One-Pot Knoevenagel/Imination/6π-Azaelectrocyclization Sequence for the Synthesis of Disubstituted Nicotinonitriles.

We report on a copper-catalyzed three-component reaction for the synthesis of disubstituted nicotinonitriles using 3-bromopropenals, benzoylacetonitriles, and ammonium acetate (NH4OAc). The Knoevenagel-type condensation of 3-bromopropenals with benzoylacetonitriles gives δ-bromo-2,4-dienones that contain strategically placed functional groups that react with the ammonia generated in situ to give the corresponding azatrienes. These azatrienes can then be transformed into trisubstituted pyridines under the reaction conditions via a reaction sequence involving 6π-azaelectrocyclization and aromatization.

Flexible ureteroscopy with ultrasound guidance for the treatment of parapelvic renal cysts: A complementary approach for locating the cystic wall.

BACKGROUND: Flexible ureteroscopic incision and drainage is a relatively new surgical method for treating parapelvic cysts. Considering that the intraoperative localization of the cyst may fail with a flexible ureteroscope, we use an innovative ultrasound-guided method to locate the cystic wall during flexible ureteroscopic surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 17 consecutive cases of parapelvic renal cysts treated by ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopy between March 2017 and May 2020. The differences between the simple flexible ureteroscopic technique and ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic technique were compared. The surgical procedures, postoperative complications, results and patient follow-ups were evaluated. RESULTS: The cyst wall was seen clearly in 10 patients with ureteroscopic vision. Another 7 patients underwent ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic surgery since it was difficult to identify the cyst wall. The mean operative time was 25.9 ± 8.7 min and 37.1 ± 10.1 min for the conventional and modified techniques, respectively (P = 0.004); the mean time to search for cysts was 17.6 ± 5.8 min and 26.5 ± 8.4 min, respectively (P = 0.002); and the mean incision time was 7.1 ± 4.9 min and 12.1 ± 5.6 min, respectively (P = 0.000). All of the patients were followed-up for 12 months, and no serious complications or recurrence were observed. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that it is feasible and safe to treat parapelvic renal cysts by ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic incision and drainage. The small sample size and need for further studies were the limitations of our work.

Blocking of the human ether-à-go-go-related gene channel by imatinib mesylate.

Imatinib mesylate (IM), a widely prescribed powerful tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been associated with increased risk of heart failure and is known to induce cell apoptosis and death in isolated cardiomyocytes. In addition to acquired long QT syndrome, pharmacological inhibition of human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) channel has been reported to involve in apoptosis. The present study was undertaken to characterize the biophysical properties of IM on HERG and the molecular determinants of HERG blockade using mutant channels (Y652A and F656A). Wild type (WT) and mutant HERG channels were expressed in HEK-293 cells and Xenopus oocytes and the currents (I(HERG)) were measured using patch-clamp and two-microelectrode voltage-clamp techniques. IM inhibited WT I(HERG) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 19.51±2.50 µmol/L and 44.76±1.54 µmol/L in HEK-293 cells and Xenopus oocytes, respectively. The IM-induced inhibition of WT I(HERG) followed a voltage- and time-dependent manner. The blockade was enhanced by further activation of currents, which were in accordance with an open-channel blockade. The V(1/2) for steady-state activation shifted from -15.48±1.21 to -26.66±2.98 mV (p<0.05, n=6). The inactivation kinetics and voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation of the WT HERG channel were not significantly altered by IM. Two S6 domain mutants, F652A and Y656A, attenuated IM-induced inhibition of WT I(HERG). Therefore, IM preferentially blocked the open HERG channel through F652 and Y656, providing a molecular mechanism for the cardiac side effects during the clinical administration of IM.

Abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after preoperative receipt of α-blockers in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma was not an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability.

Background: There is no consensus on whether intravenous rehydration must be added after preoperative phenoxybenzamine (PXB) administration for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this study is to investigate whether abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after PXB administration is associated with intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Methods: 83 Patients with pheochromocytoma received surgical treatment in the Department of Urology, Handan First Hospital, between October 2014 and July 2022. All patients were subclassified into either the hemodynamic stability group (HS group) or the hemodynamic instability group (HU group) according to whether intraoperative hemodynamic instability occurred, with 51 cases in HS group and 32 cases in HU group. Differences in data between the two groups were examined, and the risk factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The results of the analysis showed no statistically significant differences in age, sex, location of the tumor, surgical method, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m2, blood and urine catecholamine test results, preoperative oral PXB followed by combined intravenous volume expansion, proportion of patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease between the two groups (P>0.05). The size of the tumor in the HS group was smaller than that in the HU group (5.3 ± 1.9 cm vs 6.2 ± 2.4 cm P=0.010). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after preoperative receipt of α-blockers in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma was not an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Only the tumor size (P=0.025) was an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Conclusion: The purpose of general preoperative intravenous fluid expansion is to prevent hypotension after the tumor has been resected. In the current study, we indicated that preoperative management of pheochromocytomas using the α-blocker PXB in combination with intravenous volume expansion does not further reduce the risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability or postoperative complications compared with oral PXB alone. Therefore, our study supports preoperative management of pheochromocytoma with a single α-blocker, PXB, as sufficient.

Microbiosis in lung allotransplantation and xenotransplantation: State of the art and future perspective.

The respiratory tract is known to harbor a microbial community including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. New techniques contribute enormously to the identification of unknown or culture-independent species and reveal the interaction of the community with the host immune system. The existing respiratory microbiome and substantial equilibrium of the transplanted microbiome from donor lung grafts provide an extreme bloom of dynamic changes in the microenvironment in lung transplantation (LT) recipients. Dysbiosis in grafts are not only related to the modified microbial components but also involve the kinetics of the host-graft "talk," which signifies the destination of graft allograft injury, acute rejection, infection, and chronic allograft dysfunction development in short- and long-term survival. Microbiome-derived factors may contribute to lung xenograft survival when using genetically multimodified pig-derived organs. Here, we review the most advanced knowledge of the dynamics and resilience of microbial communities in transplanted lungs with various pretransplant indications. Conceptual and analytical points of view have been illustrated along the time series, gaining insight into the microbiome and lung grafts. Future endeavors on precise tools, sophisticated models, and novel targeted regimens are needed to improve the long-term survival in these patients.

Phosphorylcholine-Primed Dendritic Cells Aggravate the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice.

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease involving activation of adaptive and innate immune responses to antigens, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and phosphorylcholine (PC). Dendritic cells (DCs), which are antigen-presenting cells that activate T cells, are present in atherosclerotic lesions and are activated in immune organs. However, the mechanism by which PC promotes atherosclerosis is unclear. Methods and Results: To evaluate whether PC promotes atherosclerosis via DCs, 2×105 DCs activated by PC-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (DCs+PC-KLH) were injected into ApoE-/- mice and the features of the plaques and the effects of the DCs on cellular and humoral immunity against PC-KLH were determined. Mice injected with DCs+PC-KLH had significantly larger atherosclerotic lesions than controls, with increased inflammation in the lesions and plaque instability. Furthermore, DCs+PC-KLH were characterized using flow cytometry after coculture of bone marrow-derived DCs and naïve T cells. DCs+PC-KLH showed an inflammatory phenotype, with increased CD86, CD40, and major histocompatibility complex Class II molecules (MHC-II), which promoted PC-specific T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, 2 weeks after the administration of DCs+PC-KLH to mice, these mice produced PC- and oxLDL-specific IgG2a, compared with no production in the controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest that DCs presenting PC promote specific immunity to PC, increase lesion inflammation, and accelerate atherosclerosis, which may explain how PC promotes atherosclerosis.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on pain behavior and pain-related factors in spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia of rats with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) in the spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), so as to explore the mechanisms of EA underlying improvement of chronic pain in KOA rats. METHODS: Thirty-two female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, control group, model group and EA group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the control group were injected with 50 µL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution into the left knee joint cavity, and rats in the model and EA groups were injected with 50 µL of Monosodium iodoacetate in the left knee joint. EA(2 Hz/100 Hz, ＜2 mA) was applied to left "Yanglingquan"(GB34) and "Neixiyan" (EX-LE4) for 15 min, once daily, 5 days a course with a total of 2 courses. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and mechanical pain threshold (PWT) were tested by Plantar Test and Von Frey, separately. After the last pain test, the contents of PGE2, CGRP and SP in the left lumbar (L) 3-L5 DRG and L3-L5 spinal dorsal horn were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the PWL and PWT of the rats in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the contents of PGE2, CGRP and SP in the DRG and spinal dorsal horn were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in PWL, PWT, contents of PGE2, CGRP and SP in DRG and spinal dorsal horn between the blank group and the control group (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the PWL and PWT of rats in the EA group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the contents of PGE2, CGRP and SP in the DRG and spinal dorsal horn were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of GB34 and EX-LE4 can reduce the levels of pain-related factors PGE2, CGRP and SP in the DRG and spinal dorsal horn, thereby relieving spinal hyperalgesia in rats with KOA.

The Long Noncoding RNA Hotair Regulates Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Myocyte Apoptosis during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Oxidative stress and subsequent cardiac myocyte apoptosis play central roles in the initiation and progression of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Homeobox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (Hotair) was previously implicated in various heart diseases, yet its role in myocardial I/R injury has not been clearly demonstrated. Mice with cardiac-restricted knockdown or overexpression of Hotair were exposed to I/R surgery. H9c2 cells were cultured and subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) stimulation to further verify the role and underlying mechanisms of Hotair in vitro. Histological examination, molecular detection, and functional parameters were determined in vivo and in vitro. In response to I/R or H/R treatment, Hotair expression was increased in a bromodomain-containing protein 4-dependent manner. Cardiac-restricted knockdown of Hotair exacerbated, whereas Hotair overexpression prevented I/R-induced oxidative stress, cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, we observed that Hotair exerted its beneficial effects via activating AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα). Further detection revealed that Hotair activated AMPKα through regulating the enhancer of zeste homolog 2/microRNA-451/calcium-binding protein 39 (EZH2/miR-451/Cab39) axis. We provide the evidence that endogenous lncRNA Hotair is an essential negative regulator for oxidative stress and cardiac myocyte apoptosis in myocardial I/R injury, which is dependent on AMPKα activation via the EZH2/miR-451/Cab39 axis.

The vertical distributions of VOCs in the atmosphere of Beijing in autumn.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of Beijing City were measured at the heights of 8, 32, 140 and 280 m on the Beijing 325 m meteorological tower in autumn 2005. Concentrations of fifty-five compounds were determined by quantitative analytical methods. Our study utilized GC/MS analysis of 0.5 l air sample that were cryo-concentrated prior to analysis. The vertical distributions of VOCs were also investigated using 1-butene, isopentane, dichloromethane and toluene as representative compounds of several different categories. It is shown that 1-butene followed by 2-butene, isopentane followed by n-pentane, dichloromethane followed by chloroform and toluene followed by benzene are the most abundant compounds in the categories of alkene, alkane, halocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon, respectively. The concentrations of TVOCs range from 51.2+/-39.7 ppb to 83.6+/-44.4 ppb on clear days, but from 62.9+/-19.0 ppb to 105.0+/-59.2 ppb on haze days. While alkenes and halocarbons contribute little to TVOCs, alkanes provide the largest percentage, ranging from about 46% to 63% at four different heights, which are followed by aromatic hydrocarbons ranging from about 15% to 27%. The vertical distributions of VOCs are complex. On clear days most distribution profiles show a decreasing trend with increasing height. On haze days, however, they exhibit first a decrease with increasing altitude from 8 m to 140 m and then a significant increase at 280 m. These results are understood by analyzing how the vertical distributions of VOCs are affected jointly by several factors such as meteorological parameters and transport property. In addition, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis show that VOCs have different origins at different heights.

Cellular gauge symmetry and the Li organization principle: General considerations.

Based on novel topological considerations, we postulate a gauge symmetry for living cells and proceed to interpret it from a consistent Eastern perspective: the li organization principle. In our framework, the reference system is the living cell, equipped with general symmetries and energetic constraints standing for the intertwined biochemical, metabolic and signaling pathways that allow the global homeostasis of the system. Environmental stimuli stand for forces able to locally break the symmetry of metabolic/signaling pathways, while the species-specific DNA is the gauge field that restores the global homeostasis after external perturbations. We apply the Borsuk-Ulam Theorem (BUT) to operationalize a methodology in terms of topology/gauge fields and subsequently inquire about the evolution from inorganic to organic structures and to the prokaryotic and eukaryotic modes of organization. We converge on the strategic role that second messengers have played regarding the emergence of a unitary gauge field with profound evolutionary implications. A new avenue for a deeper investigation of biological complexity looms. Philosophically, we might be reminded of the duality between two essential concepts proposed by the great Chinese synthesizer Zhu Xi (in the XIII Century). On the one side the li organization principle, equivalent to the dynamic interplay between symmetry and information; and on the other side the qi principle, equivalent to the energy participating in the process-both always interlinked with each other. In contemporary terms, it would mean the required interconnection between information and energy, and the necessity to revise essential principles of information philosophy.

Application of bioimpedance spectroscopy in Asian dialysis patients (ABISAD-III): a randomized controlled trial for clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Fluid management with body composition monitor based on bioimpedance spectroscopy (BCM-BIS) has been found to be beneficial for dialysis patients. We conducted a study to provide an algorithm for the determination of post-dialysis target weight (PDTW) and to evaluate whether this approach could improve clinical outcomes compared to patients who had PDTW decided clinically. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-eight dialysis patients participated in this 1-year randomized controlled trial. The outcomes were all-cause hospitalization rate, AFO or CV-related events, hypertension and intra-dialysis morbidities. RESULTS: 80 % of post-dialysis weight reached the target set with current algorithm. All-cause hospitalization rate was not different. Incidence of acute fluid overload (AFO) or CV-related events was lower in study group. Longitudinal data showed decreased incidence of hypertension, intra-dialysis morbidities and intra-dialysis hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of PDTW by BCM-BIS with an explicit algorithm decreased AFO or CV-related events, hypertension and intra-dialysis morbidities. Further studies were required to demonstrate possible benefits of hospitalization rate.

An experimental model of an electrical injury to the peripheral nerve.

OBJECTIVE: Injury to the peripheral nerves is a common complication found in patients suffering from electrical burns. At present, there are many kinds of experimental models for electrical injury, but no report describes an animal-based experimental model for a relatively simple electrical injury to the peripheral nerves. We have designed and constructed a specific device to generate increasingly severe electrical shocks of a known voltage for the experiment. This device can simulate injuries of different degrees (minor, medium and severe) caused by shock to the right sciatic nerve of rats. METHOD: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Group I (3600 V, n=10), Group II (1000 V, n=10) and Group III (500 V, n=10). The voltage required for the electrical shock was generated by the above-mentioned device and was adjusted to deliver 3600, 1000 and 500 V, respectively. The specific voltage, as mentioned above, was delivered three times to the right sciatic nerve of the rats. The shock duration was set to last for 10 ms. The time interval between the shocks was 3 min. Three rats were randomly selected from each group to observe changes in the morphology, electric physiology of the nerve and their histology the first, second and fourth week after injury. RESULTS: All rats survived the injuries. Leg function was partially impaired and swellings occurred on the injured extremity. However, by the second week after the injury the rats had recovered. Digit ulcers were observed by the fourth week after injury in Groups I and II. Neural electric physiology showed that the recovery rate of the neural conduction velocity (RNCV) disappeared in part or in whole immediately after the injury in experimental rats. RNCV recovered up to 65% in Group III and to 7% in Group II by the fourth week after injury, however, RNCV did not recover in Group I at all. Histology showed that blood vessel embolism occurred within the injured nerve. A large number of nerve fibres experienced Waller degeneration while the myelin sheath was vacuolated. The neural plate disintegrated largely by the first week after injury and the myelin sheath disintegrated into a loose structure by the second week after injury in Group I. Group II displayed a similar situation as Group I, wherein some nerve fibres experienced Waller degeneration and disintegration. Regenerative myelin appeared in some rats at about the fourth week after injury. The following changes were seen in Group III: The degree of neural injuries was different. The point of entry of the electric currents showed obvious Waller degeneration and disintegration of the myelin sheath, while some nerves showed a regenerated myelin sheath by the second week after injury. The morphology (such as quantity and diameter) of the injured myelin was basically normal by the fourth week after injury. CONCLUSION: This device can produce controlled injuries to the sciatic nerve giving different degrees of severity (minor, medium and severe), by means of varying the electrical shock voltage and shock duration on the rats. It is a useful model for experimental studies of injuries to peripheral nerves.

Spatial structure characteristic analysis of corn stover during alkali and biological co-pretreatment using XRD.

Dynamic variation in the spatial structure of corn stover during alkali and biological co-pretreatment was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The result for crystallinity and microcrystalline size of cellulose showed periodic changes during the pretreatment process. The dominant destruction periods of crystalline areas were mainly located at 3-5d and 7-17d, and prevailing destroyed amorphous areas mainly occurred at 0-2d and 5-7d. On day 7, the relative crystallinity and microcrystalline size reached 52.81% and 8.56 nm, respectively, which were the maximum and minimum values during the whole co-pretreatment. The results indicated that spatial structure change was not uniform with pretreatment time, and this was contributed to explore the vital time point of destruction during the alkali-biological pretreatment.

Impaired circulating CD4+ LAP+ regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome and its mechanistic study.

OBJECTIVE: CD4(+) latency-associated peptide (LAP)(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a newly discovered T cell subset in humans and the role of these cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has not been explored. We designed to investigate whether circulating frequency and function of CD4(+)LAP(+) Tregs are defective in ACS. METHODS: One hundred eleven ACS patients (acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina) and 117 control patients were enrolled in the study. The control patients consisted of chronic stable angina (CSA) and chest pain syndrome (CPS). The frequencies of circulating CD4(+)LAP(+) Tregs and the expression of the transmembrane protein glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant (GARP) on CD4(+) T cells were determined by flow cytometry. The function of CD4(+)LAP(+) Tregs was detected using thymidine uptake. Serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-ß protein (TGF-ß) levels were detected using ELISA and expression of GARP mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by real time-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We found ACS patients had a significantly lower frequency of circulating CD4(+)LAP(+) Tregs, and the function of these cells was reduced compared to controls. The expression of GARP in CD4(+) T cells and the serum levels of TGF-ß in ACS patients were lower than those of control patients. The serum levels of IL-10 were similar between the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: A novel regulatory T cell subset, defined as CD4(+)LAP(+) T cells is defective in ACS patients.

Justifying the high prevalence of microalbuminuria for type 2 diabetic patients in Taiwan with conditional probability approach--a DEMAND II study.

BACKGROUND: To examine the prevalence of microalbuminuria (MAU) and chronic kidney disease as well as the correlation between MAU and renal and cardiovascular risks of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients for public health policy making in Taiwan. METHODS: This was a multicenter, hospital-based, randomly selected, and cross-sectional study. T2DM patients aged 18-80 years without a known diagnosis of proteinuria were eligible. MAU was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) within 30-299 mg/g, and macroalbuminuria as that greater than or equal to 300 mg/g. Two positive out of three urinary screening results were required to make the diagnosis of MAU. The adjusted prevalence of MAU was calculated by conditional probability approach. RESULTS: 51.1% of the analyzed population (n=1,827) were women, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 59.16 years (11.19 years) and mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 8.15% (1.83%). Median duration of DM history was 6 years (interquartile range, 3-11 years). The adjusted prevalence of MAU was 26.9%. Overall prevalence of chronic kidney disease Stage 3 or higher (estimated Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60/mL/min/1.73 m²) was 13.8%. Only 4.7% of the T2DM patients had serum albumin test recorded and 68.7% with serum creatinine test recorded within the last 6 months. After adjustment for center and gender, the odds ratios for MAU or macroalbuminuria were 1.73 (95% CI, 1.27-2.36) for age greater than or equal to 60 years, 1.54 (1.13-2.10) for abnormal waist circumference, 1.10 (1.02-1.19) for every 1% increase in hemoglobin A1c, 1.91 (1.38-2.65) for higher systolic blood pressure, and 1.92 (1.19-3.07) for abnormal serum creatinine level. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the application of "conditional probability" method to justify the rationale of adopting two positive out of three urinary screening tests for the diagnosis of MAU. An adjusted prevalence rate of MAU as 26.9% is reported. These results may provide a basis for cost-benefit consideration in designing preventive and interventional policies in public health. Furthermore, the awareness and practice of early monitoring of MAU for DM patients should be strengthened.

[Isolation, culture and cryopreservation of cells derived from fetal appendages].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal method for isolation, culture and cryopreservation of cells from fetal appendages, for the purpose of providing viable cells for tissue engineering, cell therapy and gene therapy. METHODS: Trypsin dispersion method was used to isolate cells from human umbilical cord and placenta. The tissues from umbilical cord and placenta were cryopreserved with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in different concentrations. Then the percentage of living cells in thawed tissues, and their micro-structure were observed and compared with fresh tissues under transmission electron microscope. The expression of cell immune phenotype before and after cryopreservation were detected with immuno-histochemistry method. RESULTS: The percentage of living cells in human fresh umbilical cord was 67.0%, while that in cryopreserved umbilical cord was 23.4%, 55.5%, 48.8%, 31.8%, respectively in 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% of DMSO. The percentage of living cells in cryopreserved tissues was similar to that of fresh tissues when the volume percentage of DMSO was 10% (P > 0.05), and it was significantly different with that when volume percentage of DMSO was 5% and 20% (P < 0.01). The result by transmission electron microscope was coincident with the results shown above. The results were similar between placenta and umbilical cord. There was no obvious changes in immune phenotype of the tissue and cells after cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: Cryopreservation with this method can isolate a large amount of cells from fetal appendages, with no changes in immune phenotype after cryopreservation, and the effect was best when the volume percentage of DMSO was 10%.

[Changes in the calcitonin content after inhalation injury in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the serum content of immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) after burns or inhalation injury, and to explore its diagnostic significance. METHODS: Twenty-four dogs were randomized into 4 groups, i. e. A (n = 6, with moderate degree inhalation injury) , B ( n = 6, with severe inhalation injury), C (n = 6, with most severe inhalation injury) and D (n = 6, with severe burns) groups. The serum content of iCT and blood gas analysis before and after injury were determined at different time points. The degree of inhalation injury was determined with fibrobronchoscopic examination at 6 post-inhalation injury hour (PIH). RESULTS: (1) Fiber bronchoscopic examination showed that the degree of inhalation injury in each group was coincident with the anticipation. (2) The serum content of iCT in each group at 1 PIH was obviously higher than that before injury, and it was evidently higher in A, B and C groups than that in D group at 4 PIH. The peak value of iCT in group A at 24 PIH was (453+/-224) ng/L, and it increased gradually in B and C groups at 48 PIH. The serum content of iCT increased continually from 2 PIH on, and it reached (125+/-41) ng/L at 48 PIH. (3) Compared with PaO2 value before injury (109+/-8) mmHg, there was no obvious difference of the PaO, in A and D groups. PaO2 value in B and C group began to descend continually at 8 PIH (65+/-6) mmHg, and that in C group began to descend at 4 PIH (71+/-9) mmHg. PaCO2 value in C group began to increase at 24 PIH(52+/-11) mmHg when compared with that before injury(38+/-5 ) mmHg. CONCLUSION: The changes in the serum level of iCT within 8 PIH occurred much earlier than PaO2 and PaCO2, thus it has the same diagnostic significance as fibers bronchoscopic examination.