Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Hyperoxia ; physiopathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Oxygen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Muscular Dystrophies ; complications ; congenital ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot fast spin-echo(HASTE)sequence in the diagnosis of biliary obstructions.Methods Forty-five patients with pancreaticobiliary duct diseases underwent MRCP on 1.5 T scanner,a heavily T 2-weighted HASTE was used during a breath-hold.The source images were three-dimensional reconstructed postprocessed on workstation.The findings of MRCP images were analyzed and compared with US,CT,ERCP or PTC.Results The diagnostic accuracy of MRCP was 94%,the same as ERCP(92%),but it was superior to US and CT(?

Background and purpose:Pterostilbene is a natural antioxidant, whose role in retinoblastoma remains unclear. The aim of this study is to probe the effects of pterostilbene on the proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in retinoblastoma WERI-Rb-1 cell lines.Methods:Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used to analyze the effects of pterostilbene on the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells. Apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V/PI. Autophagic vacuoles were observed by acridine orange staining. LC3 and P62 protein expressions were determined using Western blot.Results:Pterostilbene significantly inhibited the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells (P<0.01). The cell viability were (93.02±0.47)%, (55.10±2.04)% and (30.33±1.45)% after WERI-Rb-1 cells were treated with 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L pterostilbene for 24 h, and the cell viability were (88.38±3.70)%, (53.37±1.17)%, (29.60±1.05)% after WERI-Rb-1 cells were treated with 50 μmol/L pterostilbene for 12, 24 and 48 h. Pterostilbene induced cell apoptosis (P<0.01), the apoptosis rates of control group, 24 h treated group and 48 h treated group were (4.08±0.79)%, (13.44±2.12)% and (23.49±2.01)%. Pterostilbene induced autophagy of WERI-Rb-1 cells, increased LC3 expression, downregulated P62 expression and increased the number of autophagic vacuoles in WERI-Rb-1 cells (P<0.01). 3-MA and Beclin1 were able to rescue pterostilbene-induced cell death (P<0.01). After 3-MA was used to blunt autophagosome formation, the apoptosis rate markedly decreased in 3-MA+pterostilbene-treated cells compared with cells treated with pterostilbene alone [(12.97±2.09)%vs (8.35±1.11)%], and after siRNA was used to knockdown Beclin1, the apoptosis rate had the same change [(13.80±2.19)%vs (9.62±0.52)%].Conclusion:Pterostilbene can inhibit the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells and induce cell apoptosis via autophagy activation.

Objective To investigate whether functional Wnt-?-catenin signaling is present in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC),and the effect of blocking this signaling on activation of HSC. Methods?-catenin expression in HSC was examined by immunocytochemistry.Wnt signalings in HSC-T6 were assessed using a T cell factor (TCF)-dependent luciferase reporter gene (pTOP- FLASH) assay.Wnt signalings in HSC-T6 were blocked by transfecting with a dominant negative TCF (dnTCF) expression plasmid,then the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) and collagen typeⅠwere examined by Western blot.Results?-catenin staining was positive in the nuclei of HSC-T6.Luciferase activity in the cells transfected with pTOPFLASH was significantly higher than that in the cells transfected with pFOPFLASH (P

Background The dosage of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) for central exudative chorioretinopathy(CEC) depends on the calculation formula of Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(TAP)and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(VIP).Some local adverse responses or normal tissue damage have been noted under the standard dose of verteporfin during the treatment of CEC.So it is necessary to explore an appropriate therapeutic dosage of verteporfin.Objective This clinical study aimed to observe and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different doses of verteporfin PDT for CEC.Methods Ninety eyes of 90 patients with CEC were enrolled in this study with the approval of the Ethic Commission of Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University.Written informed consent was obtained before PDT.The patients were randomly divided into standard dose group,half dose group and 1/3 dose group.All of the patients received PDT.Standard dose(6 mg/m2),3 mg/m2 or 2 mg/m2 of verteporfin was applied in the three groups respectively,with the laser intensity 50 J/cm2.The patients were followed-up for 3 months.Repeat treating regimen was performed in the same way in the patient with fundus fluorescein leakage after initial PDT.Results The BCVA(logMAR) value was 0.44±0.36 after PDT in the standard dose group.Visual acuity improved in 20 patients (66.67％),stabilized in 8 patients(26.67％)and decreased in 2 patients (6.67％).The BCVA showed a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative BCVA (t =6.719,P =0.000).CNV disappeared in 19 patients (63.33％),obviously improved in 7 patients (23.33％),partially disappeared in 3 patients (10.00％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33％).The central fovea thickness (CFT)value was significantly declined in postoperation compared with preoperation (t =5.758,P =0.000).Eight patients received secondary PDT with the recurrence rate 26.67％.In the half dose group,visual acuity improved in 18 patients(60.00％),stabilized in 11 patients(36.67％)and decreased in 1 patient (3.33％).CNV disappeared in 16 patients (53.33％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 5 patients (16.67％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33 ％).Significant difference was seen between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA(t=8.294,P =0.000).The decrease of C FT was significant in postoperation(t =8.493,P =0.000).Ten patients received secondary treatment with the recurrence rate 33.33％.In 1/3 dose group,visual acuity improved in 8 patients (26.67 ％),stabilized in 12 patients (40.00％),decreased in 10 patient (33.3％).CNV disappeared in 8 patients (26.67％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 6 patients (20.00％) and unchanged in 8 patient (26.67％).There was no significant difference between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA (t =0.536,P =0.596).The difference between preoperative CFT and postoperative CFT was insignificant(t =0.942,P=0.354).Fourteen patients received secondary PDT and 8 patients received three times with the recurrence rate 73.33％.Conclusions 3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT for CEC shows a similar clinical efficiency and safety to 6 mg/m2 verteporfin.3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT can decrease cost,but the effect of 2 mg/m2verteporfin PDT is not satisfacted.

A batch laboratory test was conducted to examine the effect of biological reductive dechlorination of 2,4-Dichlorophenol(2,4-DCP) by the addition of zero-valent iron(Fe0) in the anaerobic system, through inoculating the anaerobic mixed microorganism acclimated for two months. Meanwhile, several factors that affected "Fe0+ microbe" system were also being discussed. The results showed that, "Fe0+ microbe" system accelerated the biological dechlorination of 2,4-DCP effectively compared to the individual use. The opti-mum quantity of added Fe0 and inoculation was 0.5 g/L and 376.2 mgVSS/L in the combined system respec-tively. It showed the most effective transformation efficiency for 2,4-DCP when initial pH=8.0, whereas it become weaker when initial pH are keeping in acid condition. There existed a proportion between quantity of added Fe0 and inoculation. It enhanced degradable effect of 2,4-dichlorophenol when increased the quan-tity of inoculation at suitable ranges, which generated more enzyme or enzymatic series degraded pollutant.

Objective To observe the influence of coal burning fluorosis on learning and memory ability in rats and reveal its possible mechanisms. Methods Healthy 48 SD rats were divided into control, low-fluoride and high-fluoride group. All rats in fluoride exposed groups were fed with the eom polluted by drying processes with burning coal containing high level of fluoride obtained from the endemic fluorosis area to produce the animal model of fluorosis. The experiment period were 3,6 mouths, respectively. The ability of leaning and memory was measured by Morris test and cholinesterase activity detected by photometric method at 3 or 6 month after experiment, respectively. Results Fluoride contents signifieantlly influenced the escape latency, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms(the value of F was 29.29,6.47,6.50, respectively, P<0.01).In addition, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms were influenced by the exposed time(the value of F was 16.11,45.59, P<0.01). Furthermore, the fluoride contents and the exposed time had an interaction between the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms (the value of F was 4.67,5.68, P<0.05 or<0.01). Three months after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency [(14.71± 4.85)s] of rats in highly fluoride exposed group were significantly prolonged as compared with controls [(9.28±4.22)s]; 6 month after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency[(12.42±8.03)s, (17.48± 8.05)s] of rats in both groups exposed to fluoride were significantly prolonged as compared to controls [(7.04± 3.29)s, P<0.05]. The decreased numbers of crossing the platforms[(1.62±0.87)number] and the declined time of staying the platforms[(16.70±5.02)s] were found in the rats exposed to high fluoride as compared to controls [(3.53±1.67 )number, (23.33±5.35)s, P<0.05]. The fluoride contents obviously influenced the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 12.83,13.27, P<0.01). On the other hand, the times of breeding also influnced the activities of butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 16.26, P<0.01). In 3 months of the experiment, the activities of butylcolinesterase [(0.55±0.12)kU/g] in low fluoride exposed group were significantly decreased in comparison with controls[(0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The activities of acetylcholinesterase[(0.62±0.42)kU/g] and butylcolioesterase[(0.58±0.10)kU/g] in high fluoride group were significantly decreased as compared to eontrois[(1.41±0.52), (0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the cholinesterase and the escape latency(r=-0.68, P< 0.01), and a positive correlation between the cholinesterase and the time of staying the platforms(r=0.57, P< 0.01). Conclusions The ability of learning and memory in rats with coal buring fluorosis was decreased, which might be connected to the decreased activity of cholinesterase in a dose-effect correlation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology