Animals ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective: To evaluate the differences of brain microbleeds among Alzheimer's disease (AD), amnesia mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and normal control (NC). Methods: Eighteen AD patients, 28 aMCI patients and 30 age-matched NC were recruited in the study. The location and number of microbleeds was recorded in the brain according to the susceptibility-weighted images. The bilateral frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, and thalamus were manually mapped on 3D-MR imaging. The number of cases with microbleeds and the number of microbleeds in each lobe were calculated and compared among three groups using the chi-square test and ANOVA. Results: Significant differences on case number with microbleeds were found between AD group and NC group in the frontal lobe (P=0.005), the temporal lobe (P=0.005) and whole brain (P=0.004), and between aMCI group and NC group in the frontal lobe (P=0.048). It also showed significant differences among three groups in the frontal lobe (P=0.006), the temporal lobe (P=0.006) and whole brain (P=0.016). For the microbleeds counts, significant differences were found between AD group and NC group in the frontal lobe (P=0.004) and the temporal lobe (P=0.049), and between AD group and NC group in the frontal lobe (P=0.044). It also had significant differences among three groups in the frontal lobe (P=0.016), the temporal lobe (P=0.038) and whole brain (P=0.048). Conclusion: The AD group has more significant microbleeds in frontal and parietal lobes in comparison to NC group. The quantization of cerebral microbleeds may be a potential biomarker for AD diagnosis.

Objective To construct an evaluation index system of ward management,which can evaluate the efficiency of ward management fairly, and make the ward management more scientific and standardized.Methods Delphi method was used in semi-structured interview of 31 experts and 74 experts were subject to questionnaire consultation, so as to establish the index system.Results The index system of ward management so built consisted of three level-1 indexes of safety and quality, teamwork and patient satisfaction, six level-2 indexes of daily monitoring, service environment, adverse events, doctor-nurse cooperation, evaluation of administrators and patient satisfaction, and 25 level-3 indexes.Practice of this system in the past two years reduced adverse events and elevated quality of care.Conclusions This system as used clinically proves its operability and objectivity.

Chemical constituents of Chlorella sorokiniana were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatographies, over silicagel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis. Five compounds were obtained from the petroleum ether extract of Chlorella sorokiniana, and their structures were identified as (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 3beta-epidioxiergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol(1),(24S)-ergosta-7-en-3beta-ol(2), loliolide(3), stigmasta-7,22-dien-3beta,5alpha,6alpha-triol(4), and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(5). The main liposoluble fractions from Chlorella sorokiniana maiuly contain fatty acids, alkyl acids and olefine acids. Components 1-5 were isolated from the genus Chlorella for the first time.
Biological Factors ; chemistry ; Chlorella ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

Objective:To investigate the preoperative diagnostic value of 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) planar imaging and SPECT/CT imaging for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and analyze the relevant factors affecting the imaging results. Methods:From June 2016 to September 2019, a total of 62 patients (15 males, 47 females, age range: 27-80 years) confirmed as PHPT by postsurgical pathology in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were retrospectively enrolled. The diagnostic efficacies of 99Tc m-MIBI planar imaging and SPECT/CT imaging were compared using χ2 test. The differences of preoperative serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca and the maximum diameter of lesion between the positive and negative groups of planar imaging were analyzed using independent-sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The region of interest (ROI) method was applied to calculate the uptake ratio of lesions to normal tissues at the early phase (T/Ne) and delayed phase (T/Nd) in positive cases of planar imaging. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of T/Ne, T/Nd with preoperative serum PTH, Ca and the maximum diameter of lesion. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of preoperative serum PTH, Ca and positive planar imaging were drawn and the cut-off values were obtained. Results:The sensitivity of planar imaging and SPECT/CT imaging was 69.35%(43/62) and 87.10%(54/62) respectively ( χ2=5.729, P=0.017). The preoperative serum PTH, Ca levels and the maximum diameter of lesion in patients with positive planar imaging (253.32(107.00, 331.70) ng/L, 2.78(2.51, 2.87) mmol/L, (2.01±0.88) mm) were higher than those with negative planar imaging ((111.86±44.29) ng/L, (2.59±0.21) mmol/L, (1.42±0.55) mm; z values: -2.802, -1.978, t=3.300, all P<0.05). T/Ne was positively correlated with preoperative serum PTH ( rs=0.511, P<0.001) and the maximum diameter of lesion ( r=0.381, P=0.012), and T/Nd was positively correlated with preoperative serum PTH ( rs=0.538, P<0.001), Ca ( rs=0.348, P=0.022) and the maximum diameter of lesion ( r=0.463, P=0.002). The area under the ROC curve between preoperative serum PTH, Ca and planar imaging was 0.725 and 0.646, respectively. Preoperative serum PTH had a better predictive value with the optimal cut-off value of 150.4 ng/L. Conclusions:Preoperative serum PTH, Ca and the maximum diameter of lesion are positively correlated with 99Tc m-MIBI uptake in PHPT patients with positive planar imaging results. When preoperative serum PTH is lower than 150.4 ng/L, planar imaging is prone to false negative. SPECT/CT imaging has a significant value in preoperative diagnosis and the combination of PTH and CT can improve the positive rate.

The aim of this paper is to compare the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of three kinds of poly(b-benzyl-L-amino) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PXA-PEG-NPs) using Calu-3 cells, and select one as a nasal drug delivery vector for curcumin (Cur). Poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLG-PEG-NPs), poly(gamma-benzyl-L-lysine) block-poly(ethyleneglycol) nanoparticles (PZLL-PEG-NPs) and poly(gamma-benzyl-L-aspartate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLA-PEG-NPs) were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. MTT assays were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PXA-PEG-NPs against Calu-3 cells. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was visualized by an inverted fluorescence microscope and quantified by a flow cytometer. The results indicated that even at high concentration of 2 mg x mL(-1) the three nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity on Calu-3 cells. Compared to the curcumin solution, the three curcumin-loaded PXA-PEG-NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake efficiency on Calu-3 cells (at equal concentration of curcumin with 5 microg x mL(-1) Cur solution), PBLG-PEG-NPs group was the highest. The cellular uptake increased with incubation time, and has positive correlation with nanoparticle concentration. In brief, PXA-PEG-NPs are conducive to delivery Cur into cells, and PBLG-PEG-NPs might be provided as a good nasal drug delivery carrier.
Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Administration, Intranasal ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Aspartic Acid ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; Ethylene Glycol ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lysine ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Polyglutamic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; toxicity

AIMTo explore the effects of noninvasive limb ischemic preconditioning on the anti-stress ability in mice.

METHODSMice were divided into: normal group, control group, preconditioning group and drug group. Hypoxia tolerance test, swimming with weight loading, cold tolerance test and thermostable test were performed, and tolerance time in all the stringent state were observed. SOD activity of serum in hypoxia tolerance test and lactic acid of serum in swimming with weight loading test were determined.

RESULTSThe time of hypoxia tolerance in preconditioning group was markedly increased, and SOD activity of preconditioning group mice was significantly higher than those of control group, while they were both shorter than drug group. The average time of swimming in preconditioning group was markedly increased and the level of increasing the swimming time of preconditioning was the same as caffeine. Preconditioning could increase the survival time on high temperature markedly, and there was no significantly difference in the level of increasing the survival time between preconditioning group and chlorpromazine group. Preconditioning could increase the time of cold tolerance markedly compared with normal group.

CONCLUSIONNoninvasive limb ischemic preconditioning can improve the ability of anti-hypoxia, anti-fatigue, thermoresistance and cold-resistance in mice.

Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Animals ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Fatigue ; prevention & control ; Female ; Hypoxia ; prevention & control ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Stress, Physiological ; physiology

Objective To compare the clinical features between cryptogenic stoke(CS)with and without right-to-left shunt(RLS)so as to determine whether shunt severity determined by control-enhanced transcranial Doppler(c-TCD)is correlated with the risk of paradoxical embolism(RoPE)score.Methods We made a retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics of 138 CS patients with and without RLS admitted to our department between January 2014 and November 2016.For patients documented by c-TCD,we evaluated whether there was a correlation between RLS severity and RoPE score. RLS was diagnosed by c-TCD and contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography(c-TTE).We compared every modality for detecting RLS with and without Valsalva maneuver.For patients found with RLS in c-TCD and c-TTE,we judged whether there was an agreement in grading RLS between two modalities.Results For patients with CS,shunt severity by c-TCD was positively correlated with RoPE score(r= 0.26,P= 0.05).The clinical features were different between CS patients with RLS and without RLS.Compared with the positive results of c-TCD and c-TTE at rest,the positive rate was higher in Valsalva maneuver,respectively(P＜0.01).There was a moderate agreement between shunt grades identified by the two techniques(Kappa=0.428).Conclusion There is a positive correlation between RoPE score and RLS severity determined by c-TCD in CS patients.Valsalva maneuver can significantly increase the positive rate of RLS detected by c-TCD and c-TTE.

AIMTo investigate the effects of ramipril on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic rats, and to explore its mechanism according to the observation on myocardial ultrastructure.

METHODSStreptozotocin induced diabetic rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 16): ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and ramipril (RAM) group. Rats in RAM group were administered by RAM(1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) orally for 4 weeks, the others were administered by normal saline. Then all rats were subjected to myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury. Rats in IPC group were preconditioned before ischemia. The ECG and the infarct size were examined. The changes of myocardial morphology were examined by light and electron microscopes.

RESULTSCompared with I/R group, the elevation of ST segment and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation during ischemia were significantly decreased, the infarct size at the end of reperfusion was remarkably reduced, the myocardial morphology were significantly improved, special structure of myofilaments and mitochondria remained clearly, blood vessels were unobstructed, injury of endothelium were decreased in PC and RAM groups.

CONCLUSIONRamipril administered for 4 weeks induces myocardial protection in diabetic rats, which is similar to that of IPC. The mechanism may be involved in protection of cardiocytes and mitochondria, and improvement of endothelial function.

Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; ultrastructure ; Ramipril ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of polydatin on sepsis-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice, and to preliminarily study its mechanisms.

METHODSThe sepsis model was established using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).A sham-operation control group was also set up. Polydatin (50, 100, and 300 mg/kg, respectively) was administrated to mice 1 h before CLP. The survival and liver injury were evaluated subsequently per 6 h after CLP. The survived mice were scarified 24 h later. The serum and the liver tissue sample were collected. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by colorimetric method. The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was assayed by ELISA. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the liver tissue was detected by Western blot. The pathological changes of the hepatic tissue were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin stain.

RESULTSThe mortality of mice reached as high as 50% at 24 h after CLP. The biochemical indices and the pathological changes of the liver tissue showed obvious lesion. The success rate of modeling was 90%. Compared with the sham-operation control group, the serum ALT,AST activity, the TNF-alpha content, and the hepatic COX-2 protein expression markedly increased in the CLP group (P < 0.01). Polydatin improved the sepsis-induced mortality dose-dependently, inhibited increased ALT, AST activity and TNF-alpha, decreased the hepatic COX-2 protein expression, and attenuated the pathological injury of the liver (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPolydatin could effectively protect sepsis-induced ALI, which might be achieved possibly through inhibiting serum TNF-alpha production and hepatic COX-2 expression.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Liver ; enzymology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood