Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratins ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Thymoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To investigate the density of bladder pacemaker cells (ICC) in prostatic hyperplasia with detrusor underactivity (PDU) and the impact of stress environment on its growth. Methods 23 PDU guinea pig models and 26 pigs for control (BPH, n = 6; normal group, n = 20) were developed. After water-filled urodynamic pressure measurement of bladder for three groups , detrusor tissue was made into frozen sections. TheICC numberwere measured with immunofluorescence stainingand observed by confocal microscopy. Further ICC cells in vitro were cultured under stress environment and its counts were analyzed by colony formation assay. Results Decreased density of ICC was observed in PDU group (0.28 ± 0.52)% compared to control [(5 ± 0.36)%,P < 0.05] and the BPH group (5.4% ± 0.42)%, P < 0.05). The ratio of dimer and monomer [(6.13 ± 1.45)%] in PDU group was significantly lower than those of the control [31.55 ± 9.67)%, P < 0.05] and the BPH group [(71.52 ± 8.95)%, P < 0.05]. There is a negative correlation between the density of ICC in vitro and duration of stress. By contrast , there is a positive correlation between the density of ICC and incubation time after the stress is removed. Conclusion Distribution of decreased density of ICC is involved in the pathogenesis of PDU , which may be due to long-term stress environment. Thus eliminating stress environment may help restore ICC density in PDU.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Heart Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liposarcoma, Myxoid ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Myxoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myxosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pericardium ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate epidemical situation of drinking-tea fluomsis in Qinghai province, in order to understand diet structure to provide the scientific basis for the prevention and control and the scientific research. Methods In 2007, according to "Scheme for Survey on Epidemical Drinking-tea Fluorosis", we carried out an customized investigation in 28 counties, 3 townships sampled in each county, 2 villages in each township, 50 adults and 50 school-age children in each village; at same time, 1 monk temple was sampled in each county, 50 clergy adults and 50 children in each temple. Then we investigated the resident income, the diet structure, the brick tea consumption and so on, and applied Dean method to diagnose dental fluorosis. The patient number estimated based on the survey result. Results ①Yeady per capita income of people was mostly 500 - < 1000yuan, next 1000 - < 3000 yuan; economic income in pasturing area was higher than that of agriculture, half area and half agriculture and half pastoral region and township. ②Staple food was bread flour primarily in the animal husbandry agricultural half pastoral area,next were the roasted barley and the rice;the bread flour was the principle food in the agricultural region and the cities,next were the rice and the roasted barley;among non-staple food,meat came fimt and milk foHowed,egg the last.③The frequently edible vegetables Was potato.cabbage and greenpepper,eaten by a majority of people[62.82%(6497/10 343)];as for fruits,apple,pear and orange was primarily consumed,75.95%(7856/10 343)of people ate less than 10 times every month.④Sixty-one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine residents were registered,153 335 kg ofbrick tea was consumed in villages and towns,2.47 kg per person;in 1001 monks investigated,4120 kg of brick tea was consumed every year,4.12 kg per person.⑤Detection rate of adult dental fluorosis in the villages and towns was 24.11%(2494/10 343),that of the children was 24.38% (3012/12 355);detection rate of dental fluorosis in monks was 26.13%(203/777),that of the children was 39.73% (89/224).⑥Detection rate of adult skeletal fluorosis in villages and towns was 15.60%(17/109);that of monks was 4.88%(2/41).⑦The 95%confidence limit estimated a total number of dental fluorosis patients were 1 084 306- 1 134 170 persons.the median Was 1 109 238 persons;the 95% confidence limit estimated a total number of skeletal fluorosis patients were 309 177-758 199 persons,the median was 533 688 persons.Conclusions Qinghai province has a great quantity of brick tea consumption,having lots of people with drinking-tea fluorosis which is in severe degree.The resident food structure was monotonous and mostly transpolted from other region.

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS).

METHODSThe clinical findings, morphologic features and immunophenotype of 3 cases of IDCS were investigated.

RESULTSGross examination showed that IDCS had a greyish-white to greyish-yellow cut surface. The site of occurrence included lung, spleen (with lymph node metastasis) and lymph node. Histologically, the tumor cells were arranged in nests, fascicles and whorls, with intimate admixture of many lymphocytes and plasma cells. They were oval to spindle in shape and contained pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, oval and sometimes grooved nuclei, small distinct nucleoli and ill-defined cell borders. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells expressed S-100 protein.

CONCLUSIONSIDCS is a rare type of histiocytic and dendritic cell malignancy with distinctive morphologic findings. It needs to be distinguished from follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, inflammatory pseudotumor, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, malignant melanoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein is helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; pathology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Interdigitating ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Dendritic Cells ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; analysis ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the burning characteristics of moxa stick.

METHODSA self-designed moxa stick burning temperature measuring device, which was assembled with ALTEC intelligence digital setter and SJ-600 thermocouple, was used to conduct next four experiences: 1) embedding a thermocouple inside a moxa stick to measure peak burning temperature; 2) pulling a thermocouple embedded in the moxa stick at the proper rate to detect combustion stability; 3) elucidating temperature distribution of transverse section by measuring the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral; 4) drawing temperature-time-space curves by pulling the thermocouples in the former three observation points.

RESULTSThe experiment indicated that the burning temperature peak of three-year moxa stick (Hubei Herbal Medicine St. Qichun Technology Co., Ltd.) was 848 degrees C which had good combustion stability. Furthermore, the temperature in the center, radius midpoint and lateral of transverse section were 843 degrees C, 731 degrees C and 410 degrees C, respectively, and its burning temperature-time-space curves was drawn, which showed the real-time burning temperature and the peak burning temperature and were regarded as ultimate indice to integrate the formers.

CONCLUSIONThe measuring system elaborately reflecting the burning features of moxa stick may provide reference for manufacture industry of moxa stick quality criteria for its convenience and accuracy.

Humans ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation ; Temperature ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influences of verapamil preconditioning on cardiac function in vitro and intracellular free Ca2+ and L-type calcium current (I(Ca-L)) in rat cardiomyocytes post ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSThe isolated rat hearts in control group (37 degrees C Tyrode solution perfusion for 30 min, n = 6), I/R group (no flow for 30 min followed 30 min reperfusion with 37 degrees C Tyrode solution, n = 7) and verapamil preconditioning group [37 degrees C Tyrode solution perfusion for 10 min, adding verapamil (20 micromol/L) to Tyrode solution and perfusion for another 30 min, followed then by 30 min no flow and 30 min reperfusion, n = 7] using Langendorff perfusion system. The fluorescence intensity of intracellular Ca2+ was detected with Fluo-3/AM loading by the laser scanning confocal microscope. The I(Ca-L) was recorded via whole-cell patch clamp technique in enzymatically dissociated single rat ventricular myocytes.

RESULTSAs expected, arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction were shown post I/R injury. The fluorescence intensities of intracellular free Ca2+ in cardiomyocytes were significantly increased compared with control group (P < 0.01). By voltage clamp protocol, peak current densities of I(Ca-L) was significantly reduced and I-V curve significantly elevated. Post I/R injury compared with control group (P < 0.01) which could be reversed by Verapamil preconditioning. Verapamil preconditioning also significantly improved diastolic and systolic functions, and reduced the incidence of arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONSMyocardial I/R injury might significantly impair heart functions and induce arrhythmias via cellular Ca2+ overload. Verapamil preconditioning could prevent heart I/R injury and reduce arrhythmias by decreasing influx of I(Ca-L), thereby stabilizing cardiomyocytes in myocardial stunning and avoiding occurrence of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release during I/R injury.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of glycine on CD14 and NF-kappa B in Kupffer cells from rat liver grafts after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into an IRI group, saline solution preconditioning group, and glycine preconditioning group. Their survival rates, graft functions, and hepatic histopathologic examinations were observed after IRI. Kupffer cells (KCs) following IRI were isolated and cultured to detect CD14 mRNA, NF-kappa B binding activity, and the TNF alpha and IL-1 level in the supernatant of the media.

RESULTS(1) Glycine preconditioning greatly enhanced the one-week survival rate (chi2 = 6.67 and 8.57 respectively), improved graft function, and ameliorated the histopathologic signs of injury. (2) The CD14 mRNA expression level (F = 7.64), NF-kappa B binding activity (F = 11.47), TNF alpha and IL-1 production (F = 14.08 and 9.56 respectively) in the glycine group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONGlycine could efficiently protect rat liver grafts from ischemia-reperfusion injury by repressing the expression of CD14 and NF-kappa B binding activity in Kupffer cells and inhibiting the productions of TNF alpha and IL-1.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Kupffer Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology

Haizao Yuhu decoction (HYD) is a formula that has been used for approximately 500 years and famous for its efficiency in treating thyroid-related diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). HYD was first presented by Chen Shi-gong in a famous surgical monograph named Waike Zhengzong during the Ming Dynasty. We conducted the research to investigate the possible pharmacokinetic profile of different prescriptions of HYD in rats, in order to reveal the interactions of Haizao and Gancao drug pair with other herbs in HYD. Liquiritin, naringin, besperidin, peimine, peiminine liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, hergapten, nobiletin, osthole, glycyrrhetinic acid in blood samples were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The result revealed tbat Haizao could enhance the peak concentration of glycyrrhizic acid. The other herbs in HYD may promote'the absorption of flavonoids in Gancao in normal rats, but inhibit the absorption of saponins and accelerate their metabolism. Gancao and Haizao drug pair could enhance the bioavailability of hesperidin, peimine, bergapten, nobiletin and osthole and prolong the elimination of peimine and naringin.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plasma ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo detect gene mutations of children with glucose-6-phosphorate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency and of carriers of G-6-PD deficiency gene with the technique of polymerase chain reaction and denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), and to explore the value of the technique in the diagnosis of G-6-PD deficiency and G-6-PD deficiency gene carrying.

METHODScDNAs were harvested by reverse transcription method after RNAs had been extracted from peripheral blood of 43 children with G-6-PD deficiency and of their family members (36 lineages). Electrophoresis behaviors of the fragment from exons 11-12 of G-6-PD cDNA were detected with the technique of PCR-DGGE. Gene sequencing was then performed for the abnormal electrophoresis bands.

RESULTSAbnormal electrophoresis bands were found in the 1304-1520 fragment of G-6-PD cDNA in 33 out of 36 family lineages. The G-6-PD/6-PGD ratio was below 1.00 in 9 mothers of patients. Three of them had the G-6-PD/6-PGD ratio lower than 0.50. The PCR-DGGE bands were the same in the 3 mothers. Gene sequencing showed double heterozygote in the 3 mothers, but the maternal carriers of G-6-PD deficiency gene who had normal G-6-PD/6-PGD ratio showed mono-heterozygote in gene sequencing. Three mutational sites were found in the 1304-1520 fragment, i.e., C1311TG1376T and G1388A. The electrophoresis behaviors were different among the 3 gene mutational sites.

CONCLUSIONSPCR-DGGE is a sensitive and reliable technique in the screening of gene mutations. It is useful in the diagnosis of G-6-PD deficiency, especially in the diagnosis of female G-6-PD deficiency gene carrying.

Base Sequence ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA