Objective To observe the time-dependent changes of astrocytes and microvessels in the ischemic core and surrounding areas.Methods Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)was measured by HE,and CD31 by immunohistochemistry as markers in post-mortem specimens from ten patients,who died of cerebral infarction.Results Each section of the infarcted brains was divided into four areas (the area 0-3).GFAP expressed a little in area 0 and 1,increased in a time-dependent manner in area 2 and 3;CD31 die not expressed in area 0,expressed a little in the area 1,and increased in area 2 and 3 continuously.Conclusions The proliferation of astrocytes and microvessels may play a significant role in the process of restoration after cerebral infarction.

Objective To observe the expression of fibronectin in bone of fluorosis rats and in vitro cultured osteoblast,and to study the role of fibronectin in pathogenesis of chronic fluorosis.Methods Male and female Wistar rats 144 were randomly divided into four groups,which were designated as the control group(normal diets,n =36),fluoride group(normal diets + 100 mg/L fluoride,n =36),lower calcium monophagia group (synthetic diets,n =36) and lower calcium monOphagia with fluoride group(synthetic diets + 100 mg/L fluoride,n =36).Rats were sacrificed 4 and 8 months after beginning of the experiment,respectively,and femur tissue was fixated and paraffin-embedded.The osteoblast isolated from calvaria of neonatal rats was treated with different dose of fluoride(0,1,2,4 mg/L fluoride,respectively) for 48 and 72 h,cell culture supernatant and cells were collected,respectively.The cranial osteoblasts were cultured in vitro and divided into four groups according to different concentration of fluoride added,which were 0(control group),0.01,1.00,and 10.00 mg/L groups.These cells were treated with mineralized induced medium at day 2 and cultured for 3 more weeks whereafter,and then the slides were fixed in alcohol.The expression of fibronectin in rat femur tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC),and fibronectin mRNA expression was determined by in situ hybridization; the fibronectin levels in supernatant of cultured osteoblast was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the expression of fibronectin mRNA in osteoblasts was detected with RT-PCR; skull mineralized nodule formation of osteoblasts was observed under a light microscopy after stained with 0.1％ red alizarin liquid.Results Little expression of fibronectin (brown granules under light microscope) could be seen in femur tissue of fluorosis rats of control group and lower calcium monophagia group; but abundantly expressed in fluoride group and lower calcium monophagia with fluoride group; the fibronectin was also expressed in osteoblasts,bone cells and bone marrow cells with less red particles in the control group and lower calcium monophagia group,but more in the fluoride group and lower calcium monophagia with fluoride group.The expression of fibronectin protein in supernatant of cultured osteoblasts was significantly increased in the group of 4 mg/L fluoride at 48 h(0.108 ± 0.042,t =0.764,P＜ 0.05) compared with control group(0.081 ± 0.010); the value was also significantly increased in 1,2,4 mg/L groups at 72 h(0.089 ± 0.010,0.087 ± 0.012,0.098 ± 0.023; t =0.765,0.704,0.996; all P ＜ 0.05) compared with control group (0.070 ± 0.014) ; the expression of fibronectin mRNA was much higher in 1,2,4 mg/L groups at 48 h (0.61 ±0.06,0.77 ± 0.07,0.77 ± 0.07) and 72 h(1.61 ± 0.14,2.54 ± 0.20,2.75 ± 0.22) compared with control group [0.48 ± 0.04(t =0.111,0.182,0.182,all P ＜ 0.05),0.97 ± 0.08(t =0.093,0.109,0.108,all P＜ 0.05) ].A lot of mineralized nodules could be seen under light microscope in 1.00 and 10.00 mg/L groups.Conclusions The expression of fibronectin in bone of fluorosis rats and in vitro cultured osteoblasts are increased,and fluoride also promotes the mineralization nodules formation of osteoblasts.These results suggest that fibronectin may regulate the process of bone mineralization,and possibly play a role in the development of skeletal fluorosis.

In order to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a Daphnes Cortex medicinal material fungus library and the screening of endophytic fungi that promote the growth of Daphnes Cortex and increase the content of daphnetin, we used Illumina high-throughput testing technology to analyze 9 Daphnes Cortex samples from Gansu and Shanxi provinces. A total of 632 766 valid sequences were obtained, including 348 OTUs, 4 phyla, 20 classes, 48 orders, 108 families, 154 genera, and 208 species. The sum of the first 3 fungal genera account for more than 65% of the total abundance, with the highest reaching 98.4%. Alternaria and Phoma are the main genuses of Daphne giraldii Nitsche, and Altemaria is the dominant genus. The endophytic fungi community of Daphnes Cortex is rich in diversity, and the order of fungal diversity in different producing areas is: Gangu County > Wutai County > Tanchang County.

OBJECTIVETo study the rehabilitation effects ergometry on COPD patients.

METHODSThirty COPD out-patients in our Hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups. Rehabilitation group, 15 patients, performed leg ergometry exercise of 80% peak Watt x 30min/d x 3d/w x 12w. Another 15 patients were control group without exercise. All patients received conventional therapy. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), Borg and CAT sores were done at both baseline and 12 w.

RESULTSThere was no statistically difference in lung function testing, blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise test when pre- exercises between 2 sub-groups. The IC, peak VO2 and peak, W of rehabilitation group significantly increased (P < 0.05); and Borg and CAT.scores significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from baseline; and other PFT and ABG did not change (P > 0.05). While there was no difference in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLeg submaximal ergometry rehabilitation improves health condition and ameliorate dyspnea symptoms in COPD patients.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

Animals ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Drug Design ; Drug Interactions ; Enzyme Induction ; Humans ; Lithocholic Acid ; metabolism ; Phloroglucinol ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Receptors, Steroid ; genetics ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Terpenes ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe expression of C/EBPalpha protein and mRNA during automatically activation process in primary cultures of HSCs were observed in order to explore its possible association with the proliferation and activation of HSCs.

METHODSImmunocytochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR were used to evaluated the expression of C/EBPalpha protein and mRNA; as well as the expression of alpha-SMA, Desmin, MMP2, type I procollagen (alpha1). The eukaryotic vector harboring the full length cDNA of C/EBPalpha was transfected into activated HSC, then immunocytochemistry was applied to confirm the transfection and evaluate the effect of transfection on the proliferation of HSC by calculating the PCNA-positive cells. The morphological changes of HSC were observed by use of phase-contrast microscope.

RESULTSConstitutive expression of mRNA and protein of C/EBPalpha were detected in primarily cultured HSCs, and the protein was seen in both nuclei and cytoplasm with the latter being dominant. Their expression levels reached highest at day 2 of the culture, then decreased gradually when continually cultured to the day 4, 7, 10, on the other hand, the expression of alpha-SMA, MMP2 and ColI(alpha1) increased steadily. Transient transfection was verified by the fact that much more and stronger C/EBPalpha stain was observed in transfected HSCs than in void-vector transfected cells. In C/EBPalpha gene transfected HSCs, the number of PCNA-positive cells dramatically decreased compared with the void-vector transfected cells 24h after transfection. In addition, the C/EBPalpha gene transfected HSCs died 36 h after transfection, a few surviving cells became longer and thinner in morphology, however the void-vector transfected cells almost all remained alive.

CONCLUSIONSC/EBPalpha was likely involved in the HSCs activation, and over-expressed C/EBPalpha by transfection had inhibitory influence on the proliferation of cultured rat HSCs.

Animals ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection

The presence of large segmental defects of the diaphyseal bone is challenging for orthopedic surgeons. Free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) is considered to be a reliable reconstructive procedure. Stress fractures are a common complication following this surgery, and hypertrophy is the main physiological change of the grafted fibula. The exact mechanism of hypertrophy is not completely known. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the possible relationship between stress fractures and hypertrophy. We herein report three cases of patients underwent FVFG. Two of them developed stress fractures and significant hypertrophy, while the remaining patient developed neither stress fractures nor significant hypertrophy. This phenomenon indicates that a relationship may exist between stress fractures and hypertrophy of the grafted fibula, specifically, that the presence of a stress fracture may initiate the process of hypertrophy.
Adult ; Female ; Fibula ; pathology ; transplantation ; Fractures, Stress ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibia ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the apoptosis of brain tissue cells and the expression of Caspase-3 in the rats with cerebral-cardiac syndrome (CCS).

METHODSA total of 70 healthy SD rats were selected. Ten was randomly recruited as the sham-operation group, and the rest were used for CCS model preparation. Thirty successfully modeled rats were divided into the model group, the EA group, and the non-EA group, 10 in each group. The model was prepared using injecting collagenase + heparin into the caudate nucleus. Equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection was injected to rats' caudate nucleus in the sham-operation group. EA was started on the 1st day of modeling. Shuigou (GV26), Fengfu (GV16), Neiguan (PC6), and Xinshu (BL15) were needled in the EA group. Four points in the hips were needled in the non-EA group. The EA needling lasted for 20 min each time, once daily, for 3 successive times. No EA was administered to the sham-operation group or the model group. The apoptosis of brain tissue around the hematoma and the expression of Caspase-3 were detected using TUNEL and immunochemical assay.

RESULTSTUNEL cells could be occasionally seen with fewer Caspase-3 expression in the sham-operation group. More TUNEL positive cells appeared in the tissue around the hematoma of the model group with a large amount of Caspase-3 expression. The TUNEL positive cells and Caspase-3 expression were obviously less in the EA group than in the model group and the non-EA group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEA could inhibit the apoptosis of brain tissue cells in CCS rats. Its mechanisms might be associated with down-regulating the Caspase-3 expression of the brain tissue around the hematoma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Electroacupuncture ; Heart Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

METHODSWe included in this study 43 cases of advanced prostate cancer with BOO treated by TURP, and analyzed their IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate and relevant risk factors pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months after TURP.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, IPSS and the maximum urinary flow rate of the patients showed significant differences 3 months after surgery ([19.60 +/- 0.41] score vs. [9.58 +/- 0.33] score, [4.93 +/- 0.68] ml/s vs. [8.96 +/- 0.47] ml/s, P < 0.05), but not at 12 months ([15.73 +/- 0.66] score, [5.67 +/- 0.44] ml/s). In multiple regression analysis, a good outcome was associated with pre-operative acute urinary retention, while poor prognosis with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer with BOO, TURP can reduce IPSS and increase the maximum urinary flow rate in the early period after surgery, but its long-term effect is not so desirable. Meanwhile the operation itself may bring about relevant complications and reduce the patient's quality of life.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; surgery

Objective To compare the odds ratio of waist circumference (WC) and/or body mass index (BMI) on cardiovascular risk factors. Methods Data on a cross-sectional study involving 41 087 adults (19 567 male, 21 520 female) from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey were examined. According to the obesity definition of the Chinese Working Group on Obesity for Children (WGOC) (BMI, 24 and 28 kg/m2; WC, male 85 cm, female 80 cm), the study population were divided into 9 groups. The prevalence and odds ratio (OR) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were compared among these 9 groups. Variation and standard β were indexes being used to compare the likelihood of BMI and/or WC on CVD risk factors. Results Within each of the BMI categories, with few exceptions, indices levels on CVD risk factors were significantly increased (decreased for HDL-C levels) with the increase of WC, and vice versa. After adjusting the effects of age, sex, income, education, sedentary activity and dietary factors, the ORs of hypertension in adults with higher WC within each of the BMI categories were higher than adults with lower WC, and the ORs of hypertension in adults with higher BMI within each of the WC categories were higher than adults with lower BMI. Similar trends were found for high fast plasma glucose (FPG) and dyslipidemia. The variation in CVD risk factors explained only by WC and BMI were quite similar,but slightly larger when combined WC with BMI. Standard β was higher on BMI when predicting systolic BP and was higher on WC when predicting TG, TC and HDL-C. Conclusion BMI and WC were independently associated with the risk factors on CVD.To combine the BMI and WC, the results could accurately evaluate the risk of CVD, thus to provide substantive evidence that the WGOC cutoff points for the WC might help in identifying those population under increased risk.