AIMTo study the effects of hydrocortisone sodium succinate on sodium current in human atrial myocytes and in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

METHODSSingle cardiac myocytes were isolated by enzyme. The effects of hydrocortisone sodium succinate on sodium current (INa) were assessed by applying whole-cell patch clamp techniques.

RESULTSHydrocortisone sodium succinate (1, 3, 10 micromol x L(-1)) was shown to inhibit INa of both human atrial myocytes and guinea pig ventricular myocytes in concentration dependent manner and the IC50 were 6.97 and 8.74 micromol x L(-1), respectively. The inhibition effects acted quickly (1-3 min) and the maximal activating voltage of INa was not changed in both human and guinea pig cardiac myocytes.

CONCLUSIONHydrocortisone sodium succinate can exhibit inhibitory effects on INa in both human and guinea pig cardiac myocytes, and its inhibitory effects act rapidly, which are not consistent with genomic effects, so there may be nongenomic effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Cell Separation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; pathology ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate reasonable surgical therapy for conjoined twins.

METHODSTwo pairs of gastrothoracopagus were admitted in July 2004 and April 2005 respectively. The first pair was separated by emergency surgery for the rupture of umbilical hernia resulting in the exposure of intestines. The thoracic and abdominal wall was repaired with local skin flaps, and the secondary wound was covered with artificial skin. Skin expanders were embedded in thoracic and abdominal wall 2 months after birth in the second pair. The surgical separation was performed one month after. The deficiencies of pericardium, sternum and abdominal wall were reconstructed by allogenic grafting of pericardium, porous polyethylene implant and monofilament polypropylene patch respectively. The thoracic and abdominal wall was repaired with expanded rotation skin flap.

RESULTSThe first twins died of respiratory failure and circulatory and respiratory failure 2 hours and 39 hours after the separation respectively. Both of the second pair survived and were discharge after healing.

CONCLUSIONSThe separation of gastrothoracopagus should be performed after skin expansion in the interest of the closure of wound. It's better to use porous polyethylene implant and monofilament polypropylene patch to reconstruct the sternum and abdominal wall respectively.

Abdominal Wall ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Thoracic Wall ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors that influence survival of the patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in young people and evaluate the efficiency of unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection and postoperative TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) suppressive therapy.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-one patients under 30 years old with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated in this hospital (14 cases no more than and 117 cases more than 16 years) from Jan. 1st, 1985 to Dec. 31st, 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were received only surgery and TSH suppressive therapy, and 3 patients received chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of the progressive metastasis in necks or mediastina. A multivariate analysis was performed in these patients by the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe mean follow-time (x +/- s) of all patients were (140.86 +/- 43.76) months, with range from 20 to 229 months; Ninety-eight patients followed more than 10 years. Ten patients died of thyroid cancer. The overall 10-year survival rate was 97.18%. The 10-year survival rate for patients < or = 16 years of age and > 16 years were 75.97% and 96.57% respectively (P = 0. 0006). The 10-year survival rate for women and men were 94.91% and 93.69% respectively (P = 0.5261). The 10-year survival rates of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma were 93.77% and 96. 55% respectively (P = 0.8137). For patients with tumor size of < or = 1 cm, 1-4 cm and >4 cm the survival rate was 100.0%, 96.40%, and 80.67% respectively (P = 0. 0589). The 10-year survival rates of patients with or without lymph node metastasis were 88.37% and 100. 0% respectively (P = 0.0313). For patients of with or without distant metastasis, The survival rate was 96.64% or 60.00% (P = 0.0000). The 10-year survival rates with or without recurrence were 86. 67% and 95.48% respectively (P = 0. 5681). Using multivariate analysis, risk factors that independently influence survival were distant metastasis, tumor size and age.

CONCLUSIONSThe distant metastasis, tumor size and age at diagnosis were the independent factors influencing survival significantly. The status of lymph node metastasis may have certain effect on the prognosis. Unilateral lobectomy plus isthmectomy with a therapeutic cervical lymph node dissection followed by postoperative TSH suppressive therapy is a favourable model to children and young adults with DTC without distant metastasis, but to the patients with distant metastasis, their prognosis of this therapy model is disappointing.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Papilloma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quantity, subset of dendritic cells (DC) and their costimulatory molecule expression in peripheral blood (PB) of the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODSTotal DC (Lin1(+) HLA-DR(+)), myeloid DC (mDC) (Lin1(-) HLA-DR(+) CD11c(+)) and plasma DC (pDC) (Lin1(-) HLA-DR(+) CD123(+)) in fresh PB samples of 38 MDS patients and 19 normal controls were assayed by flow cytometry with the monoclonal antibodies. The expressions of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD40 on these DCs were also assayed in the same way.

RESULTSThe number of total DC in PB of low-risk and high-risk MDS patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls [(33.7 +/- 7.0) x 10(6)/L, (56.3 +/- 29.0) x 10(6)/L vs (12.1 +/- 1.4) x 10(6)/L, respectively] (P < 0.05), that of mDC in PB of low-risk and high-risk MDS patients was higher than that of normal controls too [(16.7 +/- 6.3) x 10(6)/L, (28.7 +/- 17.6) x 10(6)/L vs (5.5 +/- 0.9) x 10(6)/L] (P < 0.05), but pDC in low-risk and high-risk MDS patients was not significantly higher than that in normal controls (P > 0.05). The percentage of total DC in PB mononuclear cells (PBMNC) of low-risk and high-risk MDS patients [(2.37 +/- 0.53)% and (3.58 +/- 1.39)% respectively and that of mDC (0.90 +/- 0.35)%, (1.51 +/- 0.70)% respectively] were higher than that of normal controls [(0.68 +/- 0.08)%, and (0.32 +/- 0.05)% respectively] (P < 0.05), but that of pDC in MDS cases was not higher than that of normal controls (P > 0.05). The expressions of CD80 and CD86 between MDS patients and normal controls had significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTotal DC and mDC were increased significantly in MDS, but pDC did not. The costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) except CD40 expressed higher on the DC of MDS patients. It suggested that the inflammatory injury related APC increased in MDS, but the antitumour immunity related APC did not . What found here might be one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of MDS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to evaluate whether sentinel node (SN) biopsy can accurately assess the cervical lymph node status of oral tongue carcinoma, as well to research the best method and indications of SN biopsy.

METHODSPreoperative lymphoscintigraphy with (99m)Tc-SC and intraoperative sentinel node mapping with methylene blue dye were administered on 20 cases of oral tongue carcinoma with cN(0) neck and 5 cases with cN(+) neck; routine pathological examination was used to assess the status of SNs. The results of routine pathological examination of cervical specimen were set as golden standard to assess the efficacy of SN biopsy in evaluating the cervical lymph node status.

RESULTS53 SNs were detected in 24 cases out of the total 25 cases (96%), averaging 2.2 SNs per case. SNs were detected in all 20 cases with cN(0) neck, in which 4 cases with occult cervical metastasis were detected by SN diopsy, without false negative case found in the procedure. In 5 cases with cN(+) neck, SNs were detected in 4 cases. In 4 cases whose SNs were detected, there were 5 cN(+) necks, out of which SNs were detected in 4 cN(+) necks but failed to predicted the cervical lymph node status in 2 necks. However, SNs were detected in 2 out of the other 3 cN(0) necks, both of which were diagnosed as SN(+)pN(+).

CONCLUSIONSNuclear lymphoscintigraphy and blue dye mapping can be used to trace the SNs in cases with oral tongue carcinoma, with satisfactory detective rate. SN biopsy can accurately evaluate the cervical lymph node status in cases of oral tongue carcinoma with cN(0) neck. Whether it can be used to evaluate the lymph node status of the cN(0) neck in case with a contralateral cN(+) neck is worthy of further research.

Humans ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVERNA interference is a new technology that inhibit effectively the expression the specific genes. The current study was designed to investigate whether the plasmid containing the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) can inhibit the hyperplasia of vascular smooth muscle cells in rat.

METHODSThe plasmids containing the shRNA of AT(1)R were constructed, and transfected vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) to detect the effect on the AT(1)R expression by RT-PCR and Western blot, observe the shape of VSMCs by the inverted phase contrast microscope, and detect the hyperplasia of VSMCs by trypan blues staining and MTT.

RESULTSThe plasmids was certified to be in the right rank. After transfecting cells, there was significant difference (P < 0.01) in the expression of AT(1)R mRNA between the plasmid transfected group (pAT(1)R-shRNA(1) 1.37 +/- 0.15; pAT(1)R-shRNA(2) 1.45 +/- 0.12) and the control group (2.09 +/- 0.26), and there was significant difference (P < 0.01) in the expression of AT(1)R protein between the gene transfected group (pAT(1)R-shRNA1 1.12 +/- 0.04; pAT(1)R-shRNA2 1.20 +/- 0.07) and the control group (3.17 +/- 0.21). It is shown that pAT(1)R-shRNA can decrease the expression of AT(1)R mRNA and protein. There was significant difference (P < 0.01) in the Cell number between the plasmid transfected adding AngII group (pAT(1)R-shRNA1 5.48 +/- 0.44; pAT(1)R-shRNA2 5.55 +/- 0.45) and the AngII control group (8.13 +/- 0.41); there was significant difference (P < 0.01) in the Ratio of light density by MTT between the plasmid transfected adding AngII group (pAT(1)R-shRNA1 0.365 +/- 0.024; pAT(1)R-shRNA2 0.307 +/- 0.025) and the control group (0.485 +/- 0.011); It is shown that that pAT(1)R-shRNA can inhibit the hyperplasia of VSMCs, and matching the result of morphology observation.

CONCLUSIONSThe plasmids containing the shRNA of AT(1)R can inhibit the expression of AT(1)R mRNA and protein in VSMCs, and inhibit the hyperplasia of VSMCs induced by AngII in rat.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Hyperplasia ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; pathology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential cell sources of neointimal cells in autologous vein graft in rat model.

METHODSVein graft neointimal cell origins were investigated using a model of vein-to-artery interposition modal. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical staining was also performed with primary antibodies alpha-smooth actin or CD34.

RESULTSNeointimal thickening was greater at the proximal ends (65.2 +/- 4.6) microm and, to a lesser extent, distal ends (64.7 +/- 5.3) microm, in comparison to the middle of the graft (63.5 +/- 5.6) microm. Vein-originating cells survived and make a contribution to neointimal formation within the vein graft, mostly adjacent to the lumen, suggesting an intimate association with endothelial cells, donor arterial smooth muscle cells or circulating progenitor cells.

CONCLUSIONSVein graft neointimal cells arise predominantly from vein-derived endothelial cells, donor arteria smooth muscle cells or circulating progenitor cells. It suggests clinical relevance of stenosis-inhibiting therapies directed at the vein graft or early system pharmacologic administration.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; surgery ; Hyperplasia ; Jugular Veins ; pathology ; transplantation ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate prognostic factors of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

METHODSBy using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, the prognostic factors were investigated in 102 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma treated at this hospital.

RESULTSOverall survival rates of 5-year, 10-year and 15-year were 87.4%, 74.6% and 54.2% respectively by Kaplan-Meier method analysis. In univariate analysis, gender, age, bilateral thyroid lobe tumors, tumor size > 4 cm, invasion of thyroid capsule, distant metastasis, and non-radical tumor resection were significant poor prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, tumor size > 4 cm (chi(2) = 7.43, P = 0.0035), distant metastasis (chi(2) = 23.50, P = 0.0000), and non-radical tumor resection (chi(2) = 25.90, P = 0.0000) remained as independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSTumor size > 4 cm, distant metastasis, and non-radical tumor resection are the independent predictors of patients survival. Early diagnosis and early therapy can improve significantly the prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; diagnosis ; mortality ; pathology ; Child ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intrathecal ouabain and tizanidine injection for treatment of neuropathic pain in rats.

METHODSMale SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6), namely the control group, ouabain group, tizanidine group, combined ouabain and tizanidine injection group, and the antagonist group. Intrathecal catheter was implanted 7 days before spinal nerve ligation to establish the neuropathic pain model. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before and after intrathecal administration of the agents was recorded in the rats. Isobolographic analysis was performed to evaluate the interactions between the agents.

RESULTSIntrathecal injection of ouabain (0.25-5 microg) or tizanidine (0.5-5 microg) alone produced dose-dependent analgesic effect against the neuropathic pain (P < 0.05). Isobolographic analysis revealed a synergistic interaction between ouabain and tizanidine. Intrathecal pretreatment with atropine (5 microg) or yohimbine (20 microg) antagonized the effects of ouabain and tizanidine administered alone or in combination (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntathecal injection of ouabain or tizanidine produces dose-dependent analgesic effects against neuropathic pain, and their synergistic effect after combined injection probably involves the cholinergic transmission and alpha2 receptor.

Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Clonidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Injections, Spinal ; Ouabain ; administration & dosage ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Nerves ; injuries

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of NBD-peptide pretreatment of the donor dendritic cells in immune tolerance induction in mouse allograft recipients and investigate the mechanisms.

METHODSBALB/c mouse DCs pretreated with NBD-peptide (NBD-Peptide-DC) were injected into the recipient C57BL/6 mice 7 days before transplantation. Cervical heterotopic heart transplantation model was established using the cuff technique and the cardiac allograft survival time was observed. Pathological analysis were performed to examine the graft injection and the responsiveness of the recipient spleen T cell to the donor alloantigen was determined by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The serum levels of cytokines were determined using ELISA.

RESULTSThe cardiac allograft survival time in the NBD-Peptide-DC-treated group (21.83-/+3.54 days) was significantly longer than that in the Day9-DC group (13.33-/+2.58 days) and PBS-treated group (6.66-/+1.21 days) (P<0.01), with also significantly lower pathological grade for graft rejection (P<0.01). The donor-derived NBD-Peptide-DCs induced alloantigen-specific T-cell hyporesponsiveness. In the NBD-Peptide-DC-treated group, the serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma decreased significantly (P<0.01), but the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased significantly (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONInjection of donor-derived NBD-Peptide-DCs can leads to donor-specific tolerance in the transplant recipients, and the induction of recipient T-cell hyporesponsiveness and polarization of Th2 response may play important roles in immune tolerance to cardiac allografts.

Animals ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; transplantation ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; Heart Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Peptides ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous