Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of Dishevelled2 and Vangl2 proteins and the development of mouse palate. Methods Twenty-four pregnant mice were randomly divided into eight groups, and the mouse embryos were obtained at eight clock of the pregnant day of thirteen(p13d8h), p13d14h,p13d22h,p14d8h,p14d14h,p14d22h,p15d8h and p15d22h respectively, then paraffin sections were made conventionally.The distrubution and dynamic changes of Dishevelled2 and Vangl2 proteins in the embryonic palatal shelves were detected by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. Results It was found that the two kinds of proteins expressed in the epithelium and mesenchyma of the mouse palatal shelves at different development stages. The expression levels of the Dishevelled2,in both of the epithelium and mesenchyme of the palatal shelves, increased first (p13d8h-p13d22h),then decreased rapidly(p13d22h-p14d14h), and then increased again(p14d14h-p15d22h). The expression of Vangl2 protein in the mesenchyma showed a similar trend to that of the Dishevelled2, but there was no obvious regularity in the epithelium. In addition, the expressive levels of both kinds of proteins in the epithelium were significantly higher than those in mesenchyma of the palatal shelves. Conclusion Dishevelled2 and Vangl2 proteins might directly or indirectly take part in the regulation process of mouse palate morphogenesis.

Objective To study the effects of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) on hepatocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial damage,and investigate the effects of curcumin on MPT and the related mechanisms in septic rat.Methods Fifteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham group,sepsis group and curcumin group,with 5 rats in each group.Septic rat model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).The rats in sham group were flipped the cecum without perforation and ligation.The rats in the curcumin group were treated with curcumin 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 (dissolved in saline to 10 mL/kg) by oral gavage for 7 days,while the other groups were treated with normal saline.Tissue samples were harvested in each group at 12 hours after operation.Pathological changes in hepatic mitochondria were observed under electron microscopy,concentration of free calcium was examined with confocal laser scanning microscope.After Fluo-3/AM staining,protein and mRNA expression of active caspase-3,Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Under the transmission electron microscope,intact cell membrane,adqulis cytoplasm,and normal and clear mitochondrion was found in the sham group.Mitochondria in sepsis group swelled obviously with mitochondrial cristae broken or disappearance,unclear bilateral membrane structure,while the curcumin group showed much less pathological changes,with few mitochondria swell,and smear bilateral membrane structure.The fluorescence intensity index of sham group,sepsis group and curcumin group was raised successively (417.33 ± 15.88,772.95 ± 42.37,1 560.84 ± 160.78,respectively,F=184.149,P=0.000).The protein and mRNA expression of active caspase-3 and Bax had the highest level in sepsis group,followed by the curcumin group,and that in the sham group was the lowest [active caspase-3 protein (gray scale):1.698 ± 0.061,0.694 ± 0.045,0.246 ± 0.027,F=1 289.667,P=0.000; active caspase-3 mRNA (2-Δ△Ct):1.031 ±0.135,0.578 ± 0.144,0.183 ±0.036,F=66.958,P=0.000; Bax protein (gray scale):1.826 ±0.126,1.254 ±0.140,0.623 ±0.901,F=94.536,P=0.000; Bax mRNA (2-ΔΔCt):2.774 ±0.338,1.661 ±0.226,0.656 ±0.114,F=124.710,P=0.000],all of these values had statistical significance among the three groups (all P＜0.01).While Bcl-2 protein and mRNA had the highest level in curcumin group and lowest level in the sham group [Bcl-2 protein (gray scale):0.716 ±0.091,1.328 ±0.147,1.656 ±0.104,F=84.918,P=0.000; Bcl-2 mRNA (2-△ΔCt):0.617 ±0.118,1.393 ±0.096,1.650 ±0.167,F=83.846,P=0.000].The protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2/Bax ratio were lowest in sepsis group,then sham group,and highest in curcumin group [Bcl-2/Bax protein (gray scale):0.726 ± 0.055,1.150 ± 0.043,1.333 ± 0.163,F=46.265,P=0.000; Bcl-2/Bax mRNA (2-Δ△Ct):0.505 ±0.041,0.944±0.097,1.006 ±0.168,F=12.211,P=0.001].Conclusions MPT can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and further cause hepatocyte apoptosis.Mechanism of effect of curcumin on MPT may be related to reduction of intracellular calcium concentration,promotion of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression,inhibition of caspase-3 activation and Bax gene.

Objective: To investigate the role of Smads signaling pathway in the transdifferentiation of airway epithelial cells into myofibroblasts induced by rhTGF-?1 in vitro.Methods: We exposed cultured 16HBE cells to rhTGF-?1(10?g/L),detected the levels of Phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 in nucleus proteins by Western blot at different time points,treated with rhTGF-?1 the 16HBE cells pre-transfected with either the expression plasmid of Smad7(pCDNA3.0/Smad7) or the blank vector(pCDNA3.0),and determined the expression of ?-SMA by immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR and that of E-cadherin by RT-PCR.Results: The expression of Phosphorylated Smad2 was observed and that of Smad3 increased in the TGF-?1-treated group,with the levels of Phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 elevated in a time-dependent manner.The level of ?-SMA was significantly decreased while that of E-cadherin markedly increased in the Smad7 transfection group as compared with the blank vector transfection group 24 h after TGF-?1 stimulation,and no differences were found between the two groups at 36 h.Correspondingly,the number of ?-SMA-positive cells was reduced in the Smad7 group compared with the blank vector group(P

Purpose The patients with varicose veins of lower limbs need to undergo extensive CT or X-ray examinations with high doses of radiation before and after treatment.The aim of this study is to investigate the value of low-dose CT contrast-enhanced scan for the superficial varicosis of lower limbs.Materials and Methods Forty patients diagnosed as superficial varicosis of lower limbs were selected prospectively.According to the scanning parameters,40 patients were randomly divided into four groups:group Ⅰ (standard group) scanned by 120 kV and 250 mAs,group Ⅱ scanned by 120 kV and 100 mAs,group Ⅲ scanned by 100 kV and 200 mAs,group Ⅳ scanned by 80 kV and 300 mAs.The effective dose (ED),signal noise ratio (SNR),contrast noise ratio (CNR) and image quality were evaluated.Results (① There were no significant differences in age,body mass index and height between the four groups (P＞0.05).② The ED values of the four groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05).③ The differences of SNR and CNR had statistical significance between the four groups (F=3.7 and 3.6,P＜0.05).All images met the diagnostic requirements.Conclusion The lower tube voltage and the higher tube current (80 kV,300 mAs) can reduce the radiation dose and have less influence on the image quality,which can meet the clinical diagnostic requirements and can be used as routine scanning parameters for patients with superficial varicosis of lower limbs.

ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of nursing patients with heat illness combined with respiratory failure. Method The nursing records of 13 patients with heat illness combined with respiratory failure were reviewed for summarizing the nursing measures.Result After treatment and nursing care,12 of them were discharged and 1 died from multiple organ dysfunction. Conclusions Rapid cooling is key to the success of rescue.The nursing measures include keeping respiratory tracts unobstructed and preventing complications from artificial airway and mild hypothermia therapy.

Objective To investigate the effects of trimetazidine on renal function in patients with shock.Methods A prospective randomized controlled double-blind study was conducted.128 patients with shock admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from April 2011 to April 2013 were enrolled and randomly divided into control group and trimetazidine treatment group,each n＝64.All patients received anti-shock treatment,while the patients in trimetazidine group received trimetazidine treatment (20 mg orally,tid) for 7 days,and patients in control group received placebo (10 mL of sterile water for injection,tid) for 7 days.The urinary output,serum creatinine (SCr),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),cystatin C,and creatinine clearance (CCr) reflecting renal function were recorded in both groups,and the values were compared before treatment,48 hours after treatment,and 1 week after the treatment.At the same time,dynamic mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored,and 48-hour and 1-week mortality rates were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in results in all the renal function parameters before the treatment between two groups.The levels of SCr,BUN,cystatin C were gradually decreased after treatment in both groups,but CCr and MAP were gradually increased.Compared with the control group,cystatin C at 48 hours after treatment was significantly decreased,while CCr was significantly increased in treatment group [cystatin C (mg/L):0.85 ± 0.81 vs.1.01 ± 0.91,t=2.562,P=0.017; CCr (mL/s):0.93 ± 0.64 vs.0.69 ± 0.40,t=2.155,P=0.033].SCr and BUN at 1 week after treatment were significantly decreased in treatment group [SCr (lμmol/L):94.23 ± 88.31 vs.104.99 ± 98.37,t=2.921,P=0.003 ; BUN (mmol/L):9.46 ± 8.24 vs.11.87 ± 8.65,t=2.611,P=0.010].Urine output per hour and MAP was improved after treatment in both groups,and no significant difference was found between treatment group and control group [urine output (mL):48 hours after treatment 55.67 ± 31.43 vs.45.34 ± 11.79,t =0.934,P=0.323 ; 1 week after treatment 71.67 ± 37.23 vs.75.35 ± 22.88,t=1.280,P=0.210; MAP (mmHg,1 mmHg=0.133 kPa):48 hours after treatment 72.13 ± 33.24 vs.69.28 ± 39.98,t=1.408,P=0.179; 1 week after treatment 71.44 ± 21.98 vs.72.32 ± 31.11,t =1.184,P =0.252].Mortality rate in treatment group was lowered compared with control group,however no statistical significance was found [48 hours after treatment:31.2％ (20/64) vs.32.8％ (21/64),x2=0.084,P=0.785; 1 week after treatment:32.8％ (21/64) vs.35.9％ (23/64),x2=2.084,P=0.173].Conclusions Trimetazidine can improve renal function in patients with shock.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture therapy on damaged cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Thirty six aged male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group and electroacupuncture group. Animal model of AD was established with fimbria-fornix transection. The rats in the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Baihui (DU 20), Yongquan (KI 1), Taixi (KI 3) and Xuehai (SP10). The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in septal area of brain was detected by radioimmunoassay, and the protein expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and c-fos in CA3 region of hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS: The ChAT activity and the expression levels of NGF and c-fos proteins in the electroacupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture therapy can protect cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with AD by means of promoting synthesis of c-fos protein and increasing the expression level of NGF.

Analysis of domestic and overseas literature on the relationship between Alzheimer disease (AD) and neural stem cells (NSC) shows that inducing the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal endogenous NSC in-situ by acupuncture is probably the mechanism of acupuncture therapy in treating AD, and that it may further improve the method for the research on AD.

Purpose To explore the value of direct CT venography (CTV) for the diagnosis of varicose veins of lower limb. Materials and methods Forty patients diagnosed as varicose veins of lower limbs were enrolled. 40 patients with 56 involved limbs underwent direct CTV examination, and their images were stratified and evaluated according to the severity and the scope of the disease. Main assessment:definition and scope of CT axial scans combined with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection for the display of the varicose veins; situation for the display of perforating veins, deep veins and iliac veins;diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA. Results All of the 56 involved limbs underwent laser intra-cavity occlusion surgery, among them 7 cases with 11 limbs underwent venous angiography under DSA at the same time. In the evaluation of the VR, excellent proportion was 92.86%(52/56), moderate proportion was 7.14%(4/56). Among the deep veins, ratio of the imaging that was able to meet the diagnostic standard was 94.34%, 88.46%and 27.27%, respectively for calf vein, femoral vein and external iliac vein. The total demonstration rate of perforating veins was 98.21%(55/56). Diagnostic compliance between CTV and DSA was 100.00%. Conclusion Lower extremity direct CTV imaging is convenient and noninvasive for patients with varicose veins, with high compliance with DSA results, thus is significantly valuable for the guide of clinical treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the expression of Dishevelled2 and Vangl2 and the embryonic neural tube defects (NTDs) induced by all-trans retinoic acid (RA)in Kunming mouse. Methods Fifty pregnant mice were randomly divided into control and RA-treated groups.RA-treated mice were fed with 30mg/kg RA dissolved with peanut oil on embryo 7.75 days, while the mice of control group were administrated with an equal volume of peanut oil on the same time. Then all the embryos were sampled from pregnant mice at the 4th, 18th, 42nd, 66th and 90th hour after treatment. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining technique were used to detect the expression of Dishevelled2 and Vangl2 in embryonic neural tube. Results The two proteins both existed in the epithelial tissue of the mouse embryonic neural tube and displayed different expression modes at various developmental stages.Compared with the control group, the RA treated group showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) at the 18th and 42nd hour and a significant increase (P≤0.05) at the 66th hour in Dishevelled2 protein after maternal treatment, and no significant difference was found at the 90th hour. Compared with the control group, the Vangl2 mRNA expression in the RA treated group displayed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) at the 4th and 18th hour and a significant increase (P≤0.05) at the 66th hour after RA treatment, and no difference was found at the 42nd hour. Compared with the control group, the expression of Vangl2 protein in the RA treated group decreased (P≤0.05) at the 18th and 42nd hour, and increased (P≤0.05) at the 90th hour after RA treatment, no difference was found at the 66th hour. Conclusion Excessive RA may interfere with the normal embryonic neural tube closure by regulating the expression of Dishevelled2 and Vangl2.