Objective To evaluate the murine model of dry eye induced by hyperosmolar saline. Methods Sixty female BALB/c mice at the age of 6 -8 weeks were randomly divided into blank group,control group and experimental group,20 in each group. Mice in control and experimental groups were treated with 308 mOsmol/L and 500 mOsmol/L sodium chloride solution,respectively,5 times a day. Mice in blank group were not treated with sodium chloride solution. Schirmer test,fluorescein staining,corneal scoring,rose bengal staining,tear ferns experiment,corneal epithelial HE staining and thickness measurement,conjunctival epithelial PAS staining and Goblet cell counting were conducted on days 0,7,14,28,and 42,respectively. Corneal surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy on day 42. Results No significant difference was found in the above parameters on day 0 between the two groups. On day 7,the volume of tears was significantly smaller in experimental group ( 2. 3 ? 0. 4 mm) than in blank group ( 3. 0 ? 0. 5mm) and control group ( 3. 1 ?0. 5 mm) ( P

0.05).Significant difference existed in the coliform qualification rate in the source water samples taken at various times (P0.05).However,significant difference existed in qualification rate of bacteria,fecal coliform,free chlorine residual (P

BACKGROUND: Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is mainly featured as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in renal interstitium. The tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) is important to the pathogenesy of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on TEMT, and ECM main components such as collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin, in rat renal tubular epithelial cellsinduced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF- β1)- DESIGN: Randomized and controlled experimental study based on cells. SETTING: Department of Kidney in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. MATERIALS: Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) originated from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), were offered by the laboratory of Department of Nephrology in Australian Monash Medical Center. Cell strain used in this study was cultured at the 36th passage. SF white crystal with water solubility and more than 98.0% purify, was from Chengdu Hengda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Different concentrations of SF (125,250, 500μreel/L) were designed in this study. Rabbit anti-rat α-smooth muscle actin (α -SMA) was produced by Wuhan Boster Company. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was the produced of Shanghai Senxiong Science and Technology Co.,Ltd. Human recombinant TGF- β1 was produced by R&D Company. DNA Engine OpticonTM real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction apparatus was the product of MJ Research Company. METHODS: Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) cultured in vitro were divided into five groups. Control group was added with serum-contained DMEM; TGF-β1-induced group was added with TGF-β1 at final concentration of 5 ng/L; SF at different concentrations groups were added with 125, 250, 500 μ mol/L SF and TGF- β1 at final concentration of 5 ng/L,respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The contrast phase microscope, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA method were used to detect TEMT of NRK52E cells induced by TGF-β1 and levels of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin in the supernatant. RESULTS: Morphology of NRK52E cells: Compared with control group, TGF-β1 could induce the transdifferentiation of NRK52E cells, showing fibroblast-like in morphology after 3 days, which were previously the typical road stone-like epithelial cells. In three different concentration SF groups, the morphologic transformation stimulated by TGF-β1 could be partly ameliorated in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of α-SMA mRNA: Compared with control group, 5 ng/L TGF- β1 enhanced expression of α-SMA at 6 hours, and reached a peak at 72 hours; SF depressed the expression in a dose-dependent manner at 72 hours (P < 0.05). Changes of ECM: After induced by 5 ng/L TGF- β1 for 72 hours, the levels of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin in the supernatant increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas SF decreased these levels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF- β1 induces the TEMT, and promotes the secretion of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin. SF can inhibit TGF- β1-induced TEMT In a dose-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate the effects of tagged fluid and substraction in CT virtual colonoscopy (CTVC) on the conspicuity of polyps and to confirm the optimal attenuation value and the optimal viewing window. Methods Polyps measured 3-10 mm were created in fresh porcine colon in vitro and submerged in saline and mixed with positive contrast medium for the CT values of 200 HU, 400 Hu, 600 HU, and 800 HU. Polyps were measured before and after substraction and compared with those in the control group. The effects of different viewing windows and different attenuation values on the measurement and conspicuity of polyps were analyzed. Results The optimal attenuation value of tagged fluid was 800 HU and the optimal viewing window was colon (-150 HU, 1 500 HU) and bone (500 HU, 2 500 HU). Conclusion The combination of tagged fluid and CT substraction can improve the conspicuity of small polyps covered by colonic fluid.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Tonsillectomy ; methods ; Young Adult

The effect of globular adiponectiin (gAd)on the function of NIT-1 cells under high glucose medium was investigated. The results showed that gad could completely block the increase of NADPH oxidase components p47phox expression and recover mRNA expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-I ,paired box gene 6,glucose transpoter 2,and glucokinase except neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Whereas,impaired insulin secretion and mRNA expression at high glucose concentration were not significantly improved by gAd.

This article aimed to study the antigenicity of nucleocapsid proteins (NPs) in six pathogenic phleboviruses and to provide theoretical evidence for the development of serological diagnostic reagents. NPs of six pathogenic phleboviruses were expressed and purified using a prokaryotic expression system and rabbits were immunized with individual recombinant NPs. Cross-reactions among NPs and rabbit sera were determined by both indirect ELISA and Western blotting analyses, and the sera titer was determined by indirect ELISA. Furthermore, sera from SFTS patients were also detected by each recombinant NP as a coating antigen using indirect ELISA. The cross-reactions and the sera titer were subsequently determined. Both the concentration and purity of recombinant NPs of six pathogenic phleboviruses met the standards for immunization and detection. The results of indirect ELISA and Western blotting showed that each anti-phlebovirus NP rabbit immune serum had potential serological cross-reactivity with the other five virus NP antigens. Furthermore, the sera from SFTS patients also had cross-reactivity with the other five NP antigens to a certain extent. Our preliminary study evaluated the antigenicity and immune reactivity of six pathogenic phleboviruses NPs and laid the foundation for the development of diagnostic reagents.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Phlebotomus Fever ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Phlebovirus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Rabbits

Combining the speed of two-dimensional detection with the precision of three-dimensional detection, an automatic algorithm based on high resolution CT images is proposed to identify nodules in this paper. Nodule candidates are extracted by a two-dimensional convergence index (CI) filter, then a three-dimensional Hessian matrix detection filter is introduced to reduce false positive lung nodules, Experiments show that the algorithm is effective with a sensitivity of 90% and the false positive lung nodules per slice is 0.33.
Algorithms ; False Positive Reactions ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

BACKGROUND:Adiponectin possess functions of lowering blood glucose and blood lipids, and improve insulin sensitivity. But, controversy results about the effect of adiponectin on skeletal muscle have been reported.OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of eukaryon expressed adiponectin on the glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation in skeletal muscle cell strain C2C12 myotubes by transfecting plasmids carrying mouse adiponectin.DESIGN: A controlled experiment.SETTING: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.MATERIALS: PcDNA3.0 plasmid with mouse adiponectin cDNA, pcDNA3.0-mad (generously presented from Dr. Gong,University of Maryland), C2C12 cell strain (purchased from ATCC, GRL-1722), DMEM high glucose (Gibco), MEM (Hyclone), fetal bovine serum (Hanagzhou Sijiqing), equine serum (Hyclone), lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogene), G418 (Gibco), rabbit anti-mouse adiponectin IgG (ACRP303-A, Alpha Diagnostic International), chemiluminescence kit (ECL+PLUS,Amersham), SABC instant immunohistochemistry kit (Boster), D-[U-14C] glucose (specific activity 9.25-13.32 GBq/mmol,NEC), scintillation fluid POP, POPOP (SIGMA), liquid scintillation counter (LS3801, Beckman, USA).METHODS:This study was carried out in the Central Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from March to August, 2003. ① After extraction of plasmid, double digest with Xho Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ and identification with HindⅢ digest were carried out. ② Plasmid pcDNA3.0-mad and pcDNA3.0 blank vector were transfected using liposome to C2C12 cells, and the stably transfected cells were screened by 500 mg/L G418 for 3 weeks, G418 resistant C2C12 cells were thereafter harvested, therefore stable transfected pcDNA3.0-mad and pcDNA 3.0 C2C12 cell strains were established.③ Adiponectin protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. ④ Glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis detections were divided into control, vector and pcDNA3.0-mad (mad)group. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups with 0, 0.5, 5 and 100 nmol/L insulin (n =6), respectively. Detection of glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis was carried out with 14C-labeled glucose by counting radioactivity of 14CO2 or 14C labeled glycogen with scintillation, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Changes of glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation in skeletal muscle cell strain C2C12myotubes.RESULTS: ① Results of plasmid transfection and restrict digest: After plasmid extraction, double digest with Xba Ⅰ and Xho Ⅰ was carried out along with HindⅢ digest identification.Digest fragments were in accordance with expectation.Length of adiponectin cDNA fragment was 781 bp, plasmid fragment was 5 446 bp, adiponectin cDNA was inserted between digest sites (Xho Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ ) of eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0. ② Plasmid transfection of C2C12 cell and positive clone screening: On the 10th day of G418 media culture screening after transfection, most C2C12 cells died.Positive clone appeared at the 2nd week. G418 resistant C2C12 colonies were harvested at the 3rd week. ③ Western blot and immunohistochemical identifications: Both confirmed that adipoenctin gene was stably transfected into cells in the Mad group, with successful adipoenctin expression. ④ Effect of stably transfected adiponectin gene to myocyte glucose metabolism:The myocyte glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation increased along with the increasing of insulin concentration. The linear regression analyses of measured myocyte glucose oxidation amount showed that the regression coefficients of the control group, blank vector group and mad group were 23.34, 2;3.23 and 26.06 respectively. This result indicated that in C2C12 cell stably transfected with adiponectin gene, when insulin concentration increased, the acceleration rate of glucose oxidation increasing was higher than other 2 groups. However, no significant difference could be observed in glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation of C2C12 cells under basic status without insulin stimulus and treatment status with different insulin concentrations between control group, blank vector group and mad group (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: ① We have successfully established stably adiponectin gene transfected C2C12 cell strain with adiponectin protein expression ability. ② Transfection with adiponectin cDNA had no significant effect on the glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis of C2C12 myotubes.③ The glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis of C2C12 myotubes increased with the increasing of insulin concentration. ④ Adipoenctin may coordinate with insulin in improving myocyte glucose oxidation and increasing myocyte glucose uptake.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether psychomotor performance and visual reaction time were affected by acute exposure to mild or moderate hypoxia. Method Eighteen healthy male volunteers performed finger tapping, simple reaction time(SRT) and 4-choice reaction time(CRT) tests at simulated altitude of 300 m (control),2800 m, 3600 m and 4400 m for 1 h in a hypobaric chamber. Result SaO2 decreased from 98%(control) to 90%,82% and 74% respectively at the various altitudes. All the performance parameters showed no significant change after exposure to 2800 m for 1 h relative to ground level(P>0.05). However the mean reaction time of 4-CRT under 3600 m prolonged and performance decreased as compared with baseline value(P<0.05), and the performance decreased further under 4400 m(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in finger tapping and SRT even under exposure to 4400 m for 1 h.Furthermore, no decrease in correct rate were observed at any altitude (P>0.05). Conclusion The results from this study demonstrated that there were no measurable impairment of visual reaction time and psychomotor performance under exposure to an altitude of 2800 m for 1 h. However, adverse effects on psychomotor performance were observed under 3600 m and over.