Epigenetic modifications of histone H3 during the transdifferentiation of Thy-1(+) Lin(­) bone marrow cells into hepatocytes.

The epigenetic modifications during the transdifferentiation of adult stem cells remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the histone H3 modifications during the transdifferentiation of rat Thy­1(+) Lin(­) bone marrow cells into hepatocytes in vitro were examined, which involved performing hepatocyte growth factor-mediated transdifferentiation of bone marrow Thy-1(+) Lin(­) cells into hepatic lineage cells. Subsequently, the hepatocyte-specific markers, cytokeratin­18 (CK­18), albumin (ALB) and α­fetoprotein (AFP) were examined by immunofluorescence staining or reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Changes in the key pluripotency factor, octamer­binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and histone modifications, including the dimethylation and acetylation of H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2 and H3K9ac), lysine 14 (H3K14me2 and H3K14ac) and lysine 27 (H3K27me2 and H3K27ac), were also investigated by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining or western blot analysis The mRNA expression levels of AFP and ALB were detected in the bone marrow stem cell­derived hepatic lineage cells on days 7 and 14 following induction, and CK­18 was detected on day 14 following induction. During the transdifferentiation of the bone marrow Thy­1(+) Lin(­) cells into hepatocytes, the mRNA expression of OCT4 was significantly reduced, and the levels of H3K9me2, H3K9ac, H3K14me2, H3K14ac, H3K27me2 and H3K27ac were increased significantly, compared with the levels at baseline (P<0.05). Therefore, the results of the present study demonstrated that histone H3 modifications at lysine 9, 14 and 27 are involved in the regulation of transcription during the transdifferentiation of bone marrow stem cells to hepatic lineage cells.

[Effects of abdominal compartment syndrome on circulation and respiratory function in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rabbit model of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and evaluate the impact of ACS on cardiovascular and respiratory functions and blood electrolyte levels in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups, namely the normal control group, ACS(5>\) group [intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)=5 mmHg], ACS(10) group (IAP=10 mmHg) and ACS(20) group (IAP=20 mmHg). ACS model was established by intra- abdominal bleeding (IAB) with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). All the data were recorded 1 h after inducing IAH including cardiovascular parameters (LVSP, LVEDP, ∓dp/dt max, SP, DP, HR, CVP), respiratory function (RR, PaO(2), PaCO(2), [HCO(3)(-)]), blood pH, and electrolyte level ([K(+)]). RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal control group, ACS20 group showed significantly decreased LVSP, LVEDP, ∓dp/dt max, SP, DP, HR, RR, PaO(2), [HCO(3)(-)], and blood pH but increased CVP, PaCO(2), and K(+) (P<0.05). In ACS(10) group, all the parameters except for RR and PaO(2) showed similar changes as seen in ACS(20) group (P<0.05) but with lower amplitudes of variations. In ACS(5) group, only LVSP and HR were reduced remarkably (P<0.05) while the other parameters showed no significant variations. CONCLUSION: IAB plus IAH may cause damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory functions and lead to ACS in rabbits.

[Effects of somatostatin in a rabbit model of abdominal compartment syndrome induced by prolonged intra-abdominal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rabbit model of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) induced by prolonged intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and evaluate the therapeutic effect of somatostatin on ACS. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand rabbits were randomized equally into normal saline (NS) group and somatostatin group. ACS model was established by intra-abdominal bleeding (IAB) and intra-abdominal infusion with nitrogen gas to achieve an intra-abdominal pressure of 15 mmHg. The hemodynamics (SP, HR, CVP), hepatic function (ALT), renal function (BUN), antioxidation level (SOD, MDA) and blood electrolyte level (pH, [Na(+)], [Cl(-)], [CaNa(2+)], [KNa(+)]) of the rabbits were recorded 1-6 h after establishment of IAH. RESULTS: Prolonged IAH caused decreased hemodynamic functions and antioxidation level as well as hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia (P<0.05), but these changes showed no significant differences between NS group and somatostatin group. CONCLUSION: Prolonged IAH causes cardiovascular function damages in rabbits possibly related to acidosis, electrolyte disturbances, and oxidative damage due to tissue ischemia and hypoxia. Somatostatin produces no obvious protective effects against the occurrence and progression of ACS.

Dieulafoy's lesion with intra-abdominal haemorrhage: a novel association.

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon but important cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, especially with respect to the upper gastrointestinal tract wherein massive, life-threatening haemorrhage occurs from a calibre-persistent submucosal artery. This report describes a case of a 60-year-old man with gastric Dieulafoy's lesion presenting with exogastric haemorrhage, which was diagnosed following a pathological examination.

[Laparoscopic detection and treatment of closed abdominal trauma in 39 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical value of laparoscopy in the detection and treatment of closed abdominal trauma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 39 patients with closed abdominal trauma detected and treated laparoscopically. RESULTS: All the injuries were successfully diagnosed with laparoscopy, and surgical treatment was performed under laparoscope or with the assistance of laparoscopy in 35 cases, with the other 4 cases requiring conventional laparotomy. All the patients recovered smoothly without operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy may reach definite diagnosis with avoidance of negative exploratory laparotomy, and laparoscopic surgery is possible to replace conventional therapeutic laparotomy for these injuries. With minimum invasion and small incisions, laparoscopy facilitates rapid postoperative recovery at the minimal risk of operative injuries.

Clinical significance of positron emission tomography for lymphoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics and clinical significance of positron emission tomography (PET) examination for malignant lymphoma. METHODS: PET examination was performed in 20 patients with malignant lymphoma, among whom 16 also received examination by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: PET was found to have better diagnostic efficiency than CT or MRI examination and the former provided referential information in all the cases for estimation of the clinical stage, while CT and MRI were helpful in only 66.7% of the cases. FDG uptake as demonstrated by PET helped the assessment of the malignancies and prognosis, according to which treatment adjustment was implemented in 20 cases, resulting in a efficacy rate of 85.7%. CONCLUSION: By integrating morphological and metabolic observations, PET is a superior diagnostic modality in terms of systemic identification, early detection, quantitative analysis, evaluating metabolic function of lesion monitoring therapeutic effect and making prognostic assessment of malignant lymphoma. In spite of the safety of PET examination, false positive results were not eliminated and blood sugar in patients with diabetes might be transiently affected by the tracing agents.