AIM: To examine the effect of protamine sulfate, lipopolysaccharide(LPS),tumor necrosis factor(TNF), epidermal growth factor(EGF) and " Bushen Huoxue Xiezhuo" (BHX) decoction on the proliferation of extracorporeal cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells (GEC). METHODS: Their action on the proliferation of rat GEC were investigated using the -TdR incorporation. Meanwhile, the serum of rats treated with BHX decoction was extracted pharmacologically and its effects on the growth of GEC were also studied. RESULTS: LPS, protamine sulfate, TNF-? and EGF could significantly inhibit the -TdR incorporation of GEC in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, this inhibition could be efficiently reversed by the serum containing BHX decoction. CONCLUSION: GEC is one of the main target cells on which BHX decoction act, and the protection on GEC might be one of the mechanisms underlying the role of BHX decoction in preventing the progression of nephrosis.

Objective To evaluate the value of quantitative 3T dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of breast lesions. Methods One-hundred and eighteen patients suspected of breast lesions underwent MRI examination. A 3.0 T MR scanner was used to obtain the quantitative MR pharmacokinetic parameters: Ktrans( volume transfer constant), Kep (exchange rate constant) and Ve (extravascular extracellular volume fraction). The mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of malignant, benign and normal glandular tissues were calculated and compared each other using LSD method. Independent sample t test was used between invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (microinvasion included). Finally, the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of Ktrans, Kep and Ve between malignant and benign lesions were compared. Results The mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of malignant lesions (n=87) were (1.010±0.580) min-1, (1.634 ± 1.481) min-1 and (0.735 ±0.273); the mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of benign lesions (n=23) were (0.331±0.192) min - 1, (0.417±0.324) min - 1 and (0.847±0.291); and the mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of normal glandular tissues (n =83) were (0.051 ±0.028) min-1, (0.133±0.125) min-1 and (0.597±0.354), respectively. There were significant differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions, normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions, benign and malignant lesions in Ktrans (t=9.681, 11.189, 5. 590, respectively, P ＜ 0. 01 ), normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions, benign and malignant lesions in Kep(t =5. 287, 3. 874, P＜0. 05). There were a statistic differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions, normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions in Ve(t =2. 932, 2. 562 ,P ＜0. 05). There were no significant differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions in Kep, benign and malignant lesions in Ve ( t = 0. 760, 0. 832, P ＞ 0.05 ),invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (microinvasion included) in Ktrans, Kep and Ve(t =0.834,0.075,0.454,P＞0.05). The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of Ktrans, Kep and Ve between malignant and benign lesions were 0. 934, 0. 941 and 0. 659. The sensitivity of Ktrans, Kep and Ve were 77.01% ,91.95% ,56. 32% and the specificity of Ktrans, Kep and Ve were 95. 65%, 86. 96%, 78.26% for the differential diagnosis of breast lesions if taken the maximum Youden's index as cut-off. Conclusion The differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions by Ktrans, Kep is applicable.

A 57-year-old man was admitted to hospital with diarrhea for 10 months and dizziness for 4 months. The patient had 1-2 liters watery stool per day, without pyogenic blood or abnormality in gastroenteroscopy examination. The level of hemoglobin and albumin was generally normal, and fasting test was positive. At the same time, he was accompanied with hyperalgesia of lower limbs and orthostatic hypotension. After the discussion of multiple disciplinary teams, the patient was diagnosed with amyloidosis by sural nerve biopsy, myocardial MRI, and the assays of urine immunoelectrophoresis and serum free light chain. Light chain amyloidosis was confirmed after excluded the diagnosis of familial amyloidosis. The patient was improved after courses of chemotherapy with melphalan and dexamethasone.

AIM: To observe the effects of Decoction of Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue-Xie-Zhuo (BSHXXZ) on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in rats. METHODS: Unilateral nephrectomy was adopted firstly, one week later adrimycin was intravenously adminstered to 20 rats twice in a 23-day period to establish an advanced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis model in the rat. Changes in urine protein, blood chemistry, and histology of the kidney were investigated for 110 days after unilateral nephrectomy. RESULTS: The BSHXXZ decoction reduced edema, proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, azotemia and ascites, and increased albumin in blood. Light microscopic, electron microscopic, immunohistochemical and polarizing microscopic examination all showed that the pathologic changes in the treatment group were less than that of the model group. CONCLUSION: Decoction of BSHXXZ could markedly improve renal function and delay the progression of glomerulosclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis.

Objective To explore the value of the electronic colposcopy Reid Score in diagnosis of cervical lesions and HPV infection in women with HIV infection, so as to find out an inexpensive, convenient and feasible screening methods. Methods 95 cases of HIV-infected women were screened by cervical liquid based cytology, HPV testing, colposcopy and Reid Score. The patients with abnormal results in any one test mentioned above underwent cervical biopsy. The colposcopy was combined with pathological as a gold standard for case-control study. Results There was a statistically signi?cant correlation between colposcopic ndings and histopathological ndings and the score was increased as parallel as malignancy grade (r=0.753,P=0.00) . The specificity of Reid score for high grade CIN was better than high-risk HPV testing for CIN diagnosis and the sensitivity was better than liquid based cytology. Acetic acid staining has relatively high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of cervical lesions. Conclusions Colposcope Reid score for cervical lesions has a predictive value, especially for high grade cervical precancerous lesions. Colposcopy for HIV-positive women cervical cancer screening is an efficient and feasible way, especially for the area where lack of medical resources.

Adult ; Hallermann's Syndrome ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo access the effect of wireless biofeedback therapy on bruxism.

METHODSTen voluntary bruxers (seven female and three male, mean age 26.1 years) were invited to participate in this clinical research. An electric resistance strain gauge was embedded in the position of canine of a maxillary splint for monitoring the abnormal clenching or grinding movement of teeth during sleep. The relevant details of bruxism events, including value of relative force, occurring time and duration were recorded and analyzed by the receiver device and monitoring program respectively. Meanwhile, for the purpose of nerve system and muscle relaxation, a watch-style device around the patient's wrist will vibrate to alert the patient of teeth grinding or clenching if the value of biting force and duration exceed the threshold. Total average episodes of bruxism and duration was observed during eight hours sleep, and was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance in SPSS 19.0 by the end of 6th week and three months following biofeedback therapy.

RESULTSThe average episodes of bruxism has declined dramatically from (9.8 ± 2.2) times to (3.0 ± 1.2) times during one night (P < 0.05), and the average duration of bruxism events was reduced from (20.7 ± 12.2) s to (10.0 ± 3.4) s (P < 0.05) after six weeks biofeedback therapy. By the end of three months, the average episodes declined to (2.9 ± 1.2) times (P < 0.05), and the average duration decline to (9.2 ± 2.9) s (P < 0.05) with contrast to preliminary night.

CONCLUSIONSThe pressure-based wireless biofeedback device is able to monitoring clenching and grinding of bruxism. The results suggest that biofeedback therapy may be an effective, novel and convenient measure for treatment of bruxism according to several months therapy.

Adult ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occlusal Splints ; Sleep Bruxism ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the infectivity and virulence variation caused by mutations in the 5' untranslated region(5'UTR)pyrimidine-rich tract of coxsackievirus B1(CVB1)genome.Methods Five pyrimidines in the 5'UTR pyrimidine-rich tract(nt563-nt573)of CVB1 genome were substituted with purines by site-directed mutagenesis.The mutant,CVB1/m563-573,was purified by plaque assay,and subjected to infectivity and virulence assessments by means of cytopathic effect(CPE),plaque forming,one-step growth curve,and 50% lethal dose(LD50)assays.Results Sequencing data revealed that the sequence of pyrimidine-rich tract in the 5'UTR of CVB1/m563-573 mutant was exactly identical to our design(C565A,U567C,U568A,U570A,and U572G).CPE assay showed that the infectivity of CVB1/m563-573 was weaker than that of its prototype CVB1/wt(A490=0.710±0.074,0.812±0.092)though no significant difference could be observed(t=-2.204,P>0.05).Plaque forming assay showed that the plaque quantities of CVB1/m563-573 were(6.40±1.52)×103,(11.60±2.19)×103 pfu/L and the plaque diameters of CVB1/m563-573 were(2.00±0.35),(2.47±0.41)mm at 46 and 58 hours pestinfection,respectively.The plaque quantities of CVB1/wt were(8.40±2.51)×103,(11.80±1.92)×103 pfu/L and the plaque diameters of CVB1/wt were(1.80±0.27),(2.85±0.44)mm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the plaque quantities and sizes of CVB1/m563-573 and CVB1/wt(t=8.000,0.985,10.000,9.000,all P>0.05).One-step growth curve demonstrated that the numbers(lg)of CVB1/m563-573 progenies at time-points of 3,5,7 h postinfection were 2.10±0.09,4.28±0.03,7.44±0 and that of CVB1/wt progenies were 2.80±0.02,4.77±0.02,8.55±0.01,respectively.The replication of CVB1/m563-573 was significantly slower than that of CVB1/wt at all three time-points(t=-13.151,-24.319,-47.714,all P<0.01).The LD50 of CVB1/m563-573(3.10×109 pfu/L)and CVB1/wt(1.26×107 pfu/L)indicated that the virulence of CVB1/m563-573 was significantly weakened compared to that of CVB1/wt.Conclusions The infectivity and virulence of CVB1 are weakened by substitution of pyrimidines with purines in the pyrimidine-rich tract of CVB1 5'UTR.Site-directed mutagenesis in the pyrimidine-rich tract may be a strategy for developing attenuated CVB vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 on the inhibition of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (AcSDKP) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cultured rat pulmonary fibroblasts induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).

METHODSPulmonary fibroblasts were prepared from lungs of neonatal Wistar rats as described previously. Cells were divided into 4 groups: (1) control group (0.4% FBS group); (2) PDGF (10 ng/ml) stimulated group; (3) PD98059+PDGF group (25 micromol/L PD98059+10 ng/ml PDGF); (4) AcSDKP+PDGF group (10(-8) mol/L AcSDKP+10 ng/ml PDGF). All experiments were performed in the fourth passages. Metabolic activity of fibroblasts was observed by MTT, and expressions of type I and type III collagen were measured by immunocytochemistry and western blot. Expressions of phospho-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 were detected by western blot.

RESULTSCompared with control group, exposure of pulmonary fibroblasts to 10 ng/ml PDGF increased cell metabolic activity, expression of type I and type III collagen and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. 25 micromol/L PD98059 and AcSDKP both could inhibit the metabolic activity of pulmonary fibroblasts, type I and type III collagen synthesis and phosphorylation of ERK1/ 2 induced by PDGF, with significant differences (P < 0.05). AcSDKP+PDGF group compared with PDGF stimulated group, metabolic activity of pulmonary fibroblasts decreased to 77.4%. Immunocytochemistry result showed that in AcSDKP+PDGF group, expressions of type I and type III collagen decreased to 69.3% and 67.2% compared with those of PDGF stimulated group. Western blot result showed that in AcSDKP+PDGF group, expressions of type I and type III collagen decreased to 92.4% and 78.0%, phospho-ERK1/2 decreased to 83.5% compared with those of PDGF stimulated group, with significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONERK1/2 plays an important role in the inhibition of AcSDKP on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cultured rat pulmonary fibroblasts induced by PDGF.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) on germ cell apoptosis in cryptorchidism.

METHODSForty-eight immature male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the cryptorchid and the control group randomly. Testes were harvested at 1, 3 and 7 days after the operation. Germ cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL technique, at the same time the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the level of malonic diethyl aldehyde (MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer.

RESULTSAt the 7th day, as compared with the control, testicular weight, SOD activities, CAT activities and the ratio of SOD/(CAT + GSHPx) were reduced significantly(P < 0.01), GSHPx activities had no apparent change(P > 0.05), while apoptosis index and the MDA level increased predominantly in cryptorchidism(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGerm cell apoptosis in cryptorchidism related closely to the decrease of antioxidant enzyme activity.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Catalase ; physiology ; Cryptorchidism ; pathology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; physiology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; physiology