Objective: To examine the pathologcial changes of glial cells after chronic optic nerve compression, so as to discuss the interaction between the glial cells and neurons. Methods: Thirty adult cats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n= 5), namely, control group, sham operation group, 1-week compression group, 2-week compression group, 4-week compression group, and 8-week compression group. The chronic optic nerve injury model was produced by an inflatable balloon implanted under the optic chiasm in the latter 4 groups. All the animals were sacrificed and perfused; the optic nerves were removed and the cellular responses of the nerves were observed by electronic microscopy; and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP), carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) and ED-1 was exmined at various time points by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Under the electron microscopy, the normal optic nerves had integrated myelin structure, clearly and closely arranged neural plate. The optic nerve presented slight demyelination 2 weeks after compression; myelin laminalle dissociating and glial cell degenerating occurred 4 weeks after compression; and the demyelination became more obvious and the most myelin became thiner 8 weeks after compression. No obvious immunohistochemistral changes were found in the optic nerves during the first two weeks of compression. The MBP staining was disturbed and lost at 4 weeks after compression, which became more obvious 8 weeks after compression. The CA II staining in the compressed region was irregular and lost at 4 weeks, which was more obvious at 8 weeks; the staining in non-compressed region was normal. The intensity of GFAP staining was reduced in the compressed region and increased at proximal portion of the nerve at 4 weeks, which became more significant at 8 weeks. The ED-1 positive cells were found in the normal nerve with low density. The positive cells increased around the compressed region at 4 weeks and became more significant at 8 weeks. Conclusion: Glial cell degeneration and death occur in the compressive region afte chronic compression of optic nerve. The proximal portion of the compressed nerve has astrocyte proliferation and microglia activation, indicating that functional change of glial cells may contribute to chronic optic nerve injury.

Objective: To clone, identify and analyze subtractive cDNA libraries of differentially expressed genes associated with chronic optic nerve compression in cats. Methods: The constructed cDNA libraries were amplified by E. coli transformation with calcium chloride and were subjected to blue and white screening. Three hundred positive bacterial clones were randomly chosen from each library and were identified by colony PCR. The positive clones were sequenced to screen for the differentially expressed genes. The identified sequences were then analyzed for homology using Blast program against the DNA database bank of Japanese through internet. Real-time PCR was performed to verify the expression of the 4 differential clones. Results: One thousand positive clones were identified by PCR and 674 ESTs were obtained by seqeuncing, with length ranging from 200 to 800bp. Results from Blast analysis revealed 14, 20, 23 and 19 homolog genes in 4-w forward, 4-w reverse, 8-w forward and 8-w reverse subtractive libraries, respectively. These genes fell into several functional groups, such as energy and metabolism, ion transport, gene transcription, signal transduction, cellular injury and repair, and MHC molecules. Result of real-time PCR verified that the 4 clones were differentially expressed. Conclusion: The constructed subtractive cDNA libraries lay an experimental basis for further identification and study of the differentially expressed genes related to chronic optic nerve injury.

Objective: To construct subtractive cDNA libraries of differentially expressed genes associated with chronic optic nerve injury in cats. Methods: Fifteen adult cats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5): control group, 4-w compression group and 8-w compression group. The chronic optic nerve injury was produced by an inflatable balloon implanted under the optic chiasm. The total RNA was prepared from optic nerves of each group by TRIzol method. Double-stranded cDNA was produced by SMART PCR cDNA synthesis protocol. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to isolate the cDNA fragments of differentially expressed genes in the optic nerves after 4-w and 8-w compression. The cDNA fragments were directly inserted into T/A cloning vector to establish the subtractive library,followed by amplification of the libraries through E. coli transformation with calcium chloride and screening of blue and white clones. Three hundred positive bacterial clones were randomly picked in each library and identified by colony PCR. Results: Analysis of the white clones by PCR showed that 80% clones contained 200-800 bp inserts in each library. Conclusion: Four subtractive cDNA libraries of differentially expressed genes associated with chronic optic nerve injury have been successfully constructed by SSH and T/A cloning techniques,which lays a solid foundation for screening and cloning specific differentially expressed genes associated with chronic optic nerve injury.

Animals ; Calcitriol ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Liver ; drug effects ; Liver Diseases ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the time trends of cancer mortality among residents in Kaifeng county, Henan province.

METHODSData on cancer mortality from the vital registration system in Kaifeng county from 1988 to 2005 was analyzed. A total of 9543 death records (5974 males and 3567 females) due to malignant tumors were studied. A two-year-period age-specified standardized mortality rates were directly adjusted by the world standard population, and the annual percentage change (APC) of mortality were estimated by a linear logarithm regression.

RESULTSThe crude cancer death rate for male was 95.09/100,000 and its age-standardized death rate was 117.41/100,000. While, the crude cancer death rate for female was 59.13/100,000 and the age-standardized death rate was 57.15/100,000. There was a significant growth tread for lung cancer (APC: 6.54%), liver cancer (5.07%) in males and breast cancer (7.04%) in females in the groups aged over 18. On the contrary, the decreasing treads for esophageal cancer in both of sexes (-7.09%, -13.53%) were also observed in this study. Meanwhile, there was no other significant changes in the trend, either in the tumor sites or mortality, was observed.

CONCLUSIONIn the past two decades, there has been a significant increasing trend for cancer mortality in Kaifeng county, of Henan Province. Hence, it is necessary to enhance epidemiological survey to identify risk factors at the earlier stages.

China ; epidemiology ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; trends ; Neoplasms ; mortality ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of anterior decompression and fusion with a nano-hydroxyapatite/ polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage in treating lower cervical fracture and dislocation.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2010, the clinical data of 42 patients with lower cervical fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 males and 13 females aged from 20 to 65 years old. The mean age was 46.8 years. Five cases got injuried in C3, 14 cases in C4, 12 cases in C5, 7 cases in C6 and 4 cases in C7. According to Frankel grade, 4 cases were classified in grade A, 11 cases in grade B, 13 cases in grade C, 9 cases in grade D and 5 cases in grade F. Twenty-eight cases were treated with anterior corpectomy and fusion and 14 cases with anterior discectomy and fusion. Frankel grade was used to do neurologic assessment and visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the improvement of clinical symptoms. Segmental height and sagittal lordosis were measured by radiographs and cage location. Cage appearance and fusion status were assessed by 3D-CT images.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 3 to 5.2 years with an average of 4.1 years. Frankel grade had obviously improved than preoperative (Z = -4.845, P < 0.001). There were 2, 3, 11, 8, 11 cases classified in grade A, grade B, grade C, grade D and grade E respectively. At the third day after operation and latest follow-up,VAS was (2.6 +/- 1.8),(1.3 +/- 1.0) scores respectively. Both had improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). Up to the latest follow-up, there was only one patient (2.4%) with slight cage translocation (less than 2 mm), however, no cage prolapsed, or collapse, or breakage were found. Both segmental height and lordosis improved significantly after surgery (P < 0.001). And there was not significant difference in both parameters between each postoperative time points (P > 0.05). The mean distance of cage subsidence was 1.5 mm and the rate of cage subsidence (> 3 mm) was 4.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe n-HA/PA66 cage can not only restore and maintain the fusion segmental height and radian, but also promote the osseous fusion and profit the radiographic assessment after operation. Thus, it was an ideal material for prop graft.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking technology in the evaluation of right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary disease .Methods Thirty patients with pulmonary heart disease were divided into two groups:group of compensated pulmonary heart disease(compensated group ) (n =15),group of decompensated pulmonary heart disease (decompensated group)( n =15).30 healthy subjects were enrolled in control group .The displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the midpoint(TADmid),the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the free wall (TADfre) and the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the septum (TADsep) were acquired,and simultaneous real-time three-dimensional ultrasound detection of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were taken.The correlation of TADmid with RVEF and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP) were analyzed.Results TADmid of the healthy control group,the compensated group and the decompensated group were(17.1 ±3.9)mm, (13.6 ±2.6)mm,and(9.5 ±3.2)mm respectively.TADfre were(21.1 ±3.0)mm,(17.6 ±4.2)mm,and (11.5 ±3.8) mm respectively.TADsep were(12.0 ±2.5) mm,(9.7 ±3.3) mm,and(7.4 ±2.7) mm respectively.RVEF were(56.3 ±8.2)%,(39.6 ±6.4)%,and(28.1 ±5.9)% respectively.PASP were (20.6 ±2.6) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa), (63.3 ±5.6) mm Hg, and (82.5 ±11.2)mm Hg respectively.There were significant differences of TADmid , RVEF, and PASP among the 3 groups ( F =8.581,7.816,9.300,6.507,10.235, all P <0.05).TADfre, TADmid, TADsep and RVEF were all decreased in the compensated group comparing to the healthy control group ,while PASP was increased.The decrease of TADmid was the most significant ,while that of TADfre was the slightest .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.703,2.536,2.379, 2.817,3.026,all P<0.05).TADfre,TADmid,TADsep and RVEF of decompensated group reduced more significantly than the compensated group , while PASP was increased significantly .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.519,2.493,2.236, 2.621,2.985,all P<0.05);TADfre and TADmid were decreased more apparently in decompensated group than that in compensated group ,and so were TADsep and RVEF,while PASP were increased.There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups (t =1.947, 2.680,2.016,2.653,2.893,all P<0.05).There was significant positive correlation between TADmid and RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound (r =0.904,P <0.01 ).There was significant negative correlation between TADmid and PASP (r=-0.686,P<0.01).The cut-off point value of TADmid measured by speckle tracking technology for evaluation of RVEF <45% and<30% were 13.65 mm and 9.80 mm,respectively.The sensitivity were 94.4%and 90.0%respectively,and the specificity were 78.6%and 90.0%respectively.Conclusions TADmid is hardly affected by the external factors ,and it can better reflect the changes of right ventricular systolic function for patients with pulmonary heart disease .TADmid is positively correlated with RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound and negatively correlated with PASP.Further more,the correlations is significant.The three parameters can authenticate mutually ,and the combination of them can evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary heart disease precisely.

BACKGROUNDThe non-hemodynamic effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in the delay of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of irbesartan on the urinary excretion of cytokines in patients with CKD.

METHODSIn this randomized perspective clinical trial, different doses of irbesartan (150 mg/d and 300 mg/d) were given to two groups of patients in a cross-over design. Blood pressure (BP), creatinine clearance (Ccr) and 24-hour proteinuria were examined. Urinary excretion of cytokines was determined by human inflammatory cytokine antibody array. A two-fold change in spot intensity was considered significant.

RESULTSUrinary excretion of cytokines (granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 1β (IL-1b), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, IL-15 and macrophage inflammatory protein 1d (MIP-1d)) in group B (irbesartan 300 mg/d) was significantly decreased in comparison to group A (irbesartan 150 mg/d) after 8-week treatment. In group A, 8 weeks of treatment induced a two- to nine-fold reduction in urinary cytokine levels (GCSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1a, IL-11, IL-12p40, MCP-2, MIP-1a), while increasing the dosage to 300 mg/d further decreased the excretion of GCSF, GM-CSF, IL-12p40, MCP-2 and MIP-1a by week 18. There was no significant difference in BP or Ccr between the two groups. However, 24-hour proteinuria was significantly reduced in both groups, and in group A the reduction was dose dependent.

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan offers additional renoprotection in a dose-dependent manner by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines excretion in the urine of CKD patients.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Biphenyl Compounds ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Creatinine ; metabolism ; Cross-Over Studies ; Cytokines ; urine ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Prospective Studies ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Enuresis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution and quantity of CD44+/CD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines, and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression of CD44/CD24, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2, human estrogen-induced protein PS2, bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining. The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-231) was also examined.

RESULTSThe quantity and distribution of CD44+/CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified. The percentage of CD44+/CD24- in breast cancer was 65%. The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma. The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was <1%, 5% and >80%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCD44+/CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines. However, there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Breast Neoplasms ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD24 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Trefoil Factor-1 ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism