BACKGROUND:The ligamentum flavum is important to connect the rear of the spine. If the flexibility of the ligamentum flavum is decreased due to degeneration, in the role of various factors, it can reduce the effective space of the spinal canal to induce spinal cord and nerve root compression, thereby resulting in neurological symptoms, even paralysis or residual disease. OBJECTIVE:To study the mechanism of over-dose fluoride on the degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum in rats. METHODS:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group was given distiled water containing NaF (mass fraction 10-4) and control group was given the same amount of distiled water. After 3 and 6 months, the bone mineral density, Ca2+ and P3+ contents in serum and bone tissue and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were detected, respectively. Meanwhile, the ligamentum flavum specimens were taken for X-ray examination and histopathological observation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the experimental group, chalk stripes or spots occurred in the lower incisors of five rats at 3 months after treatment and dental fluorosis that was mostly in chalk color was found in al the rats at 6 months after treatment; moreover, the bone density of the lumbar spine significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the contents of serum Ca2+ were significantly higher, while the contents of P3+were significantly lower in the experimental group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05); the serum alkaline phosphatase activity was also significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05). X-ray films, at 6 months after treatment, showed that the bone density of the lumbar vertebra was increased obviously; pathological observation showed that the number of elastic fibers in the ligamentum flavum was reduced further, a large amount of colagen fibers, fibroblasts and calcium deposition were found, and the ossification of the ligamentum flavum was visible at the lamina attachment site. These findings indicate that the over-dose fluorides can lead to the degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum in Sprague-Dawley rats, which may plan an important role in the ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

In order to investigate the effect of vitamin A (VA) on the secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (MP)-induced A549 cells, A549 cells were co-cultured with MP for different time lengths and then the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the cell culture supernatants were detected before and after treatment with different concentrations of VA by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the supernatants of MP-induced A549 cells was much higher than that in non-induced cells (P<0.01). After application of VA, IL-4 level was not increased until the concentration of VA was up to 0.5x10(-5) mol/L (P<0.01). However, with concentration of VA increased up to 1x10(-4) mol/L, IL-4 was significantly suppressed (P<0.01). It was concluded that MP could induce the secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in A549 cells. VA could inhibit the secretion of IFN-gamma and increase the IL-4 level in MP-induced A549 cells. However, high concentration of VA had an inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-4 as well as on the IFN-gamma. These data provided a theoretical basis for the application of VA in MP pneumonia in the clinical practice.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Techniques ; Interferon-gamma/*secretion ; Interleukin-4/*secretion ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae/growth & development ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae/*physiology ; Vitamin A/*pharmacology

Objective To study the effects of sinomenine on scavenging oxygen free radical and anti-lipid peroxidation in vitro. Methods Superoxide anion free radical(O_2~?) induced by the auto-oxidation of pyrogallol and hydroxyl free radical(?OH) induced by Fenton system were determined by spectrophotometry.The inhibition on homogenate and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation,malondialdehyde(MDA),of rat liver induced by VC-Fe~(2+) system was measured by thiobarabituric acid(TBA) colorimetric method.Results Sinomenine could significantly scavenge O_2~? and ?OH,it's EC_(50) were 1.35 and 0.136 mg/mL respectively.Sinomenine could also remarkably inhibit the lipid peroxidation of rat liver homogenate and mitochondria induced by auto-oxidation and VC-Fe~(2+) system.The scavenging and inhibitory effect exhibited in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion The results indicate that sinomenine possesses the effect of scavenging oxygen free radicals and anti-lipid peroxidation,which shows the protection of liver mitochondria.

Objective To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and Snail proteins in rectal cancer and their significance. Methods The expression of Snail and E-cadherin proteins was detected using immunohistochemical SABC method in 101 cases of rectal cancer tissues. Results The positive rate of Snail in rectal cancer was 78.2% (79/101). The negative expression rate of E-cadherin in rectal cancer was 62.4% (63/101). The expression of Snail and E-cadherin were significantly related with the lymph node metastasis and Dukes' stage of rectal cancer (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The overexpression of Snail and the decreased expression of E-cadherin might be important biological markers for malignant transformation, invasion and metastasis of rectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for formulating drug price regulation policy and promoting reasonable drug price. METHODS:According to WHO and HAI drug price standard investigation,questionnaire survey(supplemented by field investigation)about sale price of 63 commonly used drugs with large consumption sum was conducted among 3 districts of different economic development levels in Hubei province. Median price ratio(MPR)was calculated statistically. Primary interview survey(supplemented by literature investigation)about drug distribution cost was conducted among managerial staff of pharmaceutical wholesale and retail enterprises,hospital pharmacy administrators. Suggestions were put forward to control distribution cost and standardizing drug price based on analysis and discussion. RESULTS:Totally 120 questionnaires were sent out,and 118 were effectively received,with effective recovery of 98.33%. Thirty managerial staff from drug wholesale and retail enterprises,hospital pharmacy department were interviewed for investigation of drug distribution cost. MPR of 63 drugs ranged 0.05-44.55 in different types of sample institutions. Among 67 specifications of 53 kinds of drugs,median retail price of 38 specifications(56.72%)was higher than international reference price in first-level sample medical institutions. Among 79 specifications of 63 kinds of drugs,median retail price of 57 specifications(72.15%)was higher than international reference price in second-level sample medical institutions. Among 80 specifications of 63 kinds of drugs,median retail price of 63 specifications(78.75%)was higher than international reference price in third-level sample medical institutions. Among 50 specifications of 37 kinds of drugs,median retail price of 42 specifications(84.00%)was higher than international reference price in sample pharmaceutical retail enterprises. In all sample institutions,maximum MPR of 13 specification were lower than 1;those of 12 specification ranged from 1 to <2;those of 23 specifications ranged from 2 to <5;15 specification ranged from 5 to <10;those of 17 specification were higher than 10. MPR of third-level medical institution samples were higher than those of second-level and first-level ones,and pharmaceutical retail enterprises(P<0.01). MPR of second-level medical institution samples and pharmaceutical retail enterprises were higher than those of first-level medical institutions(P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the levels of MPR between second-level medical institutions and pharmaceutical retail enterprises(P>0.05). MPR of sample institutions in well-developed regions were higher than in medium-developed or less-developed regions(P<0.01). MPR of sample institutions in medium-developed regions were higher than in less-developed regions(P<0.01). MPR of original drugs were all higher than those of generic drugs in different types of sample institutions(P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in MPR of original drugs among different types of sample institutions(P>0.05). At the same time,MPR of generic drugs in third-level medical institution samples were higher than in second-level and first-level ones and pharmaceutical retail enterprises (P<0.05 or P<0.01). MPR of second-level medical institution samples and pharmaceutical retail enterprises were higher than in first-level ones(P<0.05). There was no statistical significance between second-level medical institution samples and pharmaceutical retail enterprises(P>0.05). Drug production and circulation cost,centralized bidding and purchasing price in Hubei province were higher than the national level. CONCLUSIONS:The drug price of Hubei province is in high level,especially that of three-level medical institutions is higher than other institutions;drug price of well-developed region is higher than those of medium-level and less-developed region;the price of original drugs are higher than those of generic drugs. The cost of pharmaceutical industry,drug circulation cost and the addition of drug price during application link eventually lead to the higher retailing price of drugs. Comprehensive policy measures need to be taken to control the cost of the whole process of drug distribution and to regulate the price of drugs.

Objective To study the radiation-induced mitochondrial damage and energy metabolic alteration in pancreatic exocrine cells,and to explore underlying mechanism.Methods Rat pancreatic exocrine cells (AR42 J) were divided into control group and experimental group irradiated with 6 Gy of X-rays.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected at 24,48,72 and 96 h,the lactic acid and ATP production were detected at 24 h and 48 h,and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected at 24 h after irradiation.The expressions of energy metabolism related factors of HIF-1α,LDHA and PDH were detected by Western blot.The animal experiments were conducted to confirm the changes.According to random number table,eight rats were randomly divided into two groups with 4 rats in each.The irradiated group was exposed to 12 Gy of X-rays,while the control group sham-irradiated.Results Compared with the nonirradiated control group,the mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) of the experimental group was progressively decreased at 24-96 h after irradiation (t =5.438-17.687,P＜0.05).The ATP content in the experimental group decreased at 24 h and 48 h (q=17.300,8.328,P＜0.05),the lactic acid increased (q =21.790,16.250,P＜0.05),and the ROS level increased (t =7.935,P＜0.05).The expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA were significantly increased,but PDH was reduced after radiation.Silencing HIF-1α by siRNA eliminated radiation-induced energy metabolic alteration.These changes were confirmed with animal experiments by locally irradiating rats.Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α is upregulated by irradiation,which leads to the change of energy metabolism as the enhancement of glycolysis pathway and the inhibition of aerobic oxidation of mitochondria in pancreatic exocrine cells.

In order to investigate the effect of vitamin A (VA) on the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (MP)-induced A549 cells, A549 cells were co-cultured with MP for different time lengths and then the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the cell culture supematants were detected before and after treatment with different concentrations of VA by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the supernatants of MP-induced A549 cells was much higher than that in non-induced cells (P<0.01). After application of VA, IL-4 level was not increased until the concentration of VA was up to 0.5 × 10-5 mol/L (P<0.01).However, with concentration of VA increased up to 1 × 10-4 mol/L, IL-4 was significantly suppressed (P<0.01). It was concluded that MP could induce the secretion of IFN-y and IL-4 in A549 cells. VA could inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ, and increase the IL-4 level in MP-induced A549 cells. However,high concentration of VA had an inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-4 as well as on the IFN-γ.These data provided a theoretical basis for the application of VA in MP pneumonia in the clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the value of serum activin A (ACT-A) level in early identification of moderate and severe acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:A prospective case control study was conducted. A total of 120 patients with AP admitted to department of hepatobiliary surgery of Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of Hengyang Medical College of University of South China between October 2020 and April 2022 were recruited. According to the revised Atlanta classification, all patients were classified into mild AP group and moderate-to-severe AP group. The blood samples within 24 hours of onset were drawn, and the serum ACT-A and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Ranson score and the modified CT severity index (MCTSI) were performed. Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation of various parameters. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the predictive value of ACT-A and CRP for moderate-to-severe AP.Results:A total of 120 patients with AP were enrolled, including 83 patients with mild AP and 37 patients with moderate-to-severe AP. Serum ACT-A and CRP levels within 24 hours of onset in the moderate-to-severe AP group were significantly higher than those in the mild AP group [ACT-A (ng/L): 140.4±37.7 vs. 53.9±30.5, lg CRP: 1.42±0.91 vs. 0.77±0.70, both P < 0.01], and the Ranson score and MCTSI score were also significantly higher than those in the mild AP group (Ranson score: 5.3±1.3 vs. 1.8±1.6, MCTSI score: 5.5±1.0 vs. 2.7±1.2, both P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the serum ACT-A level was positively correlated with serum CRP level, Ranson score and MCTSI score ( R2 value was 0.272, 0.841, 0.616, respectively, all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the serum ACT-A, CRP and Ranson score had predictive value for moderate-to-severe AP. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.948 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.909-0.986], 0.711 (95% CI was 0.606-0.815), 0.946 (95% CI was 0.910-0.982), respectively. When serum ACT-A > 112.6 ng/L, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting moderate-to-severe AP were 78.38% and 96.39%, respectively, which was better than serum CRP with sensitivity and specificity of 72.92% and 66.27%, respectively, and the specificity was better than Ranson score (71.08%). Conclusion:ACT-A can be detected in the early stage of AP, and it is positively correlated with the disease severity, which can early identify moderate-to-severe AP.