This study investigated the correlation between and compared the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase α (p38MAPKα) in the ex vivo expanded umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD133(+) cells. hUCB CD133(+) cells were cultured in the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) culture medium with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an anti-oxidant), p38MAPKα-specific inhibitor (SB203580) or their combination. The levels of ROS and expression of phosphorylated p38MAPKα (p-p38) in CD133(+) cells were flow cytometrically detected. The efficacy of ex vivo expansion was evaluated by the density of CD133(+) cell sub-group colony-forming cells (CFC) and cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) assay. Our results showed decreased ROS levels in NAC, SB203580, and their combination treatment groups were almost 37%, 48%, and 85%, respectively. Furthermore, SB203580 abrogated the activation of p38MAPKα more obviously than NAC. Moreover, the CD133(+) cells in SB203580 treatment group had a 21.93±1.36-fold increase, and 14.50±1.19-fold increase in NAC treatment group, but only 10.13±0.57-fold increase in control group. In addition, SB203580 treatment led a higher level increase in the number of CFU and CAFC than NAC did. These findings suggested that, in expanded CD133(+) cells, ROS activates p38MAPKα, which, in turn, induces ROS production, and p38MAPKα might be the most suitable regulator in ROS-p38MAPKα pathway for the promotion of HSCs ex vivo expansion.

Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)in diagnosing active sacroiliitis of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)Methods 63 cases with AS confirmed clinically were included.The patients were evaluated by Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI)score and examined by MRI with oblique coronal DWI and STIR sequence in the sacroili-ac joint.The ADC value and Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC)score were measured in all patients.Cor-relative analysis was performed among BASDAI score,SPARCC score and ADC value.Patients were divided into activity and stability group according to the condition,which were compared with the ADC features of the sacroiliac joint in healthy volunteers.Results The Spearman correlation analysis showed that in patients SPARCC score and ADC values (r =0.781,P <0.001 ),BASDAI score and ADC values (r=0.854,P <0.001),SPARCC score and BASDAI score (r =0.805,P <0.001)were positively correlated.The median ADC values in the sacroiliac joint of activity group (0.704×10 -3 mm2/s)was higher than that in the stable group(0.543× 10 -3 mm2/ s )and the control group (0.431×10 -3 mm2/ s).The ADC values between the activity、stability and control group were statistically significant differences.Conclusion SPARCC score and DWI are important indexes for MRI evaluation of sacroiliac ar-thritis activity.DWI is a fast imaging sequence,can be quantified by measuring the ADC value of the lesion area,and is the ideal choice for sacroiliac joint imaging.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of the whole nodule size and solid component size of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as subsolid nodule(SSN) in three different dimensions for pathologic grade.Methods We evaluated retrospectively preoperative chest HRCT data of 125 patients with 127 SSNs surgically resected and pathologically conformed lung adenocarcinomas.All specimens were divided into two groups: a total of 69 SSNs in group A, including 22 AIS and 47 MIA;a total of 58 SSNs in group B, only including IAC.Computer aided diagnosis software were used to measure the one dimension maximum diameter of solid component with lung window setting(1D-SCLW),two dimension maximum diameter of solid component with lung window setting(2D-SCLW),one dimension maximum diameter of solid component with mediastinal window setting(1D-SCMW),two dimension maximum diameter of solid component with mediastinal window setting(2D-SCMW),one dimension maximum diameter of whole nodule with lung window setting (1D-WNLW), two dimension maximum diameter of whole nodule with lung window setting (2D-WNLW), and volume of solid component with threshold of-300 HU (SCT) of all SSNs.Results 1D-SCLW, 2D-SCLW,1D-SCMW,2D-SCMW,1D-WNLW,2D-WNLW and SCT of the group B were significantly larger than those of the group A(P=0.000).ROC analyses indicated that the diagnostic efficiency of SCT for the pathologic grade was the highest among 7 CT features(AUC=0.887, sensitivity:81%,specificity:93%);The cut-off values of 1D-SCLW,2D-SCLW,1D-SCMW,2D-SCMW,1D-WNLW, 2D-WNLW and SCT were 17.50 mm,14.75 mm,9.50 mm,7.75 mm,0.50 mm,1.25 mm and 139.00 mm3.Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that SCT was the independent predictor of pathologic grade(OR=4.978,95%CI=1.430-17.331,P=0.012).SCT of 139.00 mm3 or greater was a significant indicator of IAC.Conclusion Among the whole nodule size and solid component size of SSN in three different dimensions on preoperative HRCT, SCT is found to be the independent predictor of pathologic grade, which may provide reference for surgery.

Air ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Styrenes ; analysis ; Workplace

Objective To investigate the prevalence and attitude of smoking and its influencing factors among residents in Hongkou District of Shanghai,so as to provide evidence for tobacco control. Methods Nine hundred and sixty residents in Hongkou District of Shanghai aged 15 to 69 years were selected by multi-level random sampling,among whom 958 completed the investigations on smoking status. Results The smoking rate and standardized smoking rate were 20.04% and 18.73%,respectively.The smoking rate and standardized smoking rate of males were 41.05% and 30.07%,and those of females were 0.80% and 1.70%,respectively.The smoking rate of males was higher than that of females(RR=0.02,95%CI: 0.01-0.03).The smoking rates of age groups of 25 years old and over were higher than those of 15 to 24 years old,and the smoking rate of subjects with or above junior college education was lower than that of subjects with or below middle school education(RR=0.45,95%CI: 0.25-0.79).Subjects who drank alcohol smoked more than those did not(RR=2.68,95%CI: 1.76-4.09).Lower annual per capita income and higher knowledge on smoking hazard led to more tendance to object to smoking and agree with anti-smoking. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking of residents aged 15 to 69 years in Hongkou District of Shanghai was relatively lower.Age,gender,education status and alcohol drinking were influencing factors of smoking.Education on tobacco control among subjects aged more than 35 years should be strengthened,and more attention should be paid to those with lower education.Besides,education on alcohol control should be managed together with tobacco control.

Objective:To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2) and extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK1/2) in gastric tissues of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanisms of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A), a model group (group B), a ranitidine group (group C), and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (group D) by random digit, 15 rats in each group. Rat models of spleen deficiency syndrome were made by intragastric administration of 4℃ 200% concentrated Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). After successful modeling, the rats in group C were treated with 25 mg/(kg·bw) ranitidine by intragastric adminstration and rats in group D were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12), for 8 d. Excepted for rats in group A, all the other rats were treated with indomethacin at 5 mg/(kg·bw) at 8:00 a.m. on the second day after finishing all the intervention and sacrificed 7 h later to isolate the stomach. Histopathological changes of the gastric tissues were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:After intervention, the gastric mucosal injury in group B was significantly severer than that in group A, with large breakage and ablating; the damage of gastric mucosa was decreased in group C compared with group B; the gastric mucosal surface remained relatively complete, and the status of breakage and ablating was significantly improved. After intervention, compared with group A, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues of the other groups were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with group B, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group C and D were significantly higher (allP<0.01). Compared with group C, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group D were significantly higher (P<0.01). Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion promotes the repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, via improving protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues, as well as activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

This study investigated the correlation between and compared the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase a (p38MAPKα) in the ex vivo expanded umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD133+ cells.hUCB CD133+ cells were cultured in the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) culture medium with N-acetylcysteine (NAC,an anti-oxidant),p38MAPKα-specific inhibitor (SB203580) or their combination.The levels of ROS and expression of phosphorylated p38MAPKα (p-p38) in CD133+ cells were flow cytometrically detected.The efficacy of ex vivo expansion was evaluated by the density of CD 133+ cell sub-group colony-forming cells (CFC) and cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) assay.Our results showed decreased ROS levels in NAC,SB203580,and their combination treatment groups were almost 37％,48％,and 85％,respectively.Furthermore,SB203580 abrogated the activation of p38MAPKα more obviously than NAC.Moreover,the CD133+ cells in SB203580 treatment group had a 21.93±1.36-fold increase,and 14.50±1.19-fold increase in NAC treatment group,but only 10.13±0.57-fold increase in control group.In addition,SB203580 treatment led a higher level increase in the number of CFU and CAFC than NAC did.These findings suggested that,in expanded CD133+ cells,ROS activates p38MAPKα,which,in turn,induces ROS production,and p38MAPKα might be the most suitable regulator in ROS- p38MAPKα pathway for the promotion ofHSCs ex vivo expansion.

ERα36 is a novel subtype of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) known to play an important role in breast cancer development and widely expressed in normal tissues and cells including nerve cells. However, the expression and function of ERα36 in nerve cells have not been well elucidated. To examine whether ERα36 is involved in differentiation of nerve cells, the differentiated and undifferentiated PC12 (PC12D and PC12unD) cells were used. Transfection of ERα36-shRNA plasmid into PC12 cells was performed to establish the ERα36 gene knock-down cells model. Immunocytofluorescence and Western blot were used to analyze the expression of Nestin, β-tubulinIII and Neu-N in the PC12 cells. The results showed that ERα36 was expressed in both cell types. Compared with PC12D cells, PC12unD cells showed higher expression of Nestin and lower expression of β-tubulinIII. ERα36-shRNA-mediated knock-down of ERα36 expression enhanced the expression of β-tubulinIII and Neu-N, but attenuated Nestin expressions in PC12unD cells; ERα36 knock-down in PC12D cells mediated Nestin, β-tubulinIII and Neu-N in a contrary manner. These results indicate that ERα36 knock-down appear to be associated with inhibiting differentiation in differentiated cells and promoting differentiation in undifferentiated cells, suggesting that ERα36 is a dual regulator in nerve differentiation.
Animals ; Antigens, Nuclear ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Transfection ; Tubulin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the acute and delayed killing effect of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on Echinococcus granulosus(E. granulosus)protoscolices in vitro.Methods E. granulosus protoscolices were treated with different dosage of effective power(0,25,50,100,200,250 W)and time(5,10,20,30,40,50,60 s)of HIFU in vitro to obtain the dosage-effect curves.Then the survival pmtoscolices were incubated,and the mortality of each group was counted daily.The protoscolicidal effects were investigated by trypan blue exclusion assay.Results Compared with the untreated group,the Vitality of E.granulosus protoscolices significantly decreased immediately after treated by HIFU of different dosage(F=5201.59 vs 1865.65,P＜0.05),there were the interaction both different dosage and time(F=214.50,P＜0.05).The protoscolices were broken into pieces by HIFU of 250 W×40 s,whereas the growth of the surviving protoscolices after exposed to HIFU was obvious suppressed.Both the acute killing effect and the delayed inhibitory effect showed a dosage-dependant manner.The inhibitory effect increased along with the increased dosage of HIFU(P＜0.05).The inhibitory effect in 50 W×10 s group was stronger than 25 W×20 s group(P＜0.05).The mortality was increased in parallel with the increase of HIFU dosage.Conclusions HIFU show an effective immediately killing effect,as well as a growth-inhibiting effect on the E.granulosus protoscolices in vitro.

ObjectiveTo study the quality control methods for 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection.MethodsThe appearance,pH,contents of the bases,the labeling yield,asepsis and bacterial endotoxins of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kits from three different batches were examined.The kit stability was estimated under different conditions.The transparence,pH,radiochemical purity,half-life,asepsis and bacterial endotoxins of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 injection were tested.ResultsThe 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection were both achromous and transparent,with pH values being 5.9 ± 0.1 and 5.5 - 7.0 respectively.The contents of stannous chloride and TRODAT-1 were stable.The labeling yield of the kit and the radiochemical purity of the injection were both ≥95％.The asepsis test demonstrated that the characters of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit and injection were qualified.TRODAT-1 kit was stable at 0 -4 ℃ for 6 months or at room temperature (20 -25 ℃ )for 10 days,and the radiochemical purity of the injection was still ＞ 90％ at room temperature for 8 hours.ConclusionsThe quality control methods for 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 kit are simple and practical.The kit and injection are qualified and can be used for clinical application.