Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Perineum ; pathology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Background Erythropoietin (EPO) has a protective effect on retinal neurons in many retinal diseases,but regarding the effect of EPO on apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells in retinal detachment (RD) is uncompletely clear.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effect of endogenous EPO on photoreceptors in a rat model of RD and explore its possible mechanism.Methods Seventy-two Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to control group,RD group,RD+PBS group,RD+erythropoietin soluble receptor (EPOsR) 2, 20, 200ng groups with 12 rats for each group.1.4% hyaluronic acid was slowly injected into the subretinal space to induce RD in rats,and PBS or 2,20 or 200ng EPOsR was then injected into the vitreous space.On day 3 after RD,apoptotic photoreceptors were detected using transferase-mediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL),and caspase-3 activity was assessed by Western-blot and immunofluorescence staining.On day 14 after RD,retinal histopathologic examination was carried out and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured under the light microscope.The use of animals complied with the Statement of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Results Apoptotic photoreceptors were seen in ONL of rats of the RD group.Apoptotic photoreceptors were gradually increased with the elevation of EPOsR dose in the vitreous cavity.Western blot and immunofluorescence consistently showed that the gray scale of caspase-3 activity was 0.15±0.04,0.49±0.03,0.50±0.07,0.63±0.03,0.69±0.04 and 0.83±0.04 in the normal group,RD group,RD +PBS group,RD+EPOsR 2,20,200ng groups respectively with statistically significant differences (F=76.016;P=0.000),and caspase-3 activity was considerably stronger in the RD+EPOsR 200ng group than the other groups (P＜0.01).On day 14 after RD,the ONL thicknesses in the normal control group,RD group,RD+PBS group,RD+EPOsR 2,20,200ng groups were (47.39±3.39)μm,(33.96±3.54)μm,(31.83±5.21)μm,(31.40±2.63)μm,(24.99±2.06)μm and (19.30±3.71)μm,showing significant differences among these groups (F=44.733,P=0.000).ONL thicknesses the groups treated with different doses of EPOsR were markedly thinner than that of the RD group and RD +PBS group (P＜0.01).Conclusion EPOsR induces apoptosis of retinal cells and enhances the activity of caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner.Endogenous EPO can protect photoreceptors against anoxia-mediated damage in RD eyes through decreasing caspase-3 activity and inhibiting apoptosis.

This study investigated the effects of concentration, intestinal section, pH and P-gp on the absorption of daphnetin. The absorptions of three concentrations (10, 20, 40 microg x mL(-1)) of daphnetin in different intestinal segments were studied with phenol red as the marker by in situ rats single pass perfusion model. The results showed that daphnetin was stable under pH 6.0 condition and little affected by metabolism enzyme. There was upgrade tendency between the Peff of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon in different concentration of daphnetin, and it has obvious difference between the high concentration and low concentration in jejunum and colon, which indicated that the absorption of daphnetin was passive diffusion and no difference in different segments of rat intestine. However, compared with colon, the absorption of small intestine was better significantly (P < 0.05). Daphnetin may be not a substrate of P-gp as verapamil had not significantly affected the absorption of daphnetin in different intestinal segments of rats.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Male ; Perfusion ; Permeability ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Umbelliferones ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo study on the dynamics of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

METHODSUsing flow cytometry, the absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in 240 SARS patients (696 specimens) and 51 individuals as controls, were counted and compared.

RESULTSThe absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8) were 1298 +/- 785, 897 +/- 606, 510 +/- 372, 362 +/- 263/mm(3), respectively, significantly lower in SARS patients as compared to the normal controls (2024 +/- 423, 1391 +/- 289, 795 +/- 129, 551 +/- 183/mm(3)). Of SARS patients, severe group (1095 +/- 740, 740 +/- 562, 419 +/- 346, 304 +/- 244/mm(3)) had lower counts than that of mild group (1404 +/- 788, 991 +/- 612, 564 +/- 378, 396 +/- 267/mm(3)), and in group with deaths (587 +/- 493, 369 +/- 371, 204 +/- 191, 150 +/- 130/mm(3)) was lower than that of recovery group (1355 +/- 776, 948 +/- 603, 539 +/- 375, 382 +/- 263/mm(3)). There were significant differences (P < 0.01) for CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, but with no significant difference (P > 0.05) for CD4/CD8 ratio between severe and mild, recovery and death groups. The lymphocytes and their subpopulations (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8) declined in the 1st week and to the lowest level (977 +/- 579, 641 +/- 466, 360 +/- 275, 270 +/- 216/mm(3)) in the 2nd week. Then the lymphocytes and their subpopulations gradually increased during the recovery of the disease.

CONCLUSIONThe absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in SARS patients might be used as one of the methods for diagnosis on the severity and prognosis of the disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; classification ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; blood ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the application and significance of aerodynamic parameters in voice function assessment. Methods The phonatory aerodynamic system (PAS) was used to collect aerodynamic parameters from subjects with normal voice,vocal fold polyp,vocal fold cyst,and vocal fold immobility.Multivariate statistical analysis was used to compare measurements across groups. Results Phonation threshold flow ( PTF),mean flow rate (MFR),maximum phonation time ( MPT),and glottal resistance (GR) in one hundred normal subjects were significantly affected by sex ( P ＜ 0.05 ),while phonation threshold pressure (PTP),subglottal pressure (SGP),and vocal efficiency (VE) were not (P ＞0.05). PTP,PTF,MFR,SGP,and MPT were significantly different between normal voice and voice disorders (P ＜ 0.01 ),and there were no significant differences among the three disorders ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis found that PTP,PTF,SGP,MFR,MPT,and VE in one hundred thirteen voice dis orders had similar diagnostic utility (P ＜0.01 ),with PTP exhibiting the highest area under the curve.The aerodynamic parameters of the three degrees of voice dysfunction due to vocal cord polyps were compared and found to have no significant differences(P ＞0.05).PTP,PTF,MFR,SGP and MPT in forty one patients with vocal polyps were significantly different after surgical resection of vocal cord polyps (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion The aerodynamic parameters can objectively and effectively evaluate the variations of vocal function,and have good auxiliarv diagnostic value.

BACKGROUNDAssessment of the left ventricular (LV) and the right ventricular (RV) volumes and their functions is important for prognostic prediction and clinical decision making. We compared the accuracy for quantifying the LV and the RV volumes in vitro between conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).

METHODSThe volumes of 37 rubber-models (10 regularly shaped to simulate normal LV, 7 shaped to simulate LV with symmetric aneurysm, 8 shaped to simulate LV with asymmetric aneurysm, and 12 irregularly shaped to simulate normal RV) and 10 excised canine hearts were measured by RT3DE and 2DE. On RT3DE "full volume" imaging, the inner-surfaces of the rubber-models and canine LV and RV were outlined and the volumes were measured using 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-plane methods with the RT3DE analysis software. On 2DE imaging, the volumes were measured by the Simpson method. The LV and RV volumes measured by drained water were served as reference values, with which we compared RT3DE and 2DE data.

RESULTSIn rubber models mimicking normal LV and LV with symmetric aneurysms, RT3DE results were strongly correlated with reference values (r = 0.795 - 0.998) and there was a good correlation between 2DE estimates and reference values (r = 0.715 - 0.729). There were no significant differences between RT3DE estimates, 2DE results and reference values (P > 0.05). In rubber models mimicking the RV and LV with asymmetric aneurysm, RT3DE strongly correlated with reference values (r = 0.765 - 0.988), but 2DE weakly correlated with reference values (r = 0.518 - 0.592). There were no differences between RT3DE and reference values (P > 0.05), but a significant difference between 2DE and reference values occurred (P < 0.05). For excised canine hearts, there was a strong correlation between RT3DE and reference values (r = 0.728 - 0.914), while 2DE showed a less obvious correlation (r = 0.502 - 0.615). Again, there were no significant differences between RT3DE and reference values (P > 0.05), but there was a significant difference between 2DE and reference values (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRT3DE can accurately quantify LV and RV volumes and provides a new tool to evaluate LV and RV function. For LV and RV measurements by RT3DE, 8-plane strategy is the optimum choice for accuracy and convenience.

Animals ; Cardiac Volume ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; Reference Values ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Ventricular Function, Right

OBJECTIVETo prepare and identify a polyclonal antibody (pAb) against (mouse) cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT(1)) and to investigate the changes of CysLT(1) receptor expression in BV2 microglial cells after rotenone treatment.

METHODSRabbits were immunized with KLH-coupled CysLT(1) peptide to prepare the pAb. The titer of the pAb in rabbit plasma was detected by ELISA method, and the specificity of the pAb was tested by antigen blockade. After BV2 cells were treated with rotenone (0.01-1 μmol/L) for 24 h, the expression of CysLT(1) was determined by immunostaining, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTThe pAb showed a titer of 1/32728, and was not cross-reacted with antigens of CysLT(2) receptor and GPR17. Immunostaining, Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of CysLT(1) receptor in BV2 microglia. Rotenone at 1μmol/L significantly induced an increased expression of CysLT(1) receptor.

CONCLUSIONThe prepared CysLT(1) receptor polyclonal antibody has a high titer and high specificity to meet testing requirements of Western blotting and immunostaining; CysLT(1) is associated with rotenone-induced injury of BV2 microglial cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Mice ; Microglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; immunology ; metabolism ; Rotenone ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo test the accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) imaging system for evaluating left ventricular mass (LVM) in phantom and excised canine heart.

METHODSTen left ventricular (LV) wall phantoms made of two rubber-bursas, ten excised canine hearts underwent RT3DE and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). In RT3DE "full volume" imaging, the myocardial volume was measured using 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane method with the analysis software of RT3DE. Mass was then calculated by multiplying the resulting myocardial volume by specific density of myocardial tissue. In 2DE the masses were measured by area-length method. The true LV wall phantom mass was measured by water displacement and the canine LVM was weighed by anatomy, which served as a reference standard. We compared RT3DE or 2DE with true mass.

RESULTSIn LV wall phantoms, RT3DE correlated with true masses strongly (r = 0.813-0.994) and weakly correlated between 2DE and true masses (r = 0.628). In excised canine hearts, there is an excellent correlation between RT3DE and true masses (r = 0.764-0.991), while 2DE value showed a lesser correlation (r = 0.514). There are no difference between RT-3DE and true masses (P > 0.05) but different between 2DE and true masses (P < 0.05). In different planes, there was no difference between 8-plane and 16-plane (P > 0.05) but different between 8-plane and 2, 4-plane (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRT3DE can accurately quantify LVM and provide a new tool to evaluate LV function. For LVM by RT3DE, 8-plane measurement method is the best choice for accuracy and convenience.

Animals ; Dogs ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Heart Ventricles ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Phantoms, Imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 2390 local residents aged between 20 to 88 years from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The anti-HAV IgG in sera was detected with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).

RESULTSThe anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence in female of 30 to 39 years in Beijing (64.58%, 62/96) was higher than that in male (45.57% 36/79)) (x(2) = 6.358, P = 0.012). It increased with age in adults of Beijing and Guangzhou. The rates were 54.22 % (90/166), 56.00% (98/175) and 67.18% (88/131) for the 20-, 30- and 40-49 age groups in Beijing (x(2) = 4.76, P = 0.03); and 52.83% (56/106), 52.50% (63/120), 82.46% (94/114), 89.80% (88/98) and 96.77% (60/62) for the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-88 age groups in Guangzhou, respectively (x(2) = 72.58, P less than 0.01). This trend was not found in Shanghai and Wuhan (x2 = 0.96, 2.99; P = 0.33, 0.08 respectively). The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in the 20 to 39 age group of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan were 55.13% (188/341), 63.93% (429/671), 52.65% (119/226) and 78.37% (308/393), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in young adults aged 20 to 39 years of the four cities are relatively low, and HAV vaccination should be suggested for the susceptible population of this age group in China.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the current clinical treatment status of gastric cancer in China.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of clinicopathological characteristics of 636 patients with gastric cancer was conducted. Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST version 1.1 criteria.

RESULTSSix hundred and thirty-six patients were included in this retrospective cohort: 479 men and 157 women. The median age was 57 years (14 to 86). The tumor site was: proximal (41.4%), distal (46.4%) or unknown (12.2%). The histology was: adenocarcinoma (85.8%), signet ring cell carcinoma (6.9%), or other and unknown (7.2%). The differentiation of the adenocarcinomas was: well differentiated (31.0%), moderately differentiated (13.4%), poorly differentiated (37.0%), or unknown (18.7%). The pTNM stage was: 0 (0.3%), I (3.6%), II (10.1%), III (36.8%), IV (45.6%), or unknown (3.6%). In 284 patients who underwent radical resection, the ratio of examined ten and/or more lymph nodes was higher in hospitals at or above provincial level than in hospitals at regional level (57.9% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.009). The disease-free survival was longer (21.7 m vs. 14.6 m, P = 0.005), and the overall survival was longer too (52.9 m vs. 33.8 m, P = 0.040). In 205 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, the ratio of administered six and/or more cycles chemotherapy was 42.1% vs. 35.2% (P = 0.318), and the disease-free survival was 22.7 m vs. 16.3 m (P = 0.005) between hospitals at or above provincial level and hospitals at regional level. In 387 patients with metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer who received palliative chemotherapy, the overall survival was 11.1 m (95%CI 9.9 - 12.3 m). Among them, 198 patients received second and/or more line chemotherapy, and the overall survival was longer (12.5 m vs. 7.7 m, P < 0.001). Except a longer progression-free survival (10.2 m, P < 0.05) and a longer overall survival (16.9 m, P < 0.05) were corresponded with the regimen containing trastuzumab, no other significant difference was observed among regimens in first line chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONChinese doctors working in different level hospitals have a different understanding of the treatment standard of gastric cancer, which resulted in different outcomes.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; China ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Trastuzumab ; Young Adult