Objective To establish a method for determining the content of ceram ide in skin epidermis. Methods Epidermal lipids of mice were extracted by routin e method,separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC),and shot by BIO-RAD Ge lDoc system. Epidermal ceramide content was determined by Software of Quantity O ne. Results A good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.416～2.08 ?g (r=0.9 95 3). The precision of the same plate was good,RSD=1.09 %;and the precision of different plates was also good,RSD= 2.10 %. The stability of control soluti on and sample solution was good within 2 h. The reproducibility was good,RSD= 3 .03 %,and the mean recovery rate was 99.58 %and RSD=1.46 %. The RSD of simpl e determination was 3.10 %. Conclusion This method can be used to determine the content of ceramide in skin epidermis.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of repeated intranasal insulin on postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods:Seventy elderly patients, aged ≥65 yr, with body mass index ≤28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=35 each) according to the random number table method: control group (group C) and insulin group (group I). In group C, normal saline 0.5 ml was administered intranasally twice a day from 2 days before surgery until the day of surgery.In group I, insulin 20 U (0.5 ml) was administered intranasally twice a day from 2 days before surgery until the day of surgery.The regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO 2) was measured after entering the operating room (T 0), at intubation (T 1), at 1, 2 and 3 h after the start of operation (T 2-4), at the end of surgery (T 5) and at extubation (T 6). The insulin allergic reactions, nasal irritation and hypoglycemic reactions were recorded after intranasal administration of insulin or normal saline within 2 days before operation.The blood glucose concentrations were measured at T 0, T 3 and T 5.The occurrence of POD within 3 days after operation was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of POD was significantly decreased within 3 days after operation, and the rSO 2 was increased at T 1-6 in group I ( P<0.05). The rSO 2 was significantly higher at T 1-6 than at T 0 in two groups ( P<0.05). There were no significant changes in blood glucose concentrations at T 0, T 3 and T 5 between the two groups ( P>0.05). No insulin allergic reactions, nasal irritation and hypoglycemic reactions occurred in two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Repeated intranasal administration of insulin can increase the rSO 2 during operation and decrease the occurrence of POD in elderly patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

0.05)].Maternal serum concentrations of TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in DM group [(3.6?0.9)and(4.8?0.6)mmol/L] compared with GIGT group [(2.7?0.7)and(3.8?0.9)mmol/L] and GDM group [(2.9?0.7)and(3.7?0.8) mmol/L](P0.05).The incidence of fetal distress in the GIGT group(9.8%)was lower than that in DM group(20.2%)and GDM group(21.4%,P

AIMTo examine whether reproductive hormones play a role in the association between body mass index (BMI) and semen quality.

METHODSSemen quality and testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E(2)) were evaluated in 990 fertile males with age 38.9 +/- 9.7 (mean +/- SD) years recruited from the Chinese general population in 2001 and 2002.

RESULTSSemen quality was reduced among underweight (BMI < 18.5) compared with normal (BMI 18.5-24.9) and overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9), but the associations were independent of reproductive hormones. After adjustment for the potential confounders, underweight men had reductions in sperm concentration (22.4 X 10(6)/mL), total sperm count (52.9 X 10(6)) and percentage of normal sperm forms (6.9%) compared with men with normal BMI. Being underweight may be a risk factor for low sperm concentration (OR: 4.68, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.01-10.91). Otherwise, being overweight may be a protected factor for low sperm concentration (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08-0.83) and low total sperm count (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15-0.87).

CONCLUSIONLow BMI was associated with reduced semen quality. The associations between BMI and semen quality were found statistically significant even after adjustment for reproductive hormones. Reproductive hormones cannot explain the association between BMI and semen quality.

Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; physiology ; China ; Estradiol ; blood ; Fertility ; physiology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVEN-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P450 2EI (CYP2E1) play a crucial role in the drug metabolic process. The aim of this study was to understand the genotype and phenotype polymorphisms of NAT2 and CYP2E1 in the Han Chinese pediatric population in order to provide a theoretical basis for individualized drug treatment.

METHODSA total of 341 (211 males and 130 females) randomly sampled Han Chinese children, aged from 2 months to 14 years, were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was carried out by PCR method, and metabolic phenotypes were identified.

RESULTSIn this study population, wild genotype was found as a major genotype in seven SNPs of NAT2, rs1801279, rs1041983, rs1801280, rs1799929, rs1799930, rs1208 and rs1799931. The frequency of NAT2 fast metabolism was highest (61.3%), followed by middle to slow metabolism (34.1%). Wild genotype also predominated in the four SNPs of CYP2E1 (rs2031920, rs3813867, rs6413432 and rs72559720) named as CYP2E1*5, *6 and *2, with a frequency of 61.3%, 60.1% and 99.4% respectively. As the relationship between CYP2E1 genotype and phenotype was unknown, phenotyping of CYP2E1 was not done.

CONCLUSIONSThe important SNPs of NAT2 and CYP2E1 are predominantly wild genotype in the Han Chinese pediatric population. Fast metabolic phenotype predominates in important SNPs of NAT2.

Adolescent ; Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the nerve fibers in the bone tissue and the entry points of these fibers into the bone.

METHODSThe adult tibia was used for the ground sections which were afterwards made into the slice sections by decalcification in ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The ground sections were stained in silver and the slice sections were stained in silver and haematoxylin and eosin (HE) respectively. Then, the samples of the transmission electron microscope and the atomic force microscope were made and observed.

RESULTSIn the human long bone tissue, many nerve fibers were distributed in the membrane, cortical bone, cancellous bone and marrow. The nerve fibers entered the bone from the nutrient foramen, and passed through the nutrient canal, Haversian's canal and Volkmann's canal, and finally into the bone marrow. In the nutrient canal, the nerve fibers, mainly the medullary nerve fibers, followed the blood vessel into the bone. In the cortical bone, the nerve fibers also followed the blood vessels and were mainly distributed along Haversian's canal and Volkmann's canal. In the bone trabecular and bone marrow, there were many nerve fiber endings arranged around the blood vessels, mainly around the tunica media of medium-size arteries in the marrow and around capillary blood vessels, and a few scattered in the bone marrow. There were sporadic nerve endings in epiphyseal plate and no nerve fibers permeated epiphysis to diaphysis. No distribution of nerve fibers could be found in cartilaginous part.

CONCLUSIONSThere are many nerve fibers in bone and the nerve passageway is nutrient foramen, Volkman's canal, Haversian's canal and bone marrow.

Adult ; Humans ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nerve Fibers ; ultrastructure ; Staining and Labeling ; Tibia ; anatomy & histology ; innervation ; ultrastructure

[Objective]To evaluate the effects of anthocyanin cyanidin-3-o-β-glucoside(Cy-3-g)on monocyte migra-tion mediated by platelet derived factors in vitro.[Methods]Thrombin-activated human gel-filtered platelets were incubated with different concentrations(0,0.5,5 or 50 μmol/L)of Cy-3-g.The level of TGF-β1,β-TG,CCL5 in platelet superna-tant was determined by ELISA.The peripheral venous blood from healthy volunteers were incubated with different concentra-tions of Cy-3-g. The expression of CCR5 on leukocytes was detected by flow cytometer. Calcein AM labeled THP-1 cells were incubated with the releasates of Cy-3-g-treated gel-filtered platelets for 120 min,and then the number of the THP-1 cells were counted by a microscope.Moreover,THP-1 cells were pre-incubated with different concentrations of Cy-3-g with or without CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc(200 μmol/L)for 60 min,then treated with recombinant CCL5(100 nmol/L)for 120 min.The number of the THP-1 cells were counted as well.[Results]Cy-3-g significantly inhibited platelet TGF-β1,β-TG,CCL5 secretion and decreased CCR5 expression of leukocytes compared with the control(P<0.05).Moreover,the sig-nificant inhibitory effects of Cy-3-g on THP-1 cell migration toward the releasates of Cy-3-g-treated platelets were also ob-served(P<0.05). In addition,THP-1 cell migration toward recombinant CCL5 was significantly suppressed by Cy-3-g.[Conclusions]Anthocyanin Cy-3-g inhibited inflammation of atherosclerosis by platelet TGF-β1,β-TG,CCL5 secretion and CCL5-mediated monocyte migration.Our results provided new ideas for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of fluoride on trabecular bone of the tibia and lumbar in BALB/c mice.Methods Totally 64 four-week-old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups by weight,16 per group:control group (treated with distilled water) and 3 sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure groups (treated with NaF at 25,50 and 100 mg/L F-),respectively.At 12 weeks,mice were killed and blood,two hind limbs and lumbar were collected.Bone fluoride content and incidence rates of dental fluorosis were determined.Serum content of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were detected by micro enzyme labeled method.The ultrastructure of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in lumbar were observed via transmission electron microscope.The pathological changes of the trabecular bone of the tibia and the lumbar were observed under optical microscope,the percentage of trabecular area (％Tb.Ar) was measured with Image-Pro Plus (IPP) software.Results Bone fluoride contents of low,middle and high fluoride groups [(1 828.62 ± 102.93),(3 308.27 ± 185.63),(4 933.36 ± 301.16) mg/kg] were higher than that of the control group [(775.23 ± 92.56) mg/kg,all P ＜ 0.05].The incidences of dental fluorosis in the 4 groups were 0(0/16),47％(7/15),93％(14/15) and 100％(16/16),respectively;the difference was statistically significant (x2 =27.23,P ＜ 0.05).In middle and high fluoride groups,serum AKP [(18.30 ± 1.99),(24.50 ± 3.14) king unit/100 ml] and ACP [(11.97 ± 1.73),(11.31 ± 1.46) king unit/100 ml] were significantly higher than those of control [(14.63 ± 1.21),(9.07 ± 1.47) king unit/100 ml,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05].Under the electron microscope,osteoblast had developed organelles in each fluoride group,rough endoplasmic reticulum,Golgi body,and mitochondria were abundant,and nucleolus was obvious in the osteoblast.Osteoclast was rich in mitochondria,ruffled border clear and distributed phagocytic vacuoles in low fluoride group and middle fluoride group.Compared with the control group (17.03 ± 3.73),HE staining of tibia ％Tb.Ar in high fluoride group (28.79 ± 8.26) was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).The lumbar spine ％Tb.Ar in low,middle and high fluoride groups (15.87 ± 2.59,18.28 ± 0.89,21.99 ± 1.81) were higher than that of the control group (12.06 ± 1.76,all P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions BALB/c mice could be used as a model of skeletal fluorosis.Osteoblast and osteoclast are activated in BALB/c mice with skeletal fluorosis.Bone formation is more obvious than bone resorption and bone mass is increased.What is more,bone mass has increased more significantly in the lumbar spine of mice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tacrolimus (FK506) on behavioral function and heat-shock proteins (HSP70) expression in nervous tissues of acrylamide (ACR)-induced rats.

METHODSTotally 40 health Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, low and high doses of FK506 groups. All four groups were treated five times per week for four weeks. Gait score was measured every week. And rats were sacrificed on day 28, the cerebrum, spinal cord and sciatic nerve were dissected, and homogenized in ice bath, then the levels of HSP70 and Bcl-2, Bax were analyzed by western bloting.

RESULTSCompared with the ACR model group, the gait score in low and high doses of FK506 groups decreased by 30.1% and 47.7% respectively in the 4th week. In the cerebrum and sciatic nerve pellet, the level of HSP70 in the FK506 groups increased by 11.6%, 33.3% and 56.3%, 58.5% (P < 0.01), but no significant changes existed in spinal cord. The level of Bcl-2 in the sciatic nerve pellet increased by 39.1% (P < 0.01) but no significant changes existed in the cerebrum and spinal cord from low dose of FK506 group. And the level of Bax in the spinal cord pellet markedly increased by 46.8% but not in cerebrum and sciatic nerve pellet; Whereas in the tissues mentioned above, the levels of Bcl-2 were enhanced remarkably by 16.3%, 14.8% and 56.0% (P < 0.01) in the high dose of FK506 group. And the level of Bax in the cerebrum and spinal cord pellet markedly increased by 16.4% and 40.2% but not in sciatic nerve. The values of Bcl-2/Bax in low and high doses of FK506 groups clearly increased by 15.9%, 33.3%, 36.9% and 30.1%, 49.1%, 60.1% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe administration of FK506 has dramatically neuroprotective effects against the development of ACR neuropathy, which may be related to up-regulating the expression of HSP70 and Bcl-2 with down-regulating the expression of Bax.

Acrylamide ; poisoning ; Animals ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tacrolimus ; therapeutic use ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of metoclopramide on capsule endoscopy (CE) examination.

METHODSTotal 116 patients referred for CE were randomized into two groups with 58 patients in each group. In treatment group patients received 10 mg metoclopramide intramuscular injection after swallowing the capsule and in control group no metoclopramide was administered. The gastric transit time, small bowel transit time, complete endoscopy rate were observed in both groups.

RESULTSThe CE examination was completed in 51 patients of treatment group (87.9%) and 48 of control group (84.2%). Mean gastric transit time was (32.45 ± 29.63) min in treatment group and (45.81 ± 40.01)min in control group, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Mean small bowel transit time was (252.69 ± 113.29) min in treatment group and (258.75 ± 83.83) min in control group, there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMetoclopramide may reduces gastric transit time, but not effect small bowel transit time,which suggests that it might increase the likelihood of complete small-bowel examination in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy.

Adult ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Metoclopramide ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged