Objective: To assess the activity of cathepsin D (CAT-D) and alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in blood in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, and to explore whether these two enzymes could be served as serum biomarkers for cartilage degeneration. Methods: hTe activity of CAT-D and AAT in blood serum of 44 women and 26 men with hip or knee osteoarthritis was determined by the method of ELISA before total joint replacement and on the 10th day atfer the surgery. One hundred healthy volunteers were chosen as the control. All datawere analyzed by using SPSS19.0 sotfware. Results: Compared with the controls, the activity of CAT-D in patients with osteoarthritis was decreased by 25% (P<0.05) and 50% (P<0.05) before and atfer the surgery, respectively. hTe activity of AAT in the osteoarthritis patients before the surgery was not signiifcantly changed compared with the control group (P>0.05), but it was increased by 80% after the surgery than that in the control group (P<0.05). hTere was no signiifcant difference in the activities of 2 enzymes between hip and knee osteoarthritis (P>0.05). hTe gender, hypertension, diabetes and age did not affect the activities of the 2 enzymes (P>0.05). Conclusion: AAT might be a possible inflammatory indicator in the osteoarthritis. CAT-D and AAT enzymes are not affected by gender, age, hypertension and diabetes, etc, and they might be served as potential biomarkers for cartilage degradation.

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) n-butanol extracts (ZDC) and ethyl acetate extracts (YSYZ) in reducing androgen in porcine granulose cells by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

METHODSPorcine granulose cells were isolated and cultured. They were inoculated by MAPK inhibitor PD98059 at different concentrations, and then they were divided into the blank control group (0), 1, 3, 10, and 25 micromol/L groups. After 24-h culture the cytochrome P450c17a (CYP17) mRNA expression level was detected using Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Contents of androgen (testosterone) in the supernate were detected using RIA and optimal PD98059 concentration screened. After intervened by 10 micromol/L PD98059 for 24 h, the culture solution was intervened by effective ingredients of with or without YZD or YSYZ at various concentrations (0, 1 , 5, 25, 50 mg/mL) at various time points (3, 6, 18, 24 h). Expression levels of p-ERK1/2, c-Fos and CYP17 were detected by Western blot. Testosterone content in the supernate was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSTen pLmol/L PD98059 could obviously decrease p-ERK1/2 protein expression and increase CYP17 mRMA expression, and elevate testosterone content in the supernate (P < 0.05). ZDC and YSYZ at 25 ng/mL could increase p-ERK1/2 protein expression and c-Fos levels, and reduce CYP17 protein expression, and lower testosterone content in the supernate after 6-h intervention (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEffective ingredients of YZD could reduce androgen production in porcine granulose cells through increasing activities of MAPK.

Androgens ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavonoids ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YJZYD) on the serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), ovarian follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), steroid hormone acute regulator protein (StAR) mRNA expressions in female rats.

METHODSFifty PCOS rats were equally divided into 5 groups, i. e., the control group (C, normal PNA rats), the model group (M), the low dose YJZYD group (Y1), the medium dose YJZYD group (Y2), and the high dose YJZYD group (Y3), 10 in each. The levels of serum hormones were detected using radioimmunoassay. The morphological changes of the ovary were observed using HE method. The expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA were detected using RT PCR.

RESULTSCompared with Group C, serum T and 17-OHP significantly increased (P < 0.01), E2 significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA significantly decreased in Group M (P < 0.01). Compared with Group M, the serum T level significantly decreased (P < 0.01), 17-OHP decreased (P < 0.05), and E2 significantly increased in Group Y3 (P < 0.01). The expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA increased in Group Y1, Y2, and Y3. The increase was most obvious in Group Y3 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSYJZYD could lower the hyperandrogenemia of PCOS rats. It also could increase the ovarian expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA, improve the ovarian functions, and promote the follicular development.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; blood ; Androgens ; blood ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, FSH ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo estimate the velocity of HCV subtype 6a transmission in Southwest China.

METHODSThe HCV CE1 region from 61 patients infected with HCV genotype 6 were amplificated by RT-PCR and sequenced. The subtypes were identified, and the period of HCV 6a strains originated in southwest china was estimated by using molecular clock phylogenetic analysis. The velocity of HCV subtype 6a transmission in southwest China was estimated by BEAST v1.6.1 and Tracer v1.5 software theoretically.

RESULTSMost of HCV 6a strains distributed in Southwest China origine around the year 1968 and at last 4 epidemic strains existed. The earlier origine strains could be isolated both in intravenous drug users (IDU) and non-IDU patients. After 1997, the HCV 6a strains transmission in southwest China accelerated and the trend intensified in 2007.

CONCLUSIONHCV 6a strains spread fastly both in IDU and non-IDU patients, which might be the main HCV subtype distributed in Southwest China in the future.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics

AIMTo determine whether activation of kappa-opioid receptor with U50,488H, a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, produces any changes in electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia and whether these changes in electrical uncoupling is associated with the cardioprotection induced by kappa-opioid receptor activation, and to explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS(1) To observe the effect of U50,488H (10(-7), 10(-6), 3 x10(-6) and 10(-5) mol/L), a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, or with a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI (5 x 10(-6) mol/L), or with a mitochondrial K(ATP) channel inhibitor 5-HD on myocardium during ischemia/reperfusion in isolated perfused rat heart. Parameters of measurements include hemodynamic data, formazan content, heart rate, coronary flow, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). (2) To examine the effect of U50,488H of different concentration on electrical coupling parameters (including onset of uncoupling, plateau time, slope, and fold increase in r1) during 70 min myocardial ischemia in isolated perfused rat heart.

RESULTS(1) Pretreatment with U50,488H concentration dependently increased formazan content and reduced LDH release induced by 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. (2) The onset of electrical uncoupling and plateau time during prolonged ischemia was delayed by kappa-opioid receptor activation with U50,488H. (3) Linear regression analysis shown that the increase in formazan content and decrease in LDH release produced by kappa-opioid receptor activation was associated with delayed electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia. (4) The effects of U50,488H on formazan content, LDH release and on electrical coupling were abolished by nor-BNI, or 5-HD.

CONCLUSIONThis results demonstrate that the onset of electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia is delayed by kappa-opioid receptor activation with a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H, and that delayed electrical uncoupling is associated with the cardioprotection induced by kappa-opioid receptor activation with U50,488H. These effects of kappa-opioid receptor activation with U50,488H are mediated by mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Naltrexone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; agonists

Objective To observe the effect of Ti-6AL-4V particles on morphological and func- tional changes of osteoclast in vitro.Methods Mature osteoclasts separated from New Zealand Rabbits were cultured on glass slices and cortical bone slices.The experimental group was stimulated by Ti-6AL- 4V particles at concentration of 0.1 mg/ml.The cells were stained with TRAP at different culture time to observe the morphological variety.The bone resorption pits on bone slices were stained by toluidine blue and the resorption areas analyzed by computer image analysis software.Results Osteoclasts phagocy- tosed the particles,with irregular shapes,deeper TRAP stain and earlier apoptosis.Stimulation by Ti- 6AL-4V particles brought about larger area of bone absorption lacuna.Conclusion Osteoclasts have the ability to phagocytose Ti-6AL-4V particles,which leads to morphological and functional changes and enhances bone resorption.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage of basal ganglia regionin middle volume with minimally invasive surgery combined with alteplase .Methods Sixty-three patients with moderate amount of cerebral basilar hemorrhage and their GCS scores were between 8 to 10 in our hospital from 2012 to 2016 were divided into experimental group and control group .The experimental group were taken by minimally invasive surgery for intracranial hematoma combined with alteplase , otherwise, the patients in the control group were treated by medical conservative treatment .GCS,NIHSS,activities of daily living ( ADL), mRS were used to evaluated the efficacy ,the results were compared .Results The amount of bleeding in two groups had no significant difference before treatment .However, the experimental group of hematoma was neaely clear up or almost all absorped , the control group was not significantly reduced after treatment according to review of CT , there was statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.05).In the experimental group, NIHSS score was significantly decreased after treatment than before treatment ( P<0.05 ) , while there was no statistically significant difference in the control group .In the experimental group , GCS score was significantly decreased after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05).Three months after discharge, the ADL score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05 ) , the mRS score of the experimental group after 3 months was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion Treatment to basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage of minimally invasive surgery combined with alteplase is more safe and effective by removing intracranial hematoma quickly , reducing brain damage caused by hematoma compression and thereby deseasing morbidity and mortality.

AIM: To investigate the effects of chronic hy poxia and antagonistic effects of aminophylline on airway inflammation and oxida tive lung damage in rats. METHODS: Thirty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (n=10); hypoxia group (n=12); aminop hlline-treated group (n=12). The last two groups were both exposed to hypoxi a 7 hours per day for 21 days. The third group was treated with aminophlline (1 00 mg?kg -1?d -1) before exposed to hypoxia. The level of tumor ne c rosis factor (TNF) -?, interleukin (IL)-10, lipid peroxide (LPO) and the activi ty of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in blood and homogenates of lung tissue. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the levels of TNF-?, IL -10 and LPO were significantly increased (P

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Child ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donors.

METHODSTwo cases of live-donor underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in May and August 2008 respectively and both were followed up.

RESULTIn two cases the operation time was 130, 10 min; blood loss was 50 ml; warm ischemic time was 30 s and 2 min; the length of artery was 4.0 cm and 3.5 cm; the length of vein was 3.0 cm. The grafted kidneys started to produce urine at 30 s and 10 s after blood supply. Renal function of donor returned to normal after two days. The donors were discharged at 7th day after the operation. Renal function of recipient was normal after 3 days.

CONCLUSIONTransperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donor is a safe and effective procedure, which provides kidney with satisfactory blood vessels and ureter for graft.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Laparoscopy ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Peritoneum ; surgery ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting