This article presents a brief introduction of the gap junctions on CA_1 pyramidal cells of guinea pig hippocampus observed by freeze replica technique. In freeze replicas of the hippocampus of guinea pig, gap junctions were observed on the E-face of the CA_1 pyramidal cells and the apical dendrites, the intramembranous particles aggregated as a large or a small area and arranged regularly or irregularly.

Objective To explore the imaging features and its correlation with pathological findings of giant cell tumor of the ten-don sheath (GCTTS).Methods The clinical data,radiographic images and pathological characteristics of sixteen cases of GCTTS confirmed by pathology were retrospectively reviewed.Plain CT,pre and post-contrast MR were performed in all patients.HE stai-ning was used to investigate the histological characteristics of GCTTS,and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the ex-pression of CD68.Results There were nine cases of local type GCTTS and seven cases of diffuse type GCTTS in our present study. Nine cases were located in the knee joint,four cases in the foot,and three cases in the hand.Compared with normal skeletal muscle signals,lesions showed isointensity or low intensity on T1 WI and inhomogeneous low intensity on T2 WI.Three cases caused adja-cent bone destruction,one case lead to adjacent bone absorption,and no abnormality was found in other twelve cases.Six cases were injected Gd-DTPA for enhanced scan,in which four cases showed significantly heterogeneous enhancement,one case mild heteroge-neous enhancement,and one case no heterogeneous enhancement.Pathology examination results revealed that GCTTS parenchyma cells were mainly formed by histocyte-like monocytes,and scattered multinuclear giant cells.GCTTS mesenchyme was rich in gelat-inous fiber and hemosiderin pigmentation.Conclusion MR has a significant advantage in detecting specific hemosiderin pigmentation and determining lesions area of GCTTS.Combination of MR with pathology results may improve the diagnosis accuracy.

Background:Recently,studies have shown that piperlongumine( PL)selectively killed cancer cells by elevating reactive oxygen species(ROS)in various cancers. However,the effect of PL on gastric cancer cells remained to be further studied. Aims:To investigate the effect of PL on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell line MKN45 and its underlying mechanism. Methods:MKN45 cells were treated with different doses of PL,caspase inhibitor,antioxidant, and their combinations,respectively. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay;cell cycle,apoptosis and intracellular ROS level were measured by flow cytometry;and Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins( XIAP,cleaved-caspase3,7,9 and cleaved-PARP),p53 and its downstream target genes( p21, GADD45α and PUMA). Results:PL inhibited the proliferation of MKN45 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In MKN45 cells treated with PL,the proportion of cells in G1 phase,apoptotic rate and intracellular ROS level were significantly increased,the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein XIAP was down-regulated,and the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway,p53 and its downstream target genes were activated. Pretreatment with antioxidant NAC or Z-VAD-FMK, a general caspase inhibitor could partially abolish the effect of PL on ROS production and its antitumor effect. Conclusions:PL can inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell cycle G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in MKN45 cells. Its antitumor effect may be associated with a ROS-mediated p53 activation and subsequent triggering of caspases cascade of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; physiology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; physiology ; Lipid Metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the MR characteristics of ulnar nerve and muscles in cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods Twenty eight patients with cubital tunnel syndrome and 28 asymptomatic volunteers underwent MR imaging,MR neurography was performed by using an isotropic three dimensions T2 sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (3D T2 SPACE)on 15 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.To evaluate changes in T2 signal intensity of the ulnar nerve,regions of interest were placed in the center of the location of the highest apparent ulnar nerve signal intensity on the axial FS T2WI images and in normal muscle within the same image slice,and the ratio of signal intensity was calculated.The sensitivity of 3D T2 SPACE sequence in detecting cubital tunnel syndrome was determined.The standard t tests were used to assess whether ulnar nerve size and relative signal intensity in symptomatic patients were statistically different from normal volunteers.Results The cross-sectional area of ulnar nerve in 24 patients and 2 volunteers was enlarged,the signal intensity of ulnar nerve in 26 patients and 16 volunteers was increased.Increased signal and muscle atrophy adjacent to the ulnar nerve were detected in 4 patients.Cubital tunnel syndrome was detected in 14 patientson 3D T2 SPACE sequence.The mean ulnar nerve sizes in the symptomatic and normal group were (0.15±0.06)and (0.06±0.01)cm2 respectively,the mean relative signal intensities in the symptomatic and normal groups were (2.86± 1.45) and 1.57±0.39 respectively (t values were 2.220 and 4.546,P＜0.05).Conclusions Ulnar nerve size and T2 signal intensity were increased,in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.In addition,muscles innervated by the ulnar nerve showed atrophy with increased T2 signal intensity.

Objective To investigate the relationship of expressions of cylooxygenase-2(COX-2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1?(HIF-1?) in hepatocelluar carcinoma(HCC) and the possible antineoplastic mechanism of selective COX-2 inhibitor.Methods The expressions of COX-2 and HIF-1? in 53 cases of HCC tissues were detected immunohistochemically.Western blot was employed to evaluate the effects of variant concentration of COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam on expression of HIF-1? in Cobaltchloride-stimulated SMMC-7721 cell.Results Of 53 tumor tissues,the expression of COX-2 was 22/53(41.5%) strongly positive stained,11/53(20.8%) positive stained,and 20/53(37.7%) negative stained.Meanwhile the expression of HIF-1? was 18/53(34.0%) strongly positive stained,18/53(34.0%)positive stained,17/53((32.1%)) negative stained.The expression of COX-2 was correlated positively with HIF-1? in HCC(r=0.440,P

Objective To evaluate the effect of ecoimmunonutrition on systemic inflammatory response in swine with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Methods Swine model of ANP was induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate and trypsin into the pancreatic duct. 24h after the ANP models were established, eighteen swine were randomly divided into total parenteral nutrition (PN) group (n = 6), enteral nutrition (EN) group (n = 6), and ecoimmunonutrition (E1N) group (n = 6). Each of the three nutrition formulas was given to each group respectively for eight days. The level of plasma endotoxin and serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured before, 24 h after the induction of ANP and 1,2, 4, 8 d after nutrition support. Results 24 hours after the ANP models were established, the serum level of plasma endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, NF-κB activities in EIN group were ( 1.85 ± 0.18) EU/L,(461.59 ± 128.25 ) pg/ml, ( 185.49 ± 58.81 ) pg/ml, ( 354.26 ± 34.63 ) pg/ml, ( 110.32 s 25. 18 ) pg/ml,(51.06 ± 2.27 )%, respectively, which all were significantly higher than those before the ANP models were established, but there were no difference among three groups. Eight days after nutrition support, those levels in EIN group were (1.48 ±0.16 )EU/L, (30.11 ±9.12)pg/ml, (20.17 ±7.04)pg/ml, (36.42 ±7.24) pg/ml and ( 89.46 ± 13.54 ) pg/ml, (9.06 ± 0. 17 ) %, respectively, which all were significantly lower than those of TPN and EEN group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The ration of IL-10/IL-6 was 2.51 ± 0.42 in EIN group, and 2.28 ± 0. 19 before the ANP models were established. Conclusions EIN could attenuate endotoxemia, decrease NF-κB activities and serum concentrations of cytokines and maintained the balance of pro- and anti-inflammation.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic value of vascular interventional technology dealing with acute massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Materials and methods 59 patients with acute massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage underwent the arteriography of mesenteric arteries and abdominal arteries. When positive signs of bleeding appeared, super-selective catheterization and embolization with micro-coil and gelfoam was applied immediately. Results Positive signs of bleeding were detected in 28 of 59 patients, among which 25 patients underwent embolization, and successful hemostasis was achieved in 21 cases with an achievement ratio of 84%. And there were 10 cases eventually turning to surgery.Conclusion Vascular interventional technology such as arteriography and embolization played an important role in diagnosis and treatment of acute massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Background:Upon inhibition of STAT3 signaling pathway,cucurbitacin-I elicits anticancer effect in various malignancies. However,the anticancer effect and underlying mechanism of cucurbitacin-I in gastric cancer is still elusive. Aims:To explore the effect of low nanomolar cucurbitacin-I on cell proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanism in vitro. Methods:Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines AGS and HGC-27 were treated with cucurbitacin-I at low nanomolar concentration. The anti-proliferative effect of cucurbitacin-I was detected by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle and apoptosis. Expressions of cell cycle-related proteins,as well as activation of related pathways such as caspase-3 / PARP apoptotic pathway,STAT3, GADD45α and JNK/ p38 MAPK signaling pathways were determined by Western blotting. Results:Cucurbitacin-I markedly inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells at low nanomolar concentration by inducing G2 / M phase arrest and apoptosis via a STAT3-independent manner. Furthermore,it was revealed that the anticancer effect of cucurbitacin-I was associated with up-regulation of GADD45α,activation of JNK/ p38 MAPK signaling pathway and the subsequent apoptotic events. Conclusions:The present study provides new insights into the mechanism of anticancer effect of cucurbitacin-I, supporting cucurbitacin-I as an attractive therapeutic drug in gastric cancer.

Objective To explore the plasma ghrelin levels in children and adolescents with short stature and the role of ghrelin in growth hormone-releasing hormone-growth hormone(GHRH-GH) axis.Methods One hundred and fifty-seven children(115 male,42 female) with short stature were selected.Fasting plasma sample was extracted from 10 mL vemous blood of the children with short stature.Insulin tolerance test and arginine stimulation test was performed initially to differential diagnosis.And blood samples was divided into 3 ca-tegories:37 cases of complete growth hormone deficiency (CGHD),52 cases of partial growth hormone deficiency(PGHD) and 68 cases of idiopathic short stature(ISS) during these two growth hormone(GH)provocative tests.Controls consisted of age and gender-match 20 health children.Plasma ghrelin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Serum GH was detected by chemiluminescence method,and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Fasting glucose,insulin,testosterone,estra-diol,luteinizing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.Statistical analysis were conducted by using SPSS 11.5 software.Results The fasting ghrelin levels of CGHD group were significantly lower than that of ISS group and control group(Pa0.05).The ghrelin levels were positive correlated with the stimulated GH peak(r=0.176 P0.05).Conclusion Ghrelin has an important role on GH secretion and abnormal secretion of ghrelin might be a reason of growth hormone deficiency which due to hypothalamic abnormality.