In order to investigate the protective effects of the overexpression of bcl-xl gene on local cerebral infarction in the transgenic mice subject to permanent occlusion of middle cerebral artery, the models of bcl-xl transgenic mice were established and subjected to cerebral infarction by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. The infarct volume and the neurological scores were observed and comparison between the wild type mice and the transgenic mice was made. It was found that the infarct volume and the neurological scores in the transgenic mice were significantly decreased as compared with those in the wild type mice. It was suggested that the overexpression of bcl-xl gene in transgenic mice could reduce the infarct volume and improve the neurological function of the mice.
To investigate the efficacy of a combination therapy on gluteal muscle contracture, 286 definitely diagnosed patients were subjected to surgical treatment, and then functional exercises and physical therapy. The patients with severe symptoms were asked to have a set of specially-designed functional exercises. All the patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months by hospital visit, correspondence or telephone interview. The effective rate was 100%, and the curative rate was up to 94.6%. Few patients developed complications and relapse was rare. It is concluded that the combination therapy, including surgical removal of diseased tissues, functional exercises and physical therapy, is an effective approach for the treatment of severe juvenile gluteal muscle contracture.
The myocardial viability after myocardial infarction was evaluated by intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography. Intravenous real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed on 18 patients with myocardial infarction before coronary revascularization. Follow-up echocardiography was performed 3 months after coronary revascularization. Segmental wall motion was assessed using 18-segment LV model and classified as normal, hypokinesis, akinesis and dyskinesis. Viable myocardium was defined by evident improvement of segmental wall motion 3 months after coronary revascularization. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by visual interpretation and divided into 3 conditions: homogeneous opacification; partial or reduced opaciflcation or subendocardial contrast defect; contrast defect. The former two conditions were used as the standard to define the viable myocardium. The results showed that 109 abnormal wall motion segments were detected among 18 patients with myocardial infarction, including 47 segments of hypokinesis, 56 segments of akinesis and 6 segments of dyskinesis. The wall motion of 2 segments with hypokinesis before coronary revascularization which showed homogeneous opacification, 14 of 24 segments with hypokinese and 20 of 24 segments with akinese before coronary revascularization which showed partial or reduced opaciflcation or subendocardial contrast defect was improved 3 months after coronary revascularization. In our study, the sensitivity and specificity of evaluation of myocardial viability after myocardial infarction by intravenous real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography were 94.7% and 78.9%, respectively. It was concluded that intravenous real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography could accurately evaluate myocardial viability after myocardial infarction.
Percutaneous nephrostomy was applied in some other urologic diseases and the efficacy was evaluated. Percutaneous nephrostomy for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) was performed in patients with various renal, perinephric and bladder diseases (n=79). The tract establishment, operation duration and complications were observed and the efficacy was assessed. The results showed that the tracts were successfully established in 79 cases. The operation lasted 4–20 min. 12F–16F single tract was established in nephrohydrop patients and 16F–20F single or multiple tracts were established in patients with pyonephrosis, renal cortical abscess, renal cyst and perinephric abscess. During dilation, no leakage of liquor puris was noted. Establishment of 18F single tract was achieved in one urinoma patient. In two patients with foreign body in kidney, the foreign bodies were removed via established 14F single tract. 18F tracts were established in 2 patients with bladder contracture, which was followed by the placement of 16F balloon urethral catheter for drainage. No complications, such as massive bleeding, intestinal injury and spreading of infection took place in our series. All the patients were followed up for 2–12 months. No long-term complications such as dropping of drainage tube occurred. It is concluded that as a minimally invasive technique, percutaneous nephrostomy has the advantages of convenience, simplicity and causing less complications and can be used for various urologic diseases.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on liver fibrosis induced by common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in rats. Fifty-three female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation group (group J, 5 animals) and groups A, B, C and D (12 animals in each group). The rats in groups A, B, C and D were subjected to CBDL to induce liver fibrosis, while those in group J to sham operation. From the 3rd week the rats in groups B, C and D respectively received daily administration of ATRA via gastric tube at three different doses [0.1, 1.5 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight (BW)]. Animals were sacrificed at 6th week. Rats’ liver tissues were observed for pathologic changes under a light microscope. The protein levels of type I collagen (COL I), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in liver tissues were determined by immunohistochemical techniques. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF mRNA in liver tissues were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that loss of normal hepatic architecture and formation of obvious fibrosis were observed in group A, while ATRA treatment for 4 weeks notably alleviated the pathological changes of hepatocytes. The expression of COL I and TIMP-1 proteins in group A was increased, while decreased in ATRA-treated CBDL groups (P<0.05). ATRA (1.5 and 7.5 mg/kg BW) reduced the expression levels of COL I protein more greatly than that of 0.1 mg/kg BW (P<0.05). ATRA treatment increased the protein levels of MMP2 and MMP13. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF mRNA in group A were increased. In comparison with group A, the mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF in ATRA-treated CBDL groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). It was concluded that ATRA could inhibit CBDL-induced liver fibrosis in rats by suppressing the expression of TGF-β1 and CTGF so as to diminish the inhibition of TIMP-1 on MMP2 and MMP13 and increase the activity of MMP2 and MMP13.
In order to explore the possibility to predict the risk factors for postoperative complications and survival time, the clinical data of 152 patients (including 116 males and 36 females) who had undergone neo-adjuvant therapy and surgery for stage IIIA and B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, preoperative functional parameters, staging, induction regimen (chemotherapy alone or associated with radiotherapy), associated disorders, and data about operation were collected. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis fitting the unconditional logistic regression model were performed to identify predictors of postoperative complications, while Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were employed to identify predictors of survival time, respectively. The univariate analysis demonstrated that forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted percent (FEV1%, P=0.040) and associated disorders (P=0.020) were the predictive factors of complications, but multivariate analysis found no independence factors (P>0.05) of it. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that stage (P=0.050) and pneumonectomy (P=0.018) affected the survival time. However, multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis demonstrated that only pneumonectomy (P=0.026) was associated with a decreased survival time, but no differences between right and left pneumonectomy were found. The results suggest that the risk factor for postoperative complications is acceptable, and pneumonectomy is associated with increased mortality, which should be performed only in stage III NSCLC patients.