Background Optic nerve crush (ONC) model is an available tool in the basic research on the mechanism and treatment of optic nerve injury.The opening optic nerves sheath crushing and via bulbar conjunctiva lateral canthus optic nerves crushing are frequently used ONC modeling methods.However,the comparison between these models is not elaborated.Objective This study was to compare the outcomes between opening sheath ONC model and via bulbar conjunctiva lateral canthus ONC model.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were randomized into four groups.ONC models were established via superorbital rim opening sheath to crushing optic nerve for 20 seconds in the opening sheath ONC group,or via bulbar conjunctiva lateral canthus cutting to crush optic nerve for different time in the via bulbar conjunctiva ONC 20-second,40-second and 60-second groups,respectively.All models were monocular created in the rats,and the fellow eyes served as controls.In 14 days after modeling,flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) were recorded,optic nerve and retinal sections were prepared in the rats.The histopathology of the samples was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining.The expression of Brn-3α in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was detected by immunofluorescence technique and the number of Brn-3α+ RGCs was counted.The modeling procedure and outcomes were compared between the two approaches.Results The latencies of P1 waves were significantly extended in the opening sheath ONC group,via bulbar conjunctiva ONC 20-second,40-second and 60-second groups in comparison with the corresponding control eyes (t =-11.64,-8.04,-6.50,-10.84,all at P＜0.01).The P1 latencies were longer in the opening sheath ONC group than those in the via bulbar conjunctiva ONC 20-second,40-second and 60-second groups (P =0.01,0.02,0.05),but no significant differences were found in the amplitudes of P1 waves between model eyes and corresponding control eyes (all at P＞0.05).The Brn-3α+ RGCs numbers were evidently decreased in the model eyes in comparison with the fellow control eyes.The Brn-3 α + RGCs numbers were (13.60 ± 2.14),(18.74 ± 3.61),(15.84 ± 2.31) and (14.58 ± 3.23)/field in the opening sheath ONC group,via bulbar conjunctiva ONC 20-second,40-second and 60-second groups,which reduced to 47.49％,67.70％,56.69％ and 50.17％ of the fellow eyes,respectively.No significant differences were seen in the Brn-3α+ RGC numbers between the opening sheath ONC group and via bulbar conjunctiva ONC 40-second or 60-second groups (both at P＞0.05).The disorder of glial cell arrangement,vacuolization of the cell matrix and infiltration of inflammatory cells were displayed in various model groups,with the prominent findings in the opening sheath ONC group.Conclusions Compared with the via bulbar conjunctiva ONC models,the morphological and functional damage of optic nerve is more obvious,and the survival rate of RGCs is lower in the opening sheath ONC models.

Objective To establish a model of immune-mediated inner ear disease(IMIED) and to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone between systemic application and round window adminstration. Methods The guinea pigs were injected with keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH) mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant subcutaneouly in the back,and were boosted with KLH mixed with incomplete Freund's adjuvant two weeks later.Meanwhile,a small piece of gelatin sponge full of KLH was delivered on the round window through operation.Thus established a model of IMIED.Micro-osmotic pumps were used to deliver dexamethasone through the round window(PBS control group also set),and systemic application was implemented by intraperitoneal injection.The efficacy was compared by recording auditory brain-stem response(ABR) before and after the treatment. Results None of the 6 guinea pigs in the control group experienced significant hearing loss,while 22 of the 39 guinea pigs in the experiment group suffered from hearing loss beyond 10 dB.Seventeen guinea pigs with hearing loss no less than 15 dB were divided into three groups randomly and were given different treatment.Those(n=6) treated by local application through the round window enjoyed the efficacy and the mean ABR threshold decreased 13.3 dB.Four out of the 6 treated by systemic application enjoyed the efficacy and the mean ABR threshold decreased 13.7 dB.No efficacy was observed in the PBS group. Conclusion The model of IMIED can be successfully induce by KLH through the round window,and dexamethasone administered through the round window is as efficacious as systemic application.

Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma ( PESC ) is a rare form of esophageal carcinoma which is with high degree of malignancy and early metastasis.Although the histological origin and etiology of PESC remains to largely unknown,one attractive viewpoint is that it derives from original pluripotent stem cells of esophageal mucosa.PESC have both epithelium and neuroendocrine cellular features.Neuroendocrine biomarkers including NES and Syn have been used for identification of PESC.

Objective To study the protective effects of rosiglitazone against early skin changes in experimental diabetic rats. Methods Diabetic models were established in male Wistar rats aged 8 to 10 weeks by using streptozotocin (STZ). Then, 39 experimental diabetic rats were equally divided into insulin-treated diabetic group (DI group), rosiglitazone-treated diabetic group (DR group), diabetic control group (DC group),and 13 normal rats served as the control (C group). The rats were given subcutaneous insulin (1 - 2 U) twice daily in DI group, intragastric rosiglitazone (5 mg/kg) once daily in DR group, and intragastric sterile water in DC and C groups. Sixteen weeks later, heart blood samples were collected from all the rats for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, C reactive protein (CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and P substance (SP) levels, then the rats were killed and tissue samples were obtained from the medial area of the dorsal skin and subjected to pathological observation, measurements of skin as well as dermal thickness, and immunohistochemical examinations for the expression of advanced glycation end products(AGEs) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Results The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in the DC group were significantly higher than those in the C group (135.05 ± 43.39 ng/L vs. 99.92 ±32.36 ng/L, 1.45 ± 0.67 μg/L vs. 0.86 ± 0.60 pg/L, 3.51 ± 0.62 mg/L vs. 2.54 ± 1.31 mg/L, all P < 0.05),while no significant difference was found between C group and DI group or DR group (all P> 0.05). Decreased levels of SOD and SP were noted in the DC group (70.71 ± 37.52 U/ml, 22.22 ± 7.93 ng/L), compared withthe C group (137.76 ± 27.6 U/mL, 29.57 ± 3.74 ng/L, both P< 0.01), DI group (149.96 ± 13.25 U/mL, P<0.01; 29.79 ± 5.21 ng/L, P< 0.05) and DR group (128.50 ± 38.27 U/mL, P< 0.01; 33.35 ± 15.0 ng/L, P<0.05 ). Micrometer measurements indicated that the skin thickness was significantly lower in the DC group than in the C group, DI group and DR group (0.77 ± 0.18 mm vs. 1.59 ± 0.26 mm, 1.47 ± 0.50 mm and 1.22 ±0.47 mm, P < 0.01, 0.01, 0.05 respectively). Histological observation found a mild disarrangement of epidermal cells, shrinkage, swelling and degeneration of dermal collagen as well as progressive atrophy or disappearance of subcutaneous fat in the DC group. No obvious histological changes appeared in the DI or DR group. Immunohistochemistry indicated that AGEs and PPAR-γ proteins, which were stained into brown granules, were located in the vascular basement membrane, stromal cells, etc, of skin. The DC group showed the highest expression of AGEs but lowest expression of PPAR-γ. Conclusions There is an accumulation of AGEs and elevated expressions of inflammatory factors in the skin of experimental diabetic rats, and rosigLItazone shows a protective effect against the early skin changes.

BACKGROUND:Research on liver transplantation has not just focused on survival rate and survival time, and the quality of life has become a new field of study. However, it is stil a blank about the quality of life of liver transplant recipients in Xinjiang. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the quality of life of liver transplant recipients in Xinjiang and to explore the main risk factors for the quality of life in patients. METHODS: A Chinese version of the SF-36 health survey was used to retrospectively evaluate the quality of life of liver transplant recipients in Xinjiang. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The scores of al eight dimensions in the patients with liver transplantation ranged from 60.6±18.7 to 93.9±22.1. Primary diseases, operation method, marital status, level of education, occupation, gender and age could influence the quality of life of the liver transplant recipients, but nation, income and the way of medical insurance had no significant effect on the quality of life. These findings indicate that there is no obvious difference in the quality of life between liver transplant recipients and normal population, and the scores in six dimensions are higher in the liver transplant recipients than normal population, which is further confirmed that liver transplantation is an effective way for treatment of advanced liver disease.

Objective To manage calcaneal fractures with an U-shaped external fixator combined with close manipulative reduction. Methods From February 1997 to November 2002, 31 patients with 34 calcaneal fractures were treated with self-designed U-shaped external fixator combined with close manipulative reduction. All patients were males aging from 7 to 50 years with an average of 32 years. The external fixation device consisted of two partial rings, three modular connecting rods and several pins. According to Essex-Lopresti classification, there were 10 extra-articular fractures without involving the subtalar joint, and 24 intra-articular fractures involving the subtalar joint. Two upper pins were inserted in cross through the distal tibia, and one of two lower pins was inserted laterally through the anterior part of calcaneus, the other was posterior into the calcaneous tuberosity or larger fragment connecting with Achilles tendon. After the manipulative reduction, the frames were applied. Results 31 calcaneal fractures were found with satisfactory reductions after manipulation. The widths of the heels were restored in certain extent; the heights of foot arch and calcaneus were resumed to normal; the B hler angle increased from 15? to 40? (mean, 25?). The duration of hospitalization was on an average of 7 days. The duration of external fixation was averagely 8 weeks. All patients were followed up with a mean period of 8 months (range, 6 to 12 months). All of the fractures healed well. No nonunion, delayed healing of bone or other complications was found. All patients resumed to walk on foot after 2 to 4.5 months. According to Fernandez scoring system, results were graded as excellent and good in 31(91%). Conclusion Using U-shaped external fixator combined with close manipulative reduction is a satisfying technique to treat calcaneal fractures. By ankle joint spanned traction and fixation, this technique overcomes displacement of fragments caused by contracture of tendo calcaneus, maintains width of heel and biodynamic anatomy of foot, avoids complications of wound caused by open reduction and internal fixation.

Objective To observe the histopathological features of early skin lesions and serum inflammatory mediators changes in the diabetes mellitus(DM) rats.Methods A total of 50 Wistar rats at 8 to 10 weeks of age were divided into normal control group(C group,n=25) and diabetic group(DC group,n=25).The rats of DC group were given a high-glucose and high-fat diet for 2 weeks to induce insulin resistance and then an intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin.All 25 rats were identified to be diabetic models with their fasting blood glucose over ≥7.0 mmol/L.Four rats of C group or DC group were killed to take the skin tissues in the 4th,8th and 12th weekend.In the 16th week,the heart blood samples of the left 13 rats of C group and 10 rats of DC group were collected to measure TNF-?,IL-6 and C-RP levels,and the skin samples were also taken for pathological observation and full-thickness and dermal thickness measurement.Results In the 16th week,the TNF-?,IL-6 and C-RP levels of DC group were significantly higher than the normal group(P

Objective To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?),interleukin-6 (IL-6),C-reactive protein (C-RP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD),and early skin changes in the diabetic rats.Methods The rats were divided into normal control group (C group,n=13),diabetic control group (DC group,n=13),diabetes and insulin treatment group (DI group,n=13),diabetes and rosiglitazone treatment group (DR group,n=13).The diabetic rat models were established with high-fat diet for 2 weeks followed by intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin injection,the rats were idenfied as diabetic when their fasting blood glucose (FBG) over 7.0 mmol/L.The living rats were given corresponding treatment,subcutaneous injection of 1 to 2 U/d insulin,intragastric injection of 5 mg/(kg?d) rosiglitazone,or sterile water.Heart blood samples of rats from each group were collected to measure TNF-?,IL-6,C-RP and SOD levels in the 16th weekend.Also the skin was taken for pathological observation and full-thickness as well as dermal thickness measurements.Results The serum levels of IL-6,TNF-? and C-RP in diabetic group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P

Objective Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) was applied for the quantitative analysis of serum protein in psoriasis vulgaris patients with damp heat syndrome and healthy volunteers to explore the differentially expressed proteins, thus to reveal the nature of damp heat syndrome from the proteomics level.Methods The serum from 15 psoriasis vulgaris patients with damp heat syndrome and 10 healthy volunteers was purified and treated with removal of abundance. After separation with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE) and hydrolysis of peptide specific iTRAQ marker enzyme, the differentially expressed proteins of serum samples were identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Results A total of 787 proteins were identified, and 718 proteins had the functional annotation showed by gene ontology ( GO) in psoriasis vulgaris pa tients with damp heat syndrome. A total of 651 differentially expressed proteins were identified by compared with healthy volunteers ( P<0.05) , and markedly significant difference was shown in 418 proteins ( P<0.01) . Conclusion Psoriasis vulgaris patients with damp heat syndrome have differentially expressed proteins which are different from those in the healthy volunteers, but which kind of protein being specific for damp-heat psoriasis vulgaris as well as the relation between the damp heat symptoms and proteins still need to be further studied.

Object To investigate the structure, physicochemical properties and anticancer activity of three kind of glycyrrhizic acid aniline platinum complex compounds. Methods Using the FT IR methods, elementary analysis and X ray diffraction, the physicochemical properties of the tested drugs were determined; by means of MTT test the inhibitory effects of the drugs on human tumor cell growth were examined, with hematopoietic cell K 562 , melanoma cell LiBr and liver cancer cell 7721 as the model of anticancer activity. Results Experimental values of elemental analysis of three complex compounds tally with the theoretically calculative values. The infrared spectroscopy showed that the functional group location agreed with the structure. The X ray diffraction exhibited that this type of the compounds was monoclinic system. Conclusion The experimental results show that the anticancer activity of the test complex compounds is related to their concentration and ligands. Magnetic field treatment has significant influence on anticancer activity of this type of compounds.