Objective To detect the osteopontin(OPN)expression in renal tissue of rats with fluorosis and low calcium diet,and study the role of OPN in renal injury of fluorosis.Methods Forty-eight aged 1 month Wistar rats,80-120 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups by 2×2 factorial design(the number of female and male in each group was equal):the control group,high-flluoride group,low-calcium group and low-calcium with high-fluoride group.All rats of the fluorosis groups were fed with feed containing corn exposed to coal-burning from endemic fluorosis areas with high fluoride(100 mg/kg,corn),the other two groups were fed with feed containing coru from nonendemic fluorosis areas(fluoride 5 mg/kg,corn).After 16 weeks,the rats were killed.The change of teeth was examined,and the incidence rate of dental fluorosis was calculated.The expressions of both protein and mRNA of OPN in rat renal tissue were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry after four-month experimentation.Results The growth of teeth was very well in the control group and the low-calcium group.The two high-fluoride groups showed evident dental fluorosis(100%).The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the OPN protein was localized in renal tubule cytoplasm.The OPN-positive cells from renal tissue were lightly and scatteredly stained in control and low-calcium groups.The OPN-positive cells had deeper color in high-fluoride group and low-calcium with high-fluoride group,widely distributed in the renal tubular epithelial cells.The protein expression of OPN in the two groups exposed to fluoride(168.64±13.21,169.26±8.92)was significantly higher than those of the corresponding control group(145.78±10.26,all P<0.01)and low-calcium group(149.60±16.84,all P<0.01).The mRNA expression of OPN in the two groups exposed to fluoride(1.89±0.37,1.94±0.22)was significantly higher than those of the corresponding control group(1.32±0.26,all P<0.05)and low-calcium group(1.30±0.186,P<0.05),respectively.High fluoride influenced the expression of protein and mRNA of OPN(F=13.821,4.24,all P<0.05).Low calcium did not affect the expression of protein and mRNA of OPN(F=2.164,0.58,all P>0.05).However,high fluoride and low calcium had a cross interaction on the expression of protein and mRNA of OPN(F=6.257,432,all P<0.05).Conclusions Over-dose fluoride enhances the expression of OPN.The higher expression observed in the cases exposed to high fluoride concentration is associated with serious renal injury.OPN may he a potential marker for renal injury in fluorosis.Moreover,over-dose fluoride and low calcium make the renal injury worse,indicating low calcium plays an important part in renal injury by fluoride.

Objective To summarize the sonographic characteristics of parathyroid adenomas(PAs) and investigate the diagnostic values and best diagnostic thinking for an early detection. Methods Sixteen cases finally proved with PAs were retrospectively analyzed of their clinical complaints, the department for their initial consultation,indicative ultrasound findings for neck scanning, major manifestations of PAs on a series of three-mode ultrasound imagings,association of adenoma sizes to serum parathyroid hormone(PTH) levels. Results On multimode ultrasound images, the PAs were multidisciplinary morphologic, homogenously hypoeehoic,absent of calculus and necrosis,highly vascularized with color signals,and similar to thyroid in contrast agents perfusion. Serum PTH levels were elevated in accordance with increase of adenomas' size. Among the 16 cases 12 were defined as with parathyroid incidentalomas, to which liver or/ and kidney stones were contributed as indicatives. Conclusions High frequency ultrasound with multiple imaging modes are most suitable for scanning and detection of neck PAs. For those with stones in liver and urinary tracts, unknown bone fracture etc, ultrasound scanning of the neck parathyroids used to reveal latent PAs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of electric acupuncture (EA) at Sishencong (EX-HN 1) on insomnia.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-six patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 138 in each group, the EA group treated with EA at Sishencong, and the control group with oral administration of Tianmeng Capsule. The treatment course for both groups was 3 weeks. The quality and related parameters of sleep before and after treatment were evaluated with a multi-channel sleep detector.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the quality of sleep was improved in both groups (P < 0.05), as compared with before treatment, the difference in related parameters was significant respectively (P<0.05 or P <0.01), however, the improvement in the EA group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEA at Sishencong has obvious effect on insomnia.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Based on the research of plant taxonomy and botanical investigation, microscopic characteristics of the root, stem, leaf transverse section and powder of Atropa belladonna were studied for identification of the herb. The research detailed and made clear to the description identification and microscopic characteristics of officinal parts of the herbs. The work provided reference for the identification of A. belladonna herbs and pieces of work in the future, as well as a theoretical basis for the further research, development, medicinal use and the upgrading of quality standards.
Atropa belladonna ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Microscopy ; methods ; Plant Epidermis ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Stomata ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; cytology

Objective To investigate the meaning of PURA gene and its protein in nephridial tissue of the rats with endemic fluorosis of coal burning. Methods Thirty-six SD rats of 80 - 100 g, body weight were randomly divided into control group, low fluorosis group and high fluorosis group according to body weight, 12 in each group, the number of female and male in each group was the same respectively. The control group, Low fluorosis group and high fluorosis group rots were fed with 1.5,25.0,60.0 mg/kg fluoride content in feedstuff, to establish the animal model of fluorosis. Expressions of both mRNA and its protein of PURA gene in rat nephridium tissue, were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry after four-month experimental period. Results The expressions of PURA mRNA[(2.74± 1.06),(4.29 ± 2.11)] and its protein[ (28 827.91 ± 4801.94),(61 146.96 ± 4997.55)] in low fluorosis group and high fluorosis group was higher than that in the control group[ ( 1.13 ± 0.87), (7131.95 ± 1524.54), all P < 0.05]. And the expressions of PURA mRNA and protein in high fluorosis groups was higher than that in low fluorosis greup(all P < 0.05). Conclusion High fluoride can lead to the high expression of PURA gene mRNA and protein in the rat nephridium tissue exposed to sodium fluoride.

OBJECTIVETo observe the preemptive analgesic effect of flurbiprofen axetil for post-operative pain relief.

METHODSSixty ASA class I or II patients undergoing postburn plastic surgery were randomly assigned into two groups to receive intravenous administration of 100 mg flurbiprofen axetil (group F, n=30) and 10 ml intravenous saline (group C, n=30) 30 min before surgery. After the operation, all the patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with tramadol for pain relief. The postoperative analgesic effect was assessed by visual analog scales (VAS) at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after surgery, with tramadol requirements and the adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTAt 1, 2, 4, and 8 h after the operation, the patients in group F showed significantly lowered VAS scores as compared with the patients in group C (P<0.05). The requirement of tramadol was also significantly less in group F than in group C (182.9-/+37.4 vs 227.3-/+49.8 mg, P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the adverse effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONFlurbiprofen axetil can produce preemptive analgesia and reduce the tramadol dose during postoperative PCIA in patients undergoing postburn plastic operations.

Adult ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; methods ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Burns ; surgery ; Female ; Flurbiprofen ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Surgery, Plastic ; Time Factors ; Tramadol ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate risk influencing factors of asthma for children in Suzhou City, China.

METHODSA survey of asthma was conducted on children aged 0 - 14 with or without asthma from September 2010 to April 2011 in Pingjiang district of Suzhou city. A total of 271 children diagnosed with asthma were considered as a case group, and 271 non-asthmatic children with the same age, sex and living region formed the control group. Risk factors were analyzed with χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSAll children were Han. The case group was composed of 165 boys and 106 girls, so was the case group. The average age was (7.5 ± 2.3) years for the case group and (7.8 ± 2.9) years for the control group, which did not showed any significant difference (P > 0.05). Family history of allergy (OR = 10.624, 95%CI: 6.294 - 18.623), history of children's eczema (OR = 4.403, 95%CI: 8.627 - 29.632), history of allergic rhinitis (OR = 6.871, 95%CI: 7.658 - 31.871), passive smoking when baby was born (OR = 3.323, 95%CI: 3.541 - 11.634), mold contamination (OR = 1.837, 95%CI: 1.531 - 4.926) were the risk factors, and breast-feeding (OR = 0.513, 95%CI: 0.418 - 0.914) was the protective factor.

CONCLUSIONFamily history of allergy, history of children's eczema, history of allergic rhinitis, passive smoking, and old contamination are the risk factors, and breast-feeding is the protective factor.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Bronchial asthma is a kind of respiratory disease which affects people 's life quality seriously. Many factors in-volved in the occurrence and development of such disease, of which the aberrant expression of E-cad plays a critical role in it. Research found that E-cad is an important cell adhesion molecu-lar, and its main function is to maintain the structural integrity of cells and participate in the improvement of airway remodeling as well as restoration of immune function. Further study showed that the role of mucosal barrier of airway epithelial cells in bronchial asthma patients was often damaged. Moreover, the protein ex-pression of E-cad decreased significantly in mucosal molecular, which suggested that the abnormal expression of E-cad was in-volved in the development of bronchial asthma. A review on the relations between the abnormal expression of E-cad protein and bronchial asthma has been discussed in this paper, also it in-cludes the discussion about the mechanisms of E-cad’ s disorder-induced bronchial asthma as well as explores the strategies of bronchial asthma treatment, which may provide references for the follow-up research and clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on glucose metabolism and pancreatic pathology.

METHODSTwenty Wistar rats were divided into 5-FU group(n=10, chemotherapy was administered intraperitoneally to animals at a dose of 20 mg/kg daily for continuous 5 days) and control group (n=10, sodium chloride was administered intraperitoneally to animals with the same dose at the same time ). Glucose tolerance was evaluated 2 and 7 days following 5-FU treatment by serial measurement of blood glucose before and after an oral glucose load. Plasma insulin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. Pancreatic pathology was examined with morphological method and the ultrastructural changes of β cells were observed by transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSFasting blood glucose level was significantly higher in the 5-FU group than that in the control group [(7.6±0.9) mmol/L vs. (4.6±0.6) mmol/L at day 2; (8.9±1.0) mmol/L vs. (4.7±0.6) mmol/L at day 7, P<0.01]. Insulin releasing test indicated that the early phase insulin response to glucose load was significantly diminished in animals treated with 5-FU at day 2. Insulin level was significantly lower in the 5-FU group than that in the control group at 30 min (P<0.01). The peak secretion time of plasma insulin in 5-FU group was at 60 min, similar to the control group; and plasma insulin level decreased more slowly. Plasma insulin level was higher in 5-FU groups than in control groups on 120 min and 180 min. At day 7, Insulin level was lower in the 5-FU group than that in the control group on 60 min, and the peak secretion time of plasma insulin was delayed to 120 min. Plasma insulin level was significantly increased in 5-FU group than that in control group on 180 min(P<0.01). No gross histopathological damage to the pancreas was observed at day 2 and 7 following administration of 5-FU. The structural changes of mitochondria were mainly the quantities of secretory granule diminished at day 7 under transmission electron microscope. Dilated rough endoplasmic reticula, swollen mitochondria, and the presence of adipose drops in lysosomes were found in few cells.

CONCLUSIONS5-FU-induced hyperglycemia appears to be mediated in part by a relatively deficient insulin secretion to glucose stimulation. A relative deficiency in insulin secretion following 5-FU treatment appears to be related to β cells function impairs with islet cell ultrastructural changes induced by 5-FU.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; blood ; Male ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of venous return disturbance (VRD), bone marrow edema (BME) and the amount of joint fluid with clinical symptoms in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODSTwenty patients (25 hips) with ONFH proved by pathology were parallelly examined by 1.5 T MR and medullograph.

RESULTIn total 25 hips VRD was observed in 16 hips with medullograph and 13 hips with the clinical symptoms (P <0.05). BME was found in 17 with MRI (P <0.01), and the was found in 15 hips with MRI (Spearman=0.949). VRD were found in 16 hydrarthrus.

CONCLUSIONONFH patients with clinical symptoms have VRD, BME and the hydrarthrus. The medullograph is of value in monitoring the development of ONFH.

Adult ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Edema ; pathology ; Female ; Femur Head ; blood supply ; Femur Head Necrosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hip Joint ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regional Blood Flow ; physiology ; Veins ; physiopathology