly metastatic human HCC nude mouse model with palliative liver resection that was successfully constructed in this study represents a useful investigational tool to assess the biological characteristics of residual cancer and to screen therapeutic strategies.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; surgery ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Tumor Cells, Cultured