Objective To investigate localization and co-existence of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)on the cochlear spiral modiolar artery(SMA) and its branches.Methods The SMA was dissected from the modiolus so that the entire length of the vessel and many of its branches could be observed. Immunohistochemical ABC method and confocal immunoflurescence technique were employed to localize each compound and to determine whether the TH and CGRP coexist in neurons of the SMA.Results Microscopic examination of whole vessel preparation revealed numerous TH and CGRP-positive neural networks innervating the SMA and its branches.The labeled nerve fibers showed distinct arborization ,varicosities and overlap,and were of different diameters. The overall distribution of neuronal labeling suggested a gradual decrease of innervation density from proximal (cochlear base)to more distal vessels, i.e., apical cochlear vessels and lateral radiating arterioles. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of double-labeled TH and CGRP neurons showed that a number of the TH-and CGRP-positive neurons were co-labeled. Thus, TH and CGRP partially co-exist within the neuronal innervation of SMA.Conclusion These findings support a hypothesis that specific neuropeptide and adrenergic neurons regulate cochlear blood flow.

Objective To study the initial and the follow-up manifestations of infants with Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis (LCH) and evaluate the relationship between X-ray manifestations and clinical prognosis. Methods The radiological manifestations were analysed in 22 cases of LCH proved by clinical features, laboratory data, and pathology. According to Lavin’s Grade, the 22 cases were classified as Grade I (9 cases), Grade II (9 cases), and Grade III (4 cases). Plain radiography was performed in all cases during the initial and the follow-up,including cranial bones, chest, long bones, and spine. CT was performed in 12 cases. Results Of the 22 cases, there were 7 cases which lesions were limited to bones. 5 of them were demonstrated with ossification and remodeling of the involved bone after chemotherapy.The remaining 15 cases were associated with multi-systemic involvements, only 4 of which improved after chemotherapy. Among these 15 cases, 7 had lung involvement, only 2 of which had gotten better. Hypothalamus/pituitary axis was affected in 1 case. Conclusion The extension of the bone involvement can reflect LCH clinical prognosis. However,the lung involvement of LCH, which mainly presented with interstitial lesion, is not sensitive for the evaluation of clinical situation.LCH with limited bone destructions have a better prognosis than those with the multi-systemic involvements.

Objective To explore an alternative strategy of ganciclovir-mediated cytotoxicity and study the mechanism of enhancing bystander effect of HSV-TK/GCV system by combination gene transfer of Rb gene and HSV-TK gene.Methods Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-Rb harbour ing1.65kb of Rb gene was constructed.The pcDNA3.1-Rb and the plasmids tgCMV/HyTK car-ry ing HSV-TK gene were transfected respectively or co-transfected into the osteosarcoma cell line OS732by lipofection using DOTAP reagent.The mRNA expression of Rb gene and HSV-TK gene were detected by RT-PCR and Northern blot.Cell counting,cell cycle analysis and soft agar colony formation test were adopted to observe cell growth features.The expression of gap junction Connexin43gene was performed by RT -PCR and Western blot.The direct confirmation of gap junction intercellular commu ni cation was demonstrated by Lucifer yellow dye transfer.Cell sensitivity to GCV and″bystander effect″of HSV-TK/GCV system were measured by MTT assay.Results The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcD NA3.1-Rb was constructed successfully.The transfected cell lines OS732TK,OS732Rb and OS732RbTK were har-vested.mRNA expression of HSV-TK gene was demonstrated in OS732TK and OS732RbTK cells.Both exogenous and endogenous Rb gene expression could be detected in OS732Rb and OS732RbTK cells si-multa neously.Compared with parental cell OS732,OS732Rb and OS732RbTK cells changed their mor -phology and decreased the growth rate;the ability of soft agar colony formation reduced and the cell cycles were arrested at G 0 G 1 checkpoint.The Connexin43expression and gap junction in tercellular communica-tion en hanced in OS732Rb cell.GCV was of toxicity to only TK -positive cells,OS732TK and OS732RbTK,in a concentration dependent manner,the mixed coculture experiments of OS732and OS732Rb with the TK-negative cell,both showed sensitive to GCV,but the survival rate of OS732Rb cell was significantly lower than OS732cell under the same condition.Conclusion Coordinate ex pression of Rb andHSV-TK gene conferred a more po tent bystander effect by enhancing gap junction intercellular communica-tion and in hibiting prolifera tion.

Animals ; Diazepam ; pharmacology ; Drug Antagonism ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Male ; Pyrazoles ; poisoning ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Aconitum ; poisoning ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hemoperfusion ; methods ; Male ; Plant Poisoning ; therapy ; Rabbits

Aspergillosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Aspergillus ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA-1 (miR-1) on the fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts induced by high glucose. Methods The primary cultured fibroblasts from 1-3 days old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 3): normal glucose + lentivector-vehicle (CON+Lv-Vehicle group), normal glucose + lentivector-miR-1 (CON+Lv-miR1 group), high glucose + lentivector-vehicle (HG+Lv-Vehicle group), high glucose + lentivector-miR-1 (HG+Lv-miR1 group). Fibroblasts were cultured in glucose concentration 5.5 mmol/L and 25 mmol/L DMEM culture, and were injected lentiviral vector carrying miR-1 silencer sequence or the same volume of lentiviral vector. After 12 hours, the medium was replaced with fresh complete medium. After 3 days when transfection efficiency was up to 90%, the cellular miR-1 content was detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The secretion of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), autophagy related protein LC3B-Ⅱ, P62/SQSTM1 and Cathepsin D were assessed by Western Blot. Results Compared with the CON+Lv-Vehicle group, the content of miRNA in the CON+Lv-miR1 group had no statistical significance. Compared with the CON+Lv-Vehicle group, high glucose increased the amount of miR-1 (2-ΔΔCt: 1.82±0.17 vs. 1.00±0.04), collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ secretion (mg/L: 14.55±0.33 vs. 7.28±0.22, 157.50±13.22 vs. 61.25±8.54) and expression (gray value: 432.35±56.00 vs. 100.00±15.00, 320.35±47.00 vs. 100.00±15.00), the level of MMP-2, MMP-9 and the expression of autophagy related protein LC3B-Ⅱ and P62/SQSTM1 (gray value: 249.0±21.0 vs. 100.0±15.0, 142.3±20.0 vs. 100.0±16.0, 178±19 vs. 100±14, 378.3±20.0 vs. 100.0±15.0), decreased the expression of lysosomal associated protein Cathepsin D (gray value: 60±14 vs. 100±10), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Compared with the HG+Lv-Vehicle group, the amount of miR-1 in the HG+Lv-miR1 group was significantly decreased (2-ΔΔCt: 1.21±0.10 vs. 1.82±0.17), collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ secretion (mg/L: 10.68±0.54 vs. 14.55±0.33, 87.25±13.55 vs. 157.50±13.22) and expression (gray value: 179.41±45.00 vs. 432.35±56.00, 173.41±50.00 vs. 320.35±47.00), the level of MMP-2, MMP-9 and the expression of autophagy related protein LC3B-Ⅱ and P62/SQSTM1 (gray value: 172.0±23.0 vs. 249.0±21.0, 90.0±17.0 vs. 142.3±20.0, 138±15 vs. 178±19, 265.0±17.0 vs. 378.3±20.0) in the HG+Lv-miR1 group were decreased and the expression of lysosomal associated protein Cathepsin D was higher (gray value: 110±17 vs. 60±14), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions The expression of miRNA-1 was up-regulated in cardiac fibroblasts cultured in high glucose, and miRNA-1 silencing inhibited cardiac fibroblast induced fibrosis in high glucose. The mechanism may be related to the recovery of autophagy flux, up-regulation of Cathepsin D expression and inhibition of collagen production.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, location, treatment and prognosis of periosteal osteosarcoma. Methods The data of 1 patient with periosteal osteosarcoma was retrospectively analyzed, and the 35 cases reported in CNKI database in recent years were analyzed. Results The patient of periosteal osteosarcoma was female and 16 years old. Periosteal osteosarcoma occurred in the tibia. The patient was treated with extensional resection, and had no recurrence and metastasis 3 months after operation. Among the 35 patients reported in the literature, the age of onset ranged from 14 to 35, the female was slightly more than the male (19 cases vs. 16 cases), and the lesion site was mainly in the tibia and femur. The 35 patients underwent surgical treatment, and 4 cases had metastasis;6 cases were treated by surgery combined with chemotherapy. Conclusions Female patients with periosteal osteosarcoma were slightly more than male, and the lesion site is mainly in the tibia and femur. The chemotherapy effect is not exact, and extensional resection is the most effective treatment method. The transfer site and the characteristics are not exact.

Objective To observe the effects of different quantities of cake-separated moxibustion on blood cells and immunoglobulin in immunosuppressive rabbits; To study the possible mechanism of quantity-effect difference. Methods Immunosuppressive rabbit model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. Rabbits were randomly divided into blank group, model group, cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group, 5 Zhuang group, 7 Zhuang group.Liuwei Dihuang Decoction was used to make herbal-cake, and was put on Shenque (RN8), Guanyuan (RN4), and other acupoints, once for every other day, 10 times in total. Venous blood was taken on the next day after finishing treatment, and the contents of blood cells series and IgG, IgM, complement C3 and complement C4 were detected.Results Compared with blank group, the levels of WBC, NEU, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, IgG, IgM, and complement C3 of model group significantly decreased, while the levels of LYM and MONO significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the increase of HCT and IgM in the cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group was not significant, the levels of WBC, NEU, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, IgG, IgM, and complement C3 in all treatment groups significantly increased, and LYM and MONO significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group, the levels of WBC, IgG, and complement C3 of cake-separated moxibustion 5 Zhuang group significantly increased, and the levels of WBC, HGB and complement C3 of cake-separated moxibustion 7 Zhuang group significantly increased (P<0.01).Conclusion Cake-separated moxibustion can improve the immune function under immunosuppressive state induced by cyclophosphamide, and different quantities have differences in efficacy.

PET and PET/CT are the methods of displaying the functional and metabolic changes in tissues. With its high sensitivity and specificity, it can be used as a noninvasive systemic functional examination. There are significant values in its diagnosing, staging, treatment directing and prognosis assessing in the malignant lymphoma.