Multidetector computed tomography (CT) has transformed CT from an transaxial cross-sectional technique into a genuine 3D imaging that allows for arbitrary cut planes as well as excellent 3D displays of the volume data. Multidetector CT scanners contribute to reduced scanner time, decreased section collimation and increased scan length.

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in human peritoneum and its effect on peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with the different peritoneal transport characteristics.Methods Peritoneal biopsies were obtained from the PD patients (n =30) at catheter insertion.Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to investigate AQP1 expression in peritoneal tissues.After catheter insertion,4 week,peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) was used to decide peritoneal transport characteristics.Results Western blot revealed a major band at 28 kDa band.The expression of AQP1 index was 1.49 ±0.67 in the normal subjects,and 1.61 ±0.76 in the PD patients,and there was no significant difference.Positive deposition was distributed in mesothelial cells,endothelial cells of capillaries,and small veins.The index of AQP1 expression in endothelial cells of capillaries in normal subjects and PD patients were 2.12 ±0.18,and 2.50 ±0.81,respectively,and no significant difference was found.The index of AQP1 expression in mesothelial cells of capillaries in normal subjects and PD patients were 1.95 ± 0.67,and 2.23 ± 1.07,respectively,and no significant difference was found.Among PD patients,the level of AQP1 was significantly different.Conclusions The expression of AQP1 was different in the PD patients with different peritoneal transport characteristics.In the high and high average transport groups,the level of AQP1 was lower; the low transport group was higher.It reveals that AQP1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of transcellular water transport.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chest Pain ; therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To obtain the endophytic fungi which produce Huperzine A from four species in Hupziaceae and improve the culture conditions of screening endophytic fungi. Methods Plant materials were cultivated in culture medium after sterilization and their endophytic fungi were isolated. Hupzine A from metabolic was determined by HPLC, and the strains were identified by microscopic features. Results Thirty-two endophytic fungi were isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev, H. serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev var. longipetiolata (Spring) H. M. Chang, H. appressa (Desv.) Love et D. Love, Phlegmariurus cryptomerianus (Maxim.) Ching ex L. B. Zhang et H. S. Kung. Two of these strains were isolated from P. cryptomerianus, HA15 (Blastomyces sp.) and HA23 (Botrytis sp.), which produced Huperzine A. Conclusions Endophytic fungi producing Hupzine A has been successfully isolated from P. cryptomerianus.

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: This study is to identify the factors that affect middle-aged workers' health promoting behaviors. METHODS: 214 middle-aged workers participated in surveys, and the data were collected from August to September 2012 and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: It was found that among the factors, the degree of job stress (t=7.69, p<.001) and depression (t=6.23, p<.001) were significantly high for type D individuals, while non type D showed meaningful degree of self-related health status (t=-3.66, p<.001) and health promoting behaviors (t=-4.71, p<.001). The notable variable that affected the health promoting behaviors of the middle-aged workers was depression for both type D (beta=-.357, p= .029) and non type D (beta=-.325, p<.001) individuals, and this variable accounted for 24.1% and 18.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the middle-aged workers showed high degree of job stress and depression that influenced on their health promoting behaviors. Thus, they are recommended to receive health management programs that offer treatment through consulting considering their individual personalities.
Depression ; Health Behavior

Objective To investigate the effects of lactoferrin on activity of PKG in spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of neuropathic pain(NP).Methods Thirty-two male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into4 groups(n = 8 each): sham operation group(group S),NP group,lactoferrin group and KT5823(an inhibitor of PKG)group.Neuropathic pain was produced by placing loosely constrictive ligatures around the common sciatic nerve in group NP,lactoferrin and KT5823,while the sciatic nerve was only exposed but not ligated in groupS.In group S and NP,normal saline 10 μl + 50% dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)10 μl were injected intrathecally.Lactoferrin 100 μg + 50% DMSO 10 μl were given intrathecally in group lactoferrin.Lactoferrin 100 μg + KT5823 10 μl were given intrathecally in group KT5823.The paw withdrawal latency(PWL)to a thermal nociceptive stimulus was measured every 30 min within 180 min after administration.The rats were then sacrificed and the spinal cord was removed.The activity of PKG in the spinal dorsal horn was determined by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with group NP and KT5823,the PWL was significantly prolonged after administration in group lactoferrin and the PKG activity was significantly increased in group lactoferrin(P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between group NP and group KT5823(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Lactoferrin reduces NP by inhibiting the activity of PKG in spinal dorsal horn in rats.

Objective To investigate protective effects and mechanism of folic acid on brain neural cells in preeclampsia rat model.Methods Adult pregnant Wistar rats were randonly divided into 4 groups (n = 10 in each group).Rats in model group were injected intraperitoneally with homocysteine (Hcy,200 mg · kg-1 · d-1) daily and were injected subcutaneously every other day with monosodium glutamate (MSG,1 g · kg-1 · 48 h-1) from the 10th day of pregnancy to establish the model of preeclampsia. Lowdose folic acid (low dose group 10 ng · kg-1· d-1) and high-dose folic acid (high dose group 20 mg · kg-1 · d-1 ) were given intragastric administration with folic acid tablets dissolved in saline daily at the same time of establishing model.Rats in control group were injected or intragastric administration with the same dose of saline as above up to the 20th day of pregnancy.Brain tissue was fixed on the 20th day of pregnancy, so was that plasma folic acid was measured with automatic electro-chemiluminescence.Rats' immunohistochemical staining.bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression changes were observed by using reverse transcription(RT) -PCR and western blot.Results ( 1 ) Plasma folate concentrations were ( 39.5 ± 3.4 )nmol/L in low dose group and (40.1 ±5.4) nmol/L in high dose group, which were all significantly higher than (26.9 ± 6.7 ) nmol/L in model group( P ＜ 0.01 ).Plasma folate in low dose and high dose group did not show significant difference( P ＞ 0.05 ); ( 2 ) Apoptosis cell were 48.2 ± 9.1 in low dose group and 44.7 ±8.3 in high dose group, which were significantly lower than 75.8 ± 10.1 in model group (P＜0.01).However, apoptosis cell in low dose and high dose group did not show significant difference( P ＞0.05 ) ;(3 )significant difference( P ＞ 0.05 ); (4) bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression were 0.98 ± 0.49 and 0.89 ±0.52 in low dose group and 0.95 ± 0.38 and 0.92 ± 0.47 in high dose group which was significantly higher than 0.62 ± 0.20 and 0.45 ± 0.37 in model group ( P ＜ 0.01 ); bcl-2 expression in low dose and high dose group showed no significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Folic acid has a protective role on neural activation and promoting bcl-2 gene and protein expression.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood-mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) following differentiation into cardiomyocytes were transplanted into ischemic myocardium. The transplanted cells can build connection with host cells and repair the infarct myocardium. OBJECTIVE: To detect the cell-cell junction after transplantation of the cardiac-like cell derived from the canine umbilical cord blood stem cells. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized controlled animal study was performed from July 2006 to October 2007 at the Animal Experimental Center of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: A total of 2 full-term pregnant canines were used for isolation of UCB-MSCs. A total of 36 adult mongrel canines were divided into cell transplantation group and model control group (n=18) according to the rule of random digits table. METHODS: The MSCs at passage 4 were transfected by Laz-Z. After 3-day culture, MSCs were induced by 10 μmol/L 5-azacytidine (5-aza). The canine models of myocardium infarction were established following 3 weeks of culture. 2 mL (1 ×107)MSCs were transplanted into dogs with acute myocardium infarction by coronary artery infusion and local injection in cell transplantation group. An equal volume of saline was used in the model control group. The specimens were harvested and detected at 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Cell junction was determined using immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were measured: gene trensfection, myogenic induction and differentiation results of UCB-MSCs; junction of transplanted cells and host cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: Following 72 hours of transfaction, mass of cells expressed LacZ gene, synthetized galactosidase, and stained blue using X-gal staining. Following 3 weeks of 5-aza induction, the antigen a-Actin, Desmin and Connexin43 were all been positively expressed, but before induction they were all negative. From the myocardial section of 8 weeks after transplantation, the junction was formed between the transplanted cells and the host myocardium as formed between the transplanted cells. In the junction, green-fluorescence positive expression of cadherin and connexin43 could be seen. However, in the model control group, only cadherin and connexin43 expressed positively, but the transplanted UCB-MSCs with red fluorescence could not been observed. CONCLUSION: The UCB-MSCs is able to differentiate into cardiac-like cell in vitro and form cell-cell junction in vivo to communicate with surrounding cells.

Adult ; Female ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; Humans ; Stents ; Takayasu Arteritis ; surgery