Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ketamine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the impact of respiratory movement to determine the target volume on cone beam CT (CBCT) for lung tumor, we used CIRS dynamic thorax phantom (Model-CIRS008) to simulate the sinusoidal motion of lung tumor. With a constant amplitude, the ratio of the time of near-end-expiratory and near-end-inspiratory (E/I) changed when it was scanned with CBCT. We analyzed the contrast changes of target by extracting the CT value of each pixel on the center line of the target movement direction. The targets were contoured with region growing method and compared with the motion volume generated by the tumor trajectory method. The result showed that the contrast of near-end-expiratory increased and the contrast of near-end-inspiratory decreased with increasing E/I. The contoured volume generated by region growing method decreased with increasing E/I. When E/I = 4, the amplitude A = 1 cm, diameter of 1 cm and 3 cm target volumes were reduced by 48.2% and 22.7%. The study showed that CBCT was not suitable to be used to accurately determine the range of lung tumor movement. The internal target volume (ITV) may be underestimated in CBCT images.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Movement ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Respiration

Objective To observe the expression of bcl-2 gene in cell apoptosis of neonatal rats followed by hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) and investigate the mechanism of neuronal apoptosis after HIBD.Methods Fifty-four neonatal SD rats were used in 1 sham-operated group and 8 trial groups. The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 92 % N 2 and 8 % O 2, the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h), the hippocampus were dissected for morphological analysis. The neuronal apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 gene in hippocampus were detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry. Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h, and reached the peak at 48 h, then decreased. The positive cell of bcl-2 protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 6 h and then decreased gradually following HIBD. Conclusion The expression of bcl-2 gene plays a role in the process of neuronal apoptosis following HIBD.

Objective To explore the relationship of c-fos protein and cell apoptosis by observing the expression of c-fos protein in hippocampus of newborn rat with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Forty-eight 7-day SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group(n=6) and experiment group(n=42).The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 920 mL/L N2 and 80 mL/L O2,and the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h),then the hippocampus were dissected by morphological analysis.Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h,and reached the peak at 48 h,then decreased.The positive cell of c-fos protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 2 h and then decreased gradually,and there was a contrary tendency between the expression of c-fos protein and the number of damaged brain cells by HIBD(r=-0.57 P

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of electro-acupuncture to improve the bladder function after acute spinal cord injury in rats and its possible mechanism.

METHODSSixty healthy adult male SD rats of SPF grade, with body weight of 220 to 250 g, one week after feeding adaptation, were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, electro-acupuncture group, electro-acupuncture control group with 15 rats in each group. Sham operation group underwent no stimulation, and the moderate damage model of spinal cord injury were made in other three groups according to modified Allens method. The model group were not treated, electro-acupuncture group were treated with electro-acupuncture on Zhibianxue and Shuidaoxue, and electro-acupuncture control group were treated with electro-acupuncture on 0.5 inch next to Zhibianxue and Shuidaoxue. The frequency of 2/100 Hz, current of 1 mA, stimulation time of 15 min, once a day, left and right alternately stimulate every time, for a total of 7 times. The changes of residual urine volume and urine output in rats at the 1st and the 7th days after operation were observed. And 7 d later, the rats were sacrificed and the injured spinal cord were taken out to observe the apoptosis, and to detect the changes of Bcl-2, Bax, Bad content.

RESULTSAfter modeling,the rats of three groups showed different bladder dysfunction. In electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group, the residual urine volume of the 7th day after operation was significant lower than the 1st day after operation (P < 0.001), and there was statistically significant difference on the 7th day after operation between two groups (P < 0.001). Compared with model group, the urine output of electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group was significantly increased on the 7th day after operation, and there was sig- nificant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.001). Electro-acupuncture can inhibit apoptosis of spinal cord neurons by TUNEL detection. Postoperative at 7 d, the rate of nerve cell apoptosis in electro -acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group was significant increased than model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and there was significant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.005). Compared with model group, the positive expression rate of Bax, Bad decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 increased (P < 0.01) in electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group,there was significant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectro-acupuncture can obviously promote the repair of acute spinal cord injury,its mechanism may be through increasing Bcl-2, inhibiting the expression of Bax, Bad, which inhibits the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Electroacupuncture ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of SOX9 expression and clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study including 112 gastric cancer patients admitted to the Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from 2004 to 2006 was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of SOX9 in the 112 specimens of gastric cancer tissues and 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor.

RESULTSLow expression of SOX9 was seen in 5(7.1%) tissues out of 70 non-cancerous tissues adjacent to the tumor. A total of 94(83.9%) patients had varying expression of SOX9, of whom 51(45.4%) had overexpression. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the expression of SOX9 was significantly associated with Lauren classification (P<0.05), tumor invasion(P<0.01), lymph node metastasis(P<0.05), distant metastasis(P<0.05) and tumor stage(P<0.05), however there was no significant association between SOX9 expression and sex, age, histological type, histology differentiation or tumor size. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate of patients with SOX9 over-expression was significantly lower than that of patients with low expression(29.4% vs. 49.2%, P=0.031). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that histology differentiation(P=0.046), tumor invasion(P=0.001), and distant metastasis(P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer, however the over-expression of SOX9 was not significant(P=0.948).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression SOX9 is associated with the growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer, as well as the prognosis. However, SOX9 expression is not an independent factor for the prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Activation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The present study examined the neuroprotection of three chloride blockers in an in vitro cell model of cerebral ischemia established by treatment of cultured rat hippocampal neurons with NMDA. Hoechst 33258 staining and MTT assay were used to detect neuronal apoptosis and cell viability, respectively. The neuroprotective effects of chloride channel blockers on the cell viability and neuronal apoptosis were only observed when the blockers were applied before NMDA exposure. In comparison with DIDS, SITS showed more potent protective effect in a dose-dependent manner, whereas NPPB showed no significant neuroprotective effect. The results demonstrate that pretreatment with both SITS and DIDS have protective effect against neuronal apoptosis, which is achieved by blocking both NMDA receptor and chloride channel.
4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bisbenzimidazole ; chemistry ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; N-Methylaspartate ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; chemistry ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM:To explore the effect of acteoside on behavioral changes and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)in prefrontal cortex of depressive rats.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats(n=108)were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,model group,fluoxetine(20 mg/kg)group,low-dose(30 mg/kg)acteoside group,medium-dose(60 mg/kg)acteoside group and high-dose(120 mg/kg)acteoside group,with 18 rats in each group.The depres-sive-like rat model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)combined with solitary way for 28 d.The rats in fluoxetine group and acteoside groups were treated with fluoxetine(20 mg/kg)or acteoside(30 mg/kg,60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg)once daily by intragastric administration for 3 weeks.The rats in control group and model group were both given equal volume of saline by intragastric administration for 3 weeks.The behavioral changes were detected by the open-field test and sugar preference experiment.The protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78 )and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.The caspase-3 activity was measured by spectrophotometer.RESULTS:Compared with control group ,the total distance ,time spent in the center and sugar in-take were all decreased ,the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was increased ,and the activity of caspase-3 was increased in model group ,fluoxetine group and acteoside groups(P<0.05 ).Compared with model group ,the total distance ,time spent in the center and sugar intake were increased ,the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was reduced ,and the activity of caspase-3 was decreased(P<0.05)in fluoxetine group and acteoside groups.CONCLUSION:Acteoside improves de-pressive-like behaviors in depressive rats ,which may be related to the inhibition of ERS and neuronal apoptosis in prefron-tal cortex.

0.05)in the former part of the surgery that was before the beginning of the surgery via anterior route.But in group B,only propofol for sedation was used for the patients during the latter part of the surgery via the anterior route or while the nerve plexus was blocked; during this time in group A,the addition of fentanyl and vecuronium were still intermittently necessary to maintain the general anesthesia.The duration between the completion of surgery and the recovery of spontaneous breathing,times for initial conscious reaction such as opening the eyes following an order, extubation and from extubation to complete recovery were significantly shorter in group B than those in group A(all P

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of polymorphisms of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) -DRB1 and -DQA1 region allele with outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Han population of north China.

METHODSA total of 207 chronic hepatitis B (HB) patients, 212 chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (HBV carrier), and 148 self-limited HBV infection were recruited to examine the association between gene polymorphisms and outcomes of HBV infection. Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique was used to genotype HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQA1 loci.

RESULTSThe frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0301 in chronic HB patients (14.81%) was significantly lower than those in HBV carriers (25.24%) and self-limited HBV infection subjects (25.00%) (Pc = 0.002; Pc = 0.007). The frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0102 in self-limited HBV infection subjects (8.78%) was significantly higher than those in chronic HB patients (2.18%) and HBV carriers (1.89%) (Pc = 0.000; P = 0.000). In addition, the frequency of HLA-DQA1 * 0302 in self-limited HBV infection subjects (4.05%) was significantly lower than that in chronic HB patients (11.41%) (Pc = 0.005). HLA-DQA1 * 0302 was demonstrated to be risk factors of chronic HBV (OR = 3.913, P = 0.0006), while HLA-DQA1* 0102 and HLA-DQA1 * 0301 to be protective factors against chronic HBV (OR = 0.200, P = 0.0004; OR = 0.258, P = 0.0000) after age, sex, smoking and drinking were adjusted by logistic regression analysis. There were positive interactions between drinking and HLA-DQA1 * 0102 [interaction index (II) = 1.49] or HLA-DQA1 * 0302 (II = 12.12). There were negative interactions between drinking and HLA-DQA1 * 0301 (II = 0.78)

CONCLUSIONSThe subjects with HLA-DQA1 * 0302 allele have an increased risk to chronic HB infection compared with other subjects without this allele, while HLA-DQA1 * 0301 and HLA-DQA1 * 0102 are associated with HBV clearness. Gene-environment interaction can affect the outcomes of HBV infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Environment ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; HLA-DQ Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Hepatitis B ; ethnology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors