OBJECTIVETo explore the repair of Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction (XSLJZD) on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and gap junction (GJ) in the gastric muscular layer of rats of Pi-qi deficiency syn- drome (PQDS).

METHODSPQDS was established using purgative method with bitter and cold drugs in 30 healthy Wistar rats. After successful modeling they were randomly divided into the treatment group and the model group, 15 in each group. Another 15 healthy Wistar rats were recruited as the healthy control group. Rats in the treatment group were gastric administered with XSLJZD at 2 mL/100 g body weight, once daily for 14 successive days. Equal volume of normal saline was gastrically administered to those in the healthy control group and the model group. The gastric muscle tissues were taken out before modeling, before intervention, and after intervention, respectively. Ultrastructural changes of ICC and GJ were observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The number and distribution of Connexin43 (Cx43) were detected using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSResults of TEM indicated that compared with the healthy control group, both ICC and GJ in the model group showed obvious injury. ICC and GJ were apparently repaired after intervention in the treatment group. Compared with the same group before modeling, the integrated optical density (IOD) of the Cx43 expression significantly decreased in the model group before and after intervention (P <0.05). Compared with before intervention, the IOD of the Cx43 expression significantly increased in the treatment group (P <0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the IOD of the Cx43 expression significantly decreased in the model group before and after intervention (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the IOD of the Cx43 expression significantly increased in the treatment group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUltrastructures of ICC and GJ in the gastric muscular layer of rats of PQDS were obviously damaged. XSLJZD could repair the structural damage of ICC and GJ in the gastric muscle tissues of rats of PQDS.

Animals ; Connexin 43 ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; drug effects ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Qi ; Rats, Wistar ; Syndrome

The focus of microbiologists has moved to the rare actinomycetes.For selective isolation of rare actinomycetes that all play the important role in bioactive compounds,the approaches which involve the methods using gellan gum and flooding solution、 rehydration-centrifugation(RC)、 extremely high frequency radiation(EHF)、 bacteriophage and sucrose-gradient centrifugation were introduced in this paper.

Objective To study the related influencing factors involving in vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) and changing characteristics of hemodynamics of VBD. Methods Outpatients and inpatients with posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) underwent brain MRA from June 2008 to September 2009 were chosen; 116 patients met the standard of VBD were selected as VBD group and other 130 patients without VBD were as control group. The univariate analysis and multiple factor analysis were applied to study the correlation of hypertension,smoking,diabetes,low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and intracranial vascular variation with VBD.Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were applied to observe the hemodynamic changes and arteriosclerosis of these patients.Results Univariate analysis indicated that statistical significance on intracranial vascular variation,hypertension and smoking was noted between the VBD group and the control group (x2=13.530,P=0.000; x2=8.539,P=0.003; x2=3.959,P=0.047),while no statistical significance in diabetes and LDL was obtained between the 2 groups (x2=0.451,P=0.519; x2=0.220,P=0.881).Multiple factors analysis showed that VBD could be obviously related to intracranial vascular variation (OR=21.732, 95％CI:3.02-5.94),hypertension (OR=5.173,95％CI:1.23-3.05) and smoking (OR=3.145,95％CI:1.86-4.85).According to TCD,peak velocity (Vp),mean velocity (Vm) in the VBD group were significantly lower than those in the control group,but pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index (RI) in the VBD group were statistically higher (P＜0.05).DSA showed that the blood flow length of the VBD group was obviously shorter than that of the control group in the same time with statistical significance (P＜0.05). Conclusion Vascular variation,smoking and hypertension are related to VBD; and VBD leads to slow blood flow and aggravated arteriosclerosis,which may result in high incidence of stroke.

The shape and structure of granules are controlled by the granulation process, which is one of the main factors to determine the nature of the solid dosage forms. In this article, three kinds of granules of a traditional Chinese medicine for improving appetite and promoting digestion, namely, Jianwei Granules, were prepared using granulation technologies as pendular granulation, high speed stirring granulation, and fluidized bed granulation and the powder properties of them were investigated. Meanwhile, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed micro tomography (SR-µCT) was applied to quantitatively determine the irregular internal structures of the granules. The three-dimensional (3D) structure models were obtained by 3D reconstruction, which were more accurately to characterize the three-dimensional structures of the particles through the quantitative data. The models were also used to quantitatively compare the structural differences of granules prepared by different granulation processes with the same formula, so as to characterize how the production process plays a role in the pharmaceutical behaviors of the granules. To focus on the irregularity of the particle structure, the box counting method was used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the granules. The results showed that the fractal dimension is more sensitive to reflect the minor differences in the structure features than the conventional parameters, and capable to specifically distinct granules in structure. It is proved that the fractal dimension could quantitatively characterize the structural information of irregular granules. It is the first time suggested by our research that the fractal dimension difference (Df,c) between two fractal dimension parameters, namely, the volume matrix fractal dimension and the surface matrix fractal dimension, is a new index to characterize granules with irregular structures and evaluate the effects of production processes on the structures of granules as a new indicator for the granulating process control and optimization.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fractals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Synchrotrons ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Background Researches showed that the incidence rate of cataract is high in the nickel mining area. Nickel sulphate can apparently inhibit the metabolism and proliferation of human lens epithelium cells. But the study on the injury mechanism of nickel on lens is still seldom. Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of nickel sulphate on the lens of SD rats. Methods Forty-five SPF SD rats aged from 7 to 14 days were grouped randomly into subcutaneous injection group, intraperitoneal injection group and blank group. Nickel sulphate of 2 g/L ( 10 mg/kg) was subcutaneously or intraperitonealy injected for 45 days. The opacity of rat lens was examined under the slit lamp at two-week interval and scored based on the criteria of LOCS II and LOCS III. The rats were sacrificed in 45 days after experiment and the lens were obtained for the pathological examination. Result The mean score of the anterior subcapsule opacity of rat lens was obviously higher in subcutaneous injection group compared with blank control group with a significant difference between them (t= 14. 311, P < 0. 05 ) , but no significant difference in the anterior subcapsule opacity between intraperitoneal injection group and blank control group (t = 4. 355 , P>0. 05 ). The score of posterior subcapsule opacity of lens were evidently higher in both subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group (t = 9. 316,P = 0. 004;t = 7. 464, P = 0. 009) ,so was the mean score of the anterior +posterior subcapsule opacities(t = 23. 387,P=0. 000;t= 10. 533,P = 0. 002) and the total score of rat lens opacity ( t = 12. 358 , P = 0. 001; t = 10. 188 , P = 0. 003 ) . No significant differences were found in cortex opacity score and nuclear opacity score among three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Histopathology examination revealed that the degeneration of lens collagen protein was more serious in subcutaneous injection group and intraperitoneal injection group than the blank control group,and the injury degree of lens collagen protein was more dominant in subcutaneous injection group. Conclusion System administration of nickel sulphate induced the injury of anterior and posterior subcapsule of lens in SD rat.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and practical value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection of TERC gene amplification in cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODSTissue microarray was constructed to cover 150 cases of various cervical conditions, including 24 cases of normal cervical mucosa, 78 cases of CINs (CINI, 25 cases; CINII, 21 cases and CINIII, 32 cases) and 48 cases of SCC. FISH was used to detect TERC gene amplification.

RESULTSTERC gene amplification was detected in 8% (2/25) CINI, 47.6% (10/21) CINII, 71.9% (23/32) CINIII and 87.5% (42/48) SCC. There were significant differences among these groups (P < 0.05). The amplification rates of TERC gene in SCC, CINIII and CINII were significantly higher than those of normal cervical epithelium and CINI (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also observed among CINI and CINII, CINIII and SCC (P < 0.05), and between CINII and SCC (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between normal cervical epithelium and CINI, CINII and CIN III, and between CINIII and SCC (P > 0.05). FISH detection of amplification of TERC gene in CINI and CINII-III demonstrated the following statistics: sensitivity of 62.3%, specificity of 92.0%, accuracy of 71.8%, positive and negative predictive values of 94.3% and 53.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSFISH detection is a reliable method in detecting TERC gene amplification using paraffin tissue sections. When histological evaluation becomes difficult, TERC amplification detectable by FISH may offer a diagnostic distinction of CINI from CINII. Moreover, TERC amplification may be used as a biomarker in predicting CIN progression to invasive cancer.

Adenoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Middle Aged ; RNA ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects and prevent the complications of posterior and anterior decompression and internal fixation in the revision of cervical anterior internal fixation failure.

METHODSFrom 2008 January to 2011 December, 17 patients with cervical anterior internal fixation failure were treated with posterior and anterior decompression and internal fixation. There were 12 males and 5 females, aged from 26 to 68 years old with an average of 44.1 years. The lower screw loosening was found in 6 cases, the upper screw loosening in 5 cases, titanium mesh caving in 3 cases, the upper screw breakage in 2 cases, the lower screw breakage in 1 case. Informations of bone fusion were observed by X-ray, CT, MRI. Clinical effects were evaluated by modified JOA score.

RESULTSAll the revision operations were successfully completed. One case with poor blood coagulation function before operation resulted in postoperative hematoma and occurred neurological symptoms; after hematoma removal and fresh frozen plasma infusion later, neurological symptoms of the patient disappeared. All patients were followed up from 6 to 38 months with an average of (22.4±10.0) months. Postoperative at 2 weeks, 3 months, and final follow-up, JOA score had obviously improved and respectively was 13.1±1.6, 13.4±1.6, 14.2±1.5. All internal fixation locations were good after revision,and obtained bone fusion at 10 months after operation, with an average fusion time of 6 months.

CONCLUSIONThe combined posterior and anterior decompression and internal fixation in the revision of cervical anterior internal fixation failure is safe, can achieve thoroughly decompression, maintain the cervical curvature, reconstruct the three column stability, and it may be used for the patients of cervical anterior fixation failure.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

To evaluate the effects of rhG-CSF on mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of mouse bone marrow at different time point, thirty mice were randomly divided into rhG-CSF treatment group and control group. The mice were subcutaneously injected with rhG-CSF in a dose of 80 microg/kg or saline for 5 days. The bone marrow and peripheral blood were obtained at time points of 6, 12, 168 hours after final injection of rhG-CSF or saline. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) were seeded at density of 1 x 10(6) MNCs onto 12-well plate for culture expansion in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, and the number of colony forming unit - fibroblast (CFU-F) was counted after 14 days. The cells were collected by trypsinization and the surface antigens CD34, CD133, CD90 and CD105 were analyzed by flow cytometry. The multi-differentiation of MSCs were done in the culture condition of induced-adipocyte and osteocyte. Peripheral blood MNCs examination was same as the bone marrow. The results indicated that the number of CFU-F of bone marrow in rhG-CSF group was more than that in control group (p < 0.01), the number of CFU-F in rhG-CSF group at 6 hours was more than that at 12 hours and 168 hours, respectively (p < 0.01). There was no obvious difference between CFU-F at 12 hours and at 168 hours (p > 0.05). MSCs were positive for CD90, CD105 and negative for CD34 and CD133. MSCs were found to differentiate into adipocyte and osteocyte in vitro. The CFU-F of PBMNCs obtained and cultured in vitro in the same culture conditions could be observed after the rhG-CSF injection at 6 hours, but cloning efficiency was (0.50 +/- 0.11) x 10(-6) MNCs and showed statistical difference as compared with control. It is concluded that rhG-CSF to mobilize hemopoietic stem cells can be used to induce mouse MSCs in vivo expansion, which showed the peak value within 6 hours after final injection of rhG-CSF. rhG-CSF have the mini-mobilization effect on murine MSCs derived from bone marrow.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins

AIM:To investigate the relationship between Sonic Hedgehog(Shh)signaling pathway and cell cycle and radioresistance of esophageal cancer by up-regulating Gli1,a key factor in Shh signaling pathway.METHODS:The human esophageal cancer cell line Eca 109 was transfected with plasmid to induce Gli 1 over-expression,which served as Eca109-ox-Gli1 group.In addition, Eca109 cells transfected with empty plasmid served as negative control group and the untreated Eca109 cells were used as normal control group.The expression of Gli1 was confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot.The radiosensitivity of the cells in the 3 groups was determined by colony formation assay.The effect of irra-diation on the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS:The expression of Gli1 in Eca109-ox-Gli1 group was higher than that in the other 2 groups(P<0.05).The survival fraction at dose of 2 Gy in Eca109-ox-Gli1 group was high-er than that in normal control group, indicating that the radioresistance of the Eca 109 cells transfected with Gli1 plasmid was increased.The cells in Eca109-ox-Gli1 group showed higher S phase proportion than that in normal control group and negative control group(P<0.01).After irradiation at dose of 6 Gy,all cells in the 3 groups found that the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase,while the cells in normal control group showed higher G 2/M phase proportion than that in Eca109-ox-Gli1 group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The up-regulation of Gli1 may enhance the radioresistance of esophageal cancer by regulating the cell cycle.

ObjectiveTo investigate the development trend of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis in Qinghai province, and to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of the disease. MethodsIn 2009, six monitoring counties were chosen by using simple random sampling methods, all diseased villages of the six monitoring counties were classified into light, moderate and severe disease types according to water fluorine content on the historical data, and 1 village was respectively chosen from each type. In monitoring villages with improved water, 3 tap water and one source water samples were collected, respectively. Five water samples were collected randomly in water unimproved monitoring villages according to water well locations of east, west, south, north and center. The fluorine content in water and urine was determined according to the Standard Testing Methods for Drinking Water (GB/T 5750-2006). Children aged 8 to 12 were examined for dental fluorosis by Dean method.Clinical osteofluorosis of all the resident over the age of 16 was examined, 2 village of these counties were randomly selected, and clinically diagnosed patients with skeletal fluorosis were examined again by X-ray using Diagnostic Criteria of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008). Urine sample of 30 children aged 8 to 12 and of 20 adults over the age of 16 were randomly collected and urinary fluoride was determined by F-ion selective electrode method (WS/T 89-2006). ResultsImproving water projects had been implemented in 14 monitoring villages of the 18 villages in 6 counties, the rate of improved-water was 77.78％(14/18). Among the 14 projects, 5 improved-water projects ran normally, and 9 projects ran with intermittently water supply. Seventy-five water samples were tested, themean of water fluoride was 0.48 mg/L. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 31.95％ (285/892), that of clinical skeletal fluorosis was 36.55％(1570/4295) and the X-ray detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 25.64％ (20/78).Five hundred and seventy-one urine samples of children were determined, and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 1.04 mg/L; 370 adult urine samples were determined, and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 1.52 mg/L Conclusion Epidemic of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis is still serious in Qinghai province, and drinking water defluoride measures should be further strengthened and improved.