Objective:To investigate the effects of estradiol on ~(60)Co?-ray induced apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells of mice,and to discuss the related anti-irradiation mechanism.Methods:KM mice were randomly divided into 3 groups(15 mice/each group):control group(without radiation),pure radiation group and estradiol+radiation group(ER group).The pure radiation group was irradiated by 4.0 Gy?-ray at a dose rate of 1.15Gy/min;the ER group was administered with 0.1 mg estradiol(IM)at 10 days before 4.0 Gy?-ray radiation;and the control group received no special treatment.The apoptotic DNA segments of bone marrow hematopoietic cells were analyzed by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis;flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptosis rate of cells and expression of Fas and Bcl-2 at 4 h,8 h,and 12 h after irradiation.Results:Eight hours after radiation,the apoptotic DNA segments were obviously increased and apoptotic DNA ladder appeared,which was not seen in the other 2 groups.The apoptosis rate of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in ER group was significantly lower than that in the pure radiation group at 4,8,and 12 h after irradiation(P

Background Researches showed that the incidence rate of cataract is high in the nickel mining area. Nickel sulphate can apparently inhibit the metabolism and proliferation of human lens epithelium cells. But the study on the injury mechanism of nickel on lens is still seldom. Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of nickel sulphate on the lens of SD rats. Methods Forty-five SPF SD rats aged from 7 to 14 days were grouped randomly into subcutaneous injection group, intraperitoneal injection group and blank group. Nickel sulphate of 2 g/L ( 10 mg/kg) was subcutaneously or intraperitonealy injected for 45 days. The opacity of rat lens was examined under the slit lamp at two-week interval and scored based on the criteria of LOCS II and LOCS III. The rats were sacrificed in 45 days after experiment and the lens were obtained for the pathological examination. Result The mean score of the anterior subcapsule opacity of rat lens was obviously higher in subcutaneous injection group compared with blank control group with a significant difference between them (t= 14. 311, P < 0. 05 ) , but no significant difference in the anterior subcapsule opacity between intraperitoneal injection group and blank control group (t = 4. 355 , P>0. 05 ). The score of posterior subcapsule opacity of lens were evidently higher in both subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group (t = 9. 316,P = 0. 004;t = 7. 464, P = 0. 009) ,so was the mean score of the anterior +posterior subcapsule opacities(t = 23. 387,P=0. 000;t= 10. 533,P = 0. 002) and the total score of rat lens opacity ( t = 12. 358 , P = 0. 001; t = 10. 188 , P = 0. 003 ) . No significant differences were found in cortex opacity score and nuclear opacity score among three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Histopathology examination revealed that the degeneration of lens collagen protein was more serious in subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group,and the injury degree of lens collagen protein was more dominant in subcutaneous injection group. Conclusion System administration of nickel sulphate induced the injury of anterior and posterior subcapsule of lens in SD rat.

Objective To observe and compare the incidence of cough among patients with post-infection cough undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods Seventy-one patients with post-infection cough undergoing painless gastroscopy were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups.The observation group (34 cases) received budesonide nebulization before gastroscopy and the control group (37 cases) was performed gastroscopy directly.We observed the incidence of cough at different time point and the changes of circulationduring the operation. Results The incidence of cough between the observation group and the control group showed statistically significant differences (P＜0.01) . The changes of circulation showed statistical differences between two groups in the process of gastroscopy (P＜0.05).Conclusion Budesonide nebulization supplying can decrease the incidence of post-in-fection cough among patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the mRNA expression levels of p53-mediating DNA damage and repair genes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers and their exposures to benzene in their working environment.

METHODSThe mRNA expression levels of p53 and related genes were determined by SYBR Green I chimeric fluorescence quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 72 workers, who were classified into group A (46 direct exposure to benzene) and group B (26 indirect exposure to benzene) based on their positions, and 29 controls. The differences of gene expression levels were analyzed by software REST 2005. Meanwhile, the peripheral blood leukocytes, hemoglobin and platelet of workers and controls were counted. Benzene content was measured in the samples of toluene, used as raw material, and spraying agents and benzene, toluene and xylene concentrations in the air of workplaces were monitored.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of p53, Ku80, Ape1 and Mdm-2 between group A or group B and control group (P > 0.05). The expression up-regulation of p21 mRNA was found, but without significant difference (P > 0.05). However, the mRNA expression levels of Rad51, Bcl-2, Bax, Xpa and Xpc in group A and Rad51 in group B were downregulated significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, both the counts of white blood cell, hemoglobin and platelet in group A were (4.93 +/- 1.27) x 10(9)/L, (123.97 +/- 11.80) g/L and (124.02 +/- 41.22) x 10(9)/L respectively and platelet in group B (135.80 +/- 39.44) x 10(9)/L were significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mRNA expression levels of some p53-mediating DNA damage and repair genes are downregulated in the workers chronically exposed to low benzene concentration. The working environment impacts on health of group A workers are greater than the ones of group B.

Adult ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; DNA Damage ; DNA Repair ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of reconstructive surgery for male urethral stricture on erectile function and sexual life quality.

METHODSWe analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of 326 male patients who underwent urethroplasty for urethral stricture in our department and evaluated their erectile function and sexual life quality.

RESULTSA total of 172 groups of valid data were collected, with the mean follow-up of 28.5 months. The mean scores on IIEF-5 (P=0.002) and sexual life quality (P=0.026) were statistically significantly reduced after surgery. Erectile dysfunction was found in 88 (51.2%) of the patients after urethroplasty, as compared with 56 (32.6%) preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONThe location of urethral stricture, surgical method and urethral stricture recurrence may affect the erectile function and sexual life quality of the patient, but both can be gradually improved with the time after urethroplasty.

Adult ; Aged ; Coitus ; physiology ; psychology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; psychology ; Quality of Life ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urethral Stricture ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo determine the bioinformatical characteristics of differential gene expression in patients with chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) with the Pi-deficiency syndrome (PDS) and those of the non-Pi-deficiency syndrome (non-PDS), i.e. patients of CSG with Pi-Wei dampnese-heat syndrome and healthy persons.

METHODSWith the BRB-Array Tools software package, original data collection and bioinformatic: analysis of gene arrays were conducted in 6 CSG patients of PDS (CSG-PDS), 6 CSG patients of non-PDS (CSG-nPDS), and 6 healthy volunteers (Normal).

RESULTSCompared with non-PDS, the gene expressions: in PDS with regards to protein synthesis, energy metabolism, immune reaction and ionic transport tended to be down-regulated, while those concerning secretion, cytoskeleton and ubiquitinization were up-regulated dominantly.

CONCLUSIONSThe two kinds of samples, CSG-PDS/Normal and CSG-PDS/CSG-nPDS, have their respective gene expression profiles with different characteristics. Gene expression profile has certain referential significance in syndrome classification.

Chronic Disease ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; Gastritis ; genetics ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the mRNA expression of endothelial cellular adhesion molecules in the cerebral blood vessels in rats with prestroke condition caused by simulated cold wave.

METHODSTwo-kidney two-clip renovascular hypertension was induced in 48 male SD rats, which were subsequently randomly assigned into cold wave exposure and non-exposed group (n=24). Each group was further divided into 4 sub-groups according to their systolic blood pressure, namely the sham-operated group with blood pressure (BP)<140 mmHg, mild hypertensive group with BP of 160-199 mmHg, moderate hypertensive group with BP of 200-219 mmHg, and severe hypertensive group with BP no less than 220 mmHg. Cold wave exposure was simulated by housing the rats in an artificial climate chamber with 3 cycles of 12 h light at 22 degrees celsius; and 12 h dark at 4 degrees celsius;. The non-exposed group was kept at 22 degrees celsius; throughout the experiment. After the exposure, the rats were sacrificed and the tissues of the frontal lobe were slice into 2.0-mm-thick coronal sections for real-time RT-PCR detection of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and p-selectin mRNA expressions. The 5.0-microm-thick frozen sections from the bregma section underwent in situ hybridization of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin. The other sections were stained with HE to observe the infarct lesions, and the rats with cerebral infraction were excluded from the statistical analysis.

RESULTSIn rats with cold wave exposure-induced prestroke condition and BP <220 mmHg, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions all increased compared with those in the non-exposed group. In rats with BP>or=220 mmHg and cold exposure, the expressions all decreased to some extent compared with those in the non-exposed treatment. In the non-exposed rats, a positive correlation of BP to VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions were noted, and this correlation was also found in cold-wave-exposed rats with BP <220 mmHg; VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and p-selectin mRNA expressions decreased dramatically in the exposed rats with BP >or=220 mmHg compared with those in rats with BP <220 mmHg.

CONCLUSIONPersistent and severe hypertension impairs the modulatory function of the cerebral vascular endothelia, which is a prerequisite for the stroke vulnerability. The modulatory function deteriorates as the BP further increases.

Animals ; Atmosphere Exposure Chambers ; Cerebral Arteries ; metabolism ; Cold Temperature ; Environment, Controlled ; Equipment Design ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; complications ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; P-Selectin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stroke ; etiology ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the differences of theantimicrobial-resistant profiles between the isolates of Staphylococci aureu from children and from adults.

METHODSStaphylococci was identified by the plasma coagulase test, Staphylococci monoclonal antibody and VITEK-32 fully automated microbiology analyzer.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the K-B disk diffusion for 84 Staphylococci isolates from children and 74 Staphylococci isolates from adults. Cefoxitin was used for detecting methillicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by the disk diffusion test.

RESULTSSeven (8%) MRSA isolates were found in Staphylococci isolates from children compared with 35 MRSA isolates (47%) in those from adults (p<0.01). All strains were susceptible to vancomycin. All strains from children were susceptible to fusidic acid. The resistant rates of the isolates from children to cefazolin, cefuroxime, gentamicin, cefoxitin, and levofloxacin were significantly lower than those from adults (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe antimicrobial resistance of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates from adults is more prevalent than that in the isolates from children.

Adult ; Child ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue acupuncture method on the behavioral changes and the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in hippocampus of Alzheimer disease (AD) model mice. Methods 18 male SAMP8 mice, seven months old, were randomly divided into acupuncture group, non-acupoint control group, and model control group. And another age-matched 6 male SAMR1 mice were prepared as normal control group. Mice in acupuncture group were intervened by acupuncture method in the acupoints of "Shenshu", "Baihui", "Xuehai", and "Geshu". Mice in non-acupoint control group were treated by stimulating the fixed non-point under the bilateral rib, while mice in model control group and normal control group were raised without special treatment but administered the stimulation of catching with the same time and the same stimulus intensity. All treatrment lasted for 8 weeks. After the intervention, the learning and memory abilitities and brain hippocampus Brd U positive cells of all groups were detected. Results Compared with the nomal control group, mice in the model control group had longer escape latency and less time spent in former platform quadrant (P＜0.05); the number of Brd U positive cells decreased significantly (P＜0.05). Compared with the model control group and the non-acupoint control group, mice in the acupuncture group had shorter escape latency and more time spent in former platform quadrant (P＜0.05); the number of Brd U positive cells increased significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusion Bushen Huoxue acupuncture method can improve the learning and memory abilities of SAMP8 mice AD model by inducing the proliferation of hippocampal endogenous NSCs.

OBJECTIVETo observe the levels of pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A, SP-D) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with pneumonia, and to explore their relationships with clinical characteristics.

METHODSThirty-five children with pneumonia were enrolled in this study. Differential cell counts were obtained by Countstar counting board. The levels of SP-A and SP-D in BALF were detected using ELISA.

RESULTSIn children with pneumonia, SP-D levels were significantly higher than SP-A levels (P<0.001). SP-D levels were negatively correlated with the neutrophil percentage in BALF (r(s)=-0.5255, P<0.01). SP-D levels in BALF in children with increased blood C-reactive protein levels (>8 mg/L) were significantly lower than in those with a normal level of C-reactive protein (P<0.05). Compared with those in children without wheezing, SP-D levels in children with wheezing were significantly lower (P<0.01). There was no correlation between SP-A levels and clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONSSP-D levels in BALF are significantly higher than SP-A levels, and have a certain correlation with clinical characteristics in children with pneumonia. As a protective factor, SP-D plays a more important role than SP-A in regulating the immune and inflammatory responses.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; analysis ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D ; analysis