Objective To investigate theeffect of ischemic postconditioning (IPO) on ischemia/reperfusion injury via mitochondrial pathway.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups by means of random number table.Rats in IRI group and IPO group received liver transplantation.The portal vein in IRI group was opened immediately after liver implantation to restore the blood supply.The graft rats in IPO group received IPO before the portal vein was completely opened: 60-s ischemia and 60-s reperfusion of the portal vein,repeated 6 times).The rats in the sham-operation group were only subject to dissociation of the liver ligament.Six h after portal vein reperfusion,liver function was tested.The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and Bax mRNA was detected by using real time-PCR.The protein expression of Cyt-c was detected by using Western blotting.The apoptosis and necrosis of liver tissue and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential were detected by using flow cytomertry.The changes of mitochondrial structure were observed under an electron microscope.Results The liver functions in IRI group and IPO group were significantly worse (P＜0.05),the levels of Bax mRNA were significantly higher (P＜0.05),the levels of Bcl-2 mRNA were significantly lower (P＜0.05),the levels of Cyt-c protein were significantly higher (P＜0.05),the levels of apoptosis and necrosis were significantly higher (P＜0.05),and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) of liver cells was significantly lower (P＜0.05) than in sham operation group.The changes of all the parameters in IRI group were more significant than in IPO group (P ＜ 0.05).The morphological changes of the liver mitochondria were also significantly aggravated in IRI group as compared with IPO group.Conclusion IPO reduced IRI by inhibiting the mitochondrial signaling pathway in rats undergoing liver transplantation.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of HPV16 E7 peptide pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) in recurrent condyloma acuminate (CA). Methods A total of 32 cases of recurrent CA (more than 3 times) were divided into the treatment group and the control group. Patients (11 cases, HPV16 +and HLA A2 +) in the treatment group received treatment with DCs, while the other 21 cases in the control group were treated with interferon. A follow up of 6 months was conducted in all patients. The pathological lesions, the peripheral T cell subpopulations of the patients, and the therapeutic efficacy before and after treatment were observed. Results The size of the lesions became smaller or disappeared in the treatment group. The infiltrated lymphocytes increased, but the koilocytotic cells decreased in the lesions. No significant change in the peripheral T cell subpopulations was found before and after therapy. The recurrence rates in the treatment group and the control group were 18.2% and 61.9%, respectively. Conclusion The therapy by E7 peptide pulsed dendritic cells can improve the local immune status in the skin and reduce the recurrence rate significantly in patients with recurrent CA.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of CAG regimen in treatment of primary, refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and analyse the factors influencing long-term survival. Methods Sixty-one patients with AML ( primary, n = 27; refractory, n = 18; relapsed, n = 16) and 9 patients with MDS were treated with CAG regimen. Examinations on liver and renal function, electrocardiogram and bone marrow cytology were performed before and after treatment, and adverse effects of CAG were observed. Short-term efficacy was evaluated based on clinical manifestation, peripheral blood and bone marrow cytologic examinations. Patients were followed up, overall survival ( OS) and disease free survival ( DFS) were analysed, and long-term efficacy of CAG regimen was evaluated. The factors influencing long-term survival were analysed by Log-rank test of survival curve. Results After a course of treatment by CAG regimen, the total effective rate was 71% , and 34 patients (49%) experienced complete remission. The median time of follow up was 45 months, the median OS was 28 months, and the median DFS was 23 months. Age, level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), remission condition after a course of treatment by CAG regimen and adoption of HD-Ara-C regimen as consolidation treatment were influencing factors for OS and DFS. The dominant clinical adverse effects were bone marrow depression, with 13 d as the median duration of agranulocytosis ( neutrophil <0.5 ×10~9/L) and 9 d as the median duration of thrombocytopenia (platelet <20 ×10~9/L). Conclusion CAG regimen may lead to favourable therapeutic effects in treatment of primary, refractory and relapsed AML and high risk MDS, and may yield less adverse effects and better long-term therapeutic effects. Age, level of LDH, remission condition after a course of treatment and adoption of HD-Ara-C regimen as consolidation treatment are dominant influencing factors for survival.

INTRODUCTIONBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common form of adult congenital heart disease. When compared to patients with a normal trileaflet aortic valve, dilatation of the aortic root and the ascending aorta (Asc Ao) are the common findings in patients with BAV, with consequent higher risk of developing aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and rupture. We aim to determine the site of the Asc Ao where maximum dilatation occurs in Asian adult patients with BAV.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll subjects underwent full echocardiography examination. The diameter of the Asc Ao was measured at 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm and 7 cm from the level of aortic annulus to the Asc Ao in 2D from the parasternal long-axis view.

RESULTSA total of 80 patients (male/female: 45/35; mean age: 45.3 ± 16.2 years) with congenital BAV and 30 normal control group (male/female: 16/14; mean age: 45.9 ± 15.1 years) were enrolled. The indexed diameters of the Asc Ao were significantly larger than the control group. In patients with BAV, maximum dilatation of Asc Ao occurred around 6 cm distal to the aortic annulus.

CONCLUSIONIn patients with BAV, dilatation of Asc Ao is maximal at the mid Asc Ao region around 6 cm distal to the aorta annulus.

Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; epidemiology ; Aorta ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortic Aneurysm ; epidemiology ; Aortic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Aortic Rupture ; epidemiology ; Aortic Valve ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Case-Control Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology

Objective To investigate the safety of rituximab combination chemotherapy in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin' s lymphoma (B-NHL) complicated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection,and assess the incidence of HBV reactivation reduced by prophylactic lamivudine.Methods A retrospective study of HBV-related markers,HBV-DNA and liver function was performed before and after rituximabcontaining treatment in B-NHL patients.Thirty nine B-NHL patients with HBcAb(+)/HBsAb(-) were divided into prophylactic group (14 cases) and control group (25 cases).The incidences of HBV reactivation,functional damage of liver were measured.Results Among the 108 B-NHL patients who received rituximab combinatio nchemotherapy,15 (13.89 ％) were HBsAg (+) and 39 (36.11％) HBsAg (-) / HBcAb (+).Of the 15 HBsAg (+)patients,2 (13.3 ％) experienced reactivation of HBV.The prevalence of HBV reactivation was 7.7 ％(1/13) in patients who received prophylactic antiviral treatment and 50 ％ (1/2) in those who did not receivelamivudine.Among the 39 HBsAg (-) / HBcAb (+) patients,3 cases (7.7 ％) experienced reactivation of HBV.The prevalence of HBV reactivation was 0 in patients who receivcd prophylactic lamivudine treatment and 12 ％ (3/25) in those who did not receive this antiviral drug.Conclusion Prophylactic lamivudine before rituximab combination chemotherapy can reduce HBV reactivation obviously.

Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Sports ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate specific cellular immune response induced by dendritic cells(DCs) activated by human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E7 peptide. Methods DCs separated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were induced with granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), the DCs were then activated by HPV 16 E7 peptide. After that the surface antigens on the DCs were detected by flow cytometer. Homogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction (HMLR) with DCs was performed. LDH release assay was also used to detect the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL)to Caski tumor cells, which was induced by DCs. Results The surface antigens on the activated DCs were highly expressed, such as CD1a(58.4 ? 6.7)%, CD80(70.6 ? 3.4)% and HLA-DR(74.8 ? 4.2)%. HMLR showed that the activated DCs stimulated T cell proliferation significantly. Antigen-specific CTL induced by the activated DCs specifically killed Caski tumer cells, but had no effect on SiHa and AN3CA cells. Conclusions DCs loaded with HPV 16 E7 peptide can induce highly effective and specific cellular immune response.

Objective To evaluate the effects of age factors on sedation induced by dexmedetomidine.Methods One hundred and thirty-nine patients,aged 18-103 yr,with body mass index ≤ 30 kg/m2,scheduled for elective surgeries on lower abdomen or lower extremities,were divided into4 groups according to the age:group Ⅰ (18 yr≤age≤44 yr,n=40);group Ⅱ (45 yr≤age≤59 yr,n=38);group Ⅲ (60 yr≤age≤89 yr,n=39);group Ⅳ (≥90 yr,n=22).A catheter was placed in the subarachnoid space at L3,4 interspace,and ropivacaine 10-20 mg was injected via the catheter.At 20 min after ropivacaine injection,dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was infused via a pump over 10 min.The onset time and duration of sedation were recorded,and the occurrence of adverse effects such as hypoxemia,bradycardia and hypotension was observed.Results There was no significant difference in the onset time of sedation and incidence of bradycardia among the 4 groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group Ⅰ,the duration of sedation was significantly prolonged in Ⅱ-Ⅳ groups (P＜0.05).Compared with Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups,the duration of sedation was significantly prolonged in group Ⅳ (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of hypoxemia and hypotension was significantly higher in group Ⅳ than in Ⅰ-Ⅲ groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine-induced sedation is influenced by age factors,the duration of sedation induced by dexmedetomidine is prolonged,and the occurrence of adverse effects is increased,especially if the patients ≥ 90 yr of age.

Objective To investigate the role of and relationship between reactivity to autologous serum and dermatophagoides farinae (Df) in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU). Methods Autologous serum skin test (ASST) and skin prick test (SPT) to Df were carried out in 831 patients with CU. The correlation between reactivity to autologous serum and Df was statistically analyzed. Results The positivity rate of ASST and SPT to Df was 51.74% and 64.62%, respectively in the 831 patients. SPT was positive in 56.52% of patients with positive ASST and in 73.86% of those with negative ASST (P ＜ 0.05). In patients with positive ASST, the degree of autologous serum reactivity was negatively correlated with that of reactivity to Df (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The skin reactivity to Df and autologous serum plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CU, and the degree of the reactivity to Df and autologous serum is negatively correlated. To conduct ASST and SPT simultaneously in patients with CU may favor the clinical classification and therapy of CU.

?AIM: To explore the relation of homocysteine ( Hcy ) and its metabolic related indicators with primary angle-closure glaucoma ( PACG) .?METHODS: In this study, a total of 150 PACG patients and 150 controls were enrolled. The patients with PACG were diagnosed by applanation tonometer, Humphrey perimetry ( HVF ) , optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) , gonioscope. The normal controls were recruited from physical examination center. Blood samples were collected and the plasma was used to determine homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid. DNA was extracted to determine the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677TT genotype and gene polymorphism.?RESULTS:There was a statistically significant difference (t=2. 04,P=0. 04) in mean homocysteine levels between patients with PACG ( 16. 11 ± 1. 66μmol/L ) and controls (15. 74± 1. 52μmol/L). The level of vitamin B12 in PACG group was 248. 09 ± 119. 07pg/mL and the control group was 230. 21 ± 142. 93pg/mL. No statistically significant difference was found on the vitamin B12 level between the two groups ( t = 0. 84, P = 0. 40 ). The folic acid levels showed no statistically significant differences( t=1. 65,P=0.17) between the PACG group(12. 02±7. 81ng/mL) and the control group (13. 15 ± 6. 25ng/mL). The frequency distribution of the MTHFR C677T genotypes was found to be significantly associated (χ2 =6. 2,P<0. 05) with PCAG (CC 84. 7%, CT 4. 7%, TT 10. 7%) as compared to the controls (CC 94. 7%, CT 2. 0%, TT 3. 3%). The frequency distribution of TT genotypes of MTHFR C677T in the PACG group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Moreover, our findings showed significant difference (χ2=14. 2,P<0. 05) between the allele frequency of the C677T single nucleotide polymorphism within the MTHFR gene in POAG patients ( T 87. 0%, C 13. 0%) and the control group(T 95. 7%,C 4. 3%) .?CONCLUSION: These results show that the Hcy level and the TT genotypes of MTHFR C677T were higher in the PACG patients than in controls. Therefore, our data suggests that high Hcy level and the related indicators are associated with high PACG risk.