Objective·To investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 on prion encoding gene (PRNP) expression and amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism of PC12 cells. Methods·After PC12 cells were treated with 20, 40, 80 ng/mL IGF-1 for 24 h, real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PRNP, and Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of AKT, phosphorylation of AKT (pAKT), ERK and phosphorylation of AKT (pERK). The level of β-amyloid 42 (Aβ42) in supernatant fluid was detected by ELISA. Results·Compared with the blank control group, the expression of PRNP mRNA in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model group was increased significantly (P<0.01). The expression of PRNP mRNA was significantly increased after cells were treated with 40 and 80 ng/mL IGF-1 for 24 h (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in APP protein expression among AD model group and three IGF-1 treatment groups (P>0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the level of Aβ42 in supernatant fluid of model group was decreased significantly with the increasing of IGF-1 concentration. The expression level of Aβ42 was decreased significantly in 40 and 80 ng/ml IGF-1 treatment group (P<0.05). The expression of AKT/pAKT, ERK/pERK in AD model group was significantly increased along with the increasing of IGF-1 concentration (P<0.05). Conclusion·IGF-1 could regulate the expression of PRNP gene and effect the metabolism of APP, which may be associated with PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effects of indole-3-carbinol on neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis of rat artery after balloon injury and the possible mechanisms.Methods Balloon dilation was used to establish the neointimal injury model of left carotid artery in rats.Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into single balloon dilation group(control group)and balloon dilation followed by indole-3-carbinol therapy group(therapeutic group).After balloon dilation,indole-3-carbinol(12.5,25,50 mg/d)was applied to the rats for 7 days respectively.The rats were killed two weeks after balloon dilation and the injured vascular specimens were harvested for pathologic examination and immunohistochemical staining.Results ①The neointimal thickness,neointimal area in the therapeutic groups were significantly less than that of the control group(P

0.05).The intimal thickness was decreased in high-dose DIM group compared with model group and low-dose DIM group(P

Objective To study the function of the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling pathway in the synthesis and secretion of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells of rats with COPD. Methods The primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rats with COPD were digested, separated and purified. Then they were randomly divided into control group, LPS group, TLR4 inhibitor group (TAK242) and LPS + TLR4 inhibitor group. RT-PCR, Western blot were used to detect the expression level of TLR-4 and NF-κB among groups. The levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB in supernatant with PASMCs in each group were detected by ELISA. Results LPS increased the expression of TLR-4、 NF-κB and the levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB. The expression of TLR4, NF-κB and the levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB were significantly reduced after inhibiting the expression of TLR4(P < 0.05). Conclusion TLR-4 signaling pathway involved in the inflammatory response and pulmonary vascular remodeling which increased the synthesis and secretion of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB in PASMCs. It provides a theoretical approach for the early intervention of clinical with COPD.

Objective To explore the prognostic value for cardiovascular events of elevated NT-proBNP in coronary heart disease(CHD) patients with metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods The level of NT-proBNP was measured in 165 CHD patients with MS diagnosed by coronary angiography.After 2 years follow-up,we recorded the corresponding cardiovascular events in those patients.Results The NT-proBNP level was much higher in ACS group than that in SCHD group( P ＜ 0.01 ).There were totally 45 events after 2 years.After adjustment of traditional risk factors including hypertension,diabetes,smoking history and high sensitivity C reactive protein( hs-CRP),Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that high NT-proBNP level( ＞ 111.58ng/L)was an independent risk factor for future events (relative risk 2.67,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion Elevated NT-proBNP level might be one of the independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in CHD patiens with MS.

This study is to investigate the effect of artesunate on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its possible mechanism. After the in vitro cultured RLE-6TN cells were treated with TGF-beta1 then artesunate intervened on it, after 24 h, expression of the markers of mesenchymal cell was assayed using Western blotting and real-time PCR analysis. Western blotting was also used to detect the effect of TGF-beta1 on the Smad3 and Smad7 expressions of RLE-6TN cells. Morphological alterations were examined by phase-contrast microscope, and ultrastructure changes by electron microscope. Incubation of RLE-6TN cells with TGF-beta1 resulted in the up-regulation of the expression of the mesenchymal cell markers, after artesunate intervened on it, resulted in the down-regulation of the expression. Meanwhile, incubation with artesunate intervened on RLE-6TN cells could lead to the apparent down-regulation of the expression of Smad3 and up-regulation of Samd7 and the transition of RLE-6TN cells to mesenchymal-like by TGF-beta1 induction, after artesunate intervened on it, RLE-6TN cells to epithelial-like. TGF-beta1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition process; artesunate can inhibit TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, the possible mechanism is up-regulation of the expression of Smad7 and down-regulation of the expression of Smad3, meanwhile inhibits phosphorylation of Smad3.

ObjectiveTo study the characteristic of apoptosis and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),as well as relation between them after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.Methods84 adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups,and made into mild,moderate and severe acute SCI models.The rats were killed at 4h,8h,1d,3d,7d,14d and 21d after surgery.The histopathology changes in spinal cord tissue were observed with HE staining microscopic examination.The expression of iNOS was determined by immunohistochemistry and the apoptosis was labeled by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL).ResultsThe histopathology changes in spinal cord tissue deteriorated with increasing in injury degree.A little iNOS immunoreactivity (iNOS-IR) was detected in nerve cells,gliocytes,ependymocytes and blood vessel endotheliocytes of normal and vertebra shelf operated controls,increasing at 8 h, and in flood tide in 7 d. The expression of Bax and the rates of TUNEL positive cells were similar with that of iNOS after SCI. There was positive correlation between expression of iNOS and degree of primary SCI ,apoptosis index(r=0.414,P<0.01;r=0.854,P<0.01).Conclusions Expression of iNOS and Bax increase and a large number of TUNEL positive cells present after SCI in rats. There is positive correlation between expression of iNOS and degree of primary SCI,apoptosis index.

Objective To investigate the chnical effect of modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) on the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Methods Sixty-two patients with lumbar degenerative disease were treated by the modified TLIF from June 2007 to May 2009. The preoperative diagnosis was lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with spinal instability (28 cases), lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with lumbar stenosis (27 cases ), degenerative spondylohsthesis (7 cases ). Forty-eight cases were single-level and 14 cases were two-level. The patients were evaluated by observing the fusion rate and comparing the visual analog score( VAS ) and Japanese orthopaedics association (JOA) score of preoperation with those of postoperation. Results All the patients were followed up from 15 to 30 (22.77 ± 3.82)months,no nerve injury,leakage of cerebralspinal,infection,the broken of pedical screws and other complications. The fusion rate of segment was 96.8% at the follow-up after 1 year postoperatively. Judgement by JOA score,the rate of improvement was 93.5%(58/62),excellent in 34 cases,good in 24 cases,fair in 4 cases. The postoperative value of V AS and JOA score were higher than those of preoperation (P ＜ 0.05 ), the values when follow-up of 3 months was performed had no statistic al difference with those of final follow-up (P＞0.05). Conclusion The modified TLIF with fully decompression while reducing the accessing spinal canal complications have good clinical efficacy in treating lumbar degenerative disease.

Based on a small-scale questionnaire survey, the study analyzed the dilemma of medical students in clinical training, discussing how young teachers should guide the students get out of the dilemma, including how to resolve the conflict between further study and career, acquire more practicing opportunity, improve their communication ability with patients, and value their lives finally.

BACKGROUND: Most of the patients suffered from degenerative lumbar instability are treated by exposure both sides and bilateral pedicle screw fixation,which bring highly operative risk,large blood loss and great medical expenditure to patients.OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of single cage plus unilateral pedicle screw placement for treating lumbar degenerative instability.METHODS: Totally 51 cases with lumbar degenerative instability underwent single cage plus unilateral pedicle screw placement were selected,including 32 males and 19 females,aged ranging from 41 to 72 years.47 cases had single segment involved and 4cases had two segments involved.All cases experienced unilateral laminectomy and transforamenal lumbar interbody fusion.The therapeutic effect was assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score system.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The blood loss was 90-430 mL.The surgical time was 100 minutes(85-120 minutes)for single segment and 150 minutes(120-170 minutes)for double segments.The patients were allowed to early ambulation at 2-3 days after operation.Two cases did not get improvement on back-leg pain,but there was no abnormality from CT and MRI recheck,one case felt pain relieved after anti-symptom treatment for 3 months while the other did not relieve.The average JOA scores at pre-operation and 1 year follow-up was 11(7-13 scores)and 25(18-27 scores),respectively.The total improvement rate of JOA was larger than 50%.44 cases were evaluated as fusion and 7 cases as possible fusion.The average fusion time was 5.4 months(4.3-7.1 months).Postoperative X-ray showed no evidence of pedicle screw loosening,broken,or cage displacement.Single cage plus unilateral pedicle screw placement is characterized by simple operation,small blood loss,short operation and few interference to spine,which is a better method for treating lumbar degenerative instability.