Objective To explore the relationship between acid pocket and acid reflux in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods From March 2011 to January 2012,29 patients with GERD were enrolled and nine healthy individuals were set as control.All objects of this study accepted esophageal manometry test,acid pocket test,test of the occurrence time of acid pocket and ambulatory 24 hours pH monitoring.The t-test was performed for comparison between two groups.The relationship between the incidence of GERD and acid pocket was analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis.Results The percentage of acid pocket in GERD group and control group was 58.6％ (17/29) and 5/9,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significantly (P＞0.05).The duration time of acid pocket was (56.3±44.7) minutes in GERD group which was longer than that of control group ((16.0±8.2) minutes) and the difference was statistically significant (t=1.970,P＜0.01).There was no statistical significance in the average pH value of acid pocket between GERD group with acid pocket (2.8 ± 1.3) and that of control group with acid pocket (1.9±0.5,P＞0.05).The duration time of acid pocket was correlated with the longest reflux time in GERD group with acid pocket (r=0.550,P＜0.01).The peak velocity of esophageal motility in GERD group ((3.3±0.6) cm/s) was lower than that of control group ((5.0±4.1) cm/s) and the difference was statistically significant (t=-1.354,P＜0.05).The peak velocity of esophageal motility in GERD group with acid pocket ((3.2±0.6) cm/s) was lower than that of control group with acid pocket ((7.2± 6.3) cm/s) and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.693,P＜0.05).Conclusions The duration time of acid pocket in GERD is correlated with the time of acid reflux.Esophageal dysmotility may be related with the pathogenesis of GERD and the occurrence of acid pocket.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide donor) in the ductus arteriosus in preterm rabbits on hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S)-cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) system.

METHODSFor 16 Japanese white rabbits pregnant for 21 days were randomly divided into four groups, each of the following groups had 4 rabbits: control group, intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside 1 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 5.0 mg/kg groups. The rabbits in control group had a peritoneal puncture with a simple hollow needle, and those in the other groups were given corresponding dose of intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside at gestational age 23 and 25 days, respectively. At gestational age 26 days the fetuses of the pregnant rabbits were removed surgically, and 28 fetal rabbits were obtained from the control group, 27 from the sodium nitroprusside small dose group, 29 from the medium dose group, and 26 from the large dose group. The fetal heart blood sample of 1 ml was taken from each fetus, and immediately after sampling the arterial ductal tissues were dissected. Fetal rabbit plasma proteins hydrogen sulfide content was determined by using de-protein method, and real time quantitative RT-PCR was used for determination of arterial tissue CSE gene and western-blotting was used for measuring protein expression of CSE.

RESULTSIn control group hydrogen sulfide content of fetal rabbits plasma (55.68 ± 6.57) µmol/L and arterial tissue CSE mRNA expression was 1.07 ± 4.12; the parameters in intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside group 1 mg/kg were (60.02 ± 6.09) µmol/L and 3.46 ± 0.18; in intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside group 2.5 mg/kg, were (64.71 ± 7.12) µmol/L and 10.95 ± 0.22; and in intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside group 1 mg/kg were (70.63 ± 8.07) µmol/L and 19.56 ± 0.17. Comparison between small dose group and control group, medium dose group and small dose group, high dose group and medium dose group showed that the above data were significantly different P < 0.05, with the injection of sodium nitroprusside CSE protein expression increased gradually with increasing doses.

CONCLUSIONSodium nitroprusside showed an enhancing effect on preterm CSE-H(2)S system in rabbit ductus arteriosus in a certain range of concentration in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; blood ; Ductus Arteriosus ; metabolism ; Female ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitroprusside ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pregnancy ; Rabbits

To explore the antagonistic effect of gingerols against the inflammation induced by lectin from Pinellia ternata. In this study, ELISA method was used to determine the effect of different extracts from gingerols on the release of inflammatory factor TNF-α from macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata. The fluorescence probe was used to determine the effect of gingerols on the changes in ROS of macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata. The western-blot method was applied to study the effect of gingerols on the increase in expression of cell receptor interacting protein RIP3 in macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the effect of gingerols on morphological changes in macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata. According to the results, gingerols can significantly inhibit the release of inflammatory factor from macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata, ROS overproduction and increase in RIP3 expression. SEM results showed that gingerols can inhibit the cytomorphosis and necrocytosis induced by lectin from P. ternata. Fresh ginger's detoxication may be related to gingerols' effects in inhibiing release of inflammatory factor, ROS overproduction and increase in RIP3 expression caused by macrophages induced by lectin from P. ternata, which are mainly inflammatory development.
Animals ; Catechols ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Antagonism ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Lectins ; toxicity ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

According to the current situations and development of (TCMIs), the author of the article reveals the scientific connotation of TCMIs in theory, preparations and clinic application, and points out that TCMIs are an innovative and breakthrough of conventional dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines, the combination of traditional theory and modern technology as well as a type of modern dosage form with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines, which conforms to the principle of including the essence and excluding the wastes for traditional Chinese medicine preparations, meets the demands for quick-acting of traditional Chinese medicines and guides one of the development orientation of traditional Chinese medicines. In the meantime, an analysis was also made on key issues, such as adverse reactions of TCMIs, modern clinical application, special drug delivery route and diversity of components and ingredients.
Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Injections ; adverse effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods ; trends ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

BACKGROUNDUrethral reconstruction for both congenital and acquired etiologies remains a challenge for most urologic surgeons. Tissue engineering has been proposed as a strategy for urethral reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a naturally derived extracellular matrix substitute developed for urethral reconstruction would be suitable for urethral repair in an animal model.

METHODSA urethral segmental defect was created in 20 male rabbits. The urethral extracellular matrix, obtained and processed from rabbit urethral tissue, was trimmed and transplanted to repair the urethral defect. Then, the regenerated segment was studied histologically by haematoxylin-eosin staining and Van Gieson staining at 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperation. Retrograde urethrography was used to evaluate the function of the regenerated urethras of 4 rabbits 10 and 24 weeks after the operation. The urodynamics of 4 rabbits from the experimental group and control group I were assessed and compared. In addition, 4 experimental group rabbits were examined by a urethroscope 24 weeks after the operation.

RESULTSAt 10 days after operation, epithelial cells had migrated from each side, and small vessels were observed in the extracellular matrix. The matrix and adjacent areas of the host tissue were infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The epithelium covered the extracellular matrix fully at 3 weeks postoperation. Well-formed smooth-muscle cells were first confirmed after 6 weeks, at which point the inflammatory cells had disappeared. At 24 weeks postoperation, the regenerated tissue was equivalent to the normal urethra. Urethrography and urodynamic evaluations showed that there was no difference between normal tissue and regenerated tissue.

CONCLUSIONSUrethral extracellular matrix appears to be a useful material for urethral repair in rabbits. The matrix can be processed easily and has good characteristics for tissue handling and urethral function.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Urethra ; pathology ; surgery

AIMTo investigate the spatial and temporal expression of germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) in mouse and rat epididymis during postnatal period.

METHODSThe epididymal sections from different postnatal days were stained for GCNF by the indirect immunofluorescence technique and digital photographs were taken by a Carl Zeiss confocal microscope.

RESULTSGCNF was first detected on day 12 in mouse epididymis and day 14 in rat epididymis. The highest expression of GCNF was observed on day 35 in both mouse and rat epididymis. In adults, GCNF exhibited a region-specific expression pattern, i.e., it was expressed predominantly in the initial segment, caput and proximal corpus of rat epididymis and was abundant in the proximal corpus of mouse epididymis. GCNF could be found in the nuclei of the principal, apical, narrow, clear and halo cells.

CONCLUSIONGCNF may play an important role in epididymal differentiation and development and in sperm maturation.

Aging ; Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Epididymis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 6, Group A, Member 1 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; analysis ; Tissue Distribution

Objective To identify the association between gestational weight gain and birth weight over the past 9 years in Kunshan city,Jiangsu province,China.Methods This population-based study was conducted between 2001 to 2009.Data were retrieved from Perinatal Monitoring System of Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Kunshan.The study population consisted of 33 631 women and singleton live fetus.Gestational weight gain was defined as the total weight gain during the last and first prenatal care program and divided by the interval weeks.Results From 2001 to 2009,the average incidence of low birth weight was 1.86％,while the average incidence of macrosomia was a bit higher,fluctuating around 8.47％.On those underweight mothers,after adjustment for potential confounders,and stratified by the BMI levels,which were evaluated at the first prenatal care program,we found that weight gain in the 3rd and 4th intervals,could reduce the risk of low birth weight (less than 2500 g).With those mothers with normal-weight,weight gain in the 2 rid,3 rd and 4th intervals,would reduce the risk of low birth weight.Risks in the 4th quantile among underweight and normal-weight group were prevalence odds radio (POR) 95％CI:0.51 (0.32-0.80) and 0.58 (0.42-0.79),respectively.The risks showed a significant downward trend in underweight and normal- weight groups with increased gestational weight gain.As for macrosomia (≥4000 g),the risks increased (POR 95％CI) 4.69(2.82-7.81 ) in underweight,4.15 (3.43-5.03) in normal-weight,in overweight,3.64 (2.62-5.06) and 1.96 (1.48-2.60) in obese mothers with increased levels of gestational weight gain.Trend tests indicated that the risks of marcosomia increased in all levels of BMI,with the increase of gestational weight gain.Conclusion Findings from this population-based study suggested that gestational weight gain could reduce the risks of low birth weight among underweight and normal-weight groups,while increase the risks of macrosomia in all parturients,as compared with lowest levels of gestational weight gain.

Intestinal barrier dysfunction always accompanies cirrhosis in patients with advanced liver disease and is an important contributor facilitating bacterial translocation (BT), which has been involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and its complications. Several studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Vitamin D on intestinal barrier function. However, severe cholestasis leads to vitamin D depletion. This study was designed to test whether vitamin D therapy improves intestinal dysfunction in cirrhosis. Rats were subcutaneously injected with 50% sterile CCl₄ (a mixture of pure CCl₄ and olive oil, 0.3 mL/100 g) twice a week for 6 weeks. Next, 1,25(OH)₂D₃(0.5 µg/100 g) and the vehicle were administered simultaneously with CCl₄ to compare the extent of intestinal histologic damage, tight junction protein expression, intestinal barrier function, BT, intestinal proliferation, apoptosis, and enterocyte turnover. Intestinal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and oxidative stress were also assessed. We found that vitamin D could maintain intestinal epithelial proliferation and turnover, inhibit intestinal epithelial apoptosis, alleviate structural damage, and prevent BT and intestinal barrier dysfunction. These were achieved partly through restoration of HO-1 and inhibition of oxidative stress. Taken together, our results suggest that vitamin D ameliorated intestinal epithelial turnover and improved the integrity and function of intestinal barrier in CCl₄-induced liver cirrhotic rats. HO-1 signaling activation was involved in these above beneficial effects.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Translocation ; Cholestasis ; Enterocytes ; Fibrosis ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Heme ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Olive Oil ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Tight Junctions ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Objective To observe the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on myocardial energy metabolism and its protection of the myocardial cells in rat ischemic reperfusion myocardial model with different thyroid functions. Methods The rats were categorized into group A (with normal thyroid function) and group B (with hypothyroidism), and each group were divided into blank control group, ischemic group, control reperfusion group and T3 reperfusion group. An isolated rat heart working model was established. The contents of ATP, ADP, AMP in the myocardial tissue in different groups were measured by high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Results The contents of ATP, ADP, AMP declined markedly in hypothyroidism group (P<0.01). Thirty minutes of ischemic arrest induced significant decrease of, ATP, ADP and AMP contents both groups A and B, which further declined when the hearts were subjected to 20 min of reperfusion. However ,the content of ATP increased markedly in T3 reperfusion groups compared with the control reperfusion groups in both group A:[(1.03±0.02) vs (0.62±0.02) mmol/g and group B:[(0.85±0.02) vs (0.40±0.01)] mmol/g (P<0.01). Conclusions Hypothyroidism or ischemic reperfusion injury may badly damage myocardial energy metabolism; T3 coold markedly increase the capacities of synthesizing and reserving ATP, improving myocardial protection.

Objective To observe the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on myocardial energy metabolism and its protection of the myocardial cells in rat ischemic reperfusion myocardial model with different thyroid functions. Methods The rats were categorized into group A (with normal thyroid function) and group B (with hypothyroidism), and each group were divided into blank control group, ischemic group, control reperfusion group and T3 reperfusion group. An isolated rat heart working model was established. The contents of ATP, ADP, AMP in the myocardial tissue in different groups were measured by high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Results The contents of ATP, ADP, AMP declined markedly in hypothyroidism group (P<0.01). Thirty minutes of ischemic arrest induced significant decrease of, ATP, ADP and AMP contents both groups A and B, which further declined when the hearts were subjected to 20 min of reperfusion. However ,the content of ATP increased markedly in T3 reperfusion groups compared with the control reperfusion groups in both group A:[(1.03±0.02) vs (0.62±0.02) mmol/g and group B:[(0.85±0.02) vs (0.40±0.01)] mmol/g (P<0.01). Conclusions Hypothyroidism or ischemic reperfusion injury may badly damage myocardial energy metabolism; T3 coold markedly increase the capacities of synthesizing and reserving ATP, improving myocardial protection.