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

Objective To investigate variation of lumbar spine stability in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) after two types selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) at lumbosacral and conical sites.Methods Forty-five cases of SCP have undergone with lumbosacral SPR and 38 with conical SPR. Posteroanterior, lateral, 40°-double-oblique, and dynamic (hyperextension and hyperflexion) position lumbar Xray films were taken for all of them before and three months to seven years ( 19 months in average) after operation to observe postoperative lumbar deformity, lumbosacral angle, lateral Cobb' s angle, arch-vertex distance, lordotic index, Posner's definition, and other stability indicators pre- and post-operation of the two groups. Results ① There was statistically significant difference in lumbosacral angle, lateral Cobb's angle, arch-vertex distance, lordotic index and Posner's definition at the 1 st to 2nd lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2 ), the 4th to 5th lumbar vertebrae ( L4 - L5 ), and the 5th lumbar to the 1st sacral vertebrae ( L5 - S1 ) among those with lumbosacral SPR before and after operation (P ＜0. 05). But, only Posner's definition at the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 2nd lumbar vertebra ( T12 - L2 ) varied significantly ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) among those with conical SPR ② Various lumbar deformity was observed in six cases ( 13% ) with lumbosacral SPR, three of them with instable neurological symptoms; while two cases (5%) did so after conical SPR,one with neurological symptoms, with statistical significance ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions Little variation of lumbar spine stability is found among children with spastic cerebral palsy in mid-short term after SPR, while influence of conical SPR is much less on lumbar stability. Their long-term postoperative influence has to be followed-up further.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Qifu decoction( QFD) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in model rats with yang-deficiency syndrome.

METHODThe rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the Sham group (Group A), the Model group (Group B), the Qifu decoction group (Group C) and the Enalapril group (Group D). The RIF model was established by adenine administrated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of the left ureter. After the model was successfully established, the rats in Group C and D were administrated with QFD or the Enalapril suspension,while the rats in Group A and B were administrated with distilled water. All rats were administrated for 3 weeks. Before administration and at the end of week 1, 2 and 3, the rats were weighted, and 24 h urinary protein excretion (Upro), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) and urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were examined, respectively. All rats were killed after administration for 3 weeks. Blood and renal tissues were collected, renal morphology and tubulointerstitial morphology were evaluated, respectively. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) were detected, respectively. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), onnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in kidney were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTQFD ameliorated serum cAMP level and the rate of cAMP/cGMP, attenuated urinary β2-MG level, NAG level and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased E-cadherin protein expression, and reduced α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the kidney. However, QFD had no influence on renal function in vivo. In addition, these effects were better than those of the model rats treated by Enalapril.

CONCLUSIONQFD could alleviate yang-deficiency parameters, as well as urinary β2-MG level and NAG level in model rats induced by adenine administration and UUO. Moreover, QFD could improve EMT and RIF by up-regulating E-cadherin protein expression, and down-regulating α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions, the key molecular in ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; Yang Deficiency ; complications

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

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

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.