Animals ; Extinction, Psychological ; physiology ; Fear ; physiology ; Male ; Mental Recall ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sleep Deprivation ; complications ; physiopathology ; Sleep, REM ; physiology

Objective To explore the association of COX-2 Gly587Arg polymorphism with the risk of primary liver cancer.Methods Two hundred and seventy patients with primary liver cancer and 540 health people were selected as our subjects.DNA were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes,and genotypes were measured by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Odds ratios(OR) and 95％ confidence intervals(CI) were estimated by logistic regression.Results Two kinds of genotype (587Gly/ Gly and Gly/Arg) were found in all participants.No one carried 587Arg/Arg genotype.Among primary liver cancer patients,91.5％ (247/270,) 8.5％ (23/270) of individuals carried 587Gly/Arg and Gly/Arg genotype,which was significantly higher than that of controls (96.5％ (521/540,) 3.5％ (19/540)).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that individual carried 587Gly/Arg genotype had an increased risk of developing primary liver cancer (OR =2.56,95％ CI =1.37-4.79,P =0.003) compared with 587Gly/Gly carriers.Conclusion COX-2 Gly587Arg polymorphism is a risk factor for primary liver cancer in Han.

Objective:To investigate the effect of carvedilol on expression of cardiac matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMPs)after myocardial infarction in rats.Methods:An animal model of acute myocar- dial infarction(AMI)was established by descending left coronary artery ligation in 24 rats and they were divided into carvedilol (10 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))group(n=12)and normal saline group(n=12).Sham operated group(n=9)received the same proce- dure but with no ligation.All animals were treated for 6 weeks via a gastric lavage.Heart function and hemodynamic parame- ters were determined after 6 weeks.The protein expression of cardiac MMP-2,MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was detected by immuno- histoehemical analysis in AMI groups,and the MMPs activities were assessed by zymography.Gene expression of myocardial MMPs/TIMPs(MMP-2,9 and TIMP-1,2)and cytokines(TNF-?,IL-1?)were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.Re- suits:Compared with Sham-operated group,earvedilol group had significantly higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LV- EDP)and lower LV upstroke velocity(+dp/dt_(max))and LV descent velocity(-dp/dt_(max))(P

The aim of this study is to compare the contents of five types of anthraquinones which mainly includes chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, rhein and physcion and phenolic acids in ten different processed products from Rheum officinale, and to investigate the effect of different initial processing method on the contents of anthraquinones and phenolic acids. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Rh. officinale. In conclusion, the contents of anthraquinones in different processed products from Rh. officinale assume the certain regularity. Whether fresh-cut Rheum officinale Bail and how to dry it are derectly effect the contents of anthraquinones and phenolic compounds. The content of anthraquinones in rheum officinale of drying is obviously higher than smudging, and was more abundant in branch root than tap roots. Rh. officinale of drying which growed in Fengjie gained the highest score in PCA. Meanwhile, the procedure of wetting also help to increase the content of anthraquinones and decrease the content of phenolic acids.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; Rheum ; chemistry

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo identify the biomechanical feasibility of the thoracic extrapedicular approach to the placement of screws.

METHODSFive fresh adult cadaveric thoracic spine from T1 to T8 were harvested. The screw was inserted either by pedicular approach or extrapedicular approach. The result was observed and the pullout strength by pedicular screw approach and extrapedicular screw approach via sagittal axis of the vertebrale was measured and compared statistically.

RESULTSIn thoracic pedicular approach, the pullout strength of pedicle screw was 1001.23 N+/-220 N (288.2-1561.7 N)ls and that of thoracic extrapedicular screw approach was 827.01 N+/-260 N when screw was inserted into the vertebrae through transverse process, and 954.25 N+/-254 N when screw was inserted into the vertebrae through the lateral cortex of the pedicle. Compared with pedicular group, the pullout strength in extrapedicular group was decreased by 4.7% inserted through transverse process (P larger than 0.05) and by 17.3% inserted through the lateral cortex (P less than 0.05). The mean pullout strength by extrapedicular approach was decreased by 11.04% as compared with pedicular approach (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible biomechanically to use extrapedicular screw technique to insert pedicular screws in the thoracic spine when it is hard to insert by pedicular approach.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery

AIM: To investigate therapeutic efficiency of amniotic extraction on dry eye in rabbit model induced by topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC).
METHODS: Totally 26 rabbits (26 right eyes) with dry eye model were studied and divided into two groups:group A (control group with PBS eye drops, n = 13) and group B ( amniotic extraction group, n = 13). Another two rabbits were chosen as normal control. The SchirmerⅠ tests ( S Ⅰ t) and corneal fluorescein staining ( FL) were made, and the tear total protein content, amylase activity, lactoferrin, lysozyme contents, goblet cell density were performed in two groups before treatment and 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk after treatment.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in SIT, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density among different groups at different time points (P<0. 05). But, there was no significant differences in SⅠt, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups before treatment (P>0. 05). After 8wks' treatment with PBS, the mean differences of the group A showed great changes in SⅠt, lysozyme and goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P < 0. 05); but there was no significant differences in FL scores compared with those before treatment (P>0. 05). As for group B, 8wks after treatment, there were statistical changes in SⅠt, FL, lysozyme (P<0. 05); but there was no significant differences in goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P > 0. 05). It was evident that statistical differences were observed in S Ⅰ t, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups at each time point (P<0. 05). However, there were no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity at different time points (P>0. 05). Meanwhile there was no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups before treatment ( P > 0. 05 ). But there were significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups after 4 and 8 wks'treatment (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Amniotic extraction has significant therapeutic effect on the dry eye in rabbit model.

Objective To discuss how to protect the intracranial vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery by observing and measuring the intracranial vertebral artery in the surgery adopt far lateral approach. Methods Mimicking far lateral approach, 20 adult cadaveric heads connected to neck fixed with 10% formalin were dissected. Intracranial segment of the vertebral arteries and their main branches were exposed and measured under operating microscope. Results The intracranial vertebral artery joined with the contralateral one into the basilar artery after traveling through the atlanto-occipital sulcus. The relationship between the vertebral artery and the hypoglossal nerve is close. Thirty sides (75%) of the vertebral arteries traveled to pons medulla sulcus in front of the hypoglossal nerve roots and 2 sides (5%) behind the hypoglossal nerve roots, while 8 sides (20%) traveled among the hypoglossal nerve roots; 70% of the vertebral arteries were contacted to the hypoglossal nerve roots, 30% of which compressed the hypoglossal nerve. The main branches of intracranial segment of the vertebral arteries were the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries, the anterior spinal arteries, the posterior meningeal arteries,and some perforating arteries. Posterior inferior cerebellar arteries all originated from the intracranial vertebral artery were the largest vertebral artery's branches; their trip was mostly loop-shaped and they had close relationship with Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅺ cranial nerves. The starting points of the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries were different, even in the same specimen, but most of them originated from the upper 1/3intracranial vertebral artery. No anterior inferior cerebellar artery was noted originated from the vertebral artery in our specimen. Anterior spinal arteries originated from the vertebral arteries joined with the branches of the bilateral vertebral arteries and traveled down through the tortuous anterior median fissure to supply the spinal cord. Conclusion Being familiar with the characteristics and anatomic vertebral arteries variations of the intracranial vertebral artery and its branches can contribute to identify and protect the intracranial segment of the vertebral artery and its main branches in the surgery adopt far-lateral approach.

OBJECTIVETo clone and express a homologue of human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) from P. falciparum 3D7--PfMIF.

METHODSThe nucleotide sequence of PfMIF was found through blast P. falciparum genomic sequence databases with the amino acid sequence of human MIF (HuMIF). RT-PCR, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis were used for the cloning of Pfmif gene. The recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli and purified through the affinity column.

RESULTSThe full length of Pfmif gene was cloned and sequenced. It was composed of 351 nucleotides and encoded 116 amino acids with the typical characteristic of MIF family. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed and purified.

CONCLUSIONSThe Pfmif gene and recombinant protein were successfully isolated and PfMIF was preliminarily identified as a novel member of MIF family.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Humans ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmodium falciparum ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protozoan Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential role of miR-195 on invasiveness and prognosis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe RNA in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) of 88 breast cancer patients with primary tumors was extracted, and miR-195 levels were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The relationship of miR-195 levels and clinicopathological variables were assessed by Mann Whitney-U test. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival curves were derived from Kaplan-Meier estimates and the curves were compared by Log-rank tests. Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTSThe levels of miR-195 in the breast cancer with histological high grade, tumor size of T3-4, lymph nodal involvement or vessel invasion were significantly down-regulated, compared with those of patients with histological low grade (Z = -2.271, P = 0.023), tumor size of T1-2 (Z = -2.687, P = 0.007), no lymph node metastasis (Z = -1.967, P = 0.049) and vessel invasion (Z = -2.432, P = 0.015). In addition, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was identified between miR-195 levels and hormone receptors status, HER-2 expression, TNM stage, tumor types, recurrence and menstrual status. When considering 2(-ΔCt) = 0.270 (median level) as cut-off value, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with high miR-195 level showed a positive association towards a longer survival, either recurrence-free survival (χ(2) = 5.985, P = 0.014) or overall survival (χ(2) = 30.05, P = 0.000). In a multivariate analysis, miR-195 expression on FFPE correlated significantly with outcomes of breast cancer (HR = 0.040, 95%CI: 0.009 - 0.179, P = 0.000) and was independent of other prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSIt suggests that miR-195 expression on FFPE is inversely correlated with histological high grade, bigger tumor size, lymph node involvement, vessel invasion. Furthermore, as independent prognostic factor, low miR-195 significantly contributes to poor outcomes of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics