Objective To explore the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF- lα)and nestin in the hippocampus of developing rats after pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced starus epilepticus (SE),and the correlation between HIF-1α level and proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Methods A total of 768 SD rats,including rats of postnatal 7 days (P7,n-192),rats of postnatal 14 days (P14,n=192),rats of postnatal 21 days (P21,n=192) and rats of postnatal 28 days (P28,n=192),were equally randomized into vehicle group (n=96) and control group (n-96),respectively; SE rat models of the vehicle group were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1％ PTZ (80 mg/kg); and rats of the control group were received injection of normal saline (NS); 6 and 12 h,and 1,2,3 and 7 d after the inducement,the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α in the hippocampus of rats in these 8 groups were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Another 48 21-d- old SD rats were equally randomized into vehicle I group (n=24) and intervention group (n=24); and rats in the intervention group received injection of HIF-lα antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) into the right hippocampus and NS into the left hippocampus; 6 h after the injection,these 48 rats were induced into SE models by intraperitoneal injection of 1％ PTZ (80 mg/kg); 2 d after the inducement, the mRNA expression of HIF-1α in the hippocampus was examined by RT-PCR; and 7 and 14 d after theinducement, the protein expressions of HIF-1α and nestin in the hippocampus were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results The mRNA expression of HIF-1 α in the hippocampus of all the rats in the vehicle group after SE increased significantly with similar trend.Six h after SE,the HIF-1α mRNA expression significantly decreased with time prolongation (P＜0.05). Major HIF-1α positive cells were located in different areas at different time after SE. In intervention experiment, the HIF-1α mRNA expression 2 d after SE and the number ofnestin positive cells 7 and 14 d after SE in the vehicle I group and the left hippocampus of intervention group(being intervented with ASODN) obviously decreased as compared with those in the right hippocampus (being intervented with NS,P＜0.05). Conclusion The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α in the hippocampus of developing rats are enhanced after SE with a correlation of age-in-days; correlativity between HIF-1α and proliferation of NSCs might exist after SE.

Objective To explore the pathological and imaging features of epithelioid angiomyolipoma(EAML). Methods A 47-year-old man presented with dull pain in left upper abdomen for 1 year admitted to hospital.Accompanied with several enlarged lymph nodes,a mass with the largest diameter of 28 cm in the left kidney was inhomogeneously enhanced on CT.The left kidney and the mass were radically resected with regional lymph node dissection after general anaesthesia. Results During the operation,a well-circumscribed,encapsulated mass with several paraaortic lymph nodes was found on the upper-middle left kidney.The gross cut surface showed fleshy texture with regions of necrosis.Microscopically and immunohistochemistrically,diffuse sheets of epithelioid cells were found with positivity for HMB-45 and negativity for EMA.CT features included higher pre-contrasted density,absent fat,enhanced mode of quick wash-in and slow wash-out.There was neither metastasis nor recurrence during the 1 year follow-up. Conclusion EAML with malignant potency is a rare tumor of mesenchymal tissue presenting with some specific radiopathological features and a good prognosis.

Acne Vulgaris ; therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Needles

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism with blood samples by liquid-based cytology technique and to study the validity of method. METHODS: The blood samples were collected from patients who suffered from amniotic fluid embolism. The components of amniotic fluid in blood samples were examined with blood smear by two direct smear methods (supernatant smear, sediment smear) and two liquid-based cytology methods (automatic smear, manual smear). The positive detection rate of each method was calculated. RESULTS: The positive detection rates of two liquid-based cytology methods (84.6% and 92.3%, respectively) were much higher than those of two direct methods (53.8% and 61.5%, respectively). CONCLUSION The liquid-based cytology technique could improve the positive detection rate of amniotic fluid embolism.
Amniotic Fluid ; Cytological Techniques/methods* ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid/diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo analyze the characteristics of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

METHODSWe summarized the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytological findings in 4 cases of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

RESULTSAll the patients presented with signs of elevated intracranial pressure such as headache. Enlarged cerebral ventricles and dural enhancement were found by MRI, with also the presence of malignant cells in cytological slides.

CONCLUSIONCSF cytological examination is important for diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Aged ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningeal Carcinomatosis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDAstragalus polysaccharides (APS), the main active extract from Astragalus membranaceus (a traditional Chinese medicinal herb), is associated with a variety of immunomodulatory activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of APS on the function of Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify the pharmacologic mechanism of APS responsible for the anti-chemotactic activity in CD4+CD25highTreg cells in tumor site of HCC.

METHODSThe prevalence of Treg in fresh tissue samples from 31 patients with HCC after radicalhepatectomy was detected. CD4, CD25 and CD127 were selected as Treg cell makers to phenotype cell populations. The expression of FOXp3 mRNA was also analyzed. The migration and proliferation of Treg cells were observed. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and SDF-1 in cell supernatant were detected. For all tests, functions of Treg cells were evaluated after treatment with APS.

RESULTSAPS can inhibit the growth and proliferation of CD4+CD25+Treg cells in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner. APS may inhibit CD4+CD25+Treg cells through restoring the cytokine imbalance and reducing the expression of FOXp3 in local HCC microenvironments. SDF-1 played an important role in there recruitment of Treg cells into the tumor microenvironment of HCC. APS might have inhibiting effects on Treg cell migration by blocking SDF-1 or its receptor through the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase in numbers of tumor associated Treg cells might play a role in modulation of the immune response against HCC. APS can restore the cytokine balance in the tumor micro environment and suppress the expression of FOXp3 mRNA to inhibit the immune suppressive effects of Treg cells. The application of APS in the tumor microenvironment might act to enhance the anti-tumor effects of the immunotherapy-based methods, and consequently to increase the survival rate in HCC.

Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; drug effects

Sperm membrane proteins play a key role in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and sperm-oocyte interaction. A deeper research would shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and fertilization. In recent years, with the extensive application of a variety of current molecular biological methods and bioinformatics to reproductive medicine, some sperm membrane proteins found previously have been cloned and sequenced. Furthermore, new sperm membrane proteins, being found continuously, will make a solid foundation for the development of contraceptive vaccine as well as for the investigation into the mechanism of fertilization at levels of gene and protein. This article reviews the current progress in the researches on sperm membrane proteins.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; physiology ; Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; physiology ; Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer after subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in prone position and in left lateral position.

METHODSBetween September 2008 and September 2010, thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) with thoracoscopic mobilization of the esophagus and mediastinal esophagectomy was performed in 41 patients in prone position (group A) and other 41 patients (group B) performed by the same surgeon in left lateral position.

RESULTSPreoperatively, the endoscopic location of the tumor was in the upper third in 5 cases (2 vs. 3), the middle third in 21 cases (12 vs. 9), and the lower third in 56 cases (27 vs. 29). The median operative time was 230 (range 170-310) min in group A and 280 (range 190-380) min in group B (P=0.04). The median intraoperative blood loss was 275 (range 100-320) ml in group A and 360 (range 120-670) ml in group B (P=0.09). The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 8.4 (range 4-23) in group A and 6.9 (range 6-21) in group B (P=0.03). The postoperative complications totaled 6 (14.6%) in group A and 8 (17.1%) in group B (P=0.44). After a median follow-up period of 15.7 (range 2-28) months for group A and 16.3 (range 3-31) months for group B, 19 patients in group A died and 21 patients in group B.

CONCLUSIONSFor esophageal cancer under T3N1M0, surgical outcomes are similar between prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization and left lateral position. Prone position may be associated with better lymph node dissection.

Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prone Position ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDIt has been found that the expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is closely related to allergic rhinitis (AR). In the previous study, we have demonstrated that antiallergic herbal agents (AHA) can obviously inhibit the allergic reaction of AR. The aim of this study was to explore the expression of CFTR and the effects of AHA on CFTR to improve the allergic reaction of AR.

METHODSAn animal model of an AR rabbit was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The rhinitis rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups: AHA treating group (AHATG), modeling group (MG) and healthy controlling group (HCG). The expressions of CFTR protein were examined by immunohistochemical method. The mucosal epithelial cells of all the rabbits were primarily cultured with tissue culture method in vitro and treated with or without glibenclamide for 24 hours. The levels of monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) and RANTES protein in supernatants of culture were measured by ELISA, and the expressions of CFTR mRNA were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe expressions of CFTR mRNA and protein greatly increased in mucosal epithelial cells of MG. The protein concentrations of MCP-1, RANTES in culture supernatants of MG were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.01), and they reached much higher level than those at the start points in the MG (P < 0.05) and were significantly different compared with those in the AHATG after being cultured for 24 hours (P < 0.01). CFTR mRNA in MG + glibenclamide were much lower than those in MG (P < 0.05). RANTES and CFTR mRNA treated with glibenclamide in AHATG were significantly lower than those in the AHATG (P < 0.01). Minimal changes in the secretions of MCP-1 in the epithelial cells were detected between AHATG and AHATG + glibenclamide (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAHA can inhibit the secretions of CFTR, RANTES and MCP-1 in mucosal epithelia and improve inflammatory reaction of AR. CFTR may play an important role in the secretion of RANTES and mucosal inflammatory response in AR. Glibenclamide can inhibit the CFTR secretion in mucosal epithelial cells, in particular during AR process. These effects of glibenclamide on secretion of RANTES can be effectively strengthened by AHA.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL5 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glyburide ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Through analysis on sequencing of meridians and their muscle regions, their pertaining organs, run ning courses, linking and indications described in Zubi Shiyimai (Eleven Meridian of Foot and Hand), Yinyang Shiyimai (Eleven Meridian of Yinyang), Lingshu: Jingmai (Miraculous Pivot: Meridian) and Lingshu: Jinjing (Miraculous Pivot: Muscle Meridian), it is found that most of the indications of acupuncture in ancient time are symptoms of the muscle regions. 62.59% points of the national standard acupoints location close to tender points of the muscle regions, which indicates that the origin of early acupoints are tender points along the running courses of the muscle regions. Thus, it is concluded that meridians and their muscle regions have the same origin, which provides new train of thinking for a better comprehension of origin of meridians and collaterals.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Meridians ; Muscles ; pathology ; Pain ; pathology ; Pain Management