Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antitubercular Agents ; administration & dosage ; Bronchitis ; therapy ; Bronchoscopy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Streptomycin ; administration & dosage ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; therapy

Objective To investigate the association between aortic calcification and risk of vertebral fracture in Chinese postmenopausal women.Methods This study recruited 561 postmenopausal women aged 60 or older who were prospectively followed for 3 years.Based on the ACS,the patients were divided into aortic calcification group (n =236) and non-aortic calcification group (n =325).Extent of aortic calcification and incidence of vertebral fracture were quantified on the baseline lateral radiographs of lumbar spine.Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was utilized to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD).Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between aortic calcification and risk of vertebral fracture.Results In aortic calcification group incidence of vertebral fracture was significantly higher than that in non-aortic calcification group (P ＜ 0.01).Moreover vertebral fracture presented an increased incidence while the ACS was higher.After the adjustment of age,body mass index,BMD,current smoking,current drinking,hypertension,diabetes,total cholesterol,myocardial infarction,stroke and 25-hydroxy vitamin D,aortic calcification with ACS ＞ 6(HR =3.03,95％CI 1.42-6.24),BMD (HR =2.82,95％ CI 1.75-5.68),age (HR =1.96,95％ CI 1.38-4.52),history of two or more falls (HR =1.45,95％ CI 1.24-2.79) and adiponectin (HR =1.07,95％ CI 1.22-2.31) were associated with increased risk of vertebral fracture.Conclusion Severe aortic calcification is closely associated with vertebral fracture for postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of low-dose exogenous estrogen nonylphenol (NP) on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and the expression of the membrane estrogen receptor GPR30 in the DU-145 cells.

METHODSWe exposed DU-145 cells to different concentrations of NP for 24 hours, followed by measurement of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the cells by cell proliferation assay and determination of the concentration of exposure to low-dose NP. We also observed the expressions of 3 estrogen receptors (ER), including ER-alpha, ER-beta and membrane estrogen receptor GPR30, in the DU-145 cells exposed to low-dose NP by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCell proliferation assay showed that within a certain range of doses, NP inhibited the proliferation of the DU-145 cells with an IC50 of 46 micromol/L, a much lower dose of NP than IC50, 0.01, 0.1.1 micromol/l NP, that can promote the proliferation of DU-145 cells. The results of RT-PCR indicated that the expressions of the three ERs in the DU-145 cells were similar to those in prostate epithelial cells, and that low-dose NP promoted the expression of GPR30.

CONCLUSIONMembrane estrogen receptor GPR30 may play a role in low-dose NP promoting the proliferation of DU-145 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Male ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Diagnosis, Differential ; Ependymoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Hemangioblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Meningioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Danggui Yinzi (DY) on delayed allergy in model mice with qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS).

METHODSQBDS model was established in 48 Kuming mice of SPF grade by using reserpine and acetophenone hydrazine. Forty of them were then randomly divided into the model group, the loratadine group, the high dose DY group, the middle dose DY group, and the low dose DY group, 8 in each group. Another 8 in line with the same standard were recruited as a blank group. Mice in high, middle, and low dose DY groups were administered with DY concentrated solution at 60, 30, 15 g/kg by gastrogavage. Mice in the loratadine group were administered with loratadine solution at 1.66 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in the model group and the blank group by gastrogavage. All medication was given once per day for 1 successive week. Except those in the blank group, the rest mice were evenly smeared with 1% DNCB solution on the abdomen. Five days after skin allergy, 1% DNCB solution was smeared to right ear of all mice to stimulate allergic reaction. Mice in the blank group were smeared in the same way without allergenic reaction. The auricle swelling and the inhibition ratio were determined at 24 h after attack. Blood was collected from orbit and serum IgE level detected using double-antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, auricle swelling obviously increased and serum IgE level was obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, auricle swelling obviously decreased and serum IgE level was obviously reduced in the 3 dose DY groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the auricle swelling degree was superior in high and middle dose DY groups to that in the loratadine group (P < 0.05). The inhibition ratio of auricle swelling was sequenced from high to low as 67.3% in the high dose DY group, 56.0% in the middle dose DY group, 48.1% in the low dose DY group, 47.3% in the loratadine group.

CONCLUSIONSDY could inhibit auricle swelling and lower serum IgE level. It also could inhibit delayed allergic reaction in model mice with QBDS to some extent.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; drug therapy ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Loratadine ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Qi ; Random Allocation

Objective To investigate the expression of miRNA associated with hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma ja-ponicum soluble egg antigen stimulation in mouse hepatocytes(AML12),so as to lay the foundation for clarifying the mecha-nism of schistosome infection leading to hepatic fibrosis. Methods The expressions of miR-122,miR-182,miR-23b,miR-27b and KSRP in AML12 cells treated with SEA were measured by q-PCR. KSRP protein in cell lyses was measured by Western blotting. AML12 cells were transfected with miR-27b precursor or anti-miR-27b for 24 h,then q-PCR was adopted to determine KSRP mRNA,and KSRP protein was detected by Western blotting. Results The expressions of miR-182,miR-23b and miR-27b were decreased and miR-122 was increased in AML12 cells following SEA treatment(all P<0.05). An increase of mRNA and protein of KSRP expression was also observed in AML12 cells after SEA stimulation(both P<0.05). In addition,KSRP mRNA expression was not changed significantly in AML12 cells transfected with anti-miR-27b or miR-27b precursor,and miR-27b precursor reduced KSRP protein expression as compared with the control. In contrast,the expression of KSRP protein was increased in the anti-miR-27b group and decreased in the miR-27b precursor group. Conclusions After the stimulation of SEA,the expressions of a variety of liver fibrosis-related miRNAs and KSRP change in murine hepatocytes,including miR-27b. And miR-27b can regulate the expression of KSRP. These findings might lay a foundation for further study on the molecular mechanism of fibrosis induced by schistosome infection.

Objective To investigate the difference of short-term clinical efficacy between decompressive laminectomy into In-Space and simple decompressive laminectomy for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with vertebral instability.Methods Thirty-three patients with lumbar spinal stenosis with vertebral instability admired from May 2009 to July 2010,were divided into two groups by random number table.Group A of 16 cases was treated with laminectomy decompression and placement In-Space,group B of 17 cases was treated with laminectomy decompression.Lumbar anteroposterior,lateral and flexion-extension X-ray films,preoperatively,and the follow-up were used to measure anterior and posterior disc height,foraminal height,segmental lordotic angle at surgical level.Using Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results All patients were followed up for (13.20 ± 2.91 ) months (range 6 to 21 months).The anterior disc height after operation of group A was slightly decreased compared with the preoperative(P＞ 0.05 ),the posterior disc height at 1 day after operation and foraminal height after operation of group A were significantly increased compared with the preoperative (P＜ 0.05).The anterior and posterior disc height,foraminal height of group B at 1 day,1 month,3 months after operation were no significantly different compared with the preoperative (P ＞ 0.05 ),at 6 months after operation and the end of follow-up were significantly decreased compared with the preoperative or 1 day after operation (P ＜ 0.05 ).Activity of lumbar vertebra by preoperative 9.86° ± 1.90° decreased to the end of followup 5.60° ± 2.02°in group A,while activity of lumbar vertebra by preoperative 9.89° ± 2.00°increased to the end of follow-up 10.76° ± 3.14° in group B.At the end of follow-up,lumbar back pain VAS,ODI score [ (2.02 ± 1.98 ),( 20.18 ± 18.80) scores ] of group A were significantly lower than those of group B [ (4.15 ±2.36),(30.39 ± 16.62 ) scores ],the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05 ).No patient suffered In-Space loosening,fracture and emerge.Conclusion The operation of In-Space can maintain spinal mobility and stability as well as avoiding lumbar vertebral instability,and its short-term efficacy is satisfactory.

Objective To develop a clinically applicable approach to enhance repair of cartilage defects by constructing an in vivo non-viral gene transfer system targeting chondrocytes. Methods High molecular weight chitosan (HMWC) was degraded to produce low molecular weight chitosan (LM-WC) that was combined with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plasmid to form stable nano-sizc complexes. After being tested in vitro firstly, these nano-size complexes were injected into the knee joint of New Zealand white rabbit models with full-thickness cartilage defects to detect their feasibility of delive-ring the growth factor gent in vivo. Results The results showed that LMWC/DNA nano-sizc comple-xes could deliver the gone into the cultured chondroeytes and cartilage tissue efficiently in vitro. When used in vivo, LMWC/TGF-β1 gene nano-size complexes could enhance the transfection efficiency and prolong the expression of TGF-β1 gone. In the animal models of articular osteechondral defect of rabbits, better healing and gentler degeneration could be observed in comparison with the control. Conclusion In vivo transfection of LMWC/TGF-β1 nano-size complexe is a safe and effective method to early promote the repair of osteochondral defects.

Objective To investigate the awaken effect of naloxon on dexmedetomidine anesthetized mice and its mechanism. Methods Thirty Kunming mice of clean grade were randomly divided into 3 groups which included NAL group (Naloxon group), ATI group(Atipamezole group)and NS group (Normal Saline group). All groups were given dexme?detomidine 1 mg·kg-1 intraperitoneally. Naloxon 2 mg·kg-1, atipamezole 2 mg·kg-1 and normal saline 10 mL·kg-1 were ran?domly given intraperitoneally to the NAL, ATI and NS group respectively 90 minutes after dexmedetomidine administration. At timepoints prior to dexmedetomidine administration and 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 95, 105, 120, 180 minutes after it, the sedative and analgesic effects besides recovery time (based on restore of righting reflex loss) were assessed. Results Sedation and analgesia effects became apparent within 5 minutes, and peaked at approximately 60 minutes then spontaneously recovered at 180 minutes after injection of dexmedetomidine. The sedative and analgesic effects were reduced in both ATI and NAL groups. Compared with ATI group, the sedation scores were higher at 95, 105 and 120 minutes after dexmedetomidine admin?istration than those in NAL group (P<0.05) but the scores were not statistically significant at 180 minutes between these two groups. Compared with NS group, the sedation scores were lower at time points of 95, 105, 120 and 180 minutes than those in NAL group (P>0.05). The analgesic scores were not statistically significant at time points of 95, 105, 120 and 180 min?utes between NAL group and ATI group, but they were lower in NAL group compared with NS group at timepoints of 95, 105 and 120 minutes (P>0.05). The recovery time in ATI and NAL group were shorter than that in NS group (F=1 793.368, P<0.05), but it showed no statistical difference between ATI group and NAL group (P>0.05). Conclusion Naloxone had a certain awaken effect on dexmedetomidine anesthetized mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of miR-146a in hippocampal inflammatory responses in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in mice.Methods:One hundred and sixty clean-grade male C57BL/6 mice, aged 12-16 weeks, weighing 22-28 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), group POCD, miR-146a agomir group (group Ag), miR-146a antagomir group (group At) and negative control group (group NC). The mice were subjected to an intramedullary fixation for tibial fracture under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia to establish POCD model.At 2 days before operation, miR-146a agomir 0.5 nmol (0.1 nmol/μl) was injected into bilateral hippocampi in group Ag, miR-146a antagomir 2.5 nmol (0.5 nmol/μl) was injected in group At, miR-146a negative control solution 2.5 nmol (0.5 nmol/μl) was given in group NC, and the animals in group C did not receive any treatment.At 1 day before operation and at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation, open-field test was performed to evaluate spontaneous motor activity, and contextual fear conditioning test was performed to evaluate cognitive ability 15 min later.At 1 and 3 days after operation, the animals were sacrificed and hippocampi was removed for determination of expression of CD11b (a marker for activation of microglia) in hippocampal CA1 region by immunofluorescence staining.At 6, 12 and 24 h after operation, the expression of miR-146a was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the expression of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was determined by Western blot and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 contents were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:There was no significant difference in the total exploring distance in the open-field test or percentage of freezing time in tone-fear conditioning test at each time point among the five groups( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was significantly decreased at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation, the expression of CD11b at 1 and 3 days after surgery and expression of miR-146a, IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α were up-regulated and the contents of IL-1 β and IL-6 were increased at 6, 12 and 24 h after operation in group POCD ( P<0.05). Compared with group NC, the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was significantly increased at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation, and the expression of CD11b was down-regulated at 1 and 3 days after surgery, and the expression of miR-146a, IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α was up-regulated and IL-1β and IL-6 contents were decreased at 6, 12 and 24 h after operation in group Ag, and the percentage of freezing time in the contextual fear conditioning test was decreased at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation, the expression of CD11b at 1 and 3 days after surgery was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a was down-regulated and IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65 expression was up-regulated at 6, 12 and 24 h after operation, TNF-α expression was up-regulated and IL-1β and IL-6 contents were increased at 12 and 24 h after operation in group At ( P<0.05). Conclusion:miR-146a is involved in the process of hippocampal inflammatory responses, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of IRAK1-TRAF6-NF-κB signaling pathway in mice.