Potential for left ventricular assistance by latissimus dorsi myograft--sequential effects of electrical preconditioning on skeletal muscle fiber type, blood flow and metabolic status

In order to evaluate the possibility of left ventricular assistance by latissimus dorsi (LD) myograft, we have studied contractile property and fatigue rates of skeletal muscle ventricle (SMV) constructed using canine LD muscles. Twenty three dogs were divided into 3 groups depending on the conditioning protocol of LD muscles; Group I (Control n = 12), Group II (Vascular delay n = 4) and Group III (Vascular delay and electrical preconditioning n = 7). SMVs in GIII dogs generated sufficient pressure and forward flow in a hydraulic test system with muscle stimulation at a burst-frequency of 50 Hz (SMV pressure 131 +/- 42 mmHg, Stroke volume 7.0 +/- 3.0 ml/beat). Although SMVs in GI and GII dogs could sustain flow for only 4.0 +/- 1.1 minutes and 32.4 +/- 14.0 minutes, respectively, SMVs in GIII were able to pump continuously for 107.5 +/- 15.0 minutes (p less than 0.01, vs GI and GII). Thermography surface temperature mapping revealed marked improvement of blood distribution of LD muscles in GII and GIII dogs. Flow rates of thoracodorsal artery during SMV stimulation were GI: 10.0 +/- 3.1 ml/minute/LD 100 g, GII: 15.0 +/- 3.7 ml/minutes/100 g and GIII: 20.7 +/- 2.5 ml/minutes/100 g (p less than 0.01 vs GI). The ratio of oxygen consumption to lactate output was GI: 0.33 +/- 0.10, GII: 0.36 +/- 0.09 and GIII: 1.56 +/- 0.97 (p less than 0.01 vs GI, p less than 0.05 vs GII). Histochemical examination of LD muscles using alkaline ATPase stain revealed muscle fiber type transformation of GIII muscles. These results suggest electrically preconditioned LD muscles have sufficient contractile property for partial left ventricular assistance, and highly fatigue-resistant properties resulted from muscle fiber transformation, improved muscle perfusion and metabolic changes.     

Comparative Study of Conventional Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy, V-Y Anoplasty, and Tailored Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy with V-Y Anoplasty in the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

Background

Lateral internal sphincterotomy has been proven highly effective in curing anal fissure but with a high incidence of postoperative incontinence.

Objective

We compared conventional lateral internal sphincterotomy, V-Y advancement flap, and combined tailored lateral internal sphincterotomy with V-Y advancement flap in treating anal fissure.

Patients

Consecutive patients treated for anal fissure at our colorectal unit were evaluated for inclusion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive conventional sphincterotomy (GI), V-Y advancement flap (GII), or combined tailored lateral sphincterotomy with V-Y advancement l flap (GIII).

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measure was the incontinence rate; secondary outcomes included healing rate, operative time, anal manometery, and recurrence rate.

Results

One hundred fifty patients with chronic anal fissure were randomized. Healing rate after 1?year was 84?% in GI, 48?% in GII, and 94?% in GIII, respectively (P?=?0.001). The recurrence rate was 4?% in G1, 22?% in GII, and 2?% in GIII (P?=?0.01). Incontinence rate was 14?% in GI, 0?% in GII, and 2?% in GIII (P?=?0.03).

Conclusion

Although all three procedures are simple and easy to perform, tailored lateral internal sphincterotomy with V-YF appears to produce the greatest healing rate, with the fewest complications and less rate of recurrence.     

Changes and Effect of PACAP-38 on Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion and Autotransplantation

Tissue injury caused by cold preservation and reperfusion during small bowel transplantation remains an unsolved problem. Increasing evidence suggests that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has protective effects in several ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) models. This study investigated the effect of PACAP-38 on oxidative stress in autotransplanted intestine. We established sham-operated, I/R, and autotransplanted groups in Wistar rats (n = 55). We applied ischemia for 1 (GI), 2 (GII), or 3 hours (GIII). In autotransplanted groups, we performed total orthotopic intestinal autotransplantation. Grafts were preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for 1 (GIV), 2 (GV), 3 (GVI), or 6 (GVII) hours and in PACAP-38-containing UW for 1 (GVIII), 2 (GIX), 3 (GX), or 6 (GXI) hours. Reperfusion lasted 3 hours in each group. Endogenous PACAP-38 values were measured by radioimmunoassay. Oxidative stress parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in tissue homogenates. Concentration of endogenous PACAP-38 significantly decreased in GI to GIII compared with the sham-operated animals following I/R periods (P < .05). Cold preservation in UW and reperfusion of the intestine increased the level of tissue MDA in GIV to GVII, which correlated with the duration of cold storage. The content of GSH decreased in GIV to GVII to levels that were significantly different between GIV and GVIII and between GVII and GXI. SOD activity decreased dramatically in GIV to GVII with significantly higher activity in GIX to GXI. Our findings confirmed that I/R decreased endogenous PACAP-38 concentration. Administration of PACAP-38 to UW solution mitigated the oxidative injury during intestinal autotransplantation.     

Protective action of intravesical oxybutynin on bladder ultrastructure in rabbits with detrusor overactivity

To evaluate the protective effect of intravesical oxybutynin on the ultrastructure of rabbits with detrusor overactivity (DO). Seventeen North Folk male rabbits were distributed into three groups: GI (n = 5) used as control, GII (n = 5), and GIII (n = 5) with DO. One animal from GII and one from GIII were excluded because they did not develop DO. In GIII, the animals were treated with daily intravesical application of 0.5 mg/Kg of oxybutynin for 30 days. Bladder weight was significantly higher in animals from GII and GIII as compared to GI. After 30 days, cystometric study revealed that vesical capacity was significantly decreased in GII and GIII. Detrusor pressure was significantly higher in GII. Electron microscopy showed increase of intercellular space, cell junctions and caveolae areas asymmetries, mitochondria and cellular degeneration in GII, while in GIII, these alterations have improved after a 30-day treatment. Animals treated with intravesical oxybutynin presented ultrastructural aspect similar to normal.     

Decreased Fresh Gas Flow Cannot Compensate for an Increased Operating Room Temperature in Maintaining Body Temperature During Donor Hepatectomy for Living Liver Donor Hepatectomy

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of various combinations of fresh gas flow (FGF) of anesthesia and different ambient operation room temperatures (ORT) on changes in nasopharyngeal temperature (NT) among living donors undergoing partial hepatectomy.

Methods

The anesthesia records of 167 patients were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were allocated into 4 groups: GI (n = 37): isoflurane in 2 L FGF and at typical ambient ORT (19°C-21°C); GII (n = 11) isoflurane in 1 L FGF and 1 L air at typical ORT; GIII (n = 31) isoflurane in 0.5 L FGF at typical ORT; and GIV (n = 88) isoflurane in 0.5 L FGF at ORT of 24°C.The changes in NT were compared using a two-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Results

Changes of NTs of GIV were significantly higher compared with the other 3 groups, whereas the changes of NTs were the same among GI, GII, and GIII.

Conclusion

FGF of different volumes seemed to have no significant effect on intraoperative changes of NT in regular ORT. Low-flow anesthesia combined with ORT of 24°C provided significantly higher NTs at all measured points compared with GI, GII, and GIII.     

Effect of combination sildenafil and gemfibrozil on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity; role of heme oxygenase-1

Background/aim: Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in large proportion of patients. The aim of this work is to clarify the effect of combination of sildenafil and gemfibrozil on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity either before or after cisplatin treatment and determination of nephrotoxicity predictors among the measured tissue markers.

Methods: Thirty two adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups (G) GI control, GII received cisplatin, GIII received sildenafil and gemfibrozil before cisplatin, GIV received sildenafil and gemfibrozil after cisplatin. Creatinine and urea were measured and animals were sacrificed and kidney was taken for histopathology. The following tissue markers were measured, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity, reduced glutathione, quantitative (real-time polymerase chain reaction) RT-PCR for gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ENOS) level.

Results: GII developed AKI demonstrated by significantly high urea and creatinine and severe diffuse (80–90%) tubular necrosis. TNF-α was highly and significantly elevated while the rest of tissue markers were significantly reduced in GI1 compared to other groups. GIV showed better results compared to GIII. There was a significant positive correlation between creatinine and TNF-α when combining GI and GII while there were significant negative correlation between creatinine and other tissue markers in same groups. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that HO-1 was the independent predictor of AKI demonstrated by elevated creatinine among GI and GII.

Conclusions: Combination of sildenafil and gemfibrozil can be used in treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. HO-1 is a promising target for prevention and/or treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Mitigation of oxidative injury by classic and delayed ischemic preconditioning prior to small bowel autotransplantation

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been defined as short periods of ischemia with intermittent reperfusion. IPC induces two phases of protection. We sought to investigate the effects of classic and delayed preconditioning on oxidative stress markers prior to autotransplantation. Total orthotopic intestinal autotransplantation was performed on 18 mongrel dogs in three groups: group I (GI, nonpreconditioned), group II (GII, classic preconditioned), and group III (GIII, delayed preconditioned). In GI 3-hour cold preservation in University of Wisconsin solution was followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. In GII before this procedure the intestine was preconditioned by occlusion of the mesenteric artery with four cycles each of 5 minutes of ischemia and 10 minutes of reperfusion (IPC protocol). In GIII on day 1 the animals underwent the IPC protocol, and autotransplantation was performed on day 2. Oxidative stress parameters included malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurements in tissue samples. Our results showed increased lipid peroxidation with decreased GSH level and SOD activity in GI (control: 254.38 +/- 18.32 IU/g; reperfused: 55.01 +/- 26.40 IU/g; P <.05). In GII MDA was slightly elevated, and the GSH concentration was increased markedly. Furthermore, better preservation of SOD activity was observed at the end of the reperfusion. Meanwhile, in GIII GSH was significantly increased, indicating the activation of the endogenous antioxidant protective system (control: 382.13 +/- 24.22 micromol/L per gram; reperfused: 515.25 +/- 26.36 micromol/L per gram; P <.05). Moreover, SOD surpassed the control activity. Our findings confirmed that both forms of preconditioning mitigate the severity of oxidative stress prior to preservation and autotransplantation. Delayed preconditioning is more effective to protect bowel tissue against oxidative injury.     

缺血预处理对大鼠肝脏部分切除术后残留肝脏的保护作用及其机制的研究

目的　探讨缺血预处理 (ischemicpreconditioning ,IPC)对大鼠肝脏部分切除术后残留肝脏的保护作用及其机制。方法　 5 0只雄性SD大鼠随机均分为假手术 (Sham)、单纯热缺血 (warmis chemia ,WI)、IPC、IPC L arginine(NO供体 )和WI NAME(NO合成酶抑制剂 ) 5组。术前、术后 1、2、3d检测血清AST和ALT ,术前、IPC后、热缺血后 0 5、1、2、3h检测肝脏组织NO浓度。AST和ALT用自动生化分析仪检测 ,NO用硝酸还原法检测。结果　WI、IPC、IPC L arginine及WI NAME组术后AST和ALT均高于Sham组 (P <0 0 5或P <0 0 1) ,IPC和WI NAME组术后AST和ALT低于WI和IPC L arginine组 (P <0 0 5 )。WI、IPC、IPC L arginine及WI NAME组术后 0 5h肝脏组织NO浓度开始升高(P <0 0 5或P <0 0 1) ,IPC和WI NAME组术后肝脏组织NO浓度低于WI和IPC L arginine组 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　IPC对大鼠肝脏部分切除术后残留肝脏的缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用。IPC通过抑制大鼠热缺血再灌注肝脏产生NO ,减少NO所诱发的肝脏组织细胞的凋亡或坏死 ,保护肝脏功能。     

H-NMR spin-lattice and correlation times of burned soft-tissue after treatment with an infrared pulsed laser device

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the spin-lattice (T(1), 1/T(1)) and correlation times (tau(c)) of burned soft-tissue after treatment with an infrared (IR) pulsed laser device (IPLD, 904 nm pulsed at 3 MHz). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven groups (GI-GVII), each consisting of four albino rats, were used. Groups I-VI were anesthetized and burned with a hot tip: GI, GIII, GV were not irradiated; GII, GIV, GVI were irradiated at 0; 0 and 24; and 0, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. A control group (GVII) was neither burned nor irradiated. Samples from all groups were evaluated using a 90 MHz hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) spectrometer. An unpaired Student's t-test and an ANOVA I were preformed (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: At 0 and 24 hours, 1/T(1) and tau(c) data revealed significant differences between GVII and both the non-irradiated (GI, GIII), and irradiated (GII, GIV) groups. At 48 hours, only the difference in tau(c) between GVII and the irradiated group (GVI) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Spin-lattice data reflected significant changes in tissues induced by the burn and a tendency towards control values for all burned groups. Meanwhile, the tau(c) value of GVI suggests the possibility of enhanced reparative effects attributable to chaotic intra- and inter-molecular energy transport to biopolymers in injured soft-tissue.     

The Change of Respiratory Compliance Before and After Removal of Ascites in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

The study's purpose was to evaluate the effects of total removal of the asictes through laparotomy on the lung function of adult patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation.

Basis Procedure

One hundred eleven patients were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped into 3 groups: GI had ascites <1000 mL, GII between 1000 and 4000 mL, and GIII >4000 mL. The respiratory compliance (RC), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂), peak and plateau airway pressures, tidal volume, and ventilator modes used were compared from 5 minutes before to 20 minutes after laparotomy, by using linear regression and repeated measurements. The changes in the RC among groups were tested using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), whereas the changes in percentage of the RC in the same group were tested using paired Student t test.

Main Findings

The changes in RC before and 10 minutes after laparotomy and total removal of the ascites were 45 ± 12 to 47 ± 13, 39 ± 9 to 43 ± 6, and 24 ± 8 to 43 ± 12 mL/cm H₂O for GI, GII, and GIII, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that the R² of the RC 20 minutes after removal of the ascites was 0.645. Pressure cycled ventilation (PCV) used in GIII significantly increased the tidal volume and low end tidal CO₂ after laparotomy.

Conclusions

Removal of the ascites in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) tended to improve the RC in all groups, but significant change was only noted in patients with massive ascites (GIII). Resetting of the ventilator is required to prevent hyperventilation when the PCV mode is used in GIII.     

Anti-apoptosis Effects of Oxymatrine Protect the Liver from Warm Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Warm ischemia and reperfusion (WI/R) results in the release of destructive proinflammatory cytokines and oxygen free radicals, which in turn cause injury to the liver. Apoptosis is regarded as the central mechanism of liver injury during WI/R. Oxymatrine, an extract from a traditional Chinese herb, Sophora flavescens Ait, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis, by virtue of its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activity. The objective of this study was to investigate whether administration of oxymatrine could protect livers against WI/R. The experimental design consisted of three groups of rats (each group contained 10 Wistar rats): one group were treated by sham-operation; the second (control) group with WI/R were administrated saline, and the third group, rats with WI/R, were administered oxymatrine). Oxymatrine was intravenously administered before a 30-minute period of ischemia. Blood samples were collected for biochemical assay. Liver samples taken at different time points underwent histological examination for detection of apoptotic cells, and Western blotting analysis for Fas and Fas ligand, the key factors in the upper apoptotic pathways. Histologic alteration of the liver was attenuated in oxymatrine-treated rats, and the serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced (73% and 61%, respectively). Oxymatrine significantly inhibited cell apoptosis, as examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and it reduced the apoptotic index by 65% (P < 0.05%) as detected by flow cytometry. The anti-apoptotic activity of oxymatrine depends mainly on downregulation of Fas and Fas ligand. The results of this study indicate that oxymatrine may represent a potent drug to protect the liver against WI/R injury.     

The Evaluation of Protective Effects of FK-506 on Neural Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury: an Experimental Study

Abstract Objective: In this study, we aimed to delineate the mode of neuroprotective action of FK-506, and demonstrated that FK-506 could decrease oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in an in vivo rat model of neural ischemia-reperfusion after hemorrhagic shock. Methods: Thirty rats were used as experimental subjects and divided into five equal groups. Group A rats (sham group, n = 6) were anesthetized and craniotomies were performed for collecting brain tissue samples. In group B ischemia-reperfusion (I/R + 1 h, n = 6), group C (I/R + 24 h, n = 6), group D (I/ R + 1 h FK-506, n = 6) and group E (I/R + 24 h FK-506, n = 6), systolic blood pressure of the rats decreased to 40–50% of the normal level via bleeding from the femoral vein. Thus, a hemorrhagic shock and ischemic neural tissue model was formed. The bloodwas retained and given to the remaining animals in groups B, C,Dand E via femoral vein for reperfusion 20 min after the procedure. In group D and E, 1 mg/kg FK-506 in 0.5 ml isotonic solution was administered to the rats 5 min before reperfusion. Group B and D rats were sacrificed after 1 h and group Cand E rats were sacrificed 24 h after reperfusion; the rats were sacrificed via bleeding associated with intracardiac puncture. Craniotomy was also performed in groups B, C, D and E and brain tissue samples were fixed using neutral buffered 10% formaldehyde solution for immunohistopathological examination as in group A. Brain tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, tissue myeloperoxydase (MPO) activities and apoptotic cell analyses with Apo 2.7 immunohistochemically were also performed in all groups. Results: The result of the study revealed that the SOD activities were lower for groups B (I/R + 1 h) and C (I/ R + 24 h) than for group A (sham group) (p < 0.05). In addition, SOD activities were higher in groups D (I/ R + 1 h FK-506) and E (I/R + 24 h FK-506) than in groups B (I/R + 1 h) and C (I/R + 24 h) (p < 0.05). MDA levels, MPO activities and the number of apoptotic cells were lower in group A (sham group) than in groups B (I/R + 1 h) and C (I/R + 24 h) (p < 0.05). In addition to these MDA levels, MPO activities and the number of apoptotic cells were higher in groups B (I/R + 1 h) and C (I/R + 24 h) as compared to groups D (I/R + 1 h FK-506) and E (I/R + 24 h FK-506) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that the prophylactic use of FK-506 in an in situ ischemic neural tissue may prevent reperfusion injury.     

The effects of preconditioning on the oxidative stress in small-bowel autotransplantation

BACKGROUND: One determining factor in intestinal transplantation is the extreme sensitivity of the small bowel to ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study investigated the effect of ischemic preconditioning prior to autotransplantation. METHODS: Total orthotopic intestinal autotransplantation was performed in 40 mongrel dogs. In 4 groups (GI-GIV), grafts were stored for 3 hours in cold Euro Collins (GI,GIII) and University of Wisconsin (GII,GIV) solutions. In GIII and GIV, before preservation, preconditioning was induced by 4 cycles (5-min ischemia + 10-min reperfusion). Bowel samples were collected after laparotomy (control), at the end of preservation and reperfusion periods. We determined oxidative stress markers (reduced glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD]), production of oxygen free radicals, activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and DNA damage. RESULTS: In the non-preconditioned groups, GSH concentration increased slightly, while SOD activity decreased significantly during reperfusion. In the preconditioned groups, GSH increased markedly, and better preservation of SOD was observed. The number of oxygen free radicals increased during reperfusion mainly in non-preconditioned groups. Activation of NF-kappaB peaked by 1 hour, and decreased 3 hours after preconditioning. We observed DNA-damaged cells in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that preconditioning prior to preservation can moderate the severity of oxidative stress and activate the endogenous cellular adaptation in bowel tissue.     

Long-term behaviour of cryopreserved arterial grafts versus prosthetic micrografts.

INTRODUCTION: When a patient has no suitable vessels for use as grafts in bypass or reconstruction procedures, two of the options available are the use of a cryopreserved vessel or an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthesis. This study was designed to compare the long-term behaviour of these vascular substitutes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We established three study groups by grafting the following vessel substitutes to the iliac artery in Spraque-Dawley rats: arterial autografts (GI, n=12), cryopreserved syngenic arterial grafts (cryoisografts) (GII, n=12), and ePTFE micrografts (GIII, n=12). The animals were sacrificed 180 days after surgery, at which time the graft specimens were morphologically evaluated by light and electron microscopy, immunolabelling (ED1/alpha-actin) and morphometric analysis of the neointima. RESULTS: At the time of sacrifice, graft patency was 100% for the autografts and cryoisografts, while 10% of the ePTFE micrografts showed fully-occlusive thrombosis. Intimal hyperplasia was observed in grafts in GI and GII; the neointima being thinner in the cryoisografts (54.36 +/- 2.26 microm) than the autografts (161.30 +/- 3.91 microm). The endothelium formed over the prosthetic micrografts was unstable, with areas of subendothelial thickening (9.37 +/- 3.18 microm). Cell loss and medial layer degeneration were observed in both GI and GII specimens, while the GIII grafts were colonised by cells on their luminal surface. CONCLUSIONS: All three grafts show good long-term tolerance when used in an arterial setting. Following long-term implant, autografts and cryoisografts show similar alterations that give rise to the complete loss of the muscle component of the tunica media along with the formation of a stable neointima. This new layer takes on the role of the tunica media.     

The effects of the nitric oxide donor molsidomine prevent in warm ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat renal — A functional and histophatological study

Aim of this experimental study is to verify the protective effect of molsidomine on the renal function and structural modifications in the ischemia-reperfusion rat kidney. Sixty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were right nephrectomized and occluded left renal artery for 60 minutes were used. Group I (n = 10) Sham-Operated animals, which only underwent right nephrectomy. Group II (n = 20) Untreated ischemic rats, which underwent left renal ischemia by occlusion of the renal artery for 60 minutes before blood flow was restored. Group III (n = 18) Molsidomine treated ischemic rats, Group IV (n = 20) L-NAME (N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) treated ischemic rats. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured daily and biopsies were obtained from the remaining left kidneys. At seventh day, 55% and50% of the rats remained alive at the G-II and G-IV respectively. Molsidomine treated rats (G-III) were alive and healthy at day 7. The serum creatinine and BUN levels were significantly higher in G-II and G-IV when compared with the sham-operated group (G-I). G-III rats showed a rapid return to the normal serum creatinine and BUN values on postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and 4. The obtained values in G-III were significantly lower in comparison to the values of G-II and G-IV. The most severe damage (grade3 to 4) was determined in the kidneys of rats from GII or GIV. The degree of renal tubular damage in GIII was evaluated as grade 1 or 2 tubular damage according to Jablonkski's scale. Our findings suggested that the administration of molsidomine may vanquish the pernicious effects of warm ischemia on kidney structure and function. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genistein预处理对大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨genistein预处理对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。
方法：54只SD大鼠完全随机分成3组。A组为I/R组:70%热缺血60 min及再灌注;B组为I/R
 genistein（GST）预处理组;C组为假手术组。于成模后2,6,12 h取大鼠血清和肝组织,检测血清AST,ALT浓度和肝组织MDA浓度,免疫组化法检测肝组织casepase-3蛋白的表达,光镜下观察肝脏组织病理变化。
结果：与I/R组相比,genistein预处理血清中AST及ALT浓度明显降低,肝组织病理损伤明显减轻。肝组织casepase-3蛋白表达及MDA浓度显著降低（均P＜0.05）。
结论：genistein预处理对大鼠肝脏热缺血再灌注具有保护作用,其机制与清除氧自由基,抑制细胞凋亡有关。     

Histopathologic changes in oral mucosa of Yemenis addicted to water-pipe and cigarette smoking in addition to takhzeen al-qat.

BACKGROUND: Because the clinicopathologic effects of takhzeen al-qat are similar to those induced by smoking, the aim of this paper was to study the oral effect of 3 bad oral habits: takhzeen al-qat and cigarette and water-pipe smoking. STUDY DESIGN: This study was done on 33 Yemeni chronic qat users grouped as heavy cigarette smokers (GI), nonsmokers (GII) and water-pipe smokers (GIII). In all cases (n = 33) 2 biopsies were taken (n = 66), one from the buccal mucosa at the chewing side and the other from a similar mucosa at the contralateral (nonexposed) side. Biopsies were prepared for routine H&E staining. RESULTS: Acanthosis appeared in 88% and 0%, abnormal rete ridges in 70% and 3%, hyperparakeratosis in 67% and 0%, and epithelial dysplasia in 30% and 0% of the chewing and nonchewing sides, respectively, in the 3 groups. Epithelial dysplasia appeared in 41% of GI and GIII (smokers) but in only 9% of GII (nonsmokers). CONCLUSIONS: Takhzeen al-qat causes distinct histopathologic changes in the oral mucosa at the side of chewing, such as acanthosis, abnormal rete ridges, and hyperparakeratosis. The association between takhzeen al-qat and cigarette or water-pipe smoking may increase the risk of epithelial dysplasia.     

Prospective and randomized comparison of electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve versus oxybutynin versus their combination for treatment of women with overactive bladder syndrome

Objective

To verify whether the combination of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) with oxybutynin in the treatment of women with overactive bladder (OAB) would be more effective than isolated treatments.

Methods

We randomized 75 women with OAB, in three groups: GI—30 min TENS, twice a week; GII—daily slow release 10 mg oxybutynin; and GIII—TENS + oxybutynin (multimodal); all for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated with validated questionnaires International Consultation on Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), International Consultation on Incontinence-OAB (ICIQ-OAB), Symptom bother, and 3-day Voiding diary at weeks 0, 12, and 24.

Results

The groups were similar before treatment. After treatment, all groups significantly improved in OAB symptoms and quality of life (QoL). At week 12, ICIQ-OAB scores were 5.9, 4.6, and 2.9, in groups I, II, and III, respectively, p = 0.01. At week 24, GI and GIII kept the scores of the end of treatment (week 12), while GII increased ICIQ-OAB from 4.6 to 9.2, p = 0.0001, ICIQ-SF from 9.8 to 13.3, p = 0.0006, and Symptom bother score from 3.4 to 7.0, p = 0.0001.

Conclusions

The multimodal treatment was more effective and TENS alone or in association presented longer lasting results for improvement of clinical symptoms of OAB and QoL.     

大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤后胆汁酸转运体Bsep与Mrp2的表达及意义

目的 探讨大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤(I/R)后高胆红素血症发生的分子机制.方法 60只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分成两组,A组为对照组,只解剖第一肝门,不行肝门阻断,B组为缺血再灌注后,阻断第一肝门30 min后开放.于术后的1h、6h、12 h、1d、3d开腹,每个预定时相点取5只大鼠进行取材和指标检测,应用全自动生化分析仪检...     

Proliferation rates of lymphocytes in subcutaneously transposed spleen and peripheral blood after heterotopic heart transplantation in rats

In a transplantation model using Dark Agouti rats as heart donors and Lewis rats as recipients, mean graft survival time was 7.1 days in GII, receiving no immunosuppression, and 31.4 days in GIII, animals immunosuppressed by DSG. A higher percentage of Lb in the spleen than in the PB in the transplanted groups was detected on certain days. HCT sharply decreased in immunosuppressed animals, thus suggesting a reversible suppression of erythropoesis induced by DSG.