Objective To explore the value of energy spectrum CT in the diagnosis of breast cancer.Methods Thirty-two hospitalized patients whose American Colledge of Radiology (ACR) breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) scores were 4-5 by mammography received non-enhanced spectral CT scans.The spectrum images,spectrum curve,lesion's size,morphology were observed,and also the pectoralis major muscle and axillary lymph node metastasis were evaluated and compared with mammography.Results Thirty-two patients were confirmed by pathology,including 16 cases of invasive duct carcinomas,1 case of medullary carcinoma,15 cases of lobular carcinomas,and 11 cases of the pectoralis major muscle invaded,9 cases of the axillary lymph nodes metastasis.ACR BI-RADS scores 4 were 23 cases,5 were 9 cases.Axillary lymph node metastasis and primary tumor spectrum curves were basically the same.Energy spectrum CT showed the lesion's shape,size,the relationship with the pectoralis major muscle and axillary lymph node metastasis.In 40-70 keV spectrum curve breast cancer displayed a downward trend.There were no significant differences between energy spectrum CT and mammography for the lesion's shape,edge,internal calcification and thickening of adjacent skin (P ＞ 0.05).While energy spectrum CT exhibited obvious advantages in demonstrating the pectoralis major muscle invaded and axillary lymph node metastasis (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Energy spectrum CT imaging displays greater clinical value for diagnosing breast cancer,and it can provide multi-parameter image for supporting clinical practice.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the relationship between DNA repair gene XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms and individual susceptibility to prostate cancer. Methods PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to analyze the XRCC1 (C26304T and G28152A) and XPD A35931C polymorphisms in 358 prostate cancer patients and 312 healthy controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CD for estimating the correlation between different genotypes and prostate cancer risks. Results Forty-seven(13.1%) cases present XRCC1 28152AA genotype in prostate cancer group, while 24 cases in the control group (7. 1%), individuals with this genotype had a significantly increased risk for prostate cancer (OR 1. 924, 95%CI=1.126 - 3. 288, P=0. 017). There was no significant difference between two groups at XRCC1 C26304T and XPD A35931C sites. Combined analysis of the three sites polymorphisms showed that individuals with XRCC1 28152 AA and XPD 35931AC+CC genotype had a higher risk of prostate cancer than those with three wild genotypes (OR = 3. 087,95%CI 1. 081 - 8.813;OR = 3. 376,95%CI 1.067-10.683;OR 3. 216,95%CI=1. 439-7.188,P = 0. 004). Analysis stratified by age of onset, PSA, Gleason score and T stage revealed that XRCC1 28152AA and XPD 35931 AC+CC high-risk genotype was especially associated with early age at onset of prostate cancer (P<0. 05). Conclusions The XRCC1 and XPD genotypes may be contributed to the risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly for younger patients.

The structure and 5-HT immunoreactivity in the brain and suboesophageal ganglion of three beetles, Ambrostoma quadriimpressum, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata and Oxycetonia jucunda, were first studied by means of colophony-paraffin embedding serial section technique and strepteavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the brains of these three taxonomically closely related beetles were remarkably different in composition and size. Mushroom bodies and antennal lobes in Oxycetonia jucunda were conspicuous. Calyces and lobes of the mushroom bodies.were much developed. In contrast, calyces of Ambrostoma quadriimpressum and Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata were extremely undeveloped. However, the postretinal fibres and circumpharyngeal nerves of Ambrostoma quadriimpressum were highly developed. In the three beetles, 5-HT immunoreactivity was present in all neuropils of the brain and the suboesophageal ganglion. The pattern of 5-HT immunoreactivity and the localization of immunoreactive somata which often clustered into groups were similar among these beetles, while the immunoreactivity intensity was distinct, especially in the lamina. The results suggest that the three beetles have given rise to adaptive radiation under the evolutionary pressure because of the long-term different life styles and living environments in which the taxonomic status of Ambrostoma quadriimpressum is relatively low. The similarity of the pattern of 5-HT immunoreactivity and localization of some positive somata among the three beetles raise the possibility that 5-HT seemes to serve similar physiological function in different insects. Furthermore, 5-HT might be involved in modulating the ingestion by regulating muscular activity and visual sensitivity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the brain-protective and anti-aging effects and the mechanism of action of Tiangui Gengnian Soft Capsule (TGSC), a Chinese herbal preparation composed of sea buckthorn fatty acids.

METHODSSixteen-month-old female rats were administered via gastric perfusion with low, medium and high doses (0.72 g/kg, 1.80 g/kg and 4.5 g/kg) of TGSC for 180 days. The 3-month and 22-month old rats were taken as controls. Expression of estrogen receptor beta(ERbeta), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the brain of rats were observed and analyzed using immunohistochemical technique, and changes in the number of neurons and glial cells were counted with Nissl's staining.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry showed the number of ERbeta- and TH-positive neurons in the hypothalamus was significantly higher (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), G-CSF-positive astrocyte stain was much weaker (P < 0.01) and the expression of VEGF-positive cerebral vessel was stronger (P < 0.05) in the TGSC treated groups than those in the control. Nissl's staining showed no significant difference in the number of neurons and glial cells among groups.

CONCLUSIONTGSC could up-regulate the expressions of ERbeta, TH and VEGF in the brain of aged female rats, modulate the responsibility of astrocyte and its G-CSF expression, suggesting that TGSC may have certain neuro-protective and anti-aging effects.

Aging ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippophae ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on the expression of rat myocardium matris metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and relationship between its expression and interstitium and the effect on left ventricular function.

METHODSTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) group and ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) group. The left ventricular peak systolic pressure and its derivate (+/- dp/dt) were calculated; The amount of myocardium collagenous were determined; The vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were detected; The activity of myocardium MMP-2 was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with I/R group, IPTC could lower the expression of MMP-2, ameliorate left ventricular function and increase the content of myocardium collagenous. In the meantime, the vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of plasma were greatly enhanced and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of plasma were reduced in IFC group.

CONCLUSIONProtective effect of IPIC on myocardium may be due to reduce free radical, lower expression of MMP-2 and protect myocardial interstitium. MMPs plays an important role in the myocardial protection provided by IPTC.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

The triterpenoids of Dichrocephala benthamii were investigated by means of silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Nine triterpenoids were isolated from D. benthamii. By analysis of the EI-MS, NMR spectra and comparison to the data reported in literatures, the structures of these compounds were determined as β-amyrin formiate (1), β-amyrin acetate (2), β-amyrenol (3), β-amyrone (4), 3β-hydroxy-olean-11, 13 (18)-diene (5) , Δ12-oleanene (6) , friedelin (7), dammaradienyl acetate (8), epi-friedeband (9), respectively. Compounds 1-8 were isolated for the first time form this genus, compound 9 was isolated for the first time from this plant, whereas β-amyrin formiate (1) was a new natural product.
Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the root of Paeonia sinjiangensis.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and their physical-chemical constants.

RESULTFive compounds, paeoniflorin( I ), albiflorin (II), lactiflorin(III), daucosterol(IV), sucrose (V), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONAll of the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Benzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To establish a quick,economical and reproducible method for high-quality RNA extraction from pancreas.Methods We utilized TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen to isolate total RNA from the rat pancreas.The RNA quality was determined by detection of its content and optic density(A) at 260/280nm,and electrophoresis in 1% non-denatured agarose gel.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to detect expression of the pancreas-specific genes.Results The content of the total RNA extracted from the rat pancreas reached 3-6?g/mg pancreatic tissues,and A260/280 ratio was 1.75-1.89.Electrophoresis of the total RNA showed 28S and 18S rRNA bands with clear smear between them.The RT-PCR products of pancreas-specific genes including insulin 1,glucagon,?-amylase and housekeeping gene ?-actin all exhibited clear bands on 1% agarose gel,which were located in the expected positions,respectively.Conclusion These results suggest that we have successfully isolated the high-quality and intact RNA from the rat pancreas with TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen.The extracted total RNA can be used in RT-PCR for pancreatic gene expression.