Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; virology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glutathione ; therapeutic use ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis C ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

Objective To investigate the relationship between telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene expression and astrocyte activation.Methods Twenty neonatal 3-day-old male SD rats were used for culture of the astrocytes.The astrocytes were divided into Group A (activated,non-transfected astrocytes),Group B (activated,transfected astrocytes),Group C (unactivated astrocytes) and Group D (activated,empty plasmid transfected astrocytes) according to the random number table,with 5 rats per group.The cell proliferation rate in each group was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) ;TERT expression by immunocytochemical method; expressions of TERT and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) genes by RT-PCR assay.Results Astrocytic proliferation ability in Group B lowered significantly as compared with that in Groups A,D and C (F =43.418,P ＜ 0.01).Expressions of TERT and GFAP mRNAs in Groups A and D were significantly higher than those in Group B and C,and no significant difference was found between Groups A and D.Besides,there was a linear correlation between mRNAs expressions of both genes in Groups A and D (r =0.701,0.704,P ＜ 0.01),while no significant linear correlation was observed in Groups B and C (r =0.260,P ＞ 0.05).Expressions of TERT and GFAP proteins in Groups A and D were markedly higher than those in Groups B and C and no significant difference was found between Groups A and D.Conclusion TERT genes are involved in the activation of astrocytes and exert effect on promoting the activation of astrocytes.

BACKGROUND:The high level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is thought to slow down the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Whether it can influence the biological behaviors of skin fibroblasts and affect wound healing is stillunclear. The present study aimed to observe changes in the biological behaviors of rat dermal fibroblasts induced by high expression of MMP9 and to clarify the possible mechanisms of wound healing for diabetic foot. METHODS:A cellmodel of skin fibroblast with high expression of MMP9 was established by co-culture of high glucose (22.0 mmol/L) and homocysteine (100 μmol/L). A control group was incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L). Realtime PCR, ELISA and gelatin zymography were used to detect the MMP9 mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP9. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, ELISA assay, scratch test and transwellwere used to detect cellproliferation, viability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration and vertical migration of cells. The data were expressed as mean±SD. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:The expression of MMP9 mRNA, protein levels and the activity of MMP9 were much higher in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (7.05±1.02 vs. 1.00±0.00, 206.9±33.6 pg/mL vs. 40.4±5.9 pg/mL, and 1.47±0.13 vs. 0.57±0.12, respectively,P<0.01). The proportion of S-phase cells, proliferation index, cellviability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration rate and the number of vertical migration cells were lower in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Fibroblasts with a high expression of MMP9 decreased proliferation, activity, secretion and migration of collagens, suggesting that MMP9 may inhibit the biological behaviors of fibroblasts.

Objective To investigate prognostic factors of medullary thyroid carcinoma.Methods By using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis,the prognostic factors were investigated in 102 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma treated at this hospital.Results Overall survival rates of 5-year,10-year and 15-year were 87.4%,74.6%and 54.2%respectively by Kaplan-Meier method analysis.In univariate analysis,gender,age,bilateral thyroid lobe tumors,tumor size＞4 cm,invasion of thyroid capsule,distant metastasis,and non-radical tumor resection were significant poor prognostic factors.In multivariate analysis,tumor size＞4 cm(X2=7.43,P=0.0035),distant metastasis(X2=23.50,P=0.0000),and non-radical tumor resection(X2=25.90,P=0.0000)remained as independent pmgnostic factors.Conclusions Tumor size＞4 cm,distant metastasis,and non-radical tumor resection are the independent predictors of patients survival.Early diagnosis and early therapy can improve significantly the prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible protective effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 against oxidative damage and renal interstitial fibrosis on rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

METHODSIn total, 80 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 20 in each group: the sham operated group (SOR), UUO group, UUO with ginsenoside Rb1 treatment group (treated with intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/ kg daily) and UUO with Losartan treatment group (as the positive control, treated with 20 mg/kg by gastrogavage per day). The rats were randomly sacrificed on day 3, 7 and 14 after surgery, respectively. The histopathologic changes of renal interstitial tissues were observed with Masson staining. The mRNA of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), collagen I and fibronectin were reversed transcribed and quantified by Real-time PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitatively detect TGF-beta 1 and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. P47phox protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSIn the UUO model, the obstructed kidney showed typical features of progressive renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and the levels of TGF-beta1, collagen I and fibronectin increased (P<0.05). As compared with the UUO group, ginsennoside Rb1 significantly inhibited the interstitial fibrosis including tubular injury and collagen deposition, and decreased the levels of TGF-beta1 (P<0.05). Ginsenoside Rb1 also inhibited the heme oxygenase (HO-1) and 8-OHdG, two markers of oxidative stress (P<0.05). Moreover, ginsenoside Rb1 suppressed the expression of p47phox, a subunit of nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rb1 can obviously inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with UUO, its mechanism possibly via against the oxidative damage and suppressing TGF-beta1 expression.

Animals ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Fibrosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; therapeutic use ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Models, Biological ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism

The effects of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on excitatory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus were examined by blind whole-cell patch clamp recording from hippocampal slice preparations. Local application of the nAChRs agonist dimethylphenyl-piperazinium iodide (DMPP) did not induce a postsynaptic current response in CA1 pyramidal cells. However, DMPP enhanced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) in these cells in a dose-dependent manner. This enhancement was blocked by the selective nicotinic alpha-7 receptor antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin, but not by the antagonist mecamylamine, hexamethonium or dihydro-beta-erythroidine. The frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) in CA1 pyramidal neurons was also increased by application of DMPP, indicating a presynaptic site of action of the agonist. Taken together, these results suggest that activation of presynaptic nAChRs in CA1 pyramidal neurons, which contain alpha-7 subunits, potentiates presynaptic glutamate release and consequently modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus.
Animals ; Bungarotoxins ; physiology ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Nicotinic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; physiology ; Receptors, Presynaptic ; physiology ; Synapses ; physiology ; Synaptic Transmission ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Aim The effect of tetrandrine on TGF-?1 mRNA expression in glomerulosclerosis rat was observed. Methods The rats were randomly divided into four groups, such as the normal control group (sham operative rat), glomerulosclerosis model group,tetrandrine group and amlodipine group. The expression of TGF-?1 mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. Results The expressions of TGF-?1 mRNA in two treating groups were much lower than untreated model group. There were no difference between these two treating groups. Conclusion Tetrandrine can decrease the expression of TGF-?1 mRNA in glomerulosclerosis rat induced by unilateral renctomy plus adriamycin.

Elbow Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Young Adult

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Shoulder Joint ; pathology ; Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical outcomes of a group of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentations.

METHODSBetween April 2002 and July 2006, 121 AIS patients (93 female and 28 male, average age at operation was 15.5 years which ranged from 10 to 20 years) received posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion. All the patients were evaluated by the various-parameters measured in X-ray films before and after surgery, including Cobb angle on coronal plane, Cobb angle on sagittal plane, clavicle angle and shoulder height difference, lowest instrumented vertebrae (LIV) angulation, proximal junction kyphotic angle, the distances of central sacral vertical line (CSVL) to the LIV, to the apical vertebra and to the C(7) plumb line respectively. Complications were followed.

RESULTSAn average of (11.0 + or - 1.5) levels was fused. An average coronal correction of proximal thoracic curve was 41.8%, of thoracic curve was 70.8%, of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 74.0%. No significant change was found in sagittal alignment. Shoulder balance and apex vertebral to central sacral line were restored well. There were no pseudoarthroses and loss of correction during the follow-ups. One adding-on, 4 proximal thoracic decompensation and 15 proximal junction kyphosis were found during the follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion has excellent radiographic and clinical results with minimal complications in the surgical treatment of AIS.

Adolescent ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult