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.

Objective To investigate the role of Gly82Ser polymorphism of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in the genesis and progression of colon cancer in Chinese population.Methods Using the method of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP),the Gly82Ser genotype of RAGE were examined in 90 colon cancer patients and 78 control subjects age and sex matched.Analyses stratified by TNM and tumor differentiation were conducted to check the associations of the Gly82Ser gene polymorphisms in RAGE and development of colon cancer.Results The genotype distribution was in agreement with that predicted under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for both patients and controls (both P ＞ 0.05).With the GG genotype as reference,the odds ratio (OR) for heterozygous GG and carriers with S allele (GS and SS) were 2.037 (95％ CI:1.207-3.438) and 2.022 (95％ CI:1.275-3.208),respectively,which had a significantly higher risk of colon cancer.Moreover,the elevated colon cancer risk was especially evident in patients with TNM (Ⅲ + Ⅳ) and/or patients with poor differentiation by stratification analysis (OR,3.575,95％ CI:1.495-8.550 and OR,3.580,95％ CI:1.390-9.217,respectively).Conclusions The RAGE Gly82Ser polymorphism may confer not only an increased risk of colon cancer but also with invasion of colon cancer in the Chinese population.

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

Dynamic fluorescence molecular imaging is a kind of technique that can capture the dynamic physiology and pathology process in vivo by imaging the whole progress of absorption,distribution and elimination of fluorescence molecular probes in small animals.It has the advantages of non-ionizing radiation,fast imaging,high sensitivity and specificity,low cost,and has broad application prospects in basic and clinic medical research.This paper reviews the research progress in dynamic fluorescence molecular imaging from three aspects including system,algorithm and application.

Objective To assess the accuracy and precision of γ-spectrometry analysis, and to obtain accurate and valid measurement results in the middle term and long term. Methods A nationwide intercomparison on gamma-ray spectrometry measurement of activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil and building material was organized by National Institute for Radiological Protection( NIRP) , China CDC. Results 15 laboratories participated in this intercomparison, with 13 laboratories produced acceptable results. Only 2 laboratories were classified as " not acceptable" , including one for inappropriate accuracy in determination of 40K and another for inappropriate precision determination of 226Ra in both kinds of the samples. Through comment and discussion, the second round intercomparison got satisfactory results. Conclusions The overall measurement results of samples for intercomparison are in close agreement with the reference values. Most of the laboratories involved in the intercomparison have good ability in γ-spectrometry analysis.

Objective To measure and analyze the radioactivity level of 210Pb in outdoor air in Beijing in spring.Methods Portable high flow air samplers were used to collect outdoor air at the ground level to analyze the 210Pb radioactivity in the aerosol filter samples using a laboratory-based high purity germanium (HPGe) γ spectrometer.Results The activity concentration of 210Pb outdoors ranged from 267.2 to 1 697.6 μBq/m3,with an average of (878.7 ± 386.7) μBq/m3.Statistical analysis showed that the activity concentrations 210Pb of outdoors varied with variable air quality.Conclusions The activity concentrations of 210Pb outdoors are detectable in Beijing,varying considerably but within the normal range.

BACKGROUND:The levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are increased during infectious brain edema, and are positively relevant to the degree of brain damage. However, whether TNF-α can enhance blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability remains unclear, especially in vitro.OBJECTIVE: To understand the changes and possible mechanism of the BBB permeability induced by TNF-α in vitro.DESIGN: Randomized controlled cell model study in vitro.SETTING:Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Department of Biochemistry, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University.MATERIALS: Twenty 7-day-old healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, of clean grade and either gender, were provided by the Animal Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. TNF-α was purchased from sigma Company; DMEM fluid medium and fetal bovine serum were purchased from Hyclone Company; Y-27632 was purchased from Alexis Company,and rabbit anti-human factor Ⅷ -related antigen was purchased from Zymed Company; Mouse anti-rat glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was purchased from Neomarkers. Other biochemical reagents were imported (Sigma Company).METHODS: This experiment was carried out in the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between March 2004 and April 2005. Brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes were co-cultured 10 days to set up rat models of BBB in vitro. Then, the cells were divided into 4 groups: model group(BBB models were prepared), TNF-α group ( BBB model incubated with 0.01 g/L TNF-α for 5 hours), Y-27632 pretreated group ( BBB model incubated with 30 μmol/L Y-27632 for 1 hour before 0.01g/L TNF-α challenge ) and Y-27632 control group (BBB models only incubated with Y-27632 as those in the Y-27632 pretreated group). The effect of TNF-α on BBB permeability was observed by detecting the 125 I -BSA, which passed through the inserts at each time point (30,60,120 and 240 minutes) using .γradioimmunoassay counter.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 125 I -BSA, which passed through the inserts in rat models of BBB at different time points after intervention.RESULTS: The 125 I -BSA, which passed through the inserts in rat models of BBB, was all significantly higher in the TNF-α group than in the other groups at 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes after intervention, respectively (P ＜ 0.01), and reached the peak at 240 minutes; The 125 I -BSA, which passed through the inserts, was lower in the Y-27632 pre-treated group than in the TNF-α group at 30 and 60 minutes after intervention (P＜ 0.01). There was also significant difference in 125 I -BSA permeation between Y-27632 pretreated group and Y-27632 control group after 120 minutes (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: TNF-α can increase BBB permeability, and Y-27632 pretreatment can early reverse the effect of TNF-α on BBB permeability.

In recent years,fluorescent probes become more available for the progress of biology and gene technology,which has accelerated the development of fluorescence molecular imaging.With these fluorescent probes,target molecular,protein and gene can be specifically located and analyzed,which make possible the early detection and treatment of disease.This paper gives an introduction of the fluorescent probe technology and its application in the fields of biology and medicine.

Objective To investigate the effective MRI sequences and describe the correlation between MRI and visual evoked potential(VEP)in diagnosing optic neuritis.Methods One hundred and fifty-four eyes with visual impairment of 98 patients with diagnoses of optic neuritis,papillitis,multiple sclerosis and Devic's disease underwent MRI and VEP examination. The MRI findings were analyzed and correlated with VEP results and clinical presentation by using x2 test,wilcoxon test and Kappa test.Results Out of the 154 sick eyes.56 eyes presented thickened optic nerves.76 eyes had normal diameter of the optic nerve,and 22 eyes had thin optic nerves.A total of 132 optic nerves showed abnormally high signal in STIR sequences.including involvement of intraocular segment in 7,intraorbitsl segment in 135,intracanalicular segment in 109,intracranial segment in 97,optic chiasm in 56,and optic tract in 23.A total of 54 patients underwent postcontrast MRI. Seventy-four optic nerves of 87 eyes showed enhancement.Among the 196 eyes of 98 patients,132 eyes presented visual impairment and simultaneous abnormal MR signal of the optic nerve.and 26 eyes had both normal vision and normal MR signal of optic nerve.The consistency of MRI findings and vision status was 80.61%(Kappa=0.453,P＜0.01).Among the 175 eyes with VEP results.129 eyes had visual loss with simultaneous VEP abnormalities,and 30 eyes had both normal vision and normal VEP results.The consistency of VEP and vision status was 90.86%(Kappa=0.731,P＜0.01).Among the 175 eyes with VEP results,117 eyes had abnormal MR signal of the optic nerve and simultaneous abnormal VEP,and 24 eyes had both normal MR signal of the optic nerve and normal VEP.The consistency of MRI findings and VEP was 80.57%(Kappa=0.460,P＜0.01).Conclusion STIR sequence and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR sequence combined with fatsuppression are helpful in diagnosis of optic neuritis.VEP is helpful in diagnosing optic neuritis and in finding subclinical visual problem.The MRI combined with VEP could improve the diagnostic accuracy of optic neuritis.