The spinal origin of cholestatic itch in experimental obstructive jaundice mouse model remains poorly understood.In this study,the jaundice model was established by bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice,and differential gene expression patterns were analyzed in the lower thoracic spinal cord involved in cholestatic pruritus after BDL operation using high-throughput RNA sequencing.At 21st day after BDL,the expression levels of ENSRNOG00000060523,ENSRNOG00000058405 and ENSRNOG00000055193 mRNA were significantly up-regulated,and those of ENSRNOG00000042197,ENSRNOG00000008478,ENSRNOG00000019607,ENSRNOG00000020647,ENSRNOG00000046289,Gemin8,Serpina3n and Trim63 mRNA were significantly down-regulated in BDL group.The RNAseq data of selected mRNAs were validated by RT-qPCR.The expression levels of ENSRNOG00000042197,ENSRNOG00000008478,ENSRNOG00000019607,ENSRNOG00000020647,ENSRNOG00000046289 and Serpina3n mRNA were significantly down-regulated in BDL group.This study suggested that cholestatic pruritus in experimental obstructive jaundice mouse model is related with in the changes of gene expression profiles in spinal cord.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nature of white matter lesion and correlation to memory impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI).

METHODWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 20 middle-aged male people (10 with OSAS and 10 healthy controls) group-matched by age, educational level, and socioeconomic status. DTI was performed on those people with OSAS and on matched controls. Fractional anisotropy(FA) and average diffusion coefficient(ADC) values were measured respectively in bilateral white matter of the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, anterior cingulum, etc. At the same time, WMS values were detected respectively.

RESULTSRelative to controls, patients with OSAS had a lower FA in the white matter of right frontal lobe (0.444-/+0.025), splenium of corpus callosum (0.776-/+0.028 ), left anterior cingulate gyrus (0.154-/+0.021), right anterior cingulate gyrus (0.152-/+0.017), left anterior cingulum (0.372-/+0.022), right anterior cingulum (0.351-/+0.029), left centrum semiovale (0.501-/+0.029), peripheric white matter of left anterior angle (0.242-/+0.031), peripheric white matter of left posterior angle (0.338-/+0.029), peripheric white matter of right posterior angle (0.360-/+0.022 ), left parahippocampal gyrus (0.167-/+0.027), right parahippocampal gyrus (0.177-/+0.023). Besides, FA values of OSAS patients in the white matter of right frontal lobe and left centrum semiovale were strongly positively correlated with WMS values. While in comparison with that of healthy controls, ADC of OSAS patients was significantly higher in the white matter of right frontal lobe (8.589-/+0.264 x e(-10) mm(2)/s), trunk of corpus callosum (8.197-/+0.253 x e(-10) mm(2)/s), splenium of corpus callosum (8.218-/+0.194 x e(-10) mm(2)/s), left anterior cingulate gyrus (12.151-/+0.454 x e(-10) mm(2)/s), right anterior cingulate gyrus (12.113-/+0.524 x e(-10) mm(2)/s), right anterior cingulum (8.954-/+0.177 x e(-10) mm(2)/s),left centrum semiovale (7.333-/+0.220 x e(-10) mm(2)/s) and peripheric white matter of left anterior angle (9.186-/+0.465 x e(-10) mm(2)/s).

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that white matter and gray matter was both remarkably damaged in OSAS patients, which could contribute to memory impairment.

Adult ; Anisotropy ; Brain ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diffusion ; Humans ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications ; pathology

To analyze the reasons of impaired vision after LASlK and explore its preventive treatment measures preliminarily.METHODS: ln this retrospective study, 175 eyes of 134 patients whose vision was decreased after LASlK were included. The constituent ratio of every reason was counted and uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) between pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared by paired t-test respectively.RESULTS:The overall incidence of impaired vision after LASlK was 1. 86%. The constituent ratio of regression was 51. 43% and UCVA increased from 0. 61±0. 22 to 0. 90±0. 38 (t=8. 00, P<0. 001) after treatment. The constituent ratio of punctate corneal epithelial defect was 32. 57% and UCVA increased from 0. 60±0. 19 to 1. 20±0. 24 (t=20. 00, P<0. 001 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of accommodative spasm was 5. 14% and UCVA increased from 0.76±0. 21 to 1. 32±0. 22 (t=8. 14, P<0. 001) after treatment. The constituent ratio of corneal flap shift and gauffer was 4% and UCVA increased from 0. 29 ± 0. 26 to 1. 24 ± 0. 28 ( t = 6. 33, P<0. 001 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of corticosteroid - induced ocular hypertension was 4% and UCVA increased from 0. 57±0. 05 to 1. 0 ± 0. 16 ( t= 2. 53, P<0. 05 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of fundus lesions and diffuse lamellar keratitis ( DLK) was 2. 86% and UCVA all increased by different degrees after treatment.CONCLUSlON: The reasons of impaired vision after LASlK are many and varied. These cases could recover their vision by discovery and treatment in time, and the appropriate preventive measures were essential.

Objective To detect the neuronal network activity of specific brain areas in heroin addicts under craving state induced by heroin related cues with independent component analysis (ICA) of functional MRI (fMRI) data. Methods Fifteen heroin addicts,admitted to our hospital from February 2010 to December 2010, and 15 healthy controls were recruited in the case-control study; they were performed whole brain scan with 3.0Tesla MR scanner when being presented with heroin related cues.ICA was performed on these data and their neuronal network activities were compared. Results As compared with those in the controls,the bilateral prefrontal cortex,the left anterior cingulated cortex,the bilateral posterior cingulated cortex, the left inferior temporal gyrus and the left parietal lobe enjoyed obviously decreased activity, while bilateral nucleus accumbens, the right hippocampus, part of the temporal lobe and the occipital lobe enjoyed significantly increased activity (P＜0.05). Conclusion ICA is an advanced approach to identify fMRI data induced by related cues; the specific neuroanatomy mediated to cue-elicited heroin craving mostly locates in the learn-memory system and reward system,which involves the frontal cortex,the parietal lobe,the anterior eingulate,the posterior cingulate,the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens.

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitive effects of exogenous carbon monoxide-releasing molecules 2 (CORM-2) on expression of tissue factor (TF) in sepsis.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured with trypsin digestion method, which were divided into NC group (with normal treatment), LPS group (with culture of 10 microg/mL LPS), LD group (with 10 microg/mL LPS and DMSO in co-culture), LC1 group (with 10 microg/mL LPS and 10 micromol/L CORM-2 in co-culture), LC2 group (with 10 microg/mL LPS and 50 micromol/L CORM-2 in co-culture), LC3 group (with 10 microg/mL LPS and 100 micromol/L CORM-2 in co-culture). After culture for 4 hours, TF activity, TF protein expression, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity were examined. Forty-five C57 BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into NC (without treatment, n = 5), CLP (n = 5) and CLP + CORM-2 (with treatment of 8 mg/kg CROM-2 after CLP, n = 5) groups. The serum samples in CLP, CLP + CORM-2 groups were collected at 2, 6, 12 and 24 post operation hour ( POH, 5 mice at each time point) for determination of TF and TFPI levels,which were also examined in NC group.

RESULTSCompared with those of NC group, TF activity increased (P < 0.01) , TF protein expression and NF-KB activity also increased in LPS group. Compared with those of LPS group, above indices were decreased in LC1, LC2, LC3 groups. The serum level of TF in CLP group at 6 POH was higher than that of NC group (80.0 +/- 11.9 pg/mL vs 58.4 +/- 6.9 pg/mL, P < 0.05), peaked at 12 POH, and still higher than that of NC group at 24 POH, while the serum level of TFPI showed no obvious difference in NC and CLP groups. Compared with that of NC group, TFPI levels obviously increased in CLP + CORM-2 group at 6, 12 POH (23.7 +/-3.5 ng/mL, 24.4 +/- 5.0 ng/mL vs 12.4 +/- 2.8 ng/mL, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExogenous CORM can obviously inhibit TF and NF-KB activity,decrease TF protein expression. Meanwhile, it can also decrease serum level of TF, and increase serum level of TFPI, preventing activation of procoagulant system, balancing procoagulant and anticoagulant system in sepsis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Organometallic Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo introduce a new flap for the repair of soft tissue defects in the hand.

METHODSThe distally pedicled ulnar flap is based on the ascending branch of the upper-wrist cutaneous branch of the ulnar artery. The retrograde flow is ensured by the dorsal carpal arch via the descending branch.

RESULTSFrom 2000 to 2003, the flap was used to treat 8 cases of hand defects, including 3 dorsal defects, 2 palmar defects and 3 the first web defects. All flaps survived and the appearance was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe reverse forearm flap pedicled with the ulnar branch of the ulnar artery provides a long vascular pedicle. The donor site scar is aesthetically acceptable.

Adult ; Female ; Forearm ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Ulnar Artery ; surgery ; Wrist

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitive effect of exogenous carbon monoxide-releasing molecules 2 (CORM-2) on the activation of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in sepsis.

METHODSRAW264.7 cells were divided into normal control group, LPS group (10 mg/mL LPS, the same concentration below), LPS + inactive CORM-2 (iCORM-2) group, LPS + 50 mmol/L CORM-2 group, and LPS + 100 mmol/L CORM-2 group. TNF-alpha level in the supernatant was determined with ELISA, and the phosphorylation levels of JAK1 and JAK3 were determined with Western blot. Thirty-five male BALB/c mice were divided into normal control group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, CLP + iCORM-2 (8.0 mg/kg) group and CLP + CORM-2 group (8.0 mg/kg) according to the random number table. Mice in CLP + CORM-2 group were treated the same as mice in CLP group except for administration of CORM-2 after CLP. The plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and the phosphorylation levels of JAK1, JAK3 in liver tissue were determined with ELISA 24 hours post CLP. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSCompared with that of normal control group [(1.9 +/- 0.3) pg/mL], the TNF-alpha level [(8.2 +/- 2.7) pg/mL, t = 2.844, P < 0.01] and phosphorylation levels of JAK1, JAK3 in LPS group increased significantly; while TNF-alpha levels in LPS + 50 mmol/L CORM-2 and LPS + 100 mmol/L CORM-2 groups decreased obviously as compared with that of LPS group [(5.7 +/- 1.4), (3.2 +/- 0.9) pg/mL, with t value respectively 2.104 and 2.363, P values all below 0.05], and it was the same with phosphorylation levels of JAK1, JAK3 in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with those of normal control group, plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and phosphorylation levels of JAK1, JAK3 in liver tissue significantly increased in CLP group (with t value respectively 2.916 and 2.796, and P values all below 0.05); while plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the phosphorylation levels of JAK1, JAK3 in liver tissue decreased significantly in CLP + CORM-2 group (with t value respectively 2.115 and 2.398, and P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExogenous CORM-2 can obviously inhibit the phosphorylation of JAKs molecules and then inhibit the activation of JAK/STAT signal pathway in sepsis, and decrease the expression of downstream cytokines to effectively prevent cascade reaction in the inflammatory response after severe infection.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Janus Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Janus Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Organometallic Compounds ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective　To compare the clinical efficiency of intracardiac procedures on traditional cardioplegic arrested-heart and on-pu mp beating-heart for congenital heart disease (CHD) with severe pulmonary hyper tension. Methods　Among all 153 cases, 95 cases underwent operat ions on cardioplegic arrested-heart, while 58 on-pump beating-heart. In arres ted-heart group, 79 cases with ventricular septal defect (VSD), 13 with atria l septal defect (ASD) and 3 with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were examined whi le in beating-heart group, 43 cases with VSD, 10 with ASD, and 5 with PDA were examined. Results　There were 12 cases of operative death (12.6%) and 8 of tracheotomy (8.4%) in heart arrested group. No operative death and tracheotomy in beating-heart group. 141 patients were followed up for 3 months to 10 year s with good recovery. There were 2 cases of right heart function failure six yea rs later in arrested-heart group. Conclusion　Results sugges t that on-pump beating-heart technique is superior to traditional cardiopl egic arrested-heart for CHD with severe pulmonary hypertesion. The cause might be t hat on-pump beating-heart intracardiac operation is more effective in cardio pulmon ary protection.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of the cerebral white matter lesions in the normal appearing region using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)and its correlation to high-sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in patients with lacunar infarction(LI).Methods Thirty-two patients with LI and 10 healthy control subjects matched for age,educational level,and socioeconomic status were enrolled in this study.T1-weighted imaging(T1WI),T2WI,diffusion-weighted imaging(DWr),FLAIR sequence,and DTI of the head were performed in these subjects,and the fractional anisotropy(FA)and average diffusion coefficient(ADC)values were measured in 25 regions of interest(ROI)in the brain with normal appearances on T1WI and T2WI.The serum levels of hs-CRP were also detected using immunoturbidimetric assay. Results Compared to the control subjects,patients with LI had lowered FA in the whire matter in the bilateral frontal lobes, genu of the corpus callosum, bilateral anterior cingulum,bilateral ccntrum semiovale,bilateral optic radiation,and peripheric white matter ofthe left anterior andposterior angles.Inthe LI patients,the FA of the white matter in the left and right frontal lobes and the genu of the corpus caliosum showed obvious inverse correlations to serum hs-CRP level (r=-0.642,P=0.021;r=-0.388,P=0.016;r=-0.402,P=0.028).The ADC of the LI patients wassignificantly increased in the trunk and~lenium of the corpus callosum,the left centrum semiovale,and the peripheric white matter of the left posterior angle and the left parahippocampal gyrBs(P＜0.05),showing no significant correlations to serum hs-CRP levels. Conclusions In the early stage of LI,white matter damages are present in multiple regions with normal appearance on conventional magnetic resonance images.The close inverse correlation of the FA in the damaged white matter to serum hs-CRP level in LI pailents suggests that arteriosclerosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of LI.DTI Call be an important diagnostic modality for early detection,prognostic evaluation and therapeutic effect assessment of LI.

Objective To evaluate the effect of surgical excision of the anterior temporal lobe and hippocampus on the cognitive function of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods Nineteen patients with refractory temporal epilepsy received surgical excision of the anterior temporal lobe and hippocampus, and cognitive neuropsychologieal assessments were conducted, 3 and 6 months after the surgery, to evaluate the changes in the patinets' cognitive functions. Results Satisfactory effects were achieved in these patients after the operations. One patient showed temporary speech disorder, and two exhibited temporary euphoria. Patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy had severe cognitive dysfunctions involving especially in the intelligence, attention and memory, which were not aggravated after the operation, Conversely, the operation resulted in gradual improvement of some of the cognitive functions in these patients. Conclusion Patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy have cognitive dysfunction, and surgical excision of the anterior temporal lobe and hippocampus can cure or reduce seizure of temporal lobe epilepsy and improve the cognitive dysfunctions to some extent.