Objective To explore the activated brain region of acute epilepsy in cat model induced by pentylenetetrazol(FFZ)with manganese enhanced-functional MR imaging(ME-fMRI),and evaluate the application of ME-fMRI on localization of the activated brain.Methods Forty cats were divided into 4 groups by random number table method as epileptic A and B groups as well as control A and B groups. Cats of epileptic groups were injected with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,and those of control groups were injected with the saline at same dose.The behavior change in the epileptic and control group A was observed and electroencephalogram(EEG)was also undertaken.Cats of epileptic and control group B were performed ME-fMRI,and the percentage of the enhanced signal intensity was then calculated.Results After injection with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,epileptic seizure was all evoked,and then EEG recording showed spike-wave and polyspike-wave complexes.The neocortex of cats of epileptic group B was diffusely phanero-enhanced on ME-fMRI.The percent enhancement of signal intensity in cortex of frontal lobe,parietal lobe and occipital lobe was(34.6?5.7)% and that in cortex of temporal lobe with(22.9? 6.5)%,whereas those of control group B with(14.9?4.5)% and(11.6?3.2)% respectively.And there was significant difference between the above different localization of the brain in the two groups (t=-10.43,-5.46 respectively,P

Objective To study the molecular mechanism of renal injury of chronic arsenic poisoning rats induced by the expression of cysteine caspase-8 and P53 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.Methods Sixty healthy SD rats were divided into three groups,high-,low-dose group,and control group,n =20 in each group.The rats in high and low dose groups were treated with As203 through drinking water,10.0 and 0.4 mg/kg,respectively.The control rats were given distilled water.Four months later,serum and urinary arsenic level was determined,and kidney specimens were taken.The expression of cysteine caspase-8 and P53 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells was detected by histological technique-HE staining and SABC immunohistochemistry.In addition,cell number counting and image analyses were used in the study.Results The number of caspase-8 positive cells of renal proximal tubule in control group,low-and high-dose group was 3.33±1.32,31.14±8.02 and 46.50±7.20 cell number/visual fields,respectively,which was increased with dose increasing(all P ＜0.05);the average gray value was 151.34±6.40,133.58±4.63 and 128.34±16.28,respectively,decreased with dose increasing(all P ＜0.05).The number of P53 positive cells was 3.17±1.59,26.29±4.23 and 47.00±6.22 cell number/visual fields,respectively,increased with dose increasing (all P ＜ 0.05) ; the average gray value was 142.54±8.06,121.48±5.68 and 101.89±6.35,respectively,decreased with dose increasing (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The increase of caspase-8 and P53 positive cells is one of the molecular mechanisms of renal injury induced by arsenic poisoning.

Present work was designed to quantitatively evaluate the performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of the presence of metastasis in lymph nodes (LNs).Eligible studies were identified from systematical PubMed and EMBASE searches.Data were extracted.Meta-analyses were performed to generate pooled sensitivity and specificity on the basis of per-node,per-lesion and per-patient,respectively.Fourteen publications (2458 LNs,404 lesions and 334 patients) were eligible.Per-node basis demonstrated the pooled sensitivity and specificity was 0.82 (P＜0.0001) and 0.90 (P＜0.0001),respectively.Per-lesion basis illustrated the pooled sensitivity and specificity was 0.73 (P=-0.0036) and 0.85 (P＜0.0001),respectively.Per-patient basis indicated the pooled sensitivity and specificity was 0.67 (P=0.0909) and 0.86 (P＜0.0001),respectively.In conclusion,DWI has rather a negative predictive value for the diagnosis of LN metastasis presence.The difference of the mean apparent diffusion coefficients between benign and malignant LNs is not yet stable.Therefore,the DWI technique has to be further improved.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of an anti-fibrotic tetra peptide Ac-SDKP on vascular fibrosis by regulating extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) activity through Ang II.

METHODSRat vascular adventitial fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. They were randomly divided into control group, Ang II (10(-6) mmol/L) group, Ang II and Ac-SDKP joint action group, PD98059 group. Type I, III collagen contents in adventitia fibroblasts were measured by RT-PCR and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSAc-SDKP could reduced Ang II-induced expression of type I, III collagen secretion and TGF-beta1 at mRNA,and increase MMP-2 expression, PD98059 could inhibit the above effect.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that Ac-SDKP could inhibit the formation and development of vascular fibrosis through blocking ERK1/2 pathway mediated by Ang II. Ac-SDKP therefore served as an antifibrotic factor in vascular fibrosis.

Angiotensin II ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the changes of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa, MaxiK) during aging and relations between the changes and blood pressure.

METHODSMale spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aged 9, 15, 21, 27, 33 weeks (the number of each weeks SHR was 4) were selected as hypertension group rats, corresponding gender, weeks and number Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) as control group rats. Blood pressure of abdominalis aorta of each weeks SHR and WKY were measured by BL-420F experimental system of biological function. The arteria mesenteric minor (AMM) were isolated in blunt dissection method. The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of AMM were isolated with prolease. The potassium current, the current after BKCa were blockaded by Tetraethylammonium (TEA) and the capacitance of membrane (Cm) of VSMCs of AMM were recorded with using whole cell patch clamp, and calculated the BKCa current and the BKCa current density. Probe the correlation of the changes of BKCa current density with MABP during aging.

RESULTSThe potassium current density and BKCa current density of VSMCs of AMM of SHR were decreasing during aging, however, the changes of WKY had no statistically significance (P > 0.05). The BKCa current density was extremely correlative with MABP in SH R (the values of r were -0.7174), in WKY, the BKCa current density was correlative with MAB P r = -0.4832.

CONCLUSIONBKCa current and current density attenuate with aging, the level of blood pressure is response of the attenuated degree. The BKCa current density is extremely correlative with the blood pressure.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cell Membrane ; physiology ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; physiology ; Mesenteric Arteries ; cytology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY

Objective:To evaluate the radiosensitivity enhancement effect of FePd@CNTs nanocomposites on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Methods:FePd@CNTs nanocomposites were synthesized by chemical reduction method. Transmission electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer were utilized to characterize the surface morphology and chemical composition of FePd@CNTs nanocomposites. The compatibility of FePd@CNTs nanocomposites with human normal breast epithelial MCF-10A cells was determined by CCK-8 assay. The radiosensitivity enhancement effect of FePd@CNTs nanocomposites on MCF-7 cells was assessed by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and clony formation assay.Results:FePd nanospheres were successfully modified on the surface of CNTs by chemical reduction method. FePd@CNTs nanocomposites showed a low toxicity to MCF-10A cells (IC 50=738.3 μg/m), and effectively enhanced the effect of X-ray radiation on MCF-7 cells (sensibilization ratio=1.22). Conclusion:FePd@CNTs nanocomposites exhibit a promising potential for treating breast cancer and enhancing radiosensitivity effect.

OBJECTIVEThe present study was to explore signaling mechanisms underlying nicotine-induced inhibition of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca)).

METHODS8 week male Wistar rats were divided randomly into saline group and nicotine group and received respectively injection with saline or nicotine (Sigma, Shanghai, China) at 2 mg/(kg x d) for 21 days. Coronary vascular smooth muscle cells were dissociated enzymatically. Dissociated smooth muscle cells were interfered with CPT-cAMP (100 micromol/L) or forskolin (10 micromol/L). The signal channel open dwell-time (To), close dwell-time (Tc) and open probability (Po) were recorded.

RESULTSCPT-cAMP or forskolin significantly prolonged To, shorten Tc and increased Po in saline group (P < 0.01). But in nicotine group To, Tc and Po did not been changed.

CONCLUSIONThis phenomenon may serve as a physiological mechanism that nicotine inhibits BK(Ca) channel activity to increase via cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway.

Animals ; Arteries ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nicotine ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction

Objective To evaluate the development of the sphincter muscle complex(SMC)and defecation function in pediatric patients with congenital anorectal malformations(ARM).Methods A total of 64 children underwent MRI,among whom 39 were patients with ARM,and the others were patients without ARM undergoing MRI because of other dieases.The dimensions of the SMC in different planes were evaluated with different sequences and coils.The relationship between the SMC development and the defecation function was investigated.Results In control group,the absolute value of SMC width was (3.63?0.22)mm,which had a high correlation with age(r=0.998,P0.05).The SMCs in intermediate ARM patients[muscle index(MI)=0.47?0.05]and low ARM patients(MI=0.49? 0.05)were well developed.The SMCs in a portion of patients with high ARM(MI=0.28?0.06)were poorly developed,when MI≤0.18,anorectal contraction pressurewas significantly lower(t=3.55, P0.18[(0.85?0.20)vs(2.24?1.02)kPa].The length of anal canal with high-pressure[(10.88?3.64)vs(20.26?4.34)mm]was shorter(t=5.18,P0.18,the anorectal angle was less than 90 degrees,and normal continent function was found in 21 of 23 cases(91%).Conclusion MRI can be employed to evaluate the development of SMC in patients with ARM,MI was an objective criteria to evaluate the development of SMC.When MI≤0.18, maldevelopment of SMC will be highly suspected.

AIMTo investigate the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expressions in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the effect of beta-radiation.

METHODSTGF-beta1 and bFGF expression was studied by means of an immunohistochemical method in nine normal prostatic (NP) tissues, 15 hyperplastic prostatic tissues and 35 hyperplastic prostatic tissues treated with 90Sr/90Y.

RESULTSThe TGF-beta1 expression in the epithelium and stroma of normal prostatic tissues was 68.2 % +/- 10.5 % and 29.7 % +/- 4.6 %, respectively, while it was 64.8 % +/- 9.3 % and 28.6 % +/- 4.1 %, respectively, in hyperplastic prostatic tissues. Compared with the controls, TGF-beta1 expression in the epithelia and stroma of BPH treated with 90Sr/90Y increased significantly (P <0.01). The bFGF expression in epithelia and stroma of normal prostatic tissues was 17.4 % +/- 3.7 % and 42.5 % +/- 6.8 %, respectively, and was 46.3 % +/- 8.2 % and 73.2 % +/- 12.1 %, respectively, in hyperplastic prostatic tissues. Compared with the controls, expressions of bFGF in the epithelia and stroma of BPH treated with a 90Sr/90Y prostatic hyperplasia applicator decreased significantly (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONExposure of beta-rays had noticeable effects on BPH tissues, enhancing TGF-beta1 expression and inhibiting bFGF expression.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Beta Particles ; Case-Control Studies ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Strontium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Yttrium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application, feasibility and value of 3 T whole-heart contrast enhanced free-breathing navigator-gated three-dimensional coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CE-CMRA).

METHODS3 T CE-CMRA was used to examine patients with suspected coronary heart disease (CAD). Gd-BOPTA (0.2 mmol/kg) was injected intravenously with slow infusion rate (0.3 ml/s) to perform enhancement. Data were post-processed to obtain principal branches of coronary artery and picture quality was evaluated. According to results of selective coronary arteriography (SCAG), the diagnostic accuracy of CE-CMRA for diagnosing CAD was judged by means of detecting significant stenosis (> 50%) of the principal branches based on the 9 segments of coronary artery.

RESULTSTwenty-three out of 26 patients successfully completed the examination. The mean scanning time was (10.4 ± 2.1) minutes, 178 out of 202 (88.1%) SCAG demonstrated segments could be evaluated by CE-CMRA. The imaging quality was superior in proximal and middle segments of coronary artery principal branches than in distal segments. Based on patient-level, there were 9 positive cases and 14 negative cases examined by CE-CMRA compared with 11 positive cases and 12 negative cases examined by SCAG, respectively. The whole diagnose accordance rate of CE-CMRA was 91.3% (21/23) compared with SCAG. The sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive values were 81.8% (9/11), 88.5% (169/191) and 98.8% (9/31) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS3 T CE-CMRA is a feasible non-invasive imaging modality for diagnosing CAD, especially to detect significant stenosis in proximal and middle segments of coronary artery principal branches. However, the detecting efficacy is limited in assessing stenosis of distal segment and small branches of coronary artery.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Heart ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged