Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Video-Assisted Surgery ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoids of propolis (TFP) on apoptosis of myocardial cells of chronic heart failure and its possible mechanism in rats.

METHODSSix male SD rats were randomly selected as normal control group, the remaining rats were made as chronic heart failure (CHF) model by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin. The rats in the successful model were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): CHF group, total flavonoids of propolis low dose group (LD group), total flavonoids of propolis middle dose group (MD group), total flavonoids of propolis high dose group (HD group), digoxin group (DIG group). After six week treatment, cardiac function indexes of rats were recorded by signal acquisition system; brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) content in plasma were detected; Myocardial morphological changes and collagen fiber hyperplasia by HE and Masson staining were observed; Myocardial apoptosis was detected with TUNEL method and protein connexin 43(P-Cx43) expression was detected by Western blot method.

RESULTSCompared with NC group, left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP) and maximal rise/fall velocity of left ventriculad pressure (± dP/dt(max)) absolute value in CHF group were significantly lowered (P < 0.01) while left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased significantly (P < 0.01); Contents of plasma BNP, cTnI, TNF-α and IL-6 in the CHF group were significantly improved (P < 0.01). Compared with CHF group, LVSP, ± dP/dt(max) absolute value in MD and HD groups were increased (P < 0.05), and LVEDP was significantly lowered (P < 0.01); LVEDP in LD group was significantly lowered (P < 0.01), changes in LVSP and ± dp/dt(max) absolue value were not obvious (P > 0.05). BNP, cTnI, TNF-α and IL-6 contents in MD and HD groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), but those plasma indicator changes were not obvious in LD group (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that P-Cx43 expression in CHF group was significantly higher than that in NC group (P < 0.01) and that in all TFP treatment groups it was decreased compared with CHF group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), among which pairwise comparisons also showed differences (P < 0.05), myocardial apoptosis index (%)(22.62 ± 3.39) in CHF group was higher than that in NC group( 1.12 ± 0.24) (P < 0.01); compared with CHF group, the apoptosis index of myocardial cells (%) in LD,MD and HD groups, (15.79 + 2.8), (9.28 + 2.1) and (4.73 + 1.14) respectively, were significantly lower than those in the CHF group( P < 0.01). The expression level of P-Cx43 positively correlated with the apoptotic index (r = 0. 861, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTotal flavonaids of propolis have inhibitory effect on apoptosis of myocardial cells of chronic heart failure induced by adriamycin in rats, and the mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of Cx43 expression, especially the regulatory phosphorylation status.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Chronic Disease ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Phosphorylation ; Propolis ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Troponin I ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the selective dilatation effects of iptakalim (Ipt) on basilar and pulmonary arterioles, and endothelial cell function of these arterioles in hypoxic rats.

METHODSSD male rats were divided into 2 groups:control and hypoxic group fed in normobaric hypoxic environment (O2 7.8%, 8 h). Arteriole rings about (204 + 5) pm were isolated and the tension of hypoxic arterioles pre-contracted by 6 nmol/L endothelin-1 (ET-1) was observed with wire myograph system model (DMT 610 m). The relaxing response of hypoxic arterioles induced by different concentration of Ipt were detected and endothelial activity was also tested by acetylcholine.

RESULTS10(5) mol/L acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated vasodilatation of basilar and pulmonary arterioles was greatly reduced in the hypoxic group than those in control group (P < 0.05). Compared with normal group, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener Ipt at the concentration ranging from 10(-11) mol/L to 10(3) mol/L, caused stronger dose dependent vasodilatation on hypoxic pulmonary arterioles, and there was no significant difference between control and hypoxic basilar arterioles.

CONCLUSIONThe endothelial function of basilar and pulmonary arterioles was damaged under hypoxic state, and Ipt selectively increased dilatation effects on hypoxic pulmonary arterioles, but not on hypoxic basilar arterioles which could improve high altitude pulmonary edema pathological state and be the novel drug in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Arterioles ; drug effects ; Dilatation ; Endothelin-1 ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia ; KATP Channels ; drug effects ; Male ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Vasodilation ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Transfusion ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objectives To study the level and development of serum specific antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)of different populations in SARS pestilence district after SARS outbreak in a general hospital.Discuss SARS sub-clinical infection and protective action of the IgG antibody.Methods Seroepidemiology method,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)and indirect immunfluorescence assay(IFA)were employed to investigate the changing level of serum antibody to SARS-associated coronavirus in non-SARS population in SARS pestilence district during and after SARS outbreak.The development of IgM and IgG antibody in patients with SARS in 6 weeks after the onset of SARS was studied qualitatively.The level changing of IgG antibody in con- valescent patients with SARS in 82 weeks after the onset was observed dynamically.Results The ELISA test outcome of IgG antibody was negative in 200 non-SARS people who were random samples of normal mass in SARS pestilence district and common community.The positive rate was 0.41% in 487 SARS high risk population tested by ELISA,but showed negative when retested by IFA.The A value level of IgG antibody existed significant difference in non SARS mass during and after SARS outbreak and the later's was higher them the former's(P

0.05).Mean time for lesion healing in immunocompromised and immunocompenent mice was 36.8 d and 29.0 d respectively(P0.05).Conclusions Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis may lead to dissemination of the infection in immunocompromised mice and our data suggest that skin is a possible route for dissemination of cryptococcal infection.

Background Biometry of the anterior ocular segment parameter is very important for the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and ocular injury as well as measurement of intraocular lens(IOL).Objective This study was to compare the differences in the anterior chamber depth(ACD) and the central corneal thickness (CCT) between Sirius and Pentacam and evaluate the agreement of these two measurement methods.Methods The ACD and the CCT of 38 right eyes from 38 health volunteers aged 23- 32 years were measured with both Pentacam and Sirius.Three times of measurement were pedormed on each eye for each method to obtain the average values.The repeatability and agreement from each method were assessed as intraclass correlation coefficient( ICC ) and coefficient of variation(CV) and the agreement between these two methods were evaluated using Bland-Altman mode.ResultsThe mean ACD value was( 3.18±0.21 ) mm from Pentacam with the ICC 0.995 and CV 0.066.The mean ACD value from Sirius was (3.22 ±0.21 )mm with the ICC 0.996 and CV 0.065.The difference value in ACD between two methods was 0.04 mm,showing a significant difference( t =-6.225,P＜0.05 ) and a positive correlation (r=0.977) between two methods.The 95％ limit of agreement was( -0.04-0.13)mm within 1 standard difference (SD) of the mean value( ±0.21mm),which was acceptable for clinical measurement.The CCT was( 535±33 )μm from Pentacam with the ICC 0.994 and CV 0.062.The CCT was(537±36)pm from Sirius with the ICC 0.999 and CV 0.067.The difference value in the CCT between two methods was about 2 μm,presenting a in significant difference ( t =1.771,P＞0.05 ) and positive correlation ( r =0.985 ).The 95 ％ limit of agreement was ( - 11.64-15.65 ) μm within 1 SD of the mean value( ±34.27 pm),which was acceptable for clinical measurement.ConclusionsSirius and Pentacam show good agreement in the measurement of ACD and CCT.The two methods offer an alternative choice for the biological measurement of the anterior ocular segment.

Background Axial length and anterior chamber depth are important parameters for the calculation of diopter of intraocular lens ( IOL ). Objective This study was to investigate and compare the measuring outcomes of axial length and anterior chamber depth with IOLMaster,Axis- Ⅱ A-scan and ODM 1000A sonograph.Methods This a observational study.Axial length and anterior chamber depth were measured in 83 eyes of 48 patients with IOLMaster,Axis-Ⅱ A-scan and ODM 1000A sonograph by the same operator.The measuring results were compared among the three methods.Results The axial length were(25.79±0.85) mm,(25.72± 0.82 )mm and ( 26.00 ±0.83 )mm respectively with Axis- Ⅱ,ODM 1000A sonograph and IOLMaster.The difference between Axis-Ⅱ and DM 1000A sonograph was (0.07 ± 0.35 )mm without statistical difference between them (t=1.711,P =0.091 ).The difference of axial length between IOLMaster and DM 1000A sonograph was ( 0.27 ±0.29) mm with a statistical difference between them ( t =-8.570,P =0.000 ).The difference between IOLMaster and Axis- Ⅱ was (0.21 ±0.32 ) mm and showed a statistical difference ( t =- 5.931,P ＜ 0.01 ).The positive correlations were found in the axial length values by the each other comparison among the three instruments( r=0.916,0.938,0.928,P＜0.01 ).The anterior chamber depth values were ( 3.81 ±0.21 ) mm,( 3.84 ±0.25 ) mm and ( 3.83 ±0.18 )mm respectively with Axis-Ⅱ,0DM 1000A sonograph and IOLMaster.The difference of anterior chamber depth between Axis- Ⅱ and DM 1000A was (0.03 ±0.17 ) mm without statistical difference between them ( t =- 1.324,P =0.189 ).The difference in the anterior chamber depth between IOLMaster and DM 1000A was (0.01 ±0.15 ) mm and that between IOLMaster and Axis-Ⅱ was( 0.01 ±0.12)mm without any statistical differences among them (t =0.815,P=0.417 ;t=-0.900,P=0.371 ).The high correlation between anterior chamber depth measurements were found by the each other comparison in the three instruments ( r =0.735,0.813,0.823,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions ODM 1000A sonograph can provide precise axial length and anterior chamber depth values.However,ODM 1000Asonograph can not substitute for IOLMaster in the measurement of the anterior chamber depth and axial length.

Background Clinical research showed that the corneal endothelial cell density value from different corneal specula microscopies exist diversity.The relevant literature of SP02,Tomey EM-3000 and SP3000P is still seldom up to now. Objective This research was to assess the repeatability of endothelial cell density measurements by SP02,Tomey EM-3000 and SP3000P respectively and the agreement among 3 kinds of endothelial microscopes.MethodsFifty-four healthy volunteers with the age 17-38 years old were included this research.The written informed consent was obtained from each subject before examination.The corneal endothelial cell densities in the right eyes were analyzed with SP02,Tomey EM-3000 and SP3000P respectively for 3 times under the automatic mode,and the analytical procedure of SP3000P measurement were divided into automatic mode SP3000P (A) and manual correction modes SP3000P( M).The repeatability of each specula microscopy was analyzed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation ( CV ),and the 95％ confidence intervals and plotting Bland-Altman graphs were used to analyze the agreement among these methods.ResultsThe mean corneal endothelial cell densities in the population ＜24 years were significantly higher than the ones ≥ 24 years (t =3.692,P＜0.05 ),but no statistical difference was found between different gender ( t =0.335,P =0.739 ).The mean corneal endothelial cell densities were ( 3058 ± 260 ),( 2954 ± 229 ),( 2668 ± 258 ),( 2734 ± 268 ) cell/mm2 ; the ICCs were 0.957,0.940,0.972 and 0.972 and the CV were 0.063,0.061,0.056,0.058 for SP02,Tomey EM-3000,SP3000P (A) and SP3000P ( M ) respectively.The 95％ confidence intervals were ( - 100.8 - 306.8 ),( 162.6 - 617.4 ),( 109.9-494.1 ) and ( -0.6 - 132.6 ) cell/mm2 for between SP02 and Tomey EM-3000,SP3000P ( A ) and SP02,SP3000P(A) and Tomey EM-3000,SP3000P(A) and SP 3000P(M) respectively.ConclusionsSP02,Tomey EM-3000 and SP3000P(A) have good repeatability in the measurement of corneal endothelial cell density,however the outcome is different.Therefore,it is not interchangeable for the detection of corneal endothelial cell density.The differences of corneal endothelial cell density obtained from these instruments shall be paid high attention for their differences.SP3000P(A) and SP3000P(M) can be used interehangeably and SP3000P(A) is a preferable choice due to its convenience and quickness.

Background The pathogenesis and development of cataract is associated with oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(LECs).BH3-only protein is a factor that can initiate apoptosis,and thus the apoptotic process is probably related to the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK).However,the relationship between oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human LECs and the JNK pathway remains to be illuminated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of the JNK/c-Jun pathway and its target gene,Bim (Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death)and PU M A(p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis),on oxidative stressinduced apoptosis of human LECs.Methods The human LECs cell line(HLEC-B3)was cultured and passaged in DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum in vitro.Confluent cells were incubated in 24 well plates and divided into 4 groups.Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)(50 μmol/L)was used to treat the cells for 4,8 or 12 hours,and cells without H2O2 treatment served as the control group.Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33258 staining and quantified by counting the number of cells with pyknotic nuclei.In addition,confluent cells were seeded in 6 well plates,and Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of the caspase-3,c-Jun,Bim and PUMA proteins and their mRNA in HLEC-B3,respectively.The JNK/c-Jun pathway inhibitors,CEP11004 or SP600125,were added into cultured media with H2O2,and cells treated with DMSO or H2O2 only served as negative and positive control groups.The expression of the p-JNK,JNK,p-c-Jun,c-Jun,Bim,PUMA proteins was detected by Western blot and apoptosis was assayed using Hoechst 33258 staining.200 pmoL/L of Bim or PUMA small interference RNA(siBim or siPUMA)fragments were transfected into the cells for 24 hours,respectively,and H2O2 was then used to treat the cells for 8 hours.The expression of the Bim and PUMA protein and their mRNA in the cells was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR,respectively.Results After H2O2 treatment in HLEC-B3 cells for 4,8,or 12 hours,the rates of apoptosis were 4.30％±1.15％,27.08％±0.74％ and 46.59％±0.91％,showing a significant difference among them (F=1909.433,P=0.000),and those of the 4,8,12 hour groups were significantly increased in comparison to the control group(P =0.049,0.000,0.000).Compared to untreated cells,the levels of expression of the JNK,Bim,PUMA proteins and their mRNA in HLEC-B3 cells were significantly elevated.After the addition of CEP11004 or SP600125,the expression of these protein and mRNA in HLEC-B3 cells in the presence of H2O2 was significantly weaker than that in the DMSO control group(P =0.000,0.000).After the tranfection of siBim or siPUMA,the apoptosis rates of the H2O2 treated groups were significantly higher than those in the Bim-/-or PIMA-/-group (P＜0.05).Conclusions H2O2 can activate the JNK/c-Jun pathway and up-regulate the expression of its target genes Bim and PUMA in human LECs in a time-dependent manner.Inhibiting the JNK/c-Jun pathway and interfering with the expression of Bim and PUMA can protect human LECs against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.