Objective To determine the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD), and to determine the effect of butylphthalide on them and its significance. Methods Sixty male adult rats were randomly divided into a model group, a Butylphthalide group, and a control group. AD models were established by injecting β-amyloid protein 1-42 into the hippocampus of rats. Sixty days later,the rats were sacrificed and both sides of the hippocampus were sectioned for immunohistochemistry. Results Positive cells of GFAP in the hippocampus of the model group increased and the expression of VEGF decreased statistically, compared with the control group(P<0.01). The positive cells of GFAP in the hippocampus of the butylphthalide group decreased and the expression of VEGF increased significantly, compared with the model group(P<0.05). Conclusion Butylphthalide may protect the neuron-vascular unit of the hippocampus of Alzheimer model rats by inhibiting the expression of GFAP and increasing the expression of VEGF.

Objective To evaluate cerebral parenchymal atrophy of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD)through the compara-tive analysis of the volume and morphology of the brain ventricle between patients with AD and normal elderly.Methods 20 patients with AD and 20 normal elderly people were scanned at 3.0T MR,and lateral ventricle section images were achieved,and the lateral ventricle volume and the anterior horn,posterior horn and temporal horn of the lateral ventricle were calculated by analyzing the re-construction of section images with MIMICS software from Belgian.Results As compared with normal elderly group,the patients with AD exhibited significantly increased the volume of left ventricular volume(LV),right ventricular volume (RV)and total vol-ume (TV)(P<0.05).Angle of bilateral anterior horn and temporal horn but not posterior horn of the lateral ventricle in patients with AD were significantly higher than that in normal elderly (P<0.05).The volume of the left,right and total cerebral ventricle, the angle of the anterior horn of the left and right lateral ventricle and the angle of the temporal horn of the left and right lateral ven-tricle were negatively correlated with MMSE (P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with AD exhibites significantly greater volume and an-gle of the lateral ventricular than normal elderly people.These related data measured can predict brain parenchymal atrophy of pa-tients with AD more conveniently and accurately.

Objective To detecte the expression of COX-2,VEGF-C and lymphatic vessel density (LVD)in pancreatic cancerous and paracancerous tissues,and investigate their correlation.Methods The expression of COX-2.VEGF-C and LVD in 40 cases of pancreatic cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues and 12 cases of normal pancreas was detected by tissue chip and immunohistochemical assays,and the relationship between them and the cljnicopathological parameters was analyzed. Results The expression of COX-2,VEGF-C in pancreatic cancer tissues were 70.0%(28/40)and 67.5%(27/40),respectively,which were significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues(42.5%,17/40)and(35.0%,14/40),and that in normal pancreas(8.3%,1/12)and(25.0%,3/12).The LVD in pancreatic cancerous,paracancerous and normal pancreatic tissues were 4.75±2.77,15.2 ±4.70 and 1.67±1.15,respectively.The expression of COX-2 in cancerous tissues and LVD in paracancerous tissues was correlated with tumor differentiation and lymph metastasis;the expression of VEGF-C Was correlated with lymph metastasis.LVD in paracancerous tissues was correlated with the expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C.Conclusions Pancreatic cancer lymphangiogenesis mainly existed in paracancerous tissues,COX-2 and VEGF-C may play an important role in the lymphangiogenesis.

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between the mutation of Leu60Val in HBV core region and the cellular immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSHBV DNA C gene mutation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing the products directly. The cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2) levels in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe mutation of Leu60Val was found in 19 out of the 91 CHB patients. With the CHB severity, the mutation rate was getting higher, especially in the severe hepatitis group. The IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels were much higher in mutant strain group than those in wild strain group (t=2.584, 4.766, P<0.01), so was the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ (t=2.275, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mutant strain of 60Val may increase affinity to HLA-I molecule, or up-regulate the expression of HLA-I molecule, resulting in the activation of CTL to release the cytokines and cause immune response in liver.

Adult ; Aged ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; virology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. HGC-27 cells were employed to construct the stable GPR34 knockdown cell model in this study. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to validate the effect of short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) on the expression of GPR34 in HGC-27 gastric cells. The proliferation, migration of these cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell. We also measured expression profile of PI3K/PDK1/AKT and ERK using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe ShRNA directed against GPR34 effectively inhibited both endogenous mRNA and protein expression levels of GPR34, and significantly down-regulated the expression of PIK3CB (P < 0.01), PIK3CD (P < 0.01), PDK1 (P < 0.01), phosphorylation of PDK1 (P < 0.01), Akt (P < 0.01), and ERK (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GPR34 knockdown resulted in an obvious reduction in HGC-27 cancer cell proliferation and migration activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGPR34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro and provides a potential implication for therapy of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Lysophospholipid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the genetic and environmental influences on the somatotype of children and adolescents, and the effects of sex and age.

METHODSThe components of somatotype were calculated by using Heather-Cater method in a total of 376 twin pairs of Han nationality, including 245 monozygotic (MZ) and 131 like-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs aged 6 to 18 years. Model-fitting method by Mx package was performed to evaluate the proportion of variance components and to analyze the effects of sex and age on each component of somatotype using the adjusted data for other two somatotype components. The heritability of each component in different development periods divided by growth spurt was also evaluated.

RESULTSThe estimated heritabilities of endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic components were 0.45, 0.80, 0.44 in boys, 0.82, 0.79 and 0.81 in girls respectively after adjusting age. In boys, the heritability of endomorphic component during late puberty was significantly higher than that during pre-puberty (t = 4.99, P < 0.01) and puberty (t = 6.16, P < 0.01), while the heritability of ectomorphic component during late puberty was significantly lower than that during pre-puberty (t = 3.35, P < 0.01) and puberty (t = 4.12, P < 0.01). In girls, the heritability of endomorphic (t = 2.77, P < 0.01) or mesomorphic (t = 2.08, P < 0.05) component during pre-puberty was significantly higher than that in early puberty.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic influence on somatotype of girls should be much more than that of boys, especially on the endomorphic and ectomorphic components. For boys, the mesomorphic component is mainly determined by genetic factors, but the other components are mainly affected by environmental ones. The effects of the development periods on the heritability of somatotype should be paid much attention to.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Somatotypes ; genetics ; Twins ; genetics ; Twins, Dizygotic ; genetics ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHX) on the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system of rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its possible action mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred 3- month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (control, castrated, BPH model, and BSHX). BPH models were made by subcutaneous injection of testosterone following castration; the rats in the BSHX group were treated intragastrically with BSHX at 2.34 g/ml after modeling, while those in the other two groups with equal volume of saline, all for 37 days. On the 38th day, all the rats were sacrificed and their prostates harvested for detection of the distribution of TGF-beta1 and alpha-actin and the count of positive cells in the prostatic ductal system by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased in the rats of the BSHX group as compared with the BPH models in both the proximal prostatic duct ([15.28 +/- 4.30]% vs [36.42 +/- 8.10]%, P < 0.01) and the distal prostatic duct ([4.42 +/- 2.07]% vs [8.71 +/- 2.28 ]%, P < 0.05), while the expression of alpha-actin in the proximal duct was remarkably higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the models ([28.14 +/- 7.43]% vs [18.28 +/- 4.07]%, P < 0.01), but lower than in the control animals ([33.57 +/- 6.85]%, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the BPH models and BSHX-treated rats both exhibited markedly decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells in the proximal prostatic duct ([39.42 +/- 9.20]% vs [3.86 +/- 1.34]%, P < 0.01, and [31.14 +/- 5.64]%, P < 0.01) and distal prostatic duct ([17.60 +/- 4.86]% vs [3.07 +/- 1.14]%, P < 0.01, and [12.37 +/- 2.25]%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was significantly higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the BPH models (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the expression of TGF-beta, BSHX can suppress the reduction of smooth muscle cells in the proximal prostatic duct, promote the apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells, and thus effectively inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of magnetic Twin-block appliance in the treatment of skeletal class II cases.

METHODSThe magnetic Twin-block appliance was embedded with two pairs of neodymium-iron-boron (Nd(2)Fe(14)B) rare earth permanent magnets in the upper and lower inclined planes of Twin-block appliance. The sample comprised of 13 skeletal class II patients in the late mixed or early permanent dentition treated by magnetic Twin-block appliance. Cephalometric films were taken before and after treatment. Helix CT images of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in all patients were examined before treatment (T1), during treatment (4 months after appliance placement, T2), after treatment (T3) and one year after treatment (T4).

RESULTSA double contour image was detected in the superior posterior part of the condylar head on the pseudo-sagittal reconstruction plane pictures of T2 in 11 patients. The double contour image could be observed in most patients as well. This image also exhibited on the pictures of T3 in several patients. On the pictures of T2 and T3 in some patients, interruption of cortical bone and "bifurcation phenomenon" of condyles were shown. Pictures of T1 and T4 were similar and no signs of remodeling of TMJ were observed. Cephalometric analysis revealed significant changes in the maxillofacial structure after treatment. The profile of patients improved.

CONCLUSIONSBone remodeling of condyle occurred during the magnetic Twin-block treatment in class II patients. Magnetic Twin-block appliance was effective in the treatment of the growing skeletal class II patients.

Adolescent ; Bone Remodeling ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Mandibular Condyle ; physiopathology ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo determine the effective dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) for clearing maternally-transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) from a newborn.

METHODSFull-term neonates born to HBV-infected mothers were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in venous blood, Individuals with positive results within two hours after birth were selected for study, and divided among two treatment groups: research group receiving HBIG continually adjusted to quantitative levels of neonatal HBsAg and HBV DNA levels; control group receiving standard HBIG 200IU dose. All neonates were also treated with 10 micrograms of recombinant vaccine. The decreases in HBsAg and HBV DNA over 12 months were comparatively analyzed between the two treatment groups.

RESULTSThe two treatment groups (HBIG adjusted vs. standard) were statistically similar in Apgar score (9.38+/-0.49 vs. 9.37+/-0.48), neonate body weight (3458.67+/-374.93 vs. 3558.61+/-322.85 g), maternal age (26.33+/-3.63 vs. 25.33+/-3.03), and initial HBsAg and HBV DNA levels (rank sum test Z = 1.381, and Z = 0.700, respectively) (all, P more than 0.05). Successful clearance of HBV infection within 12 months was achieved in significantly more neonates in the HBIG adjusted therapy group than in the standard therapy group (82.8% vs. 57.4%; x2 = 9.696, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdjusting the neonatal HBIG dose according to HBsAg and HBV DNA levels can improve the success rate of clearing maternally-transmitted HBV.

DNA, Viral ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glucuronidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology