Aluminum ; toxicity ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and coupling factor 6 (CF6) induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSCultured HUVEC of passage 3-5 were stimulated with TNF-alpha and then cultured in the presence of rosiglitazone. The expression of CF6 and NF-kappaB subunit p65 were evaluated by immunocytochemistical method.

RESULTSPretreatment of HUVECs with rosiglitazone inhibited TNF-alpha-induced expression of CF6 in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of CF6 stimulated by TNF-alpha was suppressed by ROS in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha-induced enhancement of the gene expression and release of CF6 is mediated by activation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway. ROS can inhibit the activation of IKK, block NF-kappaB signaling pathway and inhibit the expression of CF6, which may be the mechanism underlying the action of TZDs on hypertension.

Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling Factors ; biosynthesis ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the alterations of microtubule and microfilament expression are responsible for the neurotoxicity of carbon disulfide.

METHODSWistar rats were administered with carbon disulfide by gavage at a dosage of 300 or 500 mg/kg for continuous 12 weeks (five times per week). Spinal cords of carbon disulfide-intoxicated rats and their age-matched controls were Triton-extracted and ultracentrifuged to yield a pellet and a corresponding supernatant fraction. Then, the contents of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and beta-actin in both fractions were determined by immunoblotting. In the meantime, their mRNA levels in spinal cords were quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn the supernatant fraction, the contents of beta-tubulin and beta-actin in both treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) the content of beta-tubulin increased by 141% and 158% respectively, and the content of beta-actin increased by 19% and 32% respectively. In the pellet fraction, the content of beta-tubulin in both groups increased by 107%(P < 0.01) and 118%(P < 0.01) respectively, and the others keep unaffected. In the meantime, the levels of of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin and beta-actin gene were elevated consistently in CS(2)-treated groups (P < 0.01) the levels of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin increased by 207% and 212% respectively, and the levels of mRNA expression of beta-actin increased by 94% and 91% respectively.

CONCLUSIONCarbon disulfide intoxication results in alternations of microtubule and microfilament expression, and the alternations might be related to its neurotoxicity.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbon Disulfide ; poisoning ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the methods of surgical treatment and preservation of laryngeal function in senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODSA retrospective data review of 87 advanced laryngeal carcinoma patients aged over 65 years was carried out. Of these 87 patients treated by different modes of surgery, 48 had supraglottic cancer, 35 glottic cancer and 4 subglottic cancer. The surgery modes consisted of major partial laryngectomy in 36 patients, subtotal partial laryngectomy with laryngoplasty in 21 and total laryngectomy in 30. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy to a dose of 50-60 Gy. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival.

RESULTSThe overall 3- and 5-year survival rate was 73.2% and 67.4%, respectively. The ultimate rate of larynx preservation was 65.5%. Of 57 patients with partial laryngectomy, 46 were decannulated with a decannulation rate of 80.7%. Yet, in all patients, the nasal feeding tube was removed and food intake per os was resumed. All patients who underwent partial laryngectomy regained their phonation function.

CONCLUSIONIt is safe and effective to treat and preserve laryngeal function surgically in the senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma. The key points to achieve this are selection of proper patient, renovation of surgical procedure and improvement of surgical skill.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Larynx ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Period ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) on oxidation-antioxidation function of rat nerve tissues.

METHODSThirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the low-dosage exposure group and the high-dosage group, 10 rats each. The rats of the two exposure groups were administered with CS(2) by gavage at a dosage of 300 or 500 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), 5 times every week for continuous 12 weeks. The alterations in glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), hydrogen peroxidase (CAT) and total anti-oxidation (T-AOC) in cerebrum, spinal cord, and sciatic nerve of CS(2)-treated animals were assayed.

RESULTSThe results showed that the contents of MDA and ROS in nerve tissues of CS(2)-treated groups increased significantly except ROS in spinal cord and sciatic nerve of low dose group. The content of MDA was increased by 20.7% and 33.6% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group, by 18.5% and 23.3% respectively in the spinal cord, and by 20.7% and 53.0% respectively in the sciatic nerve, The content of MOS was increased by 20.1% and 34.9% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group, and by 14.1% and 15.4% respectively in the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve of the rats of the high-dosage group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Furthermore, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and T-AOC decreased significantly except GSH-Px and SOD in cerebrum of low dose group. The content of GSH was decreased by 17.2% and 26.5% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group, by 26.4% and 31.2% respectively in the spinal cord, and by 15.1% and 20.0% respectively in the sciatic nerve. The content of T-AOC was decreased by 11.1 and 26.4% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group, by 15.1% and 38.4% respectively in the spinal cord, and by 35.6% and 42.3% respectively in the sciatic nerve. The activity of SOD was decreased by 12.1% and 25.4% respectively in the spinal cord of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group and by 16.4% and 30.3% respectively in the sciatic nerve. The activity of GSH-Px was decreased by 17.3% and 32.5% respectively in the spinal cord of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group and by 17.1% and 21.5% respectively in the sciatic nerve. The activity of GSH-Px and SOD was decreased by 12.6% and 30.1% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the high-dosage group. The activity of CAT was decreased by 17.5% and 39.4% respectively in the cerebrum of the rats of the low-dosage group and the high-dosage group, by 25.2% and 31.3% respectively in the spinal cord, and by 17.1% and 36.9% respectively in the sciatic nerve (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSubchronic exposure to CS(2) can induce significant changes of oxidation-antioxidation function in rat nerve tissues, which might be related to CS(2)-induced neurotoxicity.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carbon Disulfide ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Nerve Tissue ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo use a new kind of fixing material, i.e. Sol-Gel organic-inorganic hybridized material to immobilize bacterium to detect Biochemical oxygen demand quickly.

METHODSThe biosensor was fabricated using a thin film in which Hansenula anomala was immobilized by sol-gel and an oxygen electrode. The optimum measurement for biochemical oxygen demand was at pH 7.0; 28 degrees C; response time 3 - 12 min. Pure organic compound, sewage and rate of recovery were detected with the biosensor.

RESULTSIt shows that the BOD biosensor can be used to detect many organic compounds such as amino acid, glucide. It is suitable to monitor sewage and industrial waste water which has low level alcohols and phenols. The microbial membrane can work 3 months and remain its 70% activity. It is measured that the rate of recovery of BOD is between 90% to 105% in sewage.

CONCLUSIONThe study confirmed the effectiveness and usefulness of BOD sensor, which is quick, convenient, low cost and reliable with little interference.

Bacteria ; Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; Cells, Immobilized ; Gels ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nylons ; Oxygen ; analysis ; Sewage ; analysis ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDSuccessful lung transplantation has been limited by the scarcity of donors. Brain death (BD) donors are major source of lung transplantation. Whereas BD process induces acute lung injury and aggravates lung ischemia reperfusion injury. Carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation at 50-500 parts per million (ppm) can ameliorate lung injury in several models. We examined in rats whether CO inhalation in BD donor would show favorable effects on lung grafts.

METHODSRats were randomly divided into 4 groups. In sham group, donor rats received insertion of a balloon catheter into the cranial cavity, but the balloon was not inflated. In BD-only group, donor rats were ventilated with 40% oxygen after BD confirmation. In BD+CO250 and BD+CO500 groups, donor rats inhaled, after BD confirmation, 250 ppm or 500 ppm CO for 120 minutes prior to lung procurement, and orthotopic lung transplantation was performed. The rats were sacrificed 120 minutes after the lung transplantation by exsanguination, and their blood and lung graft samples were obtained. A total of 8 rats fulfilling the criteria were included in each group.

RESULTSThe inhalation decreased the severity of lung injury in grafts from BD donors checked by histological examination. CO pretreatment reversed the aggravation of PaO2/FiO2 in recipients from BD donors. The CO inhalation down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) along with the increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in recipient serum, and inhibited the activity of myeloperoxidase in grafts tissue. The inhalation significantly decreased cell apoptosis in lung grafts, inhibiting mRNA and protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and caspase-3 in lung grafts. Further, the inhalation activated phosphorylation of p38 expression and inhibited phosphorylation of anti-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression in lung grafts. The effects of CO at 500 ppm were greater than those at 250 ppm.

CONCLUSIONSCO exerts potent protective effects on lung grafts from BD donor, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis functions by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Death ; Carbon Monoxide ; administration & dosage ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Inflammation ; prevention & control ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Lung Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Donors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors affecting the postoperative survival of patients with invasive bladder cancer,and to predict the survival time of the patients.Methods We retro- spectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of 178 patients with invasive bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy and urinary diversion from 1991 to 2004.A multivariate analysis was performed in these patients by the Cox proportional hazard model.A prognostic index(PI)based on the Cox regression was con- structed.According to the individualized PI,the patients were classified into different hazard groups and the expected survival curve of each patient was calculated.Results Cox regression analysis showed that the factors which influenced the postoperative survival included tumor stage(RR=1.982,P=0.000),grade (RR=1.978,P =0.042),lymph node metastasis(RR=2.142,P=0.048),Tis(RR=6.177,P= 0.000),tumor shape(RR=0.416,P=0.003),number of tumors( RR=1.820,P=0.035),pathological type(RR=2.228,P=0.032),patient age(RR=0.672,P=0.025)and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (RR=0.257,P=0.016).Based on the percentile of PI,patients were classified into 3 prognostic groups; the median survival time of 3 groups were 42.5,22.5 and 7.0 months,respectively.There were significant differences between each 2 among the 3 groups(P＜0.01).Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor stage,grade,lymph node metastasis,Tis,shape and number of tumors,pathological type,patient age were important prognostic factors.PI value can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with invasive blad- der cancer.

Objective To study the pathologic and clinical features of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney(MRTK),and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods The clinical and pathologic data of 5 patients(4 men and 1 woman;mean age,50 years;age range,21-67 years)with MRTK(3 tumors on the left and 2 on the right)were retrospectively analyzed in combination with review of the relevant literature.Of the 5 cases,I was incidentally diagnosed with renal tumor during physical examina- tion;and 3 had gross hematuria,low back pain and discomfort,and abdominal masses.Results Radical nephrectomy was performed in all 5 cases.The tumors averaged 6.5cm in diameter.By NWTS staging,4 ca- ses had stageⅡtumors and 1 case had stageⅢtumor.Pathological features were as follows.Rhabdoid cells were characterized by eccentric nuclei,prominent nucleoli,and abundant cytoplasm containing eosinophilic inclusions that were strongly positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen(EMA).Electron micros- copy showed intermediate filaments and round,irregular fibroid or whorl-like corpuscles in the cytoplasm. Follow-up was available in 4 patients(mean,6.8 months;range,3-24 months).Of them,2 died of metasta- sis or complications 12 months after operation;and 2 were alive without recurrence and metastasis for 6 months.Conclusions MRTK is a rare and morphologically distinctive neoplasm with specific findings of pathological features.The tumor has a poorer prognosis,but comparatively it is better in adults than in adoles- cents.

OBJECTIVETo compare the curative effects of newly suture anchors and traditional steel wire for the reconstruction of near distal tendo achillis rupture.

METHODSThe clinical data of 56 patients with near distal tendo achillis rupture from June 2007 to February 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 31 patients receiving reconstruction by suture anchors, 22 patients were male and 9 patients were female, with a mean age of 35.5 years (ranging from 16 to 52 years ). Among 25 patients treated with traditional steel wire, 19 patients were male and 6 patients were female, with a mean age of 37.6 years (ranging from 22 to 53 years). The different rehabilitation was conducted for every patient at different times after operation. The position of suture anchor and steel wire were recorded. The clinical data such as operative time, complications of the surgery and the function of stendo achillis were analyzed. The healing of stendo achillis and functional recovery were assessed by Arner-Lindholm standard.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up with an average during of 24.2 months. There were no intraoperative injuries on blood vessels, nerve and tendon. The average operative time and postoperative complications of suture anchors were lower than there of the traditional steel wire (t = 8.75, P = 0.00; Chi2 = 5.42, P = 0.02). The functional recovery of tendo achillis repaired by suture anchors was better than that in the group of traditional steel wire (Chi2 = 7.65, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONCompared to the traditional steel wire, suture anchor demonstrate the superior performance on repairing rupture of the near distal tendo achillis, which is a reliable and effective treatment methods.

Achilles Tendon ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Wires ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; surgery ; Suture Anchors