Background The occurrence of experimental myopia may be related to glucagon,and within the range of certain concentration,glucagon may inhibit the development of myopia,but its exact action mechanism is not completely clear.Objective Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of glucagon on the proliferation of guinea pig scleral fibroblast cells(GSFCs) and the possible role of glucagon in myopic scleral remodeling.Methods The scleral tissue was obtaincd from the clean blooded guinea pig aged 15 days.GSFCs were cultured and identified with vimentin antibody,cytokeratin antibody and S-100 antibody.0,5,10,50,100,200 μg/L glucagon was added into the different cultured hole for 24 hours respectively,and the growth and proliferation (A490 value) of GSFCs was detected by MTT colorimetric assay.Then the A490 value of GSFCs was assayed in 1 day,2,3,5,7 days under the 50 μg/L glucagon action.Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2)levels(A450 value)in GSFCs were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA)72 hours after the cells cultured.Results Passaged GSFCs showed the dendric array at lower density and gyrate array at the higher density with the positive response for vimentin.A490 values of GSFCs were gradually increased with the rise of glucagon concentration(F=32.340,P=0.013).When the glucagon concentration was 10-200 μg/L,the A490Value of GSFCs was higher than that without glucagon group,showing signifitant differences between them(t =5.575,6.627,16.074,12.003,P＜0.05).Under the 50 μg/L glucagon action,A490 values were significantly accented with the time lapse (Ftime =10.610,P =0.024),and the A490 values also were significantly higher than the parallel control groups without glucagon(Fgroup =9.068,P=0.039).MMP-2 level was gradually declined with the enhance of glucagon within range of 5-200 μg/L(F=153.639,P=0.036),but no significant difference was found in TIMP-2 expression(F=24.770,P=3.250).Conclusions Glucagon can promote the proliferation of GSFCs in vitro,and the synthesis of MMP-2shows a concentration-and time-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate the possible role of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICE)in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis and the protective effect of"Xiaopi prescription (消痞方)".Methods Fifty healthy male Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (each n=10):normal, model,and 3 Xiaopi prescription groups:low,middle and high dosages.Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan,and equal amount of normal saline was intravenously injected in the normal group.Gastric lavage method was used to administer the traditional Chinese medicine decoction of Xiaopi prescription in corresponding amount (5,10 and 20 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) in respective low,middle and high dosage groups.In the normal control group and diabetic model group,only equal amount of normal saline was administered into the stomach.Gastric emptying rate was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste;c-kit positive cells of ICC were quantitatively measured with immunohistochemistry assay and computer image analysis system;c-kit mRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured with in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system.Results①Gastric emptying rate:The rate was significantly lower in the model group than that in the normal control group (P0.05),but higher than those in the model group and the low dosage group (all P0.05).②c-kit immmunohistochemistry:c-kit positive cell presented yellow in color,and its membrane was stained yellow,this kind of cells primarily were distributed around the neural plexus in the inter-space between the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers, and around the ganglionic cells forming"sheath-like"structure.The results of numbers of c-kit positive cells in the various groups:the number of the cells in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P0.05),but the numbers in the former two dosage groups were obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal group,middle and high dosage groups (all P0.05),but obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal,middle and high dosage groups (all P

DNA barcoding method was conducted for the authentication of pollen materials due to difficulty of discriminating pollen materials bearing morphological similarity. In this study, a specific focus was to identify cattail pollen (Puhuang) and pine pollen (Songhuafen) samples from their adulterants which are frequently mixed-together. Regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 60 samples were sequenced, and new primers for cattail pollen were designed according to the sequence information. The results from the NJ trees showed that the species of pine pollen, Puhuang and their adulterants can be classified as obvious monophyly. Therefore, we propose to adapt DNA barcoding methodology to accurately distinguish cattail pollen, pine pollen and their adulterant materials. It is a great help for drug regulatory agency to supervise the quality of medicinal materials.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; classification ; genetics ; Pollen ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Typhaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method and clinical effect of the expandable intramedullary nails on fractures of extremities. METHODS: Nineteen cases of extremities long tubular bone fractures were treated with Fixion expandable intramedullary nails. RESULTS: Nineteen cases were followed up for 4-18 months,all cases healed without any complications. CONCLUSION The application of expandable intramedullary nails in the treatment of extremity fractures has the advantages of little trauma, simple operation, rigid fixation and high healing rate. It is a good treatment for fractures of extremities.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Nails ; Extremities ; injuries ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk of cardiovascular disease events (CVD) in patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODA total of 1087 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled from 5 community-based medical centres and underwent baseline evaluation on risk factors of stroke during the period of Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006. After baseline survey, all patients were followed up until Dec 31, 2008 and new CVD events were recorded. MS was defined using CDS criteria. Proportional hazard models were used to assess the HRs and 95% CI of CVD events associated with MS and other components.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was 40.4% at baseline. During an average follow-up of 3.5 years, 178 patients developed new CVD events. After adjusted for age, gender, smoking, drinking, marriage status, education level, hospitalization, recurrence of stroke, stroke duration, depression, cognition impairment and ADL, MS remains the independent predictor for the risk of CVD events. Compared with patients with non-MS, the risk of CVD events increased by 44% (HR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.06 - 1.95). The risk of CVD also increased with the number of MS components. Compared with patients with 1 or less than 1 components of MS, the risk of CVD events increased by 30% (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.83 - 2.04) in those with 2 components and by 69% (HR: 1.69, 95%CI: 1.11 - 2.56) in those with 3 or more components of MS. Hypertension and hyperglycemia and impaired fasting glucose also served as independent risk factors for CVD event (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSMS was independently associated with increased risk of CVD events in patients with ischemic stroke. There was a dose-response relationship between the numbers of MS components and the risk of CVD event.

Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; epidemiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVECatheter closure of perimembrane ventricular septal defect (PMVSD) using the Amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder (AAVSDO) is a potential alternative for open surgical repair. However, the profile of the device obtained after closure probably continues to change some concerns regarding its safety. This study was designed to evaluate the morphologic changes of AAVSDO by transthoracic echocardiography examination (TTE) and X-ray examination after transcatheter closure of PMVSD.

METHODSA total of 23 patients, aged 2.5 - 47.0 years, with PMVSDs underwent transcatheter closure with the AAVSDO. Each patient underwent TTE and X-ray examination with same radiography system immediately, 72 hours, 6 months and 1 year after the transcatheter closure procedures, respectively. Seven parameters were measured by TTE and X-ray to evaluate the morphologic changes of AAVSDO: the distance between superior edge of left disk of AAVSDO and aortic valve (L(1)), the distance between superior extremity edge of two disks of the occluder (L(2)), the distance between inferior extremity edge of two disks of the occluder (L(3)), the distance between two marks on the left and right disks (L(4)), the diameter of left disk (D(1)), the diameter of left disk (D(2)), and the degree of angle between left and right disks (alpha). In the meantime, the influences of occluder's morphologic changes were evaluated by TTE.

RESULTSThe PMVSD diameter ranged from (8.53 +/- 4.82) mm (3.91 - 17.0 mm). The device diameter ranged from 6 - 18 (10.34 +/- 7.16) mm. AAVSDO was performed successfully in all the 23 patients who underwent immediately, 72 hours and 6 months follow-up after catheter closure, and 12 patients accomplished 1-year follow-up. L(2), L(4) and alpha were shorter at 6-months than 72-hours after procedures, but D(1) and D(2) were greater at 6-months than 72-hours after procedures in all patients. Alpha was decreased further 1 year after the procedure, but other parameters did not change significantly compared with those at 6-months after procedures. The lower profile and smaller thickness of AAVSDO were observed in the follow-up. Meanwhile, D(1) and D(2) changed significantly during the follow-up. L(4) had a weak positive correlation with device size (r = 0.47, 0.33 and 0.39, respectively) and with alpha (r = 0.47, 0.53 and 0.49, respectively), and had weak negative correlation with D1 (r = -0.27, -0.45 and -0.29, respectively). After deployment of the prosthesis there was no residual shunt in 20 of 23 patients (87%). There was a trivial residual shunt that disappeared at the six month follow up in two patients, and a small residual shunt that disappeared at the one year follow up in one patient. The morphologic changes of AAVSDO did not influence the structure near PMVSD.

CONCLUSIONThe morphologic changes of Amplatzer occluder were observed in the follow-up. The change of the occluder was safe and beneficial to improve short-term curative effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; Radiography ; Septal Occluder Device ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Achondroplasia ; genetics ; Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology

BACKGROUNDEndovascular therapy plays an important role in the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs). Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) is a novel liquid embolic material. This study aimed to summarize our experience of using Onyx for embolization of BAVMs with the focus on embolization technique.

METHODSFrom September 2003 to November 2007, 115 patients (43 women and 72 men, with a mean age of 29 years) with BAVMs were endovascularly treated with Onyx in our department. The following features of all AVMs were evaluated prior to treatment: type of nidus and shunt, draining veins, and feeding arteries. A total of 196 endovascular procedures were performed.

RESULTSThe course of endovascular treatment was completed in 88 patients. Additional sessions were planned in 27 patients. Of the 88 patients, total occlusion was obtained in 23 patients (26.1%), near-total (> 80% of the original volume) occlusion was obtained in 35 patients (39.8%) and partial occlusion (< 80% of the original volume) was obtained in 30 patients (34.1%) using embolization as the sole therapeutic technique. Mean volume reduction was 72% (range 30% - 100%) in 115 patients. Thirty four patients (38.6%, 34/88) underwent radiosurgical treatment. Additional embolization sessions were planned in 27 patients. Complications occurred in 19 patients (16.5%, 19/115), leading to death in one patient (mortality 0.9%) and permanent disabling in 3 patients (morbidity 2.6%).

CONCLUSIONSOnyx was shown to be feasible and safe for embolization of BAVMs. Proper use of the Onyx injection technique largely improved the endovascular treatment of BAVMs. Large AVMs can be adequately reduced in size through the use of additional treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; pathology ; therapy ; Brain Diseases ; pathology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyvinyls ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men.

METHODSEighty-three healthy men at the average age of 66.7 were divided into a < 66.7 group (n = 36) and a > 66.7 group (n = 47), and the polymorphism of CYP17 gene in the 5' promoter region was investigated by PCR using DNA from the men's peripheral blood lymphocytes. A new recognition site was created for the restriction enzyme MspA1 I by transition (T --> C) in the risk allele (A2). Three genotypes A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2 were established, serum sex-hormone levels measured, and mean hormone concentration evaluated in each genotype and age group.

RESULTSNo evidence was found that the testosterone (T) level, estrogen (E2) level and T/E2 ratio were associated with the genotype of CYP17 gene. There was no significant difference in T and E2 levels between the two groups, but there was a significant increase in the T/E2 ratio (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONA2 allele does not increase sex hormone levels in aged men, but the T/E, ratio was higher in the > 66.7 group than in the < 66.7 group. This may be closely associated with the mechanism of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in aged men.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Estradiol ; blood ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; Testosterone ; blood

BACKGROUNDAneurysms with wide-necked or a large neck/fundus ratio, especially located on an arterial bifurcation or a small artery, are challenges for interventional neuroradiologist because of the risk of coil migration or coil protrusion into the parent vessels. Our study was designed to improve the efficacy and safety of the "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon for these difficult aneurysms and was confirmed by a follow-up result.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to September 2006, forty-two patients (20 men, 22 women) with wide-necked or large neck/fundus ratio aneurysms were treated by using the "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon.

RESULTSForty wide-necked aneurysms were successfully treated with the HyperForm balloon remodeling technique with only two failed cases. Final results consisted of total occlusion in 34 cases (80.9%), subtotal in 4 (9.5%) and incomplete in 2 (4.8%). One aneurysmal rupture occurred, but no clinical consequence was shown. No thromboembolic events were observed during treatment. Final angiographic follow-up time ranged from 3 to 18 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon is a very useful tool in the treatment of wide-necked or unfavorable neck/fundus ratio intracranial aneurysms-located on an arterial bifurcation or a small artery and, especially, located on the bifurcation of a large artery and a small one. In our experience, this technique provided a safe and efficient treatment for difficult aneurysms when the standard remodeling technique might have failed.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male