OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of scar hypertrophy in adenosine receptor A(2A) (A(2A) R) knockout mice.

METHODSAnimal models of hypertrophic scar were established in 12 A(2A) R knockout mice and 12 wild-type mice as control. The thickness and the size of transverse section of the hypertrophic scar were observed by H-E staining. The hydroxyproline (HYP) in the scar was measured colorimetrically. The TGF-beta expression was tested by Western blotting method.

RESULTSThe hypertrophic scar in wild-type mice was more severe than that in knockout mice. Compared with self-control, the increase of the thickness and the size of transverse section of hypertrophic scar was markedly higher in wild-type group than in the knockout group (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in HYP content between the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with self-control, the increase of TGF-beta expression in wild-type group was much more than that in knockout group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TGF-beta expression decreases in the A(2A) R knockout mice. The scar hypertrophy is also much less in the A(2A) R knockout mice.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism

Whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to vitamin D and bone health in obese children is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) in obese children according to their condition within the NAFLD spectrum. Anthropometric data, laboratory tests, and abdominal ultrasonography were obtained from 94 obese children. The subjects were divided into three groups according to NAFLD spectrum: normal liver, simple steatosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although there were no differences in vitamin D levels between the three groups, these groups showed significant differences in highly sensitive C-reactive protein (P=0.044), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P=0.02), hepatic fibrosis scores (P<0.05), and trunk fat percentage (P=0.025). Although there were significant differences in BMDs, the age-matched BMD z-scores were not significantly different between the three groups. Serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with age (r=-0.368, P=0.023), serum uric acid levels (r=-0.371, P=0.022), fibrosis 4 (FIB4) (r=-0.406, P=0.011), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.530, P=0.001) in obese children with NASH. Multiple regression analysis for vitamin D in the NASH group revealed age and HOMA-IR as significant factors. In conclusion, inflammatory markers, hepatic fibrosis scores, trunk fat, and insulin resistance may reflect the spectrum of NAFLD in obese children, whereas vitamin D levels and BMD may not. In patients with NASH, however, low serum vitamin D is associated with hepatic fibrosis and insulin resistance, but not with bone health status.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Composition ; *Bone Density ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/*blood/*complications/pathology ; Obesity/*blood/*complications ; Regression Analysis ; Uric Acid/blood ; Vitamin D/*analogs & derivatives/blood ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the influence of coal burning fluorosis on learning and memory ability in rats and reveal its possible mechanisms. Methods Healthy 48 SD rats were divided into control, low-fluoride and high-fluoride group. All rats in fluoride exposed groups were fed with the eom polluted by drying processes with burning coal containing high level of fluoride obtained from the endemic fluorosis area to produce the animal model of fluorosis. The experiment period were 3,6 mouths, respectively. The ability of leaning and memory was measured by Morris test and cholinesterase activity detected by photometric method at 3 or 6 month after experiment, respectively. Results Fluoride contents signifieantlly influenced the escape latency, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms(the value of F was 29.29,6.47,6.50, respectively, P<0.01).In addition, the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms were influenced by the exposed time(the value of F was 16.11,45.59, P<0.01). Furthermore, the fluoride contents and the exposed time had an interaction between the numbers of crossing the platforms and the time of staying the platforms (the value of F was 4.67,5.68, P<0.05 or<0.01). Three months after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency [(14.71± 4.85)s] of rats in highly fluoride exposed group were significantly prolonged as compared with controls [(9.28±4.22)s]; 6 month after the experiment, the mean values of escape latency[(12.42±8.03)s, (17.48± 8.05)s] of rats in both groups exposed to fluoride were significantly prolonged as compared to controls [(7.04± 3.29)s, P<0.05]. The decreased numbers of crossing the platforms[(1.62±0.87)number] and the declined time of staying the platforms[(16.70±5.02)s] were found in the rats exposed to high fluoride as compared to controls [(3.53±1.67 )number, (23.33±5.35)s, P<0.05]. The fluoride contents obviously influenced the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 12.83,13.27, P<0.01). On the other hand, the times of breeding also influnced the activities of butylcolinesterase (the value of F was 16.26, P<0.01). In 3 months of the experiment, the activities of butylcolinesterase [(0.55±0.12)kU/g] in low fluoride exposed group were significantly decreased in comparison with controls[(0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The activities of acetylcholinesterase[(0.62±0.42)kU/g] and butylcolioesterase[(0.58±0.10)kU/g] in high fluoride group were significantly decreased as compared to eontrois[(1.41±0.52), (0.73±0.10)kU/g, P<0.05]. The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the cholinesterase and the escape latency(r=-0.68, P< 0.01), and a positive correlation between the cholinesterase and the time of staying the platforms(r=0.57, P< 0.01). Conclusions The ability of learning and memory in rats with coal buring fluorosis was decreased, which might be connected to the decreased activity of cholinesterase in a dose-effect correlation.

We evaluated clinical factors such as age, gender, predisposing diseases and ultrasonographic findings that determine clinical outcome of acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder diseases in children. The patients were divided into the four age groups. From March 2004 through February 2014, clinical data from 131 children diagnosed as acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder disease by ultrasonography were retrospectively reviewed. Systemic infectious diseases were the most common etiology of acute inflammatory gallbladder disease in children and were identified in 50 patients (38.2%). Kawasaki disease was the most common predisposing disease (28 patients, 21.4%). The incidence was highest in infancy and lowest in adolescence. The age groups were associated with different predisposing diseases; noninfectious systemic disease was the most common etiology in infancy and early childhood, whereas systemic infectious disease was the most common in middle childhood and adolescence (P = 0.001). Gallbladder wall thickening was more commonly found in malignancy (100%) and systemic infection (94.0%) (P = 0.002), whereas gallbladder distension was more frequent in noninfectious systemic diseases (60%) (P = 0.000). Ascites seen on ultrasonography was associated with a worse clinical course compared with no ascites (77.9% vs. 37.7%, P = 0.030), and the duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with ascites (11.6 ± 10.7 vs. 8.0 ± 6.6 days, P = 0.020). In conclusion, consideration of age and predisposing disease in addition to ultrasonographic gallbladder findings in children suspected of acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder disease might result in better outcomes.
Adolescent ; Ascites ; Child* ; Communicable Diseases ; Gallbladder Diseases* ; Gallbladder* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To study the frequency and aspects of ptosis in Koreans aged 50 years or older. METHODS: In this study, 377 elderly people visiting retirement center were included. Margin-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and palpebral fissure (PF) were evaluated with an attempt to eliminate eyebrow elevation. Levator function (LF) was measured with Berke's method. If the measured MRD1 was less than 2 mm, ptosis was diagnosed and its frequency, relation to sex, age, levator function and superior deep sulcus were investigated. RESULTS: There was a correlation between decreasing MRD1, PF and LF with increasing age. Ptosis was observed in 207 subjects (54.9%), and its frequency was augmented as age increased. Although it was not statistically significant, the levator function of those with ptosis (10.0+/-1.9 mm) was lower than those without ptosis (11.3+/-1.9 mm). Questionnaires were administered and 196 respondents (51%) said that their eyelid droop had become more pronounced over time. Among these respondents, 33 (16.1%) indicated that their droopy eyelid causes discomfort by blocking their vision. Their MRD1 was 1.2+/-1.0 mm, which was significantly lower than that of the other 163 respondents (1.8+/-1.1 mm, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Koreans aged 50 years or older showed a very high frequency (54.9%) of ptosis and as age increased, the frequency of ptosis also increased. Surgical correction is recommended when the ptosis causes patient discomfort due to impaired vision.
Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Retirement

PURPOSE: To study the frequency and aspects of ptosis in Koreans aged 50 years or older. METHODS: In this study, 377 elderly people visiting retirement center were included. Margin-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and palpebral fissure (PF) were evaluated with an attempt to eliminate eyebrow elevation. Levator function (LF) was measured with Berke's method. If the measured MRD1 was less than 2 mm, ptosis was diagnosed and its frequency, relation to sex, age, levator function and superior deep sulcus were investigated. RESULTS: There was a correlation between decreasing MRD1, PF and LF with increasing age. Ptosis was observed in 207 subjects (54.9%), and its frequency was augmented as age increased. Although it was not statistically significant, the levator function of those with ptosis (10.0+/-1.9 mm) was lower than those without ptosis (11.3+/-1.9 mm). Questionnaires were administered and 196 respondents (51%) said that their eyelid droop had become more pronounced over time. Among these respondents, 33 (16.1%) indicated that their droopy eyelid causes discomfort by blocking their vision. Their MRD1 was 1.2+/-1.0 mm, which was significantly lower than that of the other 163 respondents (1.8+/-1.1 mm, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Koreans aged 50 years or older showed a very high frequency (54.9%) of ptosis and as age increased, the frequency of ptosis also increased. Surgical correction is recommended when the ptosis causes patient discomfort due to impaired vision.
Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Retirement

Although the incidence of extrapyramidal reactions associated with metoclopramide has been reported to be approximately 0.2%, such reactions are rare in the anesthetic field. Several anesthetic adjuvants, including ondansetron and pregabalin, have also been associated with extrapyramidal side effect. Here, the authors report the case of a 47-year-old patient, previously administered pregabalin and ondansetron, who developed extrapyramidal side effects after a single injection of metoclopramide (10 mg) in a post-anesthesia care unit.
Adjuvants, Anesthesia ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Incidence ; Metoclopramide ; Middle Aged ; Ondansetron ; Pregabalin

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), an enveloped positive-stranded RNA virus in the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family, is the causative agent of a highly contagious swine disease characterized by symptoms of hemorrhagic fever and immune depression, usually leading to substantial economic losses. The serological methods for detection of CSFV antibody such as ELISA are important means for the diagnosis of CSFV and immune surveillance. It is difficult to obtain CSFV antigen with high quality using traditional method because its titration titer is low in cell culture. CSFV has four structural protein named C, E0, El and E2. The E2 protein contains major antigenic determinants that are conserved between different CSFV strains and involved in neutralization by antibodies. So recombinant E2 protein can be developed as an alternative to the intact viral antigen. So far, CSFV E2 have not been expressed in E. coli with high level. Many factors, such as the secondary structure, the stability of 5' and 3' terminus of gene, the location of SD sequence and the bias of codes, are involved in the expressing level of foreign gene in E. coli . In this study, two sites of the E2 gene sequence were confirmed to be detrimental to its expression efficiency in E. coli through the computer-aided analysis. So they were mutated using recombinant PCR without changing the amino acids sequence of CSFV E2 gene. A plasmid was constructed by inserting the mutated E2 gene into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a(+) and named pETE2. The E. coli competent host BL21 (DE3)lysS transformed with pETE2 could express the E2 gene at high level, amounting to 28% of the total protein of the induced recombinant bacteria at the presence of IPTG. Except the hydrophobic transmembrane domain at C terminus, the recombinant E2 protein includes the total aa sequence. So it contains all the potential linear antigen epitopes of E2 protein because hydrophobic aa region can not form epitope. The recombinant E2 protein was CSFV-specific as proved by Western blotting and indirect ELISA. The rabbits immunized with the recombinant E2 can be protect from the challenge of hog cholera lapinized virus. This is the first report that E2 gene is expressed with high level expression in E. coli. In conclusion, it is an effective measure that mutate the CSFV E2 gene to increase its expression level in E. coli. The recombinant CSFV E2 protein possess fine immunonicity and can be used the antigen for the detection of CSFV antibody.
Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of IAT and MAT chemotherapeutic regimens treating patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 99 patients with refractory and relapsed AML received IAT regimen or MAT regimen as study objects were retrospectively analyzed (56 patients with refractory AML and 43 patients with relapsed AML). Among of them, 28 patients were treated with IAT regimen, and 71 patients received with MAT regimen. The results showed that in 2 groups mentioned above the OR was 65.7%, CR was 49.5%, PR was 16.2%; in IAT group the OR was 64.3%, CR was 46.4%; in MAT group the OR was 66.2%, CR was 50.7%, no statistical difference was found between these 2 groups; The 2 years overall survival was 25% in IAT group and 15.5% in MAT group. Serious infection in IAT and MAT regime groups was 25% and 9.9%, respectively. It is concluded that both IAT and MAT regimens are effective methods for inducing CR in patients with refractory of relapsed AML. IAT and MAT regimens can be used in treatment of the refractory or relapsed MAL patients who were not respond to other regimen.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Vidarabine ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

Aim To explore the optimal way of breeding and genotype identification of Arrb2 knockout mice, and to find a simple and quick polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) method for the genotyping of Arrb2 knockout mice. Methods Breeding homozygote genotype of Arrb2 gene knockout mice were copula-ted with wild-type C57BL/6J mice, and then the heterozygous mating were used for mating. The growth and development of off-spring were observed. The genomic DNA was extracted from the tail of two-week-old mice. PCR was employed to amplify the Arrb2 gene fragment, and electrophoresis was used to present the gene type. Results The breeding and reproducing were successful and three genotype offspring, including wild-type,heterozygous and homozygous knockout mice were obtained. Agarose gel electrophoresis results showed the size of PCR prod-ucts was about 186 bp and 224 bp, which was consistent with the expected target gene fragment, and identified Arrb2 gene knockout mice of different genotypes successfully. Western blot analysis demonstrated the lack ofβ-arrestin2 protein in the major organs from Arrb2 -/ - mice compared with Arrb2 +/ + and Arrb2 +/ - mice. Conclusions It is feasible to obtain the homo-zygous Arrb2 knockout mice by inbreeding heterozygotes. It is simple, rapid and reliable to identify mouse genetype by PCR.