Objective To evaluate the effect of insulin on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of sevoflurane-anesthetized mice.Methods Forty-five pathogen-free healthy male BALB/c mice,aged 5-6 weeks,weighing 18-22 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),sevoflurane group (group Sev) and insulin plus sevoflurane group (group IS).Insulin 2 U/20 μ1 was instilled via the nasal cavity for 7 consecutive days in group IS,and 0.9％ normal saline 20 μl was given instead in group C.After the end of insulin treatment,2.5％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 1 h in Sev and IS groups,and Morris water maze test was performed to assess the cognitive function 1 day later.The mice were then sacrificed and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax (by Western blot).Apoptosis index (AI)was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged at day 4 after operation,the percentage of time spent on the target quadrant was decreased at day 5 after operation,AI was increased,the expression of Bax was up-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated in group Sev (P＜0.05).Compared with group Sev,the escape latency was significantly shortened at day 4 after operation,the percentage of time spent on the target quadrant was increased at day 5 after operation,AI was decreased,the expression of Bax was down-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated in group IS (P＜ 0.05).Cornclusion Insulin improves the cognitive function of sevoflurane-anesthetized mice through inhibiting apoptosis in hippocampal neurons.

Objective The aim of the current study was to investigate the prognostic value of extracapsular lymph node spread in gastric cancer patients and to find correlations with clinicopathological parameters.Methods Clinicopathological data of 131 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The number of metastatic lymph nodes with extracapsular spread were determined. Multivariate analysis was performed to find the clinical prognosis affecting extracapsular lymph node involvement. Results Seventy-eight patients (59.5%)had perigastric lymph node metastasis. Fortysix cases were detected extracapsular lymph node involvement. The 5-year cumulative survival rate for patients with extracapsular lymph node spread was 13. 5% , while 32 patients with lymph node metastasis but without extracapsular involvement had a 5-year survival rate of 39.3%. The survival rate decreased significantly with the increase of extracapsular lymph node involvement(P =0.001). Extracapsular lymph node involvement was significantly associated with the higher number of metastatic lymph nodes, the location of lymph node metastasis, tumor invasion depth and distant lymph node metastasis. In the multivariate analysis, extracapsular lymph node spread also remained as an independent prognostic factor(P =0.003). Conclusions Extracapsular lymph node involvement is a convenient and reliable prognostic index, and is an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer patients. In future staging systems for gastric cancer, extracapsular lymph node involvement should be considered, be pathologically checked and reported in order to determine extracapsular spread status.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effects of Corydalis ambailis migo total alkaloids (COAMTA) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS: The effects of COAMTA on decapitated gasping mouse model and rat model of middle cerebral artery ischemia (2 h)/reperfusion (22 h) were observed. The neurological scale, cerebral infarcted volume and cerebral water content subjected to cerebral middle artery ischemia/reperfusion in rats were recorded. The activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ratso brain were measured. Cell apoptosis in ischemic penumbral area was observed with light microscope in the method of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: The average gasping time of the mice (6.0 mg/kg or 9.0 mg/kg COAMTA) was significantly prolonged, the cerebral infarcted volume and cerebral water content of the rats (5.0 mg/kg or 7.5 mg/kg COAMTA) were significantly decreased, as compared with the control groups. The average activity of SOD in cerebral tissue of the rats (5.0 mg/kg or 7.5 mg/kg COAMTA) was significantly higher than that of the control groups, meanwhile, the average activity of NOS and the content of MDA declined significantly. The cell apoptosis in ischemic penumbral area of the rats (5.0 mg/kg COAMTA) was significantly inhibited as compared with the control groups. CONCLUSION: COAMTA can facilitate the protection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage. The mechanism is related to inhibiting the activity of NOS and lipoperoxidation, increasing the activity of SOD and decreasing the neuronal apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the variation of the thioredoxin system (Trx),and the role of it in transient out-ward potassium current (Ito) channels in left ventricular myocytes of diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Methods Forty-five SD rats were divided into DM group and control group. DM group were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce DM model. The values of left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), end-systolic diameter (LVESD), fractional shortening (LVFS), ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart rate (HR), QRS duration and corrected QT (QTc) interval were detected by echocardiogra-phy (UCG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) in two groups. The left ventricular myocardial tissue samples were taken to detect the Trx,glutaredoxin (GRX),thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione reductase (GR) by using UV spectrophotometer. The level of free thiol (P-SH) of total cardiac protein was detected by 5, 5′-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid method. Ito of the cardiomyocytes was recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp method. After being incubated in vitro with insulin(Ins), treated with TrxR inhibitor-auranofin(AF) and 13-cis-retinoic acid(RA), the changes of Ito of the cardiomyocytes were observed. Results Compared with control group, the values of heart rate (HR), left ventricular minor axis decurtaion rate (LVFS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and TrxR were lower in DM group. The values of LVEDD, LVESD, QRS and QTc inter-vals, Trx, Grx and P-SH were higher in DM group than those of control group. Ito density was significantly higher in DM+Ins group than that of DM group, Ins+RA group and Ins+AF group when the stimulation voltage ≥ 0 mV (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The impaired Trx system in diabetic rat myocardium was the electrophysiological basis of the reduced ventric-ular function and arrhythmia. And Ins was able to reverse the decreased Ito of cardiomyocytes in DM rats.

Aim To study the protective effects of Rhynchophyll a of total alkaloids ( RTA ) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and the possi ble mechanism of action. Methods The effects of RTA on decapit ated gasping model and model of middle cerebral artery ischemia 2 h/reperfusion 22 h were observed. The neurological scores, cerebral infarct volume and cerebr al water content after ischemia/reperfusion were observed in rats respectively. The activities of NOS and SOD and the content of MDA in rat's brain tissue were measured. Neuron apoptosis in ischemia penumbral area were detected by terminal depoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling ( TUNEL ) . Results The average gasping times in mice treated with RTA 50 , 75 mg?kg -1 was significantly prolonged. The cerebral infarct volume and cerebral water content in rats treated with RTA 40, 60 mg?kg -1 were sign ificantly decreased in ischemic rats. RTA 40, 60 mg?kg -1 increased the ac tivity of SOD ,and decreased the activity of NOS and the content of MDA in the i schemic brains of rats. The number of apoptotic neurons in ischemia penumbral ar ea of cerebral tissue of rats treated with RTA 40, 60 mg?kg -1 was signif icantly lower than that in control rats. Conclusions RTA has pr otective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury; this may be related to inhibit the activity of NOS and lipoperoxidation, and increasing the activity of SOD and decreasing neuron apoptosis.

Objective: To compare the difference of infrared radiation temperature on body surface of points between healthy people and patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands. Method: The thermaCATMT P30 infrared thermal imaging system was selected to measure the infrared radiation temperature on body surface of eight points in four meridians in 74 patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands and 63 healthy people. Results: The infrared radiation temperatures on body surface of right Youmen (KI 21) in cases with hyperplasia of mammary glands were significantly higher than the healthy people (P=0.009), and the infrared radiation temperatures on left Youmen (KI 21) and other points had no significant difference with healthy people (P>0.05). Conclusion: The infrared radiation temperatures on body surface of right Youmen (KI 21) have significant differences with healthy people. This might occur because of the pathogenesis of hyperplasia of mammary glands and of the specificity of the point Youmen (KI 21).

Adenovirus carrying BMP-2 gene, after being mixed with fibrinous gel, was siphoned off on biodegradable scaffolds (PLA/PCL). The composite was used to repair 1.5 cm long radius defect in rabbits. Four methods were in use in the experiments: Ad-BMP-2 plus fibrinous gel and PLA/PCL (Group A), reconstructed hBMP-2 plus fibrinous gel and PLA/PCL (Group B), Ad-Lacz plus fibrinous gel and PLA/PCL (Group C), and fibrinous gel and PLA/PCL (Group D). Results showed that the defects treated in Group A were repaired with much more new bone regenerated, bridged earlier and stronger than those in Group B 12 weeks after operation. The defects treated in the other two groups could not attain osseous tissue healing. BMP-2 gene carried by biodegradable scaffold and fibrinous gel is easy to conduct and has very strong osteoinduction ability. It is really a good method to repair segmental bone defects.
Absorbable Implants ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bone Substitutes ; Caprolactam ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Fracture Healing ; Gels ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Implants, Experimental ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Radius Fractures ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVETo compare the survival effect of initiation of antiretroviral treatment on AIDS patients at different stages so as to explore the best time of initiation with the treatment.

METHODSInformation regarding the dates of AIDS patient initially receiving the anti-retroviral therapy during 2007-2012 was collected from the Chinese HIV/AIDS Integrated Control System. According to the level of baseline immunology, all the participants were divided into earlier treatment group (baseline CD4(+) T cell counts between 350/µl and 500/µl) and conventional treatment group (baseline CD4(+) T cell counts ≤350/µl). Data was analyzed under Survival and Review methods.

RESULTSA total number of 16 282 cases were selected. The mortality of conventional treatment group was obviously higher than the earlier treatment group (5.78/100 person year vs. 1.64/100 person year), and the median survival time was lower than the earlier treatment group (2.07 year vs. 3.15 year). The cumulative survival rate of the 6-year conventional treatment group was lower than the earlier treatment group (77.39% vs. 92.10%, χ(2) = 156.00, P < 0.01). By means of multi-variable analysis, we found that factors as age, gender, marital status, route of transmission, schedule on initial therapy, number of symptoms at the baseline etc. in the conventional treatment group were associated with survival time of patients after the ART initiation (P < 0.05), while gender, schedule for initial therapy, number of symptoms at baseline etc. in the earlier treatment group, were associated with survival time of patients after the initiation of ART (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarlier initiation of antiretroviral treatment on AIDS patients could improve the survival rate and prolong the survival time.