Ureterocalicostomy for complex upper ureteral stricture: a narrative review of the current literature.

Upper ureteral stricture is a relatively rare but increasingly encountered condition in clinical practice. While simple stricture can often be addressed through endoluminal treatment or surgical reconstruction, complex upper ureteral stricture poses challenges, particularly in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) or perirenal pelvic fibrosis and scarring resulting from previous surgeries. These cases present difficulties for traditional endoluminal and ureteral reconstruction treatments, posing a significant problem for many clinical surgeons. Our study involved a thorough search and comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on Ureterocalicostomy (UC). The literature indicates that UC is a safe and effective treatment for ureteral stenosis. By resecting the renal lower pole parenchyma, it is possible to achieve mucosal anastomosis between the calyceal and ureteral mucosa, leading to the restoration of normal urinary excretion. This technique has emerged as an alternative for treating complex upper ureteral strictures. However, there is a lack of direct comparative studies between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Our findings revealed a scarcity of relevant review documents, with most being case reports or retrospective studies conducted in single centers with small sample sizes. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct large-scale, multicenter prospective studies and long-term follow-up to validate the long-term efficacy of UC. This article reviews the development history of UC and focuses on a comprehensive discussion of its indications, surgical techniques, and complications.

Efficacy and safety of Fufang Xueshuantong Capsules in combination with conventional drugs in the treatment of glaucoma: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Fufang Xueshuantong Capsules (FFXST) in combination with conventional drugs in the treatment of glaucoma using meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). METHODS: Clinical trials of FFXST for glaucoma were identified in 8 databases until November 2022, and studies were included for meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. RESULTS: In terms of efficacy endpoints, meta-analysis showed that the combination group of FFXST significantly improved clinical effective rate (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.20-1.39, P < .00001), visual function (MD 0.04, 95% CI 0.04-0.05, P < .00001), light sensitivity (MD 6.07, 95% CI 4.63-7.51, P < .00001), end-systolic blood flow velocity (MD 2.68, 95% CI 2.19-3.16, P < .00001) and end-diastolic blood flow velocity (MD 2.07, 95% CI 1.86-2.28, P < .00001), and significantly reduced total gray-scale value (MD -64.38, 95% CI -69.08 to -59.68, P < .00001) and defect of visual field (MD -3.40, 95% CI -4.11 to -2.69, P < .00001) compared with the conventional regimen group, while the pulsatility index and resistance index were comparable. The TSA indicated that these benefits were conclusive. In terms of safety endpoints, meta-analysis demonstrated that total drug-related adverse events in the combination group of FFXST were comparable to those in the conventional regimen group, with TSA showing that more studies are needed to validate the current results. CONCLUSION: FFXST may be a safety and effective supplementary strategy for the treatment of glaucoma, which is worthy of further research.

Bioinspired Conductive Enhanced Polyurethane Ionic Skin as Reliable Multifunctional Sensors.

Ionogels prepared from ionic liquid (IL) have the characteristics of nonevaporation and stable performance relative to traditional hydrogels. However, the conductivities of commonly used ionogels are at very low relative to traditional hydrogels because the large sizes of the cation and anion in an IL impedes ion migration in polymer networks. In this study, ultradurable ionogels with suitable mechanical properties and high conductivities are prepared by impregnating IL into a safe, environmentally friendly water-based polyurethane (WPU) network by mimicking the ion transport channels in the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. The increase in electrical conductivity is attributed to the introduction of carboxylic acid in the hard segment of WPU; this phenomenon regularly arranges hard segment structural domains by hydrogen bonding, forming ionic conduction channels. The conductivities of their ionogels are >28-39 mS cm-1 . These ionogels have adjustable mechanical properties that make the Young's modulus value (0.1-0.6 MPa) similar to that of natural skin. The strain sensor has an ultrahigh sensitivity that ranges from 0.99 to 1.35, with a wide sensing range of 0.1%-200%. The findings are promising for various ionotronics requiring environmental stability and high conductivity characteristics.

Silk fibroin based wearable electrochemical sensors with biomimetic enzyme-like activity constructed for durable and on-site health monitoring.

Flexible biomimetic sensors have encountered a bottleneck of sensitivity and durability, as the sensors must directly work within complex body fluid with ultra-trace biomarkers. In this work, a wearable electrochemical sensor on a modified silk fibroin substrate is developed using gold nanoparticles hosted into N-doped porous carbonizated silk fibroin (AuNPs@CSF) as active materials. Taking advantage of the inherent biocompatibility and flexibility of CSF, and the high stability and enzyme-like catalytic activity of AuNPs, AuNPs@CSF-based sensor exhibits durable stability and superior sensitivity to monitor H2O2 released from cancer cell (4T1) and glucose in sweat. The detection limits for H2O2 and glucose are low to be 1.88 µM and 23 µM respectively, and the sensor can be applied in succession within 30 days at room temperature. Further, physical cross-linking of polyurethane (PU) with SF well matches with the skin tissue mechanically and provides a flexible, robust and stable electrode-tissue interface. AuNPs@CSF is applied successfully for wearable electrochemical monitoring of glucose in human sweat.The present AuNPs@CSF will possess a potential application in clinical diagnosing of H2O2- or glucose-related diseases in future.

A Matrix-Metalloproteinase-Responsive Hydrogel System for Modulating the Immune Microenvironment in Myocardial Infarction.

Injectable hydrogels carrying therapeutic factors to modulate the infarct immune microenvironment show great potential in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). However, conventional injectable hydrogels release therapeutic factors in an uncontrolled manner, which leads to poor treatment efficacy and acute side effects on normal tissues. In this work, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2/9-responsive hydrogel system (MPGC4) is developed, considering the characteristics of the post-MI microenvironment. MPGC4 consists of tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels and a composite gene nanocarrier (CTL4) that is composed of carbon dots (CDots) coupled with interleukin-4 plasmid DNA via electrostatic interactions. MPGC4 can be automatically triggered to release CTL4 on demand after MI to regulate the infarct immune microenvironment. In addition, due to the photoluminescence properties of CDots, a large amount of viscoelastic MPGC4 is found to be retained in situ after injection into the infarct region without leakage. The in vitro results demonstrate that CTL4 promotes proinflammatory M1 macrophage polarization to the anti-inflammatory M2 subtype and contributes to cardiomyocyte survival through macrophage transition. In a rat model of MI, MPGC4 clears MMPs and precisely targets CTL4 to the infarcted region. In particular, MPGC4 improves cardiac function by modulating macrophage transition to reduce early inflammatory responses and proangiogenic activity.

Recurrence risk assessment for stage III colorectal cancer based on five methylation biomarkers in plasma cell-free DNA.

For stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with a high risk of recurrence, intensified adjuvant chemotherapy can improve overall survival. We aimed to develop a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) methylation marker model for predicting the relapse risk of stage III CRC patients. Differentially methylated markers identified between 53 normal mucosa samples and 165 CRC tissue samples, as well as between plasma samples from 75 stage I/II (early-stage) CRC patients and 55 stage IV (late-stage) CRC patients, were analyzed using Student's t-tests. The overlapping methylation markers shared by plasma and tissue samples were used to establish a methylation marker model to evaluate the tumor burden in the peripheral blood of CRC patients using the random forest method. This model was verified in the validation cohort (n = 44) and then applied to predict recurrence risk in 50 stage III CRC patients and monitor the clinical disease course in serial samples from four CRC patients. We built a five-marker-based ctDNA methylation model that had high sensitivity (84.21%) and specificity (84%) in identifying late-stage CRC in a validation cohort containing 24 stage I/II CRC patients and 20 stage IV CRC patients. The model achieved high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (94.12%) in predicting tumor relapse in an independent cohort of 50 stage III CRC patients and could be an independent recurrence risk factor for stage III patients [Hazard ratio (HR), 60.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.68-397; p = 9.73e-5]. Analysis of serial blood samples of CRC showed that the model could monitor disease relapse earlier than imaging examination and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and so may provide an opportunity for the early adjustment of therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the model could potentially monitor the clinical course and treatment response dynamically. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

HAO1-mediated oxalate metabolism promotes lung pre-metastatic niche formation by inducing neutrophil extracellular traps.

Metabolic reprogramming has been shown to be involved in cancer-induced pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation, but the underlying mechanisms have been insufficiently explored. Here, we showed that hydroxyacid oxidase 1 (HAO1), a rate-limiting enzyme of oxalate synthesis, was upregulated in the alveolar epithelial cells of mice bearing metastatic breast cancer cells at the pre-metastatic stage, leading to oxalate accumulation in lung tissue. Lung oxalate accumulation induced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation by activating NADPH oxidase, which facilitated the formation of pre-metastatic niche. In addition, lung oxalate accumulation promoted the proliferation of metastatic cancer cells by activating the MAPK signaling pathway. Pharmacologic inhibition of HAO1 could effectively suppress the lung oxalate accumulation induced by primary cancer, consequently dampening lung metastasis of breast cancer. Breast cancer cells induced HAO1 expression and oxalate accumulation in alveolar epithelial cells by activating TLR3-IRF3 signaling. Collectively, these findings underscore the role of HAO1-mediated oxalate metabolism in cancer-induced lung PMN formation and metastasis. HAO1 could be an appealing therapeutic target for preventing lung metastasis of cancer.

Reinforcement of Silk Microneedle Patches for Accurate Transdermal Delivery.

Microneedles (MNs) have attracted considerable attention in the pharmaceutical field as a minimally invasive delivery alternative to hypodermic needles. Current material systems of MNs have gradually shifted from metals, ceramics, and silicon to polymer in consideration of toughness and drug loading capacity. Silk fibroin (SF) is considered one of the most promising alternatives because it combines the ability to maintain the activity of biomolecules, adjustable mechanical strength, and excellent biocompatibility. However, the strength and hardness of SF MNs need to be carefully optimized to ensure skin epidermis penetration and controlled drug release, which are rarely explored in reported works. Here, the synergistic effect of glutaraldehyde-based cross-linking and water vapor annealing post-treatment is presented as an effective method to promote the formation of SF molecular networks and the mechanical strength of SF MNs. Moreover, the reinforced MN substrate is coated with a drug-loaded SF layer with low crystallinity. The drug release experiments demonstrate the successful controlled release of rhodamine B, horseradish peroxidase, and tetracycline, which suggests the great potential in the application of vaccine, antibiosis, cosmetology, and so forth.

Inhibition of CCL7 derived from Mo-MDSCs prevents metastatic progression from latency in colorectal cancer.

In colorectal cancer (CRC), overt metastases often appear after years of latency. But the signals that cause micro-metastatic cells to remain indolent, thereby enabling them to survive for extended periods of time, are unclear. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to explore the co-localization of CCL7 and CCR2. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were employed to detect the characters of metastatic HT29 cells in mice liver. Flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the immune cells. Bruberin vivo MS FX Pro Imager was used to observe the liver metastasis of CRC in mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were employed to detect the expressions of related proteins. Trace RNA sequencing was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in MDSCs from liver micro-M and macro-M of CRC in mice. Here, we firstly constructed the vitro dormant cell models and metastatic dormant animal models of colorectal cancer. Then we found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were increased significantly from liver micro-metastases to macro-metastases of CRC in mice. Moreover, monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSC) significantly promoted the dormant activation of micro-metastatic cells compared to polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSC). Mechanistically, CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs bound with membrane protein CCR2 of micro-metastatic cells and then stimulated the JAK/STAT3 pathway to activate the dormant cells. Low-dose administration of CCL7 and MDSCs inhibitors in vivo could significantly maintain the CRC metastatic cells dormant status for a long time to reduce metastasis or recurrence after radical operation. Clinically, the level of CCL7 in blood was positively related to the number of Mo-MDSCs in CCR patients, and highly linked with the short-time recurrence and distant metastasis. CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs plays an important role in initiating the outgrowth of metastatic latent CRC cells. Inhibition of CCL7 might provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of metastasis recurrence.

GFPT2 promotes metastasis and forms a positive feedback loop with p65 in colorectal cancer.

As a rate-limiting enzyme of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP), which is responsible for glycosylation, Glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase 2 (GFPT2) is involved in human breast and lung tumorigenesis. However, whether GFTP2 is associated with tumor metastasis remains unclear. Here, we found that GFPT2 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Mechanically, p65 acted as an upstream transcription factor of GFPT2 and regulated its expression and function. In turn, GFPT2 enhanced the glycosylation of p65, which led to the nuclear translocation of p65 and then activated NF-κB pathway. Thus, GFTP2 and p65 formed a positive feedback loop to promote the progression of CRC. In addition, GFPT2 was up-regulated in CRC tissues and closely related with liver metastasis (P<0.0001) and tumor stage (P=0.0184). High expression of GFPT2 predicted poor prognosis for CRC patients. Moreover, GFTP2 expression was positively linked with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase in CRC tissues. Our study reveals a new mechanism of GFPT2 in CRC metastasis and provides a new target therapeutic target to deter metastasis.

FBX8 promotes metastatic dormancy of colorectal cancer in liver.

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) often develop malignant regrowth of metastatic dormant tumor cells in liver years after primary treatment. FBX8 is involved in suppressing tumor metastasis. Short-term chemotherapy experiments and liver metastasis mice model of orthotopic injection into the cecum were performed to construct the dormant models. GST-pull-down assay, Co-IP and immunofluorescence were used to confirm the bindings among FBX8 and its substrates. FBX8 upregulated the expression of epithelial and stemness markers, while downregulated the expression of mesenchymal and proliferative markers associated with tumor cell dormancy. FBX8 promoted the maintenance of metastatic dormancy of CRC cells. Mechanistically, FBX8 directly bound to HIF-1α, CDK4 and C-myc through its Sec7 domain and led to the ubiquitin degradation of these proteins, thereby inhibiting cell cycle progression, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Clinically, FBX8 expression was negatively correlated with the HIF-1α, CDK4, and c-Myc in CRC tissues. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of FBX8 in regulating tumor metastatic dormancy in liver and provides new strategies for the treatment of CRC metastasis.

Cancer-derived exosomal miR-25-3p promotes pre-metastatic niche formation by inducing vascular permeability and angiogenesis.

Cancer-derived exosomes are considered a major driver of cancer-induced pre-metastatic niche formation at foreign sites, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that miR-25-3p, a metastasis-promoting miRNA of colorectal cancer (CRC), can be transferred from CRC cells to endothelial cells via exosomes. Exosomal miR-25-3p regulates the expression of VEGFR2, ZO-1, occludin and Claudin5 in endothelial cells by targeting KLF2 and KLF4, consequently promotes vascular permeability and angiogenesis. In addition, exosomal miR-25-3p from CRC cells dramatically induces vascular leakiness and enhances CRC metastasis in liver and lung of mice. Moreover, the expression level of miR-25-3p from circulating exosomes is significantly higher in CRC patients with metastasis than those without metastasis. Our work suggests that exosomal miR-25-3p is involved in pre-metastatic niche formation and may be used as a blood-based biomarker for CRC metastasis.

Emerging roles of circRNA_001569 targeting miR-145 in the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a large class of RNAs, have recently shown huge capabilities as gene regulators in mammals. Some of them bind with microRNAs (miRNAs) and act as natural miRNA sponges to inhibit related miRNAs' activities. Here we showed that hsa_circ_001569 acted as a positive regulator in cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, hsa_circ_001569 was identified as a sponge of miR-145 and up-regulated miR-145 functional targets E2F5, BAG4 and FMNL2. In CRC tissues, circ_001569 negatively correlated with miR-145, and miR-145 correlated negatively with E2F5, BAG4 and FMNL2 expressions. Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of circ_001569 in cell proliferation and invasion in CRC, provides a comprehensive landscape of circ_001569 that will facilitate further biomarker discoveries in the progression of CRC.

Witnessing magnetic twist with high-resolution observation from the 1.6-m New Solar Telescope.

Magnetic flux ropes are highly twisted, current-carrying magnetic fields. They are crucial for the instability of plasma involved in solar eruptions, which may lead to adverse space weather effects. Here we present observations of a flaring using the highest resolution chromospheric images from the 1.6-m New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory, supplemented by a magnetic field extrapolation model. A set of loops initially appear to peel off from an overall inverse S-shaped flux bundle, and then develop into a multi-stranded twisted flux rope, producing a two-ribbon flare. We show evidence that the flux rope is embedded in sheared arcades and becomes unstable following the enhancement of its twists. The subsequent motion of the flux rope is confined due to the strong strapping effect of the overlying field. These results provide a first opportunity to witness the detailed structure and evolution of flux ropes in the low solar atmosphere.

Applied anatomy for pituitary adenoma resection.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial tumors, with a rising incidence in China. Excision is a mainstay therapy for this disease, and is often carried out via transfrontal, transsphenoidal or transpterional approaches. However, few studies have systematically addressed the regional anatomy involved in these microsurgical procedures. The present study attempted to establish some key anatomic measurements relevant to pituitary adenoma resection based on cadaver and computer tomography (CT) image studies. METHODS: Head specimens from 30 randomly selected formalin-fixed adult cadavers were used for anatomical analysis. Measurements were made on the base of the skull following removal of brain structures above the pituitary gland, and on the mid-sagittal plane of the cranium. Parameters were designed by considering the 3 above-mentioned common microsurgical approaches, and obtained on each head using a sliding caliper. Multi-level CT images from 30 individuals were also used for distance measurements between landmark structures that are relevant to these surgeries. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS 11.5 software. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) of distance measured on cadavers relative to CT images in 3 sets of measurements related to the transfrontal surgical approach, i.e., distances from the midpoint of superciliary arch superior border to the cranial entrance of internal carotid arteries (ICAs), the opposite side entrance of ICA and to the genu of ICA. While regional anatomical analyses were carried out according to the transpterional approach, statistically significant difference was also found in 3 sets of distance measurements between cadaver and CT image data, with regard to the distances between the pterion and some landmark structures around the pituitary. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides key anatomical and CT image measurements involving the 3 conventionally used surgical approaches for pituitary tumor resection. The data implicate that while CT scan results can provide valuable guidelines for operations, cautions and adjustments are needed during surgery for sufficient tumor excision and protection of key blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity of the pituitary gland and around the surgical pathway.

[Effects of Huoxue Tongmai Lishui method on fundus fluorescein angiography of non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion: a randomized controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: Huoxue Tongmai Lishui method, a traditional Chinese medicine treatment for eliminating water, activating and promoting blood circulation, could inhibit fundus hemorrhage on experimental retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with high obvious effective rate, and improve symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine. The action mechanism may be related to reducing plasma viscosity and non-perfusion area, and the formation of collateral circulation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects of Huoxue Tongmai Lishui method (Sanxue Mingmu Tablet) on fundus fluorescent angiograph of non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Thirty-four patients with non-ischemic RVO in Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2005 to April 2009 were included. All the patients were diagnosed as qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome or hyperactivity of liver yang syndrome, and they were randomly divided into two groups, with 17 eyes of 17 patients in treatment group treated by Sanxue Mingmu Tablet combined with conventional treatment, and 18 eyes of 17 patients in control group treated by Xueshuantong Tablet combined with conventional treatment. The patients were treated for two months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fundus colour photography, and fundus fluorescent angiograph were detected in two groups before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The curative effect of Sanxue Mingmu Tablet was better than that of Xueshuantong Tablet. Huoxue Tongmai Lishui method could significantly shorten the retinal circulation time, reduce the non-perfusion area, decrease the formation of angiogenesis and promote the formation of collateral circulation. CONCLUSION: Huoxue Tongmai Lishui method is an effective traditional Chinese medicine treatment with high obvious effective rate in reducing non-perfusion area and avoiding venous occlusion and formation of collateral circulation.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide dynamics in rat dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord following different sciatic nerve injuries.

We examined calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression dynamics in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and spinal cords of adult rats subjected to one of the following three types of unilateral sciatic nerve injury: crush (SNC), ligation (SNL), or transection combined with subsequent neurorrhaphy (SNT). Following SNC, CGRP immunoreactivity (IR) was increased in ipsilateral primary sensory neurons of L4-L5 DRGs, laminae I-II and spinal motoneurons; an area of CGRP-labeled fibers in ipsilateral laminae III-V was also increased in size following SNC. CGRP up-regulation exhibited a distinct temporospatial pattern and expression levels had returned to baseline levels by the end of the 28-day test period. Similar to SNC, SNT also resulted in an increase of CGRP-IR in these areas, though to a slightly lesser degree in the three latter areas. By contrast SNL, which is associated with complete blockade of axonal transport, induced a sustained decrease in CGRP-IR in primary sensory neurons of L4-L5 DRGs and superficial laminae (I-IIo), as well as in an ipsilateral area occupied by CGRP-labeled fibers. Interestingly, SNL did not affect CGRP-IR in spinal motoneurons, but did result in an accumulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) distal to ligature that was apparent as early as 1 day post-injury and persisted throughout the experimental period. These findings indicate that the nature of peripheral nerve injury has an impact on CGRP expression dynamics and that the response involves target tissues in vivo. Our results have important implications for elucidating the mechanisms of nerve regeneration.

[Applied anatomy of inferior epigastric artery in coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the inferior epigastric artery(IEA),coronary artery and arterial bridge to supply the anatomic and hemodynamic data of IEA in coronary artery bypass grafting for clinicians. METHODS: Anatomic method was adopted to measure the length of IEA, arterial bridge, the outer diameter of IEA and coronary arteries. Colour doppler ultrasound instrument was adopted to measure the caliber and the blood flow rate of IEA and coronary artery. RESULTS: In the anatomic method, the length of IEA was (13.00+/-2.58)cm and the caliber of original IEA was (2.95+/-0.21)mm, the caliber of IEA intersecting with abdomen rectus was (2.51+/-0.32)mm, and (1.60+/-0.26)mm at 1.0 cm below the umbilicus. In color doppler ultrasound method, the caliber of original IEA was (2.98+/-0.37)mm, and at 5 cm from the original spot was (2.60+/-0.27)mm. The blood flow rate was (57.00+/-6.78)cm/s. The main stem caliber of the left coronary artery was (4.90+/-0.76)mm, and that of the right coronary artery was (3.58+/-0.63)mm; the blood flow rate was (48.50+/-7.72)cm/s. The length of the arterial bridge was (10.95+/-1.35) approximately (15.30+/-2.82)cm. CONCLUSION: IEA can bridge the aorta and the coronary artery branches including the left anterior descending branch, the left circumflex branch and the right main coronary artery in free grafting. Its caliber and blood flow rate can match with those of the coronary artery. Before the operation of applying color doppler ultrasound instrument, the safety of IEA in the coronary artery bypass grafting can be evaluated to provide a new safe method in clinical follow-up.

[Effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on the peripheral nerve regeneration of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of exogenous transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFbeta1) on peripheral nerve regeneration after the peripheral nerve injury and if TGFbeta1 regulates the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the anterior horn motoneurons of spinal cord during regeneration. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were crushed on the right sciatic nerve and then randomly divided into 2 groups: TGFbeta1 group and NS group. In TGFbeta1 group, TGFbeta1 50 microL (0.1 microg/mL) was injected into the proximal nerve near to the crushed nerve and after the operation the injured leg was injected with equal TGFbeta1 whereas the NS was replaced in the NS group. The rats of each group survived for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after the lesion. The bFGF expression in the anterior horn motoneurons of spinal cord was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Semi-thin section and Fast Blue retrograde tracing were also performed with the rats surviving for 21 days to observe the regeneration of distal end in the injured right sciatic nerve. RESULTS: The number of bFGF immunoreactive positive motoneurons in TGFbeta1 group was obviously higher than that of the NS group (P < 0.05). In the distal sciatic nerve of the rats treated with TGFbeta1, the number and diameter of regenerating myelinated axons and the thickness of myelinated sheath were more than those of the NS group (P < 0.05). The number of motoneurons in spinal cord and neurons in dorsol root ganglia (DRG) labelled with Fast Blue in the NS group was obviously lower than in the TGFbeta1 group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exogenous TGFbeta1 plays an important role in promoting the peripheral nerve regeneration; TGFbeta1 up-regulates the bFGF expression in the anterior horn motoneurons of spinal cord during the peripheral nerve regeneration.

[Bridging rat sciatic nerve defects with the composite nerve-muscle autografts wrapped with human amnion matrix membrane].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of bridging the sciatic nerve defects with the composite nerve-muscle (NM) autografts wrapped with human amnion matrix membrane (HAMM) in rats. METHODS: Fifty-four Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups (n = 18), and about 10 mm of right sciatic nerve defects were bridged with the composite NM autografts, the nerve autografts and the denatured skeletal muscle autografts respectively (Group A, B, and C), and all grafts were wrapped with HAMM. After the operation, the regenerated nerves were assessed by Fast blue retrograde tracing, neurofilament (NF) immnohistochemical staining, regenerated axons counting, measuring the diameter and myelin thickness of the regenerated axons, and quantifying the wet weight of tibialis anterior muscle. RESULTS: In Group A and B, there were more fluorescent-labeled cells in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord than in Group C. The regenerated NFs were sparse and disordered in Group C, but dense and regular in Group A and B. Group A and Group B showed results superior to Group C as to other histologic and morphologic characters (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between Group A and B (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The composite NM autografts wrapped with HAMM in this study can well bridge and repair sciatic nerve defects in rats.