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Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Aged , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain , Simendan/therapeutic use , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction , Heart Failure/drug therapy , Peptide Fragments , Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Biomarkers , PrognosisABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the difference between simple posterior interbody fixation and fusion and posterior interbody fixation combined with focus debridement and bone graft fusion for the treatment of mono- and bi-segmental lumbar brucella spondylitis.Methods:A total of 63 patients (42 males and 21 females), aged 50.9±8.18 years (range from 38 to 69 years) with mono- and bi-segmental lumbar brucella spondylitis who received surgical treatment from June 2014 to Feb 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 44 cases of mono-segmental and 19 cases of bi-segmental. Thirty-one cases were treated with single posterior interbody fixation and fusion (PIFF group), and 32 caseswere treated with posterior interbody fixation combined with focus debridement and bone graft fusion (debridement group). The main observation indicators include operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative medication time, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Frankel score and clinical efficacy.Results:All of 63 patients were followed up for 27.16±6.07 months (range 15 to 38 months). The operation time of mono-segmental patients of PIFF group was 105.86±16.66 min,the intraoperative blood loss was 295.00±55.11 ml, and the postoperative hospitalization was 4.45±1.53 days, which was significantly shorter than debridement group ( P<0.001), while the postoperative medication time was without significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). The opration time of bi-segmental patients of PIFF group was 150.33±26.29 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 242.05±50.56 ml, and the postoperative hospitalization was 4.56±1.50 days, which was significantly shorter than debridement group ( P<0.001), while the postoperative medication time was also without significant difference between the two groups. At the last follow-up time, the VAS scores and ODI values of mono- and bi-segments in PIFF group and debridement group were lower than those preoperation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in CRP between mono-segments of PIFF group and debridement group at the preoperation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up time ( P>0.05). The CRP in mono-segments of PIFF group and debridement group decreased at 3 months after the operation compared with that preoperation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in CRP between bi-segments of PIFF group and debridement group at 3 months after operation and the last follow-up time ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in ESR between mono- and bi-segments of PIFF group and debridement group at 3 months after operation and the last follow-up time ( P>0.05). There was significant difference in ESR between mono- and bi-segments of PIFF group and debridement group at the preoperation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up time. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of excellent postoperative clinical efficacy between the two groups. Complications were observed in two patients in PIFF group (6.5%, 2/31) compared with 8 patients in debridement group (25%, 8/32, χ2=4.057, P=0.044). Conclusion:On the basis of standardized anti-brucella drug therapy, simple posterior interbody fixation and fusion for the treatment of brucella spondylitis has a satisfactory surgical effect, and has the advantages of less surgical trauma, shorter time, earlier postoperative movement time and fewer complications.
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Background@#Fenbendazole, a dewormer drug, is used widely in the clinical treatment of parasite infections in animals. Recent studies have shown that fenbendazole has substantial effects on tumor growth, immune responses, and inflammatory responses, suggesting that fenbendazole is a pluripotent drug. Nevertheless, the antiviral effects have not been reported.Fenbendazole can disrupt microtubules, which are essential for multiple viruses infections, suggesting that fenbendazole might have antiviral effects. @*Objectives@#This study examined whether fenbendazole could inhibit bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) productive infection in cell cultures. @*Methods@#The effects of fenbendazole on viral production, transcription of the immediate early (IE) genes, viron-associated protein expression, and the cellular signaling PLC-γ1/Akt pathway were assessed using distinct methods. @*Results@#Fenbendazole could inhibit BoHV-1 productive infections significantly in MDBK cells in a dose-dependent manner. A time-of-addition assay indicated that fenbendazole affected both the early and late stages in the virus replication cycles. The transcription of IE genes, including BoHV-1 infected cell protein 0 (bICP0), bICP4, and bICP22, as well as the synthesis of viron-associated proteins, were disrupted differentially by the fenbendazole treatment. The treatment did not affect the cellular signaling pathway of PLC-γ1/Akt, a known cascade playing important roles in virus infection. @*Conclusions@#Overall, fenbendazole has antiviral effects on BoHV-1 replication.
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Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based vector has shown great promise for human gene therapy, due to its advantage in eliciting long-term transgene expression, absence of adverse effect, infection ability to both dividing and non-dividing cells, non-genomic integration, and low immunotoxity. To date, three AAV-based products have been authorized to enter European and American markets, and more than 200 rAAV-based candidates are in the process of clinic trails. Nevertheless, domestic industry is facing the challenge of manufacturing clinical grade rAAV vector, and regulatory agencies are lack of practical experience in assessing such products. Herein, this paper summarizes the latest research progress of rAAV-based gene therapy products, and discusses some quality assessment concerns in raw materials, manufacturing process and quality control, expecting to promote its clinical transformation and application.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.The aim of the current study was to determine the risk factors for AKI in patients undergoing OLT.A total of 103 patients who received OLT between January 2015 and May 2016 in Tongji Hospital,China,were retrospectively analyzed.Their demographic characteristics and perioperative parameters were collected,and AKI was diagnosed using 2012 Kidney Disease:Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging criteria.It was found that the incidence of AKI was 40.8％ in this cohort and AKI was significantly associated with body mass index,urine volume,operation duration (especially ＞ 480 min),and the postoperative use of vasopressors.It was concluded that relative low urine output,long operation duration,and the postoperative use of vasopressors are risk factors for AKI following OLT.
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Objective To explore the effect of posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation for treatment of non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection. Methods Clinical data of 20 patients with non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection treated in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2013 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 5 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 36-51 years). All patients suffered from single lumbar inter-vertebral infection, including 3 cases at L2/3,4 at L3/4,10 at L4/5 and 3 at L5/S1. All 20 cases underwent one-stage posterior debride-ment, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation, tissue samples in focus were collected for bacterial culture and pathological examination. The disease controlling statues were evaluated based on laboratory results of ESR and CRP. Imaging examinations were taken to evaluate the fusion of vertebral body. Clinical effects were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Jap-anese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) score of lumbar fumction. Results All patients underwent the surgery successfully. The surgery duration time was 90-160 min, average 125 min, and the blood loss was 200-700 ml, average 360 ml. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in one case. Postoperatively, all patients experienced significant reliefof back pain, improving in the func-tion of movement, and no fever. The lower back VAS score: average (5.35 ± 1.15) points before operation , average (2.76 ± 0.34) points one week after operation, and an average score of (0.85±0.65) points by the last follow-up time. JOA lumbar function score:all patients were effective after operation, the improvement rate was excellent in 65%(13cases), good in 25%(5 cases), and pass-able in 10%(2cases). Comparing with preoperation, the excellent and good rate was 90%. All patients ESR and CRP returned to normal levels at the last follow-up. Ordinary bacterial culture was positive in 8 cases and negative in 12 cases. The pathogens iden-tified were staphylococcus aureus (6 cases), Escherichia coli (2 cases) and staphylococcus epidermidis (2cases). All incisions achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up from 6-18 months (average,12 months), and the symptom of pain relieved significantly. No recurrent infection had happened. A solid bony fusion was found in all patients at 6-14 months (average, 8.5 months) after the surgery. Conclusion Posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation are effective treatments for non-spe-cific lumbar intervertebral infection, can reduce the time of staying in hospital, this operation is safe and reliable.
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OBJECTIVE: The malignant transformation (MT) of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare. This study analyzed cases from multiple medical centers in Taiwan to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of this disease and reviewed related literature. METHODS: Pathological reports of 16,001 patients with primary ovarian cancer who were treated at Taiwan medical centers from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. In total, 52 patients with MT of MCT to SCC were identified. RESULTS: Among all ovarian MCTs, the incidence of MT to SCC is 0.2%. The median age of patients was 52 years (range, 29–89 years), and the mean tumor size was 10.5 cm (range, 1–40 cm). We analyzed the patients in our study and those in the literature and determined that early identification and complete surgical resection of the tumor are essential for long-term survival. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy can be used to treat this malignancy. Old age, large tumor size (≥15.0 cm), and solid components in MCTs are suitable indicators predicting the risk of MT of MCT to SCC. CONCLUSION: Similar to general epithelial ovarian cancers, the early detection of MT of MCT to SCC is critical to long-term survival. Therefore, older patients with a large tumor or those with a tumor containing a solid component in a clinically diagnosed MCT should be evaluated to exclude potential MT to SCC.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic , Chemoradiotherapy , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Epithelial Cells , Incidence , Ovarian Neoplasms , Taiwan , TeratomaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that electroacupuncture (EA) could effectively inhibit the expression of p38 and Fas mRNA mediated by MAPK signaling pathways, to further inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes. Meanwhile,EA delays the degeneration of articular cartilage mediated by JAK-STAT signaling pathway through upregulating the expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 as well as the mRNA expression levels of STAT3, Smad3 and LepR.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of EA on the cartilage ultrastructure and mRNA expression levels of Ras, Raf,MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the rat with knee osteoarthritis.METHODS: The rat models of knee osteoarthritis were established, and randomized into four groups at 2 weeks after modeling: model group received no interventions; 15- and 30-minute EA groups were given EA at the Hsiyen (medical,extra) of bilateral knee joints for 15 and 30 minutes, respectively; PD98059 group was given the intravenous injection of extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059. The intervention time was 3 months. Those rats received normal feeding served as blank control group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Transmission electron microscopy showed that compared with the model group, the chondrocytes in the 15- and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups changed little, the nucleus was larger, partial endoplasmic reticulum cisterna expanded, and the mitochondria structure was clear. ELISA results showed that the 15-and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups had a significant decrease in the level of tumor necrosis factor α compared with the model group (P < 0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression levels of Ras, Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the 15- and 30-minute EA and PD98059 groups were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These results indicate that EA can alleviate chondrocyte injury in the rat osteoarthritic model, reduce the level of tumor necrosis factor α in the synovium, and downregulated the expression levels of Ras, Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA, further delaying the chondrocyte degeneration in osteoarthritis.
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Objective To investigate the feasibility of self-made capacitation liquid for in vitro fertilization of Mongolian gerbils, and to provide a reference for gerbil embryo cryopreservation. Methods In vitro fertilization of Mongo?lian gerbil was performed with the self?prepared capacitation solution and semen, and the 2?cell embryos of Mongolian ger?bils were cultured in vitro using an improved KSOM culture medium. Results The in vitro fertilization rate of gerbils was over 60%, and some gerbil 2?cell embryos could develop further in vitro. Conclusions An in vitro fertilization and embry?o development system of Mongolian gerbil has been established, but it needs further optimization.
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Objective To explore the effect of posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation for treatment of non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection. Methods Clinical data of 20 patients with non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection treated in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2013 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 5 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 36-51 years). All patients suffered from single lumbar inter-vertebral infection, including 3 cases at L2/3,4 at L3/4,10 at L4/5 and 3 at L5/S1. All 20 cases underwent one-stage posterior debride-ment, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation, tissue samples in focus were collected for bacterial culture and pathological examination. The disease controlling statues were evaluated based on laboratory results of ESR and CRP. Imaging examinations were taken to evaluate the fusion of vertebral body. Clinical effects were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Jap-anese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) score of lumbar fumction. Results All patients underwent the surgery successfully. The surgery duration time was 90-160 min, average 125 min, and the blood loss was 200-700 ml, average 360 ml. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in one case. Postoperatively, all patients experienced significant reliefof back pain, improving in the func-tion of movement, and no fever. The lower back VAS score: average (5.35 ± 1.15) points before operation , average (2.76 ± 0.34) points one week after operation, and an average score of (0.85±0.65) points by the last follow-up time. JOA lumbar function score:all patients were effective after operation, the improvement rate was excellent in 65%(13cases), good in 25%(5 cases), and pass-able in 10%(2cases). Comparing with preoperation, the excellent and good rate was 90%. All patients ESR and CRP returned to normal levels at the last follow-up. Ordinary bacterial culture was positive in 8 cases and negative in 12 cases. The pathogens iden-tified were staphylococcus aureus (6 cases), Escherichia coli (2 cases) and staphylococcus epidermidis (2cases). All incisions achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up from 6-18 months (average,12 months), and the symptom of pain relieved significantly. No recurrent infection had happened. A solid bony fusion was found in all patients at 6-14 months (average, 8.5 months) after the surgery. Conclusion Posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation are effective treatments for non-spe-cific lumbar intervertebral infection, can reduce the time of staying in hospital, this operation is safe and reliable.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by density gradient centrifugation from 15 healthy men were incubated in the alcohol extracts from 9 different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul for 20 seconds, 2 minutes and 4 minutes. Then the motility and movement parameters of the sperm were detected by computer-assisted semen analysis, and the minimal effective concentrations of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the ratio of 3:1, the extract at 0.5 mg/ml significantly inhibited the sperm motility and other sperm movement parameters VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, WOB and MAD, as compared with the control group. The minimal effective concentration of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts was 3.5 mg/ml at 3:1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alcohol extracts from Sophora flavescens Ait and Chinese Bulbul at the ratio of 3:1 have the best spermicidal effect in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Plant Extracts , Pharmacology , Pulsatilla , Semen Analysis , Sophora , Sperm Motility , Spermatocidal Agents , Pharmacology , SpermatozoaABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of Cdc42 expression under estrogen stimulation, and to explore the signaling pathway of intracellular material transportation caused by estrogen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT was used to test the drug sensitivity of cells. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of Cdc42 mRNA. The amount of ADM accumulated in MCF-7 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The protein levels of active-Cdc42 and Total-Cdc42 were measured by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IC(50) of ADM in MCF-7 cells was increased from (0.098 ± 0.011) µg/ml to (0.134 ± 0.130) µg/ml (P < 0.05) after estrogen stimulation. The amount of ADM accumulated in MCF-7 cells was reduced from 7.253 ± 0.310 to 3.233 ± 0.313 (P < 0.05). All of Cdc42 mRNA, active-Cdc42 protein and total-Cdc42 protein were increased (P < 0.05). After the treatment with siRNA, the IC(50) of ADM in siRNA group was decreased to (0.057 ± 0.017) µg/ml (P < 0.05) compared with that in the control group. The amount of accumulated ADM was significantly increased in the siRNA group, and all the expression levels of Cdc42 mRNA, active-Cdc42 protein and total-Cdc42 protein were decreased in the siRNA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Estrogen enhances the drug resistance in breast cancer cells. The mechanism of this effect may be via the enhancing Cdc42 expression and decreasing the accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs in the cancer cells.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic , Metabolism , Pharmacology , Breast Neoplasms , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Doxorubicin , Metabolism , Pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Multiple , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Estrogens , Pharmacology , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , RNA Interference , RNA, Messenger , Metabolism , RNA, Small Interfering , Genetics , Transfection , cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of cell division cycle 42 (Cdc 42) gene on the formation of filopodia suppressed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and to explore the probable signal transduction pathway involving Cdc 42 in the inhibition effects on migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells induced by NSAIDs. Methods: MCF-7 cells were divided into four groups: blank control group, NS-398 (100 μmol/L)-treated group, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected group and the negative siRNA-transfected group. The expressions of Cox-2 and Cdc42 mRNAs were detected by real-time fluorogentic quantitative PCR(RFQ-PCR), and the expressions of Cox-2 and Cdc42 proteins were measured by Western blotting. Actin-tracker Green fluorescent probe was used to examined the morphology of filopodias in MCF-7 cells. The invasion ability of MCF-7 cells was detected by using the Martrigel-coated Transwell. Results: The filopodias in MCF-7 cells disappeared in the NS-398-treated group, and the invasion ability of MCF-7 cells was also significantly decreased in this group compared with that in the blank control group (P0.05), and the difference was also not seen in the expression of Cdc42 mRNA or protein between these two groups (P>0.05). The active-Cdc42 level was significantly decreased in the NS-398-treated group compared with that in the blank control group (P<0.05). The filopodias in the Cox-2 siRNA-transfected group disappeared, and the invasion ability of MCF-7 cells transfected with Cox-2 siRNA was significantly decreased compared with that in the negative siRNA-transfected group (P<0.05). The active-Cdc42 level was also significantly decreased in MCF-7 cells transfected with Cox-2 siRNA compared with those transfected with negative siRNA (P<0.05). Conclusion: NSAIDs can suppress the invasion ability of breast cancer cells. This effect may be achieved by inhibiting the activity of Cox-2, decreasing the expression level of active-Cdc42, and suppressing the formation of filopodias.
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This study evaluated the change in regional left ventricular myocardial function in rats following acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, a myocardial infarction (MI) group, in which 50 rats were subjected to LAD occlusion for 30-45 min, and a sham-operated (SHAM) group that contained 10 rats serving as control. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 1, 4 and 8 week(s) after the operation. High frequency two-dimensional images of left ventricular short axis at papillary muscle level were recorded. Peak systolic radial strain (PRS) and circumferential strain (PCS) were measured in the mid-ventricle in short-axis view by using EchoPAC workstation. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDd) and systole (LVIDs), fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular mass (LVM) were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining 1 week and 8 weeks after the operation. Fibrosis of left ventricular myocardium was displayed using Van Gieson staining 1 week after the infarction. In terms of the TTC staining results, the left ventricle fell into three categories: infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions. Compared with those at baseline and in the SHAM group, (1) PRS and PCS in the infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions were significantly decreased in the MI group within 1 week after the operation (P0.05). However, LVIDd, LVIDs and LVM were increased significantly 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P<0.05), and FS and EF were decreased substantially (P<0.05). Van Gieson staining showed that fibrosis developed in all the three myocardial regions to varying degrees. It is concluded that 2D-STI is non-invasive and can be used to assess regional function of myocardium with different blood supply in rats following acute occlusion of the LAD, and can be used as a sensitive and reliable means to follow up the process of left ventricular remodeling.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in the mRNA expression of endothelial cellular adhesion molecules in the cerebral blood vessels in rats with prestroke condition caused by simulated cold wave.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-kidney two-clip renovascular hypertension was induced in 48 male SD rats, which were subsequently randomly assigned into cold wave exposure and non-exposed group (n=24). Each group was further divided into 4 sub-groups according to their systolic blood pressure, namely the sham-operated group with blood pressure (BP)<140 mmHg, mild hypertensive group with BP of 160-199 mmHg, moderate hypertensive group with BP of 200-219 mmHg, and severe hypertensive group with BP no less than 220 mmHg. Cold wave exposure was simulated by housing the rats in an artificial climate chamber with 3 cycles of 12 h light at 22 degrees celsius; and 12 h dark at 4 degrees celsius;. The non-exposed group was kept at 22 degrees celsius; throughout the experiment. After the exposure, the rats were sacrificed and the tissues of the frontal lobe were slice into 2.0-mm-thick coronal sections for real-time RT-PCR detection of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and p-selectin mRNA expressions. The 5.0-microm-thick frozen sections from the bregma section underwent in situ hybridization of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin. The other sections were stained with HE to observe the infarct lesions, and the rats with cerebral infraction were excluded from the statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In rats with cold wave exposure-induced prestroke condition and BP <220 mmHg, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions all increased compared with those in the non-exposed group. In rats with BP>or=220 mmHg and cold exposure, the expressions all decreased to some extent compared with those in the non-exposed treatment. In the non-exposed rats, a positive correlation of BP to VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions were noted, and this correlation was also found in cold-wave-exposed rats with BP <220 mmHg; VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions decreased dramatically in the exposed rats with BP >or=220 mmHg compared with those in rats with BP <220 mmHg.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Persistent and severe hypertension impairs the modulatory function of the cerebral vascular endothelia, which is a prerequisite for the stroke vulnerability. The modulatory function deteriorates as the BP further increases.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Atmosphere Exposure Chambers , Cerebral Arteries , Metabolism , Cold Temperature , Environment, Controlled , Equipment Design , Hypertension, Renovascular , Metabolism , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 , Genetics , Metabolism , P-Selectin , Genetics , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Metabolism , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Stroke , Metabolism , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect and complications of augmentation phalloplasty by implanting autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts into the bilateral albuginea of the penile corpus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five mongrel dogs underwent augmentation phalloplasty with bilateral autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts. The increase in the volume of the corpora cavernosa was achieved by applying autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts to longitudinal openings made bilaterally in the albuginea along the whole length of the penile cavernous corpora. The perimeter of the penile cavernous corpora was measured in the flaccid state and during erection and dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DIC) was conducted for each dog before and after the operation. Histology of the penis was examined using hematoxylin and eosin stains.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average increase in the perimeter of the penile cavernous corpora was 21. 1% in the erectile state but unobvious in the flaccid state 3 months after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in cavernosometric parameters before and after the operation, and neither were there any other severe postoperative complications. The grafts had mild inflammatory reaction and fibrosis with apparent reformation of the tunica albuginea over the patch site.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The augmentation phalloplasty technique with bilateral autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts was proved to be effective and reliable with few complications, particularly conspicuous in increasing the volume of the erectile tissues during erection.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Male , Penile Diseases , General Surgery , Penile Implantation , Penis , General Surgery , Testis , TransplantationABSTRACT
The fertility potential of infertile men can be enhanced to a great extent by the application of assisted reproduction techniques such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection, but how to obtain semen from men with ejaculatory dysfunction remains a problem. The development and refinement of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ) have significantly brightened the prospects for the treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction. Because vibratory stimulation is non-invasive and easy to perform, and needs no anaesthesia, it is preferred by most of the patients to EEJ, and recommended to be the first choice of treatment for ejaculatory dysfunction. Approximately 80% of all ejaculatory dysfunction men with an intact ejaculatory reflex arc (above T10 ) can obtain antegrade ejaculation by PVS. Any condition which affects the ejaculatory mechanism of the central and/or peripheral nervous system including surgical nerve injury may be treated successfully by EEJ. The purpose of this review is to present the current understanding of PVS and EEJ procedures and their clinical use in men with ejaculatory dysfunction.