Objective To observe the spatiotemporal characteristics of the micro-structural injury in a rat model of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and quantitatively assess the axonal injury severity in the vulnerable areas. Methods The 7.0 T MRI was performed in rats in DAI group (n =20) and control group ( n = 15 ) to synthesize the diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI) parameter map and calculate the parameter value of the vulnerable areas. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect β-APP expression in the vulnerable areas and the IPP software to quantitatively assess the axonal injury severity. Results Compared with the control group, FA and AD maps showed local signal defection or reduction in the corpus callosum and their values decreased significantly in the brain stem and corpus callosum in the DAI group (P ＜0.01 ). The integrated optical density (IOD) value of the vulnerable areas in the DAI group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ) , with the highest level in the brain stem (P＜0.05). The normalized FA, AD and ADC in the vulnerable areas were correlated negatively with the IOD (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion DTI can detect invisible micro-structural injury in the vulnerable areas and quantitatively assess the axonal injury severity in vivo in the early stage.

A total of 1 870 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy were investigated.The mean TSH level in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) was significantly higher than that in patients with benign thyroid nodules[(1.95±1.69 vs 1.40±1.98)mIU/L,P＜0.01].DTC patients who had lymphatic metastasis or the diameter of tumor more than 10 mm had higher serum TSH level.Serum thyrotropin is an independent risk predictor for DTC.

Conditions about protoplast preparation and regeneration of Streptococcus zooepidemicus,which could produce hyaluronic acid, were studied , including the concentration of lysozyme, lytic time, different osmotic stabilizers and the preculture under the high osmotic pressure . As a result, the formation and regeneration rate of protoplasts could reach up to 94.6% and 18.5% respectively under the optimum conditions, before the digestion of lysozyme (50U/mL,39℃, 60 min) the strain was cultured for 2 hours in 0.6 mol/L NaCl high osmotic pressure liquid medium containing 1.2% Gly. Among different treatments of various laser power and irradiating time, He-Ne laser which acted for 300 seconds with 40mW /cm 2 caused lethality rate as high as 99.88%. Finally, a mutated strain was gained, whose production of HA is 2.21g/L, just 4.5 times as much as the original strain.

This study was aimed to observe the effect of Bai-Zhu Fu-Ling (BZFL) Decoction in different proportion-ing on VIP and VIPR1 in Crohn's disease (CD) rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, in order to further explore the immunologic mechanism of BZFL Decoction on CD. The CD rat model with spleen deficiency syndrome was estab-lished using exhaustion and hunger. The model rats were treated by BZFL Decoction with different proportioning, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of VIP and its receptor in colon tissues. The results showed that comparing to the blank control group, the level of VIP and its receptor of the model group significantly increased (P< 0.05). Comparing to the model group, the level of VIP and its receptor in BZFL Decoction B5 group (Rhizoma A tractylodis Macrocephalae:Poria = 12:15), B6 group (Rhizoma A tractylodis Macrocephalae:Poria = 15:12) and B7 group (Rhizoma A tractylodis Macrocephalae:Poria = 18:9) was significantly decreased (P< 0.05). It was con-cluded that the effect of BZFL Decoction of B5 group, B6 group and B7 group was better than other groups in VIP and its receptor which can regulate the VIP and its receptor, inhibit the releasing of inflammatory factors and reduce intestinal inflammation injury.

BACKGROUND:The microRNAs are involved in regulation of stem cel proliferation, differentiation and aging. To study the effect of Let-7c, a member of Let-7, on the neural differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels provides new ideas for stem cel therapy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Let-7c in the neural differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. METHODS: The lentiviral vectors of Let-7c-up and Let-7c-inhibition were constructed and transfected into rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. Optimal multiplicity of infection was screened. The cels were divided into non-transfected group, negative control group (transfected with empty virus), transfected enhancement group (transfected with LV-rno-Let-7c-up), transfected inhibition group (transfected with LV-rno-Let-7c-5p-inhibition). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were treated with fasudil as an inducer for triggering the cels to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by transfected cels was observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. The expression of neuron-specific markers, neuron-specific enolase and microtubule-associated protein 2, were measured by immunocytochemical method. The mRNA expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 was detected by RT-PCR. The cel viability was determined by MTT method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the inverted fluorescence microscope, the cels were successfuly transfected with LV-rno-Let-7c-up and LV-rno-Let-7c-5p-inhibition. Fasudil induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels to differentiate into neurons. The transfection efficiency and expression levels of neuron-specific enolase and microtubule-associated protein 2 in the transfected enhancement group were significantly higher than those in the negative control group (P < 0.05), while in the transfected inhibition group, they were lower than those in the negative control group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the differentiation percentage of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels is increased by fasudil after transfection with LV-rno-Let-7c-up, and Let-7c may promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels into neurons.

Objective To investigate the survival status and related influencing factors of very low birth weight infants(VL-BWI) and very early preterm infants(VPI).Methods One hundred and forty-two very low birth weight and very preterm infants in our hospital from April 2012 to January 2016 and contemporaneous 140 non-low-birth-weight and non-very-preterm infants were selected.The survival status of newborns and long-term prognosis were compared.The low birth weight children and very preterm infants were divided into the death group and survival group according to the survival status and long-term prognosis.The clinical data in the two groups were performed the univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results The incidence rate of poor prognosis had statistically significant difference among neonates with birth weight less than 1 500,1 500-2 500 and＞2 500 g(P＜0.05).The incidence rate of poor prognosis had statistically significant difference among neonates with the gestational age≤32 weeks,32-37 weeks and≥37 weeks(P＜0.05).The proportions of gestational age,birth weight and antenatal dexamethasone use in the death group were significantly lower than those in the survival group,while the proportions of maternal age,asphyxia,meconium aspiration,pregnancy induced hypertension and mechanical ventilation in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group,the difference between two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The gestational age≤28 weeks,birth weight≤1 000 g and asphyxia were the independent risk factors affecting the survival status in very low birth weight infants and extremely preterm infants(P＜0.05).Conclusion In VLBWI and VPI the living status,and long-term prognosis are poor and prone to mental and movement disorders.

Objective To determine the factors that influence the development of abnormal thyrotropin (TSH) level in an euthyroid population.Methods We conducted a follow-up study in 3 communities with different iodine status.Of the 3403 euthyroid subjects at baseline screened in 1999,80.1% ( n = 2727 ) was visited and sampled in 2004 for measuring TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).Results Iodine status in the 3 communities were stable.Decreased TSH level( <0.3 mU/L) developed in 2.5% (n =68) of sampled subjects,while raised TSH level( > 4.8 mU/L) in 2.4% (n = 64).A logistic analysis showed that risk factors for developing decreased TSH level included positive conversion of TPOAb (OR = 5.5 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and in 2004 ( OR = 4.0),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7) and TSH < 1.0 mU/L in 1999 ( OR = 2.6).Risk factors involved in developing raised TSH level included iodine status of Zhangwu community ( OR = 4.1 ),iodine status of Huanghua community ( OR = 3.9),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and 2004 (OR =3.6),positive conversion of TPOAb (OR =2.7) and TSH > 1.9 mU/L in 1999 (OR = 2.6 ).Conclusions Exposure to long-term iodine excess imposes danger of developing hypothyroidism.The risk will be even higher when exposing to iodine adequacy after correction of iodine deficiency.An interval between 1.0 and 1.9 mU/L of TSH level was optimul with the least probability of developing abnormal TSH level.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect on human ACHN cell line and its mice xenograft by using interferon α-1b combined with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and the relevant mechanism in vitro and vivo experiment .Methods ACHN cell and the xenograft mice were devided into 4 groups(IFN-α1b,NS398,IFNα-1b+NS398 and control group).The inhibitory effects were tested by CCK8(Cell Counting Kit 8)assay after AHCN were treated for 24 h and 48 h.The expression of bcl-xl and COX-2 were detected by Western blot .The vol-ume of the xenografts of ACHN cell line and testing the expression of VEGF in xenografts were measured by immunohistochemistry assay .Re-sults Both IFNα-1b and NS398 exerted inhibitory effects on ACHN and this effects showed a rising trend with a increasing concentration of drugs.The combined group was more significant than monotherapy group (P<0.05).Western blot assay showed that IFNα-1b and NS398 downregulated the expression of bcl-xl and COX-2 in ACHN.The combined group was more significant than monotherapy group (P<0.05). The combined group has the greatest inhibitory effects on the xenografts of ACHN cell line compared with monotherapy group and control group(P<0.05).The expression of VEGF in tumor was obiviously inhibited in combined group compared with monotherapy group and con -trol group (P<0.05).Conclusion IFNα-1b combined with NS398 can inhibit the proliferation of ACHN and suppress the tumor growth .

OBJECTIVETo observe the protection of total flavones of Hippophae Rhamnoides (TFH) on vascular endothelial cells (VECs).

METHODSHuman umbilical VECs (ECV304) were used. The vascular endothelial injured cell model was prepared using hydrogen dioxide (H2O2). The cell apoptosis rate and changes of mean fluorescence intensity were detected using flow cytometry (FCM). The Caspase-3 activity in VECs was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSVEC apoptosis was induced by 200 micromol/L H2O2. TFH in different concentrations (400, 200, and 100 microg/mL) could significantly lower the cell apoptosis rate induced by H2O2 respectively (all P < 0.05), and obviously inhibit Caspase-3 activities (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTFH could fight against H2O2 injured VECs apoptosis. Lowering the Caspase-3 expression was one of its mechanisms in protecting VECs.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; Hippophae ; Humans ; Protective Agents

OBJECTIVETo explore the tumor growth inhibition of gamma secretase inhibitor MRK003 on human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by inhibition of AKT and Notch1 expression.

METHODSNOD/SCID mice were injected with human multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 to establish a xenograft mouse model. Mice were randomized into two groups：the experimental group were injected with MRK003 at a dose of 5 mg× kg⁻¹×d⁻¹ for 14 days; the inhibitor was replaced by an equal saline in the control group. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the next day after the last injection and tumor tissue was removed to detect the expression of Notch1 and AKT by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSAfter subcutaneous injection with RPMI8226, mice had tumor formation in 5-7 days and the largest tumor block in 10-12 days. Before RPMI8226 injection, the mean sizes of tumor block in the experimental and the control groups were 509.2 mm³, 511.2 mm³(P>0.05). 9 days after injection, the mean sizes of tumor tissue in the experimental and the control groups were 636.6 mm³, 691.2 mm³(P<0.01). On the next day after the last injection, the tumor sizes of the experimental and the control groups were 683.5 mm³ and 1798.7 mm³(P<0.01). The size of tumor block in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that of the control group(P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the positive expression rates of Notch1(11.1%, P<0.01) and AKT(13.3%, P<0.01) in experimental group were significantly decreased compared with the control group(Notch1: 95.6%; AKT: 93.3%). Western blot results showed that Notch1 and AKT protein in experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONMRK003 could inhibit the tumor growth of human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by downregulated expression of Notch1 signaling pathway.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclic S-Oxides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Thiadiazoles ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays