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Mast cells regulate inflammation and immunity.Experimentally induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in mast cells-deficient animals and animals treated with mast cells inhibitors demonstrate that mast cells are involved in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm via several different mechanisms.Mast cells-dependent activation of metalloproteinases and the renin-angiotensin system,contribution to smooth muscle cell apoptosis,and release of proteolytic enzymes are some key examples.Activated mast cells also contribute to neovascularization,inflammation,and atherosclerosis,all hallmarks of abdominal aortic aneurysm.Thus,we may envision that mast cells stabilizing agents,as well as leukotriene receptor antagonists and histamine receptor blockers already in clinical use for treatment of other diseases,could also be tested for their efficacy in treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Objective To compare the clinical effectiveness of transcatheter domestic occluder with those of surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) , and to evaluate the feasibility of transcatheter ASD closure using domestic occluder. Methods From January 2002 to December 2007,69 patients underwent transcatheter ASD closure using domestic occluder, and 123 patients underwent surgical closure were observed. The technical success rate,residual shunt rate,total complication rate,operative time,blood transfusion volume,length of hospital stay and clinical long-term results were compared. Results The technical success rate was 98. 6% in domestic occluder group,and the one unsuccessful patients underwent surgical closure in the other day. Complication included cardiac tamponade in 1 patient (1. 4%) , residual shunt in 1 patient (1.4%). All patients in surgical group were treated successfully, residual shunt in 2 patient (1. 6%), total complications were progressive hemothorax in 1, cerebral embolism in 1,pulmonitis in 2 patient,pulmonary atelectasis in 1 patient,hydrothorax in 2,and incisional infection in 5, the total complication rate were 9.8% . Long-term follow up shows that both groups had good clinical results. Conclusions Transcatheter closure of ASD using domestic occluder is an ideal procedure owing to its reliability and safety, with less complication than and same long-term results with the surgical group. It is an alternative to surgery within acceptable limits.
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AIM: In vitro isolation and culture of esophageal epithelial cells are basic component of tissue-engineered esophagus. This study explored the method to culture esophageal epithelial cells for research on tissue-engineered esophagus. METHODS: The experiment was performed at experimental center of Lanzhou University from May to November 2007. Normal esophagus tissues, 2.0-3.0 cm, were harvested from patient with esophagus cancer by surgery. The informed consent was obtained from the patient. Esophageal epithelial cells for tissue engineering were obtained and passaged. The cells cultured by DMEM+F12 (1∶1) after 20 minutes, 1-4 days were observed by immunohistochemistry staining and inverted phase contrast microscope. The growth curve of cells was drawn by MTT method. RESULTS: The immunohistochemistry staining results showed that 90% of the cells were positive, which indicated the cultured cells were esophageal epithelial cells. Normal cells were big and globular, floating in the culture-medium. Cells began to adhere after 20 minutes, and most cells were polygon-like or irregular globular and adherent after 1 day; the cells began to cluster after 2 days; the cells grew at peak after about 3-4 days with abundant endochylema and large and spherical nuclear. Cells growth reached the peak after about 3 days of culture and its absorbance was significantly different compared with that on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th days (P
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Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Amplatzer device closure for congenital heart diseases.Methods Under X-ray fluoroscopy or/and transthoracic echocardiography(TTE),percutaneous puncture of the femoral artery or vein was conducted and the Amplatzer occluder was passed through the catheter.Effectiveness evaluation by transthoracic echocardiography,electrocardiography(ECG),and X-ray examination was applied at 24 hours,1 month,6 months,and every 1 year after the procedure.Results In 1 case of perimembranous ventricular septal defect(VSD),the detachment of the Amplatzer occluder to the arch of aorta was due to an inadequate small size.This patient was immediately operated with successful removal of the device through the femoral artery and later underwent a re-deployment of a larger-sized Amplatzer occluder closure successfully.The remaining 29 patients with atrial septal defect(ASD),patent ductus arteriosus(PDA),or perimembranous ventricular septal defect underwent a successful deployment of the Amplatzer occluder on one session without complications.The operation time was 20~90 min (38?16 min),the X-ray exposure time was 5~45 min(18?10 min),and the length of hospital stay was 3~7 days(4?2 days).Conclusions Amplatzer occluder transcatheter closure of congenital heart diseases has advantages of simplicity of deployment,good safety,and high success rate.This procedure is suitable for patients with secundum ASD,membranous VSD,and PDA.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its relation to clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to study the possible mechanism of VEGF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of VEGF and intratumoral microvascular density (MVD) were determined in 96 NSCLC tissues by SP immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VEGF was mainly stained in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The positive rate of VEGF expression was 64.6% in 96 patients. The positive rate of VEGF expression was related to stages (P=0.041), but not to other clinical characteristics of NSCLC (P > 0.05). The expression of VEGF in high MVD group (80.4%) was significantly higher than that in low MVD group (46.7%) (P=0.001). The patients with positive VEGF expression had a significantly shorter survival duration than those with negative VEGF expression (P < 0.01). By Cox proportional hazard model analysis, the expression of VEGF and clinical stage were considered the independent predictors for the prognosis of NSCLC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in the angiogenesis of NSCLC, and that detection of VEGF expression may be helpful to predict prognosis of NSCLC.</p>