Objective To evaluate the effects and safety of uterine artery embolization for uterine leiomyoma. Methods Total of 185 patients with uterine leiomyoma were treated by UAE. They were followed for one to 6 years to observe the changes of leiomyoma size and improvement in clinical symptoms. Ovarian function was evaluated in 44 cases. Results Bilateral embolization of uterine arteries was performed in 185 patients. Follow-up of 1 ～6 years for 292 leiomyoma indicated that one to 9 months after embolization, shrinkage of leiomyoma size was the most significant factor. One year after embolization, leiomyoma sizes decreased a little. Shrinkage of submucous leiomyoma was more significant than that of intratumoral one, and the latter was more significant than subserous one. Shrinkage of leiomyoma with large size ( volume ≥ 150cm~3) was less than that of small one. Menorrhagia, anemia and pressure symptoms were all resolved. There was no significant difference between pre- and post embolization ovarian hormone level. Conclusions The significant reduction in leiomyoma volume and resolution of clinical symptoms confirmed that the treatment validity of symptomatic leiomyomas by UAE. UAE is an effective therapeutic procedure which has no adverse effect on the ovarian function.

AIM: To study the correlation between meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)patients and their sleep quality.METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. A total of 150 MGD patients treated in our hospital from January 2021 to October 2022 were selected and divided into sleep disorder group(75 cases, PSQI>10 points)and control group(75 cases, PSQI≤10 points)according to the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI). Both groups were scored using the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), underwent meibomian gland-related examinations(eyelid margin morphology, meibomian gland secretion ability, meibomian gland secretion quality score), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score, Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt), tear film break-up time(BUT)was measured, and sleep indicators(sleep quality, sleep latency, subjective sleep quality, sleep time)were evaluated.RESULTS: There were significant differences in OSDI score, FL score, SⅠt, BUT, eyelid margin morphology score, meibomian gland secretion ability score, and meibomian gland secretion quality score between the two groups(P<0.05). In the sleep disorder group, PSQI score, sleep latency score, subjective sleep quality score, and sleep time score were significantly positively correlated with OSDI score, FL score, meibomian gland secretion ability score, and meibomian gland secretion quality score(P<0.05); PSQI score, subjective sleep quality score, and sleep time score were significantly positively correlated with eyelid margin morphology score(P<0.05); PSQI score, sleep latency score, and subjective sleep quality score were significantly negatively correlated with BUT and SⅠt(P<0.05); sleep time score was significantly negatively correlated with BUT(P<0.05); sleep latency score was not significantly correlated with eyelid margin morphology score(P>0.05); sleep time score was not significantly correlated with SⅠt(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The ocular surface condition of MGD patients is correlated with multiple sleep quality indicators, and a decline in sleep quality may increase the risk of MGD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin-1 repeats (ADAMTS13)on angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSCell proliferation assay, differentiation (tube formation)assay and wound migration assay were performed by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)to explore the effect of ADAMTS13 on angiogenesis in vitro. Cells were treated with different concentrations of ADAMTS13 (1, 5, 25, 50 and 100 nmol/L)and the number of cells was counted via MTT assay. In addition, effect of ADAMTS13 on differentiation was assessed by measuring the length of capillary-like tube structures formed by HUVECS in matrigel. Effect of ADAMTS13 on HUVEC migration was assessed via calculation of wound healing distance after 8 hrs culture with VEGF or ADAMTS13. Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and Matrigel plug assay were performed to investigate the effect of ADAMTS13 on angiogenesis in vivo.

RESULTSADAMTS13 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs induced by VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. Migration distance of HUVECs was (79 ± 22) μm in control group, (250 ± 8)μm in VEGF-treated group and (170 ± 23)μm in VEGF and ADAMTS13 cotreated-group after 8 hrs, respectively. The tube length is (450.6 ± 16.6)% in VEGF-treated group and (235.3 ± 19.0)% in VEGF and ADAMTS13 cotreated-group of that of control group after HUVECs cultured in matrigel for 16 hrs. The number of blood vessels decreased after treatment with ADAMTS13 in CAM assay. The number of blood vessels was (228.2 ± 10.8)%, (69.2 ± 21.1)%, (184.6 ± 15.2)% in VEGF treated-group, ADAMTS13 treated-group and VEGF and ADAMTS13 cotreated-group of that of control group, respectively. Formation of capillary-like network in matrigel plugs containing VEGF was reduced to 43.5% by ADAMTS13 in matrigel plug assay in mouse model.

CONCLUSIONADAMTS13 inhibits the HUVECs proliferation, differentiation and migration in vitro. ADAMTS13 inhibits chick embryos vascularization and formation of capillary-like network in vivo.

ADAM Proteins ; pharmacology ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; Collagen ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Laminin ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Proteoglycans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

[Objective] To summarize image manifestations in intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) examined by multi-slice computed tomography enteroclysis (MSCT) and evaluate the diagnostic value of MSCTE in ITB,[Methods] The imaging findings were retrospectively analyzed in 15 cases of ITB that were confirmed by endoscopy or postoperative pathologic examination,including the location,number,shape,edge,surrounding tissue alterations of ITB and other associated changes in the peritoneum,mesentery and solid abdominal organs,and compared with endoscopy and pathology.[Results] In 15 patients,ileocecum was involved in 13 cases (87％),4 cases (27％) showed multi-segmental symmetric intestinal mural thickening,9 patients (60％) showed solid masses,1 case (7％) showed multi-segmental symmetric intestinal mural thickening and solid masses,1 case (7％) showed homogenous enhanced masses and perforation,12 cases (86％) showed enlarged lymph nodes (LNs) with rim enhancement,and 2 cases (13％) showed the comb sign of enhanced mesenteric vessels.Based on enhancement pattern of MSCTE,ITB was divided into three types:homogenous enhancement type (n=5);target sign type (n=2);caseous necrosis type (n=2).[Conclusion] The imaging features of ITB are diverse.MSCTE can clearly display the shape of intestinal mucosa,the alterations of intestinal wall and the relationship between lesion and adjacent tissues,which provides valuable information for the clinic diagnosis of ITB.

Posterior cataract opacification(PCO)is the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation(EMT)of residual lens epithelial cells(LECs)after cataract surgery, resulting in opaque scar which is one of the main complications of cataract surgery. A large amount of fibronectin(FN)produced by LECs after cataract surgery binds to a variety of cell surface receptors, matrix components and growth factors to regulate cell behavior. The purpose of this article is to review the literatures on the treatment of PCO targeting fibronectin and provide references for clinical treatment of PCO. In this paper, the research status of fibronectin in PCO in recent years is reviewed.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of chronic stress (CS) on dopamine (DA) level and synaptic efficiency in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) during spatial learning and memory. Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into control group and CS group (n = 10). CS group was treated with chronic mild unpredictable stress, and control group did not receive any treatments. The levels of epinephrine and corticosterone (CORT) in serum were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Meanwhile, the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and concentration of DA in the DG region were determined by in vivo electrophysiology, microdialysis and HPLC techniques during MWM test in rats. After that, the DA D1 receptor (D1R) and its key downstream members in DG were examined by immunohistochemistry or Western blot assay. The results showed that the levels of epinephrine and CORT in the serum of the rats in CS group were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). In CS group rats, the escape latency was significantly prolonged and the number of platform crossing was markedly decreased during MWM test, compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amplitude of fEPSP in the DG was not changed during MWM test in CS rats, while it was significantly increased on the 3rd day of MWM test in control group (P < 0.05). Compared with baseline or control group, CS group showed significantly increased DA level from the 1st to 3rd days of MWM test in the DG (P < 0.05). In addition, the protein expression of D1R was markedly up-regulated in the DG in CS group, while the protein expression levels of p-PKA, p-CREB and BDNF were significantly reduced, compared with those in control group. These results suggest that CS may impair spatial learning and memory abilities in rats through the enhancement of the DA levels in the hippocampal DG.
Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; Dopamine ; Hippocampus ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spatial Learning ; Spatial Memory

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of soyasaponins on acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.

METHODThe mice were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control, the model group, the silymarin (positive control) group, and soyasaponins high and low-dose groups. They were administered with drugs once every day for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, GalN and LPS were injected intraperitoneally to all of the groups except for the normal group to establish the acute liver injury model. The pathological changes were detected with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was detected by ELISA method, and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were detected by the colorimetric method.

RESULTSoyasaponins could reduce the activities of serum ALT and AST, the acute hepatic injury induced by GalN/LPS, serum TNF-alpha level, hepatic NO and MDA contents, and the Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 activations of liver tissues, and increase the hepatic CAT, GPx, GST and GSH levels.

CONCLUSIONSoyasaponins shows the protective effect on acute liver injury induced by GalN and LPS in mice, which may be related to its antioxidative ability and anti-liver apoptosis.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Galactosamine ; toxicity ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Soybeans ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intervention effect of aqueous fractions from Boschniakia rossica (BRAF) on hepatic oxidative stress in mice with liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

METHODThe experimental mice were randomly assigned into the normal control group, the model group, the silymarin (positive control) group, as well as high and low dose BRAF groups. Mice were treated intragastrically with silymarin or BRAF once every day for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally into the mice to establish the acute liver injury model. The pathological changes was detected with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) , catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, and the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by the colorimetric method.

RESULTBRAF significantly reduced ALT, AST and ALP activities in serum, alleviated hepatic injury induced by CCl4, increased SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH levels in liver, and SOD, Na + -K + -ATPase and Ca2+ -Mg2 + -ATPase activities in liver mitochondria, and decreased the MDA content in liver and liver mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONBRAF reduces hepatic oxidative stress in mice with acute liver injury induced by CCl4, thereby showing the protective effect on mice with acute liver injury induced by CCl4.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Orobanchaceae ; chemistry ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Solubility ; Water ; chemistry

This study is to investigate the anti-allergic effect of anthocyanidin and to explore its possible mechanism. The experiments of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction (PCA) and colorimetry were used to determine the effect of anthocyanidin on degranulation of mast cells in vivo. For in vitro study, various concentrations of anthocyanidin (100, 50 and 25 micromol x L(-1)) were added to the culture medium of mast cells cultured with 100 microg x L(-1) of dinitrophenyl (DNP) specific IgE overnight. The azelastine (100 micromol x L(-1)) was selected as the positive control. The antigen (DNP-human serum albumin, DNP-HAS)-induced release of degranulation was measured by enzymatic assay, histamine was determined by EIA, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by Western blotting, separately. In addition, the effects of anthocyanidin on phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt were observed by Western blotting. The results showed that treatments with anthocyanidin (100 and 50 mg x kg(-1)) were followed by a decrease in PCA of rats. Anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) obviously suppressed the degranulation from mast cells, whereas results from anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) group indicated significant inhibitory effect on histamine, the calcium uptake, TNF-alpha, IL-6, phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt of mast cells induced by antigen. Anthocyanidin may suppress the anaphylactic reaction by inhibiting the action of mast cells. NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt at least in part contribute to this event.
Animals ; Anthocyanins ; pharmacology ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Degranulation ; drug effects ; Histamine Release ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mast Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological significance of p16(INK4A) expression and DNA ploidy status in HPV-negative uterine cervical cancers and their precursors.

METHODSHPV-negative cervical lesions, including 20 cases of cervicitis, 20 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN), 3 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasm (CGIN), 38 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) and 15 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were selected and subject to screening for HPV infection by PCR method. The p16(INK4A) protein expression and DNA ploidy status were studied by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry respectively.

RESULTSSpecific expression of p16(INK4A) was seen in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the dysplastic and malignant cells of CIN, CGIN, cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, no expression was present in normal and inflammatory squamous or glandular epithelium. DNA aneuploidy was significantly more frequent in invasive SCCs and adenocarcinomas than in CIN (P < 0.01). Aneuploid was also more frequent in the lymph node positive group than lymph node negative group, although no statistic significance was found. Among the 8 cases of p16(INK4A) negative SCCs, two showed DNA aneuploidy.

CONCLUSIONSImmunohistochemical detection for p16(INK4A) can be an early diagnostic marker for HPV-negative cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. DNA ploidy analysis may further assist the diagnosis of cervical malignancies.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aneuploidy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Cervicitis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology