Objective To investigate the protective effect of theaflavins on thymus injury caused by total body irradiation (TBI).Methods Twenty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,4 Gy TBI group,4 Gy TBI + 25 mg/kg theaflavins group,4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group and 4 Gy TBI + 100 mg/kg theaflavins group.Thymus index and total number of thymocytes were detected at the 14th d post-irradiation to determine the optimal dose of theaflavins.According to this optimal dose,32 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,theaflavins group,4 Gy TBI group and 4 Gy TBI + theaflavins group.Thymus histomorphology,CD4CD8 T cell subsets,and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in thymocytes were examined at the 14th d post-irradiation.Results The irradiated thymus exhibited decreased thymus index and total number of thymocytes (P ＜ 0.05),aberrant histomorphology and T cell subsets (P ＜ 0.05),and increased ROS level in thymocytes (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 4 Gy TBI group,the thymus index and total number of thymocytes were significantly increased in 4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).The total number of thymocytes was significantly higher in 4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group than that in 4 Gy TBI + 25 mg/kg theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).Therefore,50 mg/kg theaflavins was chosen as the optimal dose for subsequent experiments.Moreover,the aberrant histomorphology of irradiated thymus was alleviated by theaflavins.A decline in the percentage of CD4-CD8-T cells and an elevation of CD4+CD8-and CD4+CD8+ T cells were found in irradiated mice administered with theaflavins (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 4 Gy TBI group,the ROS level was significantly decreased in 4 Gy TBI + theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Theaflavins exhibits a protective effect on radiation-induced thymus injury.

Objective To investigate the effect of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell-derived Exosome on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSC)into cancer-associated myofibroblasts(CAF)and the impacts of CAF on liver cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion. Methods The protein expression of HepG2 cell-derived Exosome was detected by Western blotting. MSCs were separated from human adipose tissue and cultured with HepG2 cell-derived Exosome(100 ng/nl)to initiate differentiation. The expressions of mesenchymal markers and several interleukins were also detected by Western blotting. HepG2 cells were co-cultured with the conditioned media(CM),in which HepG2 Exosome induced the differentiation of MSC into CAF. The expressions of epithelial and mesenchymal markers were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTS assay. Transwell chambers were used in the in vitro migration and invasion assay. Results HepG2 cell-derived particles expressed CD63,70 kilodalton heat shock proteins,and 90 kilodalton heat shock proteins. With the treatment of HepG2 cell-derived Exosome,the expressions of mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin,fibroblast activation protein α,interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,and IL-1β were up-regulated,while vascular endothelial growth factor had no significant change. The conditioned media which HepG2 Exosome induced MSC differentiation CAF(CAF-CM)could significantly promote HepG2 cells proliferation(1.075±0.104),compared to BSA control(0.874±0.066,P=0.023)and MSC-CM(0.649±0.034,P=0.0005). CAF-CM could significantly enhance cell migration [(42.5±9.1) cells vs.(18.5±3.1) cells,P=0.001] and invasion [(29.0±3.5) cells vs.(13.1±3.7) cells,P=0.009] compared to its control group. Moreover the conditioned medium which HepG2 Exosome induced MSC to differentiate into CAF could also promote the expressions of mesenchyme-related genes Smad interacting protein 1(P=0.040),β-catenin(P=0.038),fibronectin(P=0.029),and Vimentin(P=0.013)and inhibit the expression of epithelial related genes zonula ocdudens-1(P=0.010).Conclusions Exosome extracted from HepG2 cells can induce human adipose-derived MSC to differentiate into cancer-associated myofibroblasts. CAF-like cells can promote the migration of the liver cancer cell line HepG2.

Objective To optimize the ethanol extraction technology ofLichong ShengsuiDecoction.Methods An L9(34) orthogonal test was used in the study. The extraction rates of calycosin glycoside, icariin, baohuosideⅠ, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1, astragaloside, and ginsenoside Rd were set as indexes. The influence of ethanol concentration, extraction time, extraction temperature, and amount of ethanol on the yield of Lichong ShengsuiDecoction were detected by comprehensive scoring method.Results The optimal ethanol extraction technology forLichong ShengsuiDecoction was soaking for 2 h with ten times of 60% ethanol and then reflux extracting for two times; extraction time was 1.5 h each time at 80℃.ConclusionThe optimal extraction technology is efficient, stable and feasible, which can provides data for the further study ofLichong ShengsuiDecoction.

Objective To study the interobserver variabilities and the differential diagnosis value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-Ultrasound (BI-RADS-US) lexicon for small ( ≤ 2 cm) breast nodules. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2011, 289 patients with small (≤2 cm) breast nodules (n=317) were included. According to sizes, the lesions were divided into two groups, i.e., 0-1 cm (n=160) group and 1-2 cm (n=157)group. Each lesion was described independently by 3 radiologists using BI-RADS-US lexicon. Interobserver variabilities were assessed by Kappa test. Chi-square test was used to compare the frequency difference of the descriptors between malignant and benign lesions. Sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negtive predictive value were calculated. Results (1)Moderate agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin, echo pattern, surrounding tissue and calciifcations (κ=0.44, 0.57, 0.48, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.57) in 0-1 cm group. Substantial agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin and echo pattern (κ=0.65, 0.61, 0.64 and 0.63) in 1-2 cm group. (2)Irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo and microcalciifcations were more frequently found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 0-1 cm group [52.3% (34/65) vs 20.0% (19/95), 38.5%(25/65) vs 13.7%(13/95), 75.4%(49/65) vs 32.6%(31/95), 18.6%(12/65) vs 0 (0/95) and 10.8%(7/65) vs 2.1%(2/95);χ2=18.19, 13.08, 28.22, 16.39 and 3.95;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.047]. Similarly, irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were signiifcantly more frequent found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 1-2 cm group [74.2%(49/66) vs 12.1%(11/91), 36.3%(24/66) vs 5.5%(5/91), 93.9%(62/66) vs 22.0%(20/91), 37.9%(25/66) vs 3.3%(3/91), 30.3%(20/66) vs 7.7%(7/91), 15.2%(10/66) vs 0 (0/91) and 16.7%(11/66) vs 4.4%(4/91);χ2=62.59, 24.21, 79.40, 31.22, 13.73, 12.30 and 6.67;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.010]. (3)In both groups, a good sensitivity was demonstrated (75.4%&93.9%) when using the non-circumscribed margin as a criterion for malignancy, and high speciifcity was achieved in two groups (80.0%-100%and 87.9%-100%) when other descriptors including irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were used as differentiation criteria. Conclusions Good interobserver agreement can be achieved using the BI-RADS-US lexicon in the diagnosis of small breast nodules. Non-circumscribed margin are proved as the most valuable sign for screening malignant breast lesions ≤ 2 cm. High speciifcity was found for irregular shape, nonparallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, Cooper′s ligament changes and microcalciifcations, which can help biopsy and preoperative diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), dexamethasone (Dex), and insulin on the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line in vitro.

METHODSMCF7 breasr cancer cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L). Those treated with culture fluid only served as controls. The mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the blank con- trol, LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L) significantly increased the expressions of GPR54 mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLPS, TNFα, IL-6, Dex, and insulin evidently increase the expression of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line, indicating their influence on the function of gonads by regulating the GPR54 level.

Blotting, Western ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Kisspeptin-1 ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Based on the plasma activation and the sensing ability of cataluminescence, a low temperature plasma-assisted cataluminescence sensor was developed for ethylene detection using the low-cost and abundant alkaline-earth oxides of MgO nanomaterials as the sensing materials.Taking advantage of the high activity of the plasma, the working temperature of this method was greatly decreased than that of traditional detection method (300-500℃), and the sensing of ethylene was realized at room temperature without any heating device.This ethylene cataluminescence sensor gave a linear range of 112-4997 ng/mL (90-3998 ppm, R=0.97669) with a detection limit of 37 ng/mL (30 ppm).Besides, the sensor showed good selectivity and stability in ethylene detection.Due to the absence of the heating element, the present sensor was simple, rapid, low-cost, low energy-consumption and stable for ethylene sensing.This study improved the applicability of cataluminescence sensors and might promote the development of cataluminescence sensors.

0.05).2.Neonates umbilical serum leptin concentration was positively correlated with body mass index(r=0.520 P

Objective To evaluate the value of echocardiography on the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC),and to improve the diagnositic accuracy of ARVC by echocardiography.Methods According to the 2010 European Heart Association guideline,twenty-one patients with ARVC were diagnosed from September 2003 to June 2014.The patients were divided into four groups (confirmed,suspiciously diagnosis,miss diagonisis,misdiagnosis) and the echocardiographic features were retrospectively analyzed including the right ventricular (RV) movement,the diameter of RV outflow tract (RVOTd),fractional area change of RV (RVFAC),the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and peak pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP).Results Of 21 patients,15 (71.4％) were confirmed by echocardiography,which had the typical ARVC echocardiographic features including the hypokinetic,akinetic or aneurysm of RV,dilation of RVOTd [mean RVOTd (40 ± 3)mm],and RV FAC＜33 ％ [mean (21 ± 7)％].TR were noticed in all the 15 patients but the PASP were normal [mean (27 ± 9)mmHg,1 mmHg =0.133 kPa].Three (14.3％) were suspiciously diagnosed which had the RV wall hypoakinetic,1 with pure RVOTd dilation and 2 with RV and RVOTd dilation,all 3 patients had mild TR,33％＜RVFAC ≤40％ and PASP were in normal range.Two patients had normal echocardiography which was miss diagnosed,one patient was misdiagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy.Conclusions The different stages of ARVC patients had different echocardiographic features,the patients were easily diagnosed when the ARVC patients in RV failure stage.But for the early and late stage,the diagnosis should combine the clinical manifestation and other imaging facilities to avoid miss diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of different treatments based on radical surgery in stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱ a2 cervical cancer through prospective randomized controlled study. Methods A total of 133 patients with stage Ⅰb2 and Ⅱa2 cervical cancer treated at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Capital Medical University during January 2009 to December 2012 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive one of the following three treatments: preoperative intracavitary irradiation (PII) group, radical hysterectomy (RH) group, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) group. Operation method included uterine extensive resection, pelvic lymph node excision, with or without para-aortic lymph node resection. The recent curative effect and side effect of preoperative treatment were observed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications, postoperative pathological risk factors and postoperative adjuvant therapy and side effect, the survival situation were evaluated among the 3 groups. Results (1)The response rates were 88%(37/42) and 82%(37/45) respectively of the PII group and NACT group. The difference was insignificant (P=0.528). Side effects were less in the PII group. Only 5 patients (12%,5/42) had slight gastrointestinal reaction. Myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reaction in NACT group were 76%(34/45) and 67%(30/45) respectively, which were more serious than that in group PII group (P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative blood loss and operation time in PII group [(678 ± 239)ml and(181 ± 39)minutes] and NACT group [(625 ± 137)ml and(168 ± 25)minutes] had a decreasing trend compared with that in RH group [(711 ± 319) ml and (202 ± 64) minutes], but the differences were no significant (P>0.05). NACT group could shorten operation time compared with the RH group (P<0.05). The lymph node metastases rate were 30%(14/46), 29%(12/42)and 29%(13/45)and the deep stromal invasion rate were 22%(10/46), 31%(13/42)and 31%(14/45)in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively (all P>0.05). The lymph-vascular space involvement (LVSI) in NACT group was significantly lower than that in RH group [31%(14/45) vs 57%(26/46), P=0.015]. The number of patients with histological risk factors in NACT group was higher thanthat in RH group [27%(12/45)vs 9%(4/46),P=0.024]. All surgery were successfully completed and no treatment-related deaths occurred in three groups. The incidence of 3-4 grade adverse reactions evaluated by the common terminology criteria for adverse event (CTCAE) was 13% (6/46), 14% (6/42), 18% (8/45) in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively (P=0.855). Three-year disease free survival (PFS) were 74.0%, 78.5%and 80.0%, and 3-year overall survival (OS) were 80.4%, 83.3%and 84.4%in RH group, PII group and NACT group respectively (all P>0.05). Conclusions The recent curative effect of PII and NACT were similar. They couldn′t improve 3-year of PFS and OS of the patients withⅠb2 andⅡa2 stage cervical cancer. But NACT can reduce the operation difficulty and can reduce the incidence of postoperative pathological risk factors, which could reduce postoperative adjuvant therapy.

[Objective] To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Buxin Huoluo Capsule (BHC) for coronary heart disease (CHD) and to explore its anti-lipid-peroxidation mechanism. [Methods] One hundred and seventy-five cases of CHD were treated with BHC and 121 cases with isosorbide dinitrate (ID) . Effects of BHC on angina pectoris, electrocardiograph, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxides (LPO) level were observed. [Results] In BHC group, the total effective rate in relieving angina pectoris was 88.0 % and that in improving electrocardiogram was 80.0 % , the difference being not significant as compared with ID group. As for the reduction of frequency of angina pectoris and the decrease of dosage of nitroglycerin, BHC were superior to ID. Furthermore, BHC decreased LPO level and increased SOD activity, the difference being significant (P