Objective To investigate the effects of clearing liver and purging the heart decoction( CLPHD) combined with methimazole on hormone levels in hyperthyroid rats. Methods Rats were administered with levothyroxine (600 μg·kg-1 ) for 3 weeks to establish the hyperthyroid model,and the serum contents of T3,FT3,T4,FT4,TSH and TRAb in hyperthyroid rats treated with CLPHD combined with methimazole were detected. Results Methimazole, CLPHD, and the combination therapy significantly reduced food intake,water intake and body temperature of the hyperthyroid rats. All treatments reduced levels of FT3, T4 and FT4 in hyperthyroid rats. Compared with the CLPHD mono-therapy, the combination therapy significantly lowered serum T4 in hyperthyroid rats,but not the TRAb level. Conclusion CLPHD combined with methimazole can obviously improve the function of thyroid gland in hyperthyroid rats.

Objective To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK) pathway in the proliferation of SHR vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB(PDGF-BB).Methods VSMC were obtained from SHR thoracic aorta.DNA synthesis was quantified by measuring [3H]-thymidine incorporation.The p38MAPK activity was evaluated by immunobloting technique with phospho-p38MAPK antibody.Results 1) Ang Ⅱ(10-8-10-6 mol/L),PDGF(3-30 ng/L) dose-dependently increased the proliferation activity of VSMC([3H]-TdR incorporation).Ang Ⅱ(10-7 mol/L) or PDGF(10 ng/L) significantly increased [3H]-TdR incorporation rate in VSMCs(Ang Ⅱ:11 588?1322 vs control 2546?207 counts/min,P

Objective To investigate the relationship between the abnormalities in the area behind the heart in the four-chamber view and fetal defects, the clinical significance of assessment of area behind the heart in fetal screening.Methods 7062 fetuses were scanned.Area behind the heart in the four-chamber view and anatomical survey were detected.Results Fifty-three cases (0.8％, 53/7062) with abnormal sonographic findings in the area behind the heart in the four-chamber view were detected prenatally.Thirtyseven cases were confirmed by autopsy postnatally.Among these cases, 73.0％ (27/37) had heterotaxy syndrome,8.1％(3/37) had situs inversus totalis,18.9％ (7/37) had heart defects.Conclusions There is close relationship between the abnormalities in the area behind the heart and the fetal defects.This can be used as an effective and simple indicator in screening situs inversus and cardiovascular abnomalities.

Objective To investigate the relation between anormalities of fetal abdominal great vessels and heterotaxy, the clinical significance of screening fetal heterotaxy by the abnormalities of fetal abdominal great vessels. Methods 6532 fetuses from our hospital were scanned and the fetuses with abdominal great vessels abnormalities were included. Parameters of fetal growth, abdominal great vessels and anatomical survey were detected. Results Forty-five cases (0.7%) of fetal abdominal great vessels abnormalities were detected prenatally. Forty-two cases were confirmed postnatally, including 35 cases of heterotaxy syndrome and 7 cases of situs inversus totalis and 3 cases missed. The incidences of the abnormal fetus,heterotaxy syndrome and situs inversus totalis of the fetuses with abnormal abdominal great vessels were higher than that of the fetuses with normal abdominal great vessels, the differences were statistically significant( P＜ 0.001). The incidence of both type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ of the heterotaxy syndrome were significantly higher than that of type Ⅳ (P＜0.001). There was a high incidence of left isomerism in abnormal type Ⅰ and of right isomerism in abnormal type Ⅱ , the differences were statistically significant (P＜ 0.001). Conclusions Abnormal great vessels abnormalities have strong relations to heterotaxy and situs inversus which can be used as effective and simple indicator in screening heterotaxy syndrome.

Objective To comparatively analyze the advantages and disadvantages between a double immune-diffusion assay and a rate nephelometer analysis for the detection of antigen activity of pneu -mococcal capsular polysaccharides .Methods The antigen activity of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides of serotypes 1,6B,9V,10A,14 and 19A from four manufacturers and ATCC were analyzed by a double im-mune-diffusion assay and a rate nephelometer analysis , respectively .The effects of antiserum samples and gain values on the rate response value were evaluated .Results The sample 4 of type 9V showed no antigeni-city with a rate response value similar to that of negative control as indicated by both tests .However ,the pre-cipitation lines and the rate response values presented by other polysaccharide samples differed in a wide range.Results of the rate nephelometer analysis were not affected by the anti -serum samples from different sources and the gain values .Conclusion The rate nephelometer analysis could quantitatively analyze the antigen activity of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides .

Objective To study more reasonable method of radiation barrier for cervical cancer treated with external radiation. Methods The distance from cervical canals to tumor's margin in x axis was measured by B ultrasonic, around uterus were evaluated by physical examination.and the dose around uterus for patient who used fixed lead brick for radiation barrier when treated with external radiation were calculationed by TPS, in 39 case of cervical cancer treated with external radiation combine with intracavitary irradiation. Pay attention to the lower dose area around uterus. Results It might bring about lower dose area around uterus who used fixed lead brick for radiation barrier when treated with external radiation,and mass might be in above area. Conclusion Cervical cancer treated with external radiation with source axial distance (SAD), and radiation barrier with lead brick individuate may help for to avoid the lower dose area around uterus.

AIM To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on cardiac hypertrophy in vitro. METHODS Hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (MC) and cardiac nonmyocytes (NMC) was established with angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ). mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). MTT assay and 3H TdR uptake was used to estimate proliferation of NMC. The surface area of MC was analyzed by the aid of NIH Image J software, and the synthetic rate of protein in MC was detected by 3H leucine incorporation. RESULTS In the condition of hypertrophy, increases of surface area,mRNA expression of ANP and BNP and 3H leucine incorporation in MC and an increase of proliferation in NMC were detected, but no changes in mRNA expression of ANP and BNP in NMC. Pioglitazone inhibited the changes above and reduced mRNA expression of ANP and BNP in NMC in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that pioglitazone inhibits cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and it suggests that pioglitazone has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy.

Objective To measure the maximum movement of the hyoid bone and ventriculus laryngis during normal swallowing. Methods Forty volunteers were selected as subjects, and an X?ray simulator was used to collect the videos of normal swallowing. Video analysis software was used to capture continuous and quick screenshots of these videos, and the maximum movement of the hyoid bone and ventriculus laryngis was measured. The difference in movement was analyzed by one?way analysis of variance. Results The mean time for swallowing in 40 volunteers was 1.13±0.28 s. During the process of swallowing, the hyoid bone and ventriculus laryngis moved upward first, then outward, and finally returned to the resting position. The maximum movement of the hyoid bone forward and backward was 0.90±0.30 cm;the maximum vertical movement of the hyoid bone was 0.93±0.36 cm. The maximum movement of the ventriculus laryngis forward and backward was 0.69± 0. 25 cm;the maximum vertical movement of the ventriculus laryngis was 1.04±0.45 cm. Further studies showed the effect of age on the time for swallowing (P=0.03), with similar results for the male and female ( P=0.13) . Sex and age had no effects on movement of the hyoid bone and ventriculus laryngis (P=0.28?0.81 and 0.20?0.88). Conclusions During normal swallowing, the hyoid bone and the ventriculus laryngis move first upward and then forward. These movements should be considered during the development of radiotherapy plan for head and neck cancer.

AIM: To investigate the influence and mechanisms of unsaturated fatty acid on PAI-1 expression in HepG-2 cells. METHODS: PAI-1 activity and mRNA expression were determined by colorimetric assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Two types of CAT reporter gene plasmid containing different deletions in PAI-1 promoter were constructed and transfected into HepG-2 cells, respectively. The transcriptional activity of PAI-1 was demonstrated by the CAT's expression. RESULTS: The mRNA and activity of PAI-1 significantly increased in the groups of oleic acid and linoleic acid compared with the control. When co-transfected with PPAR?-pSG5, the level of PAI-1 transcription was significantly increased. In the HepG-2 cells transfected with NF-?B-like sequence-deletion-pCAT construct linoleic acid, the PAI-1 transcriptional activity increased, and no significant change was observed when transfected with VLDL/fatty acid response element-deletion-pCAT construct. CONCLUSIONS: Unsaturated fatty acids induce PAI-1 activity and mRNA expression in HepG-2 cells. PPAR? may be one of transcription factors playing a role in the regulation of PAI-1 gene expression. The VLDL/fatty acid response element in the PAI-1 promoter may play an important role in the regulation, but not the NF-?B-like sequence.

Objective Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent oxidase, which participates in many biological processes , such as cell proliferation and differentiation and gene activation and repression .The aim of this study was to investigate LSD1 acetylation by histone deacetylase inhib -itor trichostatin A ( TSA) and its effect on TSA-induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells . Methods LSD1 shRNA was synthesized and implanted into the pLKO-Tet-On lentiviral vector , which was transfected into HO8910 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines , and then the transfected cells were screened with 1.5μg/mL puromycin for one week until stable clones were established .The cells were treated for 48 hours with methanol (2 mg/mL, control), TSA (200 nmol/L), TCP (100μmol/L), or TSA+TCP.And in the experiment of RNA interfering the LSD1 expression, the cells were also treated for 48 hours with methanol (2 mg/mL, control), TSA (200 nmol/L), Dox (100 ng/mL), or TSA +Dox.The levels of LSD1 acetylation and its substrate histone H3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) were de-tected by immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot.The apoptosis of the cells was determined by Annexin Ⅴ/PI staining and flow cytometry, the transcription levels of the Bax and p21 genes detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and the H3K4me2levels in the promoter regions of Bax and p21 measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation ( ChIP ) .Results In comparison with the methanol control, the TSA group showed significantly increased levels of LSD 1 acetylation in the HO8910(1.00±0.29 vs 5.83±0.46, P<0.01) and SKOV3 cells ( 1.00±0.24 vs 5.07±0.35, P<0.01) as well as that of H3K4me2 ( P<0.01);the total apoptosis rates of HO 8910 and SKOV3 cells were remarkably increased in the TSA, TCP, and TSA+TCP groups (P<0.05), even more significantly in the TSA+TCP than in the TSA and TCP groups ( P<0.05) .The mRNA expressions of Bax and p21 in the HO8910 cells were markedly upregulated in the TSA, Dox, and TSA+Dox groups (P<0.05), even more significantly in the latter than in the former two groups (P<0.05).The TSA group exhibited a higher level of H 3K4me2 than the methanol control in the promoters of Bax(2 .92±0.26 vs 0.68±0.19, P<0.01) and p21 (3.07±0.29 vs 0.93±0.17, P<0.01). Conclusion TSA induces the LSD1 acetylation, while suppression of LSD1 expres-sion and activity may enhance the antitumor activity of TSA .