OBJECTIVE: To explore the applications of imaging examination on rib fracture sites in forensic identification. METHODS: Features including the sites, numbers of the processed imaging examination and the first radiological technology at diagnosis in 56 cases of rib fractures from 163 injuries were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The detection rate of the rib fractures within 14 days was 65.6%. The initial detection rate of anterior rib fracture proceeded by X-ray was 76.2%, then 90.5% detected at a second time X-ray, while the detection rate of CT was 66.7% and 80.0%, respectively. The initial detec- tion rate of rib fracture in axillary section proceeded by X-ray was 27.6%, then 58.6% detected at a second time X-ray, while the detection rate of CT was 54.3% and 80.4%, respectively. The initial detection rate of posterior rib fracture proceeded by X-ray was 63.6%, then 81.8% detected at a second time X-ray, while the detection rate of CT was 50.0% and 70.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION It is important to pay attention to the use of combined imaging examinations and the follow-up results. In the cases of suspicious for rib fracture in axillary section, CT examination is suggested in such false X-ray negative cases.
Aged ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Forensic Medicine ; Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the effect of the exogenous fragile hisdidine triad(FHIT) gene on the proliferation and the apoptosis of cutaneous carcinoma cell line A431,and to explore the mechanism of tumor suppression by the FHIT gene.Methods The plasmids pcDNA3-FHIT and pcDNA3-vector were transfected into the cutaneous carcinoma cell line A431 without FHIT gene expression,and then the transfected cells were screened by G418 and the expression of FHIT was determined by the immunocytochemical staining technique.The effect of FHIT on the growth characteristics of cutaneous carcinoma cell line A431 was observed by MTT,colony forming test and flow cytometry.Results Stable FHIT gene expressing A431 cells were produced,the proliferation activity and colony forming capability of A431FHIT were suppressed,whereas the apoptosis was increased.All these differences between A431-FHIT cells and the two control groups of cutaneous carcinoma cells had statistical significance.Conclusion Transfecting the exogenous FHIT gene into cutaneous carcinoma cells line A431can suppress the proliferation of tumor cells,and can also induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Objective To conduct a pilot study on genome-wide in vivo protein-RNA interactions in E.coli.Methods Bacterial lysate was treated with RNase before the RNA fragments protected by proteins were extracted from treated lysate and used to construct cDNA library that was applied to high-throughput sequencing .Finally, the transcripts bound by proteins were obtained by bioinformatics analysis .Results A total of 3193 transcripts were obtained , including 2234 mRNAs, 47 sRNAs, 39 tRNAs, 11 rRNAs, and 862 intergenic regions .Conclusion Some information of transcripts interacting with proteins in E.coli is acquired , which will facilitate further studies of protein-RNA interactions .

Objective To study the human lymphangiogenesis in the early stage of embryo and the expression of forkhead box C2(FOXC2) in human lymphangiogenesis.Methods Lymphatic vessel endothelial haluronic acid receptor-1(LYVE-1) was used as the special marker of lymphatic vessels.Immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expressions of FOXC2 and LYVE-1 in lymphatic vessels of 85 human embryos of 5 to 11 weeks pregnancy and analyze the features of lymphatic vessel genesis and development.Results LYVE-1 was initially detected in lymphatic vessels in 7-week human embryos.The lymphatic vessel endothelial cells presented brown staining for LYVE-1 in jugular and thoracic region.LYVE-1 was also found to express in human embryonic mesentery lymphatic vessels on the 70th day of pregnancy.The expression of FOXC2 in human embryo was detected prior to that of LYVE-1.At the beginning of the 6th week of pregnancy,FOXC2 was obviously seen in human embryonic mesoderm mesenchyme.FOXC2 expressed not only in human embryonic lymphatic vessels,but also in the vertebral body,cardiovascular wall and other tissues.The expressions of FOXC2 and LYVE-1 were still seen in human embryonic lymphatic vessel endothelial cells after 80 days of pregnancy.Conclusion Lymphangiogenesis of human embryo begins between the 7th and 8th weeks of pregnancy.FOXC2 and LYVE-1 could have some relation with the human embryonic lymphatic vessel genesis and development.

The effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy were evaluated. One hundred and fifty Miichthys miiuy weighing approximately 200-260 g were divided into five groups and reared in 15 tanks with closed circuiting culture system. The animals were fed 5 diets: basal diet only (control) or supplemented of the basal diet with C. butyricum at doses of 10(3) (CB1), 10(5) (CB2), 10(7) (CB3) or 10(9) (CB4) CFU/g. Compared with the control, the serum phenoloxidase activity was significantly increased by the supplementation (P<0.05), acid phosphatases activity was increased significantly (P<0.05) at the doses of 10(9) CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 10(7) CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 10(9) CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 10(3) CFU/g (P<0.05). The growth at the dose of 10(9) CFU/g was higher than that of the control (P<0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of C. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.
Animal Feed ; microbiology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; physiology ; Clostridium butyricum ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; microbiology ; Fishes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

Objective To investigate the effect of gastrodin on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and its possible mechanisms.Methods Enzyme digestion method wasused to obtain rataorticVSMCs and be purified bypassage.Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify VSMC marker proteins.A PDGF-BB induced cell migration model was established.Transwell chamber assay was used to evaluate the effect of gastrodin on PDGF-BB induced VSMC migration.Western blots were performed to detect the phosphohorylation levels of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).Results The purity of primary cultured VSMC was more than 99％.The VSMC migrated number in the PDGF-BB group was 85.2 ± 3.486 per field.It was significantly more than 42.5 ± 1.927 per field in the control group (t =9.981,P＜0.001),and gastrodin was enable to make PDGF-BB induced the number of VSMC migration significantly reduce to 71.3 ± 1.783 per filed (t=3.550,P =0.002).Western blots analysis showed that gastrodin inhibited PDGF-BB induced JNK phosphorylation (0.190 ± 0.015 vs.0.190 ± 0.015; t =14.548,P =0.000).Conclusions Gastrodin inhibits PDGF-BB induced VSMC migration,its mechanisms may be associated with the inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway activation.

Objective To evaluate effects of ursolic acid (UA) on interleukin?33 (IL?33) expression in HaCaT cells induced by interferon?γ(IFN?γ), and to explore their mechanism. Methods Some HaCaT cells were treated with UA at different concentrations(0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80μmol/L)for 24, 48 and 72 hours separately. Then, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay was conducted to evaluate cell proliferative activity. A cell model of inflammation was established by culture of HaCaT cells with the presence of 200μg/L IFN?γ. Some HaCaT cells were classified into several groups to be treated with IFN?γ(200μg/L)and UA(10 and 15μmol/L)alone or in combination (firstly treated with IFN?γ followed by UA treatment), and those receiving no treatment served as the blank control group. Reverse transcription PCR (RT?PCR) was performed to detect mRNA expressions of IL?6 and IL?33, and Western?blot analysis to measure IL?33 protein expression after 12?hour culture. The expressions of extracelluar signal?regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and phosphorylated ERK1/2(p?ERK1/2)were also measured by Western?blot analysis after 5?and 60?minute treatments with IFN?γand UA alone or in combination. Results MTT assay showed that the treatments with 5-20μmol/L UA for 24 hours had no effects on cell proliferative activity, while 40-80μmol/L UA could significantly inhibit it at 24, 48 and 72 hours (all P < 0.05). Thus, 10 and 15 μmol/L were chosen as the concentrations of UA for further study. After the treatment with 200μg/L IFN?γ, there was a significant increase in the expressions of IL?33 mRNA(0.812 ± 0.036 vs. 0.412 ± 0.021), IL?6 mRNA(0.947 ± 0.091 vs. 0.595 ± 0.030)and IL?33 protein(1.317 ± 0.119 vs. 0.147 ± 0.036)in HaCaT cells compared with the blank control group(all P<0.05). Compared with the IFN?γgroup, the IFN?γ+10?μmol/L UA group and IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group both showed significantly decreased expressions of IL?33 mRNA(0.447 ± 0.042 and 0.438 ± 0.028 respectively, both P<0.05), IL?6 mRNA(0.437 ± 0.099 and 0.350 ± 0.075 respectively, both P<0.05)and IL?33 protein(0.923 ± 0.058 and 0.564 ± 0.113 respectively, both P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL?33 mRNA expression between the IFN?γ+10?or 15?μmol/L UA group and blank control group(P>0.05), while IL?33 protein expression was significantly lower in the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group than in the IFN?γ+10?μmol/L UA group(P<0.05). The p?ERK1/2 protein expression significantly increased in HaCaT cells treated with IFN?γ for 5 and 60 minutes compared with the blank control group, but significantly decreased in the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group compared with the IFN?γgroup(0.458 ± 0.053 vs. 0.941 ± 0.042 at 5 minutes, 0.302 ± 0.054 vs. 0.509 ± 0.032 at 60 minutes, both P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the total ERK1/2 protein expression between the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group and IFN?γgroup at 5 or 60 minutes. Conclusion UA can suppress IL?33 expression in HaCaT cells induced by IFN?γ, likely by regulating expressions of the ERK signaling pathway?related proteins.

Objective To improve the effect of clinical diagnosis and treatment of acetabular fracture with a femoral nerve injury by analyzing the causes of femoral nerve injury following acetabular fractures.Methods From January 1996 to November 2004,146 cases of acetabular fractures were treated operatively.Six cases of them were complicated with femoral nerve injury.The causes of femoral nerve injury were analyzed on the basis of clinical manifestations,CT scan and 3-dimensional reconstruc- tion.All the cases were classified according to Letournel and Judet classification.Three cases had hema- toma compression (2 cases with double column fractures and 1 with transverse-posterior wall fractures);2 cases had femoral nerve injury caused by fracture fragments (1 case with anterior wall fracture following anterior hip dislocation,the another with old fracture of anterior column combined with fracture of superior ramus of pubis);and one case had anterior column fracture combined with fracture of wing of ilium,and the femoral nerve was injured by traction in operation.Clearance of hematoma,nerve tract decompression and epineuria solution were performed in 5 cases,and 1 case was treated conservatively.Results The average follow-up period was 1.8 years(ranging from 1 to 3 years).The muscle power of quadriceps fem- oris recovered from 1-2 grade before operation to 4-5 grade after operation in 5 cases.The function of ex- tensor knee and gait was normal.The function of sensory completely recovered in 4 cases.One case was followed up for 2 years,which showed the patient still suffered from hypoesthesia in the lower 2/3 of the thigh and the medial of the leg.One ease of traction injury was followed up for 1.2 years,showing the muscle power recovered to normal,but still presented with sensory disability.Conclusion Acetabular fractures associated with femoral nerve injury are rare.For complex acetabular fractures and severe trau- ma,attention should be given to the possibility of femoral nerve injury.Fragment stabbing and compres- sion of hematoma around iliopsoas muscle are the common causes of femoral nerve injury following ace- tabular fractures.Iatrogenic injury should not be ignored.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT perfusion (CTP) for posterior circulation cerebral ischemia and hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction. Methods: CTP was performed in 184 patients with suspected posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke, and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of MRI was performed 24-72 hours after onset. According to the characteristics of various perfusion parameters, the perfusion defect area in CTP was divided into group Ⅰ (compensatory phase of cerebral circulation reserve), group Ⅱ (compensatory phase of cerebral metabolism reserve), group Ⅲ (hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction). The region of interest (ROI) in each perfusion defect area and the contralateral mirror perfusion normal area was delineated, and the mean values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time to peak (TTP) in the ROI were recorded. The perfusion parameters of normal brain tissue were included in group Ⅳ (normal control group). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the overall differences in CTP parameters measured in each group in each region, and the multiple comparisons were performed to assess statistical differences between the perfusion parameters of groups in all parts of the posterior circulation. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CTP in evaluating the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction in various parts of the posterior circulation were calculated by using DWI as a standard. Results: A total of 271 cerebral ischemia or cerebral infarction lesions were detected in 184 patients, 107 in group Ⅰ, 75 in group Ⅱ, and 89 in group Ⅲ. There were statistically significant differences in the perfusion parameters of each group and each part of the posterior circulation (P<0.01). The changes of rCBF and MTT in each territory were not significant between group I and group II, but the decrease of rCBF and the increase of MTT in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly different from those in group Ⅳ (P<0.05). The rCBF values of all the territories in group Ⅲ decreased significantly, and the differences between groupⅢ and groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05). The MTT value of group Ⅲ was significantly increased, and the differences between group Ⅲ and groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05), except for the difference between groups Ⅲ and Ⅱ in the blood supply area of P2 segment of posterior cerebral artery. rCBV values in cerebellum, pons and blood supply area of P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral arteries were not significantly different among group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, and group Ⅳ, but the rCBV values of group Ⅲ decreased significantly, and the differences with groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05). The decrease of rCBV and increase of TTP in midbrain and thalamus of group Ⅱ were significantly different from those in group Ⅰ (P<0.05), while the rCBV value and TTP value of group Ⅱ were not significantly different from those of group Ⅲ. The total sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CTP in the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation were 79.0%, 99.7% and 98.5%, respectively. Conclusions The CTP parameter maps can reflect the pathophysiological changes of the posterior circulation cerebral ischemia and the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction. CTP has adequate sensitivity and very high specificity and accuracy for the evaluation of posterior circulation cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bushen tiaochong recipe (BSTCR) on rats' ovarian granulosa cell (GC) proliferation, steroidogenesis and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression using serum pharmacological method.

METHODSRats' GCs were incubated with 10% blank serum (as negative control group), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-containing serum (S-FSH, as positive control group), or BSTCR (in different dosages) containing serum (S-BSTCR, as the BSTCR groups) for 48 h. 3H-TdR incorporation was then performed; DNA was measured to analyze the distribution of GCs in the cell cycle and their proliferation index (PI) using a flow cytometer; estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) content in the culture fluid were examined by radioimmunoassay; and levels of FSHR and IGF-1 mRNA expression in GCs were measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTSA dose-dependent increase of 3H-TdR incorporation in GC was shown in the BSTCR groups. Cells in G0/G1 phase had markedly less, while those in S phase had a significantly higher increase in the BSTCR groups compared with the negative control group. A high value of PI was also shown in the BSTCR groups, especially in the high dose group where the influence of cell proliferation was stronger than that in the positive control group. The levels of E2 and P in the BSTCR groups of all dosages were significantly higher than those in the negative control group, and did not show any significant difference compared with those in the positive control group. Levels of FSHR and IGF-1 mRNA expression in the BSTCR groups increased in a dose-dependent manner at levels higher than those in the negative control group.

CONCLUSIONS-BSTCR can obviously stimulate the proliferation and steroidogenesis of ovarian GCs. It is speculated that BSTCR could play a regulatory action on ovarian function through two different pathways of endocrine and autocrine by promoting FSHR and IGF-1 mRNA expression.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; metabolism ; Steroids ; biosynthesis ; Tritium