OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of Jiedu Tongluo injection on cerebral edema induced by focal lesion of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the hydrous content of brain and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin and MMP-9 in rats.

METHODThe model of brain middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion was established by the thread approach. After 24 hours of reperfusion, cerebral edema formation was determined by the hydrous content of brain. The permeability of blood brain barrier was evaluated based on the leakage of Evans blue. Enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA)was used to examine the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin. The expression of MMP-9 was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTJDTL, in the dose of 2 mL x kg(-1) and 4 mL x kg(-1), relieved cerebral edema (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), reduced the expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-land E-selectin and decreased MMP-9 activity (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) in model rats.

CONCLUSIONJiedu Tongluo injection has a protective effect on rat brain from cerebral edema induced by the injury of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The mechanism is related to that Jiedu Tongluo injection can reduce the expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin and inhibit of MMP-9 activation in rat brain.

Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Edema ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; E-Selectin ; metabolism ; Evans Blue ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Injections ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Permeability ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

To investigate the neurotoxic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 on cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG)neurons in vitro, dissociated and organotypic mouse embryo's DRG cell culture models were established. Both dissociated and organotypic DRG cultures were treated with HIV gp120 in different concentration (250 pmol/L and 1 nmol/L, respectively, 2 times/7 days). For dissociated DRG cultural cells, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunofluorescent labeling was processed for observing the changes of neuronal cell body and neurites. The change of the ultrastructure in the organotypic cultured DRG was observed by electron microscopy.The difference of the number and length of neurites between the control group and HIV gp120 treated groups were significant (P＜0.001),whereas there was no significant difference in the diameter of neurons between them (P＞0.05). The ultrastructural changes included the decrease or loss of cristae in mitochondria and accumulation of many high densed particles between the microtubules and the neurofilaments by using both the concentrations of HIV gp120 treatment. The present results indicate that HIV gp120 had a directly neurotoxic effect on the cultured DRG neurons, especially more sensitive to mitochondria.

OBJECTIVETo investigate different angle projection technique for the clinical detection and treatment of multiple canals in mandibular anterior teeth and premolars.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty-seven in vivo mandibular anterior teeth and premolars were selected from two hundred and fourteen patients. Four kinds of radiographs were taken for each tooth. The radiograph was taken at a horizontal angles of 0, 20 - 30 degrees from the mesial or distal of the tooth with and without files in canal. If a radiolucent line or files was present mesial or distal to the main canal, an additional canal was suspected. If the tooth appeared to have one large canal in the cervical or middle third of the root which disappeared or constricted as it traveled in an apical direction, an additional canal was suspected. The root canals were instrumented with ProTaper in crown-down mode and filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha and paste, the root canal configurations were classified into Types I - V.

RESULTS60.92% multiple canals and 26.44% long oval canals were detected and treated from suspected multiple canals. The sensitivity of angle projection technique with file in X-ray diagnosing of multiple canals was 93.0%, and second canal was missed in four cases. The multiple canals in the 247 mandibular anterior teeth and premolars were present in central incisors: 9.43% (5 of 53); lateral incisors: 38.33% (23 of 60); canines: 15.90% (7 of 44), first premolar: 40.38% (21 of 52); second premolar: 2.63% (1 of 38).

CONCLUSIONSThe different angle projection technique will assist the clinician in the detection and treatment of multiple canals in mandibular anterior teeth and premolar, and angle projection technique with file detected more multiple canals.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bicuspid ; diagnostic imaging ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Mandible ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Root Canal Therapy

Objective To construct a prokaryotic expression vector in BL21 to secretorily expressα-Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase(α-CGTase). Methods α-CGT gene was amplified from Bacillus macerens genome by PCR.pET26b and α-CGT gene were connected after digested with Nco I, Xho I respectivly, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 strain.α-CGTase was expressed in fermentation culture medium and AA-2G was prepared by using α-CGTase, VC and starch.Results α-CGTase was expressed secretorily and the enzyme activity was up to 120 U/mL.AA-2G was prepared by the biotransformation of VC and starch using α-CGTase which proved to be correct by HPLC.Conclusion AA-2G was prepared by using self-madeα-CGTase, after optimized the preparation conditions the yield of AA-2G was 17.46 g/L, and the conversion rate reached 58.2%(mg/mg).

AIMTo provide proof for Evidence-based Medicine as well quality control, our laboratory detected the thrombin activity on various body position.

METHODSBy autogenous contrast and cross matched survey, 105 volunteers divided into 3 season patches of winter, spring and summer, blood samples were drawn from the same part in both standing and lying position. Both samples and the quality control were detected to investigate the effect of the body position to thrombin activity's changing. The data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0.

RESULTSTaking the lying's data as baseline, the average changing on all those the "5" index was 7.07% and the highest changing reached 9.33%. This kind changing had great significant differences (P < 0.01). According to the t value, sequences ranged: FIB > TT > PT > INR > APTT. FIB, TT and APTT's values slowly raised, adversely PT and INR slowly went down. While sitting for 15 min after lying, these indices returned to 95.2% of the original value in sitting position in addition. Season, age and device had no relationship with body position.

CONCLUSIONChanging body position can result in obvious physiological variation of thrombin activity.

Adult ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; physiology ; Thrombin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance of serum free light chain (sFLC) levels in nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM).

METHODSNine NSMM patients were hospitalized in our department from Feb 2002 to Sep 2006 and no M-components was found in their serum and urine by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). sFLC was assayed by immuno-nephelometry. The clonality of sFLC was estimated by serum kappa:lambda sFLC ratio. Meanwhile, serum immunoglobulin, total kappa and lambda light chain level were also determined in these patients.

RESULTSIncreased serum concentrations of either kappa or lambda sFLC (and abnormal kappa/lambda ratios) were detected in 6 of 9 patients with NSMM although their serum immunoglobulin levels were not elevated and total kappa:lambda light chain ratios (1.32 - 2.20) were in the reference range. All the 9 patients had clonal IgH gene rearrangements.

CONCLUSIONQuantification of sFLC by immuno-nephelometry is more sensitive than that of serum total light chain measurement and is helpful in estimating the clonality of the light chain in patients with NSMM.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and laboratory features and risk factors of multiple myeloma (MM) with extramedullary disease (EM) and its extraosseous localizations at diagnosis and during the course of MM.

METHODSThe clinical features, survival rate and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed in 40 patients having EM from a total of 418 MM patients hospitalized in Changzheng Hospital from 1993 to 2006.

RESULTSAmong the 40 patients, the first three localizations of EM involved soft tissue, pleura or peritoneum and central nervous system (CNS). Median duration of follow-up was 30 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 28 months. Twenty-five patients (6%) were found to have EM at diagnosis (group A), and their median OS was 16 months and 15 patients (3.6%) developed EM during the course of the disease (group B), and their expected median OS was 72 months. There was a significant difference between group A and B (P = 0.0045) for OS. Compared with those in group A, patients in group B had a higher percentage of plasmacytes (P = 0.022) and plasmablasts (P = 0.029) in bone marrow, and less advanced stage for international staging system (ISS) (P = 0.027). Log-rank univariate analysis showed that higher CRP level, higher serum LDH, Stage II and III for ISS, Hb < 110 g/L at diagnosis were poor prognostic factors. However, multivariate analysis with COX model showed none of them were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONEM tumors are not a rare manifestation of MM. Soft tissue in the commonest area involved. Higher serum CRP and LDH level, more advanced stage for ISS, anemia and having EM are poor prognostic factors of MM.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and therapy of Keutel syndrome, and thereby to minimize the misdiagnosis.

METHODData of a case of Keutel syndrome diagnosed at the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University were analyzed and related literature were reviewed.

RESULTAn 8-month-26-day-old boy was presented with inspiratory and expiratory stridor and wheezing after movement on lung auscultation. His craniofacial appearance was characterized by midfacial hypoplasia with a broad depressed nasal bridge. The nose was small and flat. A grade 2-3/6 systolic murmur was heard between the second and third ribs at left edge of the sternum. The end phalanges of his fingers were thickened. Chest radiograph showed tracheobronchial cartilage calcification and tracheobronchial stenosis. Echocardiographic examination revealed the right pulmonary stenosis. With endoscopic surgery, antiobstructive and antibiotic therapy clinical symptoms were improved. Three weeks later he died of lung reinfection after he was discharged from our hospital. English literature search with "Keutel syndrome" as the key word at "PubMed" showed 22 articles covering 26 patients, and the clinical symptoms were hearing loss (91%), persistent respiratory symptoms (68%), recurrent otitis media/sinusitis (67%), growth development delay (52%) in turn, and signs were brachytelephalangism (100%), low nasal bridge (95%), midfacial hypoplasia (93%), cardiac murmur (69%), and auxiliary examinations showed abnormal cartilage calcification (100%), pulmonary arterial stenosis (72%), tracheobronchial stenosis (50%).

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of Keutel syndrome should be considered in patients with brachytelephalangism, abnormal cartilage calcification, peripheral pulmonary stenosis, and midfacial hypoplasia. Tracheal stenosis was main clinical manifestation in part of patients.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Bone and Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; Calcinosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Cartilage ; diagnostic imaging ; Cartilage Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hand Deformities, Congenital ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tracheal Stenosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

Objective To observe the value of MRI in preoperative staging of tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC).Methods Totally 154 patients with TSCC underwent MR scanning.MR manifestations of TSCC were analyzed,and the preoperative staging of Tumor (T),Node (N) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) were performed.Then the consistency between preoperative MRI staging and postoperative pathology staging was evaluated.Results Preoperative MRI T staging were T1 in 37 patients,T2 in 54,T3 in 7 and T4 in 56 patients,respectively,while N staging were N0 in 104 patients,N1 in 31 and N2 in 19 patients,respectively.For AJCC staging,there were 34 patients in Ⅰ stage,37 in Ⅱ stage,21 in Ⅲ stage and 62 in Ⅳ stage,respectively.Between preoperative MRI and postoperative pathology staging,the Kappa of T,N and AJCC staging was 0.814,0.786 and 0.790,respectively (all P＜0.01).The accuracy rate of preoperative MRI T,N and AJCC staging of TSCC was 87.01％ (134/154),88.96％ (137/154) and 85.06％ (131/154),respectively.Conclusion The consistency was good between preoperative MRI T,N and AJCC staging and postoperative pathology staging of TSCC.

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process by which components of the cell are degraded in lysosomes, may facilitate survival of cancer cells under stress conditions. 8-Azaguanine (8-AG), an inhibitor of purine nucleotide biosynthesis, shows antineoplastic activity in multiple tumor cells. However, chemoresistance has restricted its development as an anticancer agent, and the mechanism of 8-AG resistance is not fully understood. We report here that 8-AG induces a protective autophagy to eliminate its cytotoxicity, and inhibition of autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment. Using HepG2 or SMMC-7721 hepatic cancer cell lines, we found that 8-AG inhibited cell viability and induced intrinsic apoptosis, accompanied by the up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein BimS, one of Bim (also known as BCL-2-like protein 11, BCL2L11) isoforms. Furthermore, 8-AG treatment enhanced the autophagy flux by promoting the dephosphorylation and activation of Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) via Akt/mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling inhibition. Depletion of autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) markedly enhanced the level of BimS, and promoted cell death in response to 8-AG. 8-AG in combination with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1) promoted the 8-AG-induced apoptosis in hepatic cancer cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that autophagy promotes chemoresistance of cancer cells for 8-AG, and blocking autophagy increases cellular sensitivity of cancer cells to 8-AG treatment.