Objective To compare proximal femoral nail(PFN)introduction by percutaneous K-wire through a small incision with conventional PFN introduction protocol in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Methods From January 2004 to March 2005,51 patients with intertrochanteric fractures were randomly dis- tributed into a minimally invasive treatment group(group MI)and a conventional treatment group(group C).All the fractures were closely reduced.In group MI a K-wire was percutaneously inserted through the tip of the greater troehanter into the center of medullary canal of the pruximal femur before the PFN was inserted under the guidance of K-wire through a small incision made along the K-wire while in group C the PFN was introduced according to the conventional procedure.The operation time,intra-operative blood loss,length of incision,X-ray exposure,duration of in-patient stay and time of bone union in both groups were recorded and compared.Results The mean oper- ation time,mean intraoperative blood loss and mean length of incisions in group MI were 77.20 min,104.20 mL and 5.12 cm respectively and significantly lower than those in group C(P＜0.01).The X-ray exposure and the reduction time in group MI lasted longer than in group C(P＜0.01).The mean time of bone union and in-patient stay in both groups were nearly equal(P＞0.05).At the latest tollow-up,all the fractures united in both groups without nonuuion or delayed union.Conclusion Compared with the conventional protocol,introduction of PFN by a pereutaneuus K-wire inserted into the central medullary canal of the proximal femur is much more minimally in- vasive and effective.

Objective To observe the effect of transcranial low frequency electrical stimulation on the contents of monoamines in ischemic area of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).MethodsPermanent MCAO model of Wistar rat was established with silk thread enveloped with polyammoniacum.The ischemic areas received various intensity of transcranial low frequency electrical stimulation for 1 hour in rats underwent 1 hour of ischemia.Then the affected tissue was processed with fluorospectrophotometry to determine the contents of dopamine(DA),noradrenalin(NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT).ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group,the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in ischemic area of MCAO model rats decreased obviously(all P<0.01),while all three monoamines investigated in the sham-operation group with transcranial low frequency electrical stimulation had no significant change.In the MCAO groups stimulating with lower(10 V) and middle(30 V) intensity transcranial low frequency electrical field,the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in ischemic area had no significant increase.But in the MCAO group stimulating with high(50 V) intensity transcranial low frequency electrical field,the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in ischemic area increased significantly(P<0.05).ConclusionSome degree of intensity transcranial low frequency electrical field stimulation can increase the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in ischemic area of rats subjected to MCAO.

Objective To investigate the proliferation and identification of dendritic cells(DC)de- rived from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer in vitro.Methods The mononuclear cells were prepared from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation method,and were induced by the recombinant cytokines hGM-CSF(50 ng/ml),hlL-4(10 ng/ml)and hTNF-?(50 ng/ ml)for 2 weeks.The growth and morphology of DC were observed through the phase contrast or electron mi- croscope,and their pheuotypes were determined by flow cytometry.The capacity of DC to activate T cell-de- pendent anti-tumor immune responses was tested by MTT method.Results The DC cultured in vitro turned into suspensive growth from adhesive situation on the 6th day,then the number of DC increased con- tinuously and the cells showed the irregular morphologic appearance of DC with veiled edges on the 8th day. Flow cytometry showed that the mature DC expressed high levels of specific markers such as CD_(1a),CD_(83), CD_(86)and HLA-DR.T cells activated by DC showed strong cytotoxicity to bladder cancer cell line BIU87 with a killing rate of(48.8?3.7)%,while the killing rate of T cells which were not activated by DC was(25.7?1.5)%;the difference of the rate between them was significant(P＜0.01). Conclusions The DC can be cultured from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by induction of rhGM-CSF,rhIL-4 and hT- NF-?in vitro.This may lay an experimental foundation for further research on DC vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a nwe, simple technique for preparation of interferon-alpha-liposomes, which may be suitable for industrial use. METHODS The uniform design coupled with computerized optimization was utilized to screen the formulation and preparation procedure of interferon-alpha-liposomes. Pro-liposomes were prepared by the powder bed grinding method and combined with interferon-alpha-solution to form interferon-alpha-liposomes. Liposome size was determined by the particle size analyzer. Free interferon-alpha and interferon-alpha-liposome were separated by gel filtration. Then the recovered activity of interferon-alpha was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The result demonstrated that the best interferon-alpha-liposome formulation was as follows: the protectant was sorbitol; weight ratio of protectant to lipid was 5:1; weight ratio of octadecytamin to lipid was 1:9; weight ratio of sobey phosphatidylcholine to cholesterol was 9:1 respectively. Interferon-alpha-liposome size determined by the particle size analyzer was 80.8+/-36 nm and the encapsulation efficiency was 59.0+/-3.3%. CONCLUSION The powder bed grinding method can be used to prepare pro-liposomes which can be easily combined with interferon-alpha-solution to form interferon-alpha-liposomes.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this article was to prepare apatite-porous fibers composite through biominetic synthesis and to investigate its cytocompatibility.

METHODSPhosphate groups were incorporated into the surface of natural porous fiber-corncob by chemical modification. After precalcification, corncob was immersed into simulated body fluid. The surface of composite was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. Infant rat calvarias osteoblasts were isolated and expanded in vitro and the cells were seeded onto composite. Osteoblasts growth, proliferation and differentiation were assessed through SEM, MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

RESULTSApatite crystal was formed on the surface of corncob after reaction. Cell adhered and spread well on the surface of the composite, having high abilities of proliferation and synthesis of ALP.

CONCLUSIONThere is good compatibility between the osteoblast and apatite-porous fibers composite. This composite may serve as a potential biomaterial used in bone repair and regeneration.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Apatites ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Differentiation ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective To investigate the efficacy of mild hypothermia therapy on pulmonary function in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) dogs. Methods A total of 25 healthy dogs were included and randomly divided into two groups, mild hypothermia treatment group (experimental group, n=12) and normothermia treatment group (control group, n=13). The E. coli was pumped continuously into the canine femoral vein by micro pump to construct the septic shock model in two groups. The hypothermia experimental group was treated with hypothermia (33℃±1℃), and the control group was observed at room temperature. The pulmonary hemodynamic parameters and respiratory mechanics parameters were supervised by PICCO and respirator respectively at 0, 24 and 48 h during the ARDS progress. Moreover, chest X-ray and lung tissue biopsy were taken to confirm the diagnosis of ARDS after 72 h. Results Up to 72 h, ARDS was found in the experimental group (n=4) and the control group (n=7) respectively. The oxygenation index (OI), partial pressure of oxygen [p(O2)] and pulmonary static compliance (Cst) decreased gradually with the extension of time in two groups. On the contrary, the external venous lung water index (EVLWI), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) and airway resistance (Raw) increased gradually (P<0.05). However, all the parameters were significantly better in mild hypothermia group than those of the normothermia group. Conclusion Mild hypothermia therapy can improve the pulmonary function and reduce the severity of ARDS in septic shock dogs.

OBJECTIVETo prepare the tumor antigen peptide complex (HSP70-1d) of HSP70 and idiotype (Id) from SmIg ScFv fragment in patients with Chronic B cell leukemia (B-CLL), and to study the anti-tumor effect of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induced by HSP70-Id complex-modified dendritic cell (DC) in vitro and explore their immune mechanism.

METHODSPurified HSP70 was combined into peptide complex (HSP70-Id) with the prepared Id-ScFv from B-CLL cells in vitro by using biochemical technique. The plastic-adherent monocytes from human peripheral blood were cultured and induced into DC with rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 using cell culture and separation technique. The cultured DC were harvested and pulsed by HSP70-Id complex. DC morphology was observed under converted phase microscope and its phenotype was characterized by FCM on 8th day as well as their secreting cytokines were measured. Host lymphocytes were stimulated by DC loaded with HSP70-Id complex and co-cultured in the medium containing IL-2. The activation and proliferation of lymphocytes were examined by MTr test, which was also used to assay cytotoxicity of CTL elicited by modified DC to Daudi, K562 and HepG2 tumor cells, and FCM analyzed the changes of T lymphocyte subsets.

RESULTSMature DCs were obtained successfully, showing typical morphology and phenotypic properties, the expression ratio of cellular surface molecules, CD1a was 20% - 30%, CD83 was more than 72% , both CD86 and HLA-DR over-expressed obviously in the complex-loaded DC group secreting cytokines of Thl type, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. The culturing lymphocytes that were activated by modified DC could more effectively and specifically kill Daudi (71. 24%), but not K562 and HepG2 tumor cells. Results of FCM assay demonstrated that percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes cocultured with complex-modified DC increased notably to 56.51% and 70.21%, respectively. CD4+ T/ CD8+ T proportion was changed from 1.49 to 0.81. The dose of peptide would be reduced to 1/50 if specific CTL induced by complex-modified DC instead of directly by peptide complex.

CONCLUSIONDCs modified by HSP70-Id complex exhibit powerful biological activities, and could induce CTL to specific cytotoxicity against carcinoma cells. It might be produced by cooperation of CD4+ T, CD8+ T lymphocytes and DC. The results also suggested that DC modified by HSP70-Id complex can present antigen and induce CTL with high efficacy and specificity.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Idiotypes ; pharmacology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the caidioprotection of acetylcholine (ACh) against ischeniia/reperftision (I/R) injury is re-kited to mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MEW) and mitochondrial AW-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)).

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were used for Langendorif isolated bean perkision. The hearts were subjected to global ischemia for 30 mm followed by 120 rein of reperfusion and the left ventricular hemodynaniic parameters were measured. Formazan, a product of 2,3, 5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC), which is proportional to myocardial viability, was measured at 490 nm, and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was measured to evaluate the cardiac injury.

RESULTSThe pretreatment with ACh (0.1 mol/L, 5 mm) before I/R markedly increased myocardial formazan content, reduced LDH release, improved the recovery of the left veritficular developed pressure, +/- dP/dtmax, and rate pressure product (left ventricular developed pressure multiplied by hean rate) and attenuated the decrease of coronary flow during reperfusion. The opener of MPTP, atiractyloside (20 mmoL/L) or the inhibitor of mitoK(ATP), 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 micromol/L) abolisbed the beneficial effect of ACh.

CONCLUSIONIn the isolated rat bean, ACh protects myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibiting the opening of MPTP and increasing the opening of mitoKATP in heart.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Tuberculous aortic aneurysm (TBAA) is an extremely rare clinical event with life-threatening implication. Management for this condition is challenging and its therapeutic option has not been yet established. A few recent reports described endovascular repair rather than open surgery as the method for treatment. Although this remains controversial, endovascular exclusion has been gaining acceptance for some surgeons. We present a case of TBAA who was treated by endovascular stent grafting for a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with simultaneous anti-tuberculous medication. The outcome was favorable.
Adult ; Aneurysm, Infected ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; surgery ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of matrine on the proliferation of the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP and the expression of the androgen receptor (AR).

METHODSLNCaP cells were treated with matrine at the concentration of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 g/L for 12, 24 and 36 hours, the cell growth activity determined by MTT colorimetry and trypan blue staining at 36 hours, the cell cycle changes detected by flow cytometry and the expression of AR by Western blot at 24 hours.

RESULTSMatrine suppressed the in vitro growth of the androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in a time- and dose-dependent manner, blocked the cell cycles in the G2/M phase and decreased the expression of AR in the cell line in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMatrine can significantly inhibit the in vitro growth of NCaP cells by down-regulating the expression of AR and blocking cell cycles.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism