Objective To study and compare the protective effects of pmtease inhibitor and corticosteroid on endotoxin-indueed acute lung injury in order to guide the choice of appropriate drugs. Method Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided(random number) into four groups with 8 rabbits in each, namely normal controls(C) ; lipopolysaecharide(LPS) group(L) ; ulinastatin(UTI) group(U) and dexamcthasone(DEX) group (D) .Except group C, all rabbits were injected with a dose of LPS 600 μg/kg iv. Meanwhile the rabbits in group U,group D received UTI(100 000 μ/kg), DEX(5 mg/kg), respectively. The specimens were collected 4 hours later for detecting the levels of TNF-α and NO in serum, and blood gas analysis, histological manifestations, the lung wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue MPO and SOD activity, lung tissue MDA. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (SNK- q test), and P < 0.05 was considered as significantly different. Results Compared with group C, the lungs of the rabbits in group L had inflammatory granulocyte infdtration, diffused alveolar septum thickening and hemorrhagic spots were observed in pathological examinations. The histological changes of group U and group D were much lessened than those in group L. As groups U and D were compared with group L, there were significant differences inmany biomarkers including lung wet/dry weight ratio[(5.02±0.11),(4.93±0.13) vs.(5.37 ±0.29)],lung tissue MPO activity[(0.51 ± 0.05),(0.54±0.07) vs.(0.82 ± 0.09)] and MDA[(0.82 ±0.05),(0.81 ±0.04) vs.(0.96±0.05)], NO[(296.2± 11.7),(291.7 ± 15.8) vs.(351.8±19.6)] and TNF-α[group D(2.021 ± 0.122) vs. group L(4.999 ± 0.139)],lung tissue SOD activity[(120.3 ± 6.1),(122.6±3.5) vs.(105.1 ± 8.5)] and blood gas analysis[pH(7.30±0.23),(7.30±0.17) vs.(7.22±0.45) and PaO_2( 101.9 ± 6.8).( 102.5 ± 4.7) vs.(80.3 ± 3.3)] ; but there were no differences of above mentioned biomarkers between group U and D( P > 0.05). And there were no significant differences in PaCO_2 betweeu group U and D and group L[(37.0 ± 3.3),(37.6 ± 3.0) vs.(34.8 ± 2.3)]( P > 0.05). Conclusions The protective effects of ulinastatin on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury is comparable to those of dexamethasone, thus the former may be a clinical substitute for the latter with less side effects.

Objective:To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on blood glucose and insulin levels in chronic intermittent hypoxic(CIH)rats and the underlying mechanisms, and to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of diabetes caused by CIH.Methods:SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, CIH control group and CIH exercise group.After adaptive feeding, a rat model of CIH was established.The CIH exercise group received non-weight bearing exercise training through swimming.After 4 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and levels of total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC), reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), fasting blood glucose(FPG)and fasting insulin(FINS)were measured.Results:Compared with the blank control group and CIH control group, levels of ROS, MDA, FPG, T-AOC, FINS and FPG were significantly different in the CIH exercise group( F=4.60, 5.03, 4.87, 4.52 and 6.42, P=0.021, 0.015, 0.017, 0.022 and 0.006). Compared with the blank control group, levels of ROS, MDA, FPG and FINS increased and levels of T-AOC declined in the CIH control and exercise groups(all P<0.05). Compared with the CIH control group, levels of ROS, MDA, FPG and FINS decreased and T-AOC levels increased in the CIH exercise group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:CIH increases blood glucose and insulin levels by activating the oxidative stress response.Aerobic exercise can reduce the impact of oxidative stress on blood glucose and insulin levels.

AIM: To investigate the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on the proliferation and differentiation of murine corneal epithelial cells in vitro.METHODS: Mouse corneal epithelial cells(MCEs) were cultured in serum-free low-Ca2+ medium(KSFM) and KSFM supplemented with 100mL/L FBS, respectively. Population doublings (PDs) were determined. The expressions of corneal epithelial cell markers p63, keratin 19 (K19) and involucrin were investigated by RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses. RESULTS: Cells in KSFM were stably subcultured over 25 passages; however, none of the cell lines could pass P3 in KSFM with FBS. In KSFM, the cells showed typical cobblestone appearance and expressed p63, K19 and involucrin. After medium was supplemented with FBS, cells became homogeneous, large and squamous. Furthermore, both RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that the expression of involucrin was increased significantly.CONCLUSION: FBS has effects of inhibiting proliferation and triggering differentiation of MCEs.

Objective:To compare the two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE) maps of rat spinal cord protein extracted by two different solution systems.Methods: Adult rat spinal cord protein was precipitated with 10% trichloracetic acid in acetone and resuspended in 8 mol/L urea plus 4%CHAPS (A solution) or, 5 mol/L urea, 2 mol/L thiourea, 2%CHAPS plus 2%SB3-10 (B solution). One hundred and fifty micrograms of protein was loaded on 18 cm IPG strip holder and run isoelectric focusing electrophoresis as the first dimension, then horizontal SDS-PAGE as the second dimension. Protein spots were visualized by silver stain.Results:There were 1 059 and 1 023 protein spots in each map, of which 790 spots were matched in two maps. There were 269 and 233 spots exclusively extracted by A and B solutions, respectively. Taken together, 1292 different spots were totally obtained by A and B solutions.Conclusion: Integrating protein spots extracted by different solution systems is beneficial for achieving intact 2-DE map of tissues.

The arrenotokous toxicity of triptolide was evaluated, and the rate of sperm abnormality, the changes of the lipid peroxide, the enzyme activity and the hormone in male rats were observed. With the negative and positive control group, the healthy rats were respectively given by gavage triptolide suspension at the dose of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg x kg(-1) for 30 days. Then the rats were killed for the measurement of the indicators in testis and serum, as well as the study on the sperm abnormality. The results showed that the positive control group had significant difference, compared with the negative control group. The content of SOD, LDH, G-6-PD, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca+ -Mg+ -ATPase decreased significantly in 0.05 mg x kg(-1) group, and reduced more obviously with exposure to the dose of 0.1 mg x kg(-1). The levels of GSH-Px and beta-G showed a significant decrease in the testis of rats only at the dose of 0.1 mg x kg(-1). Nevertheless, the MDA levels, the FSH levels and the LH levels showed no significant difference. The deformity rate of sperm increased significantly in 0.05 mg x kg(-1) group and 0.1 mg x kg(-1) group. The results indicated the triptolide had the effect of the lipid peroxidation to damage Spermatogenic cells, Sertolis cells and Leydig cells. At the same time, the triptolide interfered not only with the energy supply process of aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis,but also with the energy utilization in testis by affecting the activities of testis marker enzymes, and produced a damage chain of the male reproductive system
Animals ; Diterpenes ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phenanthrenes ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; toxicity

In order to explore if mature neurons derived from neural stem cells have the potentiality to divide, we utilized the chemical digestion method to disperse the adult rat brain tissue into single cells, and culture them in serum-free medium. After being cultured for about eight days in vitro, the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate into neurons. The neurons were further induced to divide. Utilizing the method of serial photograph and NF-160 immunocytochemistry, the processes of division of some neurons were recorded. At the same time, PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label were used to investigate if the dividing-neurons were mature ones. After the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate in vitro for eight days, they possessed the shape and character of mature neurons. The differentiated neuron had a big nucleus and one or two distinct nucleolus in the nuclear. Within the perikaryon,there were a large amount of dense and Nissl body-like structure. Several long processes emerged from various locations of the cell body. Then, EGF and bFGF were added into the medium to induce division. After two days of induced-division, neuron-like cells were observed to divide; moreover, the number of neuron-like cells in the region increased continually. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated these cells were NF-160-positive. Serial photographs of dividing-process of neuron-like cells were obtained and their daughter cells were also NF-160-positive. After PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label, some cells showed brown cell plasma and black nucleus. The above-mentioned results indicate that neurons, which were previously thought to be end-differentiated, can be re-called into cell cycle under appropriate conditions. Mature neurons still have the potential to divide, proliferate and self-renew.
Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Division ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Photography ; methods ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To compare the accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MRI) and SPECT in the measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in renal allografts.Methods Sixty renal transplant recipients were enrolled in this study.DCE-MRI and SPECT were used to measure the GFR of the transplanted kidneys,and compared with the endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr).Bias,precision,correlation and Bland-Altman agreement were calculated for each modality compared with the endogenous Ccr.Results In 60 renal transplant recipients,the corrected Ccr was (60.63 ± 24.83) ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2.The GFR measured by SPECT was (65.31 ± 17.08) ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2,and (50.44 ± 22.78) ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2 by MRI,respectively.The bias of GFR-SPECT was 4.69 ml·min-1 · 1.73 m-2,and the precision was 23.76 ml·min-1 1.73 m-2.The bias of GFR-MRI was-10.18 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2,and the precision was 13.87 ml·min-1 · 1.73 m-2.Correlation analysis showed that GFR-MRI and the endogenous Ccr had a good correlation (r=0.833,P＜0.01),GFR-SPECT and the endogenous Ccr had a moderate correlation (r=0.406,P＜0.01),and GFR-MRI and GFR-MRI had a poor correlation (r=0.342,P ＜0.01).Bland-Altman analysis showed a confidence interval of 95.3 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 for GFR-SPECT and 62.3 ml· min-1 · 1.73 m-2 for GFR-MRI.Conclusion DCE-MRI can be used as confidently as SPECT to evaluate the renal function of transplanted kidneys in the same time of determining anatomical information.

Transient cortical blindness is a rare but well-recognized complication of cerebral angiography. A 62-year-old woman with unruptured cerebral aneurysm and a 16-year-old boy with cerebellar hemangioblastoma experienced blindness after diagnostic cerebral angiography and tumor embolization, and the symptom resolved after 1 hour and 36 hours later, respectively. We report two cases of this complication.
Adolescent ; Blindness ; Blindness, Cortical* ; Cerebral Angiography* ; Female ; Hemangioblastoma ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Middle Aged

The purpose of this investigation was to re-evaluate the neurotrophic effect of GPI-1046 on neurite outgrowth in vitro. GPI-1046 was synthesized and identified with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. Chicken dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were removed and divided into three groups: (1) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing different concentrations of GPI-1046; (2) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing nerve growth factor (NGF) alone at 0.8 and 8 ng/mL, respectively; (3) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing both different concentrations of GPI-1046 and NGF at 0.8 ng/mL. The results showed that GPI-1046 alone could not stimulate chicken DRG neurite outgrowth; however, GPI-1046 stimulated DRG neurite outgrowth only in the presence of NGF at low concentration in the culture medium.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chickens ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Nerve Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Neurites ; drug effects ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology

The need for standard endovascular neurosurgical (ENS) training programs and certification in Korea cannot be overlooked due to the increasing number of ENS specialists and the expanding ENS field. The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) Certification Committee has prepared training programs and certification since 2010, and the first certificates were issued in 2013. A task force team (TFT) was organized in August 2010 to develop training programs and certification. TFT members researched programs and systems in other countries to develop a program that best suited Korea. After 2 years, a rough draft of the ENS training and certification regulations were prepared, and the standard training program title was decided. The SKEN Certification Committee made an official announcement about the certification program in March 2013. The final certification regulations comprised three major parts: certified endovascular neurosurgeons (EN), certified ENS institutions, and certified ENS training institutions. Applications have been evaluated and the results were announced in June 2013 as follows: 126 members received EN certification and 55 hospitals became ENS-certified institutions. The SKEN has established standard ENS training programs together with a certification system, and it is expected that they will advance the field of ENS to enhance public health and safety in Korea.
Advisory Committees ; Certification* ; Education ; Korea ; Public Health ; Social Control, Formal ; Specialization