Adenoma ; pathology ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ear Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endolymphatic Sac ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Vimentin ; metabolism

To evaluate the automated segmentation algorithm for detection of intra - retinal layers to process images obtained from ultra- high resolution optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Graph theory and the shortest path search based on dynamic programming were applied to automatically segment the 8 intra - retinal layers. We experimentally verified the accuracy and reliability of the algorithm. The results showed that the intra-retinal layer boundaries between automated and manual segmentations matched well. The algorithm successfully segmented the intra- retinal layers in glaucoma, high myopia, and retinitis pigmentosa patients. The proposed automatic segmentation for intra-retinal layers provides a promising tool for quantitative analysis in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nervous System Neoplasms ; pathology ; Neuroglia ; pathology ; Neurons ; pathology

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on type 2 diabetic mice model and to provide mechanistic insights into its therapeutic effect. Type 2 diabetic animal model was established with high calorie fat diet and low dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Mice were then randomized into 5 groups: model control, FGF21 0.25 and 0.05 μmol x kg(-1) x d(-1) groups, insulin treatment group. Ten age-matched normal KM mouse administered with saline were used as normal controls. Serum glucose, insulin, lipid products and the change of serum and liver tissue inflammation factor levels between five groups of mouse were determined. The results showed that blood glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides, and inflammatory factor average FGF-21 of type 2 diabetes model group and normal control group were significantly higher (P < 0.01), while compared with insulin group, no difference was significant. Average blood glucose, insulin, blood lipid and inflammatory factor of FGF-21 treatment group compared with type 2 diabetes group was significantly lower (P < 0.01) and insulin group has no difference with the model control group. The results of OGTT and HOMA-IR showed that insulin resistance state was significantly relieved in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, this study demonstrates that FGF-21 significantly remits type 2 diabetic mice model's insulin resistance state and participates in the regulation of inflammatory factor levels and type 2 diabetes metabolic disorders.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice ; Streptozocin ; Triglycerides ; blood

To develop an analytic method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamides A, B in 42 samples of two official species of Asari Radix et Rhizoma( ARR) (37 samples of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with different collection time and 5 samples of Asarum sieboldiivar. seoulense). The HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS methods for the qualitative and UPLC-PDA methods for the quantitative analysis were established. Dodecatetraenamides A, B were identified by comparing the retention time, UV absorption spectrum and quasi-molecular ion peak [ M + H]+ with the reference compound using HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS. The content of dodecatetraenamides A and B in ARR were determined by UPLC-PDA. The separation was successfully carried out on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) column eluted with mobile phases of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) in gradient program (0-3 min, 35% B; 3-5 min, 35%-36% B; 5-6 min, 36%-43% B; 6 min-11 min 43% B; 11-12 min, 43%-100% B). The column temperature was 45 °C, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The flow rate was 0.6 mL · min(-1). On one level mass spectrometry scanning, the results showed that the quasi-molecular ion [M + H] + of both dodecatetraenamides A and B were m/z 248.20. The quantitative method with UPLC-PDA has made the baseline separation of the constituents, which were reported as mixtures in the most literatures. The average recovery of dodecatetraenamides A and B were 97.90% and 99.86%, the relative standard deviation were 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively. The contents of dodecatetraenamides A, B in all ARR samples was in the range of 0.11-3.89 and 0.24-6.65 mg · g(-1). Their contents reduced with the extension of storage time. Compared with the samples of 2013, the average content of the two constituents in the samples collected in year 2002-2003 reduced 34% and 36%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared the A. sieboldii var. seoulense and A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with the same collective time and production area, the average contents of the two constituents in latter were up to (1.59 ± 0.75) mg · g(-1) and (2.90 ± 1.17) mg · g(-1), respectively, significantly higher than that in A. sieboldii var. seoulense (dodecatetraenamide A were (0.78 ± 0.52) mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B were (1.69 ± 0.83) mg · g(-1)) (P < 0.05). The content of the dodecatetraenamide A in overground part was in the range of 0.11-0.33 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 0. 24-0.60 mg · g(-1), which were much lower than that of the underground part of ARR (dodecatetraenamide A was in the range of 0.73-3.89 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 2.11-6.24 mg · g(-1)). The method was certified to be simple, accurate and reliable and could be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamide A and B in different species of ARR, also can be used for the comprehensive quality control of traditional Chinese medicine, Asari Radix et Rhizoma.
Amides ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Oral mucosal drug delivery has the advantages of rapid drug absorption, no first-pass effect and good patient compliance. However, factors such as low drug dissolution, saliva carrying the drug into the gastrointestinal tract and the existence of physiological barriers in the mucosa may affect the mucosal permeation and bioavailability of the drug. Nanotechnology applied to drug oral mucosa delivery can overcome the above disadvantages and obtain efficient absorption effect. This paper describes the physiological structure of oral mucosa and the factors affecting the absorption of drugs in oral mucosa, reviews the application of nanotechnology such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, polymer nanoparticles, polymer micelles and nanohybrid suspensions in oral mucosal drug delivery and the mechanism of promoting drug absorption, summarizes the main problems of current research, and gives an outlook on the application of nano oral mucosal drug delivery system. The main problems of current research are summarized, and the prospects for the application of nano oral mucosal drug delivery systems are discussed.

BACKGROUNDSkin lesions are common manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is still unknown what the definite pathogenesis of skin involvement was and whether DNA participated in it. Our study was designed to explore the pathogenetic role and nature of nuclear antigen (DNA) deposited in the skin lesions of patients with SLE.

METHODSThirty skin samples from patients with SLE and 2 normal skin samples were studied. Extracellular DNA was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence methods. The deposited immune complexes were extracted by cryoprecipitation, and DNA was then isolated with phenol and chloroform. DNA fragment sizes were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Finally, 8 different probes were used to analyze the origin of these DNA molecules using Dot hybridization.

RESULTSExtracellular DNA staining was found only in skin lesions, mainly those located in the basement membrane zone, vascular wall, and hair follicle wall. Normal skin and non-lesion SLE skin showed no fluorescence at locations outside the nuclei. There were no differences in the rate and intensity of extracellular DNA staining when comparing active phase to remission phase patients. No relationship was found between extracellular DNA and circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies. Deposited DNA fragments clustered into four bands of somewhat discrete sizes: 20 000 bp, 1300 bp, 800-900 bp, 100-200 bp. Small sized fragments (100-200 bp) were positively correlated with disease activity (P < 0.05, r = 0.407). Dot hybridization showed significant homology of the various extracellular DNA fragments examined with human genomic DNA, but not with DNA from the microorganisms and viruses we examined. There were also homologies between DNA samples from different individuals.

CONCLUSIONSDNA and its immune complexes may contribute to the pathogenesis of skin lesions in SLE. These DNA molecules range in size from 100 bp to 20 kb and may be endogenous in origin.

Antibodies, Antinuclear ; blood ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; analysis ; DNA ; analysis ; immunology ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; immunology ; Skin ; immunology ; Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) on DNA double-strand breaks in human lens epithelial cells (hLECs).

METHODSThe cultured human lens epithelial cells were exposed to 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cells exposed to 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, a DNA damage agent, at a final concentration of 0.1 micromol/L for 1 h were used as positive controls.After exposure, cells were fixed with 4 % paraformaldehyde and for H2AX (gamma H2AX) immunofluorescence measurement. gamma H2AX foci were detected at least 200 cells for each sample. Cells were classified as positive when more than three foci per cell were observed. Mean values of foci per cell and percentage of foci positive cells were adopted as indexes of DNA double-strand breaks.

RESULTThe mean value of foci per cell and the percentage of gamma H2AX foci positive cells in 50 Hz MF exposure group for 24 h were (2.93 +/-0.43) and (27.88 +/-2.59)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of sham-exposure group [(1.77 +/-0.37) and (19.38+/-2.70)%, P <0.05], and the mean value of foci per cell and the percentage of gamma H2AX foci positive cells in 50 Hz MF exposure group for 48 h were (3.14 +/-0.35) and (31.00 +/-3.44)%, which were significantly higher than those of sham-exposure group (P <0.01). However there was no significant difference between 50 Hz MF exposure groups for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h and sham-exposure group for above two indexes (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION0.4 mT 50 Hz MF exposure for longer duration might induce DNA double-strand breaks in human lens epithelial cells in vitro.

Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; radiation effects ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; radiation effects ; DNA Damage ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty.

METHODStudies on comparison between with and without tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty were identified from Medline, PubMed, EMASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, Highwire, CNKI, VIP, Articles Digital Periodicals.All the randomized controlled trials were included for meta-analysis with RevMan 4.2.2 software.

RESULTSNineteen studies involving 15 in foreign languages, 4 in Chinese were identified. There were 1159 cases of knee replacement patients. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there were statistical difference between two groups on intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.000), the number of deep venous thrombosis (P = 0.020), thigh pain (P = 0.000), knee hematoma (P = 0.030), wound infection (P = 0.040), skin ecchymosis area (P = 0.000), and the increasing rate of knee circumference of 3 days after the operation (P = 0.000), while there were no statistical differences with respect to the total blood loss (P = 0.100), the number of blood transfusions (P = 0.150), operation time (P = 0.120), length of hospital stay (P = 0.350), the number of pulmonary embolism (P = 0.310), and skin blisters (P = 0.170).

CONCLUSIONSThe tourniquet for total knee arthroplasty can reduce intraoperative blood loss, but can not reduce total blood loss and the number of blood transfusions transfusion, can not improve operative efficiency, can not shorten the hospitalization time and promote the knee joint functional recovery. Furthermore the tourniquet increases the probability of occurrence on deep vein thrombosis, wound infection, hematoma and ecchymosis knee, it also causes knee swelling and thigh pain. It suggests minimize to use tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Safety ; Tourniquets ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Platelet activation may play an important role in pathologic progress in lung cancer. In this study, we aimed to clarify the influence of activated platelets on lung cancer generation and growth, and the relationship among these functional and ultrastructural changes of platelets and the severity of pathogenetic condition in these patients with NSCLC.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six cases of patients with pathologically confirmed NSCLC were included in this study. Fifty-four healthy people were enrolled as controls. The change of ultra microstructure and activity of blood platelets were observed under the transmission and scanning electron microscope. Simultaneous determination of plasma granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140) was made.

RESULTSTransmission electron microscopy showed remarkable changes of ultra microstructure of platelets in patients with NSCLC, including swelling, increase of a-granules, vesicles, and glycogenosome. Scanning electron microscopy showed many more surface processes and wrinkles on platelets in patients with NSCLC. The reference plasma levels of GMP-140 of healthy controls were (18.2 +/- 2.7) microg/L. The plasma levels of GMP-140 in patients with NSCLC were (47.8 +/- 12.3) microg/L, which were much higher than those of the controls. There was a medium positive correlation between plasma levels of GMP-140 and amount of a-granules (r = 0.514, P < 0.01) and a high positive correlation between plasma levels of GMP-140 and area of platelet (r = 0.84, P < 0.01) in patients with NSCLC. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed significant shift to the left in patients with NSCLC whose a-granules per platelet were 19 or more compared to those 18 or less (Log rank statistic, chi(2) = 17.38, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere are significant activated changes of ultra microstructure and increased activity of blood platelets in patients with NSCLC. These activated platelets may play an important role in the generation and growth of lung cancer. These changes can be used as a diagnostic index of severity, progression, and prognosis of NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Platelets ; ultrastructure ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; drug therapy ; mortality ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Survival Analysis