Pigmentation of skin graft is improved by cryopreservation of human skin with trehalose.

PURPOSE: It is well-known that hyperpigmentation of a skin graft occurs more frequently in patients of color. The objective of this study was to investigate a modified protocol in which trehalose is combined with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) to improve the pigmentation of skin grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human skin samples were harvested from patients with breast cancer. Trehalose 0.5 mol/L combined with 10% v/v Me2SO was used as a cryoprotectant. Skin samples were divided into 3 groups: fresh (n = 10), cryopreserved with trehalose/Me2SO (n = 10), and cryopreserved Me2SO alone (n = 10). The viability of skin was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Ki-67 immunostaining, and by transplantation to immunodeficient mice. After transplantation, grafts were photographed and harvested for analysis by histologic and ultrastructural observations and cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining. RESULTS: After cryopreservation, trehalose/Me2SO-cryopreserved skin maintained well-preserved epidermal and dermal structures when evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. In the fresh and trehalose/Me2SO groups, no differences in Ki-67 positive unit values (26.79 ± 1.55 vs 26.04 ± 1.15) were observed. When transplanted to immunodeficient mice, hyperpigmentation, melanocytes, and melanosomes were found in fresh skin. Skin cryopreserved with trehalose/Me2SO appeared to match harmoniously, cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining showed that some trehalose/Me2SO-cryopreserved skin grafts were of human origin and the rest of mouse origin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a combination of trehalose and Me2SO significantly increases the protective effect of skin tissues during cryopreservation. More importantly, this technique seems to prevent pigmentation of skin grafts.

[Systematic review and Meta analysis on the effectiveness and safety of tuina in treatment of functional constipation].

OBJECTIVE: To review systematically the effectiveness and safety of tuina (Chinese massage)in treatment of functional constipation. METHODS: The articles on functional constipation treated with tuina were collected by computer retrieval from 7 databases from the date of establishment to March 28, 2020, including Chinese biomedical literature database (SinoMed), China journal full-text database (CNKI), full-text database of Wanfang academic journals (Wanfang), VIP Chinese science and technology journal database(VIP), PubMed, Dutch medical literature database (EMbase) and the Cochrane Library. After data extraction and quality evaluation of the included articles, Meta analysis was conducted with RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles were included, with 1424 cases involved. Meta analysis results showed: ①The total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (RR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.16-1.42, P<0.000 01). ②The effective rate for the symptoms of functional constipation in traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (RR=1.38, 95%CI :1.25-1.52, Z=6.31, P<0.000 01). ③Adverse reactions in the treatment group in the treatment of functional constipation were less than those in the control group (RR=0.10, 95%CI: 0.02-0.49, Z=2.81, P=0.005).④The effective rate of functional constipation treated on the base of syndrome differentiation in the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (RR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.08-2.10, Z=2.39, P=0.02).⑤The improvements in fecal characteristics, defecation time and defecation frequency of the patients with functional constipation in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tuina therapy presents a certain advantages on its curative effect on functional constipation, has less adverse reactions and relieves the relevant symptoms of functional constipation. But more randomized controlled trials with high quality and large sample are required to provide further verification of its effect.

[PAR-1 regulation of intracellular Ca²(+) mobilization in pulmonary giant cell carcinoma cell line PLA801D/PLA801C].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate molecular mechanisms of PAR-1 regulation on intracellular Ca²(+) mobilization in lung giant cell carcinoma cells in vitro and its involvement in tumor metastasis. METHODS: Free intracellular Ca²(+) ([Ca²(+)]i) was measured in lung giant cell carcinoma PLA801C and PLA801D cells by confocal microscopy. Sense and anti-sense PAR-1 expression vectors were transfected into PLA801C (C+)and PLA801D(D-) cells, respectively. The effects of PAR-1 expression were investigated by thrombin and TRAP-induced mobilization of [Ca²(+)]i in the C+ and D-cells. RESULTS: There were significant differences of the mean values of [Ca²(+)]i between PLA801D (59.55) and PLA801C cells (35.46, P < 0.01). The mean [Ca²(+)]i of C+ cells (45.77) was significantly higher than that of its control CV cells (35.46, P < 0.05), and the mean [Ca²(+)]i of D-cells (48.42) was significantly lower than that of its control DV cells (59.55, P < 0.05). The peaks of [Ca²(+)]i of C+ and CV cells were 48.19 ± 9.84 and 45.64 ± 9.87 (P < 0.05) respectively at 80 s and 100 s after thrombin treatment, but were 111.31 ± 25.00 and 52.93 ± 11.21 (P < 0.05) respectively at 60 s after TRAP treatment. The peaks of [Ca²(+)]i of D- and DV cells were 40.71 ± 5.89 and 61.07 ± 21.36 (P < 0.05) respectively at 60 s after thrombin treatment, but were 84.98 ± 11.23 and 102.58 ± 21.48 (P < 0.05) respectively at 40 s after TRAP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The high metastatic potential of PLA801D and PLA801C may be related to [Ca²(+)]i of the tumor cells. PAR-1 may play an important role in the metastasis of lung giant cell carcinoma cells by up-regulating the intracellular Ca²(+).

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among very elderly Chinese: results of a community-based study.

The epidemiologic distribution of hypertension among very elderly Chinese is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rate of hypertension among very elderly in Chengdu. From May 2013 to May 2015, a total of 1056 participants from 20 residential communities were sampled. Standard face-to-face interviews, physical examinations, and biochemical analysis were undertaken. Participants had a mean age of 83.6 ± 3.4 years (range: 80-100), and 49.8% were men. Mean systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP were 146.4 ± 20.6 and 74.1 ± 11.9 mm Hg, respectively, and both of the highest BP levels were among participants aged 80-84 years. Mean pulse pressure was 72.5 ± 17.1 mm Hg, and the highest pulse pressure level was among participants aged 90 years and older. The overall estimated hypertension prevalence was 75.3% (95% confidence interval: 72.6%-77.9%), and among overall participants, 51.9% were aware of their hypertensive condition and 45.5% were treated. However, only 18.1% of hypertensive participants were controlled (BP < 140/90 mm Hg). Among very elderly Chinese in Chengdu, the prevalence of hypertension is predominantly high, whereas awareness, treatment, and control rates are considerably low. Effective primary and secondary prevention strategies are needed.

[Expression of PAR-1 in human lung carcinoma and its relationship with tumor metastatic potential].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between expression of PAR-1 and metastasis of human lung carcinoma. METHODS: Expression levels of PAR-1 were examined in surgically resected lung carcinoma specimens and corresponding lymph nodes by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, combined with morphometric methodology and clinicopathologic profiles. RESULTS: Strong PAR-1 staining was detected in the periphery of carcinoma nests, adenocarcinomatous emboli, foci of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia adjacent to the adenocarcinoma and atypical proliferation of duct epithelium of bronchial mucous glands. The expression rates of PAR-1 were 73.8% (59/80) and 63.9% (23/36) by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. The percentage of PAR-1 protein expression cells was significantly higher in tumors with metastasis (85.7%, 48/56) than those without (45.8%, 11/24). Morphometric study demonstrated that there were significant differences of PAR-1 protein expression levels between tumors with metastatic and those without, primary and metastatic carcinomas, primary carcinomas and benign lung tissues adjacent to the carcinoma. No significant correlation was found between PAR-1 expression level and tumor size, histological types and tumor grades. The positive rate of PAR-1 mRNA expression in the metastatic group was significantly higher than that of the non-metastatic group (78.3%, 18/23 v.s. 38.5%, 5/13). CONCLUSION: PAR-1 expression may play an important role in determining the malignant phenotypes of lung cancers and significantly contribute to their initiation, progression and metastasis.

Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma in abdominal cavity: a case report and review of literature.

In this study, we present a rare and difficult case of epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) in abdominal cavity. A 47-year-old female presented as left upper abdominal pain for 6 months and abdominal distention for 1 month. CT examination showed a solid mass in the left upper intra-abdomen. Grossly, the tumor was found in the mesenterium of colon with the size of 7.5 × 6.5 × 3.5 cm, and was solid and gray-yellowish in the cut surface. Focal myxomatous appearance was observed. Microscopically, stromal myxoid change together with prominant infiltrated lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils were found in the tumor, and the tumor cells were round, epithelioid with vesicular nuclei, large prominant nucleoli and high mitotic rate. Immunohistochemically, strong diffused positive for vimentin, desmin, ALK (nuclear membrane staining pattern) and AAT, focally positive for CD99 and CD30, were showed, Ki67 index was about 20%; Especially, WT-1 and D240 were focally expressed in this tumor. FISH analysis showed rearrangement of ALK, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was used to detect the fusion location of the RANBP2 and ALK gene. The diagnosis of EMIS was made based on its location, typical morphology, the immunohistochemical features especially the nuclear membranous immunostaining of ALK and rearrangement of RANBP2-ALK. The tumor showed higher aggressive behaviors and a poor prognosis. The differential diagnosis and other treatments of EMIS are also discussed in the present study. This finding may increase the case information of EMIS.

[Transplantation of fetal cardiomyocyte regenerates infarcted myocardium in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of fetal cardiomyocyte transplantation into the rat model of myocardial infarction. METHODS: Cardiomyocytes were isolated from aborted human embryos aged 12 - 16 weeks and cultured for 5 days to confirm their viability. Rat model of extensive myocardial infarction (MI) was established in 18 male Wistar rats by ligating the descending anterior branch of left coronary artery and the 18 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: transplantation group (n = 7, 2 x 10(6) fetal cardiomyocytes were transplanted into the myocardial scar) and culture medium injection group (n = 6, culture medium was injected into the myocardial scar) 5 days after extensive MI was caused. Another 6 rats undergoing sham operation were used as controls. Echocardiography was performed before and 60 +/- 3 days after the implantation to assess the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and cardiac function. Then the rats were killed and their heart were harvested to undergo HE staining, immunohistochemical examination with antibody against human alpha-actin smooth muscle (SMA) isoform, and light microscopy. RESULTS: Light microscopy revealed the presence of engrafted human fetal cardiomyocytes in the infarcted myocardium and the presence of nascent intercalated disks connecting the engrafted fetal cardiomyocytes and the host myocardium. The engrafted fetal cardiomyocytes were SMA positive. Serial echocardiography revealed that cell transplantation prevented scar thinning, LV further dilatation and dysfunction while the control animals developed scar thinning, significant LV dilatation accompanied by progressive deterioration in LV contractility. CONCLUSION: Fetal cardiomyocytes can be implanted and survive in the infarcted myocardial cells, thus preventing the scar thinning, and LV further dilatation and dysfunction.