Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBOP) on brain edema, inflammatory reaction and neuronal cell apoptosis induced by experimental hemorrhage in rats. Method Eighteen male Spraque-Dawley rats, weighing 300 - 350 g,received five successive sessions of HBOP with 3 atmosphere absolute pressure and 100% O2 one hour daily for five successive days, and other eighteen rats received five successive sessions of pretreatment with one atmosphere absolute pressure, air, one hour daily for five successive days. Twenty-four hours after the final pre-conditioning, rats received an infusion of 100 μL autologous blood into the basal ganglion. Seventy-two hours later, rats were sacrificed for brain edema measurements in 12 rats of each group. The histopathological changes around the hematoma were observed microscopically, and the neuronal cell apoptosis was detected by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) in six rats of each group. Data of brain water content were analyzed by using Stata 7.0 software and statistical analysis was carried out by two-tailed Student t -test. Results Compared with the control group, HBOP significantly attenuated brain edema 72 hours after intra-cerebral hemorrhage in experimental rats (81. 6± 0. 7% vs. 82. 8± 0.9%, P < 0.01). Inflammatory cell infiltration and neuronal cell apoptosis were also significantly decreased in the HBOP group. Conclusions HBOP protects the rats against brain edema formation, and quells inflammatory reaction and neuronal cell apoptosis following intra-cerebral hemorrhage in experimental rats.

Objective To establish a method for culturing neonatal mice cardiomyocytes, and construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocytes for assessing the cardiac toxicity of chemicals. Methods Hearts of neonatal mice of 1 day old were digested with enzyme mixture of trypsin/collagenase type Ⅱ/dispase and the cell suspensions were pre-plated to flask for a short time and then seeded on coated dishes. The cultured cells were treated with 5-fiuorine-deoxy-uridine(15 μg/ml)and uridine(35 μg/ml)to enrich cardiomyocytes that were identified according to the morphology and immunocytochemistry of α-actin antigen. Cardiac myocytes were incubated with 0-64 μg/ml of a fusarium mycotoxin butenolide(BUT) for 12 h. Cell viability was then evaluated by MTT assay. Microscopic observation showed that BUT induced significant morphological changes including cellular swelling, vacuolation and breakage of muscle fibers. Results It was found that 96% of the cultured cells were cardiomyocytes and the myocytes kept beating after 90 days of culture. Concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability following exposure of cardiac myocytes to BUT were observed. Conclusion The results indicated that relatively pure primary culture of neonatal mice cardiomyocytes is successfully established. BUT possesses the potential to induce myocardial toxicity.

Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical management of ureteral obstruction after renal transplantation.Method A respective study was performed on 15 cases of ureteral obstruction who received renal allografts.All of the cases were confirmed,including 5 cases of stenosis of ureterovesical junction,4 cases of stenosis of distal ureter,2 cases of blood clot blockage,2 cases of edema due to perforation of distal ureter,1 case of ureteral calculi,and 1 case of extrinsic compression of hematoma.All 14 patients underwent open surgical management to reestablish ureter with D-J catheter as stent for 12-16 weeks.One patient was subjected to percutaneous nephrostomy followed by percutaneous ureteroscopy,the obstructed site was identified at ureterovesical junction and antegrade balloon dilation and D-J stent in ureter were performed subsequently.Result Fifteen patients were diagnosed as ureteral obstruction by colour Doppler ultrasound and MRU.All of the patients were resolved the obstructions after surgical managements and the renal function got improved.No reobstruction occured during one year follow-up period.Conclusion Colour Doppler ultrasound and MRU can definitely be used to diagnose ureteral obstruction after renal transplantation.Early diagnosis and surgical management are very important.Open surgical management of the obstructed ureter is an effective method.Antigrade balloon dilation is a therapeutic approach to treat ureteral obstruction.

Objective To establish a radioresistant cell subline from a human A549 lung cancer cell line and investigate the mechanism of radioresistance. Methods Two proposals were applied for the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells irradiated with X-rays:A group of A549 cell line was irradiated five times, the fractionated dose was 600 cGy, and the other group was exposed 15 times, the fractionated dose was 200 cGy. After the completion of irradiation, two monoclones were obtained from the survival of cells and named the subline A549-S1 and A549-S2. The radiosensitivity and cell cycle distribution of these two clones,together with its parental A549 cells were measured by clone formation assay and flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 in A549 cell line and the sublines were determined by RT-PCR and Western-blots. Results Compared with the parental A549 cells, A549-S1 cells showed significant resistance to radiation with D0, Dq and N values increased, and a broader initial shoulder as well as 1.38-fold increased value of SF2. The A549-S1 subline also showed higher percentage of cells in S phase and G2/M phase, but lower percentages in G0/G1 phase (P<0.05). The expression of Notch1 in A549-S1 was enhanced obviously than in A549 cells. But for A549-S2 the radioseasitivity was slightly increased compared with the parental cells with D0, Dq and N values decreased and a curve initial shoulder. The ratio of cells in S and G0/G1 phase ratio was lower than that in parental A549 cells, but that in G2/M phase ratio was higher significantly (P<0.05) .The expression of Notch1 had no marked change compared to A549 cell. Conclusions The radioresistance of the A549 cell subline is correlated with the irradiation program. The cell subline shows a different cell cycle distribution from their parental line. The cell cycle distribution has a close correlation with the expression of Notch1.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Manshuailing Oral Liquid (MSL) on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with heart disease.

METHODSNinety patients with LVDD were randomly divided into the conventional treated group (Group A, treated by conventional treatment with western drugs of cardiotonic, diuretic, coronary dilator, etc.) and the Chinese drug treated group (Group B, treated by conventional treatment plus MSL 2 times a day, 100 ml each time), 45 in each group. After 4 months treatment, the total heart failure coefficient (HFC) and cardiac functions were re-determined.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in both groups, the HFC lowered significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the left ventricular peak velocity of early diastolic rapid filling (Emas) quickened, the left atrial systolic peak velocity (Amas) slowed down and Emas/Amas (E/A) enhanced, the isovolumetric relaxation time shortened. However, comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in either item, Group B was superior to Group A (P < 0.05). In the 62 patients with mixed heart failure, i.e. both systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle, Group B was superior to Group A in increasing ejection fraction, cardiac output and thickening rate of left ventricular posterior wall (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMSL could improve the heart function of patients with LVDD, and alleviate their clinical symptoms.

Aged ; Cardiac Output, Low ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Fluorescence ; Lipofuscin ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout

Objective To observe the state of endemic flurosis, construction and running status of water improvement projects in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment fluorosis. Methods Water samples of the diseased and nondiseased villeges were collected from east, west, south, north and centre of each villege in 2005, and fluoride concentration was determined for each surveyed village with unimproved-water. At the same time, all the tap water and source water samples were collected to determine fluoride concentration in each water-improved village surveyed. In 2008, all the endemic fluorosis villages in Guied county were divided into slight, medium and heavy types according to the water fluoride content before water improved, and 1,1,3 survey villages were chosen from each type. In all of the village children aged 8 to 12 years were tested for dental fluorosis by Dean method. Six copies of the urinary fluoride were sampled in different age groups. The fluorine content in water and urine was determined by F-ion selective electrode. The situation of clinical skeletal fluorosis of adults over 16 years of age was investigated, 20 adults (evenly divided between men and women) in the villages of medium and heavy types were examined by X-ray for skeletal fluorosis. Results In 3 village fluoride content of drinking water exceeded the national drinking water standards ( <1.0 mg/L) of 85 surveyed villages with improved-water. Among the 16 projects, 8 were intermittently running and 3 were retired, leaving only 31.25% of the projects active. Theprevalence of enamel fluorosis was 41.13%( 116/282), that of skeletal flurosis was 47.95%(969/2021) and that of X-ray checked was 20.73% (17/82). The median of urine fluoride was 1.06 mg/L and the scope was 0.20 - 9.44 mg/L.Conclusions Most of the improved-water projects do not normally supply water in the disease ward of Guide county. Therefore, there is an increasing trend of the disease, so further control measures are needed.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of chemically synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

METHODSChemically synthetic siRNA targeting CTGF was transfected into HSC T6 (an active HSC line in rats) by oligofectamine package, and untreated HSC T6 were used as control. Total RNA and protein of the cells, after their incubation with siRNA for 24, 48 and 72 hours, were extracted, and the supernatants were collected. The expressions of CTGF and type I and III collagen genes were detected by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or Western blot. Contents of hyaluronic acid and type III pro-collagen in the supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe expression of CTGF at mRNA and protein level and type I and III collagen at mRNA levels were markedly down-regulated in siRNA-transfected HSCs. The contents of hyaluronic acid and type III pro-collagen in the supernatants decreased by 46%+/-7%, 52%+/-7%, 53%+/-7% and 29%+/-18%, 29%+/-7%, 27%+/-5%, compared with those of the blank control at 24, 48 and 72 hours.

CONCLUSIONSChemically synthetic anti-CTGF siRNA can significantly inhibit CTGF gene expression in HSC, and markedly reduce the synthesis and secretion of ECM including type I and III collagen and hyaluronic acid. The siRNA-directed suppression of CTGF gene in HSC was maintained for 72 hours. This suggests that chemically synthetic siRNA may be a potential in preventing and treating liver fibrosis and may have a promising future for development

Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Gene Targeting ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze and compare the characteristics of musculoskeletal ultrasonography and X-ray of knee osteoarthritis, and to investigate the advantages of them.

METHODSAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 cases (66 knees) were collected from February 2015 to May 2015. Among them, there were 48 females and 9 males with an average age of (58.9 +/- 9.8) years old (ranged, 41 to 78 years old). The main symptoms included unilateral or bilateral knee pain and locked joints explicit areas of tender points. The mean course of disease was (13.6 +/- 3.0) months. The results of musculoskeletal ultrasound and X-ray examinations were analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to Kellgren-Lawrence classification of knee joint on the X-ray: the musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with I degree synovial hyperplasia in 9 cases, joint effusion in 20 cases, meniscal disease in 13 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 5 cases, and patellar lesion in 8 cases. The musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with III degree: synovial hyperplasia in 20 cases,joint effusion in 31 cases, meniscal disease in 22 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 16 cases and patellar lesion in 17 cases. The musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with III degree: synovial hyperplasia in 6 cases,joint effusion in 6 cases, meniscal disease in 7 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 7 cases and patellar lesion in 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONThe musculoskeletal ultrasound can detect the pathological changes of knee soft tissue sensitively, provide an accurate location of lesions,and find lesions early. The musculoskeletal ultrasound should be applicated in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Ultrasonography