OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of lesions in the sellar region.

METHODSThe MRI data of 142 patients with surgically and pathologically proved lesions in the sellar region were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the MRI findings, the lesions were divided into pituitary adenoma and sellar region diseases except pituitary adenoma. According to the pathologic features, the sellar region diseases except pituitary adenoma were further divided into cystic lesions, parenchymatous lesions, and cystic and parenchymatous lesions.

RESULTSOf these 142 patients, pituitary adenoma was found in 30 cases, cystic lesions of sella region diseases except pituitary adenoma in 24. Further classification resulted in 66 cases of parenchymatous lesions and 22 cases of cystic and parenchymatous lesions.

CONCLUSIONMRI-based classification of lesions in the sellar region is useful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Diseases ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sella Turcica ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of serum Bushen Huoxue prescription(Chinese characters) on classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways of osteoblasts, and explore mechanism of Bushen Huoxue prescription (Chinese characters) for preventing osteoporosis.

METHODSTwenty health female rats were randomly divided into two groups, including Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and saline group,10 in each group. Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and Saline group were gavaged Bushen Huoxue and saline every day for 1 week. Bushenhuoxue containing serum and saline containing serum were got according to methods of serum preparation of drug-containing. The osteoblasts was cultured with neonatal rat skull according to Enzyme Consumer Law, and was identified by Wright-Giemsa staining (R-J) and alkaline phosphatase staining (ALP). The third generation of osteoblasts was divided into three groups, including saline group, normal group,Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group. Each group were added to 15% appropriate medium. ALP activity of osteoblasts and osteoblasts proliferation rate were tested, mineralized nodules were observed, the expression of β-catenin, Runx2, Osx mRNA of osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThere was blue granules in cytoplasm, cell nucleus was flint with 1 to 3 nucleoli showed by R-J staining, morphology of osteoblasts were cultured. ALP staining showed cytoplasm with purple granules, the results showed that the cultured cell was osteoblasts. The content of ALP in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group was (6.272±0.131) ,appreciation rate was (0.81? 0.172), and could significantly improve differentiation and proliferation activity of osteoblasts compared with Saline group (P< 0.01). There were four different size orange nodules, the Maximun nodule was 1.0 x 1.0 cm in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group after Alizarin red staining, the results showed Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously improve mineralization of osteoblasts. The expression of mRNA of β-catenin, Runx2 and Osx in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group were (1.782±0.944), (1.935±0.994) and (1.610±0.811) by RT-PCR,it was significantly increased compared with saline group (P<0.01), but there was no difference between Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group and normal group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously promote differentiation, proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts through activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway. It suggested that the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue (O'f f Il.t)particle clould prevent osteoporosis through the activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the most common disorder in clinic. In recent years due to diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and trauma induced disease increased, the prevalence rate increased. With the development of magnetic resonance imaging and CT imaging technology, it greatly improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of chronic osteomyclitis and ability to describe the infection characteristics, and provide a reliable basis for clinical treatment. The current research on chronic osteomyelitis mainly concentrated on the aspects of imaging applications and ways of using antibiotic optimization control inflammation, defect restoration and reconstruction of blood supply and treatment. But the best time to the antibiotic therapy and the use of program is still uncertain, for after debridement, bone grafting time and defect repair function of fast recovery still need further research.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Osteomyelitis ; diagnosis ; therapy

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex chronic progressive disease attacked by biological and mechanical factors and a result from the anabolic and catabolic imbalance in chondrocyte, subchondral bone and extracellular matrix(ECM). Etiology and pathological of OA are not yet entirely clear. The degradation and destruction of collagen II caused by matrix metalloproteinase -13 (MMP-13) is considered the core factor in the occurrence and development of OA. The research of MMP-13 inhibitor provide ideas and methods for the treatment of OA. In this article,the role and determination of MMP-13 in OA and the development prospect of MMP-13 inhibitor in the treatment of OA research progress were reviewed.
Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; analysis ; physiology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; etiology

Objective:To explore the relationship among psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support in primary caregivers of cancer patients.Methods:A total of 208 primary caregivers of cancer patients in one third grade hospital in Anhui Province were recruited.The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10),Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory(ECR) and Social Support Questionnaire(SSQ) were used to explore psychological distress,adult attachment,and social support status.Results:The average K10 score was (21.5 ± 7.5).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that caregiver gender,pressure on patient care,and attachment anxiety had positive prediction on psychological distress (β =2.30,3.02,0.13),while residence had negative prediction on psychological distress (β =-3.22).Conclusion:It suggests that the psychological distress is related to attachment anxiety and social support among the primary caregivers.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Ki-67, a marker of tumor activity, in the diagnosis of gliomas.

METHODSConventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enhanced scanning, and diffusion-weighted imaging were performed in 76 patients with pathologically confirmed gliomas. The ADC values were measured at tumor parenchyma and the corresponding contralateral normal brain. The relatively ADC (rADC) values of the tumor parenchyma were calculated. The correlation of the ADC values with tumor grades was analyzed. The expression of Ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between ADC value and Ki-67 in the diagnosis of gliomas was analyzed.

RESULTSThe ADC values and rADC values of high-grade gliomas were significantly lower than those of low-grade gliomas. The ADC values of tumor parenchyma were inversely associated with the degree of malignancy of the gliomas (r=-0.898, r=-0.868; P<0.01). The expression of Ki-67 was significantly higher in high-grade gliomas than that in low-grade gliomas. The Ki-67 labeling index in grade 3 and 4 gliomas were (29.48 ± 19.78)% and (31.21 ± 17.50)%, respectively. Both of them were significantly higher than Ki-67 labeling index in low-grade (grade 1 and 2) gliomas [(2.33 ± 2.20)%] (P<0.01). Nevertheless, the Ki-67 labeling index showed no significant difference between grade 3 and 4 gliomas (P>0.05). The expression of Ki-67 was negatively correlated with the ADC values and rADC values in tumor parenchyma (r=-0.627, r=-0.607; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe ADC and rADC values of tumor parenchyma can indirectly reflect the proliferation and malignancy of gliomas and therefore can be useful for the grading of glioma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Intervertebral disc degeneration is considered as a primary cause of clinical low back pain, however the molecular mechanism is not clear yet. Recently, researches on the molecular basis of intervertebral disc degeneration have become a hotspot. The special structure and biomechanics properties of the disc contribute to its propensity toward degeneration. Intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with the changes of the cytological behavior,including the increase in cell death and the degradation of extracellular matrix. However, the mechanism of cell death including cell apoptosis and autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration remains unclear. Further study on the molecular mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration is the foundation of improving and treating the intervertebral disc degeneration in the future. Although some progresses are made in the aspect of biological study, the biological environment of intervertebral disc itself is still a challenge for the development of biological treatment. This article is to review the latest advance on the biological characteristics of normal intervertebral disc and the cell death in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; metabolism ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cell, which derived from mononuclear myeloid hematopoietic stem cells with the function of bone absorption. Osteoclasts plays a key role in bone metabolism, therefore the body is very strict to regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Mobilization and differentiation of osteoclast maturation is a complex and sophisticated multi-level regulatory processes. In the relevant regulatory mechanisms, OPG/RANKL/RANK system plays a pivotal role in the process of osteoclast differentiation and maturation. Recent studies revealed that immune cells and osteoclasts were closely connect with each other in the field of bone metabolism, also provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of bone diseases. The apoptosis of osteoclasts in bone metabolism have been payed more attention,while its mechanism is still not clear, which need further research.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism