OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the layers and vascular structures of the soft tissue (including the skin) in the inferior part of external nose (nasal inferior portion) for providing the essential morphological data used for the correction of the bulbous nose and the tip of nose with thick skin.

METHODSUnder a light microscope, the density of microangium (vascular area/frame area) in each layer was measured with an image analyzer.

RESULTSThe stained soft tissue in the nasal inferior portion could be definitely divided into 5 layers: epidermis, dermis, superficial fascia, fibromuscular layer and perichondrium. According to the density of microangium, the sequence of these layers was: perichondrium, reticular layer, fibromuscular layer, sub-papillary layer, superficial fascia and papillary layer.

CONCLUSIONSThe soft tissue in the nasal inferior portion consists of 5 layers, which is similar to the structure of the face and neck. Both the total thickness of these 5 layers and the thickness of the dermis are much thicker than those of the Caucasus', and suit to rhinoplasty for bulbous nose According to the results of vascular density analysis, the skin thinning procedure in the rhinoplasty for bulbous nose should start from the superficial fascia firstly, then the fibromuscular layer.

Adult ; Humans ; Nose ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the adenosine derivative N6-(3-hydroxylaniline) adenosine (WS070117M1) on cigarette smoke plus LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mice and its mechanism. COPD model was established by exposing male BALB/c mice to cigarette smoke and challenged with LPS inhalation. Supernatants of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested and IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β1 levels were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay). The number of total white blood cells and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was counted separately. Lung tissue was stained with Mayer 's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. pAMPKa protein expression and distribution of lung tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry method. In vitro, levels of AMPKα phosphorylation in phorbol-12- myristate-13-acetate (PMA) differentiated THP-1 cells was detected by immunohistochemistry, IL-8 level in supernatants of cigarette smoke condensate stimulating PMA differentiated THP-1 cells was measured by ELISA. The results showed that WS070117M1 treatment significantly activated AMPKa in the lung tissue. It also resulted in down regulation of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and IL-8 level in cigarette smoke condensate stimulating PMA differentiated THP-1 cells. In addition, WS070117M1 could inhibit the recruitment of total white blood cells and neutrophils. These results suggest that WS070117M1 may alleviate the airway inflammation by activating AMPK in the lung tissue.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Count ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Tobacco ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify proteins in the seminal plasma of healthy fertile men.

METHODSThree seminal plasma samples were collected from healthy fertile volunteers by Percoll isolation, and then the balanced mixture of the seminal plasma was separated by SDS-PAGE. The proteins in the gel band underwent enzymoloysis, and was extracted and identified by shotgun proteomic strategy.

RESULTSA total of 331 proteins were identified, with the molecular weight (MW) ranging from 8 000 to 572 068 and the isoelectric point (pI) from 4.36 to 11.05. Based on the molecular function and biological process of the proteins, 51 (15.4%) were classified as transport proteins, 11 (3.32%) as cell movement proteins, 63 (19.03%) as signal transduction proteins, 147 (44.4%) as proteases, 38 (11.5%) as enzyme regulator proteins, 21 (6.3%) as programmed cell death proteins, 12 (3.62%) as structural proteins and 59 (17.8%) as proteins with unknown molecular function.

CONCLUSIONShotgun proteomic strategy is a good method for protein identification. Annexin A, Annexin-associated proteins and the Ras-related protein Rab were the major members of the signal transducer proteins identified. Ca2+ and G protein signal pathways may play a most important role in the extracellular signal transduction into cells, but the interactions between these proteins remain unknown. The great quantity of enzymes and enzyme regulator proteins identified in the seminal plasma may be closely related with the maintenance of sperm motility and metabolism.

Adult ; Fertility ; Humans ; Male ; Proteomics ; methods ; Semen ; chemistry ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; isolation & purification ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo identify asthenozoospermia-associated proteins in seminal plasma by the shotgun proteomic strategy.

METHODSSix seminal plasma samples were collected by Percoll respectively from healthy fertile and asthenozoospermia volunteers, balanced, mixed, and then the mixture was separated by SDS-PAGE. The proteins in the gel were enzymolyzed, extracted and identified by the shotgun proteomic strategy. The identified proteins with the unique peptide count > or =2 or the unique peptide count=1 but the total count > or =4 were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSA total of 172 differential proteins were identified, of which, 89 were exclusively from the asthenozoospermia and 83 exclusively from the healthy fertile men. According to the molecular function, these differential proteins were mainly the types of signal transduction and catalytic activity.

CONCLUSIONFunctionally, 10 of the proteins are particularly important, which include annexin VI isoform 2, isoform 1 of interleukin-6 receptor subunit beta precursor, Mr 400,000 protein, cytosolic dynein heavy chain, alpha-actinin-4, receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase eta precursor, vitamin D-binding protein precursor, protein S100-A11, protein S100-A9 and ANXA4.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; physiopathology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Male ; Proteomics ; Semen ; chemistry ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; isolation & purification ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate synergistic killing effect of anti-human DR5 (death receptor 5 of TRAIL) monoclonal antibody (mDRA-6) and adriamycin(Adr) on HL-60 cells.

METHODSmDRA-6 was prepared by immunizing BALB/c mice with DR5 protein. DR5 expression on Adr-treated HL-60 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic changes of HL-60 cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 and Adr on HL-60 cells were measured by MTT analysis. DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSAdr induce DR5 expression on HL-60 cells. Cell budding, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation were observed in HL-60 cells treated by mDRA-6 and Adr. Death and apoptosis of these cells and DNA ladder were exhibited on agarose gel electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONmDRA-6 and Adr have synergistic killing effect on HL-60 cells.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo identify differential proteins in the seminal plasma of healthy fertile men and non-obstructive azoospermia patients by the shotgun proteomic strategy.

METHODSSix seminal plasma samples from 3 healthy fertile and 3 non-obstructive azoospermia volunteers were collected by Percoll isolation, balanced-mixed, and followed by separation of the mixture by SDS-PAGE. The proteins were subjected to in-gel enzymolysis and isolation of peptide fragments, and then identified by the shotgun proteomic strategy. Then comparative analyses were made between the two groups on the identified proteins with the unique peptide count > or = 2 and = 1 but with the peptide count > or = 4.

RESULTSA total of 213 differential proteins were identified, 133 in the non-obstructive azoospermia patients and 80 in the healthy fertile men. According to the molecular function, these differential proteins mainly fell into the types of signal transduction, cytoskeleton and catalytic activity, especially oxidoreductase activity in the latter type. Eighteen of the differential proteins were found to be of particular significance, including dynein heavy chain, fatty acid synthase, and tubulin alpha-6 chain.

CONCLUSIONThe differential proteins identified in this study were many in number and various in function, which not only demonstrated the value of the shotgun proteomic strategy in protein identification, but also suggested the complicated pathogenesis and varied types of non-obstructive azoospermia. The samples must be selected strictly based on their gene and histological types. Non-obstructive azoospermia was shown to be related with the M phase of the mitotic cell cycle at the protein level, but its specific mechanism remains unknown.

Azoospermia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(1-40)) and the protective effect of panoxadiol.

METHODSThe Abeta(1-40) induced damage of primarily cultured mouse cortical neurons was examined with morphological observation, MTT assay, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and Western-blot.

RESULTAfter 48 h treated with 12 mumol/L Abeta(1-40), the cortical neurons showed apoptotic characteristics: including decreased OD570 value in MTT assay, DNA cleavage fragment in electrophoresis and increased apoptotic cells. Western-blot showed that the expression of bcl-2 reduced significantly (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis was significantly attenuated in 40 mg/L panoxadiol treated group.

CONCLUSIONPanoxadiol can protect cultured cortical neurons from apoptosis induced by Abeta(1-40) in mice.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fetus ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurons ; cytology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

·AIM: To investigate the effects of astragalus injection on the metabolic and pathological changes of the retinal free radical metabolism and pathology in high-altitude hypoxic rats. ·METHODS: Sixty healthy SD rats without any eye disease were selected,and the random grouping method was divided into two groups: astragalus injection group (intervention group) and physiological saline group (control group),each group of 30 rats. In each group,6 were randomly selected for injection of astragalus injection (15mL/kg) and physiological saline (15mL/kg) in the pre-simulated chamber. The rats were sacrificed immediately and removed the eyeballs after the rats were taken out of the simulated module. We observed the changes of retinal morphology with the HE staining method, and determine the retinal SOD and MDA content with colorimetry. · RESULTS: HE staining showed no morphological changes in the two groups of retinas at 2h, and as the time of hypoxia was prolonged, the retinal edema gradually increased,but the intervention group was less edema than the control group. The activity of SOD in both groups decreased with the increase of anoxia time of high altitude, and the comparison of different time points in the group was statistically significant(P<0.05). The content of MDA in both groups increased gradually, and the comparison between different time points in the group was statistically significant (P<0.05). The SOD in the two groups of retinas was significantly different at same time point(P<0. 05), except for at 2h without statistical significance. The MDA showed the same situation as SOD. ·CONCLUSION: Astragalus injection can reduce the damage degree of retinopathy in rats under the high altitude hypoxia environment, that the mechanism may be related to free radicals, enhance the activity of SOD, reduce the MDA content of lipid peroxides,and enhance antioxidant capacity.

ObjectiveTo observe the morphological changes of bone in the progress of chronic fluorosis.MethodsWistar rats were randomly divided into three groups,30 rats in each group:normal control group,experimental group Ⅰ and experimental group Ⅱ according to body weight.Rats in normal control group drank distilled water freely.Experimental group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ drunk distilled water with sodium fluoride preparation of fluorine containing ion 100,150 mg/L solution for six months,respectively.Bone mineral density was detected by X-ray,bone morphological changes were observed under light microscope and bone histomorphometric parameters were calculated using image analysis software.ResultsThe bone mineral density values were different statistically between the three groups after feeding for 2 and 4 months(F =19.79,3.28,all P ＜ 0.05).However no significant difference was found after feeding for 6 months(F =1.80,P ＞ 0.05).The bone mineral density of experimental group Ⅰ (0.20 ± 0.03,0.21 ± 0.03) was significantly higher than that of the normal control group(0.17 ± 0.03,0.20 ± 0.04) after feeding for 2 and 4 months.The bone mineral density of experimental group Ⅱ (0.21 ± 0.02) was lower than that of normal control group(0.22 ± 0.03) after feeding for 6 months.The bone lamella in experimental group Ⅰ was arranged disorderly,the number of osteocytes increased with their nucleus atrophy and the osteoblasts were more than that of control grouo which arranged in layers observed under light microscooy.In exoerimental group Ⅱ,the bone lamella was bent deformation,the number of osteocytes had decreased with their nucleus shrinking or even disappeared and the number of osteoclasts had increased significantly observed under light microscopy.In experimental group Ⅰ,the mean trabecular density [(0.33 ± 0.03)％] increased and the mean trabecular separation,thickness [( 163.57 ± 1.99),(59.26 ± 7.18 ) μm] decreased compared with that of normal control group [(0.31 ± 0.02)％,(186.60 ± 2.90)μm,(86.42 ± 1.48)μm,all P ＜ 0.05].In experimental group Ⅱ,the mean trabecular density[(0.26 ± 0.02)％] decreased,the mean trabecular thickness[(71.42 ± 10.77)μm] reduced compared with that of normal control group[(0.31 ± 0.02)％,(86.42 ± 1.48)μm].ConclusionsExcess fluoride can damage bone tissue.Low doses of fluoride can stimulate osteoblast activity and enhance osteogenesis.The activity of osteoblasts is great than that of osteoclasts.High doses of fluoride can stimulate both osteoblasts and osteoclasts activity,but mainly the activity of osteoclasts,and bone resorption increases.