Objective To investigate whether smoking affects metabolism and methylation of arsenic. Methods Six papers about the relation between smoking and arsenic metabolism, methylation were collected until December,2008, and the data were quantitatively analyzed with random and fixed effect models. Results In the group of smoking, the summary weighted mean difference of percent of inorganic in urinary was 0.59 (95% CI:-0.01-1.18). The summary weighted mean difference of percent of MMA in urinary was 2.44 (95%CI:1.95-2.94). The summary weighted mean difference of percent of DMA in urinary was -3.04 (95%CI:-4.01- -2.07). Current evidence suggested that percent of MMA was higher, percent of DMA was lower in smoking or ever smoking group compared with nonsmoking group. Conclusion Smoking may be considered a risk factor for metabolism and methylation of arsenic on human.

Objective To compare the five different methods of extration process of Curcuma Long. Methods With the content of curcumin and yield of extract as evaluation index, the best extraction process of Curcuma long L. was optimized. Results The content of curcumin extracted in 80 ℃ ethanol immersion was higher, that was the optimum condition. Conclusion The extractive content of curcumin is higher by this process. It is easy to operate and proved to be stable and feasible.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH rats were induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (60 mg x kg(-1), sc) and were administered with chrysin (50 or 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were monitored via the right jugular vein catheterization into the right ventricle. Right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) + septum (S) and RV to tibial length were calculated. Right ventricular morphological change was observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to demonstrate collagen deposition. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in right ventricle were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. The expressions of collagen I, collagen III, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were analyzed by immunohistochemisty, qPCR and (or) Western blot. The results showed that chrysin treatment for 4 weeks attenuated RVSP, mPAP and right ventricular remodeling index (RV/LV+S and RV/Tibial length) of PAH rats induced by monocrotaline. Furthermore, monocrotaline-induced right ventricular collagen accumulation and collagen I and collagen III expression were both significantly suppressed by chrysin. The expressions of NOX4, NF-κB and MDA contents were obviously decreased, while the T-AOC was significantly increased in right ventricule from PAH rats with chrysin treatment. These results suggest that chrysin ameliorates right ventricular remodeling of PAH induced by monocrotaline in rats through its down-regulating of NOX4 expression and antioxidant activity, and inhibiting NF-κB expression and collagen accumulation.

Objective To investigate the association of Her-2 protein expression and gene expression in gastric cancer by different methods,and to explore the effective approaches of Her-2 in gastric cancer detection.Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to mark Her-2 protein in 68 cases of gastric cancer,and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)wasused to detect the Her-2 gene amplification.Results Among 68 cases,IHC Her-2 protein in 12 cases(17.65 ％)was positive expression,including ++ 3 cases ++ 9 cases,+ 7 cases and-49 cases.By FISH,Her-2 gene in 11 cases(16.17 ％)was overexpression.Corresponding to the IHC results,FISH results was 3 cases(100 ％),8 cases(88.89 ％),0 cases,0 cases,respectively.Conclusion Her-2 protein expression and gene overexpression occur in gastric cancer.Her-2 protein expression in gastric cancer shows significant heterogeneity.Her-2 gene overexpression and Her-2 protein expression is correlated (P＜0.05).The differences of Her-2 expression in gastric cancer by IHC and FISH mostly occur in IHC++ groupe.Suggestion of Her-2 gene test should be given for patients with IHC++ who will be undertaken Her-2 gene therapy.

Objective To explore changes of brain function among patients with partial epilepsy in resting state by using the blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques.Methods fMRI scanning was performed in resting state among 60 patients with partial epilepsy and 60 gender,age and educational levels matched normal controls.The functional connectivity analysis was applied to calculate the default mode network ( DMN ) functional connectivity in resting-state fMRI.SPM5 was used to analyze differences in functional connectivity between the two groups( P ＜0.001,cluster ＞50).Results Left precuneus and adjacent posterior cingulate cortex ( Pcu/PCC),angular gyrus,and cingulate gyrus were involved in the DMN of epileptic patients.By contrast,the DMN of controls included left Pcu/PCC,right angular gyrus,bilateral medial frontal lobe and temporal lobe.Compared with normal controls,patients with partial epilepsy showed a significantly decrease in functional connectivity of DMN region such as left inferior parietal lobule,supramarginal gyrus,parahippocampa gyrus and superior temporal gyrus,and bilateral uncus,while no regions were found increased functional connectivity in patients group.Conclusions Patients with partial epilepsy show abnormal changes in functional connectivity of DMN in resting state by fMR],which may associate with the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy.The findings demonstrate that the resting-state fMRI might detect the extensive changes of brain function in partial epilepsy with negative results of conventional MRI,suggestive of fMRI as an effective and non-invasive method to explore brain function in epilepsy.

Objective To study the relationship between the level of plasma soluble P-selectin and pediatric migraine. Methods ABC-ELISA method was used to detect the soluble P-selectin levels in migraine patients (migraine group), migraine patients under control (control group) and healthy children (healthy control group). Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and the platelet count were performed. Correlation of P-selectin and platelet count was analyzed. Results Plasma soluble P-selectin level in migraine group was significantly higher than that in the control group and the healthy control group (both P < 0.05). Significant difference was not found between control group and healthy control group (P > 0.05). TCD showed cerebral vasospasm more frequent in the migraine group than the control group, with significant difference (P < 0.05). Blood examination revealed that platelet count of migraine group is higher than that of the control group and the healthy control group, with significant differences (P < 0.05). When migraine was under control, the level of plasma soluble P-selectin reduced to normal and the frequncy of cerebral vasospasm and platelet counts were also within normal range. Plasma soluble P-selectin level and platelet count were positively correlated (r = 0.996, P < 0.01). Conclusions Plasma soluble P-selectin increased in migraine children, the incidence of cerebral vasospasm was significantly increased. Plasma soluble P-selectin level and platelet count were positively correlated. Plasma soluble P-selectin can be used as one of the indicators of diagnosis, treatment and efficacy evaluation in pediatric migraine.

Objective To review and summarize the experiences of transcatheter closure of left ventricular-right atrium communication,and discuss the feasibility of interventional therapy for this kind of cardiac abnormalitis.Methods 22 patients who suffered from left ventricular-right atrium communication underwent transcatheter interventional therapy with ventricular septal defect(VSD) occluder.The operating procedures were performed as like as the transcatheter closure of VSD:established the pathway from femoral artery to femoral vein through left ventricle,VSD,right atrium (or from left ventricle to right atrial through the communication) and inferior vena cava,then inserted the polysheath from femoral vein,introduced by the pathway to left ventricle,and implanted VSD occluder through the polysheath to close the shunt.Results The operation succeeded in 21 patients.The cardiac murmur was disappeared in all patients,and there was no residual shunt or aortic regurgitation that conformed by postoperative ventriculography and echocardiography in follow up phase,and the tricuspid regurgitation was lessened than preoperative.The operation abort in 1 patient because of aortic regurgitation after implanting occluder.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of left ventricular-right atrium communication is feasible as the selected occluder is accordant,and atrioventricular block,aortic regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation can be avoided.

Objective To assess the safety and efifcacy of a novel biodegradable polymer-coated Cobalt-Chromium alloy sirolimus-eluting stent in a porcine model. Methods Bare metal stents (BMS) (n=15), commercial available EXcellstents (n=21), and Cobalt-Chromium alloy PLAG-coated sirolimus-eluting stents (Co-P-SES) (n=21) were implanted in left anterior descending coronary (LAD, n=28)and left circumflex coronary (LCX, n=13), and right coronary artery (RCA, n=16) of 30 mini-pigs randomly. Coronary angiography was performed 28 days, 90 days and 180 days after the stenting procedure to evaluate luminal loss (LL), and then, histomorphology analysis was performed. Results 28 days and 91 days after the implantation, there were no significant differences in LL, neointimal area, Inflammation score and endothelialization score among the three groups. 28 days after the implantation, better endothelialization was observed in Co-P-SES group compared with EXcellgroup under scanning electron microscope. 182 days after the implantation, there were larger lumen area and less neointimal area in Co-P-SES group compared with EXcellgroup under similar internal elastic lamina area[(4.31±0.94) mm2 vs. (2.62±1.17) mm2, P=0.020];[(1.87±0.53) mm2 vs. (0.84±0.41) mm2, P=0.004]with statistical significance. Conclusions The novel biodegradable polymer-coated Cobalt-Chromium alloy sirolimus-eluting stents showed similar safety compared with commercial available EXcellstents. There would be a better potential of the novel stent on inhibiting the neointimal proliferation and endothelialization. However, further preclinical study including long term endpoints and clinical study should be conducted in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the novel Co-P-SES.

Objective·To establish a cell-based screening system for identification of compounds with activity in regulating retinoic acid receptor (RARα) stability. Methods·The modified pMSCV plasmid constructs, named as RARα-EGFP-IRES-DsRed, consists of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusing to RARα and red fluorescent protein (DsRed) as internal references incorporating the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) as interval sequence. The RARα-EGFP-IRES-DsRed plasmid was stably transfected into NB4 cells which were named as NB4-pMGIR-RARα. Fluorescence signals of EGFP and DsRed indirectly reflecting the expression of RARα, were detected by flow cytometry in cells that were treated with all-trans retinoic acid, sodium valproate, cytarabine, lenalidomide, etoposide, montelukast and gambogic acid, respectively. Effects of these compounds on the expression of RARα protein were further examined by Western blotting. Results·A double fluorescence reporter system for screening compounds that can increase the stability of RARα protein was successfully established, and sodium valproate was identified as a potent compound to promote the stability of RARα. Conclusion·The double fluorescence reporter system can be used to screen compounds regulating the stability of RARα protein, which can be further used to identify compounds regulating the stability of other proteins.

Objective The three-dimensional reconstructed images of maximum intensity projection (MIP) for membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus in Chinese adults were observed and measured in order to provide anatomic basis for otolosurgery and nerosurgery. Methods Thirty inner ears of 15 volunteers were scanned by using a circular temporal coil and three-dimension fast spin echo sequence with a 1^5T GE-signal MRI scanner. All original images were transferred to MRI workstation and all the structures of inner ear were reconstructed, rotated from various angles and measured by using maximum intensity projection. All the data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 software. Results Anatomic structures of membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus were well demonstrated in three-dimensional reconstructed images of MIP in all volunteers. All three semicircular ducts, utricle, saccule, cochlear duct and internal auditory meatus produced high intensity signal. The results of measurement were statistically in significant.Conclusion Three-dimensional reconstruction of MlP might document, lively, stereoscopically and directly, the minute structures of membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus. We provide the basic data for the establishment of the MRI measurement criterion of inner ear.