Objective To investigate the morphology characters of upper airway and its surrounding tissues in different age non-snoring males.Methods Total of 114 non-snoring males,with age-nlnge from 22 to 78 year old,were included in this study.They were divided into 3 groups:30 in younger group (22-29 years old),57 in middle-aged group(36-57 years old),and 31 in aged group(70-78 years old).All subjects had magnetic resonance imping sanning.Results (1)The nasopharynx in aged group was statistically different from that of the younger group and the midge aged group.The volume of nasopharynx in aged group(7.81±1.59)cm3 (χ-±s,same hereinafter) is greater than that in younger group(4.89±1.20)cm3 and middle aged groups(6.06±2.07)cm3.(2)The AP diameter/transverse dimeter of velophatynx,glossopharynx and laryngopharynx in the aged group tended to be smaller.The average value of AP diameter/transverse diameter of velopharynx in aged group is 0.46±0.14.while the value is 0.59±0.14 and 0.57±0.14 in midge and young groups respectively,compared with that of the aged group,there is statistical diffrence(P＜0.01).Further more,the min/max Section area of velophatynx,glossopharynx,hryngopharynx in aged group are smaller than that of young group and midlife groups.(3)The aged group had the thinnest thickness of posterior and lateral velopharyngeal walls,but the largest volume of soft palate and fatpads among all groups.Conclusions In non-snoring males,there is more fat deposition around the upper airway with aging.While the large naxopharynx and large transvdrse diameter of upper airway seem to balance the disadvantaged changes and to benefit the their sleep respiration.

Objective To investigate the specific expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related GRP78 and CHOP in podocyte of MKR mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN);To discuss the intervention effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Decoction (ZGJTYS). Methods 8-week old MKR mice were randomly divided into five groups:blank group, model group, ZGJTYS group, 4-Phenylbutyric acid group, gliquidone+benazepril group, and normal control group consisting of wild type C57BC/6 mice, 10 mice per group. All mice from model group and each treatment group received high-fat diet feed and unilateral nephrectomy to make the DN model. Mice from treatment groups received medicine intervention for four weeks. The levels of FBG were detected by electrochemical detection method, and the UmAlb was detected by ELISA. The expressions of GRP78, CHOP mRNA, and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The morphological structure changes of the podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopes. Results Compared with blank group, FBG and UmAlb in the model group increased significantly (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein markedly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, FBG and UmAlb in each treatment group significantly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein in the ZGJTYS group and 4-Phenylbutyric acid group increased (P<0.01), the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein decreased (P<0.01). The renal pathological lesions of each treatment group were significantly improved compared with model group. Conclusion ZGJTYS Decoction can effectively improve the damaged podocyte induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress, delay DN progress.

Background To optimize the culture method of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells is very important for the study of retinal angiogenesis disease.Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells have been successfully cultured in previous studies,but further improvement of the culture method to harvest higher yields and purity cells is still needed.Objective This study was to design a modified method to isolate and purify human retinal microvascular endothelial cells much easily and quickly,and to compare the expression of specific markers of vascular endothelial cells,factor Ⅷ and CD31/CD34 in the cells.Methods The use of human donor eyeballs was approved by the Ethic Commission of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University.The retina tissue from healthy donor was isolated and digested by the two-step digestion method with 2％ trypsin and 0.133％ collagenase Ⅳ.Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells were collected and plated in 60 mm dishes coated by 0.1％ fibronectin and cultured in endothelial cell-specialized medium supplemented with 10％ fetal bovine serum,0.3 mg/L β-endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and 100 ng/L sodium heparin.During the culturing,the growth situation of the cells was monitored by morphological observation,and immunohistochemical staining was performed to probe vascular endothelial cell-specific membrane protein CD31,CD34 and factor Ⅷ for identification of the cell purity.Results Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells were isolated successfully from the retina by the twostep digestion method.The primary cultured cells adhered to well 72 hours later and achieved confluence with the typical cobblestone appearance 9 to 10 days after cultured.The cells exhibited the blue nuclei and reddish cytoplasm by regular haematoxylin and eosin stain and showed a strong positive response for CD31,CD34 and factor Ⅷ by immunohistochemistry.The positive dye of CD31 and CD34 was lower than Ⅷ factor in both endothelial cells.Conclusions Modified culture method of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells can improve cell culture result and purify target cells.

BACKGROUND:In the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, few studies have focused on the compound preparations though there are many investigations. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Zhenwu Tang Granule on chronic pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy in rats. METHODS:The study was performed at the laboratory of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease. Male SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups:sham operation group (n=8), operation group (n=15) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n=15).The model of myocardial hypertrophy was made by gradually constricting the abdominal aorta. Sixteen weeks later, cardiac ultrasonography was performed in all groups in order to ascertain post-operational left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. And Zhenwu Tang Granule was added at a dose of 12 g/kg in the mixed feedstuff for 8 weeks in the TCM group. In the 24th week, weight, structure as well as function of the heart in each group were measured by high-frequency ultrasonography, and Masson's staining was performed on the cardiac muscles. Meanwhile, total collagen volume fraction (CVF-T) and non-coronary vessel collagen volume fraction (CVF-NV) were analyzed. RESULTS:There was an increase in the weight of the heart in the operation group, with the left ventricule dominated (P<0.05). The heart was enlarged, with diastolic interventricular septal distance (IVSd) and left ventricular posterior wal distance (LVPWd) dominated (P<0.01).There was a significant decrease in the cardiac function (P<0.05). The weight (P<0.01) and volume of the heart decreased in the TCM group compared with the operation group, with IVSd and systolic left ventricular posterior wal dominated (P<0.01). And the cardiac function was improved (P<0.05). Significant interstitial and col agen hyperplasia was shown in the operation group based on pathological analysis, and various improvements were proved in the TCM group, i.e. there was a significant decrease in CVF-T and CVF-NV (P<0.01) compared with the operation group; but no difference (P>0.05) was found when compared with the pseudo-operation group. CONCLUSION:Zhenwu Tang Granule could reduce the weight and volume of the heart, improve the cardiac function, inhibit hyperplasia of collagen, and reverse myocardial hypertrophy in rats with pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and inflammatory factors (CRP ,IL‐17) in elderly patients with colorectal carcinoma .Methods The expression of sICAM‐1 ,CRP and IL‐17 in 76 ca‐ses of elderly patients and 32 cases of youg patients with colorectal cancer were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay be‐fore and after surgery ,and to analyze its clinical significance correlated with pathological parameters .Meanwhile ,60 cases of healthy were controls .Results The serum levels of IL‐17 and sICAM‐1 were higher in patients with different ages of colorectal cancer than those of the normal control group (P<0 .05) ,and the concentrations of the two group after operation were significantly lower than those of the normal control group (P<0 .05) .The CRP levels of the young group and old group were similar to that of the normal control group (P>0 .05) .The level of CRP before operation in the young group was higher than that in the normal control group (P<0 .05) .The levels of serum IL‐17 and sICAM‐1 were significantly different between the young and the old group(P<0 .05) , while the CRP level was similar in the two groups (P>0 .05) .The serum levels of sICAM‐1 and IL‐17 in colorectal cancer patients were associated with the degree of differentiation ,depth of invasion ,lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P<0 .05) .The level of CRP was significantly correlated with the depth of invasion ,lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The serum levels of sICAM‐1 ,CRP and IL‐17 reflect the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer in a certain extent ,which play important roles in predicting the development and prognosis of colorectal cancer .

By inquiring the medical students under the background of grouping teaching between the mainland students and the oversea Chinese students,we have got something about their attitude toward the credit system.The result will help us to improve the teaching renovation in medical education.The questionnaire including implementing of credit system,standard credit system, grouping teaching,curriculum,tutor system of the undergraduates,the administration of education,and so on.Then we analyze and get the result.

OBJECTIVETo study the association of ITGA9 gene rs189897 and rs2212020 polymorphisms and its haplotype with the occurrence of cerebral infarction (CI).

METHODSIn the venous blood samples from 250 patients with cerebral infarction and 250 control samples, the genotypes of rs189897 and rs2212020 of ITGA9 gene were identified by PCR-sequencing. SHEsis software was used to analyze the association between the results of genotyping and the occurrence of CI.

RESULTSThe cerebral infarction group and the control groups showed significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of rs189897 and rs2212020 (P<0.05). The A-C haplotype was the protective factor against CI, and the subjects with the haplotype had a lowered risk for CI than those without this haplotype (0.13:1).

CONCLUSIONrs189897 and rs2212020 in ITGA9 gene are closely related to CI, and its A-C haplotype is the protective factor against CI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Cerebral Infarction ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Integrins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo approach the correlation of upper airway and surrounding tissues with body mass index (BMI) of non-apnea aged males.

METHODSThirty-one non-apnea aged from 70 years to 84 years males (all were inspected by polysomnography and apnea hyponea index < 10 times/hour) had magnetic resonance imaging scanned. In images of MRI, the upper airway was divided into four sections, including nasopharynx, velopharynx, glossopharynx and laryn-gopharynx. The sizes, forms and surrounding tissues were measured and correlation analysis of duality vaniable about upper airway and surrounding tissues with BMI were carried out.

RESULTS(1) The volume of nasopharynx had negative correlation with body mass(P < 0.05). (2) The min anterior-posterior diameter of velopharynx had positive correlation with body mass and BMI. The max value of anterior-posterior diameter/transverse diameter of velopharynx had positive correlation with body mass. The mi value of distance of fatpads had negative correlation with body mass and BMI. The min and average value of distance of ascending ramus had positive correlation with body mass and BMI. The mn value of distance of fatpads/distance of ascending ramus had negative correlation with body mass and BMI. The transverse diameter/lateral velopharyngeal wall of velopharynx had positive correlation with BMI. All of above results had statistic significance (P < 0.05). (3)The volume of soft palate, tongue and fatpads had no correlation with body mass and BMI (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe forms of sectional areas of velopharynx are subjected to body mass, and with the increasing of body mass they tend to round. In non-apnea aged males, the distance of fatpads and ascending rami have intimate relationship with body mass and BMI. The volume of soft palate, tongue, tatpads and velopharyngeal walls has little things with hody mass and BMI.

Apnea ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Palate, Soft ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Tongue

OBJECTIVETo describe the morphology of upper airway in non-apnea males aged seventy years or over.

METHODSThirty-one non-apnea males aged 70 years or over [diagnosed by whole-night polysomnography (PSG), apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) < 10 per hour] had been taken magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.

RESULTSThe narrowest point of upper airway was at velopharynx. The mean and the minimum section areas were (190.9 +/- 67.1) mm(2) and (112.1 +/- 47.7) mm(2), respectively. Each sagittal/transverse ratio was between 0.22 and 0.89. It showed an ellipse-like cross-section of upper airway, while velopharynx was the most "slender" segment (sagittal/transverse-caliber was 0.22 - 0.71). The min/max section area of upper airway was between 0.38 and 0.62. It demonstrated that each airway segment was a "cone-like" form, while the velopharynx was the steepest segment.

CONCLUSIONSIn the non-apnea elderly males aged seventy years or over, the velopharynx was most likely to collapse.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Palate, Soft ; anatomy & histology ; Pharynx ; anatomy & histology ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tongue ; anatomy & histology

Objective To preliminary study the distribution of CYP2D6 polymorphism in Hubei popula-tion ,with the intention of solid base for further applied research .Methods Venous blood was collected from 137 volunteers ,analysed CYP2D6 * 10 Gene Polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method .genotypes can be distinguished by agarose gel electro-phoresis and gene sequencing .Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law could be used to detect whether the genotype distribution was balanced ,and chi-square test was used for verification ,and the results were compared with the previous literature .Results Among the 137 samples ,wild type (CC) was 35 ,the frequency was 25 .5% .Het-erozygote (CT) was 52 ,the frequency was 38 .0% .And mutant (TT) was 50 ,the frequency was 36 .5% .Also , Callele frequency was 44 .5% while the Tallele was 55 .5% .There was no statistical difference compared with previous studies (P＞0 .05) .Conclusion Since there is a high mutation frequency of CYP2D6*10 in Hubei population ,it is very necessary to carry out genotyping to guide clinical medication correctly .