OBJECTIVE To explore the inhibitory effects of epalrestat (EPS) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation by inhibiting aldose reductase (AR) expression.METHODS Primary rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were prepared from the pulmonary artery of male 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats using explant method.PDGF 30 mg·L-1was given to induce cell proliferation.After PASMCs grew to 70%-80% conflu?ence, AR small-interferring RNA(ARsiRNA) was transfected with Lipofectamine 3000 into PASMCs. After 24 h,the expression and activity of AR were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),Western blotting and spectrophotometric method,respectively to investigate EPS on PASMCs proliferation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and collagenⅠexpression induced by PDGF from in vitro. PASMCs (normal control, PDGF 30 mg·L-1, PDGF+EPS 1, 10 and 100 μmol·L-1,EPS 100 μmol·L-1)were treated according to groups.Cell proliferation was measured by BrdU marking and flow cytometry. The expressions of AR, PCNA and collagenⅠwere analyzed with RT-qPCR and Western blotting.RESULTS In cultured PASMCs,compared with normal control group, the application of exogenous PDGF-induced cell proliferation concomitantly up-regulated AR expres?sion and activity (P<0.01), and such effect was abolished by ARsiRNA. Compared with PDGF group, EPS attenuated PDGF-induced proliferation of PASMCs,expression of PCNA,and collagenⅠ(P<0.05, P<0.01),and the inhibitory effect of EPS was accompanied by inhibition of AR expression(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION EPS inhibits PDGF-induced proliferation of PASMCs via inhibiting AR expression.

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of creating a rat new scar model by inserting gelatin sponge into rat excisional wounds.

METHODSTwo full-thickness wounds were created in each of total 49 SD rats. In the Experimental group (n = 19), a regular incisional wound (1 cm) was created on the left side, and an excisional wound of 1.0 cm x 0.2 cm was created on the right side with a gelatin sponge inserted. In control 1 group (n = 15), an excisional wound with sponge insertion was created on both sides of rats. In control 2 group (n = 15), two excisional wounds were created on both sides, and only one side wounds were inserted with a sponge. Animals were sacrificed at various time points for different examinations.

RESULTSThe wound/scar width increased 4 - 11 times in inserted wounds than in regular incisional wounds (P < 0.01), with an obvious delay of epithelialization. No difference in wound/scar width was found in both sides of wounds of control 1 group at various locations. In contrast to the linear scar of sponge-inserted wounds, contracted and irregular scar was found in non-inserted wounds of control 2 group.

CONCLUSIONSGelatin sponge insertion can create a thick linear scar in rat wounds, and thus provides a new model for scar research.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; pathology ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; pathology ; Suture Techniques ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Linzhou, the high prevalence area of Henan province.

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 52 cases of primary SCC of esophagus.

RESULTSGains in part or in whole of chromosome 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, 20q and losses of 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p, 8p were detected frequently in SCC (> 20%). Gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q were all significantly correlated with pathologic staging (P < 0.05). Gains of 8q, loss of 4p were linked to nodal metastasis (P < 0.05). Gains of 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter were associated with distant organ metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that 3q, 8q, 5p, 1q, 6q, 18p, and 20q may contain SCC-related oncogenes; 3p, 1p, 9q, 19p, 4p and 8p may contain SCC-related tumor suppressor genes. It is likely that gain of 3q, 5p, 1q, 11q13-14 and loss of 4pq, 13q are the genetic aberrations critical for the development of esophageal carcinoma, whereas gains of 8q, 2p and loss of 4pq, 11q14-qter are considered later events associated with tumor progression and are thought to confer metastatic potential to esophageal carcinoma. Furthermore, nodal and distant organ metastases involve different genes.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization

BACKGROUNDStandard superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery is an effective treatment for moyamoya disease, but recent evidence suggests that postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion can occur. In this study, the trendline of changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after surgery were continually monitored near the site of anastomosis in order to investigate both the efficacy of the procedure for improving rCBF and the possible risk of hyperperfusion.

METHODSStandard STA-MCA bypass surgery was performed on 13 patients. rCBF was measured continually using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) until the 5th day after the operation with the LDF probe implanted adjacent to the area of the anastomosis. The trendline of rCBF changes postoperatively was recorded for the analysis performed using SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSThe baseline LDF value of cortical rCBF was (84.68 + or - 14.39) perfusion unit (PU), which was linear relative to absolute perfusion volume before anastomosis and (88.90 + or - 11.26) PU immediately after anastomosis (P > 0.05). The value changed significantly from before to after anastomosis (P < 0.05); it was (417.72 + or - 21.35) PU on the 1st day after surgery, and (358.99 + or - 18.01) PU, (323.46 + or - 17.38) PU, (261.60 + or - 16.38) PU and (375.72 + or - 18.45) PU on the following 4 days, respectively. The rCBF decreased gradually from the 2nd day until the 4th postoperative day, but still was at a high level (P < 0.05). However, on the 5th postoperative day the rCBF increased again to the second highest level, which was significantly different compared with the baseline value (P < 0.05), but not significantly different compared with the values on the other 4 days (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSTA-MCA anastomosis improves the cerebral blood supply significantly in the early stage after surgery, however, the risk of symptomatic hyperperfusion may exist, which may possibly occur on the 1st day and 5th day after surgery. A LDF is useful for postoperative monitoring for both the efficacy of bypass and possible risk of neurologic deterioration or bleeding from hyperperfusion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Revascularization ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; surgery ; Moyamoya Disease ; surgery ; Regional Blood Flow ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo characterize the profiles of chromosome imbalance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) from the high incidence area in Henan.

METHODSChromosomal aberrations of 37 samples of SCC and 30 GCA were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).

RESULTSIt was found that the most frequently detected gains were on chromosome arm 8q (78%), and followed by 3q, 5p, 6q and 7p. The most frequent loss was found on 3p (57%), and followed by 8p, 9q and 11q in SCC. For GCA, the most frequent gain was found on chromosome arm 20q (43%), and followed by 6q, 8q and 6p. The most frequent loss was on the chromosome 17p (57%), and followed by 19p, 1p and 4p.

CONCLUSIONThe present findings demonstrate that gains of 8q, 3q and 5p, and losses of 3p, 8p, and 9q are characteristic profile of chromosome imbalance in SCC, and the gains of 20q, 6q and losses of 17p, 19p and 1p are characteristic profile of chromosome imbalance in GCA, which provide important theoretic information for identifying and cloning novel SCC/GCA-related genes.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Cardia ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics

Objective To investigate the impact of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on miR-22 expression in human hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of 5-fluorouracil for HCC chemo-therapy. Methods Real-time PCR analysis was conducted to determine the expression levels of miR-22 in HCC tissue specimens and HCC cell lines. The expression of miR-22 and pri-miR-22 (primary miR-22) was evaluated in HepG2 and Huh7 cells with 5-FU treatment by using real-time PCR and we also performed Western blot analysis to detect the protein level of HDAC4 in HCC cells with the same treatment. A rescue assay was employed by using 5-FU treatment in combination with miR-22 inhibitor(Anti-22) to further investigate the correlation among 5-FU, miR-22,and HCC cell growth. Results miR-22 expression depicted a significant downregulation in HCC tissues and cell lines (P<0.01). 5-FU treatment led to an augment of miR-22 expression in HepG2 and Huh7 cells(P<0.001) and resulted in a decrease of HDAC4 protein levels, which was verified as a direct target of miR-22 in HCC cells (P<0.01). Conclusions 5-FU has suppressive effect on HCC growth which could be potentially ex-plained by miR-22-mediated HDAC4 axis.

Objective To investigate the impact of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on miR-22 expression in human hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of 5-fluorouracil for HCC chemo-therapy. Methods Real-time PCR analysis was conducted to determine the expression levels of miR-22 in HCC tissue specimens and HCC cell lines. The expression of miR-22 and pri-miR-22 (primary miR-22) was evaluated in HepG2 and Huh7 cells with 5-FU treatment by using real-time PCR and we also performed Western blot analysis to detect the protein level of HDAC4 in HCC cells with the same treatment. A rescue assay was employed by using 5-FU treatment in combination with miR-22 inhibitor(Anti-22) to further investigate the correlation among 5-FU, miR-22,and HCC cell growth. Results miR-22 expression depicted a significant downregulation in HCC tissues and cell lines (P<0.01). 5-FU treatment led to an augment of miR-22 expression in HepG2 and Huh7 cells(P<0.001) and resulted in a decrease of HDAC4 protein levels, which was verified as a direct target of miR-22 in HCC cells (P<0.01). Conclusions 5-FU has suppressive effect on HCC growth which could be potentially ex-plained by miR-22-mediated HDAC4 axis.

BACKGROUND: With the continuous development of finite element method in biomechanics of orthopedics, the study of spine-related diseases by finite element method has become the main research direction nowadays. Especially, the stress analysis of internal fixation of the spine, the mechanical effect of different internal fixation and the development of new internal fixation are the current hot spot. Spondylolysis is a common disease of the spine. Especially when anatomical bone defects occur, the pathological model and biomechanics of the spine after surgery have corresponding mechanical changes. OBJECTIVE: To review the method of establishing spondylolysis models, the verification of the models and the pplication of finite element models of spondylolysis in various fields, and to summarize the application prospect and value of finite element modeling in lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS: The first author used computer to search the PubMed database and China Journal Full-text Database from January 1998 to December 2016 for related articles. Key words were "finite element, lumbar spine, isthmus, model". A total of 123 related articles were retrieved and 53 articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) At present, finite element analysis of spondylolysis can well reflect the mechanical condition of internal bone. The finite element model of spondylolysis can be used to evaluate the structure and shape of lumbar spine (such as the defect isthmus), the material properties of different anatomical sites (lamina terminalis, cancellated bone and cortical bone) as well as the load of the spine under different exercise states. In particular, stress analysis of the internal structure of the vertebral body and the ancillary structures of the spine (such as disc and articular process) has obvious advantages. (2) In addition, the reconstruction data of the finite element model are derived from the original CT of the patient,and the simulation is high.Compared with the in vitro experiments,the finite element simulation of spondylolysis is reliable and can reduce the damage to the experimental subjects caused by external forces and radiation, and can effectively avoid medical ethics problem.

OBJECTIVETo observe X-ray features of before and after treatment of cervical imbalance syndrome with osteopathy and traction intervention in youth patients, then to investigate the clinical effect of the treatment of the cervical imbalances syndrome in youth by osteopathy.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to December 2010, one hundred and eighty-seven students of 19 to 22 years (means 21 years) with neck pain as the main symptom in Beijing university of Chinese medicine were selected and divide them into osteopathy group and traction groups randomly. In osteopathy group, there were 94 patients including 40 males and 54 females; in traction group, there were 93 patients including 42 males and 51 females. The treatment of osteopathy group lasted for 3 weeks,three times per week; traction group by traction treatment three weeks,three times a week, too. X-ray before treatment and 3 weeks after treatment were collected.

RESULTSThe osteopathy group:94 cases, before treatment, abnormal curvature in 57 cases, spinous position change in 45 cases and angular displacement in 44 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases,stretch change in 47 cases; after treatment, abnormal curvature in 35 cases, spinous position change in 24 cases and angular displacement in 18 cases, vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, extension change in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (7.070 +/- 4.629) degrees before treatment to (7.660 +/- 4.156) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.790 +/- 2.590) degrees before treatment to (11.050 +/- 2.560) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.770 +/- 0.350) mm before treatment to (3.160 +/- 0.485) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were so significant before and after treatment in this group, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01) in osteopathy group. The traction group: 93 cases, before treatment,abnormal curvature in 60 cases, spinous position change in 39 cases and angular displacement in 39 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases, stretch in 47 cases; after treatment,abnormal curvature in 50 cases, spinous position change in 29 cases and angular displacement in 17 cases; vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, stretch in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (5.590 +/- 4.639) degrees before treatment to (5.990 +/- 4.330) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.360 +/- 2.064) degrees before treatment to (11.210 +/- 1.872) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.790 +/- 0.339) mm before treatment to (3.480 +/- 0.332) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were also so significant in traction group before and after treatment, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION(1) Pathological changes can be called youth cervical imbalance syndrome. (2) Stress points, angular displacement, cervical vertebral slip, curvature straightened, spinous position change are main X-ray performances. (3) Both osteopathy and traction intervention on are efficient in youth neck pain. (4) Youths cervical vertebra imbalance is early but reversible performance.

Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Traction ; X-Rays ; Young Adult

Objective To design a percutaneous left heart assist device (blood pump) which can be used in critical cardiovascular diseases. Methods According to the aerofoil theory, a percutaneous left ventricular assist device was designed. The flow produced by blood pumps with 3 different design parameters (rotation angle of the blade, distance of the outlet from the blade, length of the outlet ) was measured so as to choose the optimal design of the blood pump. Results The flow was measured with a simple flow measurement device. When the blood pump was designed to adopt a single blade with the rotation angle of 720°, or the distance between the outlet and the blade was 0 mm, or the length of the outlet was 4 mm, the flow of the blood pump was the maximum. Conclusions To choose the design parameters that produce the maximum flow can contribute to manufacture a percutaneous left ventricular assist device with the function of pumping in vitro, which will provide a theoretical and data support for the eventual development of the percutaneous left ventricular assist device in clinic.