The association of serum adiponectin concentration with coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese Han population was evaluated. Present evidence demonstrated that the lowered serum adiponectin concentration was a susceptibility risk factor for CHD, while the precise relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and CHD in Chinese population requires further study.

Objective To investigate the effect of a newly developed photosensitizer—chlorophyll derivative combined with irradiation of 650 nm laser for PC3, an androgen independent cell line in vitro. Methods PC3 was cultured and designed to 4 groups,including blank control,laser irradiation,medication of photosensitizer and medication of photosensitizer with laser irradiation (treated).The medicated concentration of chlorophyll was 0.1 g/L and irradation fluence of 650 nm semiconductor laser was 6 J/cm2.Intracellular distribution of photosensitizer and cellular morphological alterations were studied through light microscopy, electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. Results It showed the shrinkage, round-up and membrane integrity of treated PC3 under light microscopy.Sable deposits were observed in cytoplasm of cells in both photosensitizer and treated groups.Transmission electron microscopy showed the fragmentation of DNA and condensation of chromatin beneath the karyolemma in treated cells.In cytoplasm,the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria swell to form vesicles and vacuoles.It showed the strong red fluorescence in the cytoplasm of treat cells compared with the red fluorescence indifferent to the background through laser confocal microscopy. Conclusions Chlorophyll derivative based photodynamic therapy is able to induce apoptosis of PC3 in vitro.Mitochondria is presumed to be the primary target of photodynamic therapy and trigger the apoptotic pathway.

Objective To study the clinical significance of the mRNA expression level of a novel gene which encodes a kind of transmembrane prostate protein induced by androgen-PMEPA1, as it may predict the progress of prostate cancer from hormone-dependent to hormone-independent. Methods We used Real-time PCR to detect the mRNA expression of PMEPA1 and GSTP1 in prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3), epithelia cells of benign prostatic hyperplasia and tissues from 33 patients with prostate cancers and 16 cases of prostatic hyperplasia. Results We found the mRNA expression of GSTP1 and PMEPA1 were both down-regulated in prostate cancer cell lines. The mRNA expression of GSTP1 was up-regulated in 6.1% of cases, down-regulated in 81.8%, and showed no difference in 12.1%. While PMEPA1 was highly expressed in 27.3% of cases, lowly expressed in 27.3%, and not differently expressed in 45.4%. Statistical analysis showed that the mRNA expression of GSTP1 was relevant to ages, but had no relationship with PSA, TNM stage, osseous metastasis or tumor differentiation, while the mRNA expression of PMEPA1 was relevant to osseous metastasis and tumor differentiation, but had no relationship with age, PSA or TNM stage. Conclusions PMEPA1 is possibly a useful biomarker, as it can identify patients with unfavourable prognosis, however, this hypothesis needs to be further studied with large samples.

Objective To investigate the relationship between adiponectin and the first-phase of pancreatic P-cell insulin secretion in subjects with different statuses of glucose tolerance. Methods Thirty-seven patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) , 30 patients with abnormal glucose tolerance (IGR) , and 40 normal control subjects (NGT) underwent intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Fasting adiponectin and proinsulin (PI) was assayed by EL1SA. Fasting free fatty acid ( FFA) was measured by colorimetry. Insulin area under the curve ( AUC ) , incremental AUC (iAUC) from 0 min to 10 min, AIR3-5, homeostasis model assessment for insnlin resistance (HOMA-IR) , and for β cell function ( HOMA-p) were calculated. The relationship between adiponectin and AUC, iAUC, AIR3-5, proinsulin, FFA, and HOMA-IR was explored. Results (1) The levels of AUC, iAUC, AIR3-5, and adiponectin in DM group and IGR group were significantly lower than those in NGT group (P<0.05), reduced in DM group than those in IGR group(P<0.05). (2) The levels of PI in DM group and IGR group were significantly higher than that in NGT (P<0.05). (3) Adiponectin was positively correlated with HOMA-p,AUC,iAUC,AIR3-5, and HDL-C,while negatively correlated with proinsulin, HOMA-IR, and LDL-C. (4) Proinsulin was positively correlated with HOMA-IR. (5 ) Multiple regression stepwise analysis showed that adiponectin was independently associated with AUC. Conclusions Adiponectin was an independent factor affecting the first phase of pancreatic p-cell insulin secretion. Low adiponectin level could predict the dysfunction of the first phase pancreatic p-cell secretion as well as insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective To observe any effect of intensive training on the degree of depression and the expression of Kalirin-7 in the hippocampus of rats modeling with post-stroke depression,and to investigatc possible mechanisms.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a post-stroke depression (PSD) group,a routine training group,an intensive training group and a sham-operation group (n =10 for each group).All except the sham-operation group were given the middle cerebral artery occlusion using the intraluminal thread method,and chronic mild stress was applied.The PSD group and the sham-operation group were not given any training.The routine training group was trained oncc a day,and the intensive training group was trained twice a day.The sucrose preference test,open field test and forced swimming test were conducted at the outset and after 14 and 28 days of training.The expression of Kalirin-7 in the left hippocampus was detected using Western blotting.Results After 14 days of training,significant differences were found in the test results of the sham-operation group compared with the other groups (P＜0.05).There were also significant differences in the average results on all 3 tests among all of the groups except the sham-operation group.At both 14 and 28 days after training,the average expression of Kalirin-7 in both the routine and intensive training groups was significantly higher than in the PSD group (P＜0.05),and that of the intensive training group was significantly higher than that of the routine training group at the same time points (P＜0.05).Conclusion Intensive training can relieve depression and increase the expression of the Kalirin-7 in the hippocampus,at least in rats.

Objective To observe the effect of intensive training on lower extremity motor function and depression after stroke.Methods Thirty patients with post-stroke depression were randomly divided into an intensive training group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups received conventional anti-stroke and antidepressant drug therapy,and rehabilitation training.The intensive training group,however,was additionally provided with lower extremity motor function training each day.Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),10-meter maximum walking speed test (10MWT) and the Holden functional ambulation categories (FAC) were conducted before treatment,and 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment.The level of human β-endophin (β-EP) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum were also detected.Results After 4 weeks of treatment,the FAM,10MWT,BDNF and β-EP were significantly improved in both groups compared to those before the treatment (P＜ 0.05).No significant differences,however,were found between the 2 groups in the above measurements after 2 weeks of treatment (P＞0.05).After 4 weeks of treatment,the FAM (20.67±6.79),10MWT [(0.48±0.22)m/s],BDNF [(10.81±2.33)μg/L] and β-EP [(164.02±42.15)ng/L] of the intensive training group were significantly improved compared to those of the control group (P＜0.05).Both after 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment,the HAMD scores of the intensive training group (16.33±6.74 and 12.13±5.44) were significantly better than those of the control group (P＜ 0.05).However,there was no significant difference in terms of FAC between the two groups either after 2 weeks or 4 weeks of treatment (P＞0.05).Conclusion The intensive training can improve motor function and relieve poststroke depression of stroke survivors.It is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical results of the microdecompression for the treatment of intraforaminal lumbar disc herniations.

METHODSFrom September 2005 to May 2013,16 patients( 12 males, 4 females)with intraforaminal lumbar disc herniations underwent microdecompression, ranging in age from 32 to 56 years old with a mean of 38.6 years old. The lumbar disc herniations were located at L(3,4). in one patient, L(4,5) in 10 cases and L5S1 in 5 cases.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 20 to 48 months, with a mean period of 36 months. According to Macnab evaluation, 12 cases got an excellent result, 4 good. No apparent complications related to the technique occurred. Satisfactory clinical results were obtained in this series.

CONCLUSIONMicrodecompression may be particularly useful in the treatment of intraforaminal lumbar disc herniations. The microdecompression procedures are more likely to be well tolerated by older patients.

Adult ; Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the delivery mechanism of micro-porous osmotic pump tablets ( MPOP), taking tramadol hydrochloride ( TR) as the model drug, tramadol hydrochloride micro-porous osmotic pump tablets (TR MPOP) were prepared with compressible starch as diluent, cellulose acetate as coating material, polyethylene glycol 400 as pore-forming agents. The equilibrium solubility and osmolality of TR were determined. The effects of fillers in tablet cores, coating levels, and osmotic pressures of release media on expansion behavior of preparations were described. The influences of the category, osmolality, and pH value of release media, release methods, and release conditions on release curves of tablets were evaluated. Based on several models, the delivery pattern of TR MPOP was fitted. The equilibrium solubility in water and osmolality of TR were (775.8 +/- 17.7) g x L(-1) and 4.036 Osmol x kg(-1), respectively. During the drug-release period, it was observed that the tablets expanded markedly in response to the expansion characteristics of compressible starch and the osmotic pressure difference across the membrane. When osmotic pressure of release media increased, the significant change of the equilibrium solubility of TR was not found, but the release rates of TR MPOP decreased significantly. The delivery rate was not influenced by the pH of release mediums, dissolution methods and paddle stirring rates. The drug release profile conformed to the model of zero order in 8 h. The pore-forming agents were dissolved in release medium, which caused micro-pores. The expansion of tablets made the size of micropores bigger, and then the drug-releasing pores were obtained. It was proved that the drivers of drug delivering from TR MPOP were mainly the difference of osmotic pressure, and secondly the difference of solubility. TR MPOP were the controlled-release preparation.
Analgesics, Opioid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Osmosis ; Osmotic Pressure ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Solubility ; Starch ; chemistry ; Tablets, Enteric-Coated ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Tramadol ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVE: To seek a exact method of estimating postmortem interval (PMI). METHODS: This study detected the concentration of magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) in vitreous humor of rabbit at 96 h after death and explored the relationship between their concentration and PMI using a method ICP-MS. RESULTS: The concentra-tion of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death were related to PMI significantly. The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Mg concentrations is y = 0.0738x2 + 0.6997x + 11.45 (within 48 h, R2 = 0.9119). The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Fe concentrations is y = 0.0411x2 - 0.3148x + 1.4113 (within 6-48 h, R2 = 0.9594). CONCLUSION The concentration of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death may be as reference indicator to estimate PMI.
Animals ; Iron/analysis* ; Magnesium/analysis* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Vitreous Body/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of melatonin (MLT) in in vitro apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and its mechanism.

METHODSThe apoptotic cells, bcl-2 and bax were detected through immunocytochemical method (ICC) and Tolt-mediated x-duTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Computer image analysis system was used to quantify the expression of bcl-2 and bax by detecting the absorbance value of positive products. Apoptosis index (AI) was used to quantify the number of apoptotic cells.

RESULTSIn vitro, AI increase was both concentration- and time-dependent through TUNEL. During the same duration, AI of medium dose group was higher than that of low dose and control group (P < 0.05); AI of high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group were higher than those of low dose and control group (P < 0.01), however, there was no significant difference between the low dose and control group (P > 0.05). At the same dose, in high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group, the change of AI showed significant difference from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated as the MLT increased, and there was significant difference between the low dose and control group (P < 0.01). But, the expression of bax was up-regulated as the dose of MLT increased, showing significant difference between the high dose and control groups (P < 0.01). As time went on, the expression of bcl-2 was decreased and in every group, with the change in absorbance value of bcl-2 significantly different from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05), whereas that of bax remained almost unchanged. The ratio of bax/bcl-2 was increased with the increase in the concentration of MLT.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin may induce apoptosis in the hepatocarcinoma cells which is concentration- and time-dependent, in which bcl-2 and bax are involved.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Time Factors ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein