Intestinal aGVHD and infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to guide clinical nursing by studying the relationship between intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease and intestinal infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. MATERIAL/METHODS: We present an effective nursing method by comparing and analyzing the degree, duration time, and volume of diarrhea, and the distribution of pathogens in 44 patients who developed intestinal aGVHD after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (24 patients with no intestinal infection). RESULTS: 21.4% of patients with grade I-II intestinal aGVHD developed into intestinal infection and 87.5% of patients with grade III-IV intestinal aGVHD developed into intestinal infection (P<0.05). Higher mortality was found in the grade III-IV intestinal aGVHD patients with intestinal infection. Patient age had no effect on the incidence of GVHD according to our data (P<0.05). We found remarkable differences in the amount and duration of diarrhea between patients with and without intestinal infection (P<0.05). The most common pathogens cultivated were Candida glabrata (24%) and Candida albicans (22.67%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of intestinal infection increased remarkably after intestinal aGVHD occurred. Severe aGVHD can easily lead to fungus infection. Nursing care can decrease the incidence of intestinal infection in aGVHD.

Perirenal hemorrhage secondary to interventional radiology operation against head and neck vessels: two cases report and review of the literature.

Due to the hidden hemorrhage and a lack of specificity in its manifestations, perirenal hemorrhage as a complication of interventional radiology procedures is not always diagnosed in a timely manner; furthermore, the cause of hemorrhage is often misidentified or uncertain. In this report, two cases of elderly male patients who each had a perirenal hemorrhage on the same side after an interventional radiology operation against head and neck vessels by the same operator on the same day are described. This study demonstrated that the perirenal hemorrhages in both patients were related to the interventional radiology operations, providing a reminder that operating gently and always keeping the guide wire in sight during the insertion are critical for reducing the incidence rate of perirenal hemorrhage.

Systematic assessment and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of fasudil in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a frequent and unpredictable complication in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and often leads to poor outcomes. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of fasudil in the treatment of CVS in patients with SAH. METHODS: A search was conducted using the full-text database of Chinese scientific journals, the Wanfang Database (January 1999 to November 2010), the Chinese Medical Association Digital Journal Database, PubMed, the Cochrane library, OVID, and EMBase (searching through November 2010). RESULTS: A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. The incidence rates of symptomatic CVS and CVS confirmed by angiography among the patients in the fasudil group were only 48% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.72, P = 0.0005) and 40% (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0-67, P = 0.0004) respectively of that of the control group. The odds ratios of cerebral infarction for all cases and cerebral infarction for CVS cases in the fasudil group were only 50% (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.76, P = 0.0009) and 43% (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26-0.70, P = 0.0008) respectively of that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Fasudil greatly reduces the occurrence of CVS and cerebral infarction in SAH patients, significantly improves the clinical outcomes of the patients (as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale). Because of the limited number of trials and samples available for analysis, the conclusions from the present study still need to be validated with results from large randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Expression of cytokines in rat brain with focal cerebral ischemia after grafting with bone marrow stromal cells and endothelial progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND AIMS: This study aimed to observe nine factors expressed in rat ischemic brain after transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and/or endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). These factors were vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-l), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: a vehicle group, BMSC group, EPC group and BMSC combined with EPC group. The rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) then implanted intravenously with 3 × 10(6) BMSC, EPC, BMSC/EPC or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) 24 h after MCAO. Neurologic functional deficits were measured on days 1, 7, 14, 28 after transplantation. On day 7 after transplantation, quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of VEGF, SDF-1, bFGF, IGF-l, TGF-ß, PDGF-BB, BDNF, GDNF and NGF. RESULTS: The neurologic evaluation found that the neurologic severity scores were no different between the four groups on day 1, and the scores of rats in the BMSC/EPC group were significantly lower than those of rats in the other groups on days 7, 14 and 28 after transplantation. The expressions of bFGF, VEGF and BNDF were significantly higher in the BMSC/EPC group compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intravenous transplantation of BMSC combined with EPC could promote the functional rehabilitation of rats with focal cerebral ischemia, and the mechanism may be related to the enhanced expression of factors.

Experimental investigation of HGF inhibiting glial scar in vitro.

To study the inhibitory effect of Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the responsive hyperplasia of damaged astrocytes in vitro. We prepared damaged model of astrocytes to simulate the responsive hyperplasia of damaged astrocytes in vivo by culturing astrocytes in vitro; After the first day of Ad-HGF transfection, astrocytes were scratched, then after the first, the third, and the fifth day of scratch, we detect the expression amount of astrocytes specific glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the ratio of S-phase cells with flow cytometry, both of which can reflect the proliferation status of damaged astrocytes; After HGF was added in scratched astrocytes, the activity of SPK and MAPK (P42/44) were detected by autoradiography and immunoblotting test; After adding different concentrations of HGF protein in astrocytes cultured in different serum concentrations and adding diverse concentrations of HGF protein, SPK and SPK inhibitor DMS in scratched astrocytes, we detect cell proliferation with 3H-TDR incorporation. The first day after Ad-HGF transfected astrocytes were scratched, the amount of GFAP secreted by astrocytes were decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the cells in S phase were declined obviously. HGF has bidirectional regulation on SPK of scratched astrocytes: increases the SPK activity when HGF in low dose, while inhibits when in high dose. In addition, DMS can block the signal passage; HGF had no effects on MAPK (P42/44) of damaged astrocytes cells. In conclusion, after the transfection of Ad-HGF, it can inhibit the responsive hyperplasia of damaged astrocytes by the means of blocking SPK passage.

CYP3A5*3 and MDR-1 C3435T single nucleotide polymorphisms in six Chinese ethnic groups.

The prevalent CYP3A5 *3 and the functional multi-drug resistance gene (MDR1) C3435T show marked interethnic variation among Orientals, Caucasians and Africans. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of CYP3A5*3 and MDR1 C3435T among Chinese ethnic groups. Genotypes of the CYP3A5*3 and MDR1 C3435T were determined in 839 unrelated healthy Chinese subjects by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assays. Frequencies (P < 0.05) of CYP3A5*3 variant alleles observed in Uygur Chinese, Kazakh Chinese and Tibetan Chinese (88.1%, 84.5% and 80.7%, respectively) were Significantly higher than those in Han Chinese, Wa Chinese and Bai Chinese (67.3%, 56.3% and 70.2%, respectively). Significantly higher 3435T variant frequencies (P < 0.05) were observed in Uygur Chinese (58.4%) and Kazakh Chinese (56.8%) compared with Han Chinese (44.2%), Tibetan Chinese (43.9%), Wa Chinese (45.8%) and Bai Chinese (44.2%). These results indicate that there were marked ethnic differences in the mutant frequencies of CYP3A5*3 and MDR1 C3435T among Chinese ethnic groups. Frequencies of those variants observed in Uygur Chinese, Kazakh Chinese, Tibetan Chinese, Wa Chinese and Bai Chinese wereintermediate between those seen in Han Chinese and African-American.

Expression of D2RmRNA isoforms and ERmRNA isoforms in prolactinomas: correlation with the response to bromocriptine and with tumor biological behavior.

Invasive prolactinomas are more likely to be resistant to drug therapy but the mechanism of this is still unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the different expression of ERmRNA and D2RmRNA isoforms in prolactinomas responsive and resistant to dopamine agonist (DA), and to discuss the correlation of such gene expression with tumor biological behavior. A prospective study of 20 consecutive patients who harbored prolactinomas was designed. Patients were classified as responsive (14 cases) or resistant (six cases) according to their clinical and biochemical response to bromocriptine. Tumor tissue samples were examined by means of QRT-PCR analysis. Median D2SmRNA expression in responsive patients was about 2.5-fold that in resistant ones (13.5 +/- 10.4 and 5.4 +/- 2.4, respectively, P = 0.09). No significant difference was found between D2LmRNA expression levels (P = 0.77). However, there was a significant difference between D2S/D2LmRNA ratios for responsive and resistant tumors (P = 0.012). A significant difference was not found between these two groups in levels of ERalphamRNA and ERbetamRNA expression (P = 0.20 and 0.06, respectively). D2SmRNA expression was significantly different for invasive and noninvasive tumors (6.2 +/- 3.6 vs. 17.0 +/- 11.2, respectively, P = 0.02). The D2S/D2L ratio is related to the responsiveness of prolactinomas to DA medication, in which D2SmRNA plays an important role. Lower expression of D2SmRNA in invasive tumor patients suggests that invasive prolactinomas may be more likely to be resistant to DA medication.

Passive immunization with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum afforded neuroprotection and promoted functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

LINGO-1 (leucine-rich repeat and Ig domain-containing, Nogo receptor-interacting protein) is an important component of the NgR receptor complex involved in RhoA activation and axon regeneration. The authors report on passive immunization with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum, a therapeutic approach to overcome NgR-mediated growth inhibition after spinal cord injury (SCI). The intrathecally administered high-titer rabbit-derived antiserum can be detected around the injury site within a wide time window; it blocks LINGO-1 in vivo with high molecular specificity. In this animal model, passive immunization with LINGO-1 antiserum significantly decreased RhoA activation and increased neuronal survival. Adult rats immunized in this manner show recovery of certain hindlimb motor functions after dorsal hemisection of the spinal cord. Thus, passive immunotherapy with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum may represent a promising repair strategy following acute SCI.

Genetic analysis of interleukin-1A C(-889)T polymorphism with Alzheimer disease.

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many studies have suggested that C(-889) T promoter polymorphism in one of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) encoding gene IL-1A may be associated with AD pathogenesis. To determine whether the polymorphism contributes to the risk for late-onset AD (LOAD) in Chinese, we carried out our investigation in 344 sporadic LOAD patients and 224 healthy controls. No statistical significant association was obtained between IL-1A C(-889) T polymorphism and LOAD and no statistical difference was found between cases and controls after stratification for apolipoprotein E allele 4 (APOE epsilon4) status. The results reveal that it is not likely that the IL-1A C(-889) T polymorphism is involved in AD pathogenesis in the Chinese population. Further studies of the associations between other IL-1A genetic polymorphisms and AD should be performed in a larger population and biologic functional analysis of IL-1A gene is required to verify the underlying roles of IL-IA in LOAD.

Correlation of alternative splicing of the D2 dopamine receptor mRNA and estrogen receptor mRNA in the prolactinomas and gonadotrope tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Estradiol (E2) acts to modulate the ratio of two dopamine D2 receptor isoforms (D2L/D2S) by the nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) and to reduce dopamine's inhibitory action on PRL secretion. Here we demonstrate the correlation between the expression of ER mRNA and D2R mRNA isoforms in pituitary neoplasms cells. METHODS: Twenty-four human pituitary adenomas (14 prolactinomas and 10 gonadotrope tumors) were examined for the expression of both ER mRNA and D2R mRNA by means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in ERbeta mRNA expression levels between prolactinomas and gonadotrope tumors (P = 0.871), but there was a significant difference in the expression of ERalpha mRNA (P = 0.003). The significant difference was found between the two pituitary adenomas types in both levels of D2S and D2L mRNA expression (P = 0.036 and 0.007 respectively). Furthermore, both levels of expression in prolactinomas were significantly higher than that in gonadotrope tumors. Additionally, a negative correlation between D2S and ERalpha mRNA expression and a positive correlation between D2L and ERalpha mRNA expression were found in these tumors. CONCLUSION: This study for the first time shows a good correlation between expression of ER and D2R isoforms in prolactinomas and gonadotrope tumors. Reducing the amount of the ERalpha in neoplasm cells can alter the ratio of D2L/D2S, which may increase the drug sensitivity of pituitary adenomas.

Biomechanical properties of adult-excised porcine trachea for tracheal xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: To investigate and evaluate the biomechanical properties of adult-excised porcine trachea, thereby providing experimental methods and evidence for biomedical engineering of artificial trachea. METHODS: The TY8000 servo-handle tension test machine was used to measure biomechanical indices, such as bending stiffness, radial pedestal, and stress-straining. The residual stress and bursting strength of adult-excised porcine trachea was evaluated. RESULTS: Residual stress was retained in the adult-excised porcine trachea. The force of radial pedestal was detected as 10 N, when the diameter of a 50-mm trachea was compressed to 50%. The bursting strength decreased from 180 mmHg of pharyngeal portion to 110 mmHg in tracheal carina. When the trachea flexed forward or either right or left by 50 degrees , tension reached 0.296 to 0.131 N and 0.254 to 0.150 N, respectively. The curve of stress-straining measured, according to computer data and results, suggested that tension was maintained at a low level at 50% strain. CONCLUSIONS: Residual stress was retained in the excised porcine trachea, and the porcine trachea membrane disrupted when pressure in the inner wall increased. The porcine trachea exhibits good radial pedestal force, bending, and elongation properties.

The impact of age on incremental elastic modulus and incremental compliance of pig hepatic portal vein for liver xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Pigs are currently considered the most likely source of organs for human xenotransplantation because of anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, and the relative ease to be bred in large numbers. Along with the fast development of the genetic engineering and organ transplant immunity medical science, the research of liver xenotransplantation suffers the very big valuing in recent years. Whether the livers from different species after transplanting can perform the normal function, depends on the function regeneration and lucid rates of hepatic portal vein. The objective of this study was to investigate the age effect on biomechanical properties of pig hepatic portal vein to pave the way for seeking a reliable biomaterial for future pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation. METHODS: The biomechanical remodelling of the hepatic portal vein of pigs for 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 months (n = 6 per month) were measured in this study. The blood vessel was given periodic permanent loading and unloading, and repeated force-deformation data were obtained. The incremental modulus (Einc), the longitudinal incremental modulus (Ep), the circumferential incremental modulus (Ev), incremental compliance (C) and wall thickness were calculated based on the recorded pressure-diameter curves from experimental data. RESULTS: The incremental modulus, pressure strain modulus and the volume modulus of the pig hepatic portal vein increases with the age increased (P < 0.01), while the compliance decreased with the increasing of the age (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our present study suggests that the biomechanical properties of the pig hepatic portal vein are age dependent, the pig hepatic portal vein with biomechanical properties that match those of human hepatic portal vein should be chosen for liver xenotransplantation.

Adenoviral-mediated interleukin-18 expression in mesenchymal stem cells effectively suppresses the growth of glioma in rats.

Glioma is the most common primary intracranial malignant tumor. Despite advances in surgical techniques and adjuvant radio- and chemotherapies, the prognosis for patients with glioma remains poor. We have explored the effects of using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat malignant glioma in rats. Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats can directly suppress the growth of C6 cells in vitro. MSCs transplanted intratumorally can also significantly inhibit the growth of glioma and prolong survival in C6 glioma-bearing models. MSCs producing Interleukin-18 infected by adenoviral vector inhibited glioma growth and prolonged the survival of glioma-bearing rats. Transplantation of IL-18 secreting MSCs was associated with enhanced T cell infiltration and long-term anti-tumor immunity. Thus, IL-18 may be an effective adoptive immunotherapy for malignant glioma. When used in conjunction with MSCs as targeting vehicles in vivo, IL-18 may offer a promising new treatment option for malignant glioma.

Familial and genetic researches on three Chinese families with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

OBJECTIVE: Hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system (CNS) occur as sporadic tumors or as a part of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, an autosomal dominant hereditary tumor syndrome caused by germline mutation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene. This study shows the clinical characteristics of three large Chinese families with VHL disease and evaluates the consequence of the genetic test for the diagnosis of VHL disease and clinical screening of the family members. METHODS: DNA is extracted from peripheral blood in 43 members from three large families with VHL disease and amplified by PCR to three exons of the VHL gene. The PCR products were directly sequenced and the mutations compared with the Human Gene Mutation Database. RESULTS: The ages of the patients who are given the initial diagnosis ranged from 16 to 47 years (mean: 31 years), and the mean time was 17.3 months (2-30 months) from the emergence of the symptom to patients' first visit. Furthermore, the gender distribution was 20% female (4) and 80% male (16). Twenty VHL disease patients in the three families have the most common manifestation of CNS hemangioblastoma. The cytosine replaced the 716th guanine on four patients and three carriers of virulence gene from the first family, which made the 168th serine replaced by threonine. And no mutation was found on the 22 members of the second family. Meanwhile, it was also found that the guanine replaced the 559th cytosine on one patient and two carriers from the third family, which made the 116th leucine replaced by valine. CONCLUSION: The DNA analysis of VHL germline mutations is clearly superior to clinical information to diagnose VHL disease. The CNS hemangioblastoma is the early manifestation in VHL disease. It is recommended that every patient with CNS hemangioblastoma should be screened for VHL gene mutation. The test for the VHL gene plays a key role in the discovery of asymptomatic patients and the carriers of virulence gene.

The effects of antiplatelet agents on platelet-leukocyte aggregations in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLA) are sensitive to platelet activation which might exist before the onset of cerebral infarction. In this study, we investigated the formation of PLA in patients with cerebral infarction and the effects of antiplatelet agents on PLA. METHODS: The level of soluble P-selectin, C-reaction protein, platelet aggregation rate and leukocyte-platelet aggregations were measured in 40 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 20 normal controls. The 40 patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: aspirin group (n = 20) and clopidogrel group (n = 20). Both groups were monitored for Scandinavian stroke scale (SNSS), soluble P-selectin, serum C-reaction protein, platelet aggregation rate and PLA before and after the treatment. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of PLA in the blood. RESULTS: The percentage of platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) in patients with cerebral infarction was significantly increased compared with the controls (P < 0.001), which was positively correlated to soluble P-selectin, C-reaction protein and platelet aggregation rate (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the levels of PMA and platelet aggregation rate were decreased in both groups (P < 0.05). The level of PMA and platelet aggregation rate in the clopidogrel group was significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PMA are a sensitive biomarker to platelet activation in patients with cerebral infarction. In addition, although both aspirin and clopidogrel lowered the level of PMA, clopidogrel is a more effective treatment than aspirin in inhibiting platelet activation.

A fast SSP-PCR method for genotyping the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 gene C3435T and G2677T polymorphisms in Chinese transplant recipients.

AIM: P-glycoprotein, the product of the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) gene (or the so-called multidrug resistance 1 gene), is an ATP-driven efflux pump contributing to the pharmacokinetics as well as the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are P-glycoprotein substrates, such as tacrolimus. This paper describes the development of a new method for detection of the 3435C/T and 2677G/T/A single nucleotide polymorphisms of the ABCB1 gene. The method is a simple sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). METHODS: 158 Chinese health checkup examinees and 214 transplant recipients were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and amplified with SSP-PCR to detect the 3435C/T and 2677G/T/A mutations in ABCB1. The SSP-PCR condition was optimized, and the PCR results were compared with those of DNA sequencing. RESULTS: In the optimized condition, the two polymorphisms could be clearly distinguished after one-step PCR and electrophoresis. The ABCB1 3435C/T and 2677G/T/A genotypes of the subjects were scanned, and allele-specific bands were successfully amplified by SSP-PCR, which were in full accordance with the results of sequencing. CONCLUSION: As a fast, simple and inexpensive genotyping tool, the method would be practicable in large clinical studies on interindividual pharmacokinetics.

Relationship between celiac artery variation and number of lymph nodes dissection in gastric cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Radical D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer as a standard procedure has gained global consensus. Mounting studies have shown that the number of lymph nodes dissection directly affects the prognosis and recurrence of gastric cancer. Our previous study showed that there was no obvious lymph node around the abnormal hepatic artery derived from the superior mesenteric artery. AIM: To investigate the relationship between celiac artery variation and the number of lymph nodes dissection in gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 421 patients treated with radical D2 lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The difference of the number of lymph nodes dissection between the celiac artery variation group and the normal vessels group and the relationship with prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Celiac artery variation was found in 110 patients, with a variation rate of 26.13%. Celiac artery variation, tumor staging, and Borrmann typing were factors that affected lymph node clearance in gastric cancer, and the number of lymph nodes dissection in patients with celiac artery variation was significantly less than that of non-variant groups (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in survival time between the two groups (P > 0.05). Univariate and multiple Cox regression analysis showed that celiac artery variation was not a prognostic factor for gastric cancer (P > 0.05). Tumor staging, intraoperative bleeding, and positive lymph node ratio were prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The number of lymph nodes dissection in patients with celiac artery variation was reduced, but there was no obvious effect on prognosis. Therefore, lymph nodes around the abnormal hepatic artery may not need to be dissected in radical D2 lymphadenectomy.

Biomechanical properties of ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk in pigs and humans.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to obtain the biomechanical properties of ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk between healthy humans and pigs of different months, so as to provide necessary biomechanical experimental basis for anastomosing blood vessel in pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation. METHODS: Ascending aorta and pulmonary trunks of the six deceased donors (male 4, female 2) and 42 Chinese Hubei white pigs aged 1-7 months were performed biomechanical test. The blood vessel was given periodic permanent loading and unloading, and repeated force-deformation data were obtained. The elastic properties of the blood vessels were obtained by curve from experimental data. RESULTS: The biomechanical material constant of ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk of pigs did not increase with the increase of age (F = 14.569, P = 0.126). The biomechanical material constant of humans was basically similar to that of pigs aged 1-7 months (F = 12.264, P = 0.225). The elastic modulus was the biggest in pigs aged 7 months in comparison with that in other ages (F = 27.425, P = 0.032). There was no significant difference of elastic modulus of corresponding blood vessel between humans and pigs of different months (F = 17.328, P = 0.215). CONCLUSIONS: Our present study suggests that there was no significant difference of elastic properties of ascending aorta and pulmonary trunks between humans and pigs. From biomechanical aspects, anastomosis of corresponding ascending aorta and pulmonary trunks in the process of pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation may be feasible.

Voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.1, Nav1.3 and beta1 subunit were up-regulated in the hippocampus of spontaneously epileptic rat.

The spontaneously epileptic rat (SER), a double mutant (zi/zi, tm/tm), exhibits both tonic convulsions and absence-like seizures from the age of 8 weeks. Since the first point mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) beta(1) subunit in human generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) was identified, more and more types of genetic epilepsy have been causally suggested to be related to gene changes in VGSC. However, there are no reports that can elucidate the effects of VGSC in SER. The present study was undertaken to detect sodium channel I alpha-isoform (Na(v)1.1), sodium channel III alpha-isoform (Na(v)1.3) and beta(1) subunit from both the level of mRNA and protein in SERs hippocampus compared with control Wistar rats. In this study, the mRNA expressions of Na(v)1.1, Na(v)1.3 and beta(1) subunit in SERs hippocampus were significantly higher than those in control rats hippocampus by real-time RT-PCR; The protein distributions and expressions of Na(v)1.1, Na(v)1.3 and beta(1) subunit in SERs hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot, and the protein expressions of Na(v)1.1, Na(v)1.3 and beta(1) subunit were significantly increased. In conclusion, our study suggested for the first time that sodium channel Na(v)1.1, Na(v)1.3 and beta(1) subunit up-regulation at the mRNA and protein levels of SER hippocampus might contribute to the generation of epileptiform activity and underlie the observed seizure phenotype in SER. The results of this study may be of value in revealing components of the molecular mechanisms of hippocampal excitation that are related to genetic epilepsy.