Objective　Standard method of testing serum fluoride was tested and verified by certified reference material CRM of free fluo ride component in cattle serum (GBW 09143～09144).The method was suited for fluor ide research to assess its practical value.Methods　ISE-standard curve,linear relationship,linear range,sensitive and precision were disired result by CRM.400 serum of fluoride in rats were measured.Results　The linear ranges of the method were 0.02～5.0 mg/L,r=0.9999,b=57.8,and test lower limit was 0.013 mg/L.The test value was equal to standard value.Conclusions　The standard method is accurate,sensitive,convenient and small sample is used;and it is easy to spread.Thus,it has been of practical value.

OBJECTIVETo study the features of level VI lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and the distribution of metastatic lymph nodes in the neck levels, and to provide evidences for the treatments of cervical metastasis in patients with PTC.

METHODSNinety-seven PTC cases were reviewed retrospectively. The tumors in all cases were limited to one side lobe. Of them, 72 patients were cN0 and 25 patients were cN+; 32 patients with tumors ≤ 1 cm and 65 patients with tumors > 1 cm. Pathological examinations of frozen biopsies of level III and IV lymph nodes were taken in the operation. The extent of lymph node dissection depending on pathological examination results of level III and IV lymph nodes and the size and location of the tumor. For the patients with metastatic lymph nodes in level III and IV, the modified neck dissection including level VI was performed. Ipsilateral VI lymph node dissection was performed for the patients with tumors ≤ 1 cm and bilateral VI lymph node dissection for the patients with tumors > 1 cm or with extra-thyroidal invasion.

RESULTSIn 97 patients, 122 sides of VI lymph node dissection were performed. Positive nodes in level VI were found in 45.1% (55/122) patients. The positive rates of nodes metastases in level VI were 45.8% (33/72) for 72 patients with cN0 and 76.0% (19/25) for 25 patients with cN+ respectively, with a significant difference statistically (χ(2) = 6.790, P = 0.009). Positive rates of node metastases in level VI were 65.0% (13/20) in 10 patients with extra-thyroidal invasion and 41.2% (42/102) in 77 patients without extra-thyroidal invasion respectively, with a significant difference statistically (χ(2) = 3.833, P = 0.047). Positive rate of node metastasis in level VI was 43.8% (14/32) in 32 patients with tumors ≤ 1cm. Of 65 patients with tumors > 1cm, ipsilateral and bilateral node metastasis rates were 69.2% (45/65) and 23.1% (15/65) respectively, with a significant difference statistically (χ(2) = 5.843, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONSCervical lymph node metastasis in level VI can occur at early stage of PTC. The patients with extra-thyroidal invasion were prone to have lymph node metastasis in level VI. Ipsilateral positive nodes in level VI can exist in the patients with tumors ≤ 1 cm, while bilateral positive nodes in level VI can occur in the patients with tumors > 1 cm. The cervical lymph node metastasis of PTC may take place in level VI alone or in level VI and in lateral neck levels simultaneously. Pathological examinations of frozen biopsies of level III and IV lymph nodes should be taken for PTC patients, when the presence of positive lymph node, the modified neck dissection including level VI should be performed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Neoplasm Staging ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective Both decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.

AIMTo investigate the protective effects of shark hepatic stimulator substance (sHSS) against acute hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen (AAP) in mice.

METHODSAcute hepatic injury model of Balb/c mice was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of AAP (200 mg.kg-1, i.p.). Serum ALT and AST activities were analyzed. The changes of microstructure and ultrastructure of hepatocyte were observed under optical and electronic microscope. The hepatocyte apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometer and the expression level of Fas mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased and both necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were improved in the mice treated with sHSS 3.0 and 1.5 mg.kg-1. sHSS (3.0 mg.kg-1) prevented the ultrastructural changes of hepatocytes caused by AAP, decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and downregulated the expression level of Fas mRNA.

CONCLUSIONsHSS protected hepatocytes from AAP-induced injury, which might be associated with its protection of the mitochondria and inhibition of apoptosis and expression of Fas mRNA in hepatocytes.

Acetaminophen ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Growth Substances ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Sharks ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The biological properties of cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been intensively investigated, while there is still a paucity of information about the definite in vivo sites that harbor these stem cells due to the lack of specific surface markers. Previous data have demonstrated that human and murine MSC can be isolated from the compact bones. To investigate if it is the case for other species, the femurs from Wistar rats, Beagles, C57 mice and New Zealand rabbits were collected, minced and digested with collagenase type I. The digested bone fragments were seeded into the medium for human bone marrow culture after removal of the suspended cells in the digestion. The results showed that the fibroblast-like cells were observed to migrate from the bone fragments after several days of culture, and they gradually formed an adherent confluent layer. The adherent cells could be passaged and expressed homogenously the mesenchymal cell marker vimentin. Differentiation assays showed that these cells had the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. In conclusion, the results here provide new information for the further investigations on the in vivo biological features of MSC in the context of the simplicity of the compact bone structure.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dogs ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) combined with bromocriptine on hyperprolactinemia-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSWe randomly assigned 46 patients with hyperprolactinemia-induced ED to receive bromocriptine (trial group, n = 23) and bromocriptine plus CXC (control group, n = 23), respectively, both for 12 weeks. Then we compared the two groups of patients in erectile function and the levels of serum prolactin and testosterone.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the IIEF-5 scores were significantly improved in both the trial and the control groups as compared with the baseline (19.5 +/- 4.1 vs 13.0 +/- 3.8 and 16.4 +/- 3.7 vs 13.7 +/- 3.5, P<0.05), the level of serum prolactin was remarkably decreased ([156.07 +/- 26.31] vs [478.35 +/- 62.28] mIU/L and [164.73 +/- 28.58] vs [445.26 +/- 57.83] mIU/L, P<0.05), while the level of serum testosterone was markedly increased ([15.34 +/- 5.27] vs [3.80 +/- 1.09] nmol/L and [12.02 +/- 2.36] vs [4.07 +/- 1.25] nmol/L, P<0.05). Post-treatment erectile function was significantly better in the trial than in the control group (P<0.05), and the post-treatment serum testosterone level remarkably higher in the former than in the latter (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the serum prolactin level after treatment between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Compound Xuanju Capsule and bromocriptine is highly effective in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia-induced ED, and its effect is even better than that of bromocriptine alone.

Adult ; Bromocriptine ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Phytotherapy

BACKGROUNDColon cancer is a common malignant tumor in the clinic with an incidence rate that is increasing in recent years. The key point for improving the survival rate is the diagnosis and treatment at an early stage. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of the Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy (FICE) and staining technique for the diagnosis of colon tumors and non-tumor lesions.

METHODSFrom March to November 2007, 654 patients were examined with ordinary colonoscopy. Among them 223 patients with colon neoplasm or polypoid lesion were included. The patients were examined with a magnifying ordinary colonoscopy, a magnifying FICE technique and magnifying staining technique. The pit pattern and blood capillary form of the lesion were examined, an endoscopic diagnosis was made and it was compared with the pathologic diagnosis.

RESULTSFour hundred and fifty-one neoplasms were detected in the 223 patients, among those 91.1% (411/451) were detected with the magnifying ordinary endoscopy while 99.1% (447/451) were detected with the FICE technique; there was a significant difference between the two methods. FICE could clearly show the structure and form of mucosal blood capillaries (P < 0.01) but there was no significant difference between the two methods for showing the pit pattern. The coincident rate of FICE for the diagnosis of tumor and non-tumor lesions was 91.6% (413/451), that of the magnifying staining technique was 82.0% (370/451) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMagnifying FICE could show the mucosal microstructure and blood capillary form and it had a superiority of high coincident rate, high sensitivity and specificity when compared with ordinary magnifying colonoscopy and magnifying staining endoscopy. In addition, it was easy to operate and a biopsy could be taken from the target, so it has a satisfactory clinical practical value.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Colonoscopy ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model mimicking erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy by crush injury or reaction of the cavernous nerve (CN).

METHODSThirty rats were randomized into CN crush group, CN resection group and sham-operated group. Four weeks after surgery, the rat models were evaluated by apomorphine test and ICP/MAP measurement. Fluorogold (FG) retrograde tracer was used to assess the CN injury. The penile tissues were then harvested for immunohistochemical detection of the nNOS-positive fibers to evaluate the CN injury.

RESULTSThe rats in CN crush group and CN resection group exhibited erectile dysfunction in apomorphine test or in response to electrical stimulation of the ganglion stellatum (MPG). In the sham-operated group, the rats showed normal erectile function with increased ICP/MAP following electrical stimulation (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced nNOS-positive fibers in both CN crush group and CN resection group as compared with those in the sham-operated group (P<0.05), showing no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The FG-positive MPG cells in CN crush group and CN resection group were significantly less than that in the sham-operated group (P<0.05), and the positive cells were even less in CN resection group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe rat CN is structurally similar to human CN, and crush injury and resection of the CN are both reliable methods for establishing rat models of erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Male ; Nerve Crush ; Penis ; innervation ; Postoperative Period ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with clinically presumed hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN).

METHODSClinical data and renal biopsy results were obtained in 63 patients diagnosed clinically as HN (primary hypertension plus renal injury).

RESULTSHN was confirmed by biopsy in 47 out of 63 patients (74.6%, 12 malignant nephrosclerosis and 35 benign nephrosclerosis). Primary nephritis (PN) was diagnosed by biopsy in 10 patients (7 IgA nephropathy, 2 mesangial proliferative nephritis, 1 chronic interstitial nephritis) and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 6 patients. Blood pressure, body mass index, GFR and blood lipids were similar among groups. HN patients were related to higher age, more frequent family history of hypertension, longer hypertension duration, higher left ventricular mass index, lower serum creatinine and lower incidence of microscopic hematuria. Most patients with malignant nephrosclerosis and FSGS patients showed grades III and IV retinopathy.

CONCLUSIONOur results show that HN was misdiagnosed in nearly 25% patients in this cohort. Since the clinical features are similar between HN, PN and FSGS, renal biopsy is needed to establish the diagnosis of HN.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Renal ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrosclerosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based cell therapy has shifted into clinical trials to repair the damage of various tissues. In this setting, the survival of the transplanted cells contributes critically to the therapeutic effectiveness. To investigate the in vivo tracing of MSCs, a recombinant retroviral vector carrying firefly-luciferase reporter gene [pL (FLUC) SN] was constructed and several GPE+86 cell clones that stably expressed fluc were selected. The retroviral supernatants were collected and used to transfect MSC derived from C57 mice. The cells were then screened with G418 and the expression of the exogenous gene was identified by luciferase enzyme activity analysis. Labeled mouse MSCs (2x10(6)) were injected into skeletal muscles, and the in situ expression was noninvasively tracked by in vivo bioluminescence imaging for 1, 3 and 6 days after transplantation. The results showed that the survival rates of the grafted cells dropped sharply with time, they were 57.2+/-11.7%, 8.6+/-2.5% and 5.4+/-3.1% on day 1, 3 and 6 after transplantation, and no fluorescent signals above background were detected on day 10. It is concluded that the method described above could be used for in vivo tracing of grafted cells. Furthermore, MSCs could not survive even transplanted into the none-ischemic skeletal muscles.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Cell Survival ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Luminescent Measurements ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL