AIM: To investigate the effect of curcumin on the binding activity of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-?B) and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-?(PPAR-?) in rats with liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachoride. METHODS: A total of 60 clean male rats were randomly and averagely divided into group A,B,C,D,E and F.The rats in group A served as normal controls,while those in other five groups were injected subcutaneously 40% CCI_4 for seven weeks to induce the model of liver fibrosis.After seven weeks,the rats in group C,D,E,F were intragastrically administered with 50 mg/kg silibinin,100 mg/kg cur,200 mg/kg cur,400 mg/kg cur once per day for six weeks,respectively.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissues under light microscope,and immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were performed to detect the activity of NF-?B,PPAR-? and mRNA expression of PPAR-?.RESULTS: The inflammatory and fibrotic degrees were obviously alleviated in group C,D,and E compared with group B.The expression of NF-?B p65 was significantly decreased in liver tissue in group C,D and E,compared with model control group B(P

Objective To investigate the possibility of plastic and cosmetic operation incorporating epicanthoplasty with the double-eyelid procedure in one stage to achieve a more subtle scar in epicanthus patients with single eyelid. Methods After designing incision line of the epicanthic flap, double-eyelid line and the lower eyelid incision curved line, we cut the medial canthus skin transversely to reach a new medial canthus point, incised the part of front angle of medial palpebral ligamentum longitudinally and fixed the end point of front angle of medial palpebral ligamentum to nasal dorsum fascia firmly. Double eyelid operation was routinely performed to remove redundant small triangle skin as well as some patchy of orbicularis on the new medial canthus point. Along with eyelid edge about 1 to 2 mm to eyelash, the temporal side was cut with curved line till its disappearance by eyelid's "cat ear". The lower eyelid flap was separated downward and the superfluous flap and some patchy of orbicularis cut. The skin was su-tured to make postoperative scar hidden, blepharophimosis increased and the fold disappeared. Results 46 eyes (23 cases) were operated and satisfactory aesthetic results were obtained. Palpebral fissure was enlarged to 2 to 4 mm with epicanthic scar disappearance and formation of double-eyelid. Conclusions This is a simple and effective procedure with hidden epicanthic scar and the double-eyelid blepharoplasty could be performed simultaneously. Most patients receive satisfactory results during the 0.5 to 2 years' follow-up period except 2 cases with mild proliferation of epicanthus in half a year. It is especially suitable to correct the severe epicanthus palpebralis or epieanthus tarsalis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) and its mechanism.

METHODSSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and identified by S-100 immunofluorescence staining. The cultured SCs were divided into control group, hydrogen peroxide-treated group, hydrogen peroxide and PQQ treated groups. The intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected; the apoptotic rate of SCs induced by hydrogen peroxide was determined by flow cytometry assay. The Hoechst33342 staining was used to detect the nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic nuclear condensation of SCs; the Rhodamine123 staining was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential in SCs, the Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 in hydrogen peroxide induced SCs.

RESULTSThe SOD activity was significantly decreased and MDA level was increased in H2O2 induced SCs (P < 0.05), after addition of PQQ, the SOD content increased and MDA content decreased (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that the early apoptotic rate was 58.8% in H2O2 induced SCs, which has significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.05), after addition of 10, 50, 100 nmol/L PQQ, the apoptotic rates were reduced to 33.7%, 18.7%, 3.9% respectively, showing significantly different with injured group (P < 0.05). Hoechst 33342 staining showed that H2O2 induced SCs had typical morphological characteristics, such as uptake of nuclear chromatin, nuclear shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation phenomenon. The proportion of apoptotic cells after PQQ treatment reduced. Rhodamine staining results showed that the H2O2 induced mitochondrial membrane potential reduction in SCs, which was reversed by addition of PQQ. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in H2O2 induced SCs, while it increased significantly after addition of PQQ (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPQQ has a protective effect on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of SCs.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzimidazoles ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Quinine ; pharmacology ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

AIM: To search for new candidate partners of human cell division cycle gene 14A (hCDC 14A) and explore their functional relationships.METHODS: Yeast two-hybrid screening was employed to find hCDC 14A new partners. Physical interaction between two proteins was verified using Pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Subcellular localizations were revealed by immunofluorescence. In vivo ubiquitination test implied their potential functional relationship.RESULTS: BRAP2 (BRCA1 associated protein 2) was found to be a new candidate partner of hCDC 14A. hCDC 14A was modified by ubiquitination, and BRAP2 increased this modification in vivo. As expected, hCDC 14A and BRAP2 co-localized on mitotic spindles in HeLa cells.CONCLUSION: BRAP2 may be an ubiquitin E3 ligase of hCDC 14A.

Objective To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. Methods The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cmaway fromthe wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chick-en blood made the cast-off bloodstain fromtop to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics ( length , width and density ) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics ( length , width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. Results The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum( P<0 .05 ) . The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum(P<0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P<0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P<0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P<0.05). Conclusion The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.

Objective To analyze and investigate dopamine combined with milrinone treatment effect on elderly patients with intractable heart failure and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide level and cardiac function.Methods 80 cases of elderly patients with heart failure according to the number table method randomly divided into two groups: control group and experimental group, and control group was given conventional drugs.The patients in experimental group were received dopamine +Milrinone on the basis of control group.Clinical efficacy, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels ( NT proBNP ) and heart function condition between two groups are compared and analyzed.Results The total effective rate of experimental group (95.00%) was higher than that of control group (70.00%) (P<0.05).NT-proBNP(2013.31 ±295.84)ng/L、LVEDD(61.48 ± 10.11)mm、LVEF(59.69 ±8.44)% in the experimental group was significantly better than the control group(P <0.05).Conclusion Dopamine combined with milrinone in the treatment of elderly patients with intractable heart failure is remarkable, can relieve the level of NT proBNP, and promote the recovery of cardiac function.

Objective To investigate the optimized parameters of dye (SYBR Green Ⅰ) realtime fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (RF-PCR) for detecting αβT lymphocyte clones in the peripheral blood and its application in monitoring specific T cell clone in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods The total RNA was extracted from the PBMC of six healthy donors, and was reversely transcripted into cDNA. Then the cDNA was amplified using RF-PCR with the primers specific for T cell receptor β viable region (TCRBV) gene families as upstream primers and the primer for T cell receptor (TCR) β constant region (TCRBC) as downstream primer. The annealing temperature,concentration of primers and the total number of cycles were comparatively analyzed. The optimized PCR was performed to investigate the 24 TCRBV gene families from 12 patients with CHB, and the PCR products were monitored by melting curve analysis, and the clone expansion of peripheral blood T cell was detected by peak-motif of melting curve analysis. Results The optimized annealing temperature, final premier concentration,the number of cycles were 60.6 ℃, 0.5 μmol/L and 40 cycles, respectively. The begin temperature for melting curve analysis was better as 80 ℃ compared to 75 ℃. There was mono-peak on melting peak chart for TCRBV gene families in PBMC from patients with CHB, and PCR products of the single peak were determined as monoclonal T cell by sequencing. Conclusions The optimized reaction parameters of RF-PCR for monitoring 24 TCRBV gene families are determined. The melting peak chart could be used to monitor the clone expansion of the peripheral lymphocytes and to detect the clone-specific T cells in the peripheral blood from patients with CHB.

Objective To observe the effect of inhaled glucocorticoids combined with theophylline in smoking patients with bronchial asthma.Methods Seventy-three patients with bronchial asthma were enrolled in this study and they were divided into observation group (34 cases,smoker) and control group(39 cases,no-smoker).They all accepted inhalation of budesonide 200 μ g/suck,bis in die,plus aminophylline tablet (0.1 g,ter in die,per os) for 3 months.After treatment for 3 months,the basal control rate was compared between two groups.The levels of asthma control test (ACT) score,peak expiratory flow (PEF),the first second forced expiratory volume accounted for the percentage of prediction (FEV1％pred),eosinophil leukocyte (EOS) count and immunoglobulin E(IgE) in two groups before and after treatment for 3 months were compared too.Results After treatment for 3 months,the basal control rate in observation group was 88.24％ (30/34),in control group was 92.31％(36/39),and there was no significant difference(P＞ 0.05).After treatment for 3 months,the levels of ACT score,PEF and FEV1％pred in two groups were increased and the levels of EOS count and IgE were decreased than those before treatment,and there were significant difference (P ＜0.05).After treatment for 3 months,the levels of ACT score,PEF,FEV1％ pred,EOS count and IgE in observation group were (22.43 ± 2.64) scores,(292.52 ± 98.64) L/min,(74.87 ± 4.83)％,(270 ± 180) × 106/L,(68.25 ± 13.89) U/L,in control group were(22.81 ± 2.27) scores,(300.34 ± 100.45) L/min,(75.26 ± 5.04)％,(210 ± 170) × 106/L,(65.47 ± 11.28) U/L,and there were no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Low dose inhaled glucocorticoids combined with theophylline in treatment smoking and non-smoking asthmatics patients are equal.It can improve asthma symptoms and lung function,improve hormone sensitive and reduce airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND:It has been confirmed that carboxymethylated chitosan has an promoting effect on Schwann cel proliferation and secretion, but its impact on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated protein kinase A signaling pathway in schwann cel stil needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of carboxymethylated chitosan on cyclic adenosine monophosphate/ protein kinase A signaling pathway in rat schwann cels. METHODS:The Schwann cels of the second generation neonatal rats were obtained and seeded in 6-wel plate at a concentration of 1×109/L. These Schwann cels were cultured and divided into four groups. The Schwann cels in the control group were cultured by adding PBS. The Schwann cels in the experimental groups were cultured by adding 50, 100 and 200 mg/L of carboxymethyl chitosan solution, respectively. After 24 hours, the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, protein kinase A activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, carboxymethyl chitosan increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations, the activity of protein kinase A and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression within the Schwann cels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that carboxymethyl chitosan can increase the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate within the Schwann cels and promote protein kinase A activity, thereby activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Recently, non-fusion technology representing as artificial cervical disc replacement continues to improve. On the basis of reconstruction of disc structure and function of involved segments, cervical spine structure of surgery area segment is significantly close to dynamic and static load stress distribution required by natural physiological systems. It effects are apparent in protecting intervertebral facet joints of degenerated segment and structure and function of the cervical spine of adjacent segments and in maintaining cervical dynamic stability, which presented obvious methodological strengths compared with segmental fusion technology.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement in the treatment of single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy.
METHODS:A total of 43 middle and old age patients with single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy, who were treated from March 2010 to March 2012, were enrol ed in this study. They were randomly assigned to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion group (fusion group) and Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group. Range-of-motion of cervical overal and adjacent intervertebral area near the intervertebral space was observed with radiography. During fol ow-up, postoperative recovery of neurological function was evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, visual analog scale and neck disability index.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:None patients experienced complications of neurovascular injury during and after the surgery. Range-of-motion of postoperative overal cervical vertebra and adjacent joint was improved in the Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group compared with the fusion group. Neurological function was apparently improved after surgery in each group. At 3 months after surgery, scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Association, visual analog scale and neck disability index were significantly improved in the Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group compared with the fusion group (P<0.05). During final fol ow-up, there were significant differences in visual analog scale scores between the two groups. Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale score and neck disability index score were similar between the two groups. During fol ow-up, no prosthesis sinking, displacement or heterotopic ossification were detected. These data indicated that artificial cervical disc replacement could effectively keep the range of motion of cervical segments and protect disc degeneration of adjacent segment. Mid-term fol ow up obtained similar improvement of neurological function of fusion surgery. The moderate-term and short-term efficacies of non-fusion technology were better than fusion technology in the treatment of single-level cervical spondylopathy.