Investigating the role of Zibai ointment on apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax in wound healing after anal fistula surgery.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the impact of Zibai ointment on wound healing by analyzing the expression levels of two key apoptosis-related factors-B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), in patients following surgery for anal fistula. METHODS: We included 90 patients with anal fistulas who were treated in the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with Zibai ointment (n = 45) or petroleum jelly (n = 45). The levels of apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cell apoptosis was assessed using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: The results of ELISA showed that on Day 21 after the surgery, the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in the Zibai ointment group were significantly different compared to the petroleum jelly group, with values of (60.11 ± 1.31) ng/mL and (7.05 ± 0.01) versus (83.79 ± 1.74) ng/mL and (6.00 ± 0.05) ng/mL, respectively (p < .05). Furthermore, light microscopy revealed a large number of apoptotic cells within the field of vision 14 days postsurgery in the Zibai ointment group, and the healing time in the Zibai ointment group was significantly different from that in the petroleum jelly group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: We found that Zibai ointment effectively promoted wound healing in patients following anal fistula surgery, possibly by regulating Bcl-2 and Bax apoptosis-related factors.

Intramolecular addition of diarylmethanols to imines promoted by KOt-Bu/DMF: a new synthetic approach to indole derivatives.

KOt-Bu/DMF promoted intramolecular addition of diarylmethanols to imines was developed. A series of 2,3-disubstituted indoles was obtained in good yields. A reaction mechanism of radical cyclization and subsequent dehydration is proposed.

Direct inter- and intramolecular addition of amides to arylalkenes promoted by KOt-Bu/DMF.

Direct addition of tetrahydroisoquinoline derived amides to arylalkenes has been achieved in the presence of KOt-Bu/DMF. Both intermolecular and intramolecular reactions could occur in good yields. α-Amido alkyl radicals are proposed to be generated under the reaction conditions. The reaction is efficient for the synthesis of seven-membered nitrogen heterocycles. A homoprotoberberine was prepared conveniently via this method.

DEVD-based hydrogelator minimizes cellular apoptosis induction.

Herein, we report the rational design of a DEVD-based heptapeptide hydrogelator 1 which is susceptible to caspase-3 (CASP3), and its isomeric control hydrogelator 2 with a DEDV-based heptapeptide sequence. Self-assembly of 1 in water results in flexuous, long nanofibers to form supramolecular hydrogel I with higher mechanical strength than that of hydrogel II which is composed of rigid, short nanofibers of 2. In vitro enzymatic analysis indicated that 1 is susceptive to CASP3 while 2 is not. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Western blot analyses indicated that DEDV-based hydrogelator 2 induces cell death via apoptotic pathway while the DEVD-based hydrogelator 1 minimizes cellular apoptosis induction.

1,1'-Di-n-butyl-4,4'-bipyridinium 2.375-bromido-1.625-chloridocadmate.

The title salt, (C(18)H(26)N(2))[CdBr(2.375)Cl(1.625)], consists of non-inter-acting cations and tetra-hedral cadmate(II) anions. The halogen atoms are all disordered, the bromine components being in 0.9035 (17):0.0965 (17), 0.6581 (18):0.3419 (18), 0.5019 (19):0.4981 (19) and 0.6847 (19):0.3153 (18) ratios. The aromatic rings of the cation are twisted by 25.0 (1)°.

1,1'-Methyl-enedipyridinium dichloride monohydrate.

In the crystal structure of the title salt, C(11)H(12)N(2) (2+)·2Cl(-)·H(2)O, the dication adopts a butterfly shape [dihedral angle between rings = 69.0 (1)°] with the water mol-ecule lying in the V-shaped cavity. Each O-H bond of the water molecule lies parallel to an aromatic ring and forms an O-H⋯Cl inter-action to a chloride anion. The methyl-ene C atom in the dication and the water O atoms lie on special positions of twofold site symmetry.

Quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion defects with real-time three-dimensional myocardial contrast echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of measurement of myocardial perfusion defects with intravenous contrast-enhanced real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (CE-RT3DE). METHODS: RT3DE was performed in 21 open-chest mongrel dogs undergoing acute ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD, n = 14) or distal branch of the left circumflex artery (LCX, n = 7). A perfluorocarbon microbubble contrast agent was injected intravenously to assess the resulting myocardial perfusion defects with Philips Sonos-7500 ultrasound system. Evans blue dye was injected into the occluded coronary artery for subsequent anatomic identification of underperfused myocardium. In vitro anatomic measurement of myocardial mass after removal of the animal's heart was regarded as the control. Blinded off-line calculation of left ventricular mass and perfusion defect mass from RT3DE images were performed using an interactive aided-manual tracing technique. RESULTS: Total left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass ranged from 38.9 to 78.5 (mean +/- SD: 60.0 +/- 10.1) g. The mass of perfusion defect ranged from 0 to 21.4 (mean +/- SD: 12.0 +/- 5.0) g or 0 to 27% of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 19% +/- 6%). The RT3DE estimation of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 59.8 +/- 9.9 g) strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0.98; y = 2.01 + 0.96x). The CE-RT3DE calculation of the mass of underperfused myocardium (mean +/- SD: 12. 3 +/- 5.3 g) also strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0. 96; y = - 0.10 + 1.04x) and when expressed as percentage of total LV mass (r = 0.95; y = -0.20 + 1.04x). CONCLUSIONS: RT3DE with myocardial contrast opacification could accurately estimate underperfused myocardial mass in dogs of acute coronary occlusion and would play an important role in quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with coronary artery disease.

[Clinical analysis of abnormal uterine bleeding treatment with Thermablate EAS].

OBJECTIVE: To study the two-year follow-up and contrast research for 182 patients by Thermablate EAS Uterine Balloon Therapy (UBT) or Transcervical Resection of Endometrium (TCRE). METHODS: We followed up 90 cases of UBT and 92 cases of TCRE between Oct. 2003 and June 2005. The mean age of UBT group was 49.4+/-9.4 (34-81) years, and that of TCRE group 46.6 +/-8.4 (35-74) years. The mean following-up for UBT group was 17.3+/- 5.0 (6-27) months, and that of TCRE group 17.5+/-4.1 (6-27) months. There was no noticeable difference of the high risk for complication between the two groups. The follow up happens twice a year one month after the operation. The follow up started in Dec. 2005. RESULTS: The chi(2) value of pain during operation between two groups is 12.744. The P value is 0.000. It has statistical significance. The pain of UBT group is heavier than TCRE. The chi(2) value of blood disappearance between two groups is 24.347. The P value is 0.000. It has statistical significance. The duration of the blood disappearance of UBT group is shorter than TCRE. The chi(2) value of discharge disappearance between two groups is 99.486. The P value is 0.000. It has statistical significance. The duration of the blood discharge of UBT group is shorter than TCRE. The chi(2) value of blood flow for two years after surgery between two groups is 4.708. The P value is 0.03. It has statistical significance. The blood flow of UBT group is much more decrease than TCRE. The chi(2) value of dysmenorrheal improved after surgery between two groups is 9.970. The P value is 0.002. It has statistical significance. The dysmenorrheal improved of UBT group is much better than TCRE. CONCLUSION: Thermablate EAS UBT is a new generation of endometrial ablation. Two years clinical observation shows that pain can be controlled by oral medicine for UBT group. The blood and discharge disappearance of UBT group is shorter than TCRE. Two years after the surgery the improvement of blood flow and dysmenorrheal released is much better than TCRE. However it probably will take longer time to show its long term effectiveness.

[Clinical study of hysteroscopic surgery for endometrial polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods of different types of hysteroscopic surgery for endometrial polyps. METHODS: A total of 109 cases by different ways by hysteroscopic surgery for endometrial polyp from October 2000 to May 2002 were followed up. The mean age was 45 +/- 9 (26 - 73) years. The mean follow-up was 12 +/- 5 (3 - 22) months. The patients of menstrual disorder were asked for filling in pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) before and after the surgery. RESULTS: By the PBAC there was significant difference between before and after the surgery (P = 0.001). After the surgery, among 84 polyps with menstrual disorder, 14 cases (16.7%) were amenorrhea, 26 cases (31.0%) spotting, other 24 cases reducing the amount. Thirty-four cases that had had anemia recovered in one month after the surgery. In 16 cases dysmenorrhea, 7 cases were recovered, 7 got better, and the other 2 got worse. Of 5 cases of infertility (3 were primary and 2 were secondary), 4 cases got pregnancy after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The polyp patient who had menstrual disorder without desire of fertility should undergo polypectomy with endometrial resection in order to avoid recurrence. The patient who has desire of fertility should undergo polypectomy merely. If she had polyp with polypoid hyperplasia she should undergo polypectomy with endometrial resection of superficial layer. The postmenopausal patient should perform polypectomy merely or polypectomy with endometrial ablation.