Application of timolol in preventing variceal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effectiveness of timolol in preventing first variceal hemorrhage in portal hypertensive patients with esophageal varices.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 42 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices were enrolled in this study and received timolol or band ligation therapy randomly,with 21 patients in each group. The diameters of portal vein (PV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and splenic vein (SPV) as well as the portal venous flow and the splenic venous flow were measured. The first esophageal variceal bleeding of the two groups was recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diameters of PV, SMV, and SPV as well as the flow of PV and SPV showed no significant difference before and after treatment in band ligation group (P>0.05). In timolol group,however,the diameter of portal vein significantly decreased after treatment [(14.11±2.96) mm vs. (12.15±1.61)mm, P<0.05], and the average blood flow of portal vein also significantly decreased after treatment [(1277.33±495.19) ml/min vs. (719.17±245.16)ml/min, P<0.05]. Both timolol and band ligation effectively prevented esophageal variceal bleeding, and the risk of first esophageal variceal bleeding in these two groups were not significantly different (15% vs. 10%, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Timolol is safe and effective in preventing the first variceal bleeding in portal hypertensive patients with esophageal varices.</p>

COX-2 and mPGES-1 expression in carotid atherosclerotic plaques / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in the expressions of inducible cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) and membrane associated prostaglandin E-1(mPGES-1) in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and to explore possible mechanisms of inflammatory process involved in plaque stability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and mPGES-1 were compared between minimally and grossly atherosclerotic arterial tissues. COX-2 and mPGES-1 gene expression were established by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 10 mesenchymal artery controls and 24 atherosclerotic specimens. Presence of COX-2 and mPGES-1 protein was assessed by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemical staining showed that the COX-2 and mPGES-1 immunoreactive substances were present in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cell. Compared with the control group, immunostaining positive cells increased in carotid atherosclerotic plaque group. COX-2 and mPGES-1 gene expression was significantly elevated in atherosclerotic plaques (P< 0.05, respectively). The increased mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and mPGES-1 were correlated in atherosclerotic tissue (P< 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and mPGES-1 related to degree of pathological damage in atherosclerotic tissue (P< 0.05). COX-2 and mPGES-1 were not found in the control group (mesenteric vascular walls).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>COX-2 and mPGES-1 expression in plaques is significantly higher than that in the control group. These findings suggests that COX-2 and mPGES-1 might play a role in pathogenesis of atheroscleros and modulation of inflammatory process involved in plaque stability, and COX-2 may have proinflammatory enzyme properties.</p>

Histochemical and ultrastructure study of bile cast in liver transplantation patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the histological components and solubility of the bile-cast, and to study the pathological course of bile cast formation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HE staining, bilirubin staining (Gmelin reaction), Masson's staining, alcian blue staining and fibrin staining (weigert's) were performed on the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded section of the bile cast. Ultrastructure was examined under the scanning electron microscope. Solubility test was also conducted using chymotrypsin, heparin, trypsin solution, HCl and NaOH solution to dissolve the bile-cast.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The major components of the bile-cast were bilirubin crystals and collagen fibers. Between the mass of collagen fibers there was certain blood vessel structure. Necrosis bile duct structure was not found in the cast. Under the scanning electron microscope, four kinds of crystal morphologies were viewed. There were some mucoid mass and necrosis defluvium epithelial cells in the bile cast. Solubility test showed that the bile cast could be partial dissolved in NaOH solution (pH = 12.5). No dissolution was found in HCl solution (pH = 5.0), chymotrypsin solution, heparin and trypsin solution.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Collagen fibers work as framework in the bile cast with bilirubin crystal filling between the framework. The emergence of fibroblast and blood vessels indicated the formation of bile cast might be the course of exudation and organization due to bile duct epithelium damage. Bile cast could be partially dissolved in alkaline solution, but could not be dissolved in acid solution, or in chymotrypsin, heparin and trypsin solutions.</p>

Construction and identification of RhoA specific siRNA expression vector in hepatocellular carcinoma cell / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To construct RhoA siRNA plasmid expression vector.Methods According to the computer aided design,RhoA-specific siRNA gene was synthesized and cloned into the RNAi-Ready Pgenesil-1 Vector.The constructed RhoA-RNAi plasmid were transfected into human HEPG2 cell.Western blot was used to detect the effect of RhoA-RNAi plasmid.Results The recombinant was cloned and the se- quence was obtained.RhoA-RNAi plasmid can down-regulate the expression of RhoA in human hepatocel- lular carcinoma cell line HEPG2.Conclusion Successfully cloning the recombinant makes it possible for searching new mechanism of RhoA in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Relation between ABCA1 expression and carotid atherosclerotic plaques / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the changes of the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and the retinoid X receptor(RXR?in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and to explore the possible mechanisms by which ABCA1 affects the formation of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS). Methods 24 carotid atherosclerotic plaque and 10 intestinal artery specimens were respectively collected to compared the expression levels of ABCA1 mRNA.RXR?mRNA and those protein,ABCA1 and RXR?gene expressions were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in the specimens,meanwhile the presence of ABCAI and RXRcprotein was assessed by Western blot.Results ABCA1(0.79?0.04)and RXR?(0.73?0.04)gene expression were significantly elevated in carotid atherosclerotic plaques(P