Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 160-180 g,were used in this study.Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35 mg/kg and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later.Type 2 DNPwas confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration less than 80％ of the baseline value.Eighty-one rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each) using a random number table:DNP group,DNP + curcumin group (DCur group),and DNP+ solvent group (group DSC).In DCur and DSC groups,curcumin 100 mg· kg-1 · d-1 and corn oil 4 ml · kg-1 · d-1 were injected intraperitonally,respectively,for 14 consecutive days starting from the day 14 after STZ administration.Another 27 normal male Sprague-Dawley rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.MWT and TWL were measured before STZ injection,at day 14 after STZ injection,and on 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection.RAGE positive cells were determined by immuno-histochemistry and the expression of RAGE by Western blot in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG after MWT and TWL were measured on 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened at 14 days after STZ injection and each time point after curcumin injection,the rate of RAGE positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was increased at each time point after curcumin injection,and the expression of RAGE was up-regulated in the spinal dorsal horn at each time point after curcumin injection and in the DRG at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection in group DNP.Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged at each time point after curcumin injection,the rate of RAGE positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was significantly decreased at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection,and the expression of RAGE was down-regulated in the spinal dorsal horn at each time point after curcumin injection and in the DRG at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection in group DCur,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group DSC.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin attenuates DNP may be related to inhibition of up-regulated expression of RAGE in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin 35 mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after streptozotocin administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value.The rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP); curcumin group (group Cur); solvent control group (group SC).In Cur and SC groups,curcumin 100 mg/kg and corn oil 4 ml/kg were injected intraperitonally,respectively,once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from day 14 after streptozotocin administration.Another 27 normal Sprague-Dawley male rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.MWT and TWL were measured before type 2 DNP was induced,after type 2 DNP was induced,and at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection(T1-5).The rats were sacrificed after MWT and TWL were measured at T3-5,and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord and DRG (L4-6) were removed for determination of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was up-regulated in DNP,Cur and SC groups.Compared with DNP group,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was down-regulated in Cur group,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in SC group.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin attenuates type 2 DNP may be related to up-regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horns and DRG of rats.

Objective To explore the potential impact of low concentration of metformin on the morphology and function of mitochondria of HepG2 cells. Methods HepG2 cells in experimental group and control group were treated with or without low concentration of metformin (1mM/L), respectively. The cells were incubated for 12h in the incubator with constant temperature and humidity as well as 1% oxygen. Orange Mitoview was used to stain the mitochondria to detect the effects of the drug on its morphology and quantity. Transmission electron microscope was utilized to observe the effect of metformin on the ultrastructure of mitochondria. The mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity in HepG2 cell was detected by Complex I Enzyme Activity Dipstick Assay Kit (DAK). Results Orange Mitoview staining showed that low concentration of metformin had little effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of cells in experimental group , and the difference between control and experimental group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, the result was further determined by transmission electron microscopy. However, DAK analysis showed that complex I activity of cells in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group. Conclusion Under Hypoxia conditions, low concentration of metformin had no significant effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of HepG2 cells, but it significantly reduces the activity of mitochondria of HepG2 cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical role of central venous pressure(CVP) to evaluate fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients. Methods 66 septic shock patients were studied, every patient was administered a volume challenge, before and after it, CVP, intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI),global end-diastolic volume index(GEDVI), cardiac index(CI), stroke volume index(SVI) were measured by PiCCO method. All the obtained values were analyzed by statistics method. Results Initial CVP in responders is significantly different from that in nonresponders; △ITBVI, △GEDVI, △CI, △SVI, △HR (△:changes) before and after volume challenge in responders were significantly different from those in nonresponders; the significance of △ITBVI, AGEDVI to predict volume responsiveness was strong indicated by high values of areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (0.674 and 0.700, respectively).If patients were regrouped by CVP≤11 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) and CVP > 11 mm Hg, initial ITBVI and GEDVI in responders were not significantly different from that in nonresponders; △ITBVI,△GEDVI, △CI, △SVI before and after volume challenge in responders were significantly different from those in nom'esponders. Conclusion In septic shock patients, CVP play a guidance role to predict and evaluate volume responsiveness and when CVP was > 11 nun Hg, a positive response will be less likely. Initial volumetric parameters(intrathoracic blood volume and global end-diastolic volume) play a questionable role in predicting and evaluating volume responsiveness, changes before and after volume challenge maybe helpful.

Objectlve To research and analyze the hemod)rnamic status of refractory septic shock associated cardiac dysfunction.Methods 70 refractory septic shock patients were studied.In the duration of pulmonary artery catheter(PAC)-directed hemodynamic optimization,the patients were divided into a cardiac dysfunction group and a control group.Hemodynamic parameters,arterial blood lactate concentration and APACHE II scores were obtained instantly after the placement of a PAC,then lactate clearance in 24 hours was surveyed and calculated.Subsequently the two groups of patients were regrouped by nonsurvivor and survivors respectively.All the obtained values were analyzed with statistic methods.Results 37% of the refractory septic shock patients was complicated with cardiac dysfunction.The age of the patients complicated with cardiac dysfunction was significantly higher than that of the patients of the control group.Central venous pressure(CVP),pulmonary artery obstruction pressure(PAOP),pulmonary artery pressure (PAP),systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI),pulmonary vascular resistance index(PVRI)and oxygen extraction ratio(O2ext)in the cardiac dysfunction group were significantly different from those in the control group.Cardiac output(CO),cardiac index(CI),oxygen delivery index(DO2I)and mixed venous oxygensaturation(S-v O2)were significantly lower than those of the patients in the control group.S -v O2 had a strong correlation witIl CI.If the patients were regrouped by nonsurvivors and survivors.in the patients complicated with cardiac dysfunction APACHE II scores were significantly higher in the nonsurvivors than survivors:the lactate clearance in 24 hours(median-25%)of the nonsurvivors was significantly lower than that of nonresponders(median 22%),P＜0.05.Conclusion (1)In refractory septic shock patients,cardiac dysfunction maybe the main reason leading to bad outcome.(2)Higher CVP and PAOP and lower S -v O2 indicate the onset of cardiac dysfunction.(3)The patients with significantly high initial arterial blood lactate level and the low lactate clearance in 24 hours had bad outcome.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of serum galactemannan(GM) for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients. Methods Study was conducted between February 2007 and July 2008. Included patients on admission ICU who suffer from suspected IPA. GM test and culture were collected 2 weekly. Chnical feature, mycological evidence and optical density index (ODI) were noted. Clinically invasive fungal infection(IFI) were defined proven, probable and possible. The patients were classified into neutropenia, non-neutropenia and treated with immunosuppressive agents, non-neutropenia and non-immunosuppressive agents. To compared of the sensitivity and specificity of GM in different patients. Results 94 patients were included, 4 patients were proven, 29 patients were probable, 34 patients were possible IFI, 27 patients were non-IPA. The positive rate of the GM was 31.9% (30/94). The sensitivity and specificity of GM in proven cases and probable cases are 66.7% and 92.6%. GM assay tended to become positive earlier than the culture 2-10(5.33±2.17)d. We found that differences in patient diagnosis and selection might account for the disparities seen for positive rate for the GM test. There was positive in three of the four patients with proven, the positive rate of GM was 65.5% for probable cases, for possible cases was 17.6%, for non-IPA cases was 7.4% (P=0.001). For patient with neutropenia , treated with immunosuppressive agents and without immunosuppressive agents, the positive rate of GM was 52.9%vs 41.7% vs 34. 6% (P=0.015) ;the sensitivity was 80.0% vs 70. 0% vs 53.8% (P=0.011), the ODI was 1.365 (0.582-6.736) vs 1. 123 (0. 623-6.868) vs 0.554 (0.522-0.823), P=0. 005, respectively. Conclusion These results show that GM test is useful for early diagnosis IPA in critically ill patients. Differences in patient selection and diagnosis might account for the disparities seen for positive rate and sensitivity for the GM test. It has been higher sensitivity and ODI in the patient treated by immunosuppressive agents.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in rats.Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value,and the rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP),curcumin group (group Cur) and solvent control group (group SC).Curcumin and corn oil 100 mg/kg (25 mg/ml) were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 14consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups,respectively.Another 27 normal rats were served as control group (group C) and were fed with common forage.MWT and TWL were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection (T1 3),and the lumbar segment 4-6 of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed at the same time for determination of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was up-regulated at T1-3 in DNP and SC groups,and at T1 in Cur group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was down-regulated at T2,3 in Cur group (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the MWT,TWL and expression of p-ERK and p-CREB between DNP and SC groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate type 2 diabetic DNP by inhibiting up-regulation of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG in rats.

Objective To evaluate the value of MRI performance for the differential diagnosis of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma from spinal hemangioma.Methods Thirteen patients of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and 40 patients of spinal solitary hemangioma were retrospectively analyzed.Conventional MR imaging (T1WI,T2WI,and fat suppressed T2WI) and enhanced imaging were performed at 1.5T MRI.The signal intensities (SIs) of spinal lesions were qualitatively evaluated on conventional imaging and were described as hypointense,isointense,or hyperintense.The spinal lesions were qualitatively categorized into minimal enhancement,iso-enhancement,slightly hyper-enhancement,or strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced imaging.The lesions' maximum diameter was also measured and the mean value was obtained.Results The qualitative assessment of SIs on T1WI showed that 76.92％ (10/13),15.38％ (2/13) and 7.69 ％ (1/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma were hypointensity,isointensity and hyperintensity respectively.The qualitative evaluation of SIs on T2WI were found that 61.54％ (8/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma with hypointense,30.77％ (4/13) with isointensity and 7.69％ (1/13) with hyperintensity,respectively.About 92.31％ (12/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma displayed strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced imaging.There were significant differences in SIs on T1WI,T2WI and contrast-enhanced imaging between atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and hemangioma (all P＜0.05).The maximum diameter of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma was significantly higher than that of spinal hemangioma (P＜0.001).Conclusion MR imaging would be practicable for differentiation between atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and hemangioma in spine.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in evaluation of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer.Methods Totally 364 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who recieved neoadjuvant therapy and radical surgery,underwent MR scanning before and after neoadjuvant therapy,were enrolled in this study.The diagnostic efficacy of high resolution MR T2WI and high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in evaluation on pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer were compared.Results Finally 49 cases were demonstrated pathologic complete response.Accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of high resolution MR T2WI and high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in predicting on pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy were 82.69％ (301/364),40.82％ (20/49),89.21％ (281/315),37.04％ (20/54),90.65％ (281/310)and 87.36％ (318/364),65.31％ (32/49),90.79％ (286/315),52.46％ (32/61),94.39％ (286/303),respectively.Sensitivity had statiatical significant difference between two methods (x2 =4.96,P=0.03).Conclusion Compared with high-resolution T2WI,the combination of DWI and high-resolution T2WI can improve the diagnostic efficacy in evaluation of pathologic complete response of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between IL-10 and I1-17 expression levels in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and lung function.Methods:70 patients were included in this study.According to wheezing or not,they were divided into wheezing group and non-wheezing group.Another 30 healthy children were taken as a control group.After taking fasting blood 5ml,the serum IL-10 and IL-17 expression levels were detected by ELISA.The forced expiratory volume in one second (PEV1),peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FEV1 / FVC) of all subjects were detected.Results:The IL-10 expression level of the wheezing group were significantly different with that of the control group (P＜0.05) and that of the non-wheezing group (P＜0.05).The 1L-17 expression level of the wheezing group also had significant difference (P＜0.05) with that of the control group and non-wheezing group (P＜0.05).The IL-10 expression levels of wheezing and non-wheezing group all were lower than that of the control group.Whereas the IL-17 expression levels of wheezing and non-wheezing group all were higher than that in the control group.In addition,patients in wheezing group had higher PEV1,PEF,PVE1/FVC values than those in non-wheezing group,with significant difference (P＜0.05).The serum level of IL-10 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients was positively correlated with PEV1,PEF and PVE1/FVC,while the serum level of IL-17 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients was negatively correlated with PEV1,PEF and PVE1/FVC.Conclusion:The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia children had close correlation with their pulmonary function.