AIM: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in pulmonary artery fibroblasts. METHODS: MMP-2 activity was measured by using gelatin zymography. TIMP-1 protein level was determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The production of MMP-2 mRNA and protein was down-regulated in pulmonary artery fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia for 24 h. Gelatin zymography also demonstrated that lower level of MMP-2 activity was induced after hypoxia. Meanwhile, hypoxia induced the up-regulation of TIMP-1 mRNA and protein in pulmonary artery fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induces unbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-1 in pulmonary artery fibroblasts, which may contribute to the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Objective To investigate the effects of intrathecal transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on inter cellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and blood spinal cord barrier following spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury.Methods Ninety Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham (Sham group),ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/ R group),and BMSCs transplantation (BMSCs group).Spinal I/R injury was induced by clamping the aortic arch between left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery for 14 min in I/R group and BMSCs group.Sham group was subjected to exposure of aortic arch but without occlusion.I/R group and BMSCs group were intrathecally injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or BMSCs (2 × 106) two days before injury.At 1 d,3 d,and 7 d after injury,neurological function was evaluated and damaged lumbosacral seg ment was removed for measurement of blood spinal cord barrier permeability and ICAM-1 protein expression.Results Compared with Sham group,neurological function score was significantly lower:1 d (F =38:59,P =0.001),3 d (F =31.34,P =0.001),and 7 d (F =27.71,P =0.001) ; ICAM-1 expression was increased 1 d (F =34.33,P =0.001),3 d (F =29.76,P =0.001),and 7 d (F =23.65,P =0.001),and blood spinal cord barrier permeability was higher:1 d (F =42.57,P =0.001),3 d (F =32.75,P =0.001),and 7 d (F =26.89,P =0.001) in I/R group.Compared with I/R group,neurological function score was increased:1 d (F =16.62,P =0.001),3 d (F =21.54,P =0.001),and 7 d (F =12.84,P =0.002) ; ICAM-1 expression was decreased:1 d (F =19.84,P =0.018),3 d (F =17.38,P =0.008),and 7 d (F =22.46,P =0.007),and blood spinal cord barrier permeability was lower:1 d (F =22.38,P =0.016),3 d (F =27.59,P =0.009),and 7 d (F =23.25,P =0.001) in BMSCs group.Conclusions Intrathecal transplantation of BMSCs inhibited ICAM-1 expression and decreased blood spinal cord barrier permeability,and then attenuated spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective To study the clinical evaluation of the effect of topical application of Periocline ointment in the adjuvant treatment of periodontitis.Methods100 patients with periodontitis as the research object in this study in Xi'an Jiaotong university school hospital from April 2015 to August 2016 were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, 50 cases in each group.The control group were treated with the conventional treatment, at this basis, the experimental group were given Periocline ointment topical application as the auxiliary treatment.Eight weeks after treatment, the clinical treatment and related indicators were compared in the two groups.ResultsThe bleeding index, probing depth and attachment level in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05).In the experimental group of 50 patients, the total effective number of cases in the treatment of 48 cases, The total effective rate in the experimental group was 94.0%, which was significantly higher than 88.0% in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionIt can improve the effective rate that Periocline ointment was local applicated in the adjuvant treatment of periodontitis;it is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To investigate the effects of intense pulsed light(IPL) on the collagen metabolism in human fibroblasts.Methods The callan foreskin fibroblasts were cultured and treated with different wave length and designed dose of IPL irradiation(590-1 200 nm,and 29 J/cm2),while 10 without IPL irradiation as controls.By culturing 1,12,24 and 48 h after the irradiation,the synthesis of collagen was measured by 3H-proline incorporation determination. Results The synthesis of collagen activity increased significantly(P

Abstract? AlM: To observe the effect of combining partial reduction orthokeratology ( Ortho-K ) and spectacles on slowing myopic progressionin high myopic adolescent.? METHODS: Sixty - nine eyes of 36 high myopic adolescent ( aged 9 ~15 years ) with spherical equivalent refraction ≧-6. 00 diopters ( D) ( spherical component≧-5. 50D) were fitted with custom-made four-zone/five-curve Ortho-K lenses. The target of reduction was to achieve -5. 00D for both eyes. The residual refractive errors after at least one month of Ortho-K wear were corrected with single-vision spectacles for clear vision in the daytime. The unaided visual acuity ( UVA) , refractive error ( RE ) , axial length ( AL ) , and ocular health were assessed before the Ortho-K lens wear, and followed up for 2a after Ortho-K.?RESULTS: ( 1 ) Changes in UVA: The mean UVA was 0. 09±0. 05 at baseline before Ortho-K;the mean UVA was 0. 27 ± 0. 14, 0. 54 ± 0. 18, 0. 78 ± 0. 24, and 0. 81 ± 0. 19, respectively after Ortho-K wear for l night, 1wk, 1, and 3mo. The differences of UVA were significant with baseline (P<0. 05), and became stable 1mo after the treatment. (2) Changes in RE:The mean RE was -6. 82± 0. 71D at baseline before Ortho-K and -6. 86 ± 0. 77D after Ortho-K wear for 1a (P>0. 05 compared to baseline). The mean RE was-7. 11±0. 81D after Ortho-K wear for 2a, and the amount of myopia increased -0. 29 ± 0. 37D compared to baseline (P<0. 05). (3) Changes in AL: The mean AL was 26. 18 ± 0. 57mm at baseline before Ortho-K, and it was not significantly different (P>0. 05) from the AL after Ortho-K wear for 6mo (26. 19±0. 54mm) and for 1a (26. 21± 0. 47mm). The AL was 26. 37±0. 59mm after Ortho-K wear for 2a, and the mean increase was 0. 19 ± 0. 28mm compared to baseline (P<0. 05). (4) Grade 1 corneal staining was observed in some subjects at each visit. However, the staining was improved after lens cleaning, discontinuing lens wear, or applying artificial tears. No other adverse events were reported in all subjects during the 2a study.?CONCLUSlON:Combining partial reduction Ortho-K and spectacles completely slowed myopic progression in high myopic adolescent after receiving the treatment for 1a, and partially reduced myopia progression after 2a of treatment. No severe ocular complications were found throughout the treatment. The combination treatment appeared to be effective and safe, but its long-term effect needs to be further assessed.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; complications ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of single heat stress treatment on spermatogenic cells in mice.

METHODSWe randomly divided 36 C57 male mice into a control and a heat stress treatment group and submerged the lower part of the torso in water at 25 °C and 43 °C, respectively, both for 15 minutes. At 1, 7, and 14 days after treatment, we obtained the testicular organ indexes, observed the changes in testicular morphology by HE staining, and determined the location and expression levels of the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) and synaptonemal comlex protein-3 (SCP-3) in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe testicular organ index was significantly lower in the heat stress treatment than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the heat shock-treated mice showed loosely arranged spermatogenic cells scattered in the seminiferous tubules at 1 day after heat stress treatment, atrophied, loosely arranged and obviously reduced number of spermatogenic cells at 7 days, and relatively closely arranged seminiferous tubules and increased number and layers of spermatogenic cells at 14 days. The number of SCP-3 labelled spermatocytes obviously decreased in the heat stress-treated animals at 1 and 7 days and began to increase at 14 days. The PLZF protein expression was significantly reduced in the heat stress treatment group at 1 day as compared with that in the control (0.19 ± 0.12 vs 0.64 ± 0.03, P < 0.01), but elevated to 0.77 ± 0.02 at 7 and 14 days, even remarkably higher than in the control animals (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHeat stress treatment can induce short-term dyszoospermia in mice, which can be recovered with the prolonged time after treatment.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Hot Temperature ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein ; Seminiferous Tubules ; cytology ; Spermatocytes ; cytology ; pathology ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To analyse the correlation of age and BMI with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)in male younger than 50 years of age. Methods The routine health examination data of 6808 males, younger than 50 years of age, were collected and reviewed. The height and weight were measured, so as to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Serum PSA was also examined. Eligible men were classified into age groups spanning 10 years. BMI was categorized as normal (BMI 18. 5 - 22. 9) , overweight (BMI 23. 0-24. 9), obese (BMI 25. 0 - 29. 9) , and very obese (BMI≥30. 0) according to the re-defined World Health Organization criterion for the Asia Pacific Region. PSA levels were stratified by age and BMI category. Results The mean age was (39. 2±7. 0)years, mean BMI (25. 6± 4. 7)kg/m~2 and mean PSA (0. 89±0. 56)ng/ml for the whole population. The PSA level in 10 - 19 age group was significantly lower than the other three groups (P<0. 01) and no significant difference was found among the other three groups. The BMI had negative correlated with PSA even when comparing in sub-age groups, except the 10-19 age group. Spearman analysis also found PSA had significant positive correlation with age and negative correlation with BMI. Conclusions Serum PSA level changes significantly with age in adolescence whereas quite slowly between 20-50 years of age. BMI has negative influence on PSA in male younger than 50 years of age.

4-Hydroxycoumarins ; urine ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective:To explore the relationship among serum neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C (Cys-C) levels and cardiac, renal function;and diagnostic value of NGAL and Cys-C for early renal damage in aged patients With coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods:According to NYHA cardiac function classi-fication,a total of 84 aged CHD patients Were divided into class I group (n=30),class Ⅱ group (n=28)and classⅢ-Ⅳ group (n=26).Another 31 aged healthy objects Were selected as healthy control group.Serum N terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP),NGAL and Cys-C etc. levels Were measured,and the correlation a-mong serum NGAL,Cys-C levels and cardiac function,estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)Were analyzed. The accuracy of serum NGAL and Cys-C diagnosing renal insufficiency Was evaluated by receiver operator character-istic curve (ROC).Results:Along With NYHA class increased,there Were significant increase in serum levels of NGAL [(36.96±21.23)μg/L vs.(87.80±61.40)μg/L vs.(141.21±92.96)μg/L vs.(198.15±98.46)μg/L] and Cys-C [(0.75±0.64)mg/L vs.(1.40±1.88)mg/L vs.(2.33±2.03)mg/L vs.(3.45±1.81)mg/L]in healthy control group,NYHA I,Ⅱ,Ⅲ-Ⅳ groups,and they Were highest in NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ group,there Was significant difference in serum NGAL level betWeen any tWo groups among the four groups (P<0.01),and so Was serum Cys-C level (P<0.05 or <0.01)except healthy control group and NYHA class I group (P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum NGAL and Cys-C levels Were positively correlated With NT-proBNP (r=0.842,0.718,P<0.01 both),and negatively correlated With eGFR (r=-0.689,-0.448,P<0.01 both), and serum NGAL level had closer correlation With NT-proBNP and eGFR.Area under ROC of serum NGAL and Cys-C Were 0.884 and 0.744 respectively in diagnosing renal insufficiency.Conclusion:Serum NGAL and Cys-C lev-els have good correlation With cardiac and renal function in aged CHD patients,Which are sensitive and accurate in-dexes for diagnosing early renal damage.