Bronchi ; drug effects ; pathology ; Cell Line ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Mineral Fibers ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the effects of nicotine on the gene expression profile in prefrontal cortex (PFC) region of rats. Methods Twenty-four adult male F344 rats were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 12 animals in each group. Animals in treatment group were injected with nicotine solution while those in control group were given physiological saline for 17 days. At the end of drug administration, the tissue of PFC region was sliced from the brain of each animal. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was utilized to analyze the gene expression profile in PFC of each animal. Bioinformatics tools including Bowtie, Tophat and Cufflinks were used to map the sequencing reads to the reference genome of rat, and to measure the relative expression level of each transcript. Genes whose expression levels were significantly differ-ent between the two groups were identified. The functional categories and the biochemical pathways associated with these genes were further analyzed. Results By comparing the expression level of each transcript between two groups, 885 signifi-cantly differentially expressed genes were identified. These genes were enriched in multiple Gene Ontology Biological Pro-cess categories (e.g., G protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway, protein ubiquitination, and neurotransmitter up-take) and biological pathways (e.g., insulin signaling pathway, Alzheimer's disease, and long term potentiation). Conclu-sion Nicotine treatment may regulate signaling transduction, energy metabolism and other biological processes in PFC of rat brain.

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma homocysteine level and impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) patients in peripheral neuropathy.Methods 80 patients with IGT were selected according to the results of routine nerve conduction test,including 40 patients associated with peripheral neuropathy (IGT-PN),and 40 patients without peripheral neuropathy (IGT-NPN).Besides,40 healthy subjects were selected as control.Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in the three groups by enzyme rate method.The severity of neuropathy was scored and graded by the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS).Results Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the all IGT groups than those in the control group.The plasma homocysteine level in the IGT-PN group (14.2±2.7) μmol/L was significantly higher than that in the IGT-NPN group (12.3±2.6) μmol/L (P＜0.05).Regression analysis showed that plasma homocysteine level had independent effects on IGT with peripheral neuropathy.Plasma homocysteine level was positively correlated with TCSS score.Conclusions Plasma homocysteine may play an important role in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy in patients with IGT,and their level may be associated with the severity of peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transferred by Ad?ANG ex vivo on ischemic myocardium. Methods: ELISA method was used to assay the expression and secretion of angiogenin (ANG) after Ad?ANG transfection of BMSCs ex vivo. Then BMSCs with Ad?ANG were transplanted into ischemic myocardium of isogenic Lewis rats. 4 weeks later, the parameters of heart function, such as EF and EDLV, were examined by echocardiography. Survival and differentiation of transplanted BMSCs and angiogenesis were appraised by histology and transmission electron micrography. Results: ANG was found in both lysate and culture medium after transfection of BMSCs. A maximum expression of ANG was observed at 4-7 days after transfection and could still be assayed 15 days later. 4 weeks later after transplantation in the BMSCs with Ad?ANG group, heart function improved better than the single BMSCs group(P

Objective To investigate physical activities of preschool children by gender and to explore the effects of activity type on bone indexes.Methods During 2009 and 2010,397 preschool children of 3-5 years old were randomly selected from 4 kindergartens in Chengdu Province of China.Ultrasound bone analyzer was used to assess children's bone mass.A physical activity questionnaire was completed by parents to evaluate physical activities at leisure time.Student's t test and least square regression were used for data analysis.Results Concerning activity types,boys spent more leisure time on running and Wushu than girls did (t values were 1.94 and 2.84,respectively ; both P ＜ 0.05).However,girls spent more time on dancing (0.78 h),jumping rope (0.08 h) and manual labour (0.22 h) each day (t values were-9.50,-3.43 and-1.92,respectively; all P ＜ 0.05).The weekly total exercise time and energy consumption per unit of body weight of girls vs.boys were 7.29 vs.6.51 h and 127.57 vs.113.85 kJ (t values were 2.63 and 2.04,respectively ; both P ＜ 0.05).About per day time on sleeping and per week time on watching television,there were no significant difference between boys and girls (t =0.180,0.520;P ＞0.05).But boys spent more time on electronic game and computer than girls (t =0.760,2.510;P ＜ 0.05).The normalized correlation coefficient for bone mass and moderate physical activities or jumping was 0.184 and 0.275,respectively (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Our data suggest that preschool children's bone volume may be positively correlated with moderate physical activities and jumping activities.Introducing some moderate physical activities or activity appliance,toys and playing fields as well as increasing professional training might be helpful.

Objective To observe effect of aerobic exercise combined with inhalation of tiotropium on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with pulmonary hypertension.Methods A total of 98 patients with stable COPD and grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ pulmonary function complicated with pulmonary hypertension were recruited.They were divided into an observation group (n =31) and two control groups (n =30 and 37).Patients in control group 1 inhaled shahmette and fluticasone powder,and antibiotics as well as apophlegmatisant were also used in accordance with the demands of the patient's condition.Patients of in control group 2 inhaled tiotropium dry powder and accepted other therapeutic measures equivalent to those of control group1.The patients in the observation group were given aerobic exercise in addition to other therapeutic measures equivalent to those of control group 2.Six-minute walk test distances,pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test scores were compared after 6 months of treatment,among the groups and against the baseline values before treatment.Results After 6 months of treatment the average 6-minute walk distance,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment score and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of the observation group were all significantly better than for either of the control groups.Conclusions Inhaling tiotropium dry powder combined with aerobic exercise can reduce pulmonary artery systolic pressure and improve the symptoms as well as the quality of life for patients with stable COPD complicated by pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To study the roles of the contact heat evoked potential (CHEP) in evaluating the small nerve fibers of cranial and spinal in elderly diabetic patients,and to analyze the feature of the small fibers in order to provide scientific foundations for early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy (DN).Methods Totally 50 diabetic patients and 40 healthy subjects were included in this study.The diabetic patients were divided into the normal nerve conduction group (n=17) and the abnormal nerve conduction group (n=33).CHEP was determined and thermal stimuli was given to the area of eyelid,forearm and peroneal.Sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity in the upper and lower limbs were tested in all diabetic patients.Results Compared with the healthy group,the N wave latencies were prolonged and the N-P amplitudes were reduced in the area of eyelid,forearm and peroneal in diabetic patients (all P＜0.01).Compared with the healthy group,the logarithm of N-P amplitudes were reduced in areas of forearm and peroneal [(1.70±0.10) vs.(1.60±0.14),(1.65±0.078) vs.(1.54±0.15),both P＜0.05] and N wave latencies were prolonged in eyelid area [(343.1±18.2) ms vs.(385.4±26.5) ms,P＜0.05] in normal nerve conduction group.Compared to group with normal nerve conduction velocity,the logarithm of N-P amplitudes was reduced in peroneal area [(1.54±0.15) vs.(1.44±0.15),P＜0.05] in abnormal nerve conduction group.Conclusions CHEP can detect the early impairment of the small fibers in elderly diabetic patients.The early smallfiber impairments in diabetic neuropathy may be axon-oriented in spinal nerves and myelin-oriented in cranial nerves.

OBJECTIVETo observe preliminary efficacy of decompressive unilateral improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to December 2011, 28 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were treated by decompressive unilateral improved TLIF,including 16 males and 12 females with an average of 61 (aged 46 to 71) years old,the courses of disease ranged from 6 months to 6 years. Among them, 20 cases suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis, 8 cases were lumbar disc herniation. Decompressive range included single segment in 24 cases,and double segments in 4 cases; 15 cases were performed operation on the left side, 13 cases on the right side. JOA lower back pain scoring system (29 points) were applied for evaluate preoperative and postoperative symptoms, physical signs and sphincteral functions;Visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate preoperative and postoperative low back pain.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up 6 to 28 (mean 14) months. Postoperative JOA score and VAS score were 17.9 +/- 2.2, 2.8 +/- 0.7 respectively,and preoperative JOA score and VAS score were 8.5 +/- 1.7, 8.6 +/- 1.2, respectively. There were significant meaning in JOA and VAS scores before and after operation (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were all obtained intervertebral synostosis.

CONCLUSIONDecompressive unilateral improved TLIF for treatment of unilateral radicular lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation,which has advantages of minimally invasive,curative effects,decrease medical costs,is worthy spreading in clinical.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effects of total saponins,extracted from stems and leaves ofParispolyphyllavar.yunnanensis. Methods Taking mouse stomach carcinoma MFC cell line,human mammary cancer cell line(MCF-7)and human cervical carcinoma cell line(Hela),and their tumor-bearing mice as models,the antitumor activity was carried out in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8 assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect in vitro. The tumor-bearing mice model was induced by tumor cell vaccination in normal mouse forelimb left axillary subcutaneous and these mice were randomized into NS group,cytoxan group(30 mg/kg),saponins high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups(60,30 and 15 mg/kg). They were given intraperitoneal injection once a day for consecutive 15 days. The tumor inhibition rate and survival of the tumor-bearing mice were measured. Results Saponins,extracted from both aboveground and underground ofP.polyphyllavar.yunnanensis could significantly inhibit the growth of MFC,MCF-7 and Hela cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. The tumor weight in each drug treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion Saponins,extracted from both aboveground and underground ofP.polyphyllavar.yunnanensis have antitumor activity.

Objective To establish diagnosis model and explore related metabolic pathways by analyzing the serum metabolic profile of patients with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) through metabolomics.Methods Thirty PNS patients hospitalized in Huai'an First People's Hospital between December 2010 and April 2012 were enrolled.High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to detect metabolites in the serum of 30 PNS patients and 30 healthy controls.Metabolic fingerprint profiling and multivariate pattern recognition analysis were combined to establish disease-specific metabolic diagnosis model,and metabolic pathway analysis was performed.Results PNS group and control group could be well separated by principal component analysis (PCA) model as well as partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model with Q2 of 0.300.There was well interpretation in PLA-DA model (R2X=0.581,R2Y=0.452).Compared with healthy controls,PNS patients had decreased cholestane 3,7,12,15 alcohol,acyl glycerine,phytosphingosine and tryptophan,and increased sphingomyelin,arginine and glutamic acid (all VIP ＞ 1,P ＜ 0.05).The metabolic disorders pathways of PNS patients included sphingolipid metabolism,arginine and proline metabolism,linoleic acid metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism (all impact ＞0.10 and P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Metabolomics combined with multivariate pattern recognition analysis may be a new tool for diagnosis and monitoring of PNS.