OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Hydroxy Safflower Yellow A (HSYA) on the expression of osteogenic markers, such as alkaline phosphatase, Cbf(alpha)l and type I collagen, and explore the mechanism of HSYA in the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced ischemic necrosis of femoral head.

METHODSFifteen healthy and adult New Zealand white rabbits were collected and weighted 0.9 to 1.3 kg. The rabbits were injected abdominally with anesthetic drugs, then received marrow cavity puncture of tibia and anterior superior iliac spine to get bone marrow blood. Rabbits bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were separated from the bone marrow blood, cultured in vitro and passaged. The 3rd generation of BMSCs which had good growth condition were randomly divided into blank group, model group and HSYA groups with different doses. The BMSCs in model group were treated with high dose of dexamethasone to induce adipogenic differentiation of cells cultured in vitro, and inhibit osteogenic differentiation. The BMSCs in HSYA groups received high dose of dexamethasone and different concentrations of HSYA simultaneously. The blank group received not any special handling. After a week,the expressions of alkaline phosphatase, Cbf(alpha)l and type I collagen mRNA were detected.

RESULTSThe alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased in BMSCs of the model group as compared with the blank group (P < 0.01), and the expression of Cbf(alpha)l and type I collagen mRNA were also decreased significantly (P<0.01). The alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in BMSCs of each HSYA group as compared with the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the expression of Cbf(alpha)l and type I collagen mRNA were also increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of HSYA may be related to the effect of antagonism to the reduced osteogenic differentiation induced by glucocorticoid.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to examine the prevalence and diameter of the bony canal structure of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), residual alveolar bone height, and distance of its inferior border from the alveolar crest using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODSCBCT images of maxilla in 116 patients were randomly selected from patients who underwent maxillary sinus augmentation procedure and/or posterior teeth implant therapy from April 2011 to September 2012. The lower border of the bony canal to the alveolar crest, diameter of the bony canal, and residual alveolar bone height below the sinus floor to the ridge crest were measured from CBCT scans. Data were presented using descriptive statistics.

RESULTSThe prevalence of the bony canal was 75.14% (133/177). The mean diameter of the bony canal was (0.96 ± 0.29) mm. The residual alveolar bone height was (7.14 ± 3.64) mm. The distance of the bony canal's inferior border from the alveolar crest was (17.92 ± 5.68) mm. No statistically significant differences between the right and left sides were observed (F = 0.295, P > 0.05). The mean diameter of the bony canal was significantly smaller in females than that in males (F = 0.187, P < 0.05). The maxillary alveolar dimension was significantly correlated with the residual alveolar bone height.

CONCLUSIONThe results from this study suggest that CBCT is a valuable tool in evaluating the presence of the bony canal of the PSAAs efore maxillary sinus surgery.

Alveolar Process ; Arteries ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; Sinus Floor Augmentation

PURPOSE: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus involving disturbances in electrolytes and the acid-base balance caused by a disorder of glucose metabolism. NHE1 is a Na+/H+ exchanger responsible for keeping intracellular pH (pHi) balance and cell growth. Our study aimed to investigate roles of NHE1 in high glucose (HG)-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal epithelial tubular cell line HK-2 was cultured in medium containing 5 mM or 30 mM glucose. Then, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, NHE1 expression, and pHi were evaluated. NHE1 siRNA and inhibitor were used to evaluate its role in cell apoptosis. RESULTS: HG significantly increased cell apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 8-OHdG (p<0.05). Meanwhile, we found that HG induced the expression of NHE1 and increased the pHi from 7.0 to 7.6 after 48 h of incubation. However, inhibiting NHE1 using its specific siRNA or antagonist DMA markedly reduced cell apoptosis stimulated by HG. In addition, suppressing cellular oxidative stress using antioxidants, such as glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine, significantly reduced the production of ROS, accompanied by a decrease in NHE1. We also found that activated cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type I (PKG) signaling promoted the production of ROS, which contributed to the regulation of NHE1 functions. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that HG activates PKG signaling and elevates the production of ROS, which was responsible for the induction of NHE1 expression and dysfunction, as well as subsequent cell apoptosis, in renal tubular epithelial cells.
Antioxidants/metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Cation Transport Proteins/*metabolism ; Cell Cycle/drug effects ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epithelial Cells/*cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Glucose/*pharmacology ; Glutathione/metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules/*cytology ; Oxidative Stress/*drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Sodium-Hydrogen Antiporter/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of cinnamaldehyde on invasion capacities of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435S and its relation with regulating the expression of miR-27a.

METHODSThe effect of cinnamaldehyde on invasive capacities of MDA-MB-435S was measured by Transwell matrigel invasion assay. The effect of miR-27a expression on invasive capabilities of MDA-MB-435S, the intervention of cinnamaldehyde in the miR-27a expression, and its relation with its effect on invasive capabilities were defected with liposome 2000 transinfection miRNA27a mimics/inhibitors, real time-polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and Transwell chamber model.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the number of cells passing through the transwell chamber was more significantly reduced after treated by cinnamaldehyde for 12 h (P < 0.05). The miR-27a expression was 962.07 times and 40% of that of the control group after transinfected by miR-27a mimics and miR-27a inhibitors. After transinfected by miR-27a inhibitors, the number of cells passing through the transwell chamber was more significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The miR-27a expression of MDA-MB-435S was down-regulated by 12-h treatment of cinnamaldehyde (2(-deltaCt) = 0.56, 0.18, 0.18, respectively). The number of miR-27a mimics transinfection pretreated MDA-MB-435S cells passing through the transwell chamber increased more obviously than the number of un-pretreated MDA-MB-435S cells in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCinnamaldehyde could inhibit invasive capabilities of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435S. The over-expression of miR-27a played an important role in the invasive capability of MDA-MB-435S. The inhibition of cinnamaldehyde on invasive capabilities of MDA-MB-435S cells was correlated with down-regulating the expression of miR-27a.

Acrolein ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo reduce the influence of breathing movement on the location precision of the tumor target in precise radiotherapy for thoraco-abdominal tumors.

METHODSAn inverse tracking system was developed to track the path of the breathing movement of the tumor target via image guiding. With this system, the displacement of the target in a given time period was tracked and quickly transformed in signals that drove the tracking couch to move inversely relative to the tumor target.

CONCLUSIONThis system can effectively reduce the influence of tumor target breath movement during radiotherapy. Compared with other breath movement control methods, this method avoids prolonged exposure time, allows the patient to breathe at ease and shortens the time of CT scanning.

Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Movement ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Respiration

Objective To investigate the effects of an enriched environment (EE) on the psychological and behavioral symptoms of senescence and on the level of plasmic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum corticosteroid (Cor). MethodsTwenty male senescence-prone SAMP8 mice of 3 months old were divided randomly into an enriched environment (EE) group and a standard environment (SE) group.Five male senescence-resistant SAMR1 mice of the same age served as the control group.Behavioral symptoms were assessed after 2 months using autonomic activity and elevated-plus maze (EPM) test performance.Plasma ACTH and serum Cor were detected using radio-immunologic methods. ResultsAverage autonomic activity frequency and EPM open-arm times were significantly lower with the SAMP8 mice than among the control group,and the autonomic activity frequency was significantly higher in the EE group than in the SE group of SAMP8 mice.The average EPM open-arm times of the EE group and the SE were not significantly different.Average ACTH and Cor levels were both significantly lower in the SAMP8 mice,and the level of ACTH was significantly higher in the EE group than in the SE group.There was no significant difference in these groups' average Cor levels. ConclusionsThe SAMP8 mice of 5 months demonstrated significant mental and behavioral abnormalities,as well as down-regulated plasma levels of ACTH and Cor.EE An enhanced environment can reduce behavioral disturbance through up-regulating ACTH.

Objective To describe a new kind of Y-shaped metallic stent delivery system and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effect for managing multiple airway stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal carina.Methods The Y-shaped metallic stent delivery system consisted of three- tier structure.The inner-tier was composed of four parallel guiding tubes,which was used for two guidewires and two threads passing through,the middle-tier was delivery catheter,which contained the four guiding tubes,and the outer-tier was introducer sheath.Under the fluoroscopic guidance,15 patients with multiple stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal carina were treated with the new covered self-expandable Y-shaped metallic stents.Results Stent placement in the tracheo-bronchial tree was technically successful in all patients with obliteration of the dyspnea immediately after stent placement,and SaO_2 was increased form preoperative 75%—89% to postoperative 96%—99%.During follow-up a period of 3—58 weeks (M 22 weeks),all stenosis were resolved without stent-related complications,and the general physical of all 15 patents was improved with no occurrence of obviously dyspnea and bleeding.Karnofsky performance status(KPS)was improved from preoperative 26%—45% to postoperative 72%—95%.Five patients died of the following causes unrelated to stent insertion:multiple organ failure(n=3),cachexia(n=1)and pulmonary infection caused by gastrobronchial fistula(n=1),and the remaining 10 patients were alive with no evidence.of dyspnea at the time of this report.Conclusion Deployment of the covered Y-shaped metallic stent with the use of Y metallic stent delivery system in the management of airway stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal earina was a simple and safe procedure and with a good short-term clinical efficacy.

Caused by Helminthosporium carposaprum, tomato brown lea f spot was a serious disease in green house in Henan Province. The condition for promoting sporulation of fungi were tested in this paper. The results showed th at the number of sporulation were different on the different medium,the fungi c ould sporulate a lot on the PDA+tomato leaf and Czapek medium, but V8、PSA and t omato juice restrained sporulation.The best carbon source and nitrogen source f or the fungi promoting sporulation were fructose and ammonium chloride respectiv ely,mannitol and Peptone ammonium sulfate restrained sporulation. Light and ult raviolet radiation were in favor of sporulation , ultraviolet radiation irradiat ing for 60～80min promoted sporulation. The fungi were promoted sporulation on the condition of lower or higher temperature and alkalescence,which 15℃o r 30℃,pH 8～9.

Objective To describe a novel surgical technique for male long-segment urethral stric- ture after pelvic trauma using the intact and pedieled pendulous urethra to replace the bulbar and membra- nous urethra,and then reconstructing anterior urethra.Methods Three patients with long-segment post- traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures with short left pendulous urethras who had undergone several failed previous surgeries were treated with staged pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty fol- lowed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra.This procedure was divided into 3 stages.The first-stage sur- gery was mobilization of anterior urethra down to the coronary sulcus and then re-routing the prostatic urethra followed by pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty with transposition of penis to perineum.The sec- ond-stage surgery was transecting the anterior urethra at the site of coronary sulcus 6 months later when it was re-vaseularized,then straightening the penis and performing urethroperineostomy.The third-stage surgery was reconstruction of anterior urethra 6 months later.Results Case 1 reported satisfactory voiding postopera- tively.Retrograde urethrography showed that the urethra was patent with no post-voiding residual urine (PVR),and bilateral vesicoureteral reflux almost disappeared.The Qmax was 18.8ml/s,and 18ml/s after the third stage surgery and at 2-year follow-up.Case 2 also had satisfactory voiding.A 22F urethral catheter could smoothly pass through the urethra,and Qmax was 19.5 ml/s with no PVR at 2-year follow-up.Case 3 underwent the first stage surgery through perineal and pubic routes.The urethrorectal and urethroperineal fis- tulas were excised and repaired simultaneously.After operation the fistulas healed,but the stenostomia resul- ting from wound infection needed further treatment.Conclusions This procedure is effective for men with complex long-segment post-traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures,especially for those undergo- ing failed previous surgical treatment.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between DJ?1 and diabetes mellitus ( DM )?caused influence on cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning in rats. Methods Adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 220-250 g, were used in the study. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin 60 mg∕kg and confirmed by blood glucose≥16.7 mmol∕L. Forty?eight rats with DM were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table:sham operation group ( group DM?S ) , myocardial ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) group ( DM?IR ) and ischemic postconditioning group (DM?IPO group). Another 48 normal rats received the equal volume of citrate buffer solution instead and served as control. Those rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group) , myocardial I∕R group ( IR group) and ischemic postconditioning group (IPO group). At 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection, myocardial I∕R was produced by 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning was induced by 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s limb ischemia at the end of 30 min limb ischemia. At 120 min of reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed, and hearts were removed for determination of myocardial infarction size ( using TTC ) , and expression of DJ?1, phosphatase and tensin homologue ( PTEN) protein, and phosphorylated Akt ( p?Akt) in myocardial tissues ( by Western blot) . Results The infarction size was significantly increased in diabetic and nondiabetic rats during myocardial I∕R. The expression of DJ?1, PTEN protein and p?Akt was significantly higher during myocardial I∕R in nondiabetic rats, and the expression of PTEN protein and p?Akt was up?regulated, and no significant change was found in DJ?1 expression during myocardial I∕R in diabetic rats. Ischemic postconditioning reduced infarction size during myocardial I∕R and up?regulated the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt, and down?regulated the expression of PTEN protein in nondiabetic rats, but not in diabetic rats. Compared with nondiabetic rats, the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt was down?regulated, and the expression of PTEN protein was up?regulated after ischemic postconditioning in diabetic rats. Conclusion The mechanism by which DM abolishes cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning is associated with down?regulation of DJ?1 expression in rats.