Objective To investigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates the expression of nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) mRNA and tumor necrosis factor-a( TNF-α) mRNA in rat's pancreatic acinus AR42J cell line, and further address the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Method The AR42J cell line was stimulated with different concentrations of LPS (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/L) for 18 hours, or stimulated with 10 mg/L of LPS for different lengths of time (2, 6, 12,18 and 24 hrs) .Then, the expressions of NF-κB-P65 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA were determined by using RT-PCR, the levels of TNF-α protein in the culture supernatant were measured with radio-immuno assay (RIA), and the correlation between the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and NF-κB mRNA was analyzed. Results Both the expressions of NF-κB mRNA and TNF-α mRNA were up-regulated when AR42J cell line was stimulated with 10 mg/L of LPS for 2 hours or with 0.001 mg/L of LPS for 18 hours in both dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. Similarly, the levels of TNF-α protein were up-regulated when AR42J cell line was stimulated with 0.01 mg/L of LPS for 18 hours or with 10 mg/L of LPS for 6 hours in both dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. Statistical analysis revealed the positive correlation between the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and NF-κB-P65 mRNA(r = 0.962, P < 0.01). Conclusions LPS stimulates the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and NF-κB mRNA in both dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, and their expressions are closely correlated, suggesting the inhibition of their expressions as a potential therapeutic target for acute panceatitis.

AIM To establish a new, simple, stable and classical experimental model of acute edematous pancreatitis. METHODS Male mice were injected intraperitoneally 2?200 mg?(100 g) -1 body weight of L-arginine in an 1 h interval, as a 20% solution in 0.15 mol?L -1 NaCl. Control mice received the same quantity of 0.15 mol?L -1 NaCl. The mice were killed at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h following L-arginine administration. The serum amylase level, wet/dry weight ratio of the pancreas, histologic were assessed. RESULTS The serum level of amylase was significantly elevated at 6 h,reached the peak level at 24 h, normalized at 72 h. Histologic examination revealed interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration reached the peak level at 24 h and decreased at 48,72 h. The wet/dry weight ratio of the pancreas changed in accordance with the interstitial edema. CONCLUSIONS The present study has demonstrated that the administration of excessive doses of arginine induces a new, noninvasive experimental model of acute edematous pancreatitis.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Pingyangmycin combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide on the huge faciocervical lymphatic malformations (LMs) in infants.Methods Sixty-seven infants with LMs located in head and neck from January 2009 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed in Kunming Children's Hospital.Thirty-five males and 32 females were enrolled,aged from 1 month to 4 years,with a median age of 1.3 years.Computed tomography and ultrasonography were used to evaluate the location,size and extent of LMs before treatment in all the patients.The size of lesion varied from 5.2 cm ×7.5 cm to 9.2 cm × 10.5 cm.All patients were given local injection of Pingyangmycin combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide after puncturing fluid with uhrasonography guiding under general anesthesia.The injection was repeated every 30 d when necessary.Results The number of injections varied from 2 to 5 times,with a median number of 3.9 times.All cases were followed up for 5 to 36 months.Thirty-two cases (62.68％) were cured,improvement in 19 cases (28.36％) and no effect in 6 cases (8.96％).The total effective rate was 91.04％.There was no severe allergic reaction or pulmonary fibrosis.Secondary operation was performed after 6 months in 12 cases.Two post-operative complications were found,1 was minor paralyses of mandibular branch of facial nerve,with mouth askew,the other was trachyphonia,who were both improved after rehabilitation treatment.Conclusions In order to avoid serious complications,the huge LMs may be given local injection of Pingyangmycin combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide after puncturing fluid with ultrasonography guiding.Graded sclerotherapy provides for a less invasive and shorter course of treatment.The complications and risk of secondary resection increase slightly if sclerotherapy has no curative effect.

Objective To explore the imageology features and curative effect of operation for thyroglossal duct cyst in infants.Methods CT and B-mode ultrasound features of 23 infant cases diagnosed as thyroglossal duct cyst were retrospectively analysed.The patients underwent classic Sistrunk operation.And ampliate Sistrunk operation was performed for those with postoperative recurrence.Results CT showed a cystic mass in the anterior triangle of neck,relevant to the hyoid bone and thyroid.B-mode ultrasound showed hypoechoic and heterogeneous image companied with posterior echo enhancement.None cyst had a solid component.Twenty-three cases got satisfied curative effect after repeat operation.There were no complications such as trachyphonia,bucking and dyspnea.Following up more than 2 years,no recurrence case occurred.Conclusions CT and B-mode ultrasound scan can help to make accurate diagnosis of the thyroglossal duct cyst,based on the special location and the typical manifestations.Thyroglossal cyst had high recurrence rate after operation.Sistrunk operation is the basic procedure for the complete removal of the thyroglossal cyst in infants.

An instantaneous blood pressure measuring system at the wrist based on the volume-compensation method is developed, and the characteristics and accuracy of the system is evaluated. The radial artery at the wrist is used as the detecting object, and a pad-type cuff as well as a newly designed electro- pneumatic converter is used in the system. Also, the comparative experiments between the system and the invasive blood measuring device (direct method) indicated that, the results obtained from the two methods are well correlated not only in rest condition, but also in a stressful condition. Therefore, the system is capable of non-invasive measuring instantaneous blood pressure in the radial artery.
Blood Pressure Determination ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Radial Artery ; physiology

A handy-type monitoring system for cardiovascular haemodynamic functions based on the volume-compensation and electrical admittance method is developed. In this system, the inconvenient and discomfort due to cuff occlusion of the biological segment for BP measurement is improved by developing a new device using a local pressurization method, the stability for the physiological information detection is improved by developing a new detecting system, and the noise during detection using the system is greatly reduced by using a newly developed nozzle-flapper type electro-pneumatic converter. Also, for electrical admittance cardiography to estimate CO, the applicability of a two-compartment coaxial cylindrical model and the optimal position of a spot-electrode array that is used to replace the conventional band-electrode are discussed in this research. Experimental result shows that the monitoring system should satisfy non-invasive BP and CO measurement on beat by beat, and the comfort of measurement is significantly improved.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; prevention & control ; Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Hemodynamics ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; methods

No abstract available.

The incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) has increased in the last four decades. In view of the historical use of asbestos in Singapore since the country started banning it in phases in 1989 and the long latency of the disease, the incidence of ARD can be expected to increase further. As occupational exposure to asbestos still occurs, preventive measures to eliminate ARD continue to be required to protect the health of both workers and the public from asbestos exposure. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos at present occur during the removal of old buildings. Preventive measures have been utilized by different government ministries and agencies in eliminating ARD in Singapore over the past 40 years. These measures have included the enforcement of legislation, substitution with safer materials, and engineering controls during asbestos removal as well as improvements in personal hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The existing Workman's Compensation System for ARD should be further refined, given that is currently stipulates that claims for asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma be made within 36 and 12 months after ceasing employment.
Asbestos ; Asbestosis ; Compensation and Redress ; Employment ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Incidence ; Mesothelioma ; Occupational Exposure ; Singapore ; Workers' Compensation

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Geniposide on SNP(sodium nitroprusside)-induced apoptosis of chondrocyte in vitro and cell cycle.

METHODSThe chondrocyte of three-week-old SD rats were separated and cultivated. The second generation of chondrocyte cells were involved in experiment. Chondrocyte proliferation was measured by assay; flow cytometer were adopted to observe cell cycle and apoptosis rate; NO examination adopted nitrate reductase method.

RESULTSGeniposide could significantly decrease the percentage of SNP-induced chondrocytes in G0/G1 phase and increased percentage in S phase and G2/M phase. The apoptosis of chondrocyte and the concentration of NO in the culture supernatants was reduced significantly (r=0.917, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGeniposide could impact SNP-induced apoptosis of chondrocyte by reducing the concentration of NO in the culture supernatants, promoting proliferation of chondrocytes, which is a probable and important mechanism of Geniposide preventing osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Iridoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacology ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: The Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS) is an interview-based assessment tool for evaluating the cognitive deficit and daily functioning of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with schizophrenia and 68 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited to validate the Chinese version of SCoRS in this study. All participants underwent cognitive assessment using the SCoRS, which was verified by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), and the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment, Brief Version (UPSA-B). Patients with schizophrenia were additionally assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: SCoRS ratings reported by patients (SCoRS-S), those reported by the interviewer (SCoRS-I), and SCoRS global scores (SCoRS-G) showed significant correlation with all subscales of the BACS and the UPSA-B. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SCoRS-S, SCoRS-I, and SCoRS-G significantly differentiated patients with schizophrenia from healthy controls. Moreover, SCoRS-S and SCoRS-I ratings showed positive correlation with the negative symptoms and general symptoms of PANSS. Conclusion The Chinese version of SCoRS showed good discriminant, concurrent, and external validity, suggesting that it is a useful and convenient tool for assessment of cognitive function among Mandarin-speaking patients with schizophrenia in clinical practice.