Objective To compare the effects of endoscopic probe and self-made balloon device in dilation of the cardia for patients with cardia achalasia.Methods From January 1998 to December 2007,45 patients with cardia achalasia received gastroscopy-assisted dilation at our hospital;22 of them were treated by self-made balloon device and 23 were by endoscopic probe.The efficacies of the two methods were compared.Results In the probe group,each patients received 1 to 9 times of dilation(mean,3.6),while in the balloon group it was 1 to 6 times(mean,2.3).None of the two groups had intra-and post-operative complications.The cost for the first treatment was(1542.57?281.30) yuan in probe group,and(861.91?176.48) yuan in the balloon group(t=9.671,P=0.000).The efficacy of the two groups was similar in 3 months after the treatment [the rates of the cured,improved,and failed were 61%(14),35%(8),and 4%(1) in the probe group,and 68%(15),23%(5),and 9%(2) in the balloon group,Z=-0.351,P=0.726],but significantly different in 6 months [22%(5),13%(3),and 65%(15) vs 45%(10),32%(7),and 23%(5),Z=2.564,P=0.010].Conclusions Both endoscopic probe and self-made balloon device are effective in dilatation of the cardia for cardia achalasia.Self-made balloon device dilatation is exceptionally suitable for local hospitals because of its low cost and simple techniques.

Objective To investigate the value of pleural effusion and C-reactive protein in severity evalua-tion and prognosis of acute pancreatitis. Methods Clinical data of 108 patients with acute pancreatitis were ana-lyzed retrospectively. AP classification was conducted on the basis of intensified CT examination and the clinical in-dexes including blood calculus, blood lipid, blood glucose and blood gas were measured. The criteria for diagnosis and severity evaluation of acute pancreatitis were based on results of chest X-ray, CT examination and CRP. The correla-tion between pleural effusion, CRP and the severity, etiology, prognosis of acute pancreaitis were analyzed. Results Of the 108 patients, mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) was found in 57 patients, and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in 51. Among SAP, 32 patients (62.75% ) developed pleural effusion, 38 patients (74.51% ) whose CRP > 20.00 mg/L,and 27 patients (52. 94%) had both pleural effusion and CRP > 20. 00 mg/L. There were 13 (22.81% ), 14 (24.56%) and 8 (14.04%) respectively among MAP. The difference between the two groups was sig-nificant(P<0.01). Among acute biliarv pancreatitis,9 patients (33.33%) developed pleural effusion and 15 (55.65%) whose CRP>20 mg/L and 9 (33.33%) had beth pleural effusion and CRP>20.00 mg/L; Among acholic AP,25 (65.79%) developed pleural effusion and 20 (52.63% ) whose CRP > 20.00 mg/L and 23 (60.53%) had beth pleural effusion and CRP>20.00 mg/L. Case fatality was also significantly different between group with pleural effusion,CRP >20.00 mg/L,both pleural effusion and CRP>20.00 mg/L,and group with non-pleural effusion,CRP≤20.00mg/L,non-pleural effusion or CRP≤20.00mg/L respectively(P<0.01). Conclusion Either pleural effusion or CRP can be used as independent prognostic parameters for severe acute pancreatitis,and the combined use of these two parameters is the most reliable.

Objective To investigate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness of anisometropic amblyopic children with Littmann-adjusted OCT examination method. Methods A total of 30 anisometropic amblyopic subjects (4 to 14 years old) without treatment were enrolled, whose amlyopic eyes were amlyopic eye group and fellow eyes were fellow eye group. Also 50 emmetropic children′s right eyes were enrolled into normal group. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT), then were adjusted by Littmann formula. Each group was compared with other two groups specificly. Results Amblyopic eye group had no significant difference with other groups in each regions of RNFL ( P > 0 . 05 ) , both before and after Littmann-adjusted. The RNFL of amblyopic group group in T、 TI、 NI、 N regions had significant correlation with eye axis length before adjust(P < 0.05), while only T and NI had significant correlation after adjust (P<0.05). Conclusions The RNFL thickness of anisometropic amblyopic eyes had no significant difference with fellow eye and normal eye. Every research of RNFL thickness must consider the measurement error induced by eye axis length.

Objective To detect the expression of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) and NF-κB in renal tissue of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) rats model,and to investigate the effect of rituximab (RTX) on the expression of RKIP in the renal tissue of DKD rats. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (N),DKD model group (M) and RTX treatment group (D).Blood glucose and 24-hour urine protein of rats were determined in three groups.RKIP protein and NF-κB protein were determined by immunohistochemistry staining. RKIP protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with N group,blood glucose,24-hour urine protein and NF-κB expression in M group increased significantly (all P＜ 0.01),the expression of RKIP in M group decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Compared with M group,the expression of RKIP increased significantly in D group (P＜0.05),and 24-hour urine protein and NF-κB expression decreased in D group (all P＜0.05).NF-κB protein expression was negatively correlated with RKIP expression in M group. Conclusions The NF-κB pathway regulated by RKIP plays an important role in the development and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.Rituximab may have a role in treatment of DKD.

Objective To investigate the effect of artemisinin on the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HepG‐2 .Methods The inhibition effect of cell proliferation in human hepatocelluar carcinoma cell line HepG2 of artemisinin was detected by MTT test ,and the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by Flow cytometry .Results Artemisinin at 80 umol/L could effectively inhibi‐ted the proliferation of HepG‐2 cell in a dose‐and time‐dependent manner;the drugs could block cells at G0/S phase ,and induct the HepG‐2 cell apoptosis .Conclusion Artemisinin could effectively inhibit the proliferation of HepG‐2 cell .

Objective: To investigate the effect and significance of GSK-3β inhibitor(LiCl)and RANK-RANKL on the renal tissue of diabetic nephropathy(DN) rats. Methods: SD rats were divided into normal control group (NC), DN model group (DN) and GSK-3β inhibitor intervention group (LiCl). Twenty-four hour urine protein of rats were determined by Coomassie brilliant blue. Kidney tissue sections were stained by HE. The expression of GSK-3β, RANK and RANKL protein were determined by immunohistochemistry staining. The mRNA of GSK-3β, RANK, RANKL was detected by RT-qPCR. Results: Compared with NC group[(14.72±3.37)g], the level of 24-hour urinary protein[(154.17±20.65)g] increased significantly in DN group; compared with DN Group, the level of 24-hour urinary protein [(107.22±31.15)g]decreased in LiCl group(P<0.05). Compared with NC group(2.10±0.60, 1.10±0.20, 1.21±0.20; 19.52±3.20, 1.80±1.10, 1.81±0.50), the pathological changes of renal tissues of DN group aggravated, the mRNA and expression of protein of GSK-3β, RANK and RANKL increased(9.10±2.15, 8.95±2.40, 9.90±2.60; 32.70±7.20, 19.20±4.32, 20.92±5.90); compared with DN group, the pathological changes of renal tissues of LiCl group alleviated, mRNA and the expression of protein of factors above declined(2.70±0.80, 2.32±0.65, 3.58±1.10; 22.35±3.25, 4.20±2.42, 5.90±2.36; P<0.05). Conclusion RANK and RANKL play an important role in the development of DN, LiCl influence Wnt and NF-κB signal pathway down-regulating RANK and RANKL to suspend development of diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) on Wnt and NF-κB pathways in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), DN model group (DM) and GSK-3β inhibitor group (DI). Blood glucose and 24-hour urine protein were monitored in three groups. Renal tissue samples were stained by HE. The expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB proteins was studied by immunohistochemistry. GSK-3β and NF-κB mRNAs were detected by RT-qPCR.

RESULTSTen weeks after STZ injection, the level of blood glucose increased significantly in DM group [(23.2±5.4) mmol/L] and DI group [(25.0±4.0) mmol/L], compared with NC group, and the level of 24-hour urinary protein increased significantly in DM group [(185.2±35.6) g/24 h] and DI group [(179.6±44.7) g/24 h], compared with NC group. Two weeks after LiCl injection, the level of blood glucose and 24-hour urinary protein decreased in DI group (17.6±2.1) mmol/L, (106.9±30.0) g/24 h], compared with DM Group. Compared with NC group, pathological changes of the kidney of DM group aggravated along with increased mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB. But the pathological changes of the kidney in DI group alleviated along with declined mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB as compared with DM group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNF-κB protein expression positively correlates with the GSK3β expression. Wnt and NF-κB signal pathways play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Kidney ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND: Corneal disease is second only to cataract considered as the leading cause of blindness in the world, with high morbidity. Construction of corneal substitutes In Vitro by tissue engineering technology to achieve corneal regeneration has become a research hotspot in recent years. We conducted in-depth research on the biocompatibility, physicochemical and mechanical properties of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs)-seeded gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) as a bioengineered cornea. METHODS: Four kinds of GelMA with different concentrations (7, 10, 15 and 30%) were prepared, and their physicchemical, optical properties, and biocompatibility with rBM-MSCs were characterized. MTT, live/dead staining, cell morphology, immunofluorescence staining and gene expression of keratocyte markers were performed. RESULTS: 7%GelMA hydrogel had higher equilibrium water content and porosity, better optical properties and hydrophilicity. In addition, it is more beneficial to the growth and proliferation of rBM-MSCs. However, the 30%GelMA hydrogel had the best mechanical properties, and could be more conducive to promote the differentiation of rBM-MSCs into keratocyte-like cells. CONCLUSION As a natural biological scaffold, GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility. And it has the ability to promote the differentiation of rBM-MSCs into keratocyte-like cells, which laid a theoretical and experimental foundation for further tissue-engineered corneal stromal transplantation, and provided a new idea for the source of seeded cells in corneal tissue engineering.

Objective:Focusing on the medical protection of marine sports events at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. This paper analyzes the effect of the development and implementation of the medical protection program to provide a referable summary of experience for the medical protection of future large-scale international maritime events.Method:This paper retrospectively analyzed the medical protection of Ningbo Xiangshan Yafan Center during the preparation stage of the Asian Games Sailing Competition, and during the period from September 21 to September 27, 2023 when the Asian Games Sailing Competition is held. Analyze the organizational structure and scheme of medical support.Results:During this Asian Games sailing competition, there were a total of 14 paramedics, 4 rescue helicopter crews, 2 ambulances and 1 rescue helicopter in and around the competition venues. In the city, the designated hospital has set up a total of 12 working groups, 15 protection outpatient clinics and a number of various types of clinic areas. There are 129 medical and nursing staff directly participating in the medical protection work of the Asian Games. A total of 44 specialized beds were reserved in the designated hospitals. There were also a number of volunteers and logistic staff who relied on the support work. The top three major disease types were trauma with 66 cases (29.2%), upper respiratory tract infection with 34 cases (15.04%) and skin allergy with 19 cases (8.51%). The top two population groups consulted were staff with 95 visits (44.19%) and technical officers with 89 visits (41.40%).Conclusions:During the sailing competitions of the Asian Games, the medical care was smooth and orderly. Trauma, upper respiratory tract infections and skin allergies are the most prominent diseases. The number of medical consultations for staff and technical officials of the Asian Games Sailing Competition accounted for more than 80% of the total number of consultations for all personnel. They should be given priority care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 on the matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) gene expression and activity in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC).
 METHODS: HHUVEC was divided into 3 groups, a control group, a TNF-α group, and a TNF-α plus Y-27632 group. The expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), MMP2 and MMP9 were examined by real-time PCR. The MMP2/9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography.
 RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the mRNA expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP2 and MMP9 were increased TNF-α-treated cells, which were suppressed by ROCK inhibitor (P<0.01). The MMP2/9 activity was elevated in TNF-α-treated cells, which was reversed by ROCK inhibitor (P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION ROCK inhibitor can suppress TNF-α-induced inflammation in endothelial cells through down-regulation of MMP2/9.
Amides ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Pyridines ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Umbilical Veins ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; rho-Associated Kinases