Objective To explore the effects of arsenic exposure on learning and memory and its potential mechanism in rats.Methods Water-based arsenic-exposed rat models were established on 4-l0 postnatal days.The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups (10-12 cases in each group):the control group,the 15 μg/L As2O3 water group,the 30 μg/L As2O3 water group,and the 45 μg/L As2O3 water group.Cognitive functions were examined with the Morris water maze,exploratory behavior was detected by the exploratory behavior test.The hippocampus of pups from each experimental group was sectioned at various time points after arsenic exposure.The morphologies and neurogenesis of the neurons in the hippocampus CA1-CA3 region and dentate gyrus (DG) were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,Nissl staining,and doublecortin (DCX) immunostaining at different time points after arsenic exposure.Results Compared with the normal control group,the escape latency of the rats in the arsenic-exposed group was prolonged.The average escape latency of the rats in the normal control group,15 μg/L As2O3 group,30 μg/L As2O3 group and45 μg/L As2O3 group were (17.00±9.53) s,(35.89 ±19.81) s,(26.60 ±18.84) s,and (33.79 ±18.08) s,respectively,and the difference among 4 groups was statistically significant (F =3.591,P ＜ 0.05),and the residence time in the original target quadrant was shortened,respectively,(38.93 ± 8.33) s,(36.03 ± 16.25) s,(29.85 ± 9.27) s,and (29.84 ± 10.16) s,respectively,and there was no significant difference among 4 groups (F =1.681,P =0.187).HE staining and Nissl staining showed that pathological changes such as edema,degeneration and necrosis were observed in the hippocampal CA1 area and CA2 area as well as dentate gyrus cells in rats exposed to arsenic in the acute phase.The higher the concentration of arsenic exposure,the more obvious the cell structure disorder was.However,5 weeks after exposure,the pathological changes in hippocampal neurons in the arsenic-exposed group gradually returned to normal.Immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of DCX in the CA1,CA2 and dentate gyrus of rats exposed to arsenic decreased significantly 24 h after arsenic exposure,especially in the 45 μg/L group.Five weeks after arsenic exposure,there was no expression in the hippocampal CA1-CA3 area,and there was still a small amount of expression in the dentate gyrus.Conclusions Postnatal low-concentration arsenic exposure may impair learning and abnormal germination of neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus may be the underlying mechanism.

Incidence of depression symptoms and its related factors of stroke, including medical, psychological and social factors, were analysed and studied by Zung SDS amony 102 stroke patients at first contact during Oct 1998 to Jan 2000. The result showed that incidence of depression symptoms of stroke is about 44.12%, and there are six related factors including instabile introversion, former focus on hemispheres, family conflict, social support and hand function. The conclusion is that occurance of depression symptoms of stroke should be paid attention, and its medication and prognosis should be multidisciplinary.

Objective:To investigate the effect of blocking BRCAA1 gene expression with siRNA on the proliferation of tumor cell line MCF-7 and Rb gene expression.Methods:RNAi was employed to specifically knock down BRCAA1 expression.MCF-7 cells were transfected with complexes constructed with lipids and chemically synthesized Pre-designed anti-BRCAA1 siRNAs.The total RNA was isolated and reversely transcribed after 48 h.The expressions of BRCAA1 and Rb mRNA were determined by Real-Time PCR.Results:Compared with negative control,transfected MCF-7 cells had a 42.3% decrease in expression of BRCAA1 mRNA and an 11.1% increase in Rb mRNA expression.The inhibitory rate of MCF-7 cells proliferation was(81.6?6.1)%.Conclusion:There may be some antagonistic effect between BRCAA1 gene and Rb gene in proliferation of tumor cells,which provides a potential target for anti-tumor gene therapy.

The aim of this study was to improve the stability and cover the unpleasant odor of valerian oil by preparation of beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. The preparation method was established based on the yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency of valerian volatile oil. After that, the formulation and processing parameters were optimized by uniform design table. The formations of inclusion complex were validated by DSC and X-RD method. The stability of valerian oil beta-cyclodextrin inclusion was studied under stressed conditions. In conclusion, relatively high yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency were obtained by saturated solution-ultrasonication method. Inclusion complex yield and entrapment efficiency of the valerian oil were (84.78 +/- 3.23)% and (86.23 +/- 2.48)%, which were prepared under the optimized conditions, respectively. The results of DSC and X-RD were indicated the formation of inclusion complex. The stability of test showed that the valerian oil-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was improved significantly.
Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Odorants ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Valerian ; chemistry ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry

Objective To analyze time trend of cancer during 1970-2005 in Shandong province so as to develop strategies for control and prevention of cancer at the community level. Methods Data was from 4 retrospective surveys regarding all causes of death during 1970-- 1974, 1985-1989, 1990- 1992 and 2004-2005, in Shandong province. Other than one set of data collected in 1985-1989 by Shandong province itself, the other 3 set of data were from the national surveys, in which the survey-point sampling of choice was based on data of 1970-1974 for assessing its representativeness. The observing indices would include standardized mortality and mortality. A join-point regression model was used to analyze the changing rate of tumor. Results The mortality rate of the entire tumor increased 143.15 percent in 2005 than in 1970. The changing slope of standardized rate of all tumors in the regression model showed that the inter-annual growth rate were 0.54 and 1.24 percent from 1970 to 1984 and from 1985 to 1992. The rate of increase since 1992 had been 0.18 percent. During 2004-2005, the main malignant cancers were lung, stomach, liver, esophageal, coiorectal, leukemia, breast and cervical cancer, in order. Lung cancer rose from the 4th ranking to the first while cervical cancer dropped from the fifth ranking to the 8th place. Esophageal cancer and cervical cancer were decreased annually while gastric cancer was increased in the early days but decreased later on. The rest of the cancers were on the rise year by year. Rates of lung and breast cancers were higher while gastric and esophageal cancers were lower seen in the urban than in rural areas. Conclusion In Shandong province, a marked increase was seen in the mortality rate of tumors in the past 35 years. Evidence showed that the spectrum of death among main malignant tumors had changed which might provide a scientific basis for the development of a community-based prevention and control program on cancer.

OBJECTIVETo examine the relationship of biologic behavior and prognosis in patients with gastric carcinoid.

METHODSA total of 26 gastric carcinoid patients proven by pathology from Jan. 1964 to Jan. 2005 were enrolled. All the patients survived after operations. Tumor size, invasion depth, regional lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, adjuvant chemotherapy and 5-year survival were analyzed retrospectively. A univariate analysis of survival rate with respect to gastric wall infiltration, regional lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and adjuvant chemotherapy were accomplished by Kaplan-Meier estimation method. The Log-rank test was used to evaluate the level of significance.

RESULTSThe average age of 26 patients was 58 years. Infiltration beyond the serosa occurred in 18 patients (69.2%), and regional lymph node metastases in 12 patients (46.2%). During the follow-up period, liver metastases occurred in 14 patients (53.8%). Tumor size was not associated with gastric serosa invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis and 5-year survival (P>0.05). Analysis of cumulative survival showed different survival time depending on gastric serosa invasion, regional lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). In patients with gastric serosa invasion, regional lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis, estimated 5-year cumulative survivals were 16.7%, 16.7% and 0 respectively. Their prognosis was poor. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administrated in 10 patients (38.5%) and was not beneficial to prolong the survival time and increase the 5-year survival rate. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSurgical resection is the major strategy for the treatment of gastric carcinoid, and adjuvant chemotherapy is not proved to produce obvious effects. The prognosis of gastric carcinoid depends on the tumor infiltration of gastric wall, regional metastasis and liver metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoid Tumor ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To use polyamidoamine(PAMAM)dendrimer as gene delivery system for survivin gene anti- sense oligodeoxynucleotide(asODN)transfection for inhibition of HepG2 cancer cell growth.Methods:The first to the fifth generation of PAMAM and asODN were used to prepare a complex:PAMAM-asODN.The morphology of PAMAM- asODN was observed using agrose electrophoresis and atomic force microscope(AFM).PAMAM-asODN was then used to transfect HepG2 cells and cells transfected with asODN served as control.The transfection efficacy of PAMAM-asODN into HepG2 cells was observed under confocol microscope,the surviving mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR,and the inhibition of HepG2 cell growth was determined by MTT assay.Results:Agrose electrophoresis showed strong complexing action between PAMAM and asODN and they formed a complex with a diameter of 25 nm.Confocol microscope showed the transfection efficacy of PAMAM-asODN was higher than that of asODN.RT-PCR showed a decreased expression of sur- vivin mRNA in PAMAM-asODN transfected cells.MTF results demonstrated that the growth of HepG2 cell was obviously inhibited after transfection of PAMAM-asODN and the inhibition rate increased with culture time,concentration of com- plex,the generation of PAMAM.PAMAM-asODN at 6.0?mol/L G4.0 resulted in a 55% inhibition of HepG2 cells 96 h after culture.Conclusion:PAMAM dendrimers can efficiently mediate the entry of survivin asODN into HepG2 cells,re- sulting in inhibition of HepG2 cells.PAMAM might be a promising gene carrier for potential molecular therapy of cancer.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the forces of rotational wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor on small tissue pieces or microcarrier particles and to determine the tracks of microcarrier particles in RWV bioreactor.

METHODSThe motion of the microcarrier in the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor with both the inner and outer cylinders rotating was modeled by numerical simulation.

RESULTSThe continuous trajectory of microcarrier particles, including the possible collision with the wall was obtained. An expression between the minimum rotational speed difference of the inner and outer cylinders and the microcarrier particle or aggregate radius could avoid collisions with either wall. The range of microcarrier radius or tissue size, which could be safely cultured in the RWV bioreactor, in terms of shear stress level, was determined.

CONCLUSIONThe model works well in describing the trajectory of a heavier microcarrier particle in rotating wall vessel.

Bioreactors ; Computer Simulation ; Microspheres ; Motion ; Porosity ; Rheology ; Rotation ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

To prepare and evaluate dry powder inhalation (DPI) of extraction of Trollius chinensis Bunge (TCB). Orthodox design was employed to optimize the parameters of spray drying to prepare micronized TCB powder, the DPI was prepared by mixing micronized TCB powder and lactose. The results showed that the fine particle fraction (FPF) and emitted dose (ED) of micronized TCB powder was (21.07 +/- 1.74)%, (75.31 +/- 21.05)%, respectively, and for DPI was (56.4 +/- 2.2)%, (95.9 +/- 3.0)%, respectively. Therefore, the prepared DPI meeted requirements in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, indicating a good application prospect.
Administration, Inhalation ; Dry Powder Inhalers ; Excipients ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Powders ; Ranunculaceae

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the retroperitoneum (MFHR).

METHODSThe clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of 31 patients with MFHR were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 52.7 +/- 14.1 years. Male:Female = 22:9. The primary symptoms were abdominal mass and pain. The average diameter of tumor was 15 cm. The histopathologic types of the tumor were inflammatory, storiform-pleomorphic, myxoid and giant cell in 16, 10, 4 and 1 cases. The overall survival rate of 1-, 3- and 5-year was 61.3% +/- 9.8%, 31.6% +/- 11.3% and 21.1% +/- 11.4% with a median survival time of 17.0 +/- 6.3 months. Complete resection of the tumor was the major prognostic factor. Postoperative radiotherapy of 20 - 45 Gy was able to prolong the median survival from 12.1 +/- 11.6 months of surgery alone to 26.4 +/- 22.0 months of surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy though without statistical significance (P = 0.051). Postoperative CHOP chemotherapy was not shown to be beneficial.

CONCLUSIONChemotherapy remains the important method of cure. The survival in patients with MFHR might be improved by complete resection combined with chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pancreatectomy ; Postoperative Period ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenectomy ; Survival Rate ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage