Objective To observe the effects of Hedysari flavonoids on TGF-β1 and ultrastructure in lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis, and explore its mechanism. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, prednisone group and Hedysari flavonoids high-, medium- and low-dose groups. Pulmonary fibrosis model was established by injection of bleomycin via trachea. After 24 h, rats were given drugs by gavage in all treatment groups once daily. The expression of TGF-β1 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry on d7, d14 and d28, and ultrastructure wasobserved by transmission electron microscope on d28. Results The positive expression of TGF-β1 was found in a few bronchiolar epithelial cell cytoplasm of blank group. Compared with the blank group, the positive expression of TGF-β1 on bronchial epithelial cell significantly increased (P<0.05) on d7, d14, and d28 in model group. Compared with the model group, the positive expression of TGF-β1 were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in Hedysari flavonoids high- and medium-dose groups and prednisone group on d7, d14 and d28. With electron microscopy, collagen fibers within the mediastinum in rat alveolar in model group were significantly increased, cell cytoplasm mitochondria was swollen in type Ⅱ epithelial cell.Mitochondrial crista was broken or disappeared, lamellar bodies significantly reduced. Collagen fibers reduced significantly in all treatment groups, which can improve and change ultrastructure on type Ⅱ epithelial cell. Conclusion Hedysari flavonoids can significantly reduce pathological damage and extracellular matrix deposition of rats with pulmonary fibrosis, which may have connection with inhibiting of TGF-β1 expression.

Objective To discuss the effects of Radix Hedysari flavonoids on microvessel density (MVD) of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis model rats, and provide evidence for its development. Methods SPF Wistar rats were divided into blank group, model group, prednisone group, and Radix Hedysari flavonoids high-, medium- and low-dosage group. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. From the second day after model established, each drug treatment group was administered with corresponding drugs intragastrically at different points in time for 14 and 28 days. MVD was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Neomicrovessel was increased significantly in pulmonary tissue of model rats of 14 days treatment, but slightly decreased in 28 days. MVD in 14, 28 days model group was significantly more than blank group (P<0.01). MVD in 14, 28 days Radix Hedysari flavonoids high dosage group was significantly less than model group (P<0.01). MVD in Radix Hedysari flavonoids medium-dosage group was between high-and low-dosage group, and MVD in medium-dosage group was similar with that in model group. Conclusion Radix Hedysari flavonoids could inhibit the formation of neomicrovessel in a dose dependent manner.

Objective To observe the effects of Radix Hedysari on collagen area, hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) of lung tissues in rat with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis; To investigate the mechanism and screen the best active ingredients in Radix Hedysari.Methods Totally 144 SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, metacortandracin group, and Radix Hedysari polysaccharide, flavone and saponin groups were set as high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis models were set up by dropping bleomycin into air tube of rats. All groups were taken corresponding medicine with appropriate dose daily on day 2 after models were established for 28 days. Collagen fibrils in lung tissue were observed by Masson dying and contents of HA and LN in lung tissue of rats in each group were detected by radioimmunoassay.Results Compared with the model group, pulmonary alveoli in Radix Hedysari flavone high-, medium-, and low-dose groups and Radix Hedysari polysaccharide low-dose group were relieved obviously; collagenous fiber area in Radix Hedysari flavone low-dose group, Radix Hedysari polysaccharide medium-dose group, and Radix Hedysari saponin low-dose group decreased obviously. Compared with the model group, the content of HA in Radix Hedysari polysaccharide high-dose group, Radix Hedysari flavone high-, medium-, and low-dose groups, and Radix Hedysari saponin high-dose group decreased obviously; the content of LN in Radix Hedysari polysaccharide high-dose group, Radix Hedysari flavone medium- and low-dose groups, and Radix Hedysari saponin medium- and low-dose groups decreased obviously. Conclusion Polysaccharide, flavone and saponin of Radix Hedysari have the abilities to alleviate inflammation of pulmonary alveoli, inhibit proliferation and deposition of collagen fibrils, and reduce the contents of HA and LA in lung tissue. Among these active ingredients, flavone has the best effect.

BACKGROUND:The transplanted bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) survive,migrate to the injury site and differentiate into neurons and astrocytes.Transplantation of BMSCs following spinal cord injury (SCI) may improve the recovery of spinal function and may be an effect way for treating spinal cord injury.The treatment of spinal cord injury by autologous BMSCs mobilization and surgical transplantation has a wide prospect of clinic application.However,it is still unclear whether outcomes and mechanisms of them are different.OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy of treating SCI in rats by mobilization and surgical transplantation of autologous BMSCs,and assess the two methods by qualitative indexes.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized controlled animal experiment was conducted at the Henan Province People's Hospital from June 2007 to April 2008.MATERIALS:A total of 90 healthy Sprague Dawley rats aged 10 wees old,half male and half female,weighing (240±10) g,were subjected to make spinal cord injury models.MATHODS:After 3 days injection with bromodeoxyuridine 50 mg/kg per day,BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of healthy rats.All the rats were underwent spinal cord injury by NYU impactor.All 90 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,with 30 for each group.Rats in the mobilization group were subcutaneously injected with grenulocyte-colony stimulating factor for 7 days,20 mg/kg per day.In surgical transplantation group,a total of 0.3 mL (1×10~(10)/L) BMSCs were transplanted into injured area of spinal cord.Rats in control group were given the same volume of saline (0.3 mL) into injured area of spinal cord.All the rats were injected with 50 mg/kg bromodeoxyuridine daily at day 3 before surgery for 10 days in each group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The Basso-Beattie-Brasnahan (BBB) locomotor score was used to evaluate functional recovery in rat hindlima at 3 days,1,2,4 and 8 weeks after SCI.Motion evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) tests were performed to defect the neural pathway so as to evaluate recovery of injured spinal cord.The cell structural changes and the expression and distribution of Brdu,glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP),and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were observed by pathological and immunohistochemical methods.and 8 weeks after injury (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the mobilization group and surgical was increased in the mobilization group and surgical transplantation group compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01),but Histopathology showed that there were less empty,necrosis and GFAP-positive glial scar tissue,more Brdu-positive cells and NSE-positive cells in the mobilization group and surgical transplantation group than in the control group.CONCLUSION:Autologous BMSCs mobilization transplantation and surgery transplantation could significantly reduce the degree of SCI,and promote the recovery of the spinal cord function after injury for treating SCI.Compared between the two,mobilization of autologous BMSCs are more convenient,non-invasive,more likely to seize the opportunity to treatment.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of ~(18)F-flurorodeoxyglucose (~(18)F-FDG) PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) on multiple myeloma.Materials and Method ~(18)FDG PET/CT imaging findings were retrospectively analyzed in 31cases with multiple myeloma proved by bone marrow aspiration or biopsy from August 2005 to June 2009. Results The PET/CT imaging characteristics were categorized into three types: ① osseous destruction (n=28): Osseous destruction with active metabolism was found in this type combined with no extramedullary organs involvement. The SUV_(max) ranged from 2.5 to 15.4, and the SUV_(arg) ranged from 2.0 to 11.3. ② Extramedullary organ involvement (n=2): Besides osseous destruction, extramedullary organs involvement were detected in this type demonstrating active metabolism in varying degrees. The SUV_(max) ranged from 2.2 to 8.3 and the SUV_(avg) ranged from 1.7 to 6.5. ③ Diffuse bone marrow infiltration (n=1): Diffuse hypermetabolism without osseous destruction was found in the whole body bone marrow with the SUV_(max) of 13.4 and SUV_(avg) of 8.8.Conclusions ~(18)FDG PET/CT can accurately demonstrate the morphology, extent and activity of multiple myeloma, thus facilitating the clinical staging, whereas multiple osteolytic osseous metastases and osseous lymphoma should be excluded for certain cases.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Guiqiyiyuan Ointment (GO) for preventing and treating 12C6+ beam radiation induced lung and kidney bystander effect to provide a new strategy for prevention and treatment of clinical radiation injury. Methods Sixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups: NC group, SR group (simple radiation 2ml/kg), GO group(GO 2ml/kg intragastric administration for 7 days). The right side of the lung was modeled by 12C6+beam radiation. After modeling, the rats were killed at 48h. The left lung, left and right kidney tissues were taken from the rats. The DNA methylation rate was detected by ELISA assay, pathological changes were observed by HE staining, and the expressions of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the NC group, the level of DNA methylation was decreased significantly (P<0.01), the left lung showed inflammation, no abnormal finding was seen in the left and right kidneys, and the expressions of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b were significantly increased in the SR group (P<0.01). Compared with the SR group, the level of DNA methylation was increased significantly (P<0.01), the left lung inflammation became better, and the expressions of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b were significantly decreased in the GO group (P<0.01). Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b proteins were expressed in the cytoplasms of bronchial and renal tubular epithelial cells in all the groups. The NC group presented as light brown-brown staining, showing a weak positive expression, the SR group as brown-brown staining, showing astrong positive expression, and the GO group as light brown-brown staining, showing a moderate positive expression. Conclusion The GO can reduce the bystander effect caused by 12C6+ beam radiation, and its mechanism is related to improving the level of DNA methylation.

Background: The treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI), a common disease in dogs, is limited. Therefore, an effective method to prevent AKI in veterinary clinics is particularly crucial. Objectives: Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is the third gaseous signal molecule involved in various physiological functions of the body. The present study investigated the effect of H 2 S on cisplatin-induced AKI and the involved mechanisms in dogs. Methods: Cisplatin-injected dogs developed AKI symptoms as indicated by renal dysfunction and pathological changes. In the H 2 S-treated group, 50 mM sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) solution was injected at 1 mg/kg/h for 30 min before cisplatin injection. After 72 h, tissue and blood samples were collected immediately. We performed biochemical tests, optical microscopy studies, analysis with test kits, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis. Results: The study results demonstrated that cisplatin injection increased necroptosis and regulated the corresponding protein expression of receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1, RIPK3, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1; furthermore, it activated the expressions of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa B, and interleukin-1β, in canine kidney tissues. Moreover, cisplatin triggered oxidative stress and affected energy metabolism. Conversely, an injection of NaHS solution considerably reduced the aforementioned changes. Conclusions In conclusion, H 2 S protects the kidney from cisplatin-induced AKI through the mitigation of necroptosis and inflammation. These findings provide new and valuable clues for the treatment of canine AKI and are of great significance for AKI prevention in veterinary clinics.

Objective To discuss the protective effects ofGuiqi YiyuanOintment on damages caused by heavy ion radiation induced bystander effects; To explore the possible mechanism.Methods Totally 42 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into blank control group, pure radiation group andGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment group. TheGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment group was givenGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment by gavage for two weeks in advance. Later the right lungs of the rats in the pure radiation group andGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment group were radiated once by 2 Gy12C6+, while the blank control group received no radiation. 6, 12, 24 h after radiation all groups of rats were executed. Peripheral hemogram and the levels of IL-6, TGF-β1 and IL-1β in serum of the rats were examined. The changes of lung tissue pathology morphology in the rats were observed by HE staining.Results Compared with the blank control group, the contents of IL-6, TGF-β1 and IL-1β in serum of the pure radiation group increased obviously at 12 h after radiation (P<0.01), and the amount of leukocyte, erythrocyte, blood platelet and hemoglobin distinctly declined at 12 h after radiation (P<0.01); HE staining showed that the alveolar wall was thickened at 24 h after radiation, and there were exudate and inflammatory cell infiltration in the alveolar cavity. Compare with the pure radiation group at 12 h after radiation, the levels of IL-6, TGF-β1 and IL-1β inGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment group decreased significantly at 12 h after radiation (P<0.01). Indexes of blood routine significantly increased (P<0.01), and the pathological changes of lung tissue in rats improved (P<0.01). ConclusionGuiqi Yiyuan Ointment can protect damages caused by heavy ion radiation induced bystander effects.

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (ET).

METHODSThe imaging data from 88 cases of ET undergoing (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations between August, 2005 and May, 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAll the 88 cases showed high (18)F-FDG uptake on PET imaging with a SUVmax ranging from 1.3 to 23.2. In 19 of the 88 cases, the extrapulmonary lesions were misdiagnosed as malignant neoplasms. Twenty-two patients were found to have phthisis. According to locations, the lesions were classified into 4 basic types, namely membranous tuberculosis (36 cases) with soft tissue thickening as the main manifestation (only 6 cases did not present with obvious thickening), lymphatic tuberculosis (44 cases) with lymph node enlargement (ill-defined edge in 22 cases, central necrosis in 3 cases, and ring-like enhancement in enhanced CT scan in 6 cases), osteoarticular tuberculosis ( 28 cases) with the main findings of osteolytic destruction with or without osteosclerosis (tuberculosis of the spine was characterized by disc damage and paravertebral cold abscess; only one case showed high FDG uptake without bone destruction), and organ tuberculosis (25 cases) involving the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney and brain, where lesions of low density were detected in CT scan (3 cases showed ring-like enhancement). In cases of organ tuberculosis, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal tuberculosis showed soft tissue thickening, and intestinal tuberculosis presented with slight intestinal wall thickening (involving multiple segments in 2 cases). Of the 88 cases, 30 had two or more than two lesion types.

CONCLUSIONPET/CT can accurately demonstrate the morphology, extent of involvement and uptake activity of the ET lesions to assist the early diagnosis and treatment of ET. Enhanced CT scan also helps in the differential diagnosis of the lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring owns important clinical value in diagnosis, prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies, wearable ECG is playing an increasingly important role. With the aging process of the population, it is more and more urgent to upgrade the diagnostic mode of CVD. Using AI technology to assist the clinical analysis of long-term ECGs, and thus to improve the ability of early detection and prediction of CVD has become an important direction. Intelligent wearable ECG monitoring needs the collaboration between edge and cloud computing. Meanwhile, the clarity of medical scene is conducive for the precise implementation of wearable ECG monitoring. This paper first summarized the progress of AI-related ECG studies and the current technical orientation. Then three cases were depicted to illustrate how the AI in wearable ECG cooperate with the clinic. Finally, we demonstrated the two core issues-the reliability and worth of AI-related ECG technology and prospected the future opportunities and challenges.
Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Reproducibility of Results ; Electrocardiography ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Wearable Electronic Devices