Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans

Objective: To screen candidate antigen for therapeutic HBV vaccine with a novel adjuvant DC-Chol. Methods: BALB/c mice were injected with DC-Chol liposome and HBsAg prepared from CHO and Yeast respectively. One week later, IL-4, IL-2, IFN-?were measured by ELISA or ELISPOT. Results: The levels of IL-2, IFN-?of HBsAg from Yeast with DC-Chol liposome were 20 and 119 times higher respectively than those of HBsAg from CHO with DC-Chol liposome. ELISPOT assay showed that the counts of spot-forming cells of IL-4 and IFN-?of HBsAg from Yeast with DC-Chol liposome were 2.8 and 46.3 times higher respectively than those of HBsAg from Yeast with Al(OH)3. Conclusion: HBsAg prepared from Yeast together with DC-Chol liposome may be an appropriate candidate for therapeutic HBV vaccine .

Hyponatremia is relatively common in patients with neurologic disorders, while its diagnosis and treatment remain controversial. Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) has shown to be closely associated with hyponatremia. ODS patients often present as central pontine myelinolysis, extrapontine myelinolysis, or both. This article reviews the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and risk factors of ODS in patients with hyponatremia caused by neurologic disorders.
Demyelinating Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; complications ; etiology ; Nervous System Diseases ; complications

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans

OBJECTIVE[corrected] To assess the effects of metallothionein on myocyte apoptosis and energy supply of isolated rabbit heart muscle during perfusion with ropivacaine..

METHODSSixty New Zealand white male rabbits were randomized into 3 equal groups. In group I, the rabbits received a intreaperitioneal injection of distilled water 24 h before isolation of the heart with perfusion by Langendoff model; in group II, distilled water was injected intreaperitioneally, and 24 h later the heart was isolated and perfused with Langendoff model and ropivacaine; in group III, 3.6% ZnSO(4) was injected intreaperitioneally and the isolated heart was perfused with Langendoff model and ropivacaine. The myocardial metallothionein content, myocyte apoptosis, and myocardial ATP, ADP and AMP content were detected.

RESULTSThe myocardial metallothionein content was significantly higher in group III than in the other two groups; the percent of myocyte apoptosis was the highest in group II, and was significantly higher in group III than in group I. The myocardial content of ATP was the highest in group I, and was significantly higher in group III than in group II.

CONCLUSIONMetallothionein can significantly inhibit myocyte apoptosis and alleviate energy supply disorder induced by ropivacaine.

Amides ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Metallothionein ; pharmacology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Perfusion ; Rabbits

That eleven patients with sellar germinomas were confirmed by pathological examinations were retrospectively reviewed. In the 11 patients, 2 were males and 9 were females. Mean age was 16.8 years old and mean history was 2.6 years. Among them, 11 patients had diabetes insipidus, 6 patients had visual disturbances, 5 patients had retarded growth, and 5 patients had hypopituitary function. The diameter of tumor was 1-3 cm in 8 cases and greater than 3 cm in 3 cases. MRI showed hypointensity or homogeneous on T1-weighted images in 8 cases. The tumors were fibrous, purple grey or reddish in color with rich blood supply. Germinomas were confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. All patients received postoperative irradiation. Postoperative follow-up was from 3 months to 6 years. Diabetes insipidus was improved in 9 cases. Visual function were improved in 4 cases, but hypopituitarism and retarded growth were unchanged. In conclusion, when MRI shows sellar parenchyma tumor with unclear boundary in young patients with diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, sellar germinoma should be highly suspected. Otherwise, radiation therapy may profitably aid to confirm the diagnosis since irradiation is the main treatment of sellar germinomas.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Germinoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pineal Gland ; Pinealoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sella Turcica

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap for hypospadias, and improve its therapeutic effect.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 310 cases of hypospadias (except coronal hypospadias) treated by one-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months.

RESULTSNo postoperative complications were observed except urinary fistula, which occurred in 12.6% of the patients. Postoperative fistula formation was associated with the type of hypospadias, the length of the urethral defect and postoperative comprehensive medication, but not with the stent indwelling time after surgery. Most of the fistulae were located at the base of the penis.

CONCLUSIONOne-stage urethroplasty with pedicled scrotal skin flap is a simple and effective option for all types of hypospadias except the coronal type, and postoperative treatment is very important.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Infant ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the effect of short-term iron deficiency on thyroid function of rat and its mechanism, and to provide new clues and ideas for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods Twenty-two healthy SPF/VAF level weaning male SD rats were randomly divided into control group(iron content in diet was 65 mg/kg) and iron deficiency group(iron content in diet was 15 mg/kg) by body weight, and 11 in each group respectively. After 4 weeks feeding, body weight and thyroid glands weight were measured, and the relative weight of thyroid gland was calculated. Rat whole blood was collected and serum was separated. Hemoglobin, serum iron levels and total iron binding capacity were tested using biochemical assay;serum free iodine thyroid three original acid (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were detected by chemiluminescence;after thyroid were fixed in formalin, embedded with paraffin and sectioned regularly, and immunohistochemical stained, the protein expression of thyroid peroxidase(TPO) was observed. Results Compared with control group [(243.8 ± 16.4)g], iron deficiency group of animals had less body weight[(214.3 ± 18.1 )g, t = 4.002, P ＜ 0.01];there was a lower absolute thyroid weight in iron deficiency group[(11.9 ± 1.6)mg]than in control group[(13.4 ±1.3)mg, t = 2.369, P ＜ 0.01], but no significant changes of the relative weight of thyroid gland between the two groups[(0.055 ± 0.004),(0.055 ± 0.006)g/kg, t = 0.162, P ＞ 0.05]. Hemoglobin and serum iron in iron deficiency group were ( 100.4 ± 8.9)g/L and (7.0 ± 0.8)μmol/L, which were less than that in control group[( 146.5 ±16.3)g/L, (26.1 ± 5.1 )μmol/L, t = 8.233,12.277, all P ＜ 0.01]. Total iron binding capacity in control group was (74.0 ± 4.6)μ mol/L and that in iron deficiency group[(124.8 ± 6.3)μmol/L], and the difference was significant (t = 21.531, P＜ 0.01). At the same time, their serum hormones FT3, FT4 and FT3/FT4[(4.71 ± 0.53), (29.69 ±2.63)pmol/L, 0.16 ± 0.02]were lower than that in control group[(5.69 ± 0.61),(31.98 ± 2.49)pmol/L, 0.18 ±0.01, t = 4.044,2.096,3.255, P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05]. The expression of TPO protein decreased in iron deficiency group than in control group. Conclusions Iron deficiency reduces thyroid function, which perhaps is due to the reduction of TPO activity. Combined supplementation of iodine and iron will possibly improve the prevention effect on iodine deficiency disorder in iron deficiency areas.

AIM:To analyze zebrafish embryos and to identify erythropoietin (Epo) as an active renal anti-apoptotic factor in an Epo receptor (EpoR)-dependent manner. METHODS:For transient knockdown of Epo and EpoR in renal Tg (wt1b:EGFP) zebrafish reporter lines, the morpholino antisense oligonucleotide technique was used. Morphant zebrafish embryos were phenotypically analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay and Annexin V staining. Western blot was used to identify Akt phosphorylation in Epo and EpoR knockdown zebrafish. RE-SULTS:Epo and EpoR zebrafish morphants exhibited pathophysiological changes within the pronephros, adversely affecting pronephric structure. Zebrafish embryos upon silencing of Epoa and EpoR showed a significant increase in the apoptosis within the zebrafish pronephros, consequently leading to renal pathophysiological effects. Decreased p-Akt was identified in Epo and EpoR knockdown zebrafish embryos. CONCLUSION:Epo is an essential regulator of renal development and function by interacting with its receptor EpoR and thereby repressing apoptosis, mechanistically by promoting Akt phospho-rylation.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between invasive pituitary adenomas and cavernus sinus and cariod artery and to predict their surgical outcomes.

METHODSTotally 270 patients with pituitary tumors were investigated in this retrospective study, including 113 men and 157 women, with a mean age of 40.8 years. The mean disease history was 3.6 years. Pituitary microadenomas were diagnosed in 56 cases, macroadenomas in 118 cases, and hugeadenomas in 96 cases. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-releasing adenomas (Cushing's diseases) were diagnosed in 40 cases, growth hormone-releasing adenomas in 58 cases, prolactinomas in 57 cases, and non-functional pituitary adenomas in 115 cases. Transsphenoidal microsurgery were performed on 260 patients, while transcranial microsurgery on 6 patients.

RESULTSThe percentage of invasive pituitary adenomas was about 3.6% in microadenomas, 20.4% in macroadenomas, and 61.4% in hugeadenomas. Rate of total removal was 94.1% in non-invasive pituitary adenomas, and was 58.8% in invasive pituitary adenomas.

CONCLUSIONSIt is important to analyze the grade of invasive pituitary adenomas to improve the removal of pituitary adenomas, avoid injuring cariod artery, and increase the rate of total removal.

Adenoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Cavernous Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypophysectomy ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; pathology ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome