Objective: To investigate the relationship of involvement area with the clinical, endoscopic and pathological characteristics of ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical, endoscopic and pathological data of 75 patients with UC, including 17(22.67%) with distal colitis,27(36%) with left-sided colitis and 31(41.33%) with extensive colitis/pancolitis. Results: No differences were found in the gender and age of onset between different groups. The incidences of main clinical manifestations and complications increased with the increase of the UC involvement, with significant difference found in the incidences of anemia, hypoproteinemia and extraintestinal manifestations between different groups (P<0.05). Positive correlation was found between the UC involvement with the UC severity (r=0.418, P<0.001) and disease activity under endoscopy (r=0.239, P=0.039). The incidence of atypical hyperplasia of enteric epithelium in extensive colitis/pancolitis group was significantly higher than those in the other 2 groups (both P<0.05). Conclusion: The UC involvement is related to the clinical, endoscopic and pathological characteristics of UC; the involvement is positively correlated with the clinical severity and disease activity of UC under coloscopy.

Objective:To explore the histogenesis and differentiation of dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Methods: Clinical information and microscopic characteristics of 26 cases of DF and 26 cases of DFSP were investigated. The immunohistochemical study was performed on microarray sections by a panel of antibodies including FactorⅩⅢa, HLA-DR, CD34, CD14, S-100, MSA, and Ki67. Probe was labeled by in vitro transcription. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-? and bFGF were investigated by in situ hybridization. Results: All cases showed positive for Factor ⅩⅢa,HLA-DR and CD34 to different extent. The medians of positive rates in DF were FactorⅩⅢa 90%, HLA-DR 70%, and CD34 5%, and in DFSP were FactorⅩⅢa 10%, HLA-DR 5%, and CD34 80%. CD14 was positive in 3 cases of DF and 1 case of DFSP. S-100 was positive in 6 cases of DFSP and 2 cases of DF. MSA was positive in 5 cases of DFSP and 3 cases of DF. In all cases, positive rate of Ki67 was less than 5%. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-? was elevated in DF in comparison with DFSP. Conclusion: Both DF and DFSP can differentiate to dendritic cells (DC) in different degree. Considering the character of microscopic features and immunohistochemical phenotype, cells of DF are much similar to mature DC, while those of DFSP much similar to immature dermal reserve cell (DRC). The differences of cell differentiation between DF and DFSP result in different prognosis. DF is a benign tumor, while DFSP a low grade malignant tumor. The different expression of FactorⅩⅢa and CD34 may be helpful to differential diagnosis of DF and DFSP.

Objective:Since malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) may be taken as an undifferentia-ted pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), this study was conducted to reassess 33 previously diagnosed MFH cases in the past 10 years based on the latest WHO concept. And then to search for the clinicopathological features, probably tumorigenesis, and the line of differentiation of the remaining MFH/UPS cases.Methods: Thirty-three cases in tissue microarray were studied by immunohistochemistry with panels of neurogenic, myogenic, and lipogenic antibodies. Three expertise pathologists reevaluated the slides separately. Results: Among the 33 cases, 17 cases (51.5%) of MFH had their diagnoses changed, including 5 leiomyosarcomas, 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, 1 fibrosarcoma, 1 inflammatory myofibrosarcoma, 1 giant cell tumor and 1 angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. The remaining 16 cases (48.5%) were finally diagnosed as MFH/UPS, among which patients were mainly old adults (median age: 63 years; range: 38 to 76 years). The median tumor size was 6.0 cm (range: 3.0 to 14.0 cm), 8 cases (50%) located in lower limb and 5 cases (31.3%) located in thigh. These tumors had marked cytological and nuclear pleomorphism. Immunohistochemistry showed that Vimentin was strongly positive in all 16 MFH/UPS (100%), Muscle-specific actin was variously positive in 8 cases (50%) and 1 case focally expressed Desmin. Eleven cases (68.8%) variously expressed CD68 (KP1) and 7 cases (43.8%) expressed CD68 (PG-M1), which were much higher than leiomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and liposarcoma with significant difference. Moreover, Ki67 expression rates were from 10% to 100%, including 14 cases more than 50% and 11 cases more than 70%. However, only 2 cases (12.5%) showed P53 positive. Conclusion: MFH/UPS often show marked histological pleomorphism, and the diagnosis must be made by exclusion of other definitive sarcomas, especially myogenic and neurogenic sarcoma. Only Vimentin was always expressed in MFH/UPS, while some of the tumors were positive for myogenic antigen and CD68. It was suggested that MFH/UPS might arise from primary mesenchymal cells, and some cases exhibited fibroblastic and/or myofibroblastic features. In addition, histiocytic phenotypic marker did have more expression in MFH/UPS than in other sarcomas. MFH/UPS still had certain clinicopathological characteristics.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Microglia ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of essential trace elements selenium, zinc, copper, iron,cobalt, chromium and molybdenum upon arsenic poisoning caused by coal-burning. Methods Stratified random sampling method was used to conduct epidemiological investigation on 139 arsenic exposed residents(including nonpatient, light, moderate and severe patients) in an area polluted by coal-burning arsenic in Xingren county of Guizhou province as exposure group. Control group included 34 residents who lived about 13 km away from the endemic area of arsenic contamination. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to analyze arsenic, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum in coal, soil, rice,corn, chilli, hair, blood and urine. Results Arsenic content in coal, soil, corn and chilli of polluted area were 4.894,146.551,0.522,1.440 mg/kg, respectively. These arsenic content were significantly higher than those in control area which were 1.980,50.167,0.296,0.948 mg/kg, respectively(P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01) . The content of selenium in soil of the diseased area(5.038 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that in soil of control area(8.948 mg/kg, P ＜0.05). The content of copper, iron, chromium in soil and iron in corn were 44.114,5731.500,98.323,89.996 mg/kg, respectively. These elements content were significantly higher than those in control area which were 13.473,1298.430,36.839,57.391 mg/kg, respectively (all P ＜ 0.05) . Hair and urine arsenic levels were 1.985mg/kg and 149.593 μg/g Cr in exposed group, respectively. These arsenic levels were significantly higher than those in control group which were 0.670 mg/kg and 49.853 μg/g Cr, respectively(all P ＜ 0.01) . Hair selenium level in exposed group(1.706 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that in control group(2.405 mg/kg, P ＜ 0.01). Hair levels of iron and chromium, blood level of eopper and the ratio between copper and zinc in exposed group were 88.295,8.933 mg/kg, 1.053 mg/L and 0.074, respectively. These element levels and elements ratio were significantly higher than those in control group which were 47.970,4.099 mg/kg, 0.934 mg/L and 0.065, respectively(P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05). Hair selenium level was negatively correlated with the progression of arsenism(r = - 0.414, P ＜ 0.01) .Hair levels of iron and chromium, the ratio between copper and zinc in blood were positively correlated with the progression of arsenism(r = 0.271,0.261,0.250, all P ＜ 0.01) . Conclusions Low selenium, high copper, high iron and high chromium coexists in arsenic polluted area. In exposed group, hair selenium is low, hair iron and chromium, blood copper and ratio between copper and zinc are high. These element changes with environment trend.These element changes are associated with the occurrence and development of the disease caused by coal-burning.

To investigate the induction of apoptosis of mouse colonic adenocarcinoma CT26 cells by recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B (rTcdB), CT26 cells were exposed to different concentrations of rTcd B. Inhibition of cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The activation of Caspase 3 was measured by colorimetric method. Cell morphological analysis and flow cytometry were performed to confirm cell apoptosis. rTcd B inhibited the proliferation of CT26 cells in a timeand dose-dependent manner. Caspase 3 activity in CT26 cells was elevated remarkably after rTcd B exposure for 6 h, 12 h, 18 h or 24 h, as compared with the control group. Morphological changes were observed by fluorescence microscopy. The exposure of rTcd B to CT26 cells induced a timeand dose-dependent apoptotic cell death as determined by flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B induced apoptosis of CT26 cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) n-butanol extracts (ZDC) and ethyl acetate extracts (YSYZ) in reducing androgen in porcine granulose cells by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

METHODSPorcine granulose cells were isolated and cultured. They were inoculated by MAPK inhibitor PD98059 at different concentrations, and then they were divided into the blank control group (0), 1, 3, 10, and 25 micromol/L groups. After 24-h culture the cytochrome P450c17a (CYP17) mRNA expression level was detected using Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Contents of androgen (testosterone) in the supernate were detected using RIA and optimal PD98059 concentration screened. After intervened by 10 micromol/L PD98059 for 24 h, the culture solution was intervened by effective ingredients of with or without YZD or YSYZ at various concentrations (0, 1 , 5, 25, 50 mg/mL) at various time points (3, 6, 18, 24 h). Expression levels of p-ERK1/2, c-Fos and CYP17 were detected by Western blot. Testosterone content in the supernate was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSTen pLmol/L PD98059 could obviously decrease p-ERK1/2 protein expression and increase CYP17 mRMA expression, and elevate testosterone content in the supernate (P < 0.05). ZDC and YSYZ at 25 ng/mL could increase p-ERK1/2 protein expression and c-Fos levels, and reduce CYP17 protein expression, and lower testosterone content in the supernate after 6-h intervention (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEffective ingredients of YZD could reduce androgen production in porcine granulose cells through increasing activities of MAPK.

Androgens ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavonoids ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Swine

Five compounds (tenuifoliside C, tenuifoliside D, telephiose A, telephiose C and polygalaxanthone III) from polygala tenuifolia wild were incubated together with CYP probe substrate in human liver microsomes to investigate the inhibitory effect towards CYP450 enzyme. Phenacetin (CYP1A2), coumarin (CYP2A6), paclitaxel (CYP2C8), diclofenac (CYP2C9), S-mepheriytoin (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), midazolam (CYP3A) were selected as the isoforfn specific substrate. And the formation of paracetamol, 7-hydroxycoumarin, 6alpha-hydroxy paclitaxel, 4'-hydroxydiclofenac, dextrorphan, 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, 4'-hydroxymephenytoin were detected respectively to measure the effect towards CYP450 by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The result shows that five compounds from polygala tenuifolia willd significantly inhibit chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP2E1, while showed no effect towards CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A. And IC50 value was 38.73, 54.14, 61.77, 62.22, 50.56 micromol x L(-1), respectively.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Esters ; pharmacology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Oligosaccharides ; pharmacology ; Polygala ; chemistry ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

Background Mechanism of dry eye disease has not been established clearly.Some increasing evidences showed that inflammation plays an important role in pathogenesis and development of dry eye disease.However,the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) with dry eye has not been clarified.Objective This study was to assess the correlation of IL-6 levels in tear and serum of patient with dry eye disease and clinical symptom.Methods Twenty patients with Sj（o）gren syndrome (SS) and 20 cases with non-Sj（o）gren syndrome (NSS) were enrolled from Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University,and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal controls.Symptom questionnaires were self-answered and multiple dry eye-related clinical tests were performed,including tear film breakup time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t) and corneal fluorescence staining.IL-6 concentrations in serum and tear were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELASA).The correlation between IL-6 level and tear film and ocular surface parameters was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject initial of this trial.Results The scores of symptom questionnaires were 18.50 (11.75,23.00),23.00 (19.00,32.00) and 2.00 (0.25,4.00) in the SS group,NSS group and the normal control group,and significantly increasing values were seen in the SS group and NSS group compared with the normal control group (P=0.00,0.00).BUT values in the SS group and NSS group were 2.50 (2.00,3.88) seconds and 3.50 (2.13,4.00) seconds and were lower than 15.00 (13.13,17.00) seconds in the normal control group (P=0.00,0.00).S Ⅰ t values in the SS group,NSS group and the normal control group were 2.00 (1.50,2.88),4.00 (3.00,5.75) and 19.00 (18.00,25.00)mm,showing significant differences between the SS group and the normal control group (P =0.00),the SS group and the NSS group (P =0.00) or the NSS group and the normal control group (P=0.00).The marked elevation of keratoepithelioplasty score was seen between the SS group and the normal control group (5.75 (4.00,7.75) vs.0.00 (0.00,0.75) (P =0.00) or the NSS group and the normal control group (4.50(3.63,6.00) vs.0.00(0.00,0.75)) (P=0.00).Concentrations of IL-6 in serum and tear in the SS group,NSS group were (131.47±21.04) μg/L and (77.81 ± 15.68) μg/L and were significantly higher than (31.62±8.57) μg/L of the normal control group,and those in the tear were (33.44±8.01) μg/L,(18.78 ±5.73) μg/L and (8.77 ± 3.43)μg/L,respectively in the three groups,with a significant reduce in the normal control group (all P=0.00).tL-6 levels in serum and tear were positively correlated with the score of symptom questionnaires or keratoepithelioplasty and negatively correlated with BUT and S Ⅰ t (all P =0.00).Conclusions IL-6 levels in the tear and serum of the dry eye patient are associated with the severity of the disease.IL-6 levels in serum and tear may be objective,sensitive and reliable indicators of dry eye.