Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in hippocampal neurons of rats.Methods Forty-eight pathogen-free healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes,weighing 210-280 g,aged 3-4 months,were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and 1%,3% and 5% sevoflurane groups (S1,S2 and S3 groups).In S1,S2 and S3 groups,1%,3% and 5% sevoflurane were inhaled for 1 h,respectively.Morris water maze test was performed at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia to assess the cognitive function.Six rats in each group were sacrificed after the end of the test.The brains were then removed and the hippocampi were isolated for detection of the expression of α7nAChR (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results Compared with group C,the number of crossing the platform was significantly decreased at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in group S1,the time of staying at the target quadrant was significantly shortened,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,and the rate of time of staying at the original platform quadrant and rate of swimming distance at the original platform quadrant were decreased at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S2 and S3 groups,and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 were significantly increased,and the expression of α7nAChR was down-regulated at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S1,S2 and S3 groups (P<0.05).Compared with group S1,the expression of α7nAChR was significantly down-regulated at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S2 and S3 groups (P<0.05).Compared with group S2,the expression of α7nAChR was significantly down-regulated at 1 day after anesthesia in group S3 (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in each parameter of Morris water maze test among group S1,group S2 and group S3 (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane induces inflammatory responses in hippocampi is related to down-regulation of α7nAChR expression in hippocampal neurons of rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and possible molecular mechanisms of adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation.

METHODSFour cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation were enrolled into the study. Immunohistochemical study for smooth muscle actin, p63, p53 and Ki-67 was carried out. C-myc gene status was analyzed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

RESULTSThere were altogether 3 males and 1 female. The mean age of the patients was 55.5 years. Two patients died 17 months and 29 months after operation, respectively. One patient had distant metastasis 23 months after operation and was still alive at 26-month follow up. The remaining patient remained tumor free at 3-month follow up. High-grade transformation in adenoid cystic carcinoma presented either as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma. Histologic examination showed sheets of pleomorphic tumor cells occupying more than one low-power field. The high-grade carcinoma cells showed increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, prominent eosinophilic nucleoli and active mitosis (ranging from 8 to 25 per high-power field). Comedo necrosis was observed in 2 cases and multiple foci of calcifications in 3 cases. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated loss of myoepithelial differentiation, overexpression of p53 and high proliferative index by Ki-67. No c-myc translocation or copy-number changes were observed.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-grade transformation in adenoid cystic carcinoma is rare. The histopathologic features are rather distinctive and the biologic behavior is aggressive. C-myc gene mutation does not seem to play a key role in the pathogenesis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Parotid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Objective To study effects of fluid resuscitation on thoracoabdominal injury combined with hemorrhagic traumatic shock.Method A total of 98 patients,who were treated in Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from November 2004 to December 2006,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were diagnozed according to Surgery(fifth edition).Patients were divided into delayed fluid resuscitation group(n= 51)and immediate fluid resuscitation group(n=47).Patients in delayed fluid resuscitation group were given with balanced salt solution for the body to maintain basic requirements.Patients in immediate fluid resuscitation group were rapidly administered with a lot of isotonic crystaUoid and(or)colloid solution after admission. Hemoglobin,platelet count,hematocrit,blood lactic acid,basedeficit,preoperative resuscitation time and mortality were compared between the two groups.Paired t test and variance analysis or x~2 test were used.Results The transfusion fluid volume of delayed group and immediate group was(1586?346)ml,(3520?575)ml, respectively,with P value

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.
Animals ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

A method for the determination of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine in fermentation liquid using the high performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detector (HPLC-UV) was developed.A good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.1～1.0g/L (r = 0.9969) for S-Adenosyl-L-methionine.The average recoveries of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine were 99.89%～101.7% and the relative standard deviations were 0.48%～1.36%.The method is simple and rapid with reproducibility for the determination of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine in ferment liquid.

An endophytic bacterium strain EBS05 from Cinamonum camphra was identified as Bacillus subtilis by morphological taxonomy and sequence analysis of 16S~23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions. Properties of antimicrobial compound produced by EBS05 were assayed. The active compound had the maximum absorbance peak at ?213.5 nm. The antimicrobial activity was stable in solution with pH value from 5 to 8, and decreased significantly in solution with pH value less than 4.0 or more than 9.0. The antimicrobial compound had thermodynamics stability. Its activity changed a little after treated at 60?C~80?C for two hours, and compared with 65% original activity after treated at 1?105 Pa for 30 minutes. The active substance had high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and protease K. Antimicrobial compound was soluble in alcohol solu- tion, which was easily dissolved in methanol and ethanol, but not dissolved in ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and petroleum et al.

Objective To study the influence of periacetabular muscle contraction on acetabular] fractures.Methods Twenty intact adult cadaveric pelvis(40 hip joints)treated antiseptically with bilat- eral 1/2 femoral shafts were selected and divided randomly into two groups(20 hip joints in each group). Then,the specimens were trimmed to fit the RMT-150B rock mechanics measuring system and the special in- creasing pressure system.After pressure of 3 500 N was pressed to the control group and pressure of 4500 N to the experimental group,acetabular fracture model was made by beatening with special striking machine,when striking force was recorded.Results We made forty aeetabular fracture models from 40 cadaveric hips. Pearson correlation coefficient of pressing force and striking force was -0.923(P＜0.01).The striking force of the control group and the experimental group was 445-550 N and 290-400 N,respectively(t= 14.727,P＜0.01).Conclusion The increase of contraction force of the periaeetabular muscles can decrease aeetabular stress and strain,influence the result of violent injury and play a vital role in inducing acetabular fractures.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonulcleoprotein(hnRNP)plays a variety of roles in pre-mRNA splicing, nuclear export of mRNA and turnover. It is reported that hnRNP not only takes part in regulating the development of neuron and glial cells, but is closely related to various central nervous system diseases. This paper reviewed the structure, function and the role of hnRNP in the central nervous system in order to provide new insight into the molecule mechanism of nervous system diseases.

Genome-wide association study is an important approach to identify common genetic variants that predispose to human disease. Because of the high cost of genotyping on hundreds of thousands of markers on thousands of subjects, a more cost-effective two-stage case-control design is applied by most genome-wide association studies. To describe the design and statistical methods of the two-stage case-control study, this paper introduces the principles of two-stage case-control design, its implementing steps in genome-wide association study and the features of its application.The method is illustrated with an example.

OBJECTIVETo culture rat prostate glandular epithelial cells and study their barrier functions in vitro.

METHODSRat prostate glandular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, the structure and composition of the epithelial cells observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. The transepithelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were monitored with the Millicell system. The permeability of the prostate glandular epithelial cells was assessed by the phenol red leakage test.

RESULTSCompact monolayer cell structures were formed in the prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tight junctions between the adjacent glandular epithelial cells. The TEERs in the cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells reached the peak of about (201.3 ± 3.5) Ω/cm2 on the 8th day. The phenol red leakage test manifested a decreased permeability of the cell layers with the increase of TEERs.

CONCLUSIONThe structure and function of rat prostate glandular epithelial cells are similar to those of brain capillary endothelial cells, retinal capillary endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells have the barrier function and can be used as a model for the study of blood prostate barrier in vitro.

Animals ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; Cells, Cultured ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Electric Impedance ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phenolsulfonphthalein ; pharmacokinetics ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Tight Junctions