OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of NF-κB on cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin(Dox) in rats and the effect of melatonin(MT). METHODS Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group; Dox model group; Dox+MT group. The content of nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cardiac tissues were examined by spectrophotography method; the activity of NF-κB in myocardial cell was observed by immunohistochemistry method; the apoptosis information of myocardial cell was detected by TUNEL method. RESULTS There was significant difference in activity of NF-κB between normal control and the Dox model group. MT could inhibit the activation of NF-κB(P＜0.05). There was significant difference in the content of NO and the activity of iNOS between normal control and Dox model group, MT could decrease content of NO and the activity of iNOS(P＜0.05); apoptotic rate in Dox model group was significantly increased compared with that in normal control group, MT could significantly decrease myocardial cell apoptosis (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION The activation of NF-κB plays an important role in cardiomyopathy induced by Dox, NF-κB seems to increase the activity of iNOS, and then significantly increase the content of NO in cardiac muscle; NF-κB possibly enhances myocardial cell apoptosis in cardiomyopathy induced by Dox. MT may inhibit the activation of NF-κB, and prevent excessive oxidative stress and suppress myocardial cell apoptosis, MT has protective effect against cardiomyopathy induced by Dox.

Aim To investigate the influence of down-regulating adenosine A1 receptor and adenosine A2 A receptor gene expression on proliferation and activation of acetaldehyde-induced hepatic stellate cell-T6 cells through siRNA. Methods Alcoholic liver fibrosis in vitro model was constructed by inducing HSC-T6 cells with acetaldehyde. siRNA targeting A1R and A2AR were designed and synthesized according to its mRNA. The siRNA was transfected into rat HSC-T6 cells by li-posome LipofectamineTM 2000. HSC cell proliferation was measured by MTT. The mRNA levels of A1R, A2AR, α-SMA, Collagen I in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. The protein levels of A1R, A2AR, α-SMA, Collagen I were measured by Western blot. Results A1 R and A2 AR siRNA effectively inhibited the cell proliferation, and they also significantly decreased the levels of A1R, A2AR,α-SMA, Collagen I, suggesting that A1 R and A2 AR might be potential target genes in the alcoholic liver fibrosis. Conclusions Silencing A1 R or A2 AR by RNAi can significantly inhibit the HSC proliferation, A1R and A2AR may be potential therapeutic target genes for alcoholic liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that construction of eoexpression plasmid containing multiple genes on the same vector could improve transfection and expression rates.OBJECTIVE: To construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUC1 -GM-CSF by human polymorphic epithclial mucin (MUC 1) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor.(GM-CSF) and to observe expression of recombinant plasmid in COS-7 cells.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: Gene recombination design,which was carried out in the Animal Central Laboratory,the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA from September 2005 to December 2006.MATERIALS: Eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+) was presented by Pro.Taylor-Papadimitriou;pGEM-3zf()-GM-CSF plasmid,COS-7 cells,pUCI 8 vector,and E.coli DH5α were made in the center; female BALB/c mice were provided by Experimental Animal Center of the Fourth Military University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: Signal peptide was synthesized with encoded MUCI gene sections to obtain repeated sequence coneatemer after renaturation.Next,the accepted concatemer was cloned with GM-CSF following enzyme identification and sequencing analysis,and then they were put in eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) to construct eukaryotic coexpression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)-MUCI -GM-CSF in order to transform COS-7 cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: Enzyme identification and sequencing analysis showed that recombinant plasmid contained a fusion gene encompassing human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF; moreover,MUC1 expression was detected in COS-7 cells,while recombinant plasmid could induce the production of anti-GM-CSF antibody.CONCLUSION: The recombination between human MUC1 repeated sequence concatemer and GM-CSF gene successfully constructs eukaryotic coexpression plasmid.

AIM: To study the characteristics of retinal detachment surgery after laser 　in situ　 keratomileusis (LASIK).METHODS: Eleven eyes of ten patients that experienced rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after LASIK procedure participated in the study. The characteristics of retinal detachment, management and complications after surgery were analyzed . RESULTS: Retinal detachment was characterized by the large percentage of multiple peripheral holes (73%) and giant tears (27%). All eyes underwent sclera buckling, and three of them combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil tamponade. Silicone oil was removed after 1 month. Retina was reattached successfully at the first retinal detachment surgery in all eyes except one that succeeded at the fourth time. One eye of LASIK flap dehiscence and one eye of corneal subepithelial opacity occurred after surgery.CONCLUSION: Patients after LASIK should be carefully examined under pupillary dilation during follow-up. Sclera buckling is necessary to most retinal detachment after LASIK, and corneal protection is important in the treatment.

AIM: To measure the macular thickness of normal young people by 3D 1000 optical coherence tomography (OCT) and study the repeatability of measuring results and the relationship between the thicknesses of macular and gender. At the same time, to compare our result with the data of other types of OCT, and to understand the consistency of the measuring results of macular thickness of different types of OCT.
METHODS: Totally 222 eyes in 111 young people were detected using 3D scan mode of Topcon 3D OCT 1000 (ver 2.4 ) . Twelve cases ( 24 eyes ) underwent repeatability check. We took transverse comparison between our measured results with other research's results.
RESULTS: There were 111 cases of young people, whose age were from 18-27 years old, all uncorrected and corrected visual acuity were≥1. 0, all intraocular pressure were <21mmHg. The average thickness of all macular region was 273. 32±17.08μm. Retinal volume of macular area was 7. 73 ± 0.37mm3 . Center thickness was 161 -264μm, and the average thickness was 200. 13±18. 81μm. Central macular thickness were 188 - 273μm, and the average thickness was 229. 00 ± 18. 20μm. The central macular thickness in men was significantly greater than that in women, and there was statistical difference. The results of repeated check of 12 cases ( 24 eyes ) in the macular area were no statistical difference except the outer ring of nasal quadrant, and the repeatability of average thickness in central macular thickness was better than in center thickness.
CONCLUSION:The repeatability of macular examination is good. The central macular thickness can be better repeated than the center thickness. The central macular thickness is 229. 00±18. 20μm in young people, according to the 3D 1000 OCT measurements. There are statistical difference of central macular thickness between different genders.

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae (Ezhu) and Radix Curcumae (Yujin) was undertaken using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes,namely,α-pinene,β-elemene,curcumol,germacrone and curdione,in Ezhu and Yunjin.Good linearity (r＞0.999) and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges.The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin.The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.

BACKGROUNDAppropriate planning and staffing for medical services at large-scale athletic events is essential to provide for a safe and successful competition. There are few well-documented accounts describing the demand for such services. The present study provided the data from the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, with a view to provide the guidance for planning future events.

METHODSA total of 22 029 and 8046 patients, who received medical care from a physician at an Olympic or Paralympic medical station, were included. The patient proportion among different personnel, various disease proportions at different kinds of venues, and the disease spectrum at specified venues at the Olympics and Paralympics were analyzed.

RESULTSAt both games, the patient proportion varied by accreditation status. The staff accounted for the largest number of visits at the Olympics (44.83%) and Paralympics (36.95%), with respiratory diseases the most common. Various disease spectrums were discovered at the different kinds of venues. Surgical diseases were the most frequently listed reason for visits, both at competition and non-competition venues, especially during the Paralympics. The sport-related injuries accounted for a majority of the surgical cases during both games. At training venues, ear nose and throat diseases accounted for the greatest number of visits during both games.

CONCLUSIONSDuring both games, people contracted different diseases at different venues. Adequate surgeons should be designated to offer assistance mostly in trauma situations. Appropriate numbers of physicians in respiratory diseases and otorhinolaryngology is of great importance.

Anniversaries and Special Events ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; utilization ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; Public Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Sports

OBJECTIVEPost percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) major cardiac event rate is high in patients with high platelet aggregability. We observed the effects of intensive antiplatelet therapy in these patients.

METHODSADP-induced platelet inhibition rates were less than 30% after 24 h treatment with Clopidogrel (300 mg) in 402 patients out of 1556 patients who underwent PCI in our institute between January 2004 to June 2006. These patients were randomly divided into control group (Clopidogrel 75 mg/d and aspirin 100 mg/d, n = 201) or treatment group (Clopidogrel 75 mg/d and aspirin 100 mg/d plus cilostazol 200 mg/d, n = 201). Major adverse cardiac events were analyzed after 6 months treatments.

RESULTSPatients with ADP-induced platelet inhibition rates < 30% were significantly lower in treatment group compared to control group after 28 days treatments (9.4% vs. 89.6%, P < 0.05). Thrombosis complication (0.5% vs. 3.0%), death (0 vs. 1.0%), non-fatal myocardial infarction (0.5% vs. 1.5%), hemorrhagic (6% vs. 4%) rates were similar between treatment and control group while target vessel revascularization rate was significantly lower in treatment group compared to control group (6.5% vs. 15.9%, P < 0.05). Total MACE rate was therefore significantly lower in treatment group than that in control group (13.5% vs. 25.4%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntensive anti-platelet treatment could significantly reduce major cardiac event rates in patients with high platelet aggregability after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Count ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the intake of minocycline and its amount in mature rat mandibular osteoblasts (MRMOB) in vitro, and to identify the feasibility of intracellular anti-bacterial activity of minocycline.

METHODSFour groups of MRMOB were incubated in 100 mg/L minocycline for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes respectively, and the accumulation of minocycline within MRMOB was measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe intracellular accumulation amount of minocycline in the four groups of MRMOB was (17.29 +/- 1.49), (16.87 +/- 1.57), (16.96 +/- 1.67) and (17.94 +/- 1.63) mg/g respectively after osteoblasts were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) which contained minocycline for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. There was no significant difference in amount of minocycline among the four groups of MRMOB.

CONCLUSIONSThe mature rat mandibular osteoblasts can ingest minocycline, and the accumulation amount of minocycline in MRMOB is irrelevant with the exposure time of MRMOB to minocycline.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Mandible ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Minocycline ; pharmacokinetics ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Biopsy ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; surgery