BACKGROUND: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-synthesizing cells distribute in all over the body. However, very little is known about the morphological localization and the distribution characteristics of ANP-synthesizing cells in different regions of rat stomach. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ultrastructural localization and distribution characteristics of ANP-synthesizing cells in rat stomach. DESIGN: Repeated measurement experiment. SETTING: Chengde Medical Collage, Chengde, Hebei Province, China. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Laboratory for Institute of Chinese Materia Medica Immunology (provincial key laboratory), Chengde Medical College between October 2004 and July 2007. Eighteen adult Wistar rats of either gender, weighing 175-300 g, were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center of Chengde Medical College. The disposal of animals was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for the use and care of animals. ANP antibody and serum (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc, USA), Protein A-15 nm colloidal gold labeled (Sino-American Biotechnology Company, China), CMIAS image analysis system (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China) and JEM-1200EX transmission election microscope (Japan) were used in the study. METHODS: After gastric and right atrial tissues (as a positive control in immanohistochemical staining for ANP-synthesizing cells) were fleshly excised from anesthetized Wistar rats, the specimens were longitudinally harvested along rat gastric cardiac region, gastric fundic mucosa and gastric pyloric region. Gastric tissue was performed immunohistochemical staining (for positive control) together with right atrial tissue, to observe the distribution characteristics of ANP-synthesizing cells in different regions of rat gastric tissue, and to localize ANP-synthesizing cells. The ultrastructural localization of ANP-synthesizing cells in the rat gastric mucosa was performed by postembedding immunoelectron microscopy. The area-density percentage of ANP-synthesizing cells in the different regions of rat stomach (gastric cardiac region, pyloric region and fundic region) was calculated with a CMIAS image analysis system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological appearance and localization of ANP-synthesizing cells as well as the different area-density percentage in different regions of rat stomach. RESULTS: As a positive control, ANP-synthesizing cells showed intense positive expression in atrial myocytes and cytoplasm and in gastric mucosa (mainly within the lower third of rat gastric mucosa). The morphological appearance of the individual ANP-synthesizing cell was variable, exhibiting round, pyramidal and flask shapes. Negative staining for ANP-synthesizing cells was detected in the lamina propria, submucosa, and smooth muscle. ANP-synthesizing cells existed in different regions of rat stomach and its area-density was the largest in the pyloric region. The distribution order of ANP-synthesizing cells in area-density was gastric cardiac region > gastric pyloric region > gastric fundic mucosa in mucosa layer. CONCLUSION: ANP-synthesizing cells mainly exist within the lower third of the rat gastric mucosa. The percentage of area-density of ANP-synthesizing cellswas variable in different regions of rat gastric mucosa, and its percentage of area-density was the largest in the gastric cardiac region.

Objective To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in breast cancer and its clinical significance.Methods The expression of the protein was determined by immunohistochemistry in 60 cases of breast cancer and 20 cases of benign breast diseases.The relationship of VEGF expression with clinicopathological characteristics was statistically analyzed.Results Of all the 60 cases of breast cancers,49 cases showed positive VEGF expression,while only 4 cases expressed VEGF in the group of breast adenofibroma.There was significant difference between breast cancer and breast adenofibroma( P ＜ 0.05 ).The overexpression of VEGF was related with the tumor size ( P ＜ 0.05 ),histological grade ( P ＜ 0.05 ),lymph node state ( P ＜ 0.05 ) and TNM stage ( P ＜ 0.05 ),but was irrelevant to age,ER and PR( P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion VEGF might have important significance in the development,metastasis and prognosis of human breast cancer.It may be taken as an independent marker to predict the prognosis of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous researches have proved that both atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) exist in the same endocrine granule of enterochromaffin cell (EC). However, whether ANP may promote or inhibit synthesis and secretion of 5-HT needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ANP on synthesis and secretion of 5-HT in EC of rat gastric mucosa.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animals study.SETTING: Immunology Laboratory, Chengde Medical College. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Immunology Laboratory, Chengde Medical College from October 2004 to July 2007. Forty adult male Wistar rats were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Chengde Medical College. The experiment was in accordance with animal ethics standards. ANP, 5-HT antibody and serum were provided by Santa Cruz Biotechnology Company, USA.METHODS: Forty rats were randomly into endocrine and exocrine groups, and rats in the two groups were sub-grouped into control and experimental groups with 10 in each group. ANP (28 μg, 14 mg/L) was directly injected into the stomach to mimic ANP luminal secretion and ANP (14 μg, 14 mg/L) was directly injected into the sublingual vein to mimic ANP endocrinal secretion. In above condition, 5-HT immunoreactive positive cell was displayed by using immunohistochemistry technique, numerical density (Nv) of endocrine granule (SG) was counted by using electron microscopic morphometry, and 5-HT level in the serum was measured by using HPLC-ECD technique. And then, the results were compared to the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of ANP on density of 5-HT immunoreactive positive cell, numerical density (Nv) of SG and 5-HT level in the serum. RESULTS: Effect of luminal and endocrine ANP on the 5-HT secretion: The density of immunoreactive positive cell and the numerical density (Nv) of SG were significantly increased by luminal and endocrine ANP (P＜0.05), while 5-HT level in serum was significantly reduced by luminal and endocrine ANP (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Luminal and endocrinal ANP can inhibit 5-HT release of gastric mucosa but may not change or enhancement its synthesis in rat.

Objective To prospectively investigate the optimal setting for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer by comparing the effects of different preparation methods and injection sites of 99Tcm-SC in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and detection.Methods Two batches of 99Tcm-SC were prepared by boiling for 3 min (radiotracer 1) and 5 min (radiotracer 2),respectively.Radioactive chemical purity (RCP) and size of colloid particles were measured at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after the preparation.One hundred and forty-seven patients with breast cancer were involved and randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A consisted of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 1,group B of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 2,and group C of 67 patients with peritumoral injection of radiotracer 2.Lymphatic mapping was performed for all patients using SPECT/CT preoperatively and blue dye was subdermally injected over the tumor.The detection rate of the axillary and internal mammary SLN was recorded.One-way analysis of variance,independent two-sample t and x2 tests were used to analyze the data.Results There was no significant difference of RCP between the two radiotracers at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after preparation (t =-0.267,-0.794,0.826 and-0.977,all P＞0.05).Compared with radiotracer 1,the percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm in radiotracer 2 reduced significantly ((73.72±2.36) ％ vs (65.25±3.56)％,t=6.436,P＜0.05) and the mean effective particle size was significantly larger ((45.27±6.42) nm vs (75.59t7.04) nm,t=7.315,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the internal mammary SLN was 70.0％ (28/40),47.5％ (19/40) and 17.9％ (12/67),respectively,with significant difference (x2=29.525,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the axillary SLN was 100％ (40/40),95.0％ (38/40) and 97.0％ (65/67),respectively,without significant difference (x2 =2.686,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion For SLNB of patients with breast cancer,the axillary and internal mammary SLN could be better detected by SPECT/CT lymphatic mapping using radiotracer prepared with a shorter boiling time,via periareolar injection,and combined with subdermal injection of blue dye.

Objective To study the effect of Aloe polysaccharides (AP) on the thymocytic apoptosis and cell cycle in ? - ray irradiated mice. Methods Single- cell thymocytes suspension was sampled at different time points to observe the thymocytic apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry. DNA ladders were tested by 1.8 % agarose gel electrophoresis. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of thymocytes. Results Pre- treating with AP (50 mg/kg,ip) 30 min before irradiation could significantly decrease the percentages of apoptotic thymocytes in? - ray irradiated mice 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after irradiation, increase the percentage of thymocytes at G0/G1 phase and reduce the percentage of thymocytes at G2/M phase. It could also lessen the DNA ladders and reduce the number of apoptotic bodies. Conclusion The protective effects of AP on the thymocytes in ? - ray irradiated mice is related with the alleviation of the disorder of cell cycle and the inhibition of the apoptosis of thymocytes.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 99Tcm-Tilmanocept(TMC) SPECT/CT for the detection of SLN by comparing with 99Tcm-sulfur colloid(SC) SPECT/CT. Methods From March 2016 to September 2016, a total of 160 patients (age range: 30-70 years), selected from Breast Surgery Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital, underwent SPECT/CT and planar imaging with either 99Tcm-TMC (TMC group, n=76) or 99Tcm-SC (SC group, n=84). The results of SLN SPECT/CT and planar imaging were compared. The positive rate of SLN in SPECT/CT was compared with operative results. One-way analysis of variance, χ2 test, and two-sample t test were used for data analysis. Results The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-TMC (≥92%) had no significant difference in 4 h(F=0.720, P>0.05). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected by SPECT/CT imaging was higher than that by planar imaging (1.34±0.64 vs 0.96±034; t=4556, P<005). In SC group, the average number of SLN detected by SPECT/CT imaging was also higher than that by planar imaging (2.57±0.99 vs 1.56±0.87; t=7.010, P<0.05). The positive rates of SLN in TMC and SC groups were 94.7%(72/76)and 96.4%(81/84), showing no significant difference (χ2=0273, P>0.05). The average number of SLN detected by 99Tcm-TMC imaging was significantly lower than that detected by 99Tcm-SC (t=9.115, P<0.05). The intraoperative detection rates of SLN were 100% (76/76 and 84/84) in both groups. The average number of SLN detected during operation in TMC group was significantly lower than that in SC group (1.89±0.86 vs 3.05±1.29; t=6.642, P<0.01). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(1.89±086 vs 1.34±0.64; t=4.492, P<0.05). In SC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(3.05±1.29 vs 2.57±0.99; t=2.740, P<005). Conclusions SPECT/CT is superior to planar imaging for the detection and localization of SLN. 99Tcm-TMC is suitable for SLN imaging and intraoperative detection.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of fenofibrate for hepatic steatosis in rats after severe burn.

METHODSTwenty-seven male SD rats were divided into sham injury group, burn group, and burn+ fenofibrate group according to the random number table, with 9 rats in each group. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured on the back by immersing in 37 ℃ warm water for 15 s and then remained without other treatment. Rats in burn group and burn+ fenofibrate group were inflicted with 30% total body surface area full-thickness scald (hereinafter referred to as burn) on the back by immersing in 98 ℃ hot water for 15 s, and then they were intraperitoneally injected with lactated Ringer's solution at post injury hour (PIH) 1. From PIH 24 to post injury day (PID) 8, rats in burn+ fenofibrate group were treated with fenofibrate in the dose of 80 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), while those in burn group were treated with equivalent volume of saline. (1) Three rats of each group were respectively selected on PID 4, 6, and 8 for the collection of inferior vena caval blood samples. Serum content of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) was determined with fully automatic biochemical analyzer. Body mass of each rat was measured immediately after blood sampling, and then rats were sacrificed to collect liver tissue for weighing wet mass. The ratio of wet mass of liver tissue to body mass (liver index) was calculated. Meanwhile, gross observation of liver was performed. (2) One liver tissue sample was harvested from each rat at each time point to observe histopathologic changes with HE staining. One liver tissue slice of each rat at each time point was collected to evaluate degree of hepatic steatosis, and the number of rats in each group in each grade of hepatic steatosis was recorded. Measurement data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design and SNK test, and enumeration data were processed with Kruskal-Wallis test and Nemenyi test.

RESULTS(1) The content of TC, TG, FFA, and HDL of rats in burn group on PID 4 was obviously different from that in sham injury group (with P values below 0.05). Compared with that in burn group, the content of TC, TG, and FFA of rats was significantly decreased (with P values below 0.05), while the content of HDL of rats was not obviously changed in burn+ fenofibrate group on PID 4 (P>0.05). There were no obvious differences in the content of LDL of rats among 3 groups on PID 4 (with P values above 0.05). The content of TC, TG, and HDL of rats in burn group on PID 6 was obviously different from that in sham injury group (with P values below 0.05). Compared with that in burn group, the content of TC and TG of rats was significantly decreased (with P values below 0.05), while the content of HDL of rats was significantly increased in burn+ fenofibrate group on PID 6 (P<0.05). There were no obvious differences in the content of FFA and LDL of rats among 3 groups on PID 6 (with P values above 0.05). The content of TC and HDL of rats in burn group on PID 8 was obviously different from that in sham injury group (with P values below 0.05). Compared with that in burn group, the content of TC of rats was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the content of HDL of rats was not obviously changed in burn+ fenofibrate group on PID 8 (P>0.05). There were no obvious differences in content of TG, FFA, and LDL of rats among 3 groups on PID 8 (with P values above 0.05). (2) The texture of liver tissue of rats in burn+ fenofibrate group at each time point was tender and soft, without oil or fat on the section, which was close to the gross condition of liver of rats in sham injury group. Dark yellow plaque scattered on the surface of liver tissue of rats in burn group at each time point with oil and fat on the section, which was especially obvious on PID 6. There was no obvious difference in liver index of rats among 3 groups on PID 4 (F=1.63, P>0.05). On PID 6 and 8, the liver indexes of rats in sham injury group, burn group, and burn+ fenofibrate group were 0.0416±0.0016, 0.0533±0.0054, and 0.0370±0.0069; 0.0423±0.0034, 0.0624±0.0005, and 0.0444±0.0042 respectively. The liver indexes of rats in burn group on PID 6 and 8 were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (with P values below 0.05). There were no obvious differences in the liver indexes of rats between burn+ fenofibrate group and sham injury group on PID 6 and 8 (with P values above 0.05). (3) The liver tissue structure of rats in sham injury group was normal at each time point. Hepatic steatosis of rats in burn group at each time point appeared microvesicular and disperse, which was especially obvious on PID 6. Mild hepatic steatosis was observed in rats of burn+ fenofibrate group on PID 4, and then the structure of liver tissue gradually recovered to normal level from PID 6 on. The degree of hepatic steatosis of rats in sham injury group was 0 grade. One rat in I grade, 1 rat in II grade, and 7 rats in III grade were observed in hepatic steatosis of rats in burn group. Three rats in 0 grade, 4 rats in I grade, and 2 rats in II grade were observed in hepatic steatosis of rats in burn+ fenofibrate group. The degree of hepatic steatosis of rats in burn group was more severe than that in the other two groups (with χ(2) values respectively 56.25 and 162.44, P values below 0.05). The degree of hepatic steatosis of rats in burn+ fenofibrate group was more severe than that in sham injury group (χ(2)=27.51, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFenofibrate can ameliorate the dyslipidemia of severely burned rat, and it can alleviate the degree of hepatic steatosis in certain degree.

Animals ; Burns ; pathology ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Dyslipidemias ; drug therapy ; Fatty Acids ; blood ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; blood

Objective: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and operational effectiveness of master-slave system controlled Robot-assisted flexible endoscopy 'YunSRobot’ in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination in living pigs. Methods: Seven Guangxi BA-MA Mini-pigs underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination with master-slave system controlled Robot-assisted flexible endoscopy 'YunSRobot’ and Olympus GIF-Q260J gastroendoscope (Japan). The experiment divided into manual operation group and robot operation group. Nine gastroenterologists skilled with endoscopy operation handled the robot once in vitro to familiar with the mechanism and method of robot operation. And then performed manual operation and robot operation four times each. Endoscopy pictures and operation time were recorded. T test and one-way analysis of variance were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Both manual operation and robot operation could successfully finish standard esophagus and stomach endoscopic examination. There were no complications such as hemorrhage, perforation, mistaken insertion into of trachea, injures of pharynx and larynx and inhalation pneumonia. Esophagus, gastric cardia, gastric fundus, gastric body, gastric angle, gastric antrum and gastric pylorus could be clearly observed in both groups. The manual operating time of nine gastroenterologists was (3.67±1.95) minutes, which was shorter than that of robot operating time ((7.60±2.00) minutes), and the difference was statistically significant (t=8.445, P<0.01). The time of first in vitro operation performed by nine gastroenterologist was (13.10±6.32) minutes. The operation times of each case of nine gastrienterologist were (8.49±0.90) minutes, (7.50±1.19) minutes, (7.30±1.33) minutes and (7.12±1.61) minutes. The difference was statistically significant (F=7.901, P<0.01). Operation time gradually shortened and operation proficiency significantly improved. Conclusion Master-slave system controlled Robot-assisted flexible endoscopy 'YunSRobot’ which provides a clear observation of esophagus and stomach is safe in endoscopic examination of living animal.

Objective To analysis the post-dialysis fatigue status of maintenance hemodialysis patients,explore the influencing factors in these patients and propose effective interventions.Methods One hundred and twenty maintenance hemodialysis patients in Department of Nephrology,Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled.Clinical data were obtained by questionnaires.Biochemical changes before and post hemodialysis were recorded.The serum concentrations of hemoglobin,albumin,electrolyte,bicarbonate and lactic acid were collected for analysis.Results One hundred and nine(90.8％)effective questionnaires were collected,in which more than half of patients claimed to experience post-dialysis fatigue.Time to recover from hemodialysis(TIRD)was different:the median(interquartile range)time was 2.00(0.00,3.00)hours.In the study,30.3％patients reported no fatigue after hemodialysis.Recovery time in 35.8％patients was more than 30 minutes to 2 hours,22.0％was 3 to 4 hours,11.0％was 5 to 12 hours,0.9％patients took longer time to recover from a dialysis session.According to the recovery time,these patients were divided into three groups.Among the three groups,the ultrafiltration,the serum sodium and lactic acid after dialysis showed significant difference.It was showed by the unconditional logistic regression analysis that ultrafiltration(OR=2.35,95％CI 1.44-3.83),serum sodium(OR=0.75,95％CI 0.65-0.88),lactic acid(OR=3.16,95％CI 1.32-7.55)were associated of TIRD.Conclusions The incidence of post-dialysis fatigue is high.Most of the patients require more rest or sleep immediately after dialysis.The level of lactic acid is a significant influencing factor of the fatigue of patients.TIRD is correlated with the elevation of lactic acid during the dialysis process,and more attention should be paid to postdialysis fatigue.

Increasing prevalence of childhood obesity poses threats to the global health burden. Because this rising prevalence cannot be fully explained by traditional risk factors such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, early-life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is recognized as emerging novel risk factors for childhood obesity. EDCs can disrupt the hormone-mediated metabolic pathways, affect children’s growth and mediate the development of childhood obesity. Many organic pollutants are recently classified to be EDCs. In this review, we summarized the epidemiological and laboratory evidence related to EDCs and childhood obesity, and discussed the possible mechanisms underpinning childhood obesity and early-life exposure to non-persistent organic pollutants (phthalates, bisphenol A, triclosan) and persistent organic pollutants (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Understanding the relationship between EDCs and childhood obesity helps to raise public awareness and formulate public health policy to protect the youth from exposure to the harmful effects of EDCs.
Adolescent ; Diet ; Endocrine Disruptors* ; Global Health ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers ; Humans ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Pediatric Obesity* ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Risk Factors