Objective:To study the molecular mechanism of NO participting the plasticity of normal visual development and the effect of visual deprivation on expression of NO.Methods:The VC of rats were sliced coronally at the ages from postnatal 14 days(p14)to P45,and the sections were processed for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phsphate diaphorase(NADPH-d)histochemical staining.Changes in number,cell body area and total length of dendrites of NOS positive neurons in VC from normal groups and monocular deprivation groups were observed with microscope and analysed by Computer Image Analysis System.Results:The number of NOS-positive neurons in VC of normal rats reached a peak at P14,and gradually reduced.The area of neurons are largest,the dendrites of neuones are more compex and longer in P21.Conclusion:NOS exhibits a transient expression on the high level.Monocular deprivation has not influenced the expression of NOS in VC.

Objective to analyze the basic situation of university and college teachers′psychological empowerment,and investigate the effect of perceived organizational support,organizational identification,supervisory commitment on psychological empowerment. Methods the instruments which were used include perceived organizational support questionnaire(POS),organizational identification questionnaire(OIQ),supervisory com-mitment scale(SCS)and psychological empowerment scale(PES). A total number of 1 500 teachers were recruited conveniently from 6 university and colleges. Results the average score of psychological empowerment was 60.09±14.21. Positive correlation was found among perceived organiza-tional support,organizational identification,supervisory commitment and psychological empowerment(P < 0.05). Perceived organizational support, organizational identification and supervisory commitment explained 86.5% of variance of psychological empowerment. Conclusion Overall level of university and college teachers′psychological empowerment is in moderate or above degree. Perceived organizational support,organizational identifi-cation,and supervisory commitment can predict a deep level of psychological empowerment.

Objective To study the effects of environmental exposure to rare earth elements REEs on intelligence of children. Methods Intelligence quotient IQ were examined with Drawing a Man Test in 464 children aged 7-10 years living in RE ore containing area and the control area in Xunwu country Jiangxi province China. Fifteen kinds of REEs in 112 blood samples 69 samples from RE ore area and 43 samples from the control area  were detected by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry ICP-MS. Results All 15 kinds of REEs were detected in each sample the content of blood REEs of the children in the rare earth area 2.18?1.08 ng/g was 1.73 times of that of the children in the control area 1.26?0.35 ng/g the difference was significant P

Objective To investigate the regulation on extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK )1/2 and p38 signaling pathways and immune expression by moist exposed burn therapy/moist exposed burn ointment(MEBT/MEBO)in diabetic foot and their relationship ,to explore the repair mechanism of MEBT/MEBO on diabetic foot ulcers .Methods Totally 40 diabetic foot pa‐tients were treated by MEBT/MEBO ,to take wound tissue before and after treatment and detect the expression of ERK 1/2 ,p38 , MAPKK6 ,c‐myc ,Akt ,ATF2 ,IgA ,IgM ,IgG ,C3c and C4c by immunohistochemistry ,to investigate their relationship .Results Af‐ter treatment with MEBT/MEBO ,the area of foot wounds in 39 patients was reduced in different degree .Only one patient had no obvious change .14 patients(35 .00% ) were markedly effective ,25 patients(62 .50% ) and 1 patient(2 .50% ) were ineffective .Before andaftertreatment,allpositiveexpression,positiveimmunoreactivity(anyindex)andpositiveexpression(specificindex)ofsignal pathway molecules were statistically significant (P<0 .05) .While the positive rate of molecular expression in wound pathway in‐creased ,the positive expression rate of immune factor increased .Before treatment ,a small amount of immune factors were found in the wound tissue .After treatment ,the immune factors IgA ,IgM ,IgG ,C3c ,C4c were distributed widely and diffusely .Before treat‐ment ,the wound tissue showed a very small number of signal molecules .After treatment ,the signal pathway molecules MEBT/MEBO and p38 ,MAPKK6 ,c‐myc ,Akt ,ATF2 showed broad and diffuse distribution .Conclusion MEBT/MEBO may promote the expression of ERK1/2 and p38 signaling molecules and immune in diabetic foot ,p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway may promote the healing of diabetic foot wound by increasing the expression of immune .

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) and Lieque (LU7) on the expression of protein kinases in cardiomyocytes of myocardial ischemia (MI) rats.

METHODSHealthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the Neiguan point group, the Lieque point group, and the non-meridian non-acupoint group, 10 in each group by random digit table. The MI rat model was established by injecting isoprenaline hydrochloride (85 mg/kg). EA at Neiguan (PC6), Lieque (LU7), and non-meridian non-acupoint were respectively performed. Changes of the expression of protein kinases [such as protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase G (PKG)] in rat cardiomyocytes were observed using Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, expression levels of PKA, PKC, and PKG increased obviously in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, expression levels of PKA, PKC, and PKG decreased in the Neiguan point group and the Lieque point group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Expression levels of PKA decreased in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P < 0.01). Compared with the Neiguan point group, expression levels of PKA, PKC, and PKG increased in the non-meridian non-acupoint group and the Lieque point group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the Lieque point group, expression levels of PKA, PKC, and PKG increased in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at Neiguan (PC6) and Lieque (LU7) could decrease protein expression levels of PKA, PKC and PKG in rat myocardial cells, and the effect of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) was better than that obtained by EA at Lieque (LU7).

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Meridians ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of GLUMA desensitizing bonding system in desensitizing hypersensitivity of vital abutment.

METHODS69 central incisors with vital pulp from 69 patients were randomly divided into A, B and C group. After tooth preparation, group A coated with primer after etching, group B coated with primer after etching cervical dentin only, and group C was control group without special treatment. The cold sensitivity of abutments was tested after coating with primer, after cementation of crown and three months later. Two fresh extracted caries and restoration-free middle incisor were prepared in routine way. The surface of specimen 1 was etched with conditioner and the control specimen 2 was prepared without any special surface treatment. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation was used to examine the details on dentin surface.

RESULTSIn all three times of examination, the sensitivities of two experimental groups had been significantly reduced compared with the control group. Immediately after coating, group B were more sensitive than group A (P < 0.05). After cementation of crown and three months later, there was no statistically significant between group A and group B. SEM photomicrograph showed that the smear layer was removed from etched dentine surface with open dentinal tubules.

CONCLUSIONCoating with GLUMA desensitizing bonding system could prevent hypersensitivity of vital abutment.

Acid Etching, Dental ; Cementation ; Dental Pulp ; Dentin ; Dentin Sensitivity ; prevention & control ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Glutaral ; Humans ; Methacrylates ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Smear Layer

BACKGROUNDThe latest version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system has not comprehensively evaluated the impact of tumour length on survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Our study explored the relationship between tumour length and clinicopathological characteristics as well as long-term survival.

METHODSAll 202 cases of esophageal resections done from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008 in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University were reviewed and followed up.

RESULTSPatients with tumour length = 3 cm were related to more advanced tumour stage (χ(2) = 55.9, P < 0.001), more metastatic lymph nodes (χ(2) = 14.6, P < 0.001), increased metastatic lymph node ratio χ(2) = 16.1, P < 0.001) and worse overall TNM stage (χ(2) = 48.1, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that tumour length was a significant prognostic risk factor (95% CI 0.235 - 0.947, P = 0.035). Subgroup analyses disclosed that tumour length was a valuable prognostic predictor in patients with lower T stage, absence of metastatic lymph nodes and lower TNM stage.

CONCLUSIONSEsophageal tumour length is a predictive factor for long-term survival especially for lower tumour stage, absence of metastatic lymph nodes and lower TNM stage patients. Tumour length should be incorporated in the staging system as an important grouping factor for better prognostic evaluation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis

OBJECTIVETo introduce a method to reduce the volume of medial gastrocnemius for calf reduction.

METHODSTibial nerve and nerve branches were dissected and explored at popliteal region for morphometry in 20 cadaver-legs. The length, width and the origination position of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius were measured and recorded. During surgery, the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle were explored and cut off. The circumference and the shape of the leg were measured and recorded.

RESULTSThe nerve innervating the medial gastrocnemius originates from the tibial nerve which lies in the fat tissue of popliteal space. In 8 cases (40%) there is only 1 branch to the medial gastrocnemius, and in 4 cases (30%) there are 2 branches. In other 4 cases (30%) the medial sural cutaneous nerve originate from the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius. The nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle branch off at (- 6.6 +/- 13.7) mm; the width is (2.3 +/- 0.4) mm; the length is (42 +/- 12) mm. Neurectomy of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius was performed in 16 cases. After operation, the circumference of the leg was reduced (3.5 +/- 1.1) cm averagely and the curve of the medial line of the calf was reduced. There is no obvious swelling in these cases and the patients were able to walk immediately after operation. The function of the leg was not obviously influenced.

CONCLUSIONSNeurectomy of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle was a safe and effective method for calf reduction.

Adult ; Bariatric Surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; surgery ; Male ; Muscle Denervation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; innervation ; Sural Nerve ; surgery ; Young Adult

AIMTo explore the characteristic of ATP-activated current in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons of rat.

METHODSWhole-cell patch-clamp was performed.

RESULTS(1) The majority (92.1%) of TG neurons responded to ATP applied externally with inward currents. We recorded three distinct ATP-activated currents: fast, slow and intermediate, which were concentration-dependent. (2) In general, the fast ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in small-diameter TG neurons, the slow ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in large-diameter TG neurons, and the intermediate ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in intermediate-diameter TG neurons. (3) The time course of rising phase from 10% to 90% of the three distinct ATP-activated currents were as follows: fast: (33.6 +/- 4.5) ms; intermediate: (62.2 +/- 9.9) ms; slow: (302.1 +/- 62.0) ms, and that of desensitizing phase were (399.4 +/- 58.2) ms (fast), and > 500 ms (slow) respectively. (4) From the current-voltage relationship curves, it can be seen that the reversal potential values of the three distinct ATP-activated currents were the same, all being 0-5mV. And they all were characterized by inward rectification. (5) The dose-response curve for fast ATP-activated current shifted downwards as compared with the intermediate ATP-activated current, and that for the slow ATP-activated current shifted upwards.

CONCLUSIONThe EC50s of the three curves tended to be identical. The results suggested that three kinds of distinct ATP-activated currents could be mediated by various subtypes of P2X receptors assembled by different subunits, and the subtypes existed in TG neurons of different diameters and transmit different information.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Membrane Potentials ; Neurons ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Purinergic P2 ; metabolism ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible molecular mechanisms of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction by quercetin using rat primary hepatocytes.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rat primary hepatocytes were isolated using a two-step collagenase perfusion technique and treated with quercetin at various doses (25 - 200 mumol/L) and times (2 - 12 h). To investigate the roles of various signaling pathways, the hepatocytes were pre-treated with 50 mumol/L quercetin plus an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (PD98059 at 10 mumol/L), a p38 inhibitor (SB203580 at 10 mumol/L), a c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor (SP600125 at 10 mumol/L) or a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (Wortmannin at 1 mumol/L) for 12 h. Changes in the mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 and nuclear factor, E-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were detected by RT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 12 h of treatment with quercetin at all concentrations, the HO-1 mRNA level in hepatocytes had increased significantly (vs. untreated control cells; all P less than 0.01). The quercetin-induced HO-1 expression and Nrf2 translocation into the nucleolus was inhibited by PD98059.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin may induce HO-1 expression via the ERK/Nrf2 signaling transduction pathway.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Primary Cell Culture ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects