Luteoloside protects the vascular endothelium against iron overload injury via the ROS/ADMA/DDAH II/eNOS/NO pathway / 中国天然药物

Iron overload injury is considered to be a part of blood stasis syndrome of arthralgia in traditional Chinese medicine. Its primary therapies include clearing heat and detoxification, activating blood circulation, and removing blood stasis. Lonicera japonica flos (LJF) has long been known as an excellent antipyretic and antidote. Luteoloside (Lut) is one of the main components of LJF and exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. However, the protection of Lut against iron overload injury and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, HUVECs were exposed to 50 μmol·L-1 iron dextran for 48 h to establish an iron overload damage model and the effects of Lut were assessed. Our results showed that 20 μmol·L-1 Lut not only increased cell viability and weakened LDH activity, but also significantly up-regulated DDAHⅡ expression and activity, increased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and NO content, and reduced ADMA content in HUVECs exposed to iron overload. Furthermore, Lut significantly attenuated intracellular/mitochondrial ROS generation, improved SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities, reduced MDA content, maintained MMP, inhibited mPTP opening, prevented cyt c from mitochondria released into cytoplasm, reduced cleaved-caspase3 expression, and ultimately decreased cell apoptosis induced by iron overload. The effects of Lut were similar to those of L-arginine (an ADMA competitive substrate), cyclosporin A (a mPTP blocker agent), and edaravone (a free radical scavenger) as positive controls. However, addition of pAD/DDAH II-shRNA adenovirus reversed the above beneficial effects of Lut. In conclusion, Lut can protect HUVECs against iron overload injury via the ROS/ADMA/DDAH II/eNOS/NO pathway. The mitochondria are the target organelles of Lut's protective effects.

Performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Oncomelania snails in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To compare the effectiveness of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and microscopic examinations for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania hupensis in transmission-interrupted regions, so as to provide insights into the optimization of snail surveillance tools in these regions. Methods Four hilly schistosomiasis-endemic villages where transmission interruption was achieved were selected in Heqing County of Yunnan Province as the study villages, including Xinzhuang and Gule villages in hilly regions and Lianyi and Yitou villages in dam regions. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling combined with environmental sampling in July 2018. All captured snails were identified for S. japonicum infections using microscopy. In addition, 10 to 20 snails were randomly sampled from each snail habitat following microscopy, numbered according to environments and subjected to LAMP assay. The positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was compared among villages. Results A total of 7 949 living snails were captured from 83 snail habitats in 4 villages, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. There were 226 mixed samples containing 1 786 snails subjected to LAMP assay, and positive LAMP assay was found in 3 mixed samples from 3 snail habitats in 2 dam villages. The positive rates of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails were comparable between Lianyi Village (one setting) and Yitou Village (2 set tings) (5.89% vs. 14.29%, P = 0.344). However, the overall positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was significantly higher in dam villages (9.67%, 3/31) than in hilly villages (0) (P = 0.048). Conclusions LAMP assay is more sensitive to detect S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis than conventional microcopy method, which may serve as a supplementary method for detection of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis in high-risk snail habitats in hilly transmission-interrupted regions.

LncRNA XIST knockdown ameliorates oxidative low-density lipoprotein-induced endothelial cells injury by targeting miR-204-5p/TLR4

Oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial cell injury is a key contributor toatherosclerosis development. However, the role and mechanism of long noncoding RNA X-inactive specifictranscript (XIST) in atherosclerosis remain largely unknown. The ox-LDL-induced human umbilical veinendothelial cells (HUVECs) injury was analyzed by cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines secretionand oxidative stress. The expression levels of XIST, microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Thetarget interaction between miR-204-5p and XIST or TLR4 was explored by bioinformatics analysis, luciferaseassay and RNA immunoprecipitation. The expression of XIST was enhanced in ox-LDL-treatedHUVECs. Knockdown of XIST attenuated ox-LDL-induced viability inhibition, apoptosis production,inflammatory response and oxidative stress in HUVECs. XIST was validated as a sponge of miR-204-5pand TLR4 acted as a target of miR-204-5p. Knockdown of miR-204-5p reversed silence of XISTmediated suppressive role in ox-LDL-induced injury. TLR4 alleviated miR-204-5p-mediated inhibitiveeffect on ox-LDL-induced injury. Moreover, XIST could regulate TLR4 expression by spongingmiR-204-5p. In conclusion, silence of XIST displayed a protective role in ox-LDL-induced injury inHUVECs by regulating miR-204-5p/TLR4 axis, providing a novel mechanism for understanding thepathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

A new nor-sesquiterpene glycoside from Corydalis edulis / 中国中药杂志

This study is to investigate the chemical constituents from the whole plant Corydalis edulis. The chemical constituents were separated and purified by macroporous resin D101, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Four compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane and water extracts of the whole plant C. edulis, and identified as 6'-β-D-xylosylicariside B2(1),(3S,5R,6S,7E)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(2), loliolide(3), and 5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diol(4), respectively. Compound 1 is a new compound, of which the absolute configuration was established by electronic circular dichroism(ECD) calculations. Compound 4 is obtained from the plants of Papaveraceae family for the first time. Compounds 2 and 3 are firstly isolated from the Corydalis genus.

Effect of soft tissue thickness on the morphology of lip in orthodontic treatment / Efecto del grosor del tejido blando en la morfología del labio en el tratamiento de ortodoncia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of soft tissue thickness of upper lip on lip retraction in orthodonticaltreated females and identify the ratio of maxillary incisor retraction to upper lip retraction. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 100 adults were examined to measure the lip thickness in upper lip and establish the classification standard. All subjects were treated with 4 first premolar extractions followed by upper central incisors retraction. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 19 patients were reviewed to determine the changes of the upper lip and incisor positions through landmarks displacement. An independent-samples t test and one-way analysis of variance were performed. The correlations between maxillary incisor retraction and upper lip retraction were explored by the Pearson correlation method. P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The lip thickness of adult male patients was greater than that of adult female patients. The average ratio of maxillary incisor retraction to upper lip repositioning was 1.6:1,1.9:1 and 2.2:1 in the thin lips group, normal lips group and thick lips group, respectively. Gender differences exist in the thickness of upper lip. Horizontal changes of the maxillary incisor showed a significant correlation to horizontal changes of the upper lip (P<0.001).There were negative correlations between the thickness of upper lip and the ratio between change in maxillary incisor protrusion and change in upper lip protrusion.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del grosor de los tejidos blandos del labio superior, sobre la retracción del labio en mujeres tratadas con ortodoncia e identificar la proporción de retracción del diente incisivo maxilar con respecto a la retracción del labio superior. Se examinaron cefalogramas laterales, previos y posteriores al tratamiento de 100 adultos, para medir el grosor del labio superior y establecer un estándar de clasificación. Todos los sujetos fueron tratados con 4 extracciones de los primeros premolares seguidas de retracción de los incisivos centrales superiores. Se revisaron los cefalogramas laterales, previos y posteriores al tratamiento de 19 pacientes, para determinar los cambios del labio superior y las posiciones de los incisivos a través del desplazamiento de los puntos de referencia. Se realizó una prueba t de muestras independientes y un análisis de varianza de una vía. Las correlaciones entre la retracción del incisivo maxilar y la retracción del labio superior se exploraron mediante el método de correlación de Pearson. Los valores de p<0,05 fueron considerados estadísticamente significativos. El grosor de los labios de los pacientes adultos masculinos fue mayor que el de las pacientes adultas. La relación promedio de la retracción del incisivo maxilar al reposicionamiento del labio superior fue de 1,6:1,1; 9:1 y 2,2:1 en el grupo de labios delgados, grupo de labios normales y grupo de labios gruesos, respectivamente. Existen diferencias de sexo en el grosor del labio superior. Los cambios horizontales del incisivo maxilar mostraron una correlación significativa con los cambios horizontales del labio superior (P<0,001). Hubo correlaciones negativas entre el grosor del labio superior y la relación entre el cambio en la protuberancia del incisivo maxilar y el cambio en la protrusión del labio superior.

Effect of Soft Fibrin Gels onTransdifferentiation Behaviour in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cell / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To determine whether activated hepatic stellate cell(HSC)become quiescent phenotype if cultured in a soft extracellular matrix(ECM).[Methods]HSC-T6 cells which stably expressed myofibroblast(MFB) phenotype,were cultured in the 2D and 3D in-vitro matrix culture models that were constructed by 1 mg/mL fibrin gel. The proliferation activity of HSC-T6 was determined by cell counting kit-8(CCK8)assay at different time points(24 h, 48 h,72 h,96 h). Immunofluorescence and gelatin zymography analysis were performed to detect the expression of α-SMA,MMP-2,and MMP-9. Moreover,the cellular surface morphology and deformability was detected by AFM.[Results]After cultured in the fibrin gel,the cellular proliferation activity,expression of α-SMA,MMP-2 and MMP-9,and cellular deformability of activated HSC-T6 was obviously down-regulated in contrast to the control group (P<0.05),and there were also differences in the inhibition of cellular proliferation activity,the assembly of α-SMA stress fiber and the effect of cellular deformability between 2D and 3D fibrin gel cultured(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Soft fibrin gel inhibited the transdifferentiation of activated HSC-T6,but could not make it revert to α-SMA negative quies-cent phenotype.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Aconitum brevicalcaratum / 中国天然药物

In the present study, three new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids brochyponines A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brevicalcaratum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The NMR data of salt form for compound 1 in CDCl were also measured.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Aconitum brevicalcaratum / 中国天然药物

In the present study, three new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids brochyponines A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brevicalcaratum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The NMR data of salt form for compound 1 in CDCl were also measured.

Changes of apoE protein expression in lung of mice with hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the changes of apolipoprotein E (apoE) protein expression of pulmonary tissue in mice with pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia.@*METHODS@#The animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the mice to isobaric hypoxic chamber for 3 weeks (23 h/d, regular chow feed).Twenty male wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and twenty apoE gene knockout (apoE-KO) mice were randomly divided into normoxia group and hypoxia group. The plasma concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol were detected by ELISA method. The protein expression of apoE in lung and liver, and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in lung were measured by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#①In WT mice, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the weight ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle plus septum (LV+S) of hypoxia group were significantly higher than those of normoxia group by 68% and 59% (<0.05), respectively. The plasma concentration of HDL and HDL/LDL of hypoxia group were significantly lower than those of normoxia group by 17% and 40% (<0.05), respectively.The protein expression of apoE in lung and in liver of hypoxia group were significantly down-regulated than those of normoxia group by 48% and 52% (<0.05), respectively.The protein expression of PPARγ in lung was significantly down-regulated than that of normoxia group by 37%(<0.05).RVSP were significantly negative correlated with the protein levels of apoE and PPARγ in lung (<0.01).② In apoE-KO mice, RVSP and the weight ratio of RV to LV+S of hypoxia group were significantly higher than those of normoxia group by 96% and 86% (<0.05), respectively.RVSP and RV to (LV+S) of hypoxia group in apoE-KO mice were significantly higher than those of hypoxia group in WT mice by 29% and 24% (<0.05), respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Down-regulated expression of apoE in lung tissue participates in the pathological proceeding of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia.

Phenylpropanoid amides from whole plants of Corydalis edulis / 中国中药杂志

Ten phenylpropanoid amides were isolated from the whole plants of Corydalis edulis Maxim. by various of column chromatographies including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopic data. These compounds were identified as N-trans-sinapoyl-3-methoxytyramine-4'-O-β-glucoside(1), N-trans-sinapoyl-3-methoxytyramine(2), N-trans-sinapoyltyramine(3), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine(4), N-trans-sinapoyl-7-hydroxytyramine(5), N-cis-feruloyltyramine(6), N-cis-p-coumaroyltyramine(7), N-trans-feruloyltyramine(8), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine(9), and N-trans-feruloyl-7-hydroxytyramine(10). Compound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2-7 are obtained from the plants of Papaveraceae for the first time, while compounds 8-10 are firstly isolated from C. edulis.

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia and their biological activities in vitro / 中国中药杂志

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia and their nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory and cytotoxic activities were investigated. The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatography, and their structures were identified by physiochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Thirteen lignans and six phenolic compounds were isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract of the fruits of V. negundo var. cannabifolia, respectively. Their structures were elucidated as 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde (1), vitedoin A (2), vitexdoin F (3), detetrahydroconidendrin (4), vitexdoin E (5), 4-oxosesamin (6), L-sesamin (7), (+)-beechenol (8), ligballinol (9), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (10), (-)-pinoresinol (11), balanophonin (12), thero-guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl aldehyde ether (13), trans-p-coumaryl aldehyde (14), coniferyl aldehyde (15), 5,7-dihydroxychromone (16), trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-cinnamic aldehyde (17), frambinone (18), and alternariol 4-methyl ether (19). Compounds 8-10,14,18,19 were firstly isolated from Verbenaceae family, compound 13 was obtained from Vitex species, and 6,7,12,15-17 from V. negundo var. cannabifolia for the first time, respectively. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects in vitro. Eight compounds (3,5,7,10,11,14,15,17) showed inhibition against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 267.4 cells (IC₅₀ in the range of 7.8-81.1 μmol•L⁻¹) and four compounds (1-4) showed cytotoxicity on HepG-2 cells (IC₅₀ in the range of 5.2-24.2 μmol•L⁻¹).

Nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the penile erectile function of rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.</p>

Cigarette smoke extract reduces NOS activity and CX43 expression in the corporal cavernosum / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of different doses of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the erectile function of male rats and the mechanism of smoking-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 75 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into Groups A (control), B (dimethyl sulphoxide [DMSO]), C (low-dose CSE), D (medium-dose CSE) and E (high-dose CSE). CSE models were established in male SD rats by hypodermic injection, and 60 days later observed for penile erection following subcutaneous injection of apomorphine. Then the rats were killed and the penile cavernous body obtained for the examination of NOS activity by chromatometry and the determination of Cx43 expression by laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy (LCSM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control and DMSO groups, penile erection frequency, NOS activity and Cx43 expression in the penile cavernous tissue were significantly decreased in the CSE groups (P < 0.05), and the decrease was proportional to the increase of the doses of CSE. No statistically significant differences were observed between the control and DMSO groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cigarette smoke obviously reduces NOS activity and Cx43 expression in the penile cavernous tissue and seriously affects penile erection. The higher the dose, the more serious the influence. The decreases of NOS activity and Cx43 expression may be an important mechanism of ED.</p>

The effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells under three-dimensional culture system / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF- I) on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) under three-dimensional (3D) culture system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The hPDLCs were cultured from periodontium of human teeth by the outgrowth method. Rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was enrolled to set 3D culture system. Samples were set to four groups: Negative control group, positive control group (3D group, IGF-I group), and experimental group (3D with IGF- I group). Proliferation was tested with methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), and ALP activity was assayed by spectrophotometer at 1, 3, 5, 7 d respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with that of negative control group, cell proliferation increased significantly in 3D with IGF-I group since 3 d (P < 0.05). Besides, the cell proliferation of 3D with IGF-I group was significantly higher than that of 3D group (P < 0.05). ALP activity of 3D with IGF- I group was significantly higher than that of negative control group, and 3D group at 3, 5, 7 d (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IGF-I significantly promotes the proliferation and ALP activity of hPDLCs under 3D culture system.</p>

Cigarette smoke affects sexual function of male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of cigarette smoke on the sexual function of male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on Ozyurt's smoking model, we equally divided 30 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats into a control and a smoking group, and exposed the latter to cigarette smoke for 60 days. A week before the end of the experiment, we added 5 female rats to each group and observed their mating through 24-hour video surveillance. Sixty days later, all the rats were killed for the determination of the level of testosterone (T) in the plasma and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the corpus cavernosum, and Masson-dyeing image analysis of the penile tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the rats in the smoking group showed a significant reduction in the times of mating, the level of plasma T (P < 0.05) and the activity of NOS in the penile cavernous tissue (P < 0.05), but a slight increase in the collagen fibers and obvious changes in the blood sinuses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cigarette smoke seriously affected penile erection in the experimental rats. The decrease in plasma T, NOS activity and the area of smooth muscle may be an important mechanism underlying their erectile dysfunction.</p>

Polymorphism of hepatitis B virus x gene in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and the biological effects of HBx gene with deletion varations on QSG7701 cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether there were particular HBx gene mutations associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HBx genes were examined in 51 paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from patients with HCC and 25 serum samples from HBV carriers from southern China by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis, heteroduplex analysis and DNA sequencing. The HBx genes with deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) from tumor tissues were cloned and transfected into QSG7701 cells. Then, the biological characteristics of the transfected cells were analyzed in nude mice by MTT assay, soft agar colony formation assay, flow cytometry and xenografting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Deletion mutation and point mutation were found in the HBx genes of HCC tumor tissues, and there were some differences between the HBx gene mutations in genotype B and those in genotype C. More mutations were found in genotype C than those in genotype B (t=-2.522, P < 0.05), but the deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) were detected in genotype B HBV from HCC liver tissues. The HBx genes with deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) were recombinant with pcDNA3 and transfected into QSG7701 cell lines successfully, which established four permanent transfected QSG7701 cell lines, including pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701, pcDNA3/HBx-d431/QSG7701, pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701, and pcDNA3/QSG7701. pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/HBx-d431/QSG7701 grew faster and had more potential colony formative activity than those of pcDNA3/QSG7701. Moreover, pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/HBx-431/QSG7701 cells inoculated in nude mice produced tumors more rapidly than those of pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701, and pcDNA3/QSG7701. The volumes of the tumors in nude mice were also obviously larger in pcDNA3/HBx-d382 and pcDNA3/HBx-d431 groups than those in pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/QSG7701 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that HBx gene mutations occur frequently in HCC tissues, and the deletion at nt382-400 of the HBx gene might play a role in carcinogenesis of HCC in southern China.</p>

Experimental study of increasing effect of the fat flap tissue after delay operation on its free graft survival volume and duration / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of the fat flap tissues after delay operation on free fat-graft survival rate and duration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The delay operation of fat flaps was performed in the inguinal region of a rabbit. Expression of VEGF was assayed using Elisa method after 12 hours of flap delay. The fat flaps were harvested and cut into pieces after 21 days. A subdermal pocket was created in each side of the dorsal midline of a rabbit, the fat pieces were grafted randomly into a pocket and the normal fat pieces into the other pocket as control. After 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of implantation, the grafted fats were harvested, gross observation, weight measurement and histology were carried out. Number of the vessels stained with anti-CD34 antibody was counted out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VEGF concentrations in flaps were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The density of vessels in experimental groups increased significantly compared with that in control groups at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.01), and no significant differences in the survival rate of fat tissues between experimental and control groups were observed at 1 and 3 months (P > 0.05). The fat cells from the flaps survived after 12 months of fat plantation, while those in control groups disappeared after 6 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The survival rate and duration of grafted fat could be increased implanting the fat tissues from delayed fat flap, which may provide researchers with a new method for fat graft.</p>

Clinical analysis of surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot for in infancy / 中国基层医药

Objective To sum up the therapeutic results of 125 cases of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF),and ex- plore the optimal time and risk factors of opration,as well as perioperative management.Methods One hundred and thirth-one consecutive cases of TOF underwent corrective surgery.There were simple stenosis of infundibular portion in right ventricular outflow tract in 37 cases,stenosis of infundibulum and pulmonary valve in 14 cases,main pul- monary trunk and left/right pulmonary arteries stenosis in 74 cases,and pulmonary atresia in 5 cases.Autologousper- icardial conduit,or with waived were used for right ventricular outflow tract and right ventriculo-pulmonary artery connection.Other anomalies were corrected.Results The surgicalmortality was 4.0 %.The cause of death were se- rious low cardiac output syndrome(3 patients),respiratory function failure(1 patient),pericadial infection(1 pa- tient).Conclusion It is necessary to profonn corrective opration on younger TOF patients.Effetive prophylaxis and control of low cardiac output syndrome and pulmonary complication is a useful strategy.

Effects of smoke inhalation injury on the phagocytic function of rat alveolar macrophage and on neutrophil apoptosis / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of smoke inhalation injury on the phagocytic function of rat alveolar macrophages and neutrophil apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats inflicted with smoke inhalation injury were employed in the study. Fifty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (N, n = 6) and inhalation injury (I, n = 48) groups. Alveolar macrophages were harvested from the BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) in I group of rats at 2, 6, 12 and 24 postburn hours (PBHs) and on 2, 3, 4 and 5 postburn days (PBDs). The dynamic change in the phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes by alveolar macrophages in vitro was observed. The positive rate of myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining of alveolar macrophages (AMs) by MPO staining method was observed, so as to indirectly reflect neutrophil apoptosis and the phagocytosis o apoptotic neutrophils by AMs. Furthermore, the dynamic change in the inflammatory cell apoptosis within BALF was monitored by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) he phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes by AMs was decreased during early postburn stage (2 - 6 PBHs) but recovered after 12 PBHs. (2) The positive MPO staining of AMs was increased gradually after injury and reached top level at 24 PBHs, but decreased during 2 - 5 PBDs. (3) The apoptotic rate within BALF was around 3.02% - 12.95% and rose to peak value at 24 PBHs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was increased apoptosis of inflammatory cells within BALF. The resolution process of inflammation after smoke inhalation injury involved neutrophil apoptosis and the phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by AMs.</p>