The Stability of Physician-Compounded Foam is Influenced by the Angle of Connector.

BACKGROUND: Foam sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for varicose veins and venous malformations, with its efficacy influenced by foam stability. The methods for preparing physician-compounded foam (PCF) are the double syringe system (DSS) and Tessari method. Few studies have been performed to compare the PCF stability produced by the 2 methods and their mechanisms. We aim to compare the stability of PCF produced by 2 two methods in the same connector and explore the reasons for the difference. METHODS: Foam was generated by the 2 methods under different circumstances. In the Tessari method, 2 syringes were connected at right angles (90°) by a 3-way tap. In the DSS method, 2 syringes were connected by the same 3-way tap in a straight line (180°). The stability and uniformity of foam produced by the 2 methods were compared using foam half-time and optical microscopy, respectively. Assuming that the difference in foam stability between the 2 methods was related to the angles of a connector, we compared the foam stability when 2 syringes were connected with a plastic connector bent to different angles. RESULTS: The DSS method could produce more uniform foam with longer foam half-time than the Tessari method, which was related to the angle of the connector. CONCLUSIONS: The stability of PCF is influenced by the angle of the connector.

Recurrence of scalp angiosarcoma after multiple surgeries: A case report and literature review.

Scalp angiosarcoma (SA) is rare, accounting for <1% of soft tissue sarcomas, with a high degree of malignancy, a high recurrence rate and a poor prognosis. The best treatment strategy is uncertain. Therefore, it is essential to continuously refine treatment strategies and improve the prognosis of patients. Curative-intent surgery increases overall survival in patients with primary cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp and face, and radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy is now recommended for the curative treatment of patients who both can or cannot undergo surgery. The present case report is of an 87-year-old man hospitalised for the fifth time with SA. He had experienced four recurrences and previously underwent curative-intent surgery four times. However, the patient did not undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy after any of the surgeries. A detailed report of the management of this case is presented along with a review of the relevant literature. It is hypothesised that patients with SA should receive a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery whenever possible, which may improve patient prognosis.

Nanochitin/metal ion dual reinforcement in synthetic polyacrylamide network-based nanocomposite hydrogels.

Nanocomposite hydrogels consisting of a synthetic matrix reinforced by nanosized crystalline polysaccharides offer significant potential in various fields. Different from nanocellulose, the combination of nanochitin with synthetic polymers to obtain nanocomposite hydrogels has not been extensively and systematically studied. Herein, a physically and chemically dual crosslinked nanocomposite hydrogel was successfully synthesized, where chitin nanowhiskers (ChNWs) and Zn2+ were incorporated within polyacrylamide (PAAm) matrix. Nanochitin/metal ion dual reinforcement imparts increased elasticity, enhanced mechanical properties, and improved recovery performance to PAAm network. The PAAm/ChNWs/Zn2+ hydrogel could be stretched to over 13 times its original length with tensile strength of 321.9 ±â€¯8.2 kPa, and restore its original shape rapidly even when compressed at a strain of 95% with a corresponding compressive strength of 6.95 ±â€¯0.20 MPa. The multiple crosslinks and interactions among ChNWs, Zn2+ and synthetic polymeric network were investigated. Moreover, the hydrogel was applied in drug release and soft bioelectronics.

High-strength paper enhanced by chitin nanowhiskers and its potential bioassay applications.

In this paper, nanochitin was used as an alternative natural nanomaterial to combine with cellulose fibers for fabricating high-strength paper. Two typical chitin nanowhiskers having contrasting sign of surface charge were compared to evaluate the enhancement performance on paper in details. The results show that nanochitin with positive charges on the surface has a significant effect on the strength properties of the prepared paper, especially on wet strength. When the dosage of chitin nanowhiskers was 2%, the wet strength index was increased to 2.48 N·m/g, which is important for paper-based analytical devices with the common use in liquid analysis. Typical colorimetric glucose assays were successfully performed, suggesting the improved analytical performance on these prepared paper.

Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection: CTA features and clinical relevance.

PURPOSE: To determine the detailed computed tomography angiography (CTA) features of isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (ISMAD), aiming to improve the current understanding of ISMAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 57 patients with confirmed diagnoses of ISMAD with CTA from June 2011 to June 2018 in our hospital. The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) angle, entry site of dissection, and features of both false and true lumen were analyzed individually. RESULTS: In general, middle-aged men with atherosclerosis (42.1%), hypertension (35.3%), or long-term smoking (33.3%) were the main populations. 80.7% of patients can be discharged successfully after conservative treatment. 87% of patients had a right (or almost right) SMA angle, and the entry site of dissection in 90% of patients occurred in the curved segment of the SMA. As a polymorphic disease, we can use the coded CTA features to delineate individual cases, including cases beyond the presenting classification systems. The diameter of the true lumen is the only different CTA feature between the conservative treatment group and the interventional treatment group (p = 0.000). The re-entry site (p = 0.501), thrombosis in the false lumen (p = 0.135), the distance between the entry site of dissection and SMA root (p = 0.133), and SMA branch involvement (p = 0.322) had no difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on CTA analysis, the bending area, especially in the SMA with right or nearly right SMA angle, is the most vulnerable anatomical region for the occurrence of ISMAD. The diameter of true lumen is the determined CTA feature for the decision of treatment. CTA should be recommended as a standardized diagnostic and classification tool for ISMAD.

Fabrication of transparent and superhydrophobic nanopaper via coating hybrid SiO2/MWCNTs composite.

Nanopaper prepared from cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) is a kind of promising substrate for various high-tech devices. However, several drawbacks including poor water stability and weak corrosion resistance still remain, which limit the practical applications of the nanopaper. Herein, we present a simple and low-cost method for fabricating transparent and superhydrophobic nanopaper by spraying fluorinated silica/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SiO2/MWCNTs) composite on the nanopaper. A series of functional nanopaper were fabricated, which shows excellent performance of water repellency, chemical stability, conductivity, thermostability and self-cleaning property. Among them, the nanopaper modified with the composite containing 0.5 wt% MWCNTs has a water contact angle of about 163°, transparency of 79.96% and the sheet resistance of 3.15 × 106 Ω sq-1. The combination of the promising features in a material offers attractive prospects, and enables our nanopaper could be tailored for emerging applications such as flexible electronics, display protection and intelligent packages.

Adhesive and non-adhesive internal hernia: clinical relevance and multi-detector CT images.

Internal hernia (IH)-related surgical acute abdomen is not well understood because of the rarity of cases and underdiagnosis. This study was performed to further understand the clinicopathological features and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of IH in cases confirmed by surgery. In all, 51 patients with a definite diagnosis of IH confirmed during surgical exploration from Feb. 2012 to Feb. 2018 in our hospital were included in this research. Medical records, including MDCT images and intra-operative findings, were collected retrospectively. In all, 39 and 12 cases were categorized as adhesive IH (76.5%) and non-adhesive IH (23.5%), respectively. Among the patients with adhesive IH, 73% had a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery. Additionally, the mesentery was the most common component of adhesive bands (64.1%). Congenital peritoneal abnormalities and gastrointestinal reconstruction were the main causes of non-adhesive IH.As a specific sign, the fat notch sign was much more common in adhesive IH than in non-adhesive IH (P = 0.023). Bowel wall thickening (P = 0.041), abnormal bowel wall enhancement (P = 0.006) and twisted bowels with the vessel swirl sign (P = 0.004) were indicators of bowel necrosis. Among all of the cases of IH, 34 (66.7%) were complicated by bowel necrosis, and 1 patient died. In conclusion, non-adhesive IH has different clinicopathological features and MDCT findings from those of adhesive IH. MDCT is a useful tool with high sensitivity for confirming IH and may help to guide the early treatment of IH.

Interactions of nanomaterials with ion channels and related mechanisms.

The pharmacological potential of nanotechnology, especially in drug delivery and bioengineering, has developed rapidly in recent decades. Ion channels, which are easily targeted by external agents, such as nanomaterials (NMs) and synthetic drugs, due to their unique structures, have attracted increasing attention in the fields of nanotechnology and pharmacology for the treatment of ion channel-related diseases. NMs have significant effects on ion channels, and these effects are manifested in many ways, including changes in ion currents, kinetic characteristics and channel distribution. Subsequently, intracellular ion homeostasis, signalling pathways, and intracellular ion stores are affected, leading to the initiation of a range of biological processes. However, the effect of the interactions of NMs with ion channels is an interesting topic that remains obscure. In this review, we have summarized the recent research progress on the direct and indirect interactions between NMs and ion channels and discussed the related molecular mechanisms, which are crucial to the further development of ion channel-related nanotechnological applications.

The effects of two different patterns on the precision of zirconia all-ceramic crowns / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#The objective of this study was to compare the early clinical effects of zirconia all⁃ceramic crowns using two different impression methods. Zirconia ceramic crowns were produced using digital models based on either a silicone rubber impression perfusion model in vitro or a 3D mouth scanner.@*Methods @#A total of 50 patients with a planned restoration of the first permanent molar with zirconia all⁃ceramic crowns after root canal therapy were se⁃ lected and randomly divided into two groups: a digital impression by intraoral 3D scanning group and a digital impres⁃ sion by extraoral scanning after silicone rubber impression group. Zirconia all⁃ceramic crowns were created by CAD/ CAM in both groups. Marginal adaptation, proximal contact, and occlusal contact were compared between groups. @*Results@#There was no significant difference between the two groups in marginal adaptation (P > 0.05). For proximal con⁃ tact and occlusal contact, no significant differences regarding the number of cases for the criteria of level A and level B were found between two groups (P > 0.05), while the misfit value in level B was smaller in the first group than in the second group (P < 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Zirconia all⁃ceramic crowns with intraoral 3D scanning show excellent early clinical performance.

A retrospective study on the clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns restoration fabricated by oral digital impression / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To evaluate the clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns whose oral digital impressions were scanned by 3Shape Trios. @*Methods @#All the impressions were scanned by Trios and all the crowns were fabricated according to the standard procedure. The restoration quality were evaluated using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria one year after treatment. Restoration integrity、 marginal adaptation、enamel wear、 color satisfaction and gingival index (GI) of the prostheses were evaluated according to the modified USPHS criteria. @*Results@#The clinical 1 year survival rate of 92 porcelain crowns fabricated by 3-shape Trios digital impression and made by CAD/CAM was 100%. The scored A rates of restoration integrity、 marginal adaptation、 enamel wear、 secondary caries、color satisfaction and gingival index of the prostheses were 100%、91.3%、 98%、95.6%、96.7% and 94.7% after 1 year, respectively.@*Conclusion@#The clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns whose oral digital impressions were scanned by 3Shape Trios and whose crowns were made by CAD-CAM are satisfying.

A retrospective study on the clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns restoration fabricated by oral digital impression / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To evaluate the clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns whose oral digital impressions were scanned by 3Shape Trios. @*Methods @#All the impressions were scanned by Trios and all the crowns were fabricated according to the standard procedure. The restoration quality were evaluated using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria one year after treatment. Restoration integrity、 marginal adaptation、enamel wear、 color satisfaction and gingival index (GI) of the prostheses were evaluated according to the modified USPHS criteria. @*Results@#The clinical 1 year survival rate of 92 porcelain crowns fabricated by 3-shape Trios digital impression and made by CAD/CAM was 100%. The scored A rates of restoration integrity、 marginal adaptation、 enamel wear、 secondary caries、color satisfaction and gingival index of the prostheses were 100%、91.3%、 98%、95.6%、96.7% and 94.7% after 1 year, respectively.@*Conclusion@#The clinical outcomes of all-ceramic crowns whose oral digital impressions were scanned by 3Shape Trios and whose crowns were made by CAD-CAM are satisfying.

The content of hydrogen sulfide in plasma of cirrhosis rats combined with portal hypertension and the correlation with indexes of liver function and liver fibrosis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the content of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in plasma of cirrhosis rats combined with portal hypertension and the correlation with indexes of liver function and liver fibrosis. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), liver cirrhosis group (LC) and cirrhosis + propargylglycine (PPG) group (LC+PPG). Cirrhosis and portal hypertension were induced by carbon tetrachloride. Rats in LC+PPG group were intraperitoneally injected with H2S synthase inhibitor PPG for one week. Portal vein catheterization was used to measure portal vein pressure (PVP), and plasma H2S content was determined by deproteinization. Liver function was measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, and the fibrosis index was determined by radioimmunoassay. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of type I and type III collagen mRNA in liver tissue. Compared with NC group, levels of plasma H2S were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while PVP, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), and expression levels of type III procollagen (PC III) and type I and type III collagen mRNAs were significantly increased in LC and LC+PPG groups (P<0.01). Compared with LC group, levels of plasma H2S were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while PVP, ALT, AST, LN, HA, and expression levels of PC III and type I and type III collagen mRNAs in LC+PPG group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, level of H2S was decreased and PVP was increased in cirrhosis rats, and H2S has the function of protecting liver function and anti-fibrosis.

Tumor repressor gene chondroadherin oppose migration and proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma and predicts a good survival.

The molecular that used as prognosis and potential therapy target is urgently needed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In current work, we found the expression of CHAD (chondroadherin) was significantly reduced in hepatocellular carcinoma compared to the normal tissue, on both mRNA and protein levels, in three independent datasets. Survival analysis was implemented on these datasets, and low expression of CHAD was found to be significantly associated with poor survival. Furthermore, metastasis-averse HCC and metastasis-incline HCC group comparison, and protein abundance evaluation of normal-tumor-portal vein tumor thrombus pairs indicate that metastatic tendentiousness is reduced along with CHAD abundance. Correlation analysis was also carried out and CHAD was shown to be significantly associated with differentiation and metastasis. Multivariable cox regression analysis showed that CHAD expression is more important for prognosis, compared to the other clinical indicators. To facilitate the utilization of CHAD clinically, a nomogram was plotted to estimate the three-year survival rate. Functional assays testing the migration and proliferation ability following knock down of CHAD in two cell lines, SMMC7721 and HCCLM3, were performed and discovered that reduction of CHAD level significantly enhance both proliferation and migration in both cell lines. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) comparing the CHAD-low and CHAD-high group showed that KEGG signaling pathways including "focal adhesion", "ECM receptor interaction", and "regulation of actin cytoskeleton" were significantly enriched. In conclusion, as a potential prognostic biomarker, tumor suppressor gene CHAD represses migration and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, probability via mediating cell-cell adhesion.

Protective effects of hydrogen sulfide on portal hypertensive vasculopathy in rabbits by activating AKT-NF-κB pathway.

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in portal hypertension (PH)-induced esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions in rabbits was observed. The rabbit PH models were established. The animals were randomly divided into the following groups: normal, PH, PH+sodium hydrosulfide (PH+S), PH+propargylglycine (PH+PPG). The plasma H2S levels, apoptosis of esophageal-gastric junction vascular smooth muscle cells, and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), p-AKT, IκBa and Bcl-2 were detected. The cystathionine γ lyase (cystathionine-gamma-splitting enzyme, CSE) in the junction vascular tissue was measured. The results showed that the plasma H2S levels and the CSE expression levels had statistically significant difference among different groups (P<0.05). As compared with PH group, plasma H2S levels were declined obviously (11.9±4.2 vs. 20.6±4.5, P<0.05), and CSE expression levels in the junction vascular tissue were notably reduced (1.7±0.6 vs. 2.8±0.8, P<0.05), apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly decreased (0.10±0.15 vs. 0.24±0.07, P<0.05), and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly decreased (2.31±0.33 vs. 3.04±0.38, P<0.05; 0.33±0.17 vs. 0.51±0.23, P<0.05), however, IκBa and Bcl-2 expression increased obviously (5.57±0.17 vs. 3.67±0.13, P<0.05; 0.79±0.29 vs. 0.44±0.36, P<0.05) in PH+PPG group. As compared with PH group, H2S levels were notably increased (32.7±7.3 vs. 20.6±4.5, P<0.05), the CSE levels in the junction vascular tissue were significantly increased (6.3±0.7 vs. 2.8±0.8, P<0.05), apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly increased (0.35±0.14 vs. 0.24±0.07, P<0.05), and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly increased (4.29±0.49 vs. 3.04±0.38, P<0.05; 0.77±0.27 vs. 0.51±0.23, P<0.05), yet IκBa and Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly (3.23±0.24 vs. 3.67±0.13, P<0.05; 0.31±0.23 vs. 0.48±0.34, P<0.05) in PH+S group. It is concluded that esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions happen under PH, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells is declined. H2S can activate NF-κB by the p-AKT pathway, leading to the down-regulation of Bcl-2, eventually stimulating apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells, easing PH. H2S/CSE system may play an important role in remission of PH via the AKT-NF-κB pathway.

Protective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Portal Hypertensive Vasculopathy in Rabbits by Activating AKT-NF-κB Pathway / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in portal hypertension (PH)-induced esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions in rabbits was observed.The rabbit PH models were established.The animals were randomly divided into the following groups:normal,PH,PH+sodium hydrosulfide (PH+S),PH+propargylglycine (PH+PPG).The plasma H2S levels,apoptosis of esophageal-gastric junction vascular smooth muscle cells,and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB),p-AKT,Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 were detected.The cystathionine γ lyase (cystathionine-gamma-splitting enzyme,CSE) in the junction vascular tissue was measured.The results showed that the plasma H2S levels and the CSE expression levels had statistically significant difference among different groups (P＜0.05).As compared with PH group,plasma H2S levels were declined obviously (11.9±4.2 vs.20.6±4.5,P＜0.05),and CSE expression levels in the junction vascular tissue were notably reduced (1.7±0.6 vs.2.8±0.8,P＜0.05),apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly decreased (0.10±0.15 vs.0.24±0.07,P＜0.05),and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly decreased (2.31±0.33 vs.3.04±0.38,P＜0.05;0.33±0.17 vs.0.51±0.23,P＜0.05),however,Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 expression increased obviously (5.57±0.17 vs.3.67±0.13,P＜0.05;0.79±0.29 vs.0.44±0.36,P＜0.05) in PH+PPG group.As compared with PH group,H2S levels were notably increased (32.7±7.3 vs.20.6±4.5,P＜0.05),the CSE levels in the junction vascular tissue were significantly increased (6.3±0.7 vs.2.8±0.8,P＜0.05),apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells per unit area was significantly increased (0.35±0.14 vs.0.24±0.07,P＜0.05),and the expression levels of p-AKT and NF-κB were significantly increased (4.29±0.49 vs.3.04±0.38,P＜0.05;0.77±0.27 vs.0.51±0.23,P＜0.05),yet Iκ Ba and Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly (3.23±0.24 vs.3.67±0.13,P＜0.05;0.31±0.23 vs.0.48±0.34,P＜0.05) in PH+S group.It is concluded that esophagus-gastric junction vascular lesions happen under PH,and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells is declined.H2S can activate NF-κB by the p-AKT pathway,leading to the down-regulation of Bcl-2,eventually stimulating apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells,easing PH.H2S/CSE system may play an important role in remission of PH via the AKT-NF-κB pathway.

Efficacy of vasopressin/terlipressin and somatostatin/octreotide for the prevention of early variceal rebleeding after the initial control of bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of vasopressin/terlipressin and somatostatin/octreotide on variceal re-bleeding within and after 5 days of initial control bleeding. METHODS: A search was conducted of PubMed, the Cochrane database, and Google Scholar until June 31, 2014 using combinations of the search terms: esophageal varices, variceal re-bleeding, recurrent variceal hemorrhage, early re-bleeding, vasopressin, somatostatin, terlipressin, octreotide. Inclusion criteria were: (1) randomized controlled trials, (2) patients with esophageal or esophageal and gastric varices confirmed by endoscopy, (3) re-bleeding control was evaluated, (4) treatment with somatostatin/vasopressin. Outcome measures were the re-bleeding rates within 5 days (≤ 5 days) or after 5 days (>5 days) after initial treatment. RESULTS: Six studies were included in the analysis. Five studies had complete data of re-bleeding rate within 5 days after initial treatment, and the combined odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51, 1.50] indicated that there was no difference in the re-bleeding rate between patients treated with vasopressin/terlipressin or somatostatin/octreotide. Two studies had complete data of the re-bleeding rate 5 days after initial treatment, and the combined OR of 1.12 (95% CI 0.64, 1.95) indicated there was no difference in the re-bleeding rate between patients who were treated with vasopressin/terlipressin or somatostatin/octreotide. CONCLUSION: There is no difference between vasopressin/terlipressin and somatostatin/octreotide in prevention of re-bleeding after the initial treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

Role of hydrogen sulfide in portal hypertension and esophagogastric junction vascular disease.

AIM: To investigate the association between endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and portal hypertension as well as its effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Portal hypertension patients were categorized by Child-Pugh score based on bilirubin and albumin levels, prothrombin time, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Plasma H2S concentrations and portal vein diameters (PVDs) were compared between portal hypertension patients and control participants, as well as between portal hypertension patients with varying degrees of severity. In addition, we established a rabbit hepatic schistosomiasis portal hypertension (SPH) model and analyzed liver morphology, fibrosis grade, plasma and liver tissue H2S concentrations, as well as cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) activity and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK)1/2, B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and Bcl-XL expression in portal vein smooth muscle cells, in addition to their H2S-induced apoptosis rates. RESULTS: In portal hypertension patients, endogenous H2S levels were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. The more severe the disease was, the lower were the H2S plasma levels, which were inversely correlated with PVD and Child-Pugh score. Liver tissue H2S concentrations and CSE expression were significantly lower in the SPH rabbit livers compared with the control animals, starting at 3 wk, whereas pERK 1/2 expressions gradually increased 12-20 wk after SPH model establishment. In portal vein smooth muscle cells, increasing H2S levels led to increased apoptosis, while Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL expression decreased. CONCLUSION: H2S prevents vascular restructuring caused by excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells via apoptosis induction, which helps to maintain normal vascular structures.

[Regulatory effects of RhoGTPase on transition of liver sinusoidal capillarization: experiment with mice of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of RhoGTPase on the transition of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and the potential mechanism thereof on the sinusoidal capillarization in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Eight-eight mice underwent abdominal infection of schistosomal cercaria so as to establish liver fibrosis models. 13 weeks later the mice were divided into 5 groups: Group A (normal control group, n = 10), Group B (group of schistosomiasis, n = 24), Group C (anti-schistosoma control group, treated with biltricide), Group D (group of schistosomiasis + hydroxyfasudil, treated with hydroxyfasudil since the week 14, n = 18), and Group E (biltricide + hydroxyfasudil, treated with biltricide since week 13 and added with hydroxyfasudil since week 14, n = 18). The mice in Group A and 6 mice of Group B were killed in week 13, and 6 mice of Groups B, C, D, and E were killed in weeks 16, 19, and 21 each. The livers were taken out to undergo electron microcopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of p-moesin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), RhoA, collagen IV (Col IV), and laminin (LN) protein expressions were assessed by Western blotting, and RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of CTGF, RhoA, and ROCK II. RESULTS: Compared with Group A, the mRNA levels of RhoA, ROCK II, and CTGF were significantly increased (all P < 0.05) and the protein expression levels of p-moesin, CTGF, RhoA, Col IV, and LN were significantly increased (all P < 0.05) in Group B. After intervention with biltricide and/or hydroxyfasudil, the CTGF mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Group E in week 16 and the protein expression levels of CTGF, Col IV, and LN were decreased (all P < 0.05) compared with other groups, and the expression of p-moesin of Group E was significantly lower than that of Group D (P < 0.05). Electron microcopy showed that the liver sinusoids of the mice in Group E was significantly better compared with the other groups, and there was no significant difference between Groups B and D. CONCLUSION: An upregulation of RhoGTPase that contributes to increased CTGF expression and phosphorylation of moesin may induce a transition of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in schistosomiasis.

Inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E1 on activation of hepatic stellate cells in rabbits with schistosomiasis.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is the result of an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins of the liver. At the cellular and molecular levels, this progressive process is mainly characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Schistosoma japonica is one of the most prevalent causes of liver fibrosis in China. It is characterized by hepatocyte damage, inflammation, and chronic parasite egg-induced granuloma formation leading to fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on activation of HSCs and the alteration of type I and III collagen in rabbits with schistosomiasis. The study may promote the clinical application of praziquantel and PGE1 as a combined therapy to reverse hepatic fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis. METHODS: Rabbits were percutaneously infected with cercaria of S. japonicum. Seven rabbits were subjected to intravenous injections of PGE1 (2.5 mug/kg daily) from days 60 to 120 after infection. The ultrastructural changes in activated HSCs were observed under transmission electron microscopy. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Fibril-forming collagens were detected by picrosirius staining. RESULTS: Activation of HSCs was a characteristic alteration in schistosome-induced hepatic fibrosis. The expression of contraction-related alpha-SMA and the content of collagens were increased. Exogenous PGE1 markedly inhibited the activation of HSCs and reduced the expression of alpha-SMA around the hepatic sinusoids (P<0.01). The contents of type I and III collagens were significantly attenuated. The ratio of staining area to the whole field (10X3.3) under a polarized light microscope in the untreated and treated groups was 37.25+/-9.71 vs. 13.38+/-4.24 (P<0.01) and 9.66+/-3.52 vs. 6.23+/-1.81 (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of HSCs may play a key role in the progress of schistosome-induced hepatic fibrosis. PGE1 effectively protects rabbit liver from fibrosis, at least in part by inhibiting the activation of HSCs.

[The experimental study on pathological changes of pulmonary tissues in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathologic features of the pulmonary tissue in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis, and to study the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in pathogenesis of portal hypertensive pulmonary vasculopathy. METHODS: The experimental group included 10 rabbits infected percutaneously with cercariae of Schistosomiasis Japonica. The control group included 10 normal rabbits. HE stain, Masson trichrome stain and transmission electron microscopy were applied to detect the pathologic features of the pulmonary tissue. The expression and distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the lung tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After 120 d, the pathological morphology alteration of the pulmonary tissue was observed in the rabbits in experimental group. Both of ET-1 and NOS-containing cells were more abundant in distribution and expression in the lung tissue of experimental group than those of the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups in the parameter of area, lightness and gray level of ET-1 and NOS (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary pathologic changes occur in the portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis. ET-1 and NOS-containing cells are more abundant in pulmonary vessel of portal hypertension, then followed by dilation of intrapulmonary vessel. It is deduced that ET-1 and NO might play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive pulmonary vasculopathy.