Objective: To investigate effects of beta-carotene on instestine mucosa barrier function in rats damaged by X-ray radiation. Methods: 40 female SD rats were randomized into 4 groups as the normal control group (Group C) ,the radiation group (Group R) ,the β-C 5 mg/(kg · d) group (Group T1) and the β-C 10 mg/(kg · d) group (Group T2). After 14 days of continuous administration of peanut oil in groups C and R or beta-carotene (2. 5 mL/kg) in groups T1 and T2,the rats in groups R, T1 and T2 were radiated under a 9 Gy dose of X-ray. And then 3 days later,the rats were killed and the amount of diamine oxidase(DAO) and the level of bacterial endotoxin were detected. The structure and length of the crypt-villus axis (CVA) of jejunum were also observed and analyzed. Results: Obvious slow weight gain was observed in group R. Compared with group C, the CVA of group R was significantly shorter (P<0.01), and the intestinal mucosal injury was more serious(P <0. 008 3). The plasma endotoxin concentration of group R was significantly higher than that of group C(P<0. 01). There was no significant difference in the activities of DAO between groups R and C. There was no difference in weight gain between groups T1 and R(P>0.05). The CVA of group T1 was significantly longer than that of group R, but the intestinal mucosal injury was slighter(P <0.008 3). The plasma endotoxin concentration of group T1 was significantly lower than that of group R(P <0. 01). There was no significant difference in the activities of DAO between groups T1 and R (P > 0. 05). Group T2 gained more than group T1 (P < 0. 01) . The CVA of group T2 was significantly longer than that of group T1 (P <0. 01) , and the intestinal mucosal injury was slighter(P <0. 008 3). The plasma endotoxin concentration of group T2 was significantly lower than that of group T1 (P <0. 01). There was no significant difference in the activities of DAO between groups T2 and T1 (P >0. 05). Conclusion: Beta-carotene may decrease the X-ray radiation damage on jejunum and maintain the normal function of gut mucosa barrier in rats.

Objective Investigation of biological characteristics of Cdc 20AAA/+APCmin/+ mouse embryonic fibroblast(MEFs) indicate the effect of Cdc20AAA/+on growth of mouse embryonic fibroblast and the possible mechanism . Methods MEFs of Cdc20AAA/+APCmin/+, Cdc20AAA/+, APCmin/+ and WT genotype were harvested from embryos for analysis.The growth characteristics of Cdc20AAA/+APCmin/+, Cdc20AAA/+,APCmin/+and WT mouse embryonic fibroblast were analyzed through growth curve analysis and foci formation assay .Separation of sister chromatid and the presence of aneuploid were detected by karyotype analysis .Results Cell proliferation assays showed that Cdc 20AAA/+APCmin/+cells grew at an accelerated rate compared with APC min/+MEFs(P<0.01).Foci formation assay showed that the clone forming ability was significantly increased .Cdc20AAA/+APCmin/+MEFs showed a significant increase in the frequency of aneuploid compared with WT MEFs , which had a karyotype of 38 and contained prematurely separated sister chromatids .Conclusion Cdc20 carrying a null allele (Cdc20AAA/+) may accelerate the growth and proliferation of APC min/+MEFs and present the growth characteristics of the tumor cells .The possible mechanism may be associated with chromosome instability .

Objective To examine the effects of maternal rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress before pregnancy on the behaviors and brain monamine of their adult male offspring.Methods Sixteen SD rats were divided into chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) group and controls.CUS rats were exposed to 21 days chronic unpredictable stressors ,and the controls were stress-free.Ten days after the last stressor, all the female rats were caged with sexually experienced males of the same strain.Then we performed the following experiments on the two months male progeny, sucrose consumption measuring anhedonia, Morris water maze measuring cognitive function and high performance liquid chromatography detecting the contents of monoamine.Results The sucrose consumption showed that both sucrose intake and sucrose consumption percentage of the control progeny were higher than those of the CUS progeny ( sucrose consumption: ( 10.23 ± 4.12 ) g vs ( 6.48 ± 3.19 ) g; sucrose consumption percentage: ( 85.43 ± 20.15 ) % vs (60.98 ± 24.65 ) % ) (P ＜ 0.05 ).The number of times crossing the removed hidden platform in the CUS progeny ( 1.64 ± 1.69) was significantly fewer than that in the control progeny (4.17±2.29 ) in Morris water maze (P ＜ 0.05 ).The contents of serotonin in the hypothalamus of CUS progeny ( ( 500.17 ± 80.94 ) ng/g tissue) was lower than that of the control progeny ( ( 569.63 ± 50.91 ) ng/g tissue) (P ＜0.05) ,while the norepinephrine in the hippocampus of CUS progeny( (2315.01 ± 1397.12) ng/g tissue) was higher than that of the control progeny( (907.56 ± 207.27) ng/g tissue) (P＜0.05) by high performance liquid chromatography.Conclusions Depression or stressful events before pregnancy of dams result in anhedonia, decreased spatial memory and abnormalities in brain monoamine of their adult male progeny.

Objective Cervical radiculopathy treatment experts' consensus to establish radiculopathy type by using the modified Delphi method. Methods Use document retrieval method to review information and articles about the treatment guidelines and articles of cervical radiculopathy including domestic and international areas, established a protocol about clini?cal consensus of the treatments for cervical radiculopathy. This protocol included 23 questions (the effective proportion of non?operating therapy, neck immobilization, physiotherapy, pharmacologic treatment, surgical indications, contraindications, anteri?or surgical decompression, anterior surgical implants). We performed a modified Delphi survey in which current professional opinions from experienced experts, representing from almost all of the Chinese provinces, were gathered. And then we modi?fied the protocol according to those professional opinions. Three rounds were performed and finally we established consensus. Consensus was achieved with ≥70% agreement. Results The panel included 30 experienced experts. The recycling question?naire's quantity of three rounds were 30(100%), 24(80%) and 16(53.3%) respectively. After three expert assessments, there were 18 questions which achieved with≥70%agreement and these questions accounted for 64.3%(18/28) of all the questions. Consen?sus of the treatments for cervical radiculopathy was reached on 7 aspects, including:the effective proportion of non?operating thera?py (1 question), neck immobilization (1 question), physiotherapy (1 question), pharmacologic treatment (5 questions), surgical indi?cations (3 questions), contraindications (4 questions), surgery (3 questions). Conclusion This modified Delphi study had reached a consensus concerning several treatment issues on cervical radiculopathy which had strong representativeness of experts and good convergence of opinions. In the absence of high?level evidence, at present, these experts' opinion findings will guide health care providers to define appropriate treatment in their regions. Areas with no consensus provide excellent insight for future research.

Objective To investigate the traumatic characters, the causative factors and the outcomes of surgical treatments of cervical spinal cord injuries without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA).Methods From March 2000 to July 2004, 81 patients of cervical SCIWORA undergone surgery were evaluated retrospectively. There were 55 males and 26 females, with a mean age of 57.3 years. According to the mechanisms of injuries and pathological changes of the cervical spine, the causative factors were divided into 3 groups: hyper-flexion type of injury (1 or 2 segments) with protrusion or prolapse of the cervical intervertebral discs (19 cases), hyper-extension type injury with multiple (≥3 segments) cervical spinal stenosis (41cases), and whiplash injury with multiple cervical spinal stenosis and segmental intervertebral instability or anterior protrusion of the cervical intervertebral discs (21 cases). A variety of surgeries as anterior discectomy with interbody fusion, multiple posterior decompressions with cervical laminoplasty, and multiple posterior decompressions with internal fixation at the facet joints were performed based the classification. Results The average follow-up period was 78.5 month (54-118 months). During the follow-up of 1 month, 3 months,1 year and last visit post-operatively, the rate of JOA improvement were 25.1%, 41.3%, 63.6% and 60.9%respectively. In the long-term follow-up, the good ratio of neurological function was obtained with 80.2%.Conclusion SCIWORA is considered as a course of acute, dynamic and limited injury. In spite of common clinical manifestation, its traumatic characters and causative factors are different indeed. The distinct improvement of neurological function can also be achieved with proper classification and surgery.

Coloring Agents ; Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Humans ; Iodine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of myelin protein zero (P(0)) in 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD)-induced peripheral nerve injury, and the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb761) on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy.

METHODSAfter 4 weeks of treatment with 2,5-HD at different doses (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) in rats, changes in the levels of P(0) in rat sciatic nerves was investigated, and the effect of Egb761 on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy was studied.

RESULTSThe blood-nerve barrier (BNB) permeability of the sciatic nerve increased, and the expression of P(0) mRNA and P(0) protein decreased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with 2,5-HD for 4 weeks. Pretreatment with Egb761 protected against BNB interruption, and inhibited P(0) mRNA and protein reduction during 2,5-HD treatment. Pretreatment with Egb761 significantly reduced loss of body weight (P<0.01) and mitigated gait abnormalities (2.85±0.22) induced by 400 mg/kg 2,5-HD (P<0.01). It also reduced the signs of neurotoxicity induced by 2,5-HD.

CONCLUSION2,5-HD inhibited the expression of P(0) in a dose-dependent manner, and this may be an important mechanism by which toxic peripheral neuropathy is induced by 2,5-HD. Egb761 has a protective effect against 2,5-HD-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Male ; Myelin P0 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sciatic Nerve ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between microRNA (miR)-146a gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancer.

METHODSPubMed, Medline and Ovid full text databases, China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), Articles Database and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were researched to retrieved literatures about the association between miR-146a gene polymorphism and susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancer published from July 2010 to March 2014. Modified Jadad quality score was used to evaluate the quality of the literatures and Stata 11.0 software was used to analyze and calculate OR value of the following 5 different genotypes: allele (G vs. C), the dominant genetic model (GC+GG vs. CC), a recessive genetic model (GG vs. GC+CC) and homozygote (GG vs. CC) and heterozygote (GC vs. CC) to assess the association.

RESULTSA total of 16 studies were enrolled, including 7090 cancer patients and 9928 healthy controls. Meta-analysis showed that people with G allele was more susceptible to gastrointestinal cancer than those with C(gastric cancer: OR=1.1,95% CI:1.04-1.17, P=0.001, colorectal cancer: OR=1.09,95% CI:1.01-1.18, P=0.020); dominant model (GC+GG) was more susceptible to gastric cancer than CC (OR=1.12, 95% CI:1.02-1.22, P=0.016); recessive genetic model GG was more susceptible to gastrointestinal cancer than CC+GC (gastric cancer: OR=1.16, 95% CI:1.05-1.27, P=0.004, colorectal cancer: OR=1.13, 95%CI:1.00-1.28, P=0.047); GG homozygote was more susceptible to gastrointestinal cancer than CC (gastric cancer: OR=1.20, 95% CI:1.06-1.35, P=0.003, colorectal cancer: OR=1.19, 95% CI:1.01-1.41, P=0.042). Dominant genetic model GC+GG and CC in colorectal cancer as well as heterozygous GC and CC in gastrointestinal cancer were not significantly different(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONmiR-146a cancer susceptibility gene polymorphism is closely associated with gastrointestinal cancers.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To detect the dynamic visual acuity ( DVA) before and after vestibular habituation of subjects in order to optimize the DVA assessment criteria .Methods The vestibular function examination system was applied to the detection of static and dynamic visual function in 16 healthy subjects .Results When the speed of left or right swinging was fast enough , DVA before and after vestibular habituation was different .Conclusion Subjects with vestibular habituation can reduce their sensitivity to the vestibular system , the changes in DVA are better than before habituation , and the vestib-ular function adaptability training may have effect on DVA .

Objective To explore the occurring and developing characteristics of dry eye syndrome in type 1 diabetic mouse model induced with streptozotocin (STZ)-intraperitoneal injection.Methods Completely randomized design method was performed.Sixty SPF degree male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) was randomly divided into diabetic group and control group,which were intraperitoneally injected with citrate buffer and STZ-citrate buffer (50 mg/kg per day),respectively.The average weight,blood glucose level and lacrimal gland weight were examined before injection and 1 month,2 months,4 months after the last injection;meanwhile,phenol cotton thread and rose bengal staining methods were used to check tear formation and ocular surface condition;corneal perception meter was used to test corneal sensitivity;periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining method was used to test the density of conjunctival goblet cells;histopathological staining and Masson staining methods were used to test the tissue changes of lacrimal gland.Results Compared with before injections,the body weight and lacrimal gland weight in diabetic group were not significantly changed 1 month,2 months and 4 months after injection (all at P＞ 0.05),but these measurements in diabetic group 1 month,2 months and 4 months after injection were significantly lower than those in control group at corresponding time points (all at P＜0.05).Compared with before injections and control group at corresponding time points,the blood glucose level were dramatically higher and the tear formation were significantly decreased in diabetic group at 1 month,2 months,4 months after injection (all at P＜0.05).The ocular surface of diabetic model mice showed positive rose bengal staining 2 months after STZ injections.The corneal sensitivities were significantly lower in diabetic model mice 2 months and 4 months after injection than those before injection and in control group at corresponding time points (all at P＜0.05).The density of conjunctival goblet cells in diabetic group 4 months after injection was significantly decreased than those before injection in diabetic group and 4 months after injection in control group (all at P＜0.05).The apparent collagen fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed at lacrimal gland in diabetic model mice 4 months after injection.Conclusions The major early stage manifestations of STZ induced type 1 diabetes mice include retarded growth of lacrimal gland and decreased tear secretion volume,which gradually develop along the course of diabetes;in the later stage,the manifestations include decreased corneal sensitivity,ocular structural damage,structural changes of lacrimal gland and decreased conjunctival goblet cell density.