Adult ; Aged ; Angiomyolipoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Leiomyosarcoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Mesenchymoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Objective to investigate the value of diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR imaging in the diagnosis of head and neck lesions.Methods Fifty-seven patients with 85 head and neck lesions were enrolled in the study,including 22 patients with 22 malignant tumors,13 patients with 13 benign tumors, 13 patients with 17 cystic and liquefactive lesions(including 8 patients with 12 cystic lesions,4 patients with 4 tumor necrosis,1 patients with 1 abcess)and 33 lymph nodes.The lesions were all confirmed by operation and clinical follow up.Echo-planar difffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)was performed with different b values (0,500,and 1,000s?mm~(-2)),and the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs)were measured.Results Malignant and benign tumors had different characteristics in DWI with different b values.With the increase of b value,the signal intensity of tumor/spinal cord ratio decreased quickly in DWI in benign tumors,while the signal intensity of tumor/spinal cord ratio remained similar in DWI in malignant tumors.The mean ADC value of'malignant tumors[(0.78?0.24)?10~(-3)mm~2? s~(-1)] was significantly lower than that of benign tumors [(1.48?+0.20)?10~(-3)mm~2?s~(-1)] (t = 8.9,P

Objective:To observe the killing effect of irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at low dose combined with apogossypolone (ApoG2) on cultured human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.Methods:Human PBMCs were irradated by gamma ray at 1 gray,the irradiation dose rate was 17 Gy/min.The experiment were divided into PC-3 tumor cell control group,PC-3 cells with irradiated and non-irradiated PBMCs co-culture groups,ApoG2 treatment group,irradiated PBMCs and ApoG2 co-treatment group.Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and MTT method were used to observe the killing effect of PBMCs and/or ApoG2.Results:The killing activity of irradiated PBMCs group and ApoG2 treatment group were obviously increased and were higlaer than that of non-irradiated group (P＜0.05).The killing activity of combined group were much higher than that of irradiated group and ApoG2 treatment group (P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion:Irradiated PBMCs at low dose combined with ApoG2 can enhances the anti-tumor effects markedly.

Objective To study the effects of iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism on protein expression of extracellular signal-regulate kinase(ERK1/2) in the cerebellum of rots. Methods Twenty-eight healthy Wistar rots, female, 60 days old, were randomly divided according to their body weight into control group, iodine deficient group and hypothyroidism groups. Hypothyroidism groups in accordance with drinking water containing propylthiouracil(PTU) were divided into doses of 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L groups, 7 rats in each group. Rats after pregnancy, iodine deficient rats were administered with iodine-deficient diet and hypothyroid rats were administered with PTU in drinking water. Pup's cerebellum in each group were weighed on day 14,21,28 and 42. Cerebellum tissue was observed for cerebellar morphology using silver staining and detected for ERK1/2 protein using immunohistochemistry on day 7,14,21,28 and 42. Results On day 14,21,28 and 42, cerebellum weight of pups from iodine-deficient[(0.0945±0.0233), (0.1347±0.0046), (0.1542±0.0094), (0.1949±0.0048)g]were significantly lighter than control[(0.1856±0.0123), (0.2049±0.0098), (0.2268±0.0065), (0.2606±0.0086)g, all P < 0.05]and hypothyroidism groups [for 5 mg/L group: (0.1741±0.0172), (0.1927±0.0103), (0.2181±0.0064), (0.2583±0.0054)g, all P<0.05; for 15 mg/L group: (0.1604±0.0083), (0.1682±0.0103), (0.1996±0.0073) and (0.2579±0.0067)g, all P< 0.05]the difference had statistical significance(F=6.325,8.870, 16.191 and 21.574, all P<0.05). Compared to the controls on day 7, iodine-deficient group didn't have clear layers; on day 21, disappearance of external granule cells from iodine-deficient and 15 mg/L groups was delayed, still two or three layer external granule cells remained; on day 28 and 42, molecular layer from 5, 15 mg/L and iodine-deficient groups and became thinner. Immunohistochemistry showed that on day 7, there was no statistical difference of integrated optical density average of ERK1/2, in all the groups(F=1.102, P>0.05); on day 14,21,28 and 42, integrated optical density average of ERK1/2 in iodine-deficient group[(7.3245±0.5070), (8.3606±1.0683), (9.1217±1.0402), (12.1587±0.7581), all P<0.01]and hypothyroidism groups [for 5 mg/L group: (11.4307±1.5200), (14.919±0.8497), (16.0082±1.1130), (15.7721±0.8293), all P< 0.01; for 15 mg/L group: (7.8538±0.9775), (11.2461±0.8138),(12.78±1.3783), (13.0871±1.1450), all P < 0.01]was significantly lower than those of controls [(16.2831±0.5143), (20.2653±0.9551), (22.7485±1.0267), (22.1725±0.9939), all P < 0.01], the difference having a statistical signifieance(F=16.131,13.543,26.953,41.583, all P<0.01). Conclusions Iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism during critical periods of brain development may change eerebellar morphology and down regulate the protein expression of ERK1/2, which may result in damage of cerebellum development.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for analyzing the content of total polyphenols in leaves of Jatropha curcas. L.

METHODSGallic acid was used as reference substance, the content of total polyphenols was analyzed Folin-Ciocalteu chromatometry.

RESULTSThere was a good linearity for gallic acid in the range of 0.002-0.010 g.L(-1). The content of total polyphenols in the leaves of Jatropha curcas. L was approximately 6.74% with RSD 0.75%. The sample solution was stable during 10-90 min with RSD 0.28%. The precision RSD was 0.23% and the average recovery 99.85% (n=5).

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, fast and reproducible.

Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Adult ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics

Objective To explore the indications for percutaneous renal biopsy of asymptomatic hematuria in children. Methods The renal pathological types of 485 children with asymptomatic hematuria were analyzed retrospectively. According to the degree of hematuria and whether or not combined with proteinuria, the children were divided into microscopic hematuria group, gross hematuria group and hematuria with proteinuria group. The microscopic hematuria group was further divided into urine red blood cell<15/HPF group, (15～30)/HPF group, and >30/HPF group according to hematuria degree. Results In 227 males and 258 females with the average age of 7.23±2.93 years, there were 318 cases in microscopic hematuria group, in which the most common pathological types were minor lesions (64.8%), followed by focal glomerular lesions (16.7%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (8.2%). There were 119 cases in gross hematuria group, in which the most common pathological types were also minor lesions (26.1%), followed by IgA nephropathy (24.4%) and mesangial proliferative glomerulopathy (20.2%). There were 48 cases in hematuria with proteinuria group, in which the most common pathological types were IgA nephropathy (29.2%) and minor lesions (29.2%). The distribution of the pathological types among microscopic hematuria group, gross hematuria group and hematuria with proteinuria group were statistically different (χ2=152.03, P<0.001). In three groups, microscopic hematuria group had the highest proportion of minor lesions, while gross hematuria group and hematuria with proteinuria group had higher proportion of IgA nephropathy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis . In microscopic hematuria group, there were 149 children with urine red blood cell<15/HPF, 96 with urine red blood cell (15～30)/HPF, and 73 with urine red blood cell >30/HPF. There was no difference in pathological types among three sub-groups (χ2=15.18, P=0.51), and mild lesions were the most common pathological types in each group. Conclusion Renal biopsy should be performed at earliest possible time to make pathological diagnosis in asymptomatic hematuria children with gross hematuria or proteinuria.

OBJECTIVETo explore family risk factors of overweight and obesity focusing on parental characteristics, feeding practice and lifestyle.

METHODSFive kindergartens were selected randomly from two of all the six urban districts in Beijing. The body height and weight of all the children in the 5 kindergartens were measured in light clothing and without shoes. Information on parental characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle, and feeding practice was collected from 1173 families by parental self-report questionnaires in the 5 kindergartens. Overweight and obesity were defined according to sex- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Correlations and multivariate regression analysis was used to explore risk factors of child overweight and obesity.

RESULTSThe prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.9% and 4.1%, respectively, among the sample children. Significantly more overweight and obese children were from obese families (15.2%) than they were from non-obese families (7.5%). Significant associations could be observed between children and parents' characteristics for BMI, frequency of eating in restaurant, television-watching hours, and physical activity hours. Parental obesity, low maternal education level and television watching for > 2 h/d were risk factors of child overweight and obesity after adjusting for sex, age, family income, and kindergarten.

CONCLUSIONSChild overweight and obesity were influenced by family environment. Strategies for prevention should include identified family risk factors.

Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child, Preschool ; Exercise ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Life Style ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Television

OBJECTIVETo study the role and possible mechanisms of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) involved in mesangial cell (MC) proliferation which could be inhibited by bufalin.

METHODSRat mesangial cells were cultured in vitro. The effect of bufalin on platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced MC proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The function of GJIC was detected by Lucifer Yellow scrape loading and dye transfer (SLDT). mRNA levels of Cx43, Cx45 and Cx40 were measured by RT-PCR. Intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i) were examined in laser scanning confocal microscopy after loading by Fura-3/AM.

RESULTSMTT indicated that bufalin could inhibited PDGF-BB-induced MC proliferation (P<0.01). Compared with the hormal control group, PDGF-BB inhibited GJIC function, increased the expression of Cx45 and Cx40 (P<0.01) without altering the Cx43 (P>0.05) in gene level and also increased [Ca(2+)]i. However, bufalin treatment enhanced GJIC function, decreased Cx45 mRNA and Cx40 mRNA expression (P<0.01), and reduced [Ca(2+)]i (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBufalin inhibits PDGF-BB-induced MC proliferation, and its possible mechanisms may be related to regulation of Cx45 and Cx40 expression in the gene level, reduction of [Ca(2+)]i and enhancement of GJIC function.

Animals ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; pharmacology ; Rats