Objective:To explore the effects of total saponins of Cornus offlcinalis Sieb.(TSCO) on the contractility and relaxation of mesenteric artery in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods:Sprague Dawley rats were administrated STZ intra-peritoneally at a dosage of 60 mg/kg to induce diabetes.TSCO was administrated at a dosage of 60 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg (per os) to the diabetic rats for 28 days.Glucose and insulin in the serum as well as the responsiveness ofmesenteric artery rings were determined.Results:TSCO decreased the contractile responsiveness to phenylephrine of mesenteric artery rings from diabetic rats,but increased the reactivity to acethylcholine.TSCO (120 mg/kg) ameliorated the baseline release of nitric oxide of mesenteric artery,but had little effect on the induced release of nitric oxide.Rosiglitazone had less effect on the mesenteric artery function than that of TSCO,though it was more effective on lowering blood glucose.Conclusion:The effects of TSCO on mesenteric artery of diabetic rats are dose dependent,and are possibly exerted by lowering blood glucose and ameliorating the release of nitric oxide in the endothelium.

Objective To analyze the correlation between the metal components and MRI signal intensities of gallstones, to investigate the causes of gallstone signal features on MRI. Methods The MRI data and the metal components of the gallstones in vivo and in vitro of 30 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The MR sequences, namely 3D fast spoiled gradient-echo with fat saturation T1-weighted imaging (3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI), fast spoiled gradient-echo with fat saturation T1-weighted imaging(FSPGR-FS T1WI), fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition(FIESTA)and fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging with fat saturation(FSE-FS T2WI), were performed on the gallstones in vivo and in vitro. According to the characteristics of the surface and cross section, gallstones were divided into pigment gallstones( n=16) and cholesterol gallstones(n=14). The MR signal characteristics of the gallstones were observed and the signal intensity rates of the gallstones were calculated. Preoperatively, the signal intensity rates of cholesterol and pigment stones of each MR sequence were compared by using t test and Mann-Whiteney U test. Postoperatively,the signal intensity rates of the fresh,dried and re-soaked gallstones were compared by using paired t test and Wilcoxon test. The correlation between the signal intensity rates of gallstones on the 3D-FSPGR-FS sequence and their metal components was analyzed by using Linear Regression analysis. Results The pigment gallstones showed high signal intensity on the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The signal intensity rates of the pigment gallstones were higher than the rates of the cholesterol gallstones on the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI, which were 2.02 ± 0.53 and 0.51 ± 0.24 (t=10.26,P< 0.01), respectively. On the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI, the signal intensity rates of the drying pigment stones were significantly lower than the rates of the fresh ones, the rates of the two states of the pigment gallstones were 0.21±0.06 and 1.42±0.35(t=13.49,P<0.01),respectively. The signal intensity rates of pigment gallstones showed significant rebound after re-soaking, the rates of the two states of the pigment gallstones were 0.21±0.06 and 1.68±0.86(t=-6.63,P<0.01),respectively. The metal components of pigment gallstones were significantly higher than the cholesterol stones. In the pigment gallstones and cholesterol gallstones, the medians of the Calcium were 28.186 and 2.347 mg/g(Z =-4.66,P< 0.01),respectively.For pigment gallstones, there was a significant correlation between the calcium and the signal intensity rate on 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The regression equation of linear regression analysis was SI=65.40 logCa-166.67. Conclusions The pigment gallstones containing much more water and metal showed high signal intensity on 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The Calcium in the pigment gallstones may be the main cause for this MR appearance.

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting and monitoring the response of uterine cervix cancer to concurrent chemoradiation. Methods Seventeen patients with uterine cervix cancer underwent conventional MRI and DWI examinations before therapy and at one month and two months after the initiation of concurrent chemoradiation, and 8 of them underwent additional examinations at 15 d after therapy. The longest diameter of tumor before and after treatment was measured on axial T2WI. The mean ADC value among pre- and post-treatment of each group (CR, PR and SD) was compared. Results The mean ADC value before therapy of CR group was statistically lower than that of PR group (P＜0.05). There was negative correlation between mean pretreatment ADC value and percentage size reduction of tumor after concurrent chemoradiation at two months (r=-0.574, P＜0.05). The percentage ADC change of tumor at one month correlated positively with percentage size reduction of tumor at two months after concurrent chemoradiation (r=0.572, P＜0.05). Fifteen days after the initiation of concurrent chemoradiation, the mean ADC value of 8 patients increased significantly, however, the longest diameter of tumor showed no statistically significant changes compared with pre-treatment tumor diameter. Conclusion DWI has the ability to predict the response of uterine cervix cancer to concurrent chemoradiation, and it can monitor the treatment response as well.

AIM: To investigate the effects of three extracts of Fufang Dihuang decoction on the relaxation of mesentery artery in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetic rat model was induced by i.p injection STZ at a dosage of 60 mg?kg~ -1 . 30 d later, 95% ethanol, 70% ethanol or water extract of Radix Rehmanniae was p.o administrated for 30 d at the dosage of 107.8 , 154.7 and 56.8 mg?kg~ -1 , respectively. On the 60th day, the responses of mesentery artery were determined in the absence or presence of L-argine (L-Arg), N-Nitro-L-argine (NLA) and Indomethacin (Ind). RESULTS: The relaxation of mesentery artery of diabetic rat was diminished compared with the normal control. The basal release of NO and the L-argine-induced release of NO decreased 64.6 %, 77.6 % respectively in diabetic group compared with the normal control, with the decreased proportion of NO in the endothelium dependent relaxation. 95% and 70% ethanol extract of Fufang Dihuang decoction ameliorated the impaired release of NO in rat's mesentery artery. CONCLUSION: Abnormal relaxation of mesentery artery in diabetic rat may be due to the decreased releasing of NO. The extracts of Fufang Dihuang decoction can protect the endothelium cells and improve the relaxation of mesentery artery, among them 70% ethanol extract exert the best potency, followed by 95% ethanol extract. And the water extract has a poor effect.

Background and purpose: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most malignant tumor in female reproductive system because of its resistance to chemotherapy. Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase (FBP1) is a rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis used to catalyze the hydrolysis of fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate to fructose-6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate, thereby inhibiting the effect of glycolysis in tumor cells. This study aimed to investigate the association between the expression of FBP1 and chemosensitivity. Methods: The expression level of FBP1 in ovarian cancer patients was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: According to the results of immunohistochemistry in 209 ovarian carcinoma specimens, the percentage of positive FBP1 expression was about 49.3% (103/209). Loss of FBP1 was a negative factor of survival (42.6 months vs 62.1 months, P=0.003). Besides, patients who were sensitive to chemotherapy displayed significantly higher scores of FBP1 expression than patients who were resistant to therapy (P=0.007). Conclusion: The rate-limiting enzyme FBP1 in gluconeogenesis can be used as a biomarker for predicting the chemoresistance and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.

Objective ·To study changes of morphological characteristics of pituitary glands Objective · To study changes of morphological characteristics of pituitary glandsin normal adults by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods · A total of 245 healthy adults were scanned by 3.0T MRI to measurewidths,lengths,heights and volumes of pituitary glands and observe pituitary gland morphology. Results · The average height of pituitary was (5.47±1.33) mm inmales and (6.06±1.32) mm in females; the average volume of pituitary was (614.07±125.52) mm3 in males and (660.00±117.35) mm3 in females. The difference betweenthe genders was statistically significant (P<0.01). The pituitary height was positively related to the pituitary volume (r=0.829,P<0.01). Except the pituitary lengths, there was statistically significance in the pituitary widths, heights and volumes among different age groups (P<0.05), and all of them were negatively correlated with age (P<0.01). Conclusion · The pituitary heights and volumes peak in the 18-29 age group in adults and tend to decline with increased age. In female subjects, however, there is a tendency of pituitary heights and volumes to increaseagain in the 50-59 age group. The average height and volume of female pituitary glands are significantly greater than those of males.

Objective To analyze the MRI characteristics of vestibulocochlea neurovascular compression in patients with vestibular paroxysmia (VP) and to investigate the effect of the compression,its site and degree,on the occurrence of VP.Methods Twenty-eight cases of VP (VP group) and 28 cases of vertiginous patients other than VP (control group) were retrospectively reviewed.Three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (3D-MRA) was performed and the data were used for neurovascular crosscompression (NVCC) analysis.The frequency and type of NVCC,the origin of the offending vessel and the distance between compression site and brainstem were compared between the two groups.Results The frequency of NVCC was 96.4％ (27/28) in VP group,with a significant difference compared with control group (13/28,46.4％ ;x2 =17.15,P ＜0.01).The most common NVCC type was vascular loop compression at vestibulocochlear nerve (15/35,42.9％).Anterior inferior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel (25/35,71.4％) in VP group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the type of NVCC or the origin of the offending vessel.The frequency on the distortion and (or) displacement of vestibulocochlear nerve which was severely compressed by vessel in VP group (7/56,12.5％) was significantly higher than that in control group (0; P =0.013).The distance between compression site and brainstem was (8.57 ± 5.08) mm in VP group,and (8.93 ± 4.64) mm in control group,showing no significant difference.The ratio that the distance was less than 15 mm between compression site and brainstem in unilateral NVCC of VP group (100％) was significantly higher than unilateral NVCC of control group (7/10,P =0.033).Conclusions The VP patients have higher NVCC incidence and the most common NVCC type is vascular loop compression at vestibulocochlear nerve which is mainly caused by anterior inferior cerebellar artery.NVCC in VP patients mostly occurs in the central myelin portion of vestibulocochlear nerve.The site and degree of neurovascular compression may relate to the occurrence of VP.

Objective To investigate the effects of therapeutic exercise(cage running)on the expression of Bel-2 and Bax in neuronal cells after cerebral hemorrhage(ICH)in rats. Methods A total of 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270 to 300 g were divided into a trial group(ICH and exercise group,n=40),a control group (ICH only,n=40)and a sham-operated group(sham ICH operation and no exercise,n=40).The brains were removed at 7,14,21 and 28 days after ICH.The activation of Bcl-2 and Bax WaS measured by immunohistochemical techniques,Western blotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results (1)Bel-2-positive and Bax-positive cells appeared in tissues surrounding the hematoma in the cortex.The number of Bcl-2-posotive and Bax-positive cells was nearly zero in the sham-operated group.In the trim group.the number of Bcl-2-positive cells increased significantly from the 21 st to the 28th day.Bax.positive cells decreased from the 7th to the 28th day after ICH when compared with the control group and the sham-operated group.(2)The expression of Bcl-2mRNA and Bax-mRNA as shown by Western blotting and RT-PCR methods was synchronous with the immunohistochemistry results.The peaks of Bcl-2mRNA and BaxmRNA expression were a little earlier than those of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Conclusion Exercise can mitigate neuronal cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA,and downregulating the expression of Bax and Bax mRNA.

Objective To estimate the gene mutation and the protein expression of v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) in esophageal cancer.Methods From February 2014 to September 2015,75 patients with esophageal cancer who received operation were enrolled.Tissues of cancer,adjacent to cancer and far from cancer were taken.The mutation and protein expression of BRAF were detected.The relationship between BRAF protein positive expression and clinical characteristics of patients with esophageal cancer was analyzed.The enumeration data was compared by chi-square test.Results The mutation of exon 11 and exon 15 of gene BRAF was not found in the tissues of esophageal cancer.Among 75 esophageal cancer,a base C or T inserted in the exon 11 was found in five Ⅲb TNM stage cases,and the expression of BRAF at protein level was positive in 46 cases (61.3％).Among 57 tissues adjacent to cancer,nine cases (15.8 ％) was BRAF positive at protein level.Among 75 tissues far from cancer,five(6.7％) was BRAF positive at protein level.The difference among three groups was statistically significant (x2 =61.098,P＜0.05).The positive rates of BRAF expression at protein level in patients with esophageal cancer at Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ TNM stage were 21.7％ (5/23),70.8％ (17/24) and 85.7 ％ (24/28),respectively.The positive rates of BRAF expression at protein level in patients with and without lymph node metastasis were 81.6％ (31/38) and 40.5％ (15/37).The positive expression of BRAF at protein level was related with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (x2 =23.136 and 13.313,both P＜0.01),however it was not related with gender,age and the degree of tumor differentiation (all P＞0.05).Conclusions There is base insertion in the exon 11 of gene BRAF in esophageal cancer,but gene mutation is not found.BRAF is highly expressed in esophageal cancer,which is related with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis,and BRAF could be an indicator of assessment of degree of malignancy and prognosis of esophageal cancer.

Objective To explore the values of CT virtual gastroscopy (CTVG), three dimensional (3D) and axial imaging by multi slice spiral CT (MSCT) in the preoperative assessment of gastric carcinoma. Methods Fifty two patients with gastric carcinoma proven by means of biopsy underwent CTVG, 3D imaging using the surface shaded display (SSD) and Raysum, and axial imaging. MSCT was first performed after the ingestion of gas, and a second tri phase MSCT scan was performed after the ingestion of water. The results were compared with those of fibrous gastroscopy (FG) and surgical pathological findings. Results The detection rates of gastric lesions with CTVG, 3D and axial imaging by MSCT were 98.1%, 96.2%, and 96.2%, respectively. The accuracy of judging gross type of advanced gastric carcinoma using CTVG combined with 3D imaging, FG,and axial imaging was 92.5% , 82.5%, and 75.0%, respectively.Statistical difference existed in CTVG combined with 3D imaging and axial imaging (P