Objective To investigate the CT manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications in children. Methods Retrospective analysis of Clinical and CT findings in 25 cases with pathologically proved Meckel's diverticulum. The unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT were obtained in all patients. Results (1)The direct signs: the diverticulum cannot be shown in 5 cases; the diverticulums were found around the navel or in lower right abdomen in 20 cases. The blind-ending fluid-filled or gas-filled structures were found in 9 cases, with heterogeneous ring-enhancement. The tubercle-like structures were detected in 11 cases, which showed no enhancement in 4 cases, and homogeneous enhancement in 3 cases,and heterogeneous enhancement in 4 cases. (2) The indirect signs included intestine obstruction in 8 cases,swelling fat layer surrounding the diverticulum in 9 cases, free gas around the diverticulum in 3 cases,thickened mesentery in 8 cases, ascites in 4 cases, and intussusception due to inverted Meckel's diverticulum with "target sign" in 1 case. (3) CT classification: with diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding in 20 eases; with intestine obstruction or intussusception in 8 cases; bands-caused obstruction in 7 cases;intussusception in 1 case; with perforation in 3 cases. Conclusion Meckel's diverticulum and its complications have typical CT findings, and CT can clearly demonstrate diverticulum's shape, margin,internal components and surroundiug tissues.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target genes of nude mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft, and to explore its mechanism for treating HCC.

METHODSThe subcutaneous xenograft model was established using HepG2 cells. When the subcutaneous transplanted tumor was formed, naked mice were randomly divided into two groups, the BBP group and the control group. Mice in the BBP group were administered with BBP by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks, while mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks. The body weight and the tumor volume were measured once per week. By the end of medication, the tumor weight was weighed and the tumor inhibition ratio calculated. The apoptosis of the tumor tissue was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B cell lymphoma/eukemina-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK4), cyclinD1 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression levels of signal transducers and transcription activators 3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBBP could inhibit the tumor volume and tumor weight, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Results of TUNEL showed that BBP could significantly induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Results of RT-PCR showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and down-regulate mRNA expression of Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1. Immunohistochemical results showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and inhibit the protein expression of p-STAT3, PCNA, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1.

CONCLUSIONBBP could induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells and inhibit their proliferation by regulating STAT3 pathway.

Animals ; Bile ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Ursidae ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal treatment for craniocerebral trauma complicated with thoraco-abdominal injuries.

METHODSA total of 2165 cases of craniocerebral trauma complicated with thoraco-abdominal injuries admitted to our hospital between July 1993 and June 2003 were retrospectively studied. Among them, 382 cases sustained severe craniocerebral trauma (in which 167 were complicated with shock), 733 thoracic injuries, 645 abdominal injuries and 787 thoraco-abdominal injuries. On admittance, 294 cases had developed shock. With the prime goal of saving life, respiratory and circulatory systems and encephalothilipsis were especially treated and monitored. Priority in management was directed to severe or open injures rather than to moderate or closed injures. For cases with cerebral hernia due to intracranial hematoma and severe shock due to blood loss, cerebral hernia and shock were treated concurrently.

RESULTSAfter treatment, 2024 (93.49%) cases survived and the other 141 (6.51%) died. Among patients who had severe craniocerebral injury with shock and those without, 78 (46.71%) and 53 (24.56%) died, respectively. For patients who had underwent craniocerebral and thoraco-abdominal operations concurrently and those who had not, the death rates were 58.49%-65.96% and 28.57% respectively, indicating a significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTreatment for hematoma hernia, shock and disturbed respiration is the key in the management of multiple trauma of craniocerebral, thoracic or abdominal injuries, especially when two or three conditions occurred simultaneously. Unless it is necessary, operations at two different parts at the same time is not recommended. It is preferred to start two concurrent operations at different time.

Adult ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; surgery ; therapy ; Encephalocele ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; surgery ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; etiology ; therapy ; Thoracic Injuries ; surgery ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on angiogenesis, and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODSA chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to evaluate the angiogensis in vivo. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the viability of HUVECs. Cell cycle progression of HUVECs was examined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with propidium iodide staining. HUVEC migration was determined by wound healing method. An ECMatrix gel system was used to evaluate the tube formation of HUVECs. The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in both HUVECs and HepG2 human cells were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated group, BBP inhibited angiogenesis in vivo in the CAM model (P< 0.01). In addition, treatment with 0.25-1 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48, or 72 h respectively reduced cell viability by 14%-27%, 29%-69% and 33%-91%, compared with the untreated control cells (P< 0.01). Additionally, BBP inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs via blocking the cell cycle G to S progression, compared with the S phase of untreated cells 48.05%± 5.00%, 0.25-0.75 mg/mL BBP reduced S phase to 40.38%± 5.30%, 36.54± 4.50% and 32.13± 3.50%, respectively (Pglt; 0.05). Moreover, BBP inhibited the migration and tube formation of HUVECs, compared with the tube length of untreated cells 100%± 12%, 0.25-0.75 mg/mL BBP reduced the tube length to 62%± 9%, 43%± 5% and 17%± 3%, respectively (p< 0.01). Furthermore, BBP treatment down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF-A in both HepG2 cells and HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONBBP could inhibit the angiogenesis by reducing VEGF-A expression, which may, in part, explain its anti-tumor activity.

Animals ; Bile ; chemistry ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Powders ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ursidae ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the angiogenic effect of the Xiongshao capsule (XSC) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its biological effect.

METHODSSerum pharmacology was applied in this study, in which different doses of XSC were administrated to rats orally and then XSC-containing serum (XSC-S) was collected for the following in vitro experiments. The viability of HUVEC was determined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell density was observed via phase-contrast microscopy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis with propidium iodide staining was performed to determine cell cycle phase. Cell migration was determined by wound-healing method. Capillary tube formation by HUVEC was examined using ECMatrix gel-based assay. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression levels were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) analyses.

RESULTSXSC-S dose-dependently stimulated proliferation of HUVEC by promoting the cell cycle G1 to S progression. In addition, XSC-S treatment dramatically increased the migration and capillary tube formation of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, XSC-S enhanced the expression of VEGF and bFGF at both mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONXSC can promote several features of angiogenesis in endothelial cells through up-regulating the expression of bFGF and VEGF, suggesting that XSC may be a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases.

Animals ; Capsules ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Collagen ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laminin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Proteoglycans ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S Phase ; drug effects ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological significance of p16(INK4A) expression and DNA ploidy status in HPV-negative uterine cervical cancers and their precursors.

METHODSHPV-negative cervical lesions, including 20 cases of cervicitis, 20 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN), 3 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasm (CGIN), 38 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) and 15 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were selected and subject to screening for HPV infection by PCR method. The p16(INK4A) protein expression and DNA ploidy status were studied by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry respectively.

RESULTSSpecific expression of p16(INK4A) was seen in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the dysplastic and malignant cells of CIN, CGIN, cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, no expression was present in normal and inflammatory squamous or glandular epithelium. DNA aneuploidy was significantly more frequent in invasive SCCs and adenocarcinomas than in CIN (P < 0.01). Aneuploid was also more frequent in the lymph node positive group than lymph node negative group, although no statistic significance was found. Among the 8 cases of p16(INK4A) negative SCCs, two showed DNA aneuploidy.

CONCLUSIONSImmunohistochemical detection for p16(INK4A) can be an early diagnostic marker for HPV-negative cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. DNA ploidy analysis may further assist the diagnosis of cervical malignancies.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aneuploidy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Cervicitis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore a method to repair larger cleft palate and lengthen soft palate without oral palate raw surface and scar formation, reduce the effect on maxilla and dental arch development.

METHODSA modified double opposing Z-plasty was used to lengthen soft palate and the nasal palate was closed by using large turn-over mucoperiosteal flaps on the oral surface of the junction of the hard palate and soft palate, oral raw surface on the palate was closed by a buccal myomucosal island flap.

RESULTSThirty-six palates have been repaired by this procedure, all of which had satisfactory results without flap necrosis, infection, difficulties in opening mouth and facial nerve injury except two post-operative fistulas. Eight patients were followed up and all display complete velopharyngeal closure.

CONCLUSIONSUsing unilateral buccinator myomucosal island flap with double opposing Z-plasty to repair wider palatal cleft can get a satisfactory soft palate lengthening. At the same time it can avoid bone surface exposing and scar formation; it is a safe and reliable procedure.

Adolescent ; Cheek ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) may be associated with apoptosis of osteocytes, but its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Cytochrome C and Caspase-9 are key factors in the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway, and their roles in SANFH still need further investigation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of cytochrome C and Caspase-9 in the SANFH. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n=10 per group). Rabbits in the experimental group were injected with 7.5 mg/kg methylprednisolone, twice weekly, and those controls were subjected to the injection of same amount of normal saline. The treatment period was 8 weeks in both group.The rabbits were then sacrificed by air embolism to remove the bilateral femoral head specimens for histological and transmission electron microscope observations. The apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL method and the expression levels of cytochrome C and Caspase 9 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Eight weeks after intervention, compared with the control group, the experiment group had loose femoral head, thinned trabecular bone, increased adipocytes in the medullary cavity, and increased percentage of empty lacunae (P ＜ 0.05); the apoptotic bodies were formed, and the apoptosis rate was increased (P ＜ 0.05); and the positive expression rates of cytochrome C and Caspase-9 were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01). Correlation analysis results showed that the apoptosis rate was positively correlated with the empty lacunae rate and the positive expression rates of cytochrome C and Caspase-9 (P ＜ 0.01). These findings indicate that the abnormal release of cytochrome C and high expression of Caspase-9 are related to the apoptosis of osteocytes in SANFH.

BACKGROUND:There are many treatment methods for infected bone defects,but there is no first stage treatment method,which has the characteristics of sustained-release,anti-inflammation,osteogenic activity,bone conduction and degradable absorption.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the research progress of bone tissue engineering technique in the treatment of infected bone defects.METHODS:A computer-based retrieval of PubMed,WanFang and CNKI databases was conducted for the articles published from 2000 to 2016,concerning the basic and clinical research on the local application of antibiotics;basic research on infected bone defects with sustained-release of antibiotics;basic studies on the source of seed cells and the osteogenic mechanism;and scaffold materials.A total of 55 eligible articles were included for result analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Topical application of antibiotics exhibits different effects in the treatment of osteomyelitis.The development of bone tissue engineering has brought new hope for the treatment of bone defects,and in the meanwhile,selection of excellent seed cells has become a hot and difficult research.A rational combination of antibiotics,seed cells and scaffold materials may provide a new treatment strategy for infected bone defects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ulinastatin on intestinal mucosal barrier function of rats with obstructive jaundice.

METHODSSeventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, obstructive jaundice, and ulinastatin treatment groups (groups A, B, and C, respectively). In groups B and C, the common bile duct was ligated to induce obstructive jaundice. The rats in group C were given intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin at the daily dose of 40,000 IU/kg after the operation, while those in groups A and group B received equal amount of normal saline. At 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after the operation, the liver function and plasma endotoxin level were evaluated and measured, and bacterial culture of the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen was performed. The terminal ileum mucosa was observed under light microscope, and the intestinal villi and mucosal thinckness was examined with image analysis system.

RESULTSThe indices relative to the liver function and plasma endotoxin level were higher at different time points of observation in group B than in group A (P<0.01), and were lower in group C than in group B (P<0.01). Plasma endotoxin level was similar between groups A and C 3 days after the operation (P>0.05). The rate of bacterial translocation was higher in group B than in group A and C (P<0.01, P<0.05), but comparable between groups A and C (P>0.05). Intestinal mucosal injury was observed in group B 3 days after operation, and aggravated with the passage of time. The injury was milder in group C. The intestinal villus length and mucosal thickness were greater in groups A and C than in group B (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but comparable between the former two groups 3 days after operation (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn early stage of obstructive jaundice, the intestinal mucosal barrier may sustain injuries which aggravate with time; ulinastatin has significant effect in protecting the mucosal barrier function especially against early pathological changes.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; drug effects ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; blood ; microbiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors