Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ketamine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Treatment Outcome

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To observe the expression of bcl-2 gene in cell apoptosis of neonatal rats followed by hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) and investigate the mechanism of neuronal apoptosis after HIBD.Methods Fifty-four neonatal SD rats were used in 1 sham-operated group and 8 trial groups. The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 92 % N 2 and 8 % O 2, the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h), the hippocampus were dissected for morphological analysis. The neuronal apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 gene in hippocampus were detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry. Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h, and reached the peak at 48 h, then decreased. The positive cell of bcl-2 protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 6 h and then decreased gradually following HIBD. Conclusion The expression of bcl-2 gene plays a role in the process of neuronal apoptosis following HIBD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of pretreatment with Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) on acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats and its protective mechanism.

METHODSThirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham-operation group, ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group), RPR-pretreatment group and hemin group. The model of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 1 hour followed by 2-hour reperfusion. The effect of RPR on the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in lung tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and morphometry computer image analysis. Arterial blood gas analysis, lung permeability index, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents in lungs were measured. The histological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope.

RESULTSThe expression of HO-1 in RPR-pretreatment group and hemin group was obviously higher than that in sham-operation group and I/R group (P < 0.01). The level of MDA and lung permeability index in RPR-pretreatment and hemin group were significantly lower than those in I/R group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while the activity of SOD in RPR-pretreatment and hemin group was obviously higher than that in I/R group (P < 0.01). Under light microscope, the pathologic changes induced by I/R were significantly attenuated by RPR.

CONCLUSIONIntestinal ischemia/reperfusion may result in acute lung injury and pretreatment with RPR injection can attenuate the injury. The protective effect of RPR on the acute lung injury is related to its property of inducing HO-1 expression and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; analysis ; Intestines ; blood supply ; Lung Diseases ; prevention & control ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

Background:The preferred treatment for uncomplicated type B dissection (thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR] or medical) is still under debate.Since 2001,our center has performed TEVAR for uncomplicated type B dissection.Based on our data,5-and 10-year survival rates among patients with uncomplicated type B dissection after TEVAR were 96.5％ and 83.0％,respectively.We,therefore,believe that TEVAR is preferable for uncomplicated type B dissections.This study analyzed the impact of a pre-operative smoking history on long-term survival after TEVAR in patients with uncomplicated type B dissections.Methods:From May 2001 to December 2013,data from 751 patients with type B dissections were collected and analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups (337 smoking patients and 414 non-smoking patients).The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare survival curves of the two groups.Multivariable analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the effects of smoking on survival rates.Results:The 5-and 10-year survival rates of non-smokers were 97.6％ (95％ confidence interval [CI],96.0％-99.2％) and 87.0％ (95％ CI,81.6％-92.7％),respectively,and 94.9％ (95％ CI,92.2％-97.7％) and 73.8％ (95％ CI,62.3％-87.5％) for smokers,respectively (Log-rank test,P =0.006).Multivariable analyses showed that smoking increased the risk of death during follow-up,2.1-fold when compared to non-smokers (P =0.039).Conclusion:A pre-operative smoking history increases long-term mortality rates after TEVAR in patients with uncomplicated type B dissections.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of SOX9 expression and clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study including 112 gastric cancer patients admitted to the Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from 2004 to 2006 was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of SOX9 in the 112 specimens of gastric cancer tissues and 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor.

RESULTSLow expression of SOX9 was seen in 5(7.1%) tissues out of 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor. A total of 94(83.9%) patients had varying expression of SOX9, of whom 51(45.4%) had overexpression. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the expression of SOX9 was significantly associated with Lauren classification (P<0.05), tumor invasion(P<0.01), lymph node metastasis(P<0.05), distant metastasis(P<0.05) and tumor stage(P<0.05), however there was no significant association between SOX9 expression and sex, age, histological type, histology differentiation or tumor size. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate of patients with SOX9 over-expression was significantly lower than that of patients with low expression(29.4% vs. 49.2%, P=0.031). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that histology differentiation(P=0.046), tumor invasion(P=0.001), and distant metastasis(P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer, however the over-expression of SOX9 was not significant(P=0.948).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression SOX9 is associated with the growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer, as well as the prognosis. However, SOX9 expression is not an independent factor for the prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

The Tibetan antelope, a prototype mammal, has developed a unique adaptation to extreme high altitude-associated hypoxia. To investigate the role of the endocrine system in adaptation to high altitude in the Tibetan antelope, comparisons of endocrine hormones levels between Tibetan antelope (n = 9) and Tibetan sheep (n = 10) were performed. Both two kinds of animals were captured at an altitude of 4 300 m and then transported to experimental base at 2 800 m altitude. The blood samples were drawn from right external jugular vein in the next morning, and the 20 hormones in hypothalamus-adenohypophysis-peripheral hormonal axis were measured with radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were recorded using catheterization. Moreover, hemoglobin (Hb) content was measured by blood analyser. The results showed that, the levels of FT(3), FT(4) and Ang II in Tibetan antelope were significantly lower than those in Tibetan sheep, whereas TRH, CRH, GHRH, F, E(2), Ald, ACTH and CGRP levels were significantly greater in Tibetan antelope than those in the Tibetan sheep. Compared with Tibetan sheep, Tibetan antelope showed lower HR, mPAP, SBP, DBP and Hb content. In Tibetan antelope and Tibetan sheep, both Hb and Ang II were correlated positively with respective mPAP. In Tibetan antelope, FT(3) level was correlated positively with GH and negatively with ACTH. These results suggest that the endocrine system of Tibetan antelope is characterized by low energy expenditure and high stress, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the Tibetan antelope adaptation to chronic hypoxia.
Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Altitude ; Animals ; Antelopes ; blood ; Hormones ; blood ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Sheep ; blood ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of the 166 EGC inpatients who were treated in our hospital from January 1999 to January 2009 were retrospectively analyzed and their treatment outcomes were followed up.

RESULTSSurgical treatment for ECG accounted for 9.04% (176/1946) among all the surgeries performed for gastric cancers. Among the analyzed 166 cases, 9 asymptomatic patients were diagnosed by routine examination, 29 (17.47%) had a history of gastric ulcer or chronic gastritis, and 20 (12.05%) had a family history of esophageal or gastric cancer. Of 64 patients who received double-contrast gastric X-ray examination, 57 patients (89.06%) were found to be with abnormalities. Endoscopy revealed lesions in lower third, middle third, and upper third of the stomach in 115 patients (69.28%), 26 patients (15.66%), and 25 patients (15.06%), respectively. A total of 126 patients received D(0) or D1 operations and 40 patients received operations more than D+1 operation. As shown by post-operative pathological examinations, the mean diameter of the lesions was (2.52±1.62) cm; 75 patients (45.18%) had mucosal gastric cancer, 91 (54.82%) had submucosal gastric cancer, 20 patients with submucosal gastric cancer had lymph node metastasis, and 8 patients had lymphatic vessel involvement. The overall 5-year survival rate was 70.0% and 89.7% among patients with or without lymph node metastasis (P=0.002). Univariate analysis revealed that depth of tumor invasion (submucosa) and lymphatic vessel involvement were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.000, P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that lymphatic vessel involvement was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (odds ratio: 15.67; 95% confidence interval, 3.40-72.14).

CONCLUSIONSThe proportion of EGC patients undergoing gastrectomy is relatively low among all gastric cancer patients. Lymph node metastasis is a key prognostic factor for EGC. A proper staging of gastric cancer, a precise evaluation of the depth of infiltration, and appropriate and standardized treatment are important to improve the outcomes.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between tobacco smoking, drinking and p53 alteration in esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSLiterature on the relationship between p53 alteration in esophageal carcinoma and tobacco smoking, drinking through Meta-analysis were reviewed.

RESULTSIn 14 selected papers related to tobacco smoking, pooled odds ratio (OR) of tobacco smoking with P53 overexpression and p53 alteration were 1.99 (95% CI: 1.30- 3.06) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.13 - 2.37), respectively (P < 0.05). Pooled OR of tobacco smoking with p53 mutation was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.47 - 2.76) (P > 0.05). In 11 selected papers on alcohol drinking, pooled OR of drinking with P53 overexpression, p53 mutation and p53 alteration were 1.30 (95% CI: 0.83 - 2.04), 1.13 (95% CI: 0.67 - 1.90) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.87 - 1.72) respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were significant relations between tobacco smoking and p53 alteration while there were no significant relations between alcohol drinking and p53 alteration.

Alcohol Drinking ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of plant growth substances on induction and culture of callus from Rhodiola quadrifida and also to analyze salidroside contents in the callus.

METHODThe optimum combination of plant growth substances in MS solid medium for induction and culture of callus was established using orthogonal design. The contents of salidroside was analyzed by HPLC.

RESULTMS medium containing 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), NAA 2 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.1 mg x L(-1) could induce the callus from R. quadrifida most effectively;the induction rate was 83.3%. The optimized combination of plant growth substances for callus subculture was 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.1 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.5 mg x L(-1). The dry weight could reach 11.77 g x L(-1) when the callus was cultured in the optimum medium for 30 d and salidroside content was 0.28%.

CONCLUSIONThe quantities of plant growth substances required for induction and culture of callus are different in R. quadrifida. The callus could produce salidroside.

Culture Media ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Phenols ; metabolism ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Rhodiola ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods