A novel stent coated with antibodies to endoglin inhibits neointimal formation of porcine coronary arteries.

Endoglin/CD105 is an accessory protein of the transforming growth factor-β receptor system that plays a critical role in proliferation of endothelial cells and neovasculature. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of novel stents coated with antibodies to endoglin (ENDs) on coronary neointima formation. Thirty ENDs, thirty sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs), and thirty bare metal stents (BMSs) were randomly assigned and placed in the coronary arteries in 30 juvenile pigs.

High-intensity intermittent swimming improves cardiovascular health status for women with mild hypertension.

To test the hypothesis that high-intensity swim training improves cardiovascular health status in sedentary premenopausal women with mild hypertension, sixty-two women were randomized into high-intensity (n = 21; HIT), moderate-intensity (n = 21; MOD), and control groups (n = 20; CON). HIT performed 6-10 × 30 s all-out swimming interspersed by 2 min recovery and MOD swam continuously for 1 h at moderate intensity for a 15-week period completing in total 44 ± 1 and 43 ± 1 sessions, respectively. In CON, all measured variables were similar before and after the intervention period.

Increased C-reactive protein implies a poorer stage-specific prognosis in colon cancer.

Background: To characterize the stage-specific prognostic relevance of preoperative systemic inflammatory response, defined by C-reactive protein (CRP), in colon cancer (CC) patients.

Material And Methods: Data from CC patients operated on from 1998 to 2007 at three hospitals from three different Nordic countries were collected retrospectively from national registries, local databases and/or patient records. Patients with emergency surgery, infection or auto-immune disease were excluded.

Does in-house availability of multidisciplinary teams increase survival in upper gastrointestinal-cancer?

Aim: To investigate the effect of the establishment of in-house multidisciplinary team (MDT) availability (iMDTa) on survival in upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGI) patients.

Methods: In 2001, a cancer centre with irradiation and chemotherapy facilities was established in the Norwegian county of West Agder with a change of iMDTa (WA/MDT-Change). "iMDTa"-status was defined according to the availability of the necessary specialists within one institution on one campus, serving the population of one county.

Percutaneous hallux valgus surgery in children: short-term outcomes of 33 cases.

Background: Many surgical procedures for hallux valgus correction have been reported, including percutaneous techniques. In children, the risk of recurrent hallux valgus after any type of surgical correction seems to deserve attention. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the outcomes of percutaneous hallux valgus surgery in children.

Chinese herbal medicine liu jun zi tang and xiang sha liu jun zi tang for functional dyspepsia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives. To assess the efficacy and safety of Liu Jun Zi Tang (LJZT) and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (XSLJZT) for treating functional dyspepsia. Methods.

A novel strategy for creating a large amount of engineered fat tissue with an axial vascular pedicle and a prefabricated scaffold.

In plastic and reconstructive surgery, there is a tremendous clinical need for adequate implants are needed to restore soft-tissue defects resulting from tumor resection, traumatic injury, or congenital anomalies. Restoring the aesthetic function of the soft tissue is as important as restoring the natural tissue function. To address aesthetic issues, injection of hyaluronic acid and collagen and use of artificially synthesized biomaterials and autologous fat tissue grafts is extensive in the clinic, still faces limitations.

[Feasibility of a novel material for the reconstruction of skull base in a canine].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic efficacy of a novel complex material of shape-memory alloy brace and artificial dura (nitinol brace and NormalGEN) for the reconstruction of skull base in a canine model with lateral media skull base defect.

Methods: The complex of nitinol brace and NormalGEN was developed with corresponding apparatus. A common adult dog model with lateral media skull base defect was established and then reconstructed with the complex.

Anti-fatigue activity of polysaccharides extract from Radix Rehmanniae Preparata.

The anti-fatigue effects of the Radix Rehmanniae Preparata polysaccharides (RRPP) were studied in mice. The RRPP were orally administered at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks and the anti-fatigue activity was evaluated using a weight-loaded swimming test, along with the determination of serum urea nitrogen (SUN), hepatic glycogen and blood lactic acid (BLA) contents. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the body weight of mice in the three RRPP groups compared with the negative control group during initial, intermediate and terminal stages in the experiment (p>0.

Nuclei micro-array FISH, a desirable alternative for MCL diagnosis.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, specific lymphoma subtype. Though the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of MCL have been well described in recent literatures, it is still a diagnostic dilemma because of its frequent confusion with other small B cell lymphomas (SBCLs). In the present study, we primarily focus on establishing a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of MCL, which is efficient to distinguish this disease from other SBCLs.

[Effects of compound Centella asiatica enema on kidneys coefficient, electrolytes and blood in chronic renal failure rats].

Objective: To study the pharmacological effects of compound Centella asiatica enema on chronic renal failure (CRF) rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into control group, CRF model group, Niaoduqing positive control group, compound Centella asiatica enema high, middle and low three groups kidney coefficient, electrolyte levels, hematocrit (HCT), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) content were observed after 30 days's treatment.

Results: Compared with the model group, the level of the electrolyte, HCT, RBC, HGB of rats in compound Centella asiatica enema high-doses group and the Niaoduqing group were significantly improved.

Effect and mechanism of acute graft versus host disease on early diffuse murine lung injury following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

To explore the effect and pathogenssis of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) on early diffuse lung injury in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), we established an aGVHD model of C(57)BL/6-->BALB/c mice. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans, histopathology and the levels of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and Interferon (IFNgamma) in lungs were dynamically detected in recipient mice after transplantation. The incidence of aGVHD was respectively 0%, 0% and 100% in simple irradiation group (A), syngeneic transplant group(B) and allogeneic transplant group (C).

[Adipogenic effect of human adipose tissue derived stem cells in nude mouse].

Objective: To research adipogenic effect of human adipose tissue derived stem cells (ADSC) obtained from fluid portion of liposuction aspirates in nude mouse.

Methods: ADSC were isolated from the fluid portion of human liposuction aspirates and cultured. The cells were incubated in either a adipogenic or an osteogenic medium or a chondrogenic medium for 2-4 weeks to induce adipogenesis or osteogenesis or chondrogenesis, respectively.

Two-year single-center experience with thoracic endovascular aortic repair using the EndoFit thoracic stent-graft.

Purpose: To analyze our single-center experience of thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) using the EndoFit Thoracic Aortic Endograft.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 87 consecutive patients (64 men; median age 67.8+/-8.

[The role of nuclear factor-kappaB in the burn serum-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 in endothelial cells].

Objective: To explore the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the burn serum induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and divided into control (with normal serum stimulation), burn serum (B, with burn serum stimulation) and PDTC (with burn serum and PDTC stimulation) groups. The NF-kappaB activity in endothelial cells was determined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) at 0.

[Arterial blood gas analysis in Lipopolysaccharide-heat co-stressed rats].

Objective: To observe the change in vital signs and arterial blood gas in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected heat exposed rats.

Methods: Male pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: saline-injected normothermic control (C-Group), saline-injected heat exposed (H-Group), LPS-injected normothermic control (L-Group), LPS-injected heat exposed (HL-Group). Rectal temperature (Tr), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial blood gas were continually monitored.

[Expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in human renal cell carcinoma].

Objective: To explore the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and their relationship.

Methods: The expression of HIF-1alphaand VEGF was examined in 42 patients with renal cell carcinoma by SABC methods of immunohistochemistry.

Results: The positivity rate of HIF-1alpha was 57.

Is preoperative vaginal cleansing necessary for control of infection after first trimester vacuum curettage?

Background: Traditionally, the vagina is cleansed, before a curettage is performed. A previous study, comparing cleansing with chlorhexidine solution and cleansing with saline solution before vacuum aspiration in the first trimester, did not show any difference in the frequency of postoperative pelvic inflammatory disease. We wanted to investigate whether this was true also for vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine, compared to no vaginal cleansing at all.

Pancreatic enzymes in the gut contributing to lung injury after trauma/hemorrhagic shock.

Objective: To examine whether pancreatic proteolytic enzymes involve in lung injury induced by trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS).

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraluminal or intravenous pancreatic serine protease inhibitor, 6-amidino-2-naphthyl p-guanidinobenzoate dimethanesulfate (ANGD) during laparotomy (trauma), and were subjected to 90 minutes of T/HS or trauma-sham shock (T/SS). Degree of lung injury was assessed 3 hours after resuscitation with Ringer's lactate solution.

Central hemodynamic responses during serial exercise tests in heart failure patients using implantable hemodynamic monitors.

Introduction: Exercise testing is commonly used in patients with congestive heart failure for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Such testing may be even more valuable if invasive hemodynamics are acquired. However, this will make the test more complex and expensive and only provides information from isolated moments.

Cationic liposome-mediated GDNF gene transfer after spinal cord injury.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to protect cranial and spinal motoneurons, which suggests potential uses of GDNF in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) and motor neuron disease. We examined neuroprotective effect of cationic liposome-mediated GDNF gene transfer in vivo on axonal regeneration and locomotor function recovery after SCI in adult rats. The mixture of DC-Chol liposomes and recombinant plasmid pEGFP-GDNF cDNA was injected after SCI.