OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia (HH)on the cognitive function of mice and the phosphorylation of tau protein in mice brain.

METHODSForty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): static control (control) group, 8 hours (8 h) group, 7 days(7 d) group and 28 days(28 d) group, which were exposed to simulated HH equivalent to 5 500 m in an animal decompression chamber for 0 hour, 8 hours, 7 days and 28 days, respectively. Cognitive performances were examined by open field and passive avoidance test, tan phosphorylation was assayed by Western blot.

RESULTSIn open field test,the group exposed in hypobaric hypoxia for 28 d showed lower mean velocity (P < 0.05), time in central zone (P < 0.05) was longer than control group. In passive avoidance test 28 d group presented worse performance in both latency time and number of mistakes (P < 0.05) compared with control group. Western blot showed that phosphorylated tau was increased significantly following exposure to HH for 7 d in cortex and 28 d in hippocampus (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTau hyperphosphorylation in brain of mice may play a role in chronic HH-induced cognitive function impairment.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; physiology ; Memory ; physiology ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the absorption mechanism of genistein self-microemulsifying system in rat intestines.

METHODThe concentrations of phenol red and genistein by in situ perfusion in rats were determined by UV and HPLC, respectively. The effects of drug concentrations, pH, various intestinal segments and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor verapamil on the absorption had been studied.

RESULTThe absorption rate constant (Ka) of genistein had no significant difference at concentrations of 0.05-0.5 mg x mL(-1) and pH of 5.4-7.8 in perfusion. It was Ka of jejunum > ileum > duodenum > colon. The absorption of genistein in jejunum had significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with other parts of intestines. Ka was increased obviously when verapamil was coper-fused with genistein (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe absorption of genistein self-microemulsifying system is a first order process with passive diffusion mechanism related to P-gp efflux. It can be absorbed at all segments of rat intestine, and the jejunum is the best absorption segment, pH had no special effect on the absorption of genistein self-microemulsifying system in rat intestine.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Emulsions ; Genistein ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Temperature ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Background: Wide resection margins of osseous tumors are associated with a low incidence of local recurrence, making accurate measurement of the intraosseous extent of primary malignant long bone tumors is crucial. We compared the intraosseous tumor extent assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the gross specimen to evaluate the accuracy of MRI. Methods: A total of 255 patients with primary malignant tumors in the long bones were included. Using MRI, we defined the length of tumor as the distance from the articular surface to the boundary between abnormal and normal marrow signal. The extent of the abnormal intraosseous signal was measured on unenhanced T1?weighted (T1WI) magnetic resonance images after chemotherapy. All gross surgical specimens were sectioned, and tumor extent was measured. Wilcoxon signed?rank test was used to test the differences between MRI and gross specimen findings. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between groups. Results: Median tumor length by gross specimen (112 mm; range, 45–300 mm) was longer than that by MRI (108 mm; range, 45–304 mm;Z = ?6.916, P < 0.001). Of 255 images, tumor length was accurately represented on 27 T1WI magnetic resonance images, overestimated on 79 images, and underestimated on 149 images. The median difference between imaging and gross specimen measurements was 2.0 mm (range: 1.0–15.0 mm) for the 79 cases where tumor length was overestimated, and 5.0 mm (range: 1.0–18.0 mm) for the 149 cases where tumor length was underestimated. The Spearman correlation demonstrated a high correlation of tumor length on gross specimen with the tumor length on MRI (R = 0.99, P < 0.01). Conclusions: We conclude that preoperative MRI could be a useful method in determining intramedullary malignant bone tumor boundaries and may serve as an accepted assessment method of long bone tumors before limb?sparing surgery.

OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term efficacy of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) in the treatment of III and IV degree internal hemorrhoids.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups and received PPH (n=42) and MMH (n=58) respectively. After two years, the efficacy, complications and function of defecation were compared.

RESULTSTwo years after operation, the morbidities of hydrorrhea (2.38% vs 20.69%, P=0.007), dermal neoplasm formation (9.52% vs 25.86%, P=0.040) and narrowing in the caliber of the stools (2.38% vs 18.97%, P=0.027) were significantly lower in PPH group than those in MMH group (P<0.05). The morbidities of overall complication (9.52% vs 25.86%, P=0.040) and overall abnormal function of defecation (9.52% vs 29.31%, P=0.017) were lower in PPH group than those in MMH group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences of the morbidity of relapse (14.29% vs 10.34%, P=0.549), patient satisfactory degree (92.86% vs 87.93%, P=0.636) and overall symptom recurrence rate (19.05% vs 25.86%, P=0.424) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term efficacies of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids and Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of III and IV degree internal hemorrhoids are similar. PPH has better safety, less complications and less effect on abnormal function of defecation compared with MMH.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemorrhoids ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; surgery ; Prolapse ; Sutures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the expression of Egr-1 and NF-kappaB and the up-regulation of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 in macrophages after stimulation by silica in-vitro.

METHODSMacrophages were treated with antibodies against Egr-1 and NF-kappaB and antisense oligonucleotides. The level of TNF-alpha protein in the cell supernatant was then measured using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of TGF-beta1 protein was detected by immunocytochemistry. The expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 mRNAs was also monitored by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with silica-stimulated macrophages untreated with antibodies, the cells treated with 10 micro g/ml of Egr-1 or NF-kappaB antibodies were associated with reduced expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 proteins and mRNAs (P < 0.05). Compared with silica-stimulated untransfected group, the antisense group was associated with obvious reduction in the expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 proteins and mRNAs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 mRNAs and proteins are associated with activation of Egr-1 and NF-kappaB in macrophages, after stimulation by silica. It is possible that the corresponding antibodies and antisense oligonucleotides may become a potential therapeutic tool in the management of silicosis in the future.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Silicosis ; etiology ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the application value of the up-converting Phoshor technology immunochromatography for HBV large envelope protein (HBV-LP) quantitative determination strip in hepatitis B patients.Methods Serum HBV-LP was detected by a new UPT-based immunochromatograhpic technology,and HBV DNA was quantitively detected by real time fluorescent quantitation polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),HBV five serum markers were detected by chemiluminescence method.Results In 500 cases of patients with hepatitis B,HBV-LP and HBV DNA positive rates were 58.0％ and 42.2％ respectively,there was significant difference between the positive rate of HBV DNA and that of HBeAg(P ＜ 0.01); In 215 cases of HBeAg negative specimens,the positive rates of HBV DNA and HBV-LP were 29.3％ and 37.2％ respectively,the difference was statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05); and HBeAg positive rate was 57.0％,there was significant difference between the positive rate of HBV DNA and that of HBeAg (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion HBV-LP detected by UPT method can be used for the evaluation of viral replication and prognosis of patients with HBeAg negative and HBV DNA low copies patients.Combing detection of HBV DNA,HBV-LP and HBeAg is conducive to the judgment of HBV replication level and determination of antiviral treatment end point.

OBJECTIVETo perform gene analysis and family survey of a patient with combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency, and to identify the gene mutation of this patient.

METHODSThe phenotype diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assay on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, FVII and FX activity (FVII:C, FX:C) and FVII and FX antigen (FVII:Ag, FX:Ag). FVII and FX gene mutations were analyzed in the proband and other family members by DNA direct sequencing of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 5', 3' untranslated sequences. One hundred and six health examination participants were selected as control.

RESULTSThe values of PT and APTT of the proband showed significantly prolonged, which were 84.5s and 63.4s, respectively. The levels of FVII:C, FVII:Ag, FX:C and FX:Ag were 6%, 7%, 4% and 30%, respectively. The PT of his father, mother and sister was prolonged slightly while both APTT and FVII:Ag were in the normal range. Two homozygous mutations, g.11267C→T in exon 8 of FVII gene resulting in the substitution of Arg277Cys and g.28139G→T in exon 8 of FX gene leading to the substitution of Val384Phe, were identified in the proband. The proband's parents and sister were heterozygous for Arg277Cys and Val384Phe mutations.

CONCLUSIONHomozygous mutation Arg277Cys in FVII gene and Val384Phe in FX gene were the molecular mechanism causing combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency. The Val384Phe substitution was a novel mutation, which may affect the synthesis or secretion of FX protein.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Factor VII ; genetics ; Factor VII Deficiency ; complications ; genetics ; Factor X Deficiency ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene mutation and the molecular pathogenesis of an inherited coagulation factor VII (F VII) deficiency pedigree with consanguineous marriage.

METHODSThe diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assay on the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and coagulation factor activity. F VII gene mutations were analyzed in the proband and other family members by direct DNA sequencing of the PCR products of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 5'and 3' untranslated sequences. The mutations were confirmed by reverse sequencing.

RESULTSThe values of PT and F VII activity in the proband were significantly abnormal, they were 30.9 s and 3% respectively. The PT of her daughter, father and mother was slightly extended to 21.2 s, 16.3 s and 16.1 s respectively, and the F VII activity was reduced to 22%, 25% and 35% respectively. The coagulant parameters of her younger brother were within normal range. Homozygous T-->G transition at position 11482 in exon 8 was identified in the proband resulting in His348Gln, and heterozygosity for His348Gln was confirmed in her daughter and her parents, and the normal wild-type was observed in her younger brother.

CONCLUSIONHomozygous missense mutation of His348Gln was found in a pedigree of hereditary F VII deficiency. The mutation was inherited from her heterozygote parents.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Factor VII ; genetics ; Factor VII Deficiency ; genetics ; Female ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo fabricate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds owning the similar physiological structure of ECM, and to observe its biodegradation behavior in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS(1) The PVA nanofibrous scaffold and PVA/chitosan hybrid nanofibrous scaffold were fabricated by electrospinning technique, and then they were crosslinked by glutaraldehyde vapor method. The morphology of both scaffolds was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). (2) Biodegradation experiment in vitro: the samples of two scaffolds with size of 2 cm x 2 cm were placed into phosphate-buffer saline (PBS) fluid under 37.0 degrees C water for incubation, and then they were dried to observe morphologic changes under SEM on post incubation day (PID) 3, 7, and 14. (3) Biodegradation experiment in vivo: 48 Wistar rats were divided into PVA group and PVA/chitosan group according to the random number table, with 24 rats in each group. PVA or PVA/chitosan nanofibrous scaffold was implanted into subcutaneous tissue on both sides of back in rats of both groups, with 4 scaffolds in each rat. The scaffold samples were harvested to observe morphologic changes with HE staining on post operation day (POD) 3, 7, 14, and 28.

RESULTS(1) After crosslinking, the surface of fibers in PVA and PVA/chitosan hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds were smooth, and the diameters of fibers were similar, ranging from 200 to 300 nm, with high porosity. (2) Biodegradation experiment in vitro showed that the morphologic changes in fiber was respectively swelling, dissolution, fusion in PVA nanofibrous scaffold on PID 3, 7, 14, and that in PVA/chitosan hybrid nanofibrous scaffold was respectively swelling, dissolution and fragmentation, and disappearance. (3) Biodegradation experiment in vivo showed that the morphologic changes in scaffold structure was respectively loosening, fuzziness of edges, degradation, and disappearance in PVA group and PVA/chitosan group on POD 3, 7, 14, 28.

CONCLUSIONSPVA/chitosan hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds can be prepared with electrospinning technique, and it has an appropriate biodegradation rate compatible with tissue reconstruction after crosslinking.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Polyvinyl Alcohol ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

Objective To compare the incidence of cardio-cerebral vascular events between pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) women and non-PIH (NPIH) women.Methods Ambispective cohort study method was used and 4630 pregnant women giving birth during October 1976 to December 2008 in our hospital and participated the healthy examination between July 2006 and October 2007 at Kailuan medical group were included and divided into PIH group ( n =694) and NPIH group ( n =3936) by the history of PIH.Incidence of cardio-cerebral vascular events ( myocardial infarction,cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage ) was obtained during follow-up. Muhivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models was used to assess the relative risk of cardio-cerebral vascular events.Results ( 1 ) The follow-up time was 2 to 34 ( 15.32 ± 7.94)years.(2)The childbearing age,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure before delivery were significantly higher while gestational weeks and weight of newborn were significantly less in PIH group than in NPIH group ( all P ＜ 0.01 ). Levels of systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,waist circumference,body mass index,triglyceride,total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose during healthy examination between July 2006 and October 2007 were significantly higher in PIH group than in NPIH group(P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ). (3) There were 71 cardio-cerebral vascular events during the follow-up. In PIH group,the incidence rate of cardio-cerebral vascular events, myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction was 20.64％,11.08％ and 8.67％,respectively,while the corresponding incidence rate was 7.82％,4.02％ and 2.67％ in NPIH group ( all P ＜0.01 ).After adjustment for other traditional cardiovascular risk factors,the risk of total cardio-cerebral vascular events,myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction in PIH group was 2.99 fold ( 95％ CI:1.80 - 4.95 ),3.91 fold (95％ CI:1.71 -8.91) and 3.96 fold (95％ CI:1.95 - 8.05 ) higher than in NPIH group.Conclusion PIH is an independent risk factor for cardio-cerebral vascular events.