AIM: To investigate the protective mechanism of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) on apoptosis of hippocampus neuronal cells in type 1 diabetic encephalopathic rats. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dauley rats were divided into 3 groups: control group, diabetic group and EGB-treated group. Streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally to the animals in later two groups to induce diabetes. The rats in EGB-treated group were injected intraperitoneally with EGB, and the same volume of normal saline was injected to the rats in other groups. At the end of the 12th week, the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats in each group were examined by Morris water maze test. Blood glucose and serum insulin concentration were measured. The neuron densities in hippocampus were measured by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 were assayed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the level of blood glucose (P<0.01), the protein expression of Bax (P<0.01) and caspase-3 (P<0.01) in hippocampus neuronal cells, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (P<0.01) and the escape latency (P<0.01) in diabetic group, were significantly increased, while the serum insulin concentration (P<0.01), the neuronal density (P<0.05) in CA1,CA2 hippocampal regions and the platform searching score (P<0.01) were significantly deceased. After treated with EGB, the serum insulin concentration (P<0.05), the neuronal density (P<0.05) in CA1,CA2 hippocampal regions and the platform searching score (P<0.01) were significantly increased, while the level of blood glucose (P<0.01), the protein expression of Bax (P<0.05), caspase-3 (P<0.05) in hippocampus neuronal cells, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (P<0.01) and the escape latency (P<0.05) were significantly deceased than those in diabetic group. The protein expression of Bcl-2 in hippocampus neuronal cells did not alter in any experimental rats. CONCLUSION: EGB improves the spatial learning and memory capacity in diabetic rats by decreasing the expression of Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and down-regulating caspase-3 to reduce neurocyte apoptosis and increase the neuron density in CA1, CA2 hippocampal regions, suggesting that effective regulation of neuron apoptosis associated genes may be one of the mechanisms for EGB to treat diabetic encephalopathy.

Objective To investigate the expression of NDRG1 and its relationship to differentiation level and metastasis in prostate cancer. Methods The expression NDRG1 was examined by immunohistochemistry LSAB method in 86 samples of prostate cancer and benigh prostate hyperplasia. Results The NDRG1 was shown to be highly expressed in 30(73.3%)of prostate cancer and 70.0%of benign prostate hyperplasia.There were no evident difference between prostate cancer and prestate hyperplasia(P＞0.05).The expression of NDRG1 was gradually reduction with the Gleason score from 2-4 to 5-7 to 8-10 in prostate cancer, which was statistical significance(P＜0.05).The expression of NDRG1 in lymph node or bone metastasis was significantly lower than that in no metastasis of prostate cancer. There was a negative correlation between the expression of NDRG1 and lymph node or bone metastasis. The age had no correlation with the expression of NDRG1(P＞0.05).Conclusion NDRG1 is involved in the genesis and development of prostate cancer, which may be related to the differentiation level of prostate cancer and serve as a useful marker for early diagnosis of cancer and metastasis.

Objective:To search for a rapid and efficient method for the isolation of 3 kinds of isoflavone glucosides from the ethanol extract of Semen Sojae Praeparatum.Methods: The crude isoflavones were extracted by 75% aqueous ethanol after removing the oil by Soxhlet extraction.Then 1300 macroporous resin,water and different concentrations of aqueous ethanol(10%,20%,30%,40%,50%,70%,and 95%) were used to separate and elute the crude isoflavones.The fraction eluted by 40% aqueous ethanol was subjected to preparative HPLC analysis.The chromatographic conditions: A YWG C18(10.0 mm?200 mm,i.d.10 ?m) column was used;the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid at volume ratio of 25751(V/V/V) and a flow rate of 3.0 ml/min;the injection volume was 750 ?l;and the detection wave length was set at 260 nm.Results: Daidzin,glycitin and genistin were rapidly separated with the purities over 99% as determined by external standard HPLC.Conclusion: This technique is simple and suitable for the isolation of daidzin,glycitin and genistin from Semen Sojae Praeparatum.

Objective To examine loss of heterozygosity(LOH) and microsatellite instability(MSI) of locus D8S277 on chromosome 8 and their influence on the expression of PINX1 in the gastric carcinoma,which may provide an experimental basis for the mechanism of PINX1 gene and tumor development.Methods DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and ordinary silver staining were used to study LOH and MSI of locus D8S277.Envision immunohistochemistry and Leica-Qwin computer imaging techniques were used to assess the expression of PINX1.Results The frequency of LOH was significantly higher in the cases with lymph node metastasis than in those without metastasis(21.15% vs 0,P

In resent years,brain parenchyma and cerebrovascular sonography have received considerable attention.Monitoring of cerebral vessels and their blood flow velocities and pulsation indexes may reflect the intracranial vascular lesions.However,there are a few studies about transcranial color-code duplex sonography (TCCD) in the monitoring of space-occupying stroke.This technology has the non-invasive,convenient,and economical advantages,and can timely provide clinical information.Using TCCD to monitor pace-occupying stroke may play a positive role in prevention of the diseases and prognosis.

Objective To study the characteristics of patients with low body mass index (BMI) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Methods A total of 38 clinically stable patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: underweight (UW) group (n=16,BMI<20);normal weight(NW) group(n=22, 20≤BMI<26). Body height and weight, smoking indexs, and six minutes walk distance (6MWD) were assayed. The British Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale was used to assess the degree of dyspnea. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Short Form 36 item Questionnaire (SF-36) were used for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation. The serum concentrations of leptin and ghrelin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with the NW group, the inspiratory eapacity(IC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV), vital capacity (VC) ,most ventilate volume (MVV) and peak expiratory flow(PEF) were lower(P<0. 05) in the UW group. Residual volume-to-total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC), smoking indexs and MRC score were higher (all P<0. 05) and 6MWD was significantly lower (P<0. 05) in the UW group than in NW group. Activity scores,impact scores and total scores of SGRQ showed significant deterioration in the UW group (P<0. 05). SF-36 also showed significantly worse scores for the parameters of the emotional and social functioning (P < 0. 05 ). Serum leptin was significantly lower ( P< 0.01 ) and ghrelin was higher in UW group than in NW group (P<0. 05). Stepwise multiple regression analyse showed that lC,mental health(MH) and physical function (PF) of SF-36, leptin,6MWD and smoking indexs were independently correlated with BMI. Conchtsions The pulmonary function, nutritional status, PF and life quality of COPD patients with low BMI were more deteriorative. The most significant influencing factor for BMI in COPD patients was IC. M H,exercise capacity,leptin level and smoking indexs were independently correlated with BMI in COPD patients. It is important to retrieve low BMI in the management of COPD patients.

Objective To observe therapeutic effects of HuGanJieXian decoction on rats hepatic fibrosis induced by tetrachloride. Methods Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of tetrachloride.HuGanJieXian decoction composed of low, middle, and high dose curcumin were given to these rats respectively at the same time. Sho-saiko-to compound treatment group and Fufangbiejiarangan Tablets treatment group were made as positive control groups. After twelve weeks, all rats were executed. Serum samples were kept for measuring serum levels of PC-Ⅲ, LN, and HA. Left livers were extirpated for pathologic examination including H.E and Masson stainings. Grade of hepatic fibrosis were evaluated according to SSS system. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of supematant centrifugated from hepatic tissue homogenate were detected. Results Serum levels of PC-Ⅲ, LN, and HA were depressed obviously in decoction groups compared with those of fibrotic group (P<0.05) , especially in the low-dose curcumin group.HuGanJieXian Decoction could increase the level of SOD and decrease the level of MDA (P<0.05) , especially in the low-dose curcumin group. Staining of H. E and Masson showed that degrees of hepatic fibrosis in decoction groups were improved obviously compared with that of the fibrotic group. Conclusion HuGanJieXian Decoction can improve rat hepatic fibrosis, the mechanism of this effect may be associated with protecting hepatic cell membrane and anti- peroxidative damage.

AIM:To observe the effect of the extract of Ginkgo biloba(EGB)on pituitary-testicular axis and the mRNA expressions of luteinizing hormone receptor(LHR)and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR).METHODS:Thirty male Sprague-Dauley rats were divided into three groups randomly:normal control group,type II diabetic group and EGB treatment group.After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks,the later two groups were injected with strepozotocin intraperitoneally to induce type II diabetes mellitus.The EGB treatment group was given EGB at the dose of 50 mg/kg once a day for 12 weeks by intragastric administration.The normal control and diabetic group were given normal saline of equal volume per day for 12 weeks.The indices of blood glucose,insulin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c)were measured.The morphologic change of testicular tissue was observed under light microscopy(LM)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)respectively.The concentrations of blood luteinizing hormone(LH)and testosterone(T)were assayed by the technique of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expressions of LHR and StAR from Leydig cells were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS:The concentrations of blood glucose,insulin and LDL-c increased obviously,and the testis weights lessened obviously in type II diabetic groups compared to those in normal control groups.Rare spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubule and germinal arrest were observed in diabetic group under LM.Ultrastructural analysis of testicular tissue by TEM showed dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial swelling in Leydig cell and sertoli cell in diabetic group.The level of blood LH and T decreased in typeⅡ diabetic groups in comparison with that in the normal control group.Compared to normal groups,the mRNA expression of StAR in type Ⅱ diabetic groups decreased,while the mRNA expression of LHR increased.After the treatment of EGB,the pathological change of testis was relieved,the concentrations of blood glucose,insulin and LDL-c were decreased,the level of blood LH and T,and the mRNA expression of StAR were increased,and the mRNA expression of LHR descended compared to type Ⅱ diabetic groups.CONCLUSION:EGB may increase the LH-induced testosterone production by correcting metabolic disorder of glucose and lipid,improving the function of pituitary-testicular axis and regulating the expression of LHR and StAR mRNA.

AIM:To study the effect of gossypol on the cognitive function of type 2 diabetic rats,and to explore its mechanism. METHODS:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups randomly:normal group,type 2 diabetic group and gossypol treated group. After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks,the later two groups were injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to establish type 2 diabetic rat model. The animals in gossypol treated group were given gossypol at dosage of 15 mg/kg once per day for 4 weeks by gavage. Since 5th week,the times of gavages were changed into once per week at the same dosage and lasted to 12th week. Learning and memory abilities of rats were assayed with Morris water maze test. The concentration of blood glucose was measured by biochemical method. The levels of serum corticosterone and insulin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay,respectively. The protein expressions of 11?-HSD1 and GR in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were determined by Western blotting. The morphological changes of cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed under light microscope and transmission electronic microscope,respectively. RESULTS:Compared to normal group,the karyopyknosis,dilation of golgiosome and mitochondria swelling of neuron from cerebral cortex and hippocampus were prominent in diabetic group. The concentrations of blood glucose,serum corticosterone and insulin increased significantly (P

AIM:To explore the polarized distribution of M 2 macrophages in the marginal region around lung adenocarcinoma , the marginal/central ratio and their effect on the prognosis .METHODS:Double immunohistochemistry staining was used to determine the distribution and the difference of CD 163 +/CD68 +( M2 ) macrophages in the marginal and central regions in 49 cases of lung adenocarcinoma in situ ( AIS), 11 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma ( MIA) and 57 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma ( IA) in order to explore the effect and mechanism of the polarized distri-bution and the marginal/central ratio on the progression of lung adenocarcinoma .Single-factor Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and multivariate Cox survival analysis were employed to explore the relationship between the polarized distribution of M2 macrophages and the prognosis .RESULTS:Polarized aggregation of M 2 macrophages was observed in the marginal region of lung adenocarcinoma compared with that in the central region , and the difference was significant ( P<0.01 ) . Based on the median level , they were divided into high polarized group and low polarized group .In low polarized group , M2 macrophage count in AIS was not significantly different from that in MIA or IA .However, in high polarized group, M2 macrophage count in AIS was lower than that in MIA and IA in turn and there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01).Single-factor Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and log-rank test result showed that the number of M2 mac-rophages in the marginal region and marginal/central ratio were negatively correlated to the survival time (χ2 =44.71, P<0.01;χ2=21.75, P<0.01).Multivariate Cox survival analysis showed that the high polarized distribution of M 2 macro-phages in the marginal region and the marginal /central ratio were independent risk factors for the prognosis ( P<0.01 ) . CONCLUSION:There is a polarization effect of M2 macrophages on the marginal region of lung adenocarcinoma .The marginal polarization and the marginal/central ratio are independent risk factors of the prognosis .Therefore , it may be an effective method for the evaluation of the prognosis to judge the marginal polarization by preoperative puncture and to deter -mine the marginal/central ratio of M2 macrophages by postoperative biopsy .