Correlation between Blood Flow Signal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Short-term Outcome in Patients with Symptomatic Severe Stenosis or Occlusion of Middle Cerebral Artery M1 segment / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective] To investigatethe correlation between blood flow signal on three dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) and short-term outcome in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) severe stenosis or MCA occlusion.[Methods] We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with symptomatic MCA severe stenosis or MCA occlusion.General information,clinical data and cranial imaging data were collected.Characteristics of blood flow signal on 3D-TOF-MRA for each patient were analyzed,which included:(1) blood flow signal of MCA distal to stenosis/occlusion lesion;(2) laterality of posterior cerebral artery (PCA).The correlation between characteristics of blood flow signal and short-term outcome was analyzed.[Results] Three hundred and twenty-eight patients were included in this study.There were 154 patients with symptomatic MCA severe stenosis and the rest of them had symptomatic MCA occlusion.Poor blood flow signal of distal MCA independently correlated with poor shortterm outcome in patients with severe MCA stenosis.[Odds Ratio (OR) 0.32,95％ Confident Interval (CI) 0.14～0.72].PCA laterality was not related with short-term outcome in these patients (OR,2.28,95％ CI,0.85～6.15).PCA laterality independently correlated with poor short-term outcome in patients with MCA occlusion.(OR,3.54,95％ CI,1.32～ 9.78).Blood flow signal of distal MCA was not related with short-term outcome in these patients (OR,0.58,95％ CI,0.22～1.48).[Conclusion] Blood flow signal on 3D-TOF-MRA correlates with short-term outcome in patients with symptomatic MCA severe stenosis or occlusion but the characteristics differs between severe MCA stenosis and occlusion patients.Anterograde blood flow (blood flow signal of MCA distal to stenosis lesion) for patients with severe MCA stenosis and retrograde blood flow (PCA laterality) for patients with MCA occlusion correlates with shot-term outcome.

Effects of montelukast on atherosclerosis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in ahypercholesterolemic rabbit model / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of montelukast on atherosclerosis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into four groups including normal control group (n = 6), placebo group (n = 8), atorvastatin group (1.5 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), beginning at 8(th) weeks for 4 weeks, n = 10) and montelukast group (1 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), beginning at 8(th) weeks for 4 weeks, n = 10). Rabbits except those in normal control group were fed a high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Serum lipids were measured at 0, 8 and 12 weeks after intervention. The intima/media ratio, percentages of macrophages or smooth muscle cells in intima and the expression of MCP-1 mRNA were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Atherosclerosis was evidenced in placebo group and atorvastatin or montelukast treatment significantly reduced neointima (0.32 +/- 0.12 and 0.34 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.12 +/- 0.36, P < 0.05) and macrophage content [(9.8 +/- 4.6)% and (11.2 +/- 3.7)% vs. (34.6 +/- 8.8)%, P < 0.05], increased SMC content [(18.6 +/- 6.9)% and (19.2 +/- 8.6)% vs. (5.2 +/- 2.3)%, P < 0.05] and inhibited expression of MCP-1 mRNA (0.42 +/- 0.08 and 0.40 +/- 0.06 vs. 2.36 +/- 0.48, P < 0.01). Montelukast had similar anti-atherogenetic effects as atorvastatin but had no influence on plasma lipids.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Montelukast could attenuate atherosclerosis in this hypercholesterolemic rabbit model which might be attributed to its anti-inflammatory effects.</p>

Retinoic acid diminished the expression of lung tissue matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in hyperoxia-exposed premature rats through regulating mitogen-activated protein kinases / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To further investigate the protective effect of retinoic acid (RA) on hyperoxia induced lung injury and the role of RA as a modulator on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Establishment of hyperoxia (85%) induced lung injury model of premature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats: 21 d gestational age SD rat's fetuses (term = 22 d) were delivered by hysterectomy. Within 12 - 24 h after birth, the premature rat pups were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I, air-exposed control group; Group II, hyperoxia-exposed group; Group III, air plus RA-exposed group, Group IV, hyperoxia plus RA-exposed group. Group I and III were remained in room air, and group II and IV were placed in 85% oxygen. The pups in Group III and IV were injected with RA (500 microg/kg, every day) intraperitoneally. The entire lung tissues of premature rat pups were collected at 4 d, 7 d and 14 d. The mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were measured by zymography. Western blot was used to detect phosphorylated and total nonphosphorylated form of ERKs, JNKs and p38.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure to oxygen for 4 d, 7 d, and 14 d resulted in increased mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared with air-exposed control group (P < 0.01 for all). The mean protein levels of active MMP-2 and pro/active MMP-9 after exposure to O2 were higher than air control groups on each experimental day (P < 0.01 or < 0.05). The phosphorylated ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 proteins in hyperoxia-exposed group increased markedly compared with air-exposed control group (P < 0.01 for all). The pups treated with RA in the hyperoxic environment expressed significantly lower mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 than the hyperoxic control pups on each experimental day (P < 0.05 for all). The levels of active MMP-2 and pro/active MMP-9 decreased to a different degree after RA treatment in hyperoxia exposure rat pups. In addition, RA treatment led to a decrease of p-JNK1/2 and p-38 (P < 0.01 for all) protein levels and a further elevation of p-ERK1/2 compared with hyperoxia-exposed group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hyperoxia exposure elevated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 markedly, which played a role in oxygen-induced lung injury. RA could have a protective effect on hyperoxia induced lung injury by decreasing active levels of JNK and p38, which subsequently reduce the expression and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.</p>

Protective effects of amygdalin on hyperoxia-exposed type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated from premature rat lungs in vitro / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the effect of hyperoxia on the proliferation and surfactant associated protein messenger RNA levels of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs) of premature rat, and to investigate the effect of amygdalin on the change resulted from hyperoxia in AECIIs isolated from premature rat lung in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The lung tissue of 20-day fetal rat was digested by trypsin and collagenase. AECIIs and lung fibroblasts (LFs) were isolated and purified at different centrifugal force and different adherence, then cultured. The nature of the cultures was identified by cytokeratin staining, vimentin staining and transmission electron micrography. For establishing hyperoxia-exposed cell model, purified AECIIs were cultured for 24 hours after culture flasks were filled with 95% oxygen-5% CO2 at 3 L/min for 10 min, and then sealed. Oxygen concentrations were tested in CYS-1 digital oxygen monitor after 24 hours of exposure. A sample was discarded if its oxygen concentration was < 90%. Cell proliferating vitality was examined by MTT assay after treatment with amygdalin at various concentrations. DNA content, protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and mRNA levels of SPs of AECIIs were analyzed with flow cytometric assay, Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively after 24 hours of air or hyperoxia exposure in the presence or absence of 200 micromol/L amygdalin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Excellent yields of highly purified, culturable AECIIs could be obtained from 20-day fetal lungs. The expression of cytokeratin in AECIIs was positive and that of vimentin negative by immunocytochemistry. Those, however, in LFs were just opposite. Lamellar bodies in purified AECIIs were revealed by transmission electron micrography. The established hyperoxia-exposed cell model assured the oxygen concentrations of culture flasks more than 90%. Amygdalin at the concentration range from 50 micromol/L to 200 micromol/L stimulated the proliferation of AECIIs in a dose-dependent manner; however, at the concentration of 400 micromol/L inhibited the proliferation of AECII. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the apoptosis rate and G0/G1 phase percentage increased significantly (P < 0.01), S phase and G2/M phase percentage decreased significantly (P < 0.01), in hyperoxia group compared with that of air group. The apoptosis rate of air plus 200 micromol/L amygdalin group, compared with air group, was not significantly different (P > 0.05); however, G0/G1 phase percentage decreased markedly, S phase percentage increased significantly, G2/M phase percentage did not significantly change (P > 0.05). The apoptosis rate of hyperoxia plus 200 micromol/L amygdalin group was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of hyperoxia group, S phase and G2/M phase percentage increased significantly (P < 0.01), G0/G1 phase percentage decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of PCNA in all group was significantly different, in turn, hyperoxia group < hyperoxia plus 200 micromol/L amygdalin < air group < air puls 200 micromol/L amygdalin (P < 0.01). SPs mRNA levels were significantly decreased in hyperoxia group, as compared with air group (P < 0.01). After amygdalin was added, SPs mRNA levels were elevated in air plus amygdalin group and hyperoxia plus amygdalin group, as compared with hyperoxia group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively), but compared with air group, SP mRNA levels were not significantly elevated (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AECIIs of premature rats were isolated, purified and cultured successfully. Hyperoxia-exposed cell model was established in AECIIs of premature rat in this experiment. Amygdalin promotes the proliferation of premature rat AECII exposed to air or hyperoxia, the concentration of amygdalin with the best effect was 200 micromol/L. Hyperoxia inhibited the proliferation and decreased SPs mRNAs levels in AECIIs in vitro, which may contribute to hyperoxia-induced lung injury in premature rats. Amygdalin could inhibit the changes of SPs mRNAs levels and cell proliferation of AECIIs resulted from hyperoxia and may play partial protective role in hyperoxia-induced premature lung injury.</p>

Sperm-mediated expression of human clotting factor VIII gene in transgenic offspring of mice / 中国实验血液学杂志

The expression of human clotting factor VIII gene was observed in transgenic off spring of mice through artificial insemination with sperm as carriers. Female mice were impregnated through artificial insemination by introducing sperm carrying pRC/RSV-hF VIII BD, which contained human F VIII BD (B-domain deleted) cDNA (hF VIII BD c DNA), into the uteri. During the fourth week after the birth of new-born mice, PCR was used to screen hF VIII BD cDNA positive transgenic mice, then blood of which was collected for detecting the antigen and Anti-hF VIII inhibitors, simultaneously, the transcription and expression of hF VIII BD cDNA were investigated by Northern blot and Western blot. The results showed that 7 became pregnant of 20 inseminated mice, and 11 new-born mice came into the world, out of which 9 survived at last. Three hF VIII BD cDNA-positive-transgenic mice had been screened out by PC R, in which the antigen of human F VIII in plasma was 8.65 ng/ml, 7.84 ng/ml and 8.44 ng/ml, respectively, the Anti-hF VIII inhibitors were all negative. Northern blot and Western blot showed that the transcription and expression of hF VIII BD cDNA existed in tissues such as spleen, liver, lung and kidney of 3 transgenic mice. It was concluded that transgenic mice carrying human F VIII gene can be generated by sperm-carrier techniques and express human F VIII protein. This experiment provides important data for manufacturing transgenic animal carrying human F VIII gene, which can work as a biological reactor to produce human F VIII protein, through sperm-carrier techniques.

Effect of Washing Respiratory Way with Ambroxol Hydrochloride on Respiratory Mechanics in Premature Infant with Ventilation / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the effect of using Ambroxol hydrochloride(AM)to wash respiratory way to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS) in ventilator,to explore dynamic changes of respiratory mechanics after using AM to wash respiratory way.Methods Thirty premature infants were chosen according with diagnosis criterion,which were randomly divided into 2 groups: NS group(n=15);AM group(n=15).Both NS and AM groups were treated with Babylog 8 000 ventilator,and routine treating and nursing,NS group was given for washing respiratory way in NS group,whereas AM was done in AM group.Pulmonary compliance(C),time constant(Tc),respiratory resis-tance(R),C20/C and minute volume(MV)were observed in both groups.Blood gas was routinely checked after 1 h ventilation treatment,and X ray was shot after 24 h.Results Pulmonary C significantly increased in weaning than that of beginning ventilation(P0.05),MV significantly increased in group AM than NS,respectively[(0.56?0.12) L/min and(0.35?0.11) L/min(P0.05).But ventilator-treating-time was markedly shorter in group AM than NS,respectively(60.52?6.23) h and(98.21?5.82) h(P