Objective: To investigate the chemopreventive effects of pioglitazone (exogenous PPAR? ligand) on rat colon aberrant crypt foci, a rat carcinogenesis model induced by dimethylhydrazine (DMH),and to compare pioglitazone with sulindac (a NSAID). Methods: Thirty two, 8 week old, female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups ( n =8 each). Group 1 rats were injected with DMH alone (120 mg?kg -1 , single subcutaneous injection). Group 2 rats were injected with saline alone. Group 3 rats were pre treated with sulindac (320 mg?kg -1 ) for 7 days before DMH initiation. Group 4 rats were treated with pioglitazone (100 mg?kg -1 ). The animals were killed at the end of the experiment (week 5) and the colons were stained with methylene blue. The aberrant crypt foci (ACF) of the colonic mucosa were assessed. Results: In Group 1 rats (DMH only), the average numbers of ACF/colon and AC/colon were (182?93) and (263?198), respectively. In Group 2 (saline group) rats, no ACF were found. In Group 3 (sulindac group) rats, the average numbers of ACF/colon and AC/colon were (91?49) and (140?69), respectively. Both of them were decreased significantly compared with the values in Group 1 ( P

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of sulindac on the pathology of colorectal adenomas of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. Methods: FAP patients were treated with sulindac 400 mg per day. The change of colorectal polyps was assessed every 3 months in the first year. After the significant regression of colorectal polyps was achieved, sulindac was used to maintain the effects. The patients received colonoscopy examination regularly. Biopsies of remnant polyps and other lesions were obtained. The type and dysplasia grade of biopsies were evaluated and compared with baseline. Results: Before the study, 90.8% of adenoma biopsies were tubular, while 9.2% was tubulovillous adenoma. The dysplasia of grades Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were 42.1%, 45.6% and 12.3%, respectively. After sulindac treatment, 99.8% of adenoma biopsies were tubular, while 0.2% tubulovillous adenoma. There was significant difference compared with baseline (P

Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of donepezil versus huperzine in the treatment of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods Total 122 elderly patients with MCI were divided into two groups:donepezil treatment (5.0 mg once daily) (n=71) and huperzine treatment group (0.1 mg twice daily) (n=51).All the patients were followed up for 24 weeks.Before and 12 weeks,24 weeks after drug treatment,the cognitive functions were evaluated,including MMSE,MOCA,ADAS-cog,CDR,GDS,ADL,HIS and HAMD.Results There was no significant difference in age,sex,education time and neuropsychology rating scales between the groups before drug use.As compared with the score before drug use,the donepezil group showed a significant increase in MMSE after 12-weeks (t=4.47) or 24-weeks (t=6.16) (P＜0.01),a decrease in the score of ADAS-cog after 12-weeks (t=2.33,P＜0.05) or 24-weeks( t=3.68,P＜0.05),and an increase in the score of MOCA after 24-weeks drug use (t=2.56,P＜0.05).The huperzine group showed significant improvement in MMSE after 24-weeks drug use (t=2.80,P＜0.05),but there was no difference in other time points or in the score of MOCA and ADAS-cog as compared with the score before drug use.After 24 weeks' treatment,the donepezil group had higher MMSE (t=2.01,P＜0.05) and lower ADAS-cog (t=2.09,P＜0.05) scores than the huperzine group.30 patients (total effective rate was 42.3 ％) and 9 patients (total effective rate was 17.6 ％ ) became improved in donepezil and huperzine group,respectively,with significant difference (x2 =8.26,P＜0.01 ).There were 5 cases in the donepezil group and 3 cases in the huperzine group getting slight side-effects which disappeared by continuing to take drugs or by adjusting drug taking time.Conclusions Donepezil and huperzine as the cholinesterase inhibitors are effective and safe,and the efficacy of donepezil is faster and better in treating elderly patients with MCI.

Aim To study the effect of the total flavonoids of turpinia arguta seen (TFS) on immune function of rats with adjuvant arthritis. Methods Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced on d0 by intradermal injection of Complete Freund′s Adjuvant (FCA), containing 10 mg heat-inactive BCG in 1ml paraffin oil. On d 28 after immunization, AA rats were killed by cervical decollation. Immune cells (splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages) were obtained, then cultured in vitro with TFS. Some immune indexes were detected respectively such as the splenocytes proliferation and the productions of IL-1 and IL-2 were measured by the method of cell proliferation, the production of prostaglandin E2 was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with normal groups, the response of splenocytes to ConA and LPS was lowered, IL-2 syn-thesis was decreased, and IL-1 and PGE_2 released from PM? were elevated. TFS (10~ -8 ~10~ -4 mg?L~ -1 ) not only increased splenocytes proliferation, which induced by ConA and LPS, and IL-2 production of splenocytes, but also reduced the elevated productions of IL-1 and PGE_2 released from peritoned macrophate in AA rats in vitro. Conculsion TFS could adjust abnormal immune function in AA rats.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of the fourth ventricle tumors through lateral wall type of the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach under endoscope.Methods Clinical data of 14 cases with the fourth ventricle lesions were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were treated by lateral wall type of the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach surgery.The endoscope was used if the lesions develop to the aqueduct and hard to be exposed.Both neurophysiological monitoring and intraoperative ultrasound were used regularly.Results Tumors were totally removed in 12 cases,subtotally in 1,and partially in 1.All the patients were diagnosed in postoperative histopathology,including 4 medulloblastoma,three epidermoid cyst,two ependymoma,two hemangioblastoma,one meningioma,one cavernous hemangioma and 1 astrocytoma.Hypopnea occurred immediate after operation in 1 patient.Ventilatory support was performed by Ventilator,and the respiration was restored 1 day later.Normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation was return in all cases.Neither aggravation of preoperative symptoms nor nuclei injury related complication had been found.The follow-up interval between 3 months to 28 months,one patient was dead with unexplained,and 1 medulloblastoma patient was relapse.Conclusion Lateral wall type of the transeerebellomedullary fissure approach,under endoscope,combined with the usage of neurophysiological monitoring and intraoperative ultrasound,can degrade the surgical related complications such as facial palsy and amblyacousia.

Objective To investigate the methylation status of PCDH8 gene in pancreatic carcinoma.Methods Methylation of PCDH8 gene in 2 samples of normal pancreatic tissues and 6 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (PANC1, ASPC1, BxPC3, CFPAC, PaTu8988 and SW1990) was detected by the methylationspecific PCR (MSP) method. The expression of PCDH8 mRNA was detected with 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) treatment, a kind of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor in 6 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by real-time-PCR. Results The methylation of PCDH8 gene was not detected in normal tissues, while it was partially methylated in PANC1, BxPC3, CFPAC and it was totally methylated in PaTu8988, ASPC1, SW1990.PCDH8 mRNA was expressed in PANC1, SW1990, PaTu8988 and the relative quantities of mRNA expression (RQ) were 1.576 ± 0.648, 0.013 ± 0.008, 0.002 ± 0.001; PCDH8 mRNA was not expressed in BxPC3,CFPAC, ASPC1. After 5-Aza-dC treatment, PCDH8 mRNA was expressed in PANC1, ASPC1, BxPC3,CFPAC, PaTu8988, SW1990 and the relative quantities of mRNA expression all significantly increased, and they were 7. 463 ± 2.628, 10. 696 ± 1.539, 7.852 ± 2.762,421.815 ± 1.493, 118.595 ± 4.089, 6.690 ±1.884. Conclusions The methylation of PCDH8 gene may be the major mechanism of down-regulated expression of PCDH8 gene in pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the association of rs1412125 at high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) gene with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese Han population. Methods 396 patients with AF and 726 control subjects were recruited to this study. A case-control association analysis was applied to assess the as-sociation between rs1412125 in HMGB1 and AF. Results There were no significant differences in rs1412125 and the frequency of genotype distribution between the study group and the control group (allelic association:object P value was 1.05E-06, adjust P value was 0.176; genotypic association: additive P value was 0.146, dominant P value was 0.162, and recessive P value was 0.998). The interactions analysis showed that rs1412125 allele C increased the risk of AF in male subjects with rheumatic heart disease (adjust P value was 2.07E-04, rectify OR = 8.20, and 95%CI: 2.70-25.0). Conclusions There is no independent genetic association between rs1412125 at HMGB1 and atrial fibrillation. However , the interactions between rs1412125 and both gender and rheumatic heart disease might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanical properties and microstructure of nano -zirconia toughened alumina ceramics with variety of nano-zirconia content in centrifugal infiltrate casting processing of dental all-ceramic.

METHODSComposite powder with different ethanol-water ratio, obtained serosity from ball milling and centrifugal infiltrate cast processing of green, then sintered at 1 450 degrees C for 8 h. The physical and mechanical properties of the sintered sample after milling and polishing were tested. Microstructures of the surface and fracture of the sintered sample were investigated by SEM.

RESULTSThe experimental results showed that there had statistical significience (P < 0.01) on static three-point flexure strength and Vickers Hardness in three kinds of different nano-zirconia content sintered sample. Fracture toughness of 20% group was different from other two groups, while 10% group had not difference from 30% group (P < 0.05). The mechanical properties of this ceramic with 20% nano-zirconia was the best of the three, the static three-point flexure strength was (433 +/- 19) MPa and fracture toughness was (7.50 +/- 0.56) MPa x min 1/2. The intra/inter structure, fracture of intragranular and intergranular on the surface and fracture of sintered sample in microstrucre was also found.

CONCLUSIONIntra/inter structure has strengthen toughness in ceramics. It has better toughness with 20% nano-zirconia, is suitable dental all-ceramic restoratives.