Administration of intracoronary bone marrow mononuclear cells on chronic myocardial infarction improves diastolic function

BACKGROUND

Regeneration of the myocardium and improved ventricular function have been demonstrated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated by intracoronary delivery of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) a few days after successful myocardial reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the effects of intracoronary cell infusion in chronic MI patients are still unknown.

AIMS

To investigate whether intracoronary infusion of BMC into the infarct-related artery in patients with healed MI could lead to improvement in left ventricular (LV) function.

METHODS

Among 47 patients with stable ischaemic heart disease due to a previous MI (13 (SD 8) months previously), 24 were randomised to intracoronary infusion of BMC (BMC group) and 23 to a saline infusion (control group) into the target vessel after successful PCI within 12 hours after chest pain occurred. LV systolic and diastolic function, infarct size and myocardial perfusion defect were assessed with the use of echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or (201)Tl single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) at baseline and repeated at the 6-month follow-up examination.

RESULTS

BMC treatment did not result in a significant increase in LV ejection fraction in any of the groups by any of the methods used, and the apparent tendency of an improvement was not statistically different between the two groups. The two groups also did not differ significantly in changes of LV end-diastolic and systolic volume, infarct size or myocardial perfusion. However, there was an overall effect of BMC transfer compared with the control group with respect to early/late (E/A) (p<0.001), early diastolic velocity/late diastolic (Aa) velocity (Ea/Aa) ratio (p = 0.002) and isovolumetric relaxation time (p = 0.038) after 6 months, as evaluated by tissue Doppler echocardiography. We noted no complications associated with BMS transfer.

CONCLUSION

Intracoronary transfer of autologous BMC in patients with healed MI did not lead to significant improvement of cardiac systolic function, infarct size or myocardial perfusion, but did lead to improvement in diastolic function.

Characterization of some morphological parameters of orbicularis oculi motor neurons in the monkey

The primate facial nucleus is a prominent brainstem structure that is composed of cell bodies giving rise to axons forming the facial nerve. It is musculotopically organized, but we know little about the morphological features of its motor neurons. Using the Lucifer Yellow intracellular filling method, we examined 11 morphological parameters of motor neurons innervating the monkey orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle, which plays an important role in eyelid closure and voluntary and emotional facial expressions. All somata were multipolar and remained confined to the intermediate subnucleus, as did the majority of its aspiny dendritic branches. We found a mean maximal cell diameter of 54 microm in the transverse dimension, cell diameter of 60 microm in the rostrocaudal dimension, somal surface area of 17,500 microm(2) and somal volume of 55,643 microm(3). Eight neurons were used in the analysis of dendritic parameters based upon complete filling of the distal segments of the dendritic tree. We found a mean number of 16 dendritic segments, an average dendritic length of 1036 microm, diameter of 7 microm, surface area of 12,757 microm(2) and total volume of 16,923 microm(3). Quantitative analysis of the dendritic branch segments demonstrated that the average number, diameter and volume gradually diminished from proximal to distal segments. A Sholl analysis revealed that the highest number of dendritic intersections occurred 60 microm distal to the somal center with a gradual reduction of intersections occurring distally. These observations advance our understanding of the morphological organization of the primate facial nucleus and provide structural features for comparative studies, interpreting afferent influence on OO function and for designing studies pinpointing structural alterations in OO motor neurons that may accompany disorders affecting facial movement.

A new strategy to replace the natural vitreous by a novel capsular artificial vitreous body with pressure-control valve

PURPOSE

The current vitreous substitutes such as silicone oil, heavy silicone oil, and polymeric gels that are directly injected into vitreous cavity frequently cause severe intraocular complications. There is a very urgent need to find a more suitable artificial vitreous substitute for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery.

METHODS

We have devised a novel capsular artificial vitreous using tailor-made silicone rubber elastomer. The novel device was implanted into the vitreous cavity of rabbit after PPV and the eye was examined by ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, and tonometry during an 8-week treatment period. B-scan ultrasonography, electroretinogram (ERG), and histological studies by light microscopy were also performed at the end of 8 weeks.

RESULTS

The novel artificial vitreous body consists of a thin vitreous-like capsule with a silicone tube-valve system. The capsule can be folded and implanted into vitreous cavity through 1.5 mm incision on sclera. Physiological balanced solution (PBS) was then injected into the capsule and inflated to support retina and control intraocular pressure (IOP) through the tube-valve system subsequently fixed under the conjunctiva. Experiments using rabbits showed that the novel vitreous body could effectively support the retina and apparently induced no significant pathological changes in the eye over 8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

This approach may provide a new research strategy in the vitreous replacement technology. The novel artificial vitreous body device can effectively support retina, control IOP, and has good biocompatibility. It may be a good alternative to injecting artificial vitreous although its tamponade properties and usefulness still have to be proven in complex vitreoretinal diseases.

Efficacy of emergent transcatheter transplantation of stem cells for treatment of acute myocardial infarction (TCT-STAMI)

OBJECTIVE

To study whether emergent intracoronary autologous bone marrow cell transplantation (BMT) is applicable for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

20 patients admitted within 24 h after the onset of a first AMI were randomly allocated to receive intracoronary autologous BMT (n = 10) or bone marrow supernatant (controls, n = 10) immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic internal diameter (LVDd) and myocardial perfusion defect scores were examined respectively by echocardiography and single-photon emission computed tomography at one week and six months after AMI.

RESULTS

From one week to six months after AMI, LVEF was enhanced from mean 53.8 (SD 9.2)% to 58.6 (9.9)% (p < 0.05) in the BMT group but was unchanged in the control group (58.2 (7.5)% v 56.3 (3.5)%, p > 0.05); LVDd remained unchanged (52.5 (2.8) v 52.1 (3.2) mm, p > 0.05) in the BMT group but was significantly enlarged in the control group (50.4 (6.0) v 55.2 (7.1) mm, p < 0.05). Additionally, myocardial perfusion defect scores decreased from 21 (11) to 13 (10) (p < 0.01) in the BMT group but were unchanged in the control group (20 (14) v 17 (15), p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Emergent intracoronary transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells after AMI is practicable, and it improved cardiac function, prevented myocardial remodelling and increased myocardial perfusion at six months' follow up.

High-fat emulsion-induced rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a common medical problem. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the critical turning point at which NAFLD progresses to more advanced stages such as hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the study of the pathogenic or therapeutic factors involved in NASH has been hampered by the absence of a suitable experimental model. The aim of the present work was to establish a high-fat emulsion-induced rat model of NASH. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat emulsion via gavage for 6 weeks. Animals were examined for weight gain, serum and hepatic biochemistry, insulin sensitivity, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tissue morphology, as well as cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) expression in the liver. The results showed that rats treated with high-fat emulsion became obese, demonstrated abnormal aminotransferase activity, hyperlipoidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The model rats exhibited an increased concentration of serum TNF-alpha, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), MDA and reduced SOD levels in the liver. Immunoblot analysis showed that the expression of CYP2E1 was increased, whereas PPARalpha was reduced in the NASH model rat liver. Moreover, morphological evaluation revealed that hepatic steatosis, inflammation and mitochondrial lesions were also reproduced in this model. In conclusion, a practical and repeatable new rat model of steatohepatitis was established by feeding with high-fat emulsion via gavage. This model provides a valuable research tool and reproduces many of the clinical indices of human NASH.

Property variations in the prism and the organic sheath within enamel by nanoindentation

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with nanoindentation technique was used to definitely, site-specifically, test the nanomechanical properties, including nanohardness and elastic modulus, of the isolated domains within single enamel, the prisms and the surrounding sheaths, of mature human maxillary third molars. In this way, it is for the first time that evident differences of nanomechanical properties were revealed between these domains. The nanohardness and elastic modulus of the sheaths were about 73.6% and 52.7% lower than those of the prisms, respectively. Measuring the residual impressions with AFM supported the similar conclusion. The variations of mechanical properties in these domains are considered to be mainly relative to their different component and fibrils arrangement.

Hierarchical structural comparisons of bones from wild-type and liliput(dtc232) gene-mutated Zebrafish

The alterations of hierarchical structures of bone by gene mutation in the zebrafish, which is associated with abnormal bone mineralization and bone disease, were reported for the first time in this paper. Bone samples from the liliput(dtc232) (lil) mutants as well as normal controls were studied by polarized light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). Light microscopy examinations reveal that the lil bone has asymmetric mineralization and much thinner bone wall. The SEM studies show a lot of microcracks in lil bone wall. And the plywood-like structure of the normal bone does not exist in the lil bone, which is confirmed by the measurements of polarized light microscope. Furthermore, the TEM investigations display the collagen fibrils with two typical diameters. For the thinner collagen fibrils, the diameter of lil bone is about twice larger than that of the wild-type bone. And for the thicker one, there is a small increase in diameter after mutation and the band periodicity of the lil bone is similar with that of wild-type bone, which is consistent with the result of AFM. The morphologies of the minerals revealed that the mutated mineral was in bigger size and the shape was irregular but not plate-shaped.

Variation of nanomechanical properties of bone by gene mutation in the zebrafish

Significant variations of nanomechanical properties and fracture morphology between gene-mutated liliput(dtc232) (lil/lil) zebrafish skeletal bone and wild-type bone have been observed. Nanoindentation measurement disclosed that lil/lil bone has 36% lower nanohardness and 32% lower elastic modulus. The standard deviations of hardness and elastic modulus of lil/lil bone were both much higher than those of wild-type bone. SEM morphology of fracture surfaces further revealed that in bones after gene mutation, formative microcracks make the performance reduction and the increasing of brittleness. What is more, the plywood-like structure of the normal bone does not exist in the lil/lil bone.

Functional relationship between subfornical organ cholinergic stimulation and cellular activation in the hypothalamus and AV3V region

The subfornical organ (SFO) has been suggested to be important for water intake and secretion of vasopressin (AVP). However, the role of the SFO cholinergic mechanism in the control of body fluid regulation is not clear. This study determined the effects of local cholinergic stimulation in the SFO produced by administration of physostigmine on drinking and cellular excitation in the anterior third ventricle (AV3V) region and in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (SON and PVN). The results showed that injection of physostigmine into the SFO induced water intake and c-fos expression in the AV3V area as well as in the AVP containing neurons in the hypothalamus. Pretreatment of the SFO with mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, had no effect on physostigmine induced behavioral and c-fos responses. The muscarinic receptor blocker atropine, however, abolished both drinking and cellular activation after injection of physostigmine into the SFO. Immunostaining experiments demonstrated positive acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the SFO. Intensive ChAT immunoreactivity was located in the cholinergic fibers in the SFO. Together, the results indicate that SFO cholinergic mechanisms are important in co-operation with the AV3V and hypothalamic neurons in the control of thirst and AVP-mediated body fluid homeostasis.

[Amplifying variable region gene of light chain of monoclonal antibody against human retinoblastoma by PCR]

OBJECTIVE

To acquire the variable region gene of light chain of monoclonal antibody against human retinoblastoma.

METHODS

Total RNA were extracted from hybridoma cells secreting specific monoclonal antibody(McAb) against human retinoblastoma(RB), then transcripted reversely into cDNA with random primers. The variable region of the light chain(VL) gene fragments were ampliflied using polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method. Agrose gel electrophoresis was confirmed.

RESULTS

1.5% agrose gel electrophoresis indicated that VL gene was about 340 base pairs.

CONCLUSION

The light chain variable region gene of the McAb against human RB was amplified successfully, which lays a good basis for construction of a recombinant antibody.

[The ocular hypotensive effect and safety of 0.2% brimonidine]

PURPOSE

To study the ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety of 0.2% Brimonidine when used in chinese people.

METHODS

Using randominzed parallel group control study, 0.2% Brimonidine twice a day or 1% Carteolol twice a day was applied in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension for three months.

RESULTS

The results showed that 0.2% Brimonidine and 1% Carteolol both have good ocular hypotensive efficacy. There was no significant difference between them. 0.2% Brimonidine did not produce significant changes in pupil size and heart rate. Change in blood pressure was not clinically significant. Six patients with 0.2% Brimonidine had drowsiness. Two patients had dry mouth. One patient had ocular burning.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that 0.2% Brimonidine would be a stable and effective antiglaucoma medicine with good tolerance. Thus, 0.2% Brimonidine should be the main choice of medical therapy for primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hepertension.

Increased heterogeneity of coronary perfusion in patients with early coronary atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

In patients with typical angina but angiographically normal coronary arteries, abnormal vasomotor function is assumed to be a major underlying cause. However, data on this issue are conflicting, and recent studies suggest that fluid dynamic abnormalities exist in these patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether early stages of atherosclerosis are characterized by alterations of baseline coronary hemodynamics and endothelium-independent vasomotion. Besides established intracoronary Doppler parameters, heterogeneity of perfusion was assessed and related to early signs of atherosclerosis as determined by electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT).

METHODS

In 59 patients with typical angina and angiographically normal or near-normal coronary arteries, intracoronary Doppler measurements were performed in all 3 major coronary arteries. Baseline average peak velocity (bAPV) and hyperemic average peak velocity (hAPV) in response to intracoronary injection of adenosine were measured, and coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) was calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed as variability of bAPV, hAPV, and CFVR and was calculated as (STD/MEAN). 100. Doppler data were analyzed according to tertiles of the EBCT-derived Agatston calcium score (ie, score 0-1 [lowest tertile], 2-28 [medium tertile], and >28 [highest tertile]).

RESULTS

The mean EBCT-derived Agatston calcium score was 49 +/- 107. No coronary calcium was observed in 17 (29%) patients. The mean values of bAPV, hAPV, and CFVR were not different between the calcium score tertiles. However, patients in the highest tertile had a significantly increased variability index of bAPV (29.6% +/- 11.6%) compared with patients in the lowest tertile (13.4% +/- 7.3%, P <.0001). Variability of CFVR was also increased in these patients (15.5% +/- 11.7% vs 10.5% +/- 4.0%, P =.03).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that early stages of atherosclerosis are characterized by microvascular abnormalities that do not uniformly affect the myocardium but are heterogeneous. The high variability of baseline coronary flow velocity with increasing coronary calcium suggests that in patients with early stages of atherosclerosis fluid dynamic effects may play a crucial role even in the absence of angiographically appreciable epicardial stenoses.

[Design of multi-channel EEG collection system for stereoscopic VEP and study of the VEP evoked by binocular disparity]

A multi-channel EEG collection system has been constructed for visual evoked potentials (VEP) studies, using IBM compatible PC and clinical EEG amplifier. The collection system not only is suitable for investigative and clinical use, but also works perfectly in the EEG collection and signal processing of stereoscopic VEP. The characters of the depth related VEP evoked by binocular disparity were identified after analysing and comparing the VEP superposition results. The partial results of the VEP extraction are in accord with the previous studies. The system serves as a helpful tool in studies of stereoscopic cognition and brain function.

The preliminary experimental study of induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To study preliminarily induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

METHODS

Murine embryonic stem cells were co-cultured with Rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells in Transwell system to induce differentiation. Mophological and immunohistochemical examination were implemented.

RESULTS

The induced cells from embryonic stem cells have an epithelial appearance. The cells formed a network and were confluent into film gradually after being co-cultured with rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells for 24-96 hours. The cells ranged mosaic structure and localized together with clear rim. Most of the cells showed polygonal appearance. Transmission electron microscope showed lots of microvilli on the surface of induced cells and tight junctions between them. These epithelial-like cells expressed the corneal epithelial cell specific marker cytokeratin3/cytokeratin12.

CONCLUSION

The potential mechanism of the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells induced by limbal corneal epithelial cell-derived inducing activity is to be further verified.

Construction of the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein expression vector carrying IFN-gamma gene

PURPOSE

To construct the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) vector carrying interferon-gamma gene (ifn-gamma) in order to provide an ideal reporter in the expression of ifn-gamma and location of protein in vitro and in vivo.

METHOD

According to the nucleotide sequence of ifn-gamma gene, a pair of oligonucleotides was designed as primer whose two end contained nucleotide sequence of EcoR V and Not I restriction endonuclease respectively. The gene encoding for inf-gamma was amplified using PCR technqiue. After the PCR product was retrieved and purified, it was digested with EcoR V and Not I restriction endonuclease, and then cloned into the plasmid pIRES-EYFP. The recombinant plasmid pIRES-EYFPIFN-gamma was identified by restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis and DNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

The ifn-gamma was successfully amplified and verified by partial DNA sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid was correctly screened.

CONCLUSION

The EYFP expression vector carrying ifn-gamma gene was successfully established. This research work has formed a base for monitoring the ifn-gamma gene expression and protein position in living cells.

Identified circadian rhythm genes of ciliary epithelium with differential display

PURPOSE

To identify differential genes expressed in the rabbit ciliary epithelium during the circadian cycle of aqueous flow.

METHODS

Total RNA from ciliary epithelium of rabbits at 8 AM (light on 1 hour) and 8 PM (light off 1 hour) were compared by differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DD RT-PCR), using 6% denaturing polyacrylamide electrophoresis, choose differential display bands, cut and reamplify with the same primer, clone and sequence. Search the database of Genbank, prolong them with 5' RACE and 3' RACE technique then clone, sequence and search database of Genbank.

RESULTS

93 Significant differences gene expression were detected between light on and light off in the rabbit ciliary epithelium.

CONCLUSION

Differential display is a powerful tool to screen differentially expressed genes in circadian rhythm of ciliary epithelium.

[Preliminary clinical study on the management of angle-closure glaucoma by phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical results of phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation in the management of angle-closure glaucoma with cataract.

METHODS

Phacoemulsification with PC-IOL implantation performed on 47 eyes (42 cases) with angle-closure glaucoma and cataract was retrospectively studied, including 26 eyes with primary acute angle-closure glaucoma, 12 eyes with primary chronic angle-closure glaucoma, 5 eyes with secondary acute angle-closure glaucoma and 4 eyes with secondary chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

RESULTS

After a mean postoperative follow-up of (18.40 +/- 9.51) months, the intraocular pressure was reduced from a preoperative mean of (25.47 +/- 18.43) mm Hg to a postoperative mean of (11.99 +/- 4.48) mm Hg (t = 4.918, P < 0.001). The mean anterior chamber depth was (1.69 +/- 0.46) mm preoperatively and (2.28 +/- 0.36) mm postoperatively (t = 7.738, P < 0.001). The best-corrected visual acuity was improved in 41 of 47 eyes (87.2%).

CONCLUSION

Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber foldable intraocular lens implantation can be a good alternative in treating angle-closure glaucoma with cataract.