Adrenal Medulla ; cytology ; secretion ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Catecholamines ; secretion ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromaffin Cells ; cytology ; secretion ; Primary Cell Culture

Objective To examine the expression of urocortin mRNA during labor and the effect of uroco rtin on myometrial contractility, and to investigate its role in the onset and p rogress of labor. Methods (1) Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT -PCR),using ?-actin as internal standard was applied to determine the levels of urocortin mRNA in human placenta and myometrium from the group of cesarean se ction before (10 cases) and during (10 cases in latent phase and 10 cases in act ive phase) labor.(2) The isolated myometrial strips of pregnant women (n=24 ) were prepared.The effects of urocortin with or without prostaglandin F 2? (PGF 2?) and oxytocin on myometrial contractility were evaluated by area s under the curve. Results (1) Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression level of urocortin mRN A in placenta and myometrium after the onset of labor were higher than before la bor (1.23 ?0.52, 1.32?0.22; 0.83?0.38, 0.94?0.13, respectively, P0.05). Conclusion The study indicates urocortin may indirectly m odulate myometrial contractility during labor.

AIM:To investigate the impact of various levels of glucose on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) proliferation, senescence, and nitric oxide (NO) secretion,and the effect of insulin under high glucose conditions.METHODS: Mononuclear cells were collected from rat bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation, cultured with medium 199, and identified to be EPCs at 7th day by flk-1 and AC133 double staining. EPCss were harvested and incubated with glucose (5, 10, 20, 40 mmol/L) or insulin (0.1, 1, 10, 100 nmol/L) under high glucose conditions for 24 h or 7 days. Proliferative capacity, senescence level and NO secretion (after 24 h of incubation) were subsequently determined.RESULTS: High glucose (40 mmol/L) markedly inhibited EPCs proliferation, accelerated EPCs senescence, and decreased NO production (all P

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound miniature probe(UMP)examination in tumor invasion(T staging) and local lymphatic node metastasis(N staging) for colorectal carcinoma. Methods Preoperative UMP examinations(12 MHz) were performed on 53 patients with colorectal carcinoma undergoing surgeries.The diagnosis accuracy of UMP examination in T and N staging was determined by comparison of the results of operation exploration and histopathologic findings. Results The accuracy in T staging for colorectal carcinoma was 86% with UMP examination,and that for early stage colorectal carcinoma was 100%.The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity in N staging for colorectal carcinoma were 81%,77%,and 84%,respectively with UMP examination. Conclusion UMP examination works well in determining T stage of colorectal carcinoma,especially for early stage colorectal carcinoma and those with tumor stenosis.

Objective To classify the segmental bronchial patterns of the left upper lobe by combining three post-processing images from 64 slice spiral CT and to study how to identify different ramifications in transverse thin-section CT.Methods Totally 204 patients with routine thorax scans were enrolled.The segmental bronchi were demonstrated in terms of bronchial tree,virtual bronchoscopy and thin-section CT three post-processing images.Integrated with the three post-processing images,the segmental bronchial patterns of the left upper lobar bronchi were classified into several main types,and displayed in transverse thin-section CT.Results The segmental bronchial ramifications of the left upper lobe were classified into three types mainly:common stem of apical and posterior segmental bronchi(64%,130/200),trifurcation(23%,45/200),common stem of apical and anterior segmental bronchi(10%,21/200),and they could be identified in two typical slices of transverse thin-section CT.There were two dominating types in the left basilar segmental bronchi:bifurcation(75%,163/216),trifurcation(18%,39/216),and they could also be identified in two typical slices of transverse thin-section CT.Conclusion The segmental bronchi of the left lung can be definitely classified by three post-processing images from 64 slice spiral CT.

Objective To evaluate the early appearance of SARS on chest CT scan and its role in the early diagnosis Methods Forty cases of SARS in keeping with the criteria of the Ministry of Health had chest CT scans within 7 days of onset of symptoms, and CR chest X-ray films were available as well These chest X-rays and CT images were retrospectively reviewed to determine if there were any abnormalities on the images The lesions on the chest CT images were then further analyzed in terms of the number, location, size, and density Results Positive abnormalities on chest CT scans were revealed in all 40 SARS cases Positive findings on CR chest films were showed in only 25 cases, equivocal in 6, and normal in 9 cases The main abnormalities seen on CT and X-rays were pulmonary infiltrations varied markedly in severity 70% cases had 1 or 2 lesions on chest CT scan, 30% cases had 3 or more lesions The lesions seen on chest CT scan tended to be ground-glass opacification, sometimes with consolidation which was very faint and inhomogeneous, easily missed on chest X-rays Typically the lesions were located in the periphery of the lung, or both central and peripheral lung, but very rare in a pure central location They were commonly in the shape of patch or ball Conclusions Chest CT scan is much more sensitive in detecting the lesions of the lung in SARS The early appearance of SARS on chest CT scan is characteristic but non-specific, indicating that chest CT scan plays a very important role in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SARS

AIM: To examine the effects of hydrogen peroxide on intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca~(2+)]i) in cardiomyocytes and its antagonism by taurine. METHODS: A cell culture model of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes was used. There were four groups, control group, hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) group, H_2O_2+taurine (simultaneously) group,and H_2O_2+taurine (in sequence) group. Confocal microscope was used with Fluo-3/AM as calcium indicator to detect changes of [Ca~(2+)]i immediately and 15 minutes after H_2O_2 intervention, respectively. RESULTS:The intracellular fluoresence intensity of singular cardiomyocyte in H_2O_2 group was significantly higher than the control group 15 minutes after intervention (P

Objective To investigate the causes of pancreatic injury after autologous liver transplantation in rats. Methods Forty-two SD rats were randomly divided into post autologons liver transplantation 1-hour group, 6-hour group, 12-hour group, 24-hour group, 48-hour group, 72-hour group and sham group (6 rats per group). The plasma concentrations of amylase and lipase were measured to assess pancreatic exocrine function. The histomorphological changes of pancreatic tissue were studied under optical and electron microscopes. All data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA. Results The plasma concentrations of amylase and lipnse in post autologous liver transplantation 1-hour group were significantly higher than those in sham group, and they gradually increased as time passed by. The plasma concentrations of amylase and lipase reached peak at hour 48, after which they decreased gradually. There was a significant difference in the plasma concentration of amylase and lipase among the 7 groups (F = 538.622,489.417, P < 0.05). Acute edematous pancreatitis was observed 1 hour after autolognus liver transplantation, and acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis was observed 6 hours after transplantation. The degree of injury reached a peak 48 hours after transplantation. The number of mitochondria was increased, and endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were swollen 1 hour after transplantation, and the area, perimeter, specific surface area and mean gray value of mitochondria were (312±40) mm~2, (80.3±3.8)mm, 0.332±0.039 and 113±11, respectively. As time passed by, the injury of the pancreatic cells was aggravated and autophagosomes were observed. The injury was most severe 48 hours after transplantation, and the area, perimeter, specific surface area and mean gray value of mitochondria were (466±7) mm~2, (108.8±3.7) mm, 0.298±0.009 and 195±12, respectively. There were significant differences in the specific surface area and mean gray value among all the groups (F = 9.322, 76.560, P < 0.05). Conclusion The pancreatic injury after autologous liver transplantation is related to the energy metabolism of the pancreatic cells induced by hypoxia.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of low-intensity warfarin anticoagulation in over 80-year-old patients with nonvascular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods The 180 NVAF patients aged over 80 years were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 90 patients in lowintensity warfarin anticoagulation group (target value of INR 1.6-2.0), the other 90 patients in standard-intensity warfarin anticoagulation group (target value of INR 2. 0-3.0). All patients were followed up in outpatient-department for one year. Main outcome measures included the incidence rates of bleeding and thromboembolic events, and secondary outcome measures included the warfarin dosage and times of INR＞3.0. Results The incidence rate of thromboembolic events was 4.4% (4/90) in low-intensity group and 3.3% (3/90) in standard-intensity group with no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P＞0. 05). However, the incidence rate of hemorrhage was significantly lower in low-intensity group than in standard-intensity group [5.6% (5/90) vs. 16.7%(15/90), P＜0. 05]. Meanwhile the warfarin dosage was significantly lower in low-intensity group than in standard-intensity group [(1. 55±0. 63) mg vs. (2.31±0.57) mg, P＜0.05]. The times of INR＞3.0 were less in low-intensity group than in standard-intensity group (P＜0. 05). Conclusions Therapy with low-intensity warfarin anticoagulation in NVAF patients aged over 80 years may be equally effective as, but safer than that with standard-intensity warfarin.

Objective To classify the segmental bronchial patterns of the right upper lobe by combining bronchial tree and CT virtual bronchoscopy(CTVE)post-processing techniques from 64-slice spiral CT.Methods Two hundred and four patients with routine thorax scans were enrolled.The segmental bronchi were demonstrated in terms of bronchial tree and CTVE.First,we checked how many patients can be classified with any one of the above post-processing approaches.Then,integrating the two methods,we classified the fight upper segmental bronchial patterns of the 204 patients.At last,the patterns of the right upper bronchus were analyzed.Results bronchial tree post-processing images were stereoscopic and intuitive.It could be used to identify common stem of bifurcation easily,however,it was hard to be used to differentiate short common stem of bifurcation from trifurcation.CTVE demonstrated segmental bronchi from inside of lumen,and can readily show the short common stem of bifurcation and trifurcation of bronchi.Combining two post-processing techniques,the segmental bronchial ramification of the right upper lobe was mainly classified in three types:trifurcation in 76 patients(37.3%),common stem of apical and posterior segmental bronchi in 50 patients(24.5%)and others in 78 patients(38.2%).Conclusion The combination of multiple post-processing of 64-slice CT posses great superiority to classify the pattern of the right upper lobe bronchi.