Objective To evaluate the relationship between hippocampal monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged rats.Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 20-22 months,weighing 480-550 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and POCD group.POCD group inhaled 2.0％ isoflurane and underwent splenectomy.Before surgery and at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery,Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability.The escape latency and swimming distance were recorded.Eight rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze test performed at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery.Then the brains were removed,and the hippocampi were isolated for detection of the expression of MCP-1 and CCR2 by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged,and the expression of MCP-1 and CCR2 in hippocampi was up-regulated at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery in POCD group.Conclusion Up-regulation of hippocampal MCP-1 and CCR2 expression may be involved in the mechanism of POCD in aged rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qubi Recipe (QR) on the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha in rats with type II collagen-I induced arthritis (CIA), and to explore its therapeutic roles and mechanism.

METHODSTotally 72 male SD rats of SPF grade were recruited. Twelve were randomly selected as the blank control group. The CIA model was established in the rest 60 rats by subcutaneously injecting type II collagen of bovine emulsion from the tail root and induction of incomplete Freund's adjuvant. On day 15 after primary immunization rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the CIA model group, the Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) group (at the daily dose of 9.68 mg/kg body weight), the high dose QR group (at the daily dose of 6.66 g/kg body weight), and the low dose QR group (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg body weight), 15 in each group. Corresponding medication was given to rats in all groups by gastrogavage once daily for 4 successive weeks. An equal volume of pure water was given to rats in the blank control group and the CIA model group by gastrogavage, once daily for 4 successive weeks. The swelling degree of the joints was measured. Rats were sacrificed after 4-week treatment. Plasma levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were measured with colorimetric method. The expression of HIF-1alpha was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the CIA model group, the swelling degree of the joints was significantly alleviated in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and it was obviously milder in the high dose QR group than in the TG group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the CIA model group, the activities of GSH-Px could be obviously elevated and activities of MDA lowered in the TG group, the high dose QR group, and the low dose QR group (P < 0.05). Plasma activities of SOD could be obviously elevated in the high dose QR group and the TG group (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the CIA model group, the expression of HIF-1alpha obviously decreased in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.05), and it showed a decreasing tendency in the low dose QR group with no statistical difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQR could markedly alleviate the swelling degree of ankle joints in CIA model rats. Its therapeutic efficacy was superior to that of TG. Its mechanism might be achieved through down-regulating expression of HIF-1alpha in the joint, and regulating activities of SOD, MDA and GSH-Px in the plasma.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Joints ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo probe into the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture in the rat with motility abnormality of the stomach and the nerve mechanism.

METHODSAdopting electrophysiological methods, the extracellular discharge signals of neuronic action in NTS were recorded with glass microelectrodes. The effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) on discharges of NTS neurons and intra-gastric pressure were observed in the rat at normal physiological state, and increase or reduction of gastric motility.

RESULTSAcupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6) could significantly promote gastric motility of the rat at normal status, increase or reduction of gastric motion, while acupuncture at "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) could significantly inhibit gastric motion. And acupuncture at all the above acupoints could activate discharges of NTS neurons.

CONCLUSIONThe bidirectional regulation effect of an acupoint does not certainly indicate that the same point has bidirectional regulation effect on an internal organs at different pathological states, while this may show synthetic action of different points which is a good regulation towards normal states and homeostasis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solitary Nucleus ; physiology ; Stomach Diseases ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETobacco smoking results in increased platelet aggregability, which suggests that low-dose aspirin used in common clinical practice may not effectively inhibit platelet activity in smokers with coronary heart disease (CHD). This review was performed to assess the effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation in patients with CHD.

DATA SOURCESWe performed an electronic literature search of MEDLINE (starting from the beginning to March 15, 2009) using the term "smoking" or "tobacco" paired with the following: "platelet", "aspirin" or "coronary heart disease".

STUDY SELECTIONWe looked for review articles regarding the effect of tobacco smoking on platelet activity and on the anti-platelet efficacy of aspirin in healthy people and patients with CHD. The search was limited in "core clinical journal". In total, 1321 relevant articles were retrieved, and 36 articles were ultimately cited.

RESULTSTobacco smoking results in increased platelet aggregability, which can be inhibited by low-dose aspirin in the healthy population. However, in patients with CHD, the increased platelet aggregability can not be effectively inhibited by the same low-dose of aspirin. A recent study indicated that clopidogrel or an increased dose of aspirin can effectively inhibit the increased platelet aggregability induced by tobacco smoking in patients with CHD.

CONCLUSIONSIt is important for patients with CHD to quit smoking. For the current smoker, it may be necessary to take larger doses of aspirin than normal or take an adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitor along with aspirin to effectively inhibit the increased platelet activity.

Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Smoking ; adverse effects

To investigate the relationship and significance of Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway with caspase-3, XIAP, HSP27and Grp-78. The HCC cell line HepG2 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against b-catenin. After 72 and 96 h, protein was extracted and the protein expressions of b-catenin, caspase-3, XIAP, Grp-78 and HSP27 were detected by Western blot. b-catenin protein expression was inhibited at both time points and the expression at 96 h was higher than that at 72 h (F = 160.72, P is less than to 0.01). Interestingly, Caspase-3 protein expression was decreased at 72 h and increased to normal at 96 h (F = 136.10, P is less than to 0.01), while p-caspase-3 protein expression increased at 72 h and decreased to normal at 96 h (F = 98.65, P is less than to 0.01). XIAP protein expression decreased at 72 h (F = 37.29, P is less than to 0.01) and increased at 96 h. Grp-78 protein expression increased at 72 h and decreased to normal at 96 h ( F = 58.72, P is less than to 0.01). HSP27 protein expression showed no change following transfection ( F = 1.91, P is more than to 0.05). Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway is related to the protein expressions of caspase-3, XIAP and Grp-78, but not related to HSP27 protein expression in HCC. Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway may participate in the regulation of HCC apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation through affecting these factors.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Caspase 3 ; Catenins ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression file in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder after hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule(hepaCAM) overexpression.

METHODSAffymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array was used to investigate the changes of gene expression profile between adenovirus-green fluorescent protein(GFP) -hepaCAM group and GFP group in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder EJ cells.Significant Analysis of Microarray(SAM) was used to screen the differentially expressed genes, DAVID software was used to conduct gene ontology analysis and wikiPathway analysis based on the differentially expressed genes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were applied to verify microarray data.

RESULTSCompared with the GFP group, a total of 2469 genes were up-regulated or down-regulated by more than 2 times in the GFP-hepaCAM group. Among these genes, 1602 genes were up-regulated and 867 were down-regulated.Most of the differentially expressed genes were involved in the function of cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation. The mRNA expressions of nibrin, liver kinase B1, and cyclin D1 detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in three different bladder cancer cell lines were consistent with the microarray data.The protein expressions of nibrin and liver kinase B1 in these three cell lines measured by Western blot were consistent with the mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSHepaCAM can alter the gene expression profile of bladder cancer EJ cells. The well-known anti-tumor effect of hepaCAM may be mediated by regulating the gene expression via multiple pathways.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

Anatomic Variation ; Bicuspid ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; Molar ; Preoperative Care

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of high school students' mental health on their academic achievement and school dropout rate by using longitudinal data. METHODS: For this study, 153 high schools were randomly sampled on a nationwide scale. The descriptive data was collected from a school information internet site which is organized by the Korean Ministry of Education. We used the schools' mean scores on the Adolescent Mental Health Problem-Behavior Questionnaire-II (AMPQ-II) scale which was used for estimating students' mental health in the 2013 school-based mental health screening test. The data analysis was conducted by using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the AMPQ-II scale's mean scores have significant effects on the following year's academic achievement and annual dropout rates. Especially, the AMPQ-II scale's mean scores tend to increase the school dropout rate in vocational schools. CONCLUSION: The finding of this study is that Korean high school students' mental health states significantly influence their academic achievement and school dropout rate.
Adolescent ; Education ; Humans ; Internet ; Mass Screening ; Mental Health* ; Statistics as Topic ; Student Dropouts*

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effects of vitamin C on benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced changes of cell cycle in human embryo lung fibroblast (HELF) cells.

METHODSThe stable transfectants, HELF transfected with antisense cyclin D1 and antisense CDK4, were established. Cells were cultured and pretreated with vitamin C before stimulation with B[a]P for 24 h. The expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, E2F1, and E2F4 were determined by Western blot. Flow cytometric analysis was employed to detect the distributions of cell cycle.

RESULTSB[a]P significantly elevated the expression levels of cyclin D1, E2F1, and E2F4 in HELF cells. Vitamin C decreased the expression levels of cyclin D1, E2F1, and E2F4 in B[a]P-stimulated HELF cells. Dose-dependent relationships were not found between the different concentrations of vitamin C (10, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 micromol/L) and the expression levels of cyclin D1, E2F1, and E2F4 in HELF cells. The expression levels of cyclin D1, E2F1, and E2F4 in B[a]P-treated transfectants were lower than those in B[a]P-treated HELF cells. The expression levels of cyclin D1 and E2F4 treated with vitamin C and antisense cyclin D1 were decreased compared with those treated with antisense cyclin D1 alone. The effects of vitamin C combined with antisense CDK4 on the expression levels of cyclin D1 and E2F1/E2F4 were similar to those of antisense CDK4 alone. B[a]P progressed HELF cells from G1 to S phase. Both vitamin C and antisense cyclin D1 suppressed the changes of cell cycle progressed by B[a]P. However, antisense CDK4 did not attenuate the above changes. Vitamin C combined with antisense CDK4 markedly suppressed B[a]P-induced changes of cell cycle as compared with antisense CDK4. But the inhibitory effects of vitamin C combined with antisense cyclin D1 on B[a]P-induced changes of cell cycle were similar to those of vitamin C alone or antisense cyclin D1 alone.

CONCLUSIONSB[a]P progressed HELF cells from G1 to S phase via intracellular signaling pathway of cyclin D1/E2F. Vitamin C may modulate this signaling pathway to protect cells from injury caused by B[a]P.

Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; Blotting, Western ; methods ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; G1 Phase ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; embryology ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; S Phase ; drug effects ; physiology ; Transfection ; methods

Lamivudine is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection because of it's remarkable antiviral efficacy and safety. We report a case of severe skin eruption caused by lamivudine. A 47-year-old female was admitted because of jaundice and itching sensation. She was diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B infection a few years ago but did not receive any specific treatment. Laboratory data showed acute deterioration of chronic hepatitis B infection. We prescribed lamivudine as a rescue therapy. Her general condition improved and lab data showed improvement in liver function test thereafter. However, she complained of severe skin eruption and itching sensation a few days after the discharge. We stopped lamivudine because the symptoms did not improve despite the use of anti-histamine. Skin biopsy showed interface dermatitis. After stopping lamivudine, her symptoms improved. However, the skin eruption developed again after lamivudine was restarted. Adefovir was used instead, and the patient did not experience any further skin problems since then.
Aged ; Colon, Transverse ; Female ; Hernia, Abdominal/*diagnosis/radiography ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; *Mesocolon ; Tomography, Spiral Computed