Objective To study the inhibitory effect of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) formation in brain induced by heme/NO2 -/H2O2 or ONOO - pathways in vitro. Methods According to the two major pathways of 3-NT formation in vivo, the models of protein nitration induced by heme/NaNO2/H2O2 or ONOO-system were established, respectively, in vitro. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)/rat plasma protein or rat brain homogenate protein were utilized as reactive substrates in both systems. Samples were divided into blank-control group, 3-NT group and PNS group (including low-, medium-and high-concentration subgroups). In 3-NT group, samples were exposed to heme/NaNO2/H2O2 or ONOO-system, respectively, at 37℃for 30 min, whereas in PNS group, samples were pre-incubated with PNS (at final concentrations of 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L) at 37℃for 5 min before the nitrating system exposure. The 3-NT level in each group was detected by Western blot assy. Results Compared with the blank-control group, both heme/NaNO2/H2O2 and ONOO-system can induce significant 3-NT generation in BSA/rat plasma protein or rat brain homogenate protein (P<0.05). Compared with model group, PNS pre-treatment markedly inhibited 3-NT expression in BSA/rat plasma protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), the inhibitory effect of low intervention on the level of 3-NT in rat brain homogenate protein was not significant (P>0.05). Medium- and high-concentrations of PNS pre-treatment markedly inhibited 3-NT accumulation, with maximum effect at the concentration of 200 mg/L (P<0.05). Conclusion Medium- and high-concentrations of PNS can inhibit 3-NT formation in brain tissue mediated by either heme/NO2-/H2O2 or ONOO-pathways, implying that potential neuroprotective action against 3-NT involves pathological conditions, like trauma, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To investigate the possible protective effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods NaHS was taken as a donor of H2S. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups with 8 rats in each group:sham group,MODS 12 h model group,MODS 24 h model group,NaHS protection 12 h and 24 h groups. The content of superoxidase dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),alanime transaminse (ALT),creatine kinase (CK) and creatinine (Cr) in serum were measured,respectively. The histopathological changes in the heart,liver,lung,kidney and small intestine were observed. Results The serum content of SOD and GSH-Px was significantly higher in protected H2S groups (P

Objective To investigate the conventional ultrasound characteristics of VX2 tumors in fatty liver and normal liver of rabbits,furthermore,to analysis the blood flow characteristics of them with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).Methods Rabbit model of fatty liver and normal liver with implanted VX2 tumors were established,and examined using conventional and CEUS.QontraXt quantitative software of CEUS was used.Results The fatty liver models with 20 VX2 tumors and normal liver models with 23 VX2 tumors were successfully developed in rabbits.In conventional ultrasonography,hyperechoic VX2 tumor lesions in fatty liver were far less than them in normal liver (P =0.008).No significant difference was found in iso-echoic and hypoechoic VX2 tumor lesions between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with normal liver parenchyma,arrival time of fatty liver parenchyma was later,peak intensity was lower (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in arrival time,peak intensity,sharpness,area under curve between the VX2 tumors of normal liver and fatty liver (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions There is a significant difference characteristic in conventional ultrasonography between VX2 tumors in fatty liver and normal liver.Fatty liver blood perfusion effects are lower than normal liver in CEUS.Quantitative parameters of CEUS are more objective and accurate for hemodynamic of VX2 tumors and fatty liver.

Objective To analyze hepatic inflammatory pseudoneoplasm with fatty liver and normal liver perfusion blood characteristics and quantitative parameters using real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and time intensity curve.Methods Twenty rabbits (including ten with fatty liver and ten with normal liver) with thirty-nine inflammatory pseudoneoplasm of the liver (IPL) were studied by low mechanical index CEUS with bolus injection of SonoVue via peripheral auricular vein and QontraXt quantitative analysis software.IPL contrast-enhanced ultrasound blood perfusion characteristics with two different liver background were analyzed.Results ①According to the different pathological elements,IPL showed four kinds of CEUS types:one lesion showed absent contrast enhancement pattern (type Ⅰ),nineteen lesions showed iso-enhancement pattern (type Ⅱ),six lesions showed hypo-enhancement pattern (type Ⅲ),thirteen lesions showed fast-in and fast-out pattern (type Ⅳ).②Compared with normal liver,arrival time of fatty liver was later and its peak intensity was lower.②Compared with peripheral parenchyma,arrival time of IPL was later,peak intensity was lower and its sharpness was sharper (P ＜0.05).④Between IPL lesions with two different liver background,there was no significant difference about parameters of the time-intensity curve (P ＞0.05).Conclusions Due to different pathological elements,IPL lesions have multiform perfusion patterns in CEUS.CEUS and time intensity curve could provide enough perfusion information for IPL and liver parenchyma more accurately.

Objective To comparative analysis the rabbit VX2 tumors angiogenesis in fatty liver and normal liver,and investigate the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters and their angiogenesis.Methods Rabbit models of fatty liver and normal liver with implanted VX2 tumors were established.Two groups of hepatic backgrounds and VX2 tumors were analyzed by QontraXt quantitative software of CEUS.The expression level of tumor microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected with immunohistochemical techniques and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR).Results ①No significant difference was found in MVD,VEGF protein and gene expression between VX2 tumors in normal liver and fatty liver.The expression of VEGF gene in fatty liver parenchyma were lower than normal liver parenchyma (P ＜0.05).②There was positive correlation between MVD and peak intensity (r =0.494,P ＜0.05; r =0.591,P ＜0.01) both in fatty liver and normal liver VX2 tumors.The expression of VEGF protein were not correlated with TIC parameters (all P ＞ 0.05).③The MVD had positive correlation with expression of VEGF protein in fatty liver and normal liver VX2 tumors (r =0.508,P ＜0.05; r =0.570,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The expression of MVD and VEGF had no significant difference between fatty liver and normal liver VX2 tumors.The peak intensity of VX2 tumors CEUS had positive correlation with MVD both in fatty liver and normal liver,which can indirectly reflect MVD expression level and help to evaluate tumor angiogenesis.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum mRNA level of heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence. Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: ACS group,n=50 patients and Control group,n=100 normal subjects. Serum HB-EGF mRNA level was examined by RT-PCR and the relationship between HB-EGF mRNA and ACS occurrence was assessed by Logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared with Control group, the serum HB-EGF mRNA level of ACS group was higher (0.22±0.73) vs (0.46±0.14),P<0.05. With adjusted meaningful factors of hypertension, smoking, TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and BMI by single factor analysis, multi Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum HB-EGF mRNA was related to ACS occurrence (OR=5.813, 95% CI 2.342-14.426,P<0.001) which meant that upon 0.1 grey value of HB-EGF mRNA elevation, the risk of ACS occurrence may increase 4.813 folds accordingly. Conclusion: Serum HB-EGF mRNA level was related to ACS occurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of cochlear implantation by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a patient with cochleovestibular nerve hypoplasia. METHOD: Audiometry, radiological examination and fMRI of the auditory cortex were performed to a 15-year-old boy with bilateral hearing loss before cochlear implantation. RESULT: Results of pure tone audiometry and auditory brainstem responses showed profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Transiently evoked otoacoustic emission was absent on both sides. High resolution computed tomography revealed the inner ear malformation (incomplete partition I) on both side. Oblique sagittal reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the malformation of cochleovestibular nerve, fMRI demonstrated the activation of the right primary auditory cortex during 1-kHz monaural stimulation on the left side. No cortical activation appeared during the monaural right acoustic stimulation using the same sound pressure level. The child had subjective auditory response 1 month after cochlear implantation on his left side. CONCLUSION fMRI would be an effective measure in the assessments for the cochlear implantation candidates, combining with audiometry and radiological examination, especially when MRI shows cochleovestibular nerve malformation in these patients.
Adolescent ; Child ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve ; abnormalities ; physiopathology

AIM:To explore the role of aloperine in ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury and inflammation.METHODS: The H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured under hypoxia and re-oxygenation condi-tions to simulate ischemia-reperfusion(SI/R)injury.After treatment with aloperine at various doses,the cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.Simultaneously,the levels of lactate dehydro-genase(LDH),malonaldehyde(MDA)and caspase-3 activity were detected by the commercial kits.The levels of inflam-matory cytokines were also detected by ELISA.Moreover,the effects of aloperine on the activation of PI 3K/AKT signaling pathway were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Pre-treatment with aloperine remarkably abated the inhibitory effect of SI/R on H9c2 cell viability,and decreased the elevations of LDH and MDA triggered by SI /R(P<0.05).Pre-treat-ment with aloperine dramatically suppressed the cell apoptosis induced by SI /R treatment(P<0.05), concomitant with the decrease in caspase-3 activity and increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio(P<0.05).In contrast to SI/R group,aloperine treat-ment notably restrained the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β(P<0.05).Furthermore, aloperine remarkably increased the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT. While blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway with its specific inhibitor LY294002, the viability-promoting, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of aloperine on the H 9c2 cells were obviously attenuated(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Alope-rine protects against cardiomyocytes from I/R injury and inhibits inflammatory responses by activating the PI 3K/AKT signa-ling pathway,implying a potential benefic role of aloperine against myocardial I /R injury.

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid and simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which discriminates extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) genes in sporadic Shigella isolates from 1998 to 2007 in Hangzhou city, China.

METHODSAfter ESBLs screening according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method, CTX-M, TEM, SHV and OXA-1 encoding genes were detected by using a multiplex PCR method, and the results were verified by 8 single gene PCR amplification.

RESULTSSeventeen isolates harbored ESBLs genes among 195 Shigella isolates (8.72%). Genes encoding CTX-M (17 strains), TEM (2 strains), OXA-1 (10 strains) and SHV (0 strains) were discriminated with multiplex PCR analysis, which coincided with eight single gene PCR analysis at 94.12%.

CONCLUSIONMultiplex PCR should be a suitable tool for initial rapid screening and discriminating ESBLs genes in Shigella isolates. With similar trend of national surveillance data, the proportion of sporadic Shigella isolates harbouring ESBLs genes might probably be on increase.

DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Shigella ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanism of postoperative insulin resistance in gastrectomy patients with preoperative oral carbohydrate.

METHODSFrom April to October 2011, 60 consecutive gastric cancer patients met inclusion criteria were divided into oral carbohydrate group and placebo group by randomized double-blind principles. Resting energy expenditure (REE), fasting blood glucose, insulin and triglyceride level were detected in 4 hours preoperatively. The 500 ml carbohydrate or placebo were administrated orally 2-3 hours before anaesthesia. Two group patients underwent radical distal subtotal gastrectomy under epidural compounded intravenous anesthesia. After laparotomy and before the abdomen was closed, a piece of rectus abdominis was taken and fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde. REE, fasting blood glucose, insulin and triglyceride level were detected immediately after surgery. The changes of insulin resistance index, blood triglycerides level, REE and respiratory quotient were compared pre- and post-operatively. The changes of rectus abdominis mitochondrial ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy respectively.

RESULTSThere were 48 patients (34 males and 14 females) completed the trial. The 24 and 24 patients in oral placebo and carbohydrate groups respectively. In oral placebo group, post-operative insulin resistance index, REE, respiratory quotient, serum triglyceride level and the rectus abdominis mitochondrial damage index were 12.68 ± 3.13, (1458 ± 169) kcal/d, 0.73 ± 0.42, (0.53 ± 0.24) g/L and 1.14 ± 0.33, respectively. And the above items were 5.67 ± 1.40, (1341 ± 110) kcal/d, 0.79 ± 0.22, (1.04 ± 0.97) g/L and 0.92 ± 0.19 in oral carbohydrate groups respectively. All difference was statistically significant (t = 6.646, 2.851, 6.546, 2.542 and 2.730, all P < 0.05). Oral placebo group showed a markedly swollen mitochondria, steep membrane was not clear, mitochondria appeared vacuolated changes.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative oral carbohydrate could reduce the insulin resistance and REE, improve the material metabolism status in radical gastrectomy patients. The possible mechanisms should be related to promotion of insulin release and protection of mitochondrial function.

Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Basal Metabolism ; Carbohydrates ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery