AIM: To analyze the effect of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) on nitrogen monoxide (NO) and expression of cysteine-containing, aspartate-specific proteases-3 (caspase-3) in retinal tissues of model rats with optic nerve crush injury.METHODS: A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, model group and PEDF group, with 20 rats in each group.Except the blank control group, the optic nerve crush injury rat models were established in the other groups, and left eyeballs were taken as samples.After successfully modeling, the model group were treated with intravitreal injection of 5μL of balanced salt solution while PEDF group were treated with intravitreal injection of 5μL of PEDF (0.2μg/μL).Two weeks later, the retinal tissues were collected, and changes of shape were observed under microscope after HE staining.The changes of NO level were measured by colorimetry assay, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and caspase-3 protein was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western-blot.RESULTS: HE staining showed that retinal tissues of the blank control group arranged neatly and clearly.Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) arranged in a monolayer, and cells were oval, uniform in size and distribution, the cell nuclei were clear, closely arranged, with clear boundaries.The retinal tissues of the model group were sparse in shape, RGCs showed vacuolar changes, the overall number of cells was reduced, and cell nuclei of residual RGCs showed pyknosis and uneven staining.RGCs in PEDF group were with slightly edema and arranged closely, and the degree of injury was significantly milder than that in the model group.Levels of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein and NO levels in the three groups showed the model group > PEDF group > blank control group (all P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The application of PEDF can down regulate the expression of Caspase-3 and NO in rates with optic nerve injury and reduce RGCs injury.

Objective To study the characteristics of event-related potentials P300 in patients with anxiety disorder(AD). Methods P300 tests were carried out in 30 patients with AD and 30 healthy adult controls. ResultsPatients with AD had significantly delayed P3 latency ([326?16] ms vs [339?19]ms, P

OBJECTIVETo observe the three-dimensional distribution of vessels, and to establish a new method for measurement of blood flow velocity in mice cerebral cortex using two-photon laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence probe labeling technique.

METHODSThe mouse was made cranial window surgery and injected Texas-Red through tail vein after anesthetized. The three-dimensional imaging of vessel was obtained through z-stack scanning, and blood flow velocity was quantified through line scanning.

RESULTSWe could detect vascular distribution for more than 500 µm depth using two-photon microscopy. The velocity of blood flow was (0.59 ± 0.12) mm/s in capillary.

CONCLUSIONThe method for observing the brain blood flow by two-photon microscopy was established, which could achieve quantification of single vascular blood flow velocity and provide experimental evidence for basic research and medical applications.

Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brain ; blood supply ; Capillaries ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Hemodynamics ; Mice ; Microscopy, Fluorescence

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Female ; Glucosyltransferases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

The effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on invasive capability of early pregnant extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVTs) was investigated in vitro. Primary EVTs were obtained by complex phosphoesterasum digestion and gradient centrifugation from villous tissue aseptically taken from healthy pregnant women. Cytokeratin7 (CK7), vimentin (Vim) and c-erbB-2 were immunocytochemically detected to identify source of cells, and HCMVpp65 antigen was assayed to determine the infection state of primary EVTs by immunocytochemical staining. The EVTs were divided into two groups: control group and HCMV group, and the expression of c-erbB-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 proteins was detected in two groups by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Enzymic activity changes of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were tested by gelatin zymography in primary EVTs infected with HCMV. The invasion of primary EVTs was detected by cell invasion assay in vitro after they were infected by HCMV. The cell source identification showed that the cells obtained were highly-pure primary EVTs, and primary EVTs could be infected by HCMV. Primary EVTs could express c-erbB-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins, and as compared with control group, the protein expression was decreased significantly in HCMV groups (P<0.05). Primary EVTs could secrete active MMP-2 and MMP-9 in vitro, and the activity of two MMPs was decreased significantly in HCMV groups (P<0.05). The in vitro cell invasion assay showed that the number of primary EVTs permeating Matrigel in HCMV group was decreased (P<0.05). We are led to conclude that HCMV can infect primary EVTs and inhibit their invasion capability, suggesting that the impaired EVT's invasion capability might be related to the abnormal expression of c-erbB-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins.

An efficient modified route based on the targeting mechanism of antibacterial fluoroquinolones for the shift from the antibacterial activity to the antitumor one was further developed. Using a fused heterocyclic ring, s-triazolothiadiazine as a carboxyl bioisostere of ciprofloxacin, the title compounds, 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-piperazin-1-yl-3-(6-substituted-phenyl-7H-[1, 2, 4]triazolo[3, 4-b][1, 3, 4]thiadiazin-3-yl)-quinolin-4(1H)-ones (5a-5e) and their corresponding N-acetyl products (6a-6e), were designed and synthesized, separately. Meaningfully, a ring-contraction of fused six-membered thiadiazine occurred by a sulfur extrusion reaction gave new tri-acetylated fused heterocycles related to pyrazolo[5, 1-c][1, 2, 4] triazoles (7a-7e). The in vitro antitumor activity against L1210, CHO and HL60 cell lines was also evaluated for the synthesized fifteen heterocycles compared to parent ciprofloxacin by methylthiazole trazolium (MTT) assay. Interestingly, the results displayed that fifteen fused heterocyclic compounds showed more significant growth inhibitory activity (IC50 < 25.0 micromo x L(-1)) than that of parent ciprofloxacin (IC50 > 150.0 micromol x L(-1)), and the active order decreased from 7a-7e to 5a-5e to 6a-6e, respective.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; CHO Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Ciprofloxacin ; pharmacology ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Fluoroquinolones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Leukemia L1210 ; pathology ; Mice ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Thiadiazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic predictors of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic feature data of 61 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma proven by pathological examination from Jan. 1997 to Jan. 2005 were collected. Expression of survivin, CD44, nm23, p53, Ki-67, MDR-1 and CD95 was detected by immunohistochemical staining in 30 patients with available histologic specimens. The correlation between these factors and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSIn univariate analysis, performance status, LDH level, clinical stage, initial treatment response, CD56, Ki-67 and CD95 were found to be the prognostic factors associated with time to progression (TTP) in nasal NK/T cell lymphoma, while the performance status, B symptoms, LDH level, initial treatment response, Ki-67 and CD95 were demonstrated as prognostic factors related to overall survival. In multivariate analysis, clinical stage, initial treatment response and performance status were independent prognostic factors for TTP, while the latter two factors were independent prognostic factors of overall survival.

CONCLUSIONClinical stage and initial treatment response, and performance status are found to be independent prognostic factors for TTP, whereas the latter two factors are demonstrated as independent prognostic factors of the overall survival. Overexpression of Ki-67 may be an unfavorable prognostic factor, but overexpression of CD95 may be a favorable one.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; statistics & numerical data ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nose Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; fas Receptor ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo characterize dark-adapted and light-adapted oscillatory potentials (OPs) in human electroretinogram (EGR) elicited by flashing light stimulation of the same intensity.

METHODSDark- and light-adapted ERGs of normal eyes were studied. The frequency spectra of the extracted dark-adapted OPs and light-adapted OPs were analyzed by a fast Fourier transform. The peak frequency, latency and total power of the OPs were determined.

RESULTSThe averaged peak frequency, latency, and power of the dark-adapted OPs was 125.3∓9.93 Hz, 41.7∓3.56 ms, and 9.25∓5.55 (V·s)(2), as compared with 79.5∓6.79 Hz, 50.8∓5.36 ms, and 3.56∓2.18 (V·s)(2) for light-adapted Ops, respectively, showing significant differences in the parameters between dark- and light-adapted Ops (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with dark-adapted OPs, light-adapted Ops is characterized by a lower peak frequency and a lower power with a prolonged latency.

Adaptation, Ocular ; physiology ; Adult ; Dark Adaptation ; physiology ; Electroretinography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oscillometry ; Retina ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine plus cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously treated with taxane-based chemotherapy.

METHODSThirty patients (0 - 1 score ECOG performance status) with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC previously treated with taxane-based chemotherapy were eligible for the study. Fifteen patients received the regimen of vinorelbine plus cisplatin (NP), the others received mitomycin, vindesine plus cisplatin (MVP).

RESULTSThe overall response rates were 13.3% in NP and 0 in MVP (P > 0.05). Time to progression was longer for NP patients than that for MVP ones (6 v 3 months, P < 0.05), so was median survival (9 v 6 months, P < 0.05). The 1-year survival rate of 40.0% in the NP group was significantly higher than that of 0 in MVP (P < 0.05). Grade III-IV toxicity was observed at a similar rate in both groups (P > 0.05), though both well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONRegimen of vinorelbine plus cisplatin is appropriate for good performance status patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer previously treated with taxane-based chemotherapy. Time to progression, median survival and 1-year survival are satisfactory in patients treated with NP, which is complicated with acceptable toxicity.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives

Objective To explore the distribution of dendritic cells (DCs) and the expression of adhesion molecules in rat kidney with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO),as well as the regulatory effect of anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoelonal antibody (PsL-EGFmAb) on adhesion,maturation and function of human DCs cultured in vitro.Methods UUO rat models were established,which were divided into sham group (n=6),untreated group (n=18)and treated group with PsL-EGFmAb(n=18).DCs were analyzed with Axioplan 2 microscopy,while P-selectin being observed by immunohistochemistry.CD34~+ stem cells were isolated from cord blood and cultured in 20%IMDM medium with SCF,GM-CSF,TGF-?1,Flt-3L and TNF-?in vitro.During development, PsL-EGFmAb was added and IL-10 served as control.FACS was performed to detect the expression of HLA-DR,CD1a,CD11c,CD54,CD83,CD80,CD86,CD209 (DC-SIGN) and CD62-P,-E,-L (P-,E-,L-selectin) on DCs.RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of NF-_KB P50, P65 mRNA.MLR was performed to detect the stimulatory effect of DCs on T cell proliferation and ELISA to determine IL-12p70 amount.Results Comparing with Sham group,the expression of P- selectin was up-regulated among tubulointerstitium mainly on renal tubular epithelial cell after unilateral ureteral obstruction on day 1,while CD1a~+CD80~+DCs being also found in renal interstitium. The expression of P-seleetin and CD1a~+CD80~+DCs was increased evidently on day 7,and correlated with the degree of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis closely.However,these changes became less conspicuous in rat treated with PsL-EGFmAb.In vitro experiment showed on day 5 after cultured with the induction of TNF-?,immature DCs highly expressed C-type lectin DC-SIGN of pattern recognition receptors;the expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as CD11c,CD83,CD80 and CD86 on mature DCs was up-regulated in paralleling with the mRNA level of NF-_KB;the secretion of IL-12 was enhanced,as well as displaying the features of antigen-presenting cells with a higher ability to induce proliferation of T lymphocytes in vitro.In addition,L-selectin expressed highly on immature DCs,but lowly on mature DCs,neither of two DCs expressed P- and E-selectin.Compared with the IL-10 treated group,PsL-EGFmAb had an inhibitory effect on DC-SIGN of DCs with down- regulating the mRNA level of NF-_KB.PsL-EGFmAb could also inhibited CD11c,CD83,CD80, CD86 expression,reduced secretion of IL-12,and inhibited T cell proliferation stimulated by DCs in vitro.Conclusion DCs may play a critical role on initiating the inflammatory injury of renal tubulointerstitium,and the inhibitory effect of PsL-EGFmAb on DC maturation and function correlated with the inhibition of DC-SIGN,which is mainly mediated through NF-_KB signaling pathway.