0.05), but the lesion detection sensitivity of SSD and Raysum display were lower than that of UGI(? 2=4.17,7.11, and 5.14,4.17, P0.05). Excess fluid remained in the stomach and patient respiratory movement during breath holds were the reasons causing severe artifacts (6.1%) that influenced the diagnostic evaluation. Conclusion The performance of CTVG was equivalent to UGI in the detection of advanced gastric carcinoma and superior to UGI in the Borrmann′s classification. CTVG has potential in the detection of early gastric carcinoma. The value of SSD and Raysum display was limited in the evaluation of gastric carcinoma when used alone clinically.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on insulin resistance induced by free fatty acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the possible molecular mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 0.5 mmol/L palmitic acid to induce insulin resistance.Berberine was used for treatment and aspirin for positive control.Glucose oxidase method was employed for measuring the glucose consumption in the medium and 2-deoxy- [~3H]-D-glucose method was used for the determination of glucose uptake.Western blot was used for the determination of IKB kinase(IKK)?SerlS1 phosphorylation,insulin receptor substrance-1(IRS-1)Ser307 phosphorylation,the protein expression of IKK?,IRS-1,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI-3K)p85 and glucose transporter 4(Glut4).Results After the treatment with 0. 5 mmol/L of palmitic acid for 24 h,glucose consumption by 3T3-L1 adipocytes was decreased by 41%,insulin-stimulated glucose transport was inhibited by 67%,IRS-1 and PI-3K p85 proteins were reduced, and phosphorylations of IKK?Ser181 and IRS-1 Ser307 were induced.The above results were reversed by adding berberine or aspirin.But Glut4 and IKK?protein abundance was not changed during this study.Conclusion Berberine significantly improves insulin resistance induced by free fatty acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via inhibiting IKK?serine phosphorylation.

Objective To study the effects of recombinant ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF) on expression of growth related proteins in related neurons after sciatic nerve repair in rats. Methods After a segment of the sciatic nerve of the rat was removed, the distal and proximal ends were sutured into a recombinant CNTF-containing silicone tube. Growth associated protein 43 ( GAP-43 ) and somatostatin (SOM) in the L4 spinal cord, L4 or L5 spinal ganglia were examined and measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization using computerized image processing system. Results An increase in the GAP-43 immunoreactivity in the large, medium neurons of spinal anterolateral nucleus was more significant in the CNTF-treated group compared with those in the 0.9% saline (SAL) -treated group, while a decrease in SOM mRNA hybridization signals in those neurons were more significant in the CNTF-treated group. There were no significant differences in the aforementioned immunoreactivity and hybridization signals of spinal ganglia between the CNTF-treated group and the SAL-treated group. Conclusion The results suggest that recombinant CNTF administration up-regulate GAP-43 expression and down-regulate SOM mRNA expression in the related motor neurons, but not sensory neurons, after reconnection of transected sciatic nerve.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the relationship between HBV core promoter mutation and clinical features as well as its effects on serum e system and viral replication.

METHODSSemi-nested mutation specific PCR (msPCR) was employed for detecting core promoter mutation at nt 1 762-1 764 in 97 patients with HBV infection.

RESULTSThe msPCR method was demonstrated to be specific and reliable for the mutation detection by sequencing the PCR products. The detection ratio of the mutation in patients with acute hepatitis, mild, moderate and severe chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was 2/5, 7/43, 10/31, 1/3 and 7/15, respectively. The detection rate of the mutation in liver cirrhosis was significantly higher than that in light chronic hepatitis (P < 0.025). In 92 patients with chronic HBV infection, HBeAg positive rate in wild (25/92), mutant (42/92) and mixed (25/92) strain infection was 80.0%, 56.0% and 64.3%, HBV DNA level was (4.4 +/- 8.5) x 10(8), (1.1 +/- 1.6) x 10(9) and (1.4 +/- 1.8) x 10(9) copies/ml, the rate of abnormal ALT was 44.0%, 52.0% and 42.6%; ALT level was (58.6 +/- 79.0), (57.1 +/- 75.2) and (62.6 +/- 90.3) IU/L, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe msPCR method for detecting core promoter mutation at nt 1 762-1 764 is specific and reliable. Core promoter mutation is associated with the severity of liver disease, but neither related to the status of e system in serum nor to the virus replication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; pathology ; virology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Virus Replication ; Young Adult

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex chronic progressive disease attacked by biological and mechanical factors and a result from the anabolic and catabolic imbalance in chondrocyte, subchondral bone and extracellular matrix(ECM). Etiology and pathological of OA are not yet entirely clear. The degradation and destruction of collagen II caused by matrix metalloproteinase -13 (MMP-13) is considered the core factor in the occurrence and development of OA. The research of MMP-13 inhibitor provide ideas and methods for the treatment of OA. In this article,the role and determination of MMP-13 in OA and the development prospect of MMP-13 inhibitor in the treatment of OA research progress were reviewed.
Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; analysis ; physiology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; etiology

Objective To examine the clinical manifestations and pulmonary radiological features in patients with triphosgene poisoning.Methods Clinical manifestations,laboratory tests and CT scans were analyzed retrospectively in 17 patients with triphosgene poisoning.We focused on the severity,development and repair of pulmonary impairment.Results Plain film and CT scans in five mild cases demonstrated bilateral scattered pulmonary patchy shadows.Of 12 cases with moderate to severe diseases,three showed bilateral multiple pulmonary patchy shadows and nodules with confluence of part of the lesions on plain film and CT scans;bilateral lungs were involved in nine cases with imaging findings of bilateral disseminated pulmonary round or ovary nodules with different size,ill-defined and partly-confluent patchy shadows and thickening of both interlobular septum and the wall of bronchus.Of clinical interests,imaging findings were closely correlated with clinical course and laboratory results.Conclusion Radiological examinations with plain films and CT scans could reveal the severity,evolvement of pulmonary edema in patients with triphosgene poisoning,and these are of clinical benefit in the early management and prognostic evaluation of patients with triphosgene poisoning.

Objective To learn the awareness and influencing factors of mental health knowledge in Yinzhou District. Methods The multi-stage cluster sampling was used to investigate 1239 residents by using the questionnaire of the residents' mental health awareness. Results The total awareness rate was 61.3％, and the awareness rate that was relatively low was mainly concentrated on "World Suicide Prevention Day" (29.9％),"mental illness was a problem in mind" (32.1％),"mental illness was due to the stimulation" (44.0％) . Multiple linear regression analysis found that the residents who were older (β=0.039, P<0.05), lived in city (β=2.073, P<0.05), worked as administrators, technicians, and waiters compared with self-employed, retired and unemployed (β: -2.350 - -1.591, P <0.05) scored higher. Conclusion The residents' awareness of mental health knowledge is low. The urban residents, self-employed, workers, farmers, are the key populations to be educated with mental health system.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether acute dipterex poisoning (ADP) may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage in the bodies of acute dipterex poisoning patients (ADPPs), and to explore the mechanisms by which ADP may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage.

METHODSFifty ADPPs and fifty healthy adult volunteers (HAVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched with the ADPPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as concentration of lipoperoxide (LPO), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods.

RESULTSCompared with the average values of experimental parameters in the HAVs group, the average values of plasma NO and erythrocyte LPO in the ADPPs group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in the ADPPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Bivariate correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis suggested that when NO and LPO values were increased, and VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX values were decreased in the ADPPs, AChE value was decreased gradually in the ADPPs (P<0.001-0.0001). Reliability analysis of experimental parameters reflecting oxidative stress and free radical damage in the ADPPs showed that the reliability coefficient (8 items) alpha=0.6909, and the standardized item alpha=0.8574.

CONCLUSIONThe findings in the present study suggest that ADP can cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, and inhibit markedly erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in ADPPs.

Acetylcholinesterase ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Catalase ; blood ; China ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; poisoning ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Lipid Peroxides ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Poisoning ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Trichlorfon ; poisoning ; Vitamin E ; blood ; beta Carotene ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic etiology of an autosomal dominant dentinogenesis imperfecta in a Chinese family.

METHODSThe molecular change of the disease in the family was analyzed through the clinical examination, linkage analysis, mutational screening of the DSPP gene and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSThe disease related gene was completely linked with microsatellite marker D4S1534. We found a novel mutation in the first exon of the DSPP gene (c.49C>T, p.Pro17Ser). All patients in the family had the mutation, while this mutation was not observed in the normal individuals of this family and 100 unrelated controls.

CONCLUSIONThe p.Pro17Ser identified in the family was a new pathogenic mutation. Our finding provided further understanding of the molecular mechanism of dentinogenesis imperfecta.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Dentinogenesis Imperfecta ; genetics ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phosphoproteins ; Sialoglycoproteins ; Young Adult

UNLABELLEDTo investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and semen quality.

METHODSFrom 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20-45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine whether UU had a significant effect on semen quality after adjustment for confounding factors.

RESULTSFindings suggested that UU infection was associated with higher semen viscosity and lower semen pH value. Sperm concentration was lower in UU positive subjects than that in UU negative subjects (54.04 X 10(6)/mL vs.70.58 X 10(6)/mL). However, UU did not significantly affect other semen quality indexes.

CONCLUSIONUU infection of the male genital tract could negatively influence semen quality.

Adult ; Clothing ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; Ureaplasma Infections ; physiopathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum