AIM: To study the protective effects of HIF-1α gene transfection on hypoxic injury in human HepG2 cells. METHODS: After gene transfection, HepG2 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: normoxia with Ad-GFP transfected group, normoxia with Ad-HIF-1 transfected group, hypoxia with Ad-GFP transfected group and hypoxia with Ad-HIF-1 transfected group. LDH leaking rate, cell viability, contents of NO and ROS, the iNOS activity were measured. RESULTS: High levels of HIF-1α mRNA and protein were detected in Ad-HIF transfected HepG2 cells. Cell viability was significantly lower in Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than that in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05). No marked difference of cell viability was found between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group. ROS was significantly higher in Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than that in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05), while no marked difference was found either between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group or between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group. The content of NO and iNOS activity were significantly higher in Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group than those in Ad-GFP transfected-normoxia group (P<0.05), no marked difference was found either between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-GFP transfected-hypoxia group or between Ad-HIF transfected-hypoxia group and Ad-HIF transfected-normoxia group. CONCLUSION: Higher HIF-1α expression is contributed to protective effects against hypoxic injury in HepG2 cells, the mechanisms of which may be correlated with promoting expression of gene regulated by HIF-1 and restraining over-expression of injure factors.

Objective To study operative morbidity and mortality of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) and analyze the correlation between the preoperative or intraoperative risk factors and the morbidity or mortality. Methods Between Jan 1993 and Dec 2001, 120 IAAA cases undergoing surgery were analyzed. Preoperative cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal condition, time of intraoperative aortic clamping as well as emergent operation were taken into account to evaluate the independent determinants of operative morbidity and mortality. Results The operative morbidity was 56.7% and mortality was 10.0%, with the mortality of elective surgery of 5.4% and emergent surgery of 66.7%. Conclusion Preoperative coronary heart disease, hypertention, renal dysfunction and massive blood transfution intra- or postoperatively adversely influenced the postoperative outcome significantly.

Objective To study the expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 in dissection aorta specimens by Real time PCR and immunohistochemisty. Methods Twelve descending dissection aorta specimens from patients of acute Stanford B dissection were taken during surgery; 12 normal descending aorta specimens were taken from multi-organ donors. The G APDH gene was used as control, gene expression of polycystinl and polycystin2 were compared in these two groups with Real time PCR. The expression of polycystinl and polycystin2 protein were showed with immunohistochemisty in the specimen of these two groups. Three high magnify fields were randomly chosen to count the expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 protein. The counting of polycystin1 and polycystin2 protein were compared between these two groups. Results The gene expression of polycystinl in AD group is 0. 32 fold as that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 ) and polyeystin2 in AD group is 0.34 fold as that in the control group (P ＜0.01 ); The protein expression of polyeystinl was 0.47 folds as that in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ) and polycystin2 in AD group is 0.35 folds as that in the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions The expression of polycystin1 and polycystin2 on gene and protein level were down regulated in AD group. The down regulation of polycystinl and polycystin2 may play a pivotal role in the development of AD.

Objective To analyze the diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies in the mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis infection in a single medical center. Methods From January 2000 to December 2008, clinical data of 8 cases with infected aneurysm caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis were analyzed. Results All cases were treated with endovascular stent-graft treatment, including abdominal aortic aneurysm in six cases, thoracic aortic aneurysm in one, and popliteal artery aneurysm in one case. Six bifurcated stent-graft and two tube stent-graft were used. The surgical success rate was 100% with no perioperative or 30-day mortality nor major morbidity. All of the patients recovered uneventfully and were discharged with oral antibacterial agents. During mid-term follow up (range 15-36 months), four patients are alive and well with no signs of persistent or recurrent infection, three cases with recurrent infection were cured by drainage of local abscess and debridement, one case died of rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Conclusion Endovascular grafting combined with antibiotic therapy and careful surveillance program represent an alternative to conventional surgery in mycotic aneurysms caused by Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis.

Aim To observe the improvement of visual-auditory cognitive functions in the human entering high altitude by taking in tea polyphenols.Methods Thirty eight males living at 3 700 m high altitudes for 90 days constantly were randomly divided into two groups: ①group Ⅰ(placebo,40 mg/day); ②group Ⅱ(TP,300 mg/day).Cognitive functions were measured by integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test and the difference between groups was evaluated by the comparisons of post-treatment to pre-treatment.Results Compared with pre-treatment,PruA was significantly higher after taking in TP(P

Panax notoginseng (BurK.) F.H.Chen is a traditional Chinese medicinal material with a time-honored history of cultivation.There are a series of problems,such as high pesticide residues,serious disease and pest,and continuous cropping obstacles in the process of the cultivation of notoginseng.Pollution-free cultivation is an effective strategy for the sustainable development of notoginseng industry.We herein summarized three points of the pollution-free cultivation of notoginseng in this review.The standard of lands suitable for the cultivation of notoginseng was established on the basis of the analysis of medicinal plants around global producing areas.The integrated measures of soil improvement were put forward by cfficient rotation and soil disinfection with new varieties breeding combined with the management of water,light and fertilization,and the safe and low-toxic methods of disease and pest control.Additionally,the mode of wild tending should be carried out when the marker-assisted breeding of new varieties was developed,and the platform of comprehensive disease and pest control was founded.Above-mentioned points can effectively perfect and optimize the pollution-free cultivation of notoginseng and promote sustainable development of notoginseng industry.

Objective To evaluate percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty ( PTRA) and stenting for the treatment of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Method From Feb 2003 through Jun 2005, 19 consecutive RAS patients received interventional therapy including PTRA and/or stents in 12 cases, aortorenal bypass procedures in 4 cases, nephrectomy in 1, and angiography in 2 cases. Among the 12 PTRA and/or stenting cases, stent was deployed in 10 cases, and 2 patients received PTRA only. Results All patients had hypertension preoperatively ( mean blood pressure 172/98 mmHg). Serum creatinine concentration was greater than 1.5 mg/dL in one patient. There was no perioperative mortality nor major complications. Technical success was achieved in 11 patients (91.7%). During follow-up, mean blood pressure was 156/88 mmHg. Hypertension was improved in 8 patients (66. 7% ). Renal function was stable except one patient with renal insufficiency. Restenosis was found in one patient (8.3%). Conclusion PTRA and/or stent is safe, effective for the treatment of RAS in appropriately selected patients.

Objective To evaluate diagnostic procedures and clinical outcomes of vascular prosthetic and stent graft infection. Methods Clinical data of 15 cases suffering from vascular graft infection between 1985 and 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The rate of vascular graft infection was 1. 14% among our series of 1316 cases of revascularizations. Vascular graft infection occurred within 4 months after graft implantation in 13 cases (86. 7% ). Graft infection developed after 4 months postoperatively in the other 2 cases ( 13. 3% ). Clinical manifestations included wound infection with vascular graft exposure, inguinal swelling or fistula, fever or sepsis, anastomotic hemorrhage, pulse loss of vascular graft or distal lower extremity and gangrene of distal lower extremity. Surgical treatment included en bloc removal of the infected graft and surrounding infected tissue, drainage and local irrigation with antibiotic solution, graft en bloc removal and primary amputation; Graft en bloc removal, drainage and revascularization with a saphenous vein or a new prosthetic graft; Aggressive debridement and local irrigation with antibiotic solution. Four patients died and the others recovered successfully. Conclusion The infection of a vascular graft is a rare complication in vascular surgery. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical management can improve its prognosis.

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effects of a new surgical endoscopic technique, the transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TriVex System, Smith+Nephew) and pointed phlebectomy in the treatment of varicosis of the great saphenous vein of the lower limbs. Methods Thirty-nine patients (46 limbs) received TriVex operations under spinal, or epidural anesthesia. The powered vein resector and an irrigated illuminator device-a minimally invasive system was used for varicose vein surgery. During the same period, 41 patients (46 limbs) underwent pointed phlebectomy. Results The average postoperative hospital stay was 4.6 days in patients receiving TriVex, and 8.1 days for pointed phlebectomy. Compared with the pointed phlebectomy, the incision of TriVex procedure was shorter and the number less. Conclusion This new surgical device is easy to operate, minimally invasive, efficacious and time saving with satisfactory results.

Objective To compare operative risks of the infrarenal aortic artery reconstruction between abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD), and to analyze the causes of the difference. Method Clinical data of 340 cases undergoing aortic artery reconstructions including 222 AAA cases and 118 AIOD cases , were analyzed retrospectively. Results The perioperative mortality was 7.6% and the mortality in AAA group (5.4%) was lower than that in AIOD group (11.9%)(P