Objective To determine the influence of intense pulsed light (IPL) on the secretion of TGF-β1 in cultured human fibroblasts and the intervention of JNK inhibitor.Methods The callan foreskin fibroblasts were cultured and divided into 2 groups. In the IPL treatment group, cells were irradiated with IPL with fluences of0 (negative control), 10, 18, 27, 36, and 36 J/cm2 × 2 (irradiated with IPL with fluences of 36 J/cm2 twice). In the IPL + inhibitor group, cells were irradiated with IPL with fluences of 36 J/cm2 after incubation with the inhibitor SP600125 for 2 h. TGF-β1 in the culture supernatant was evaluated 48 h after the irradiation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Compared with the negative control, TGF-β1 in the culture supernatant decreased at the IPL irradiation of 10, 18, 27, and 36 J / cm2, whereas TGF-β1 increased at the IPL irradiation of 36 J/cm2× 2. In the IPL + inhibitor group, the concentration of TGF-β1 in the culture supernatant decreased compared with the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion IPL can suppress the secretion of TGF-β1 at the lower fluence and promote the secretion at a higher fluence. JNK inhibitor may play an inhibitive role when IPL regulates the TGF-β1 secretion in cultured human fibroblasts. IPL may stimulate TGF-β1 secretion of the fibroblast cells in human skin via JNK signal pathway.

AIM: To determine the relevance of NADPH oxidase subunit p22hox and the expression of superoxide anion on ventricular remodeling in myocardial infarction (MI) rats. METHODS: MI of Sprague-Dawley rats were established by left anterior descenting coronary artery ligation. 8 weeks after MI, Doppler echocardiography, hemodynamic study and histomorphometry were performed to analyze the ventricular remodeling. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in plasma and myocardium were measured, and the distribution of superoxide anion was observed with laser scanning confocal microscope. The expression of p22phox mRNA and protein level was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The left ventricular remodeling was significant in MI rats, also the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance increased in the plasma and non-infarcted myocardium. The expressions of p22-phox mRNA and protein levels, and superoxide anion increased in infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium in MI rats. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the expression of NADPH oxidase and its derived superoxide anion may take part in left ventricular remodeling through oxidative stresss after MI.

AIM: To clarify the protective effect of long-term administration of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor fluvastatin on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and its mechanisms. METHODS: Myocardial infarction were established by ligated left coronary anterior artery in SD rats, 24 hours after the operation, the survival rats were treated by gavage fluvastatin (20 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) or distilled water for 8 weeks. Doppler echocardiography, homodynamic and cardiac histomorphometry were used to assess the ventricular remodeling and cardiac function. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (Tch), creatinine (Cr), glutamic-oxal (o) acetic transaminase (AST), lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione perioxidase (GSH-PX), nitrogen monoxide (NO_2~-/NO_3~-) were detected. RESULTS: The Tch, Cr and AST were not significant difference in groups. Left ventricular end-diastole pressure, right relative weight, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, collagen volume fraction and the lung weight were decreased in AMI+fluvastatin group compared to AMI group (P

PurposeVon Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant diseases involved multiple organs. This paper aims to explore the clinical and imaging features of VHL syndrome for the improvement of early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Materials and Methods The clinical and imaging data, as well as their history of 5 patients with VHL syndrome were retrospectively studied. Follow-up was performed and the related literature was also reviewed.Results Among the 5 patients, 4 were found with angioreticulomas. One out of four patients simultaneously suffered from multiple angioreticulomas in brainstem, and another one had multiple cervical cord angioreticulomas. The typical MRI showed multiple cystic and solid mass with mixed intense signals, and the enhanced MRI displayed obvious enhancement in the solid part of the mass. Three patients were diagnosed with renal clear cell carcinomas. The typical CT scan showed equidensity or slightly low density signals, and the enhanced CT scan noted heterogeneous enhancement. Besides, bilateral epididymis cystadenoma occurred in one case. The ultrasonography presented heterogeneous echo and rich blood vessels. The follow-ups had been conducted till January 2015. According to the Glasgow outcome scale, three patients were in good conditions, while the other two died from renal clear cell carcinomas.Conclusion Patients with VHL syndrome usually have an unsatisfactory prognosis and most may die from renal carcinoma. Genetic test and investigation of family history should be performed as early as possible on patients with highly suspected or confirmed VHL Early treatment, life-long follow-up and periodic imaging examinations may be helpful in the prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of visual analog scale international prostate symptom score (VAS-IPSS) in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).Methods Three hundred and ninety patients with BPH were recruited to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to one of two groups:the standard IPSS group and the VAS-IPSS group.In each group,sub-groups were further divided to non-interpretation arm (A) and interpretation arm ( B),based on the availability of medical professionals to interpret patientsˊ VAS-IPSS score.In the same way,the similar sub-groups were established in VAS-IPSS group with non-interpretation arm (C) and interpretation arm (D).All the patients were required to fill out the same questionnaires at first consultation and second consultation with an interval of two weeks.Eventually,all the data were collected and analyzed.Results The ICC index was as follows for arms A through D:0.87 (95％CI0.72-0.94); 0.88 (95％CI0.74-0.95); 0.82 (95％CI0.59-0.92); 0.97(95％ CI 0.93-0.99).The optimal prediction factor for arm A was frequency (F =14.70,P =0.010)and the sub-optimal was nocturia ( F =12.10,P =0.000) and urgency ( F =11.80,P =0.000).The optimal prediction factor for arm B was nocturia ( F =6.02,P =0.000 ) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =5.79,P =0.008 ).The optimal prediction factor for arm C was nocturia ( F =30.98,P =0.000) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =22.42,P =0.000).The optimal prediction factor for arm D was nocturia ( F =20.20,P =0.000) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =18.00,P =0.000) and weak urine steam (F =15.30,P =0.000).Conclusions VAS-IPSS is more stable than the standard IPSS.The questionnaire explanation to patients is helpful for improving the VASIPSS stability.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) on immune system of mice exposed to chronic emotional stress, and to compare its effects with blockage of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis (HPAA) by metyrapone. METHODS: Eighty male mice were randomly divided into eight groups: normal saline-treated group, normal saline-treated stress group, JWXYP-treated group, JWXYP-treated stress group, metyrapone-treated group, metyrapone-treated stress group, metyrapone and JWXYP-treated group and metyrapone and JWXYP-treated stress group. A box of electrical shock was used to induce chronic emotional stress in mice. The metyrapone was applied to blocking the HPAA. The JWXYP, a classical formula of traditional Chinese medicine, which can alleviate the damages caused by chronic emotional stress, was also used to compare its effects with that of metyrapone. The body weight, thymus index, rate of apoptosis in thymus, serum concentration of glucocorticoid, activity of natural killer cells, lymphocyte transmission rate of mice were all measured and examined after interventions. The pathological changes of thymus tissue were observed. RESULTS: The thymus index, activity of natural killer cells and lymphocyte transmission rate were lower while the rate of apoptosis in thymus as well as the severity degree of pathological damages in thymus tissue were increased in the different drug-treated stress groups as compared with those in the corresponding drug-treated groups without stress. The activity of natural killer cells and the lymphocyte transmission rate induced by lipopolysaccharide were increased while the serum concentration of glucocorticoid and the severity degree of pathological damages in thymus tissue were decreased in both the metyrapone-treated stress group and JWXYP-treated stress group as compared with those in the normal saline-treated stress group. The combined intervention of metyrapone and JWXYP did not show better effects on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress than single metyrapone or JWXYP intervention. CONCLUSION: Blockage of HPAA by metyrapone intervention shows a significant protective effect on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress, and the JWXYP also exerts a similar protective effect against damages induced by chronic emotional stress. The HPAA may be one of the action targets of protective effects of JWXYP.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis,surgical therapy of congenital pyloric atresia in neonates.Method Six congenital pyloric atresia neonates in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were admitted,including 4 cases of complete atresia with pyloric diaphragm,1 case of incomplete atrsia with a foraminula in the pyloric diaphragm and 1 case of pyloric atresia with solid segment.Three cases were associated with epidermolysis bullosa,multiple intestinal atresia and annular pancreas respectively.Results The main presenting symptoms were nonbilious vomiting,and 5 cases of abdominal X-ray plain film showed a large single gastric air-bubble and no gas distally.Ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal radiography showed complete gastric outlet obstruction,and in 1 case postbulbar obstruction.Neonates with pyloric diaphragm underwent diaphragm excision and pyloroplasty,and that with solid segment did an extended pyloroplasty.The one complicating intestinal atresia was abandened surgery.Five cases were followed up,and doing well with complete recovery.Conclusion Abdominal X-ray plain film,Doppler ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal radiography help establish the diagnosis of neonatal congenital pyloric atresia.Surgery is the therapy of choice and the prognosis is very good.

In order to investigate the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression in residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), the expression levels of VEGF and bFGF expression in specimens surgically removed from 48 HCC patients were detected by immunohistochemical methods, and staining intensity of VEGF and bFGF was assessed by a computer-assisted image-analyzer. Among the 48 patients, 25 underwent partial hepatectomy alone (single operating group), and 23 were subjected to second stage surgical resection after TACE (TACE group). The results showed that the average absorbance value (A) of VEGF was higher in TACE group than that in single operating group (0.152 +/- 0.021 vs 0.131 +/- 0.012, P < 0.01). The Average A of bF-GF in TACE group was 0.127 +/- 0.023, higher than in single operating group (0.111 +/- 0.016, P < 0.05). These results suggested that TACE of HCC can up-regulate the expression of VEGF and bFGF in HCC tissues possibly due to anoxia and ischemia.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; pathology ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cycloleucine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

Objective To investigate the distribution of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the cerebellum of APP/PS1 transgenic mouse. Methods Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to analyze the relationship between DMTl and amyloid beta (Aβ) and their distribution in senile plaques. Western blotting was used to analyze DMT1 protein level in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse cerebellum. Results DMTl and Aβ were mainly located in the amyloid plaques, which were predominately located in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex of the transgenic mouse. Only a few plaques could be seen in the Purkinje cell layer and granular layer. Confocal laser microscopy revealed the DMTl and Aβ were co-localized in senile plaques. Conclusion The abundant expression of DMTl protein suggests that DMTl and the divalent metal ions that it transports might be involved in the formation of Aβ senile plaques and other pathological processes in the cerebellum in Alzheimer' s disease.

Bacterial Proteins ; chemistry ; Bacterial Secretion Systems ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Legionella pneumophila ; metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Structure, Tertiary