Orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation in the rat model

In this report, we present a rat orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation model. Eight forelimbs were transplanted from Brown Norway rats to Lewis rats. Axillary vessels of transplant were used as the vascular pedicles, which were anastomosed to the external jugular vein and common carotid artery of the recipient rat. The ulnar, radial, and median nerves were also repaired. Among rats, a tapered dose of cyclosporine was administered in five rats. In other three rats, no immunosuppressive therapy was given. The viability and signs of rejection of transplanted forelimbs, sensation recovery, bone healing, and histology were assessed up to the 90^th postoperative day. All of rats but one survived surgery. All of transplanted forelimbs survived. In the rats treated with cyclosporine the transplanted forelimbs achieved long‐term survival with motion and sensation recovery. On 90^th day after surgery, bone healing was achieved. There was no sign of rejection in histology. In the rats without cyclosporine treatment, the transplanted forelimbs experienced tissue necrosis started from day 12 postoperatively. This experimental study showed the feasibility of orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation in the rat model. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:672–675, 2016.     

Modulation of cyclins and p53 in mesangial cell proliferation and apoptosis during Habu nephritis

Background

Mesangial cell (MC) proliferation and apoptosis are the main pathological changes observed in mesangial proliferative nephritis. In this study, we explored the role of cyclins and p53 in modulating MC proliferation and apoptosis in a mouse model of Habu nephritis.

Methods

The Habu nephritis group was prepared by injection of Habu toxin. Mesangiolysis and mesangial expansion were determined by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent staining. Immunohistochemical analysis of PCNA and KI67, and TUNEL staining were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Expression levels of cyclins and p53 were examined by Western blotting.

Results

PAS staining showed that mesangial dissolution appeared on days 1 and 3, and mesangial proliferation with extracellular matrix accumulation was apparent by days 7 and 14. Both PCNA and KI67 immunohistochemical analysis showed that MC proliferation began on day 3, peaked on day 3 and 7, and recovered by day 14. TUNEL staining results showed that MC apoptosis began to increase on day 1, continued to rise on day 7, and peaked on day 14. Western blot analysis showed that cyclin D1 was upregulated on day 1, cyclins A2 and E were upregulated on days 3 and 7, and p53 was upregulated on days 3, 7 and 14. There was no change in the expression levels of Bax or p21.

Conclusion

We explored the tendency for MC proliferation and apoptosis during the process of Habu nephritis and found that cyclins and p53 may modulate the disease pathology. This will help us determine the molecular pathogenesis of MC proliferation and provide new targets for disease intervention.

     

Clinical analysis on 48 cases of kidney transplantation from brain and cardiac death donors

Objective To observe the short-term clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation from brain and cardiac death donors (DBCD) and assess its feasibility to expand organ donor pool. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 48 cases of kidney transplantation from DBCD.The transplant recipients had finished 12-month follow-up in the First People's Hospital of Foshan from September 2011 to February 2015, with their renal function, rejection reaction and complications at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after renal transplantation being collected. Survival rates of transplant recipients and transplant kidneys, incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and its influence for recipients and graft survival were analyzed by statistics. Results In the 48 cases, the survival rates of recipients at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation were 100.0%, 100.0%, 97.9%, 95.8%, and the survival rates of transplanted kidneys were 95.8%, 95.8%, 93.8%, 91.7%, respectively. DGF occurred in 8 of 48 (17.0%), but the occurrence of DGF did not adversely influence patient's survival (P=0.524) or graft survival (P=0.362). Conclusions The short-term clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation from DBCD are ideal. As the legislation of donation after brain death (DBD) has not been ratified in China, the kidney transplantation from DBCD could be an important way to solve the shortage of organs, and increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation.     

Clinical Features of Adult/Adolescent Atopic Dermatitis and Chinese Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis

Background:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic recurrent dermatitis with profound itching. Most patients have personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. Several criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of AD. Although the clinical features of childhood AD have been widely studied, there has been less large-scale study on adult/adolescent AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of adult/adolescent patients with chronic symmetrical eczema/AD and to propose Chinese diagnostic criteria for adult/adolescent AD.

Methods:

A hospital-based study was performed. Forty-two dermatological centers participated in this study. Adult and adolescent patients (12 years and over) with chronic symmetrical eczema or AD were included in this study. Questionnaires were completed by both patients and investigators. The valid questionnaires were analyzed using EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 17.0 software.

Results:

A total of 2662 valid questionnaires were collected (1369 male and 1293 female). Of all 2662 patients, 2062 (77.5%) patients had the disease after 12 years old, while only 600 (22.5%) patients had the disease before 12 years old, suggesting late-onset eczema/AD is common. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-nine (80.4%) patients had the disease for more than 6 months. One thousand one hundred and forty-four (43.0%) patients had a personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. One thousand five hundred and forty-eight (58.2%) patients had an elevated total serum IgE and/or eosinophilia and/or positive allergen-specific IgE. Based on these clinical and laboratory features, we proposed Chinese criteria for adult/adolescent AD. Of all 2662 patients, 60.3% were satisfied with our criteria, while only 48.2% satisfied with Hanifin Rajka criteria and 32.7% satisfied with Williams criteria, suggesting a good sensitivity of our criteria in adult/adolescent AD patients.

Conclusion:

Late-onset of eczema or AD is common. The clinical manifestations of AD are heterogeneous. We have proposed Chinese diagnostic criteria for adolescent and adult AD, which are simple and sensitive for diagnosis of adult/adolescent AD.