Objective To investigate the changes of serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in heart failure of children with pneumonia and their relationship with heart function.Methods Thirty healthy children aged from 5 months to 3 years old were randomly selected with 17 male and 13 female(healthy group).Thirty children with severe heart failure aged from 3 months to 2 years old were selected at the same time with 21 male and 9 female(heart failure group).Thirty children with ordinary pneumonia aged from 3 months to 3 years old were also sampled with 16 male and 14 female(ordinary pneumonia group).The peripheral bloods of 2-3 mL of all children were taken.The BNP level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the cTnI level was determined by micro-particle enzyme immunoluminescent.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shor-tening(LVFS)were detected by echocardiography.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The levels of cTnI [(0.389?0.030) ?g/L] and BNP [(0.572?0.090) ?g/L] of heart failure group increased significantly compared with healthy and ordinary pneumonia group,while their LVEF and LVFS decreased significantly(Pa

Objective To define the maximum-tolerated dnse(MTD)and observe the side effect of escalating cisplatin with 5-fluorouracil in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma in Chinese,with toxicity studied.Methods Previously untreated fifteen Chinese patients suffering from esophageal carcinoma received conventional fractionafiun radiotherapy,with 5 daily fractions of 2.0 Gy per week.The total radiation dose was 60 Gy.Concurrent chemotherapy dose escalation was given by the relatively safe and kidney-sparing modified Fibonacci sequence.The starting dose was cisplatin 37.5 mg/m~2 D1 and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m~2 D1-5, respectively.This regimen was repeated 4 times every 28 days.Escalation dose was eisplatin 7.5mg/m~2 and 5- fluorouracil 100mg/m~2.Every cohort contained at least 3 patients.If no dose-limiting toxicity(DLT)was observed, the next dose level was opened for entry.These courses were repeated until DLT appeared.MTD was declared as one dose level below which DLT appeared.Results DLT was defined as grade 3 radiation-induced esophngitis at the level of cisplatin 60 mg/m~2,5-fluorouracil 700 mg/m~2.MTD was defined as eisplafin 52.5 mg,/m~,5- fluorouracil 700 mg/m~2.The major side effect were radiation-induced esophagitis,leucopenia,nausea,vomiting and anorexia.Conclusion Maximun tolerated dose of cisplatin with 5-fluorouracil in concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the Chinese people with esophageal carcinoma were eisplatin 52.5 mg/m~2 D1,5-fluorouracil 700 mg/m~2 D1-5,repeated 4 times every 28 days.

Objective To investigate the effects of in situ venous arterialization on extensive artery obliterans occlusion of the lower extremity. Methods Lumbar sympathetic ganglionectomy and one stage in situ arterialization of the great saphemous vein were performed in 104 ischemic limbs of 88 patients with extensive arterial occlusion. Results Eighty-two of 104 limbs were followed-up from 6 months to over 6 years. The intermittent claudication, night pain improved in all cases, with satisfactory wound healing and no swelling of the lower limbs. Conclusions Arterial blood flow through venous conduit improves and reconstructs the blood circulation of the ischemic limbs.

A full-length cDNA encoding a MYB-related regulatory gene was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mRNAs of the red line callus of S. medusa by TD-PCR. The cDNA, designated SmP, is 969 nucleotides long and has an open reading frame of 771 bp with a deduced amino acid sequence of 256 residues. The putative protein of SmP has two typical conversed R2R3-Myb DNA-binding domains in N-terminal and displays a rather high degree of similarity to OsMYB from rice and LBMI from tobacco, showing 73% and 70% identity within the DNA-binding domains. However, the C-terminal domain of the SmP protein does not show obvious similarity to any other known protein sequence. It is rich in hydrophilic amino acids, especially in serine residues (18.38%), partly organized in homopolymeric stretches, a feature often found in activation domain of transcription factors.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saussurea ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the effect of musk soluble components on the growth, the differentiation and the transfection efficiency of rat neural stem cell (NSC) in vitro.

METHODSThe growth and the differentiation of rat NSC were observed when musk soluble components were added into the culture medium of NSC. Meanwhile, the pEGFP-C1, which expressed the enhanced GFP protein, was transfected into the NSC by method of electro- transfection.

RESULTSWhen NSC was treated with musk soluble components, the neurites were outgrowth around NSC and attached to the plate, and the neural spheres were disassociated. The glia-like cells appeared at the concentration of 0.3 per thousand. When the concentration of musk soluble components was lower than 3 per thousand, the transformative cells could recover. Furthermore, the efficiency of transfection pEGFP into NSC was remarkably increased after the treatment with musk.

CONCLUSIONAfter the treatment of NSC with musk soluble components, the neural spheres were disassociated, and then attached to the plate. Musk soluble components could induce NSC differentiation into glia-like cells and improve the transfection efficiency of pEGFP-C1 in vitro.

Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; chemistry ; Female ; Fetus ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cyclosporine A-nanoparticles emulsion (CsA-NP) on protecting apoptosis of swine adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC ) and related mechanisms.

METHODSASC were randomized to six groups: control group,single H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 0.1 mg/ml+H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 1.0 mg/ml+H2O2 group, CsA or CsA-NP 5.0 mg/ml+H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 10.0 mg/ml+H2O2 group. ASC apoptosis was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2100 µmol/L) in vitro. The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed and the number of apoptotic cells was measured. Apoptosis of ASC was detected by flow cytometry using an apoptosis kit. Cell activity was determined by CCK-8 assay. Caspase-3 activity was detected by applying a caspase-3 assay kit. Expression of cytochrome C was investigated by Western blot.

RESULTSH2O2 induced ASC apoptosis was evidenced by morphological and biochemical changes,which could be significantly reduced by pre-treatment with CsA or CsA-NP at concentration of 0.1-10.0 mg/ml, and the best effect was observed at concentration of 5 mg/ml (apoptosis rate: CsA: 10.6% ± 2.8% vs. 25.2% ± 3.8%; CsA-NP: 6.2% ± 2.6% vs. 25.2% ± 3.6% in control group, all P < 0.01). The cell activity was significantly higher in CsA or CsA-NP pre-treated ASC at concentration of 0.1-10.0 mg/ml than in H2O2 group (P < 0.01). Pre-treatment with CsA or CsA-NP (0.1-10.0 mg/ml) significantly down -regulated caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, CsA or CsA-NP (5 mg/ml) completely inhibited the H2O2-induced release of cytochrome C.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that CsA-NP and CsA could protect the oxidative stress-induced ASC apoptosis through decreasing the activation of caspase-3 and inhibiting the release of cytochrome C.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Nanoparticles ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of human β-defensin-3 (HBD-3) on proliferation and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) in human gingival fibroblasts(HGF).

METHODSThe HGF were cultured with tissue-explant method and the fourth-generation HGF were plated in 96-well plate. All groups except the control group were treated with different concentrations of HBD-3 for 7 days. Then the HGF proliferation was evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) colorimetry and the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 at the 12th hours of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe result of MTT dynamic monitoring showed that the amount of HGF increased with time in all groups in concentration dependent manner.ELISA showed that the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 in 1.0 mg/L HBD-3 group were (350.56 ± 63.96) ng/L and (13.22 ± 0.59) µg/L, significantly higher than those in the control group and 10.0 mg/L HBD-3 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHBD-3 promoted the proliferation of HGF. The low concentration of HBD-3 may play a role in immunoregulation through increasing the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; secretion ; Gingiva ; cytology ; secretion ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta-Defensins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the route and scope of the facial nerve in the temporal region for clinical applications.

METHODSTemporal region dissection was performed on 12 cadavers (24 sides) under light microscope.

RESULTSThere are two branches of the facial nerve in the temporal region from the superior margin of the parotid: the temporal branch and the zygomatic branch. Each of them has two to five branches, which run in the deep layer of the superficial temporal fascia. The temporal branch crosses the zygomatic arch to the temporal region, innervating the frontal muscle, the orbicularis oculi muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the muscle surrounding the ear, etc. The zygomatic branch goes to the lateral canthus, innervating the orbicularis oculi muscle, the upper and lower eyelid and zygomatic muscles. There are communicating branches among the temporal branches, the zygomatic branches and the supraorbital and lacrimal nerves of the ophthalmic nerve.

CONCLUSIONThe temporal branches and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve run between the deep zone of the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the profound temporal fascia, where dissection should be avoided during rhytidectomy in order not to damage the facial nerve branches.

Cadaver ; Dissection ; Eyelids ; innervation ; Facial Muscles ; innervation ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Fascia ; innervation ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; anatomy & histology ; Rhytidoplasty ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; innervation ; Temporal Bone ; Zygoma

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Condylomata Acuminata ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Rural Population ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine A-nanoparticles emulsion (CsA-NP) combined with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs)transplantation therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a miniswine model.

METHODSCsA-NP emulsion was prepared by the high-pressure homogenization method. Models were performed by coronary angioplasty for percutaneous balloon occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD). A total of 17 miniswines survived after AMI were divided into four groups: control group (n=5), CsA-NP group (n=4), ASCs group (n=4), and CsA-NP+ASCs group (n=4). ASCs or saline were delivered by intracoronary injection one week after AMI.Before cell transplantation and 8 weeks after cell transplantation, delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) was performed to evaluate cardiac function and viability. The infarcted myocardium and implanted cells were histologically studied.

RESULTSEight weeks after treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)significantly increased in the CsA-NP+ASCs group when compared with the ASCs group [(53.6 ± 2.4)% vs. (48.3 ± 1.8)%, P<0.05]; meanwhile, the infarct size significantly decreased [(6.2 ± 1.7)cm(3) vs.(7.5 ± 0.6) cm(3), P<0.05] and the thickness of the ventricular wall significantly increased (P<0.05). Histology showed that the number of surviving cells increased nearly by three times in the CsA-NP+ASCs group, and the expressions of the cardiomyocyte specific markers (cTnT and α-actin) were detected. Histological samples also showed that CsA-NP+ASCs group reduced fibrotic tissue, and down-regulated the activation of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONThe CsA-NP+ASCs combination therapy can enhance the viability of ASCs by improving LVEF and preventing LV expansion, which may be explained that CsA-NP has the anti-apoptotic effect and can promote the survivals and proliferation of ASCs.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Nanoparticles ; Random Allocation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Swine