OBJECTIVETo study the possible mechanism of protective effect for Baicalin on Bacillus pertussis (BP) infected brain tissue and the dose-effect relationship.

METHODSBrain tissues slices were divided into 7 groups: (1) the normal group; (2) the model group: infected by 10% BP; (3) the baicalin group, which was pretreated with baicalin, infected by BP and subdivided into 5 sub-groups according to different doses of baicalin used; (4) the glutamic acid group: cultured with glutamic acid; (5) the baicalin plus glutamic acid group; (6) the peroxide group: cultured with hydrogen peroxide; and (7) the baicalin plus peroxide group. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the supernatant of culture was determined and quantitative protein determination was conducted.

RESULTSThe LDH releasing was higher in the model group, glutamic acid group and peroxide group as compared with that in the normal group, 15.10 +/- 4.89 u/g. protein (the same unit below), 15.49 +/- 5.66 and 16.54 +/- 5.47 vs 6.10 +/- 2.87 respectively (P < 0.01). After being pretreated with 0.25 mmol/L baicalin, LDH level decreased significantly to 8.65 +/- 2.43, which was significantly different from that in the model group (P < 0.01), LDH was also decreased in the baicalin plus glutamic acid group (9.93 +/- 2.89) and baicalin plus peroxide group (9.54 +/- 2.82), which was significantly lower than that in the glutamic acid group and the peroxide group respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPretreatment of baicalin has protective effect on BP caused nerve cell injury in rat brain slices, the protection is possibly related with the reduction of glutamic acid and hydrogen peroxide induced damage on nerve cells in vitro.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bordetella pertussis ; Brain ; cytology ; microbiology ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Techniques ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Metabolic syndrome is closely related to target organ injury such as heart, brain, and kidney. And bilirubin is an effective antioxidant. At present, there is a lack of research data on metabolic syndrome and serum total bilirubin in longevity elderly people. This study aimed to study the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its correlation with serum total bilirubin level in nonagenarians and centenarians living in Hubei Zhongxiang Province. According to the demographic information provided by Zhongxiang Civil Affairs Bureau, 128 elderly people were interviewed and 11 of them were excluded. A total of 117 population were included in the study. Questionnaires, physical examination, and blood test were made. 117 subjects aged 90-113 years with an average age of (98.6±4.8) years old were analysed. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its diagnostic components were obesity 19.7%, hyperglycemia 29.9%, hypertension 94.0%, hypertriglyceridemia 33.3%, low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels 17.1%, and metabolic syndrome 23.9%. Logistic regression analysis found that the total bilirubin level was negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome and triglyceride levels(P<0.05), but not with obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and total cholesterol (P>0.05). The nonagenarians and centenarians have a low prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Zhongxiang, Hubei Province, total bilirubin was negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome and triglyceride.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in stimulating invasion and metastatic colonization of ovarian cancer cells.

METHODSThe metastatic ability in vivo of ovarian cancer SK-OV3, HEY, OVCAR3, and IGROV1 cells was determined in tumor-bearing nude mouse models. Matrigel assay was used to detect the changes of response in vitro of ovarian cancer cells to LPA after Rac(-) or Rac(+) adenovirus treatment. LPA-induced Rho GTPase activation was detected by GST-fusion protein binding assay.

RESULTSThe peritoneal metastatic colonization assay showed overt metastatic colonization in mice receiving SK-OV3 and HEY cell inoculation, indicating that they are invasive cells. Metastatic colonization was not detected in animals receiving OVCAR3 and IGROV1 cells, indicating that these cells are non-invasive cells. In the matrigel invasion assay, exposure to LPA led to a notably greater migratory response in metastatic SK-OV3 and HEY cells (Optical density: SK-OV3 cells: 0.594±0.023 vs. 1.697±0.049, P<0.01; HEY cells: 0.804±0.070 vs. 1.851±0.095, P<0.01). But LPA did little in the non-metastatic OVCAR3 and IGROV1 cells (Optical density A: OVCAR3 cells: 0.336±0.017 vs. 0.374±0.007, P>0.05; IGROV1 cells: 0.491±0.036 vs. 0.479±0.061, P>0.05). LPA migratory responses of ovarian cancer cells were closely related to their metastatic colonization capabilities (r = 0.983, P<0.05). Rac(-) blocked the LPA response of invasive SK-OV3 and HEY cells (LPA-induced fold increase of cell migration: SK-OV3 cells: 2.988±0.095 vs. 0.997±0.100,P=0.01; HEY cells: 2.404±0.059 vs. 0.901±0.072, P=0.01). But Rac(+) confered the non-invasive cells with LPA response and invasion capability (LPA-induced fold increase of cell migration: OVCAR3 cells: 1.072±0.080 vs. 1.898±0.078, P<0.01; IGROV1 cells: 1.002±0.044 vs. 2.141±0.057, P<0.05). Among Rho GTPases, only Rac activation was different between ovarian cancer cell lines with different metastatic capability after LPA stimulation: Cdc42 could not be activated in both the invasive and non-invasive cell lines. RhoA could be activated in both the invasive and non-invasive cell lines. Rac could be activated by LPA in the invasive ovarian cancer cell lines. However, Rac could not be activated in the non-invasive cell lines.

CONCLUSIONLysophosphatidic acid stimulates invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells through Rac activation.

Animals ; Cell Movement ; Female ; Humans ; Lysophospholipids ; metabolism ; Mice ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein

In recent years, ureteral repair and reconstruction techniques, such as appendiceal onlay flap, oral mucosal patch for repairing middle and upper ureteral stenosis, and Boari bladder muscle flap for repairing lower ureteral stenosis, have been continuously introduced and widely used to achieve satisfactory clinical results.In clinical practice, it is important to carefully select suitable patients and adequately prepare for the perioperative period. Factors to consider include the surgical approach, planning the sequence of left and right reconstruction, to ensure optimal results for ureteral repair. This paper provides a detailed account of our center’s experience, reviews relevant literature on robot-assisted appendix graft ureteroplasty combined with Boari flap ureteroplasty for one-stage repair of bilateral ureteral strictures, and discusses the current clinical progress.

BACKGROUNDTo study the expression of catalylic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its relationship with apoptosis.

METHODSNSCLC tissues from 113 untreated patients were analyzed immnohistochemically with antibodies to DNA-PKcs, p53 and bcl-2.

RESULTSThere were expressions of DNA-PKcs, p53 and bcl-2 in NSCLC at different levels. The positive rate of DNA-PKcs, p53 and bcl-2 was 89.38%(101/113), 61.95%(70/113) and 59.29%(67/113) respectively. The expression of DNA-PKcs was significantly related with the histological types. Its expression in squamous carcinoma was significantly lower than that in adenocarcinoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. The expression of DNA-PKcs increased with the increasing differentiated degree of NSCLC ( P < 0.05), but had no relationship with lymph node metastasis. There was no significant relation between the expression of p53 and the pathological type of NSCLC. A significant difference of bcl-2 expression existed in the histological types of lung cancer ( P < 0.01). Its expression in squamous carcinoma was significantly higher than that in adenocarcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, but had no relationship with the differentiated degree of lung cancer and lymph node metastasis. The expressions were significantly related between DNA-PKcs and p53 ( P < 0.01), p53 and bcl-2 ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of DNA-PKcs is fairly high in NSCLC. The high expression of DNA-PKcs and overexpressions of mutated p53 and bcl-2 may be important causes of radioresistance in NSCLC.

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of Angelica Injection (AI) in treating acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

METHODSOne thousand four hundred and four patients, who were treated with AI (692 patients in Group A), compound salvia (390 patients in Group B) and low molecular dextran injection (322 patients in Group C) respectively. Indexes such as CT scanning on infarcted volume, scoring of clinical neuro-function deficit taking on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 25th day, clinical therapeutic effectiveness evaluated by the end of the 2nd week and the improvement of Barthel index scores were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in Group A, B and C was 78.7%, 63.6% and 59.3% respectively, that in Group A was significantly higher than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The improvement of neuro-function deficit scores and Barthel scores in Group A were better than those in Group B and C (on the 25th day, P < 0.01), and the decrement of infarcted volume in Group A was larger than that in Group C (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAI has evident therapeutic effect in treating ACI.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To report the clinical effects of microsurgery in treatment of infected extremities after blood vessel prosthesis were transplanted.Methods From Jan.1998 to Dec.2008,8 cases of major vascular injuries in extremities were blood-supplied by cross bridge vascular anastomosis from uninjured extremities,including 4 cases of femoral artery and vein,2 cases of popliteal artery and vein,and 2 cases of brachial artery and vein. Results After 3 years of follow-up,blood circulation of infected extremities were reestablished in each of 8 cases,as well as function and appearance recovered.Conclusion The procedure of cross bridge vascular anastomosis from uninjured extremities may efficiently restitute the blood supply of the infected extremities after blood vessel prosthesis were transplanted,and decrease the rate of amputation.

Based on the recently proposed Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification (CISS) system, intracranial branch atheromatous disease (BAD) is divided into large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and penetrating artery disease (PAD). In the current retrospective analysis, we compared the general characteristics of BAD-LAA with BAD-PAD, BAD-LAA with non-BAD-LAA and BAD-PAD with non-BAD-PAD. The study included a total of 80 cases, including 45 cases of BAD and 35 cases of non-BAD. Subjects were classified using CISS system: BAD-LAA, BAD-PAD, non-BAD-LAA and non-BAD-PAD. In addition to analysis of general characteristics, the correlation between the factors and the two subtypes of BAD was evaluated. The number of cases included in the analysis was: 32 cases of BAD-LAA, 13 cases of BAD-PAD, 21 cases of non-BAD-LAA, and 14 cases of non-BAD-PAD. Diabetes mellitus affected more non-BAD-LAA patients than BAD-LAA patients (P=0.035). In comparison with non-BAD-PAD, patients with BAD-PAD were younger (P=0.040), had higher initial NIHSS score (P<0.001) and morbidity of ischemic heart disease (P=0.033). Within patients with BAD, the PAD subtype was associated with smoking (OR=0.043; P=0.011), higher low-density lipoprotein (OR=5.339; P=0.029), ischemic heart disease (OR=9.383; P=0.047) and diabetes mellitus (OR=12.59; P=0.020). It was concluded that large artery atherosclerosis was the primary mechanism of BAD. The general characteristics showed no significant differences between the CISS subtypes of LAA and PAD within BAD, as well as between the BAD and non-BAD within LAA subtype. Several differences between PAD subtypes of BAD and non-BAD were revealed.
Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical efficacy of osteotomy and fusion in treating severe rigid equinus deformity.

METHODSFrom April 2010 to October 2015, 13 patients(16 feet) with severe rigid equinus deformity were treated with osteotomy and fusion by hollow screw, including 6 males and 7 females aged from 39 to 62 years old with an average of(49.6±5.3) years old;the courses of diseases ranged from 5 to 27 years with an average of (9.0±4.8) years. Six patients (9 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for three joints, 4 patients(4 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for four joints, and 3 patients (3 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for tibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joints. All patients manifested as foot pain, heel could not touch floor and walking before operation. Postoperative complications were observed, AOFAS score were applied to evaluate clinical effect.

RESULTSThirteen patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of 20 months. Only one patient occurred local skin necrosis after operation and healed by dressing change and anti-infective therapy. All feet obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 12 to 16 weeks with an average of 13.2 weeks. AOFAS score were improved from 11.85±10.66 before operation to 81.38±3.69 after operation, and had significant difference(=-25.67, <0.05);15 feet good and 1 foot moderate.

CONCLUSIONSTibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joint fusion, osteotomy and fusion for three and four joints could treat severe rigid equinus deformity according to patients' individual and could obtain satisfied clinical effects.

Adult ; Arthrodesis ; Calcaneus ; pathology ; Equinus Deformity ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the sexual function, urinary function and quality of life in patients of ulcerative colitis(UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP) after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods: The clinical data of patients with UC and FAP undergoing IPAA at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from Jan 2006 to Sep 2018 were reviewed , postoperative sexual function, urinary function, and long-term quality of life were assessed. Results: There were 45 patients with median age of 35 years , median follow-up time of 31 months. 18 were UC, 27 were FAP, 5 did 1-stage surgery, 37 did 2-stage surgery, 3 for 3-stage surgery, 13 underwent open surgery, and 32 underwent laparoscopic surgery. 7 patients suffered sexual dysfunction after IPAA, and there was no statistical difference between male and female (P=0.992), UC and FAP (P=0.153), 1-stage , 2-stage , and 3-stage surgery (P=0.363) , with statistically significant difference between the open group and the laparoscopic group (P=0.025). 6 patients complicated with urinary dysfunction after IPAA , and there was no statistical difference between male and female (P=0.562), UC and FAP (P=0.325), 1-stage, 2-stage, and 3-stage surgery (P=0.286) , with statistically significant difference between the open group and the laparoscopic group (P=0.007). The Cleveland Global Quality of Life (CGQL) score after IPAA was 0.696±0.085. There were no statistical difference on CGQL scores in males and females (P=0.635), UC and FAP (P=0.664), 1-stage, 2-stage, and 3-stage (P>0.05), open group and laparoscopic group (P=0.205), postoperative long-term QOL was significantly associated only with age at the time of surgery (P=0.001). Conclusions Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic TPC-IPAA patients had better postoperative sexual function and urination function.