OBJECTIVE To investigate the hepato-protective mechanism of thymoquinone (TQ) onthe development of acetaminophen (APAP)- induced liver injury. METHODS In vivo, male kunming mice were injected with a single dose of 300 mg·kg-1 APAP. Some mice were pretreated with TQ (5 or 20 mg·kg-1) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 300 mg·kg-1) 2 h before APAP injection. Mice were euthanized at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h after APAP treatment. In vitro, human Chang liver cells were incubated with 3.125, 6.25 or 12.5 μmol·L-1 TQ, 10 μmol·L-1 SP600125 and 500 μmol·L-1 AICAR in the presence of APAP for 24 h. Cell viability were analyzed by MTT assay, protein expressions were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS TQ pretreatment significantly reduced serum aminotransferase and increased hepatic gluta?thione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities, while significantly inhibited interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels. TQ significantly inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and P38 phosphorylation induced by APAP. Moreover, TQ inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activation and activated AMPK phosphorylation induced by APAP. In addition, TQ inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation on APAP-induced liver injury. In vitro, APAP enhanced JNK phosphorylation and attenuated AMPK phosphorylation in Chang liver cells, and these effects were blocked by pretreatment with TQ, SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) and AICAR (AMPK activator). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that TQ may actively prevent APAP-induced liver injury, and this effect may be mediated by JNK and AMPK signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS Normal human Chang liver cells and human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells were treated with SRT1720 (10 μmol·L-1) and AICAR (500 μmol·L-1) prior to ethanol (50 mmol·L-1) for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. SIRT1, AMPK and p-AMPK mRNA levels for 24 h and 48 h were analyzed by RT-PCR, SIRT1, AMPK and p-AMPK protein expressions in the supernatant at 24 and 48 h was detected by Western blot. RESULTS SRT1720 and AICAR effectively decreased LX-2 cell viabilities and exhibited scarcely little toxicity in human Chang liver cells. SRT1720 and AICAR attenuated collagen-I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, activated liver kinase B-1 (LKB1) and AMPK phosphorylation in ethanol treated LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, SRT1720 and AICAR enhanced SIRT1 expression mediated by ethanol both in Chang liver cells and LX-2 cells. Furthermore, SRT1720 and AICAR suppressed the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) to regulate fatty acid synthesis. CONCLUSION SIRT1 agonist and AMPK agonist blocked the crosstalk between hepatocytes and HSCs via SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway to modulate hepatocytes accumulation of lipid and HSCs activation.

Objective To investigate the effects of metabolic syndrome(MS)on the structure and function of artery in patients with essential hypertension(EH).Methods One hundred forty-eight patients with EH were classified as EH with MS(EH+MS)or EH alone and healthy subjects(n=30)as control.Carotid intima-media thickness(IMT),brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation(FMD)and non-flow-mediated vasodilation(NMD)were measured by Dopple ultrasonography.Results Carotid IMT(EH+MS:1.0?0.3 vs EH:0.8?0.2 vs control: 0.5?0.1 mm)and hsCRP(EH+MS:0.9?0.4 vs EH:0.7?0.3 vs control:0.4?0.2 mg/L)were significantly higher in EH+MS patients than that in EH+nonMS patients and control subjects(P all

OBJECTIVETo investigate the features and causes of complications of unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion in treating lower lumbar diseases.

METHODSThe clinical data of 166 patients with lower lumbar diseases who underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion with intervertebral cages from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 64 males and 102 females, aged from 24 to 74 years with a mean of 51.9 years old, suffered from lower lumbar lesions for 47.5 months on average (ranged, 8 months to 30 years). Among these patients, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was found in 49 patients, recurred lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 17 patients, massive lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 23 patients, lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompany with spinal canal stenosis in 27 patients, lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with degree I (Meyerding grade) in 21 patients, far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 5 patients. Single segmental diseases occurred in 124 patients and two segmental diseases in 42 patients. The diseases occurred at L(3,4) segment in 6 patients, at L(4,5) segment in 97 patients, at L5S1 segment in 21 patients, at L(2,3), and L(3,4) segments in 1 patient, at L(3,4) and L4,5) segments in 26 patients, and at L(4,5), and L5S1 segments in 15 patients.

RESULTSThere was no abnormal bleeding in the patients and no patient received blood transfusion. During the surgery, spinal dura mater injury with cerebrospinal fluid leakage complicated in 1 patient, a fracture of vertebral pedicle in 4 patients, and end plate injury in 2 patients. No postoperative cerebrospinal fluid, incision infection and skin necrosis were found after operation. Nerve root injury was found in 1 patient. According to the position of pedicles crew, 371 screws of 163 patients were in degree I and 3 screws of 3 patients were in degree II; position of translaminar facet screw, 199 screws of 157 patients were type I, 8 screws of 8 patients were type II, 1 screw of 1 patient was III. Translaminar facet screw was slightly short in 2 patients. Five patients were lost to follow-up, two patients were died. The remaining patients were followed up for 35.4 months on average (ranged, 12 to 60 months). During the follow-up period , end plate was cut off and intervertebral cages were embedded in 14 segments of 14 patients. Abnormal pain of both lower extremities was found in 1 patient. With the exception of 11 unidentified segments in 11 patients, 189 segments of 148 patients obtained intervertebral fusion. No loosening, displacement, breakage of pedicle screw or translaminar facet screw, displacement of intervertebral cages or obvious degeneration of adjacent segments were found. The coronal and sagittal planes balance of lumbar vertebra were obviously improved. Postoperative JOA score was significantly increased than that of preoperative.

CONCLUSIONUnilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral percutaneous translaminar facet screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion with intervertebral cages is a good choice for the treatment of lower lumbar diseases, but it has a risk of complications. Abundant surgeon's surgical experience, careful operation, and rational use of imaging technique can effectively reduce the incidence of complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective： The current study was designed to clarify whether hepatopoietin (HPO) stimulates autonomous growth of hepatoma cell by autocrine loop. Methods： The authors conducted experiments in vitro with hepatoma cell lines. RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot were used to examine HPO expression in hepatoma cells. Blocking effect of HPO by HPO neutralizing antibody was utilized and the changes of cell proliferation was observed. Results： HPO was expressed by hepatoma cells and secreted into the medium. Moreover, the HPO antibody inhibited specifically the autonomous proliferation of hepatoma cell and antagonized the stimulatory effect of concentrated conditioned medium derived from hepatoma cell HepG2. Conclusion： The results strongly suggest that HPO acts as an autocrine factor to maintain the autonomous growth of hepatoma cells.

Adult ; Appendiceal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; analysis

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate how to model an accuracy 3-dimension Finite Element Analysis (3D-FEA) model.

METHODSBased on computed tomography (CT) scan data of a woman, a 3D finite element model of the first molar on the left was rebuilt by computer imagines process and computer aided design (CAD). Analysis of the stress distribution on a cylinder dental implant and in the bone around it was conducted.

RESULTSThe stress distribution showed extremely asymmetry in bucco-lingual section: stress concentrated on the lingual side of the mandible; stress mainly was tensile in buccal side, and on the contrary compressive in lingual side.

CONCLUSIONThe results were more reliable because this model more really displayed the mandible.

Computer Simulation ; Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Implants ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mandible ; Molar ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.

METHODSLocal residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.

RESULTSOf the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.

CONCLUSIONThe banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.

Agriculture ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pesticides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation

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