Objective Toinvestigatethevalueofimagingdiagnosisofthe lymphangioleiomyomatosis( LAM ).MethodsFifteen patients with LAM confirmed by pathological assessment were analyzed retrospectively for radiologic findings.They had chest radiograph, chest highresolution CT (HRCT),abdominal CT, direct lymphangiography(DLG), chest CT and abdominal CT after DLG.Results Chest radiograph findings included normal (1),increasing of lung markings (3),disseminated honeycomb or reticular pattern ( 11 ), pneumothorax ( 2 ), and pleural effusion ( 14 ). Chest conventional CT and HRCT showed typical imaging manifestation of PLAM in all cases, including sporadic or disseminated cysts in bilateral lungs. According to the grading standard of pulmonary disease made by Avila et at, there were 3 cases in grade Ⅰ , 5 cases in grade Ⅱ and 7 cases in grade Ⅲ . Fourteen of 15 patients with LAM had positive abdominal CT findings in retroperitoneum and pelvic cavity. Common abdominal CT findings included cystic lymphangioma in 9 of 14 patients, lymphangiomyoma in 13 and both coexisting in 7.One of the14patients alsohadhepaticlipomaandangiomyolipomas.Onepatienthadrenal angiomyolipomas; and one patient had hysteromyoma. All 15 cases underwent DLG, 1 cases had lymphatic obstruction in the lumbar 3 level, the remaining 14 cases had varying degrees of thoracic duct stenosis, or obstruction. Neck trunk, subclavian trunk and bronchial trunk showed lymphatic reflux. On post-DLG CT,thoracic duet outlet obstruction was not demonstrated in 3 cases, the remaining 12 cases showed thoracic outlet obstruction, consistent with the DLG findings.Conclusion HRCT is a useful diagnostic method showing characteristic findings of PLAM. MSCT can help to detect abdominal LAM. DLG and MSCT after DLG have value in displaying obstruction site of thoracic duct or lymphatic trunks and provide guidance for operative treatment.

To observe the expression of N - cadherin and fibronectin in retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE) cells in vitro under high glucose conditions, furthermore, to explore the effects of high glucose on epithelial -mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RPE cells.
●METHODS: Human RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured in vitro. Containing a final concentration of 60mmol/ L glucose was used for high glucose treatment. The cells were divided into normal glucose group (5. 5mmol/ L, NG) and high glucose group (24, 48 and 72h) respectively. The expression of N - cadherin and fibronectin in hRPE cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence and real -time PCR.
●RESULTS:RPE cells became disorganized and swollen over time under high glucose conditions, especially in 72h subgroup. lmmunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression of N - cadherin in RPE cells under high glucose conditions was decreased compared with that in the control group, while the expression of fibronectin was increased. Real - time PCR results showed that the expression of N - cadherin mRNA in high glucose group was decreased at 24h compared with that in the control group, and declined markedly at 72h ( F = 12. 252, P =0. 000). There were no significant differences between the control group and the high glucose group at 24h, while the differences between the control group and the high glucose group (48 and 72h) were significant respectively (P < 0. 05 ). Meanwhile, the expression of fibronectin mRNA in RPE cells was increased in high glucose group at 24h, and reached the peak at 72h (F = 50. 543, P = 0. 000). There were no significant differences between the control group and the high glucose group at 24h. Compared with the control group, the expression of fibronectin mRNA in hRPE cells was increased significantly in high glucose group (48 and 72h) respectively (P= 0. 000, P= 0. 000).
●CONCLUSlON: The expression of epithelium marker N-cadherin is down - regulated under high glucose conditions in hRPE cells in vitro. Meanwhile, the expression of mesenchymal maker fibronectin is induced and appeared to EMT changes. Results of this study will enrich our growing understanding in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and hopefully lead to novel insights for the pathogenesis and therapeutic treatments.

In this study, we use pot experiment to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulator on plant morphology and biomass allocation of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Different concentrations of uniconazole were supplied to S. miltioohiza by means of foliar spray. Height, breadth and stem diameter were measured dynamically, the biomass of leaf, stem, flower and fruit, root biomass and biomass ratio were also examined at the harvest time. Owing to the treatment, plant morphology showed significant changes, the height had been greatly reduced and the breadth decreased largely. Meanwhile, the biomass allocation changed too. The biomass ratio of leaf and stem had been notably reduced while the biomass ratio of root had been increased remarkably. It appears that foliar application of uniconazole during vigorous growth period in S. miltioohiza has dramatic effect on dwarfing plant and improving resistant to lodging. This measure could also be applied to condensed cultivation of S. miltioohiza to increase production.
Biomass ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Triazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of beta-Elemene on expression of ANG II and RhoA/ROCK signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells.

METHODIn vitro, HSC-T6 cell line was cultured for 24 hours and treated with several concentration of beta-elemene (5.0, 5.0, 2.5 mg x L(-1)) and Y-27632 (30 micromol x L(-1)) for 4, 12 and 24 h. Secretion of ANG II in the supernatant was detected by Radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression of AGT, RhoA, ROCK-1 and ROCK-2 for 4 h, 12 h, 24 h was detected by RT-PCR respectively.

RESULTOn the time point of 4h, the secretion of ANG II in supernatant by 10 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene was 50.970 +/- 8.081 pmol x L(-1), vs the control group (74.500 +/- 10.999) pmol x L(-1), P < 0.05; 5.0 mg x L(-1) and 2.5 mg x L(-) beta-elemene had no inhibitory effect on the secretion of ANG II, P > 0.05. On the time point of 12h, the secretion of ANG II in supernatant by 10 mg x L(-1), 5 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene was 83.727 +/- 6.850 pmol x L(-1), 91.090 +/- 3.226 pmol x L(-1), respectively, lower than the control (104.367 +/- 5.030 pmol x L(-1)), P < 0.01, P < 0.05. On the time point of 24h, compared with the control (116.620 +/- 7.110) pmol x L(-1)), the secretion ofANGII in supernatant by 2.5 mg x L(-1) and 5 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene was (104.133 +/- 3.296) pmol x L(-1), (100.957 +/- 2.581) pmol x L(-1), respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01; but the effect of 10 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene was not obviouse, P > 0.05. Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of AGT by different concentration of beta-elemene were significantly inhibited on different time point (4, 12, 24 h), F value was 30.33, 28.04, 107.19, respectively, P = 0.000. On the time point of 4h, 12 h and 24 h, the RhoAmRNA expression could be inhibited by 2.5, 5.0, 10 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene, (P = 0.000), and there existed no dose dependence. On the time point of 4 h and 24 h, ROCK-1 and ROCK-2mRNA could be inhibited by 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg x L(-1) beta-elemene, P < 0.01, but on the time point of 12 h, there was no inhibitory effect.

CONCLUSIONBeta-elemene can inhibit the expression of AGTmRNA in HSC and the secretion of ANGII in supernatant. In addition, beta-elemene can inhibit the mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK-1, ROCK-2mRNA to further regulate the biological effect of ANG II and delay the progress of hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; rho-Associated Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of survivin and COX-2 in giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) and explore the prognostic factors for GCT.

METHODSThe expressions of survivin and COX-2 in 39 GCT tissues of three Jaffe grades and 4 normal bone tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the data were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological features of the patients.

RESULTSThe expressions of survivin and COX-2 were significantly higher in the GCT tissues than in normal bone tissues (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between survivin and COX-2 expressions and the pathological grade (P<0.01), but their expressions were not correlated to the patients' gender, age or surgical approaches (P>0.05). An obviously lowered recurrence rate was observed in patients with resection of the bone segment compromised by the tumor and subsequent bone grafting. Survivin and COX-2 were not independent risk factors of the prognosis of GCT.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin and COX-2 expressions may participate in the pathogenesis and development of GCT, but is not indicative of the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

The LEAFY (LFY) homologous gene of Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. was cloned by new primers which were designed based on the conservative region of known sequences of orchid LEAFY gene. Partial LFY homologous gene was cloned by common PCR, then we got the complete LFY homologous gene Den LFY by Tail-PCR. The complete sequence of DenLFY gene was 3 575 bp which contained three exons and two introns. Using BLAST method, comparison analysis among the exon of LFY homologous gene indicted that the DenLFY gene had high identity with orchids LFY homologous, including the related fragment of PhalLFY (84%) in Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar, LFY homologous gene in Oncidium (90%) and in other orchid (over 80%). Using MP analysis, Dendrobium is found to be the sister to Oncidium and Phalaenopsis. Homologous analysis demonstrated that the C-terminal amino acids were highly conserved. When the exons and introns were separately considered, exons and the sequence of amino acid were good markers for the function research of DenLFY gene. The second intron can be used in authentication research of Dendrobium based on the length polymorphism between Dendrobium moniliforme and Dendrobium officinale.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; genetics ; Exons ; Introns ; Orchidaceae ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

OBJECTIVETo prepare a decellularized whole laryngeal scaffold by utilizing a perfusion-decellularized technique, reseed cells on it, and construct decellularized laryngeal muscles.

METHODSPerfusion decellularized larynxes were obtained by common carotid arterious perfusion with detergents. Then they were performed by macroscopic view, histological examination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cartilage viability. Decellularized laryngeal scaffold were then reseeded with inducted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Composites were transferred into greater omentums of rabbits after one day's adherence and harvested after eight weeks. Macroscopic view, histological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed.

RESULTSPerfusion larynxes became transparent after two hours. Histology and SEM indicated that perfusion method showed better decullularized effect. More vintages and collagen fibers but no intact cell or nuclei were retained in the decellularized matrix. Porosity measured by Image pro plus 6.0 was 80.4% +/- 3.2% (x +/- s). Chondrocyte vitality assay indicated chondrocyte vitality rate in the perfusion group was 86.9% +/- 1.5%. After eight weeks, vascularization formed and integrated cartilage frameworks still remained. Histological examination could clearly show the presence of muscle bundles and vessels. Immunohistochemical examination indicated that sarcomeric-alpha actin expressed positively in corresponding areas.

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible to reseed MSCs into the decellularized laryngeal muscle matrix for constructing tissue-engineered laryngeal muscles. This in vivo maturation into the omentum could be the first step before in situ implantation of the construct.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; Feasibility Studies ; Laryngeal Muscles ; cytology ; physiology ; Larynx, Artificial ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

In this paper the contents of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, crytotanshinone, tanshinone II(A) in samples of different original processed Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were determined by HPLC. Different processing methods have varied influences on four active ingredients in Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Sun-drying reduced the content of crytotanshinone, tanshi-none II(A) and rosmarinic acid, integralsamples were better than those cut into segments. Oven dry method had great influence on water--soluble ingredients, high temperature (80-100 degrees C) could easily cause big loss of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B. The role of traditional processing method "fahan: was complicated, the content of rosmarinic acid decreased, crytotanshinone and tanshinone II(A) increased, and salvianolic acid B showed no difference after "fahan". Drying in the shade and oven dry under low temperatrure (40-60 degrees C) were all effective to keep active ingredients of Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and, there was no difference between integral samples and samples cut into segments. Therefore, considering comprehensively the content of active ingredients in Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and processing costing etc., shade-drying or oven dry underlow temperature (40-60 degrees C) should be the most suitable original processing method.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Temperature

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal fenestration techniques in thoracic aortic endoluminal repair.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent endovenous repair of the thoracic aorta with the application of 3D printing technology-assisted extracorporeal windowing in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan University Hospital from January 2019 to May 2021, and analyzed the surgical results as well as the occurrence of perioperative complications.Results:A total of 10 patients with a mean age of(53.3±15.7) years were included, including 4 cases of complex B aortic coarctation, 5 cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm and 1 case of abdominal aortic aneurysm. All patients in this group underwent endoluminal repair of the thoracic aorta with 3D printing assisted extracorporeal fenestration, including 1 case of PCI performed at the same time. There were no postoperative complications and no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:3D printing technology assisted extracorporeal fenestration and endoluminal aortic repair can accurately position aortic stents for fenestration, optimise endoluminal treatment options and improve patient prognosis.

AIMTo isolate triterpene saponins of polygalacic acid type from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC and to identify their structures.

METHODSThe compounds were separated by means of extraction, chromatography on silica gel, MPLC and HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses (FAB-MS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR etc.).

RESULTSThree triterpene saponins were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. They were identified as 3-O-beta-D-laminaribiosyl polygalacic acid (I), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl polygalacic acid (II), polygalacin D (III), separately.

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new compound, compounds II, III are known triterpene saponins. The compound I and II were isolated from the plant for the first time, which is also the monodesmoside from the plant for the first time.

Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platycodon ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification