Objective To explore the effects of octylphenol, an environmental contaminant with estrogenic activity, on the expression of apoptosis regulator gene bcl-2 mRNA in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and to compare its effects with 17?-estradiol (E 2). Methods MCF-7 cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to various concentrations of octylphenol and E 2 from 12 h to 120 h respectively. Total RNA was abstracted and the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach. Results The expression of bcl-2 mRNA in MCF-7 cells increased significantly after exposure to octylphenol and E 2 24 h and the effects continued to 120 h. The stimulation effect on the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was induced by octylphenol with a wide range of concentrations, and the strongest effect was found at the concentration of 10-6 mol/L of octylphenol. Conclusion The results suggested that octylphenol had similar estrogenic activities as E 2 on regulating the expression of bcl-2 mRNA in MCF-7 cells, but the effect was weaker than that of E 2.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of different doses of ulinastatin for prevention of insulin resistance in the patients undergoing partial hepatectomy.Methods Sixty patients of both sexes,aged 33-71 yr,weighing 44-70 kg,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for electivepartial hepatectomy,were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),low dose of ulinastatin group (group UL) and high dose of ulinastatin group (group UH).Before induction of anesthesia and at the beginning of operation,ulinastatin 2 500 U/kg and 5 000 U/kg (in 20 ml of normal saline) were injected intravenously in UL and UH groups,respectively.The equal volume of normalsaline was given instead of ulinastatin in group C.Before skin incision,before removal of the liver,after removal of the liver,and after closure of the abdominal cavity,blood samples were taken from the right internal jugular vein for determination of plasma glucose,insulin and glucagon concentrations.Insulin sensitivity index was calculated.Results Compared with group C,insulin sensitivity index was significantly increased,and the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were decreased in UL and UH groups.Conclusion Ulinastatin 2 500 U/kg injected intravenously before induction of anesthesia and at beginning of operation can effectively prevent insulin resistance in the patients undergoing partial hepatectomy.

Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is a major global health issue that leads to end-stage renal disease which untreated.The use of stem cell therapy provides a new perspective in this area.Reviewing the experimental studies of stem cell therapy on CKD,many different,and even contradictory reports in this area were found.In this paper,the recent reports,and present several key issues of experimental stem cell treatment on CKD were reviewed,including the source of stem cell,the sort of experimental animal,the time of treatment and other experimental details.Hoping these may lead more understanding in this area.

Objective: To observe the morphological changes of enteric deep muscular plexuses interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-DMP) in rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and MODS model group. The enteric ICC-DMP network was observed using c-kit immunohistochemical staining with whole-mount preparation technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy , and the ultraslructural features of ICC-DMP was evaluated using transmission electron microscope. Results: Compared with those in control group, the distributions and densities of intestine ICC-DMP in MODS group were significantly decreased (P < 0. 05) , the ICC-DMP network was disrupted and the ultrastructural features of ICC-DMP were severely damaged. Conclusion: The ICC-DMP network was severely damaged in rats with MODS, and the mechanism of gastrointestinal dysmotility in MODS may be related to the morphological changes of ICC-DMP.

Objective To observe effects of aqueous extractive of Clarke boea herb on mice with gastric ulcer, and provide basis for clinical application.Methods Gastric ulcer model was induced by reserpine. The mice were divided into normal group, model group, ranitidine group, low and high dose of Clarke boea herb groups. Mice in treatment groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, and the normal group and control group were given the same amount of saline for 4 weeks. The area of gastric ulcer, serum proinflammatory cytokines gastric juice volume, gastric juice acidity, iNOS and COX-2 gene expressions were detected.Results Compared with control group, the gastric ulcer area in low and high dose of Clarke boea herb groups decreased significantly. Clarke boea herb increased the SS and VIP, decreased the MOT and SP serum levels (P<0.05,P<0.01). Clarke boea herb reduced the levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ(P<0.05,P<0.01). Clarke boea herb also decreased the genetic expressions of iNOS and COX-2 (P<0.05,P<0.01).ConclusionClarke boea herb has good gastric ulcer preventive effects, and the high dose of Clarke boea herb group showed the best efficiency.

Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

Ankylosis ; Humans ; Respiration Disorders ; Stomatognathic System Abnormalities ; Tongue ; abnormalities ; Trismus

Objective To summarize the experiences of Nuss procedure with thoracoscope for repairing pectus excavatum.Methods 21 cases of pectus excavatum were treated by Nuss procedure with thoracoscope.In these patients,10 had symmetric pectus excavatum and 11 had asymmetric one.Results The operation in all patients were successful.The mean operating time wag(70.7±9.6)min and the mean intraoperative blood loss was(20.3±10.9)ml.The average hospital length of stay was(5.3±1.1)days,the average durante dolors was(6.9±4.0)days.The exceUent rate was 81.0%(17/21),including 90.0%(9/10)in symmetric pectus excavatum and 72.7%(8/11)in asymmetric pectus cxcavatum.Conclusion Nuss procedure is easy to perform,with minimal invasion,short operating time,and less blood loss.Nuss procedure is suitable for the symmetric pectus excavatum.