Objective To explore the expression of chemerin and chemerin receptor ( chemokine-like receptor 1, CMKLR1) during different periods of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) rat model induced by methionine- and choline-deficient ( MCD) diet. Methods Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into control group and MCD group in random. After one week quarantine and acclimation period, these two groups were fed either normal chow or MCD diet. The animals were respectively sacrificed at the first week, the forth week, and the tenth week. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), blood lipid profile, liver function, and the content of triglyceride in liver were detected. HE staining was done to observe the morphologic change of liver. The mRNA expression changes of chemerin and CMKLR1 in liver were measured using real-time PCR, and the change in chemerin mRNA level was further confirmed in liver by Northern blot. Finally, the concentration of chemerin in serum was measured by Western blot. Results The mRNA level of chemerin decreased significantly after four and ten weeks MCD feeding, although no obvious changes were found at first week, similar changes were found in serum chemerin (1.00±0.11 vs 0.96±0.39; 1.00±0.12 vs 0.21 ±0.77; 1.00±0.42 vs 0.21 ±0. 11). Contrasting with the change of chemerin(1.00±0.08 vs 0.72±0.10;1.00±0.24 vs 0.63±0. 31 ;1.00±0.05 vs 0.50±0.13), the mRNA level of CMKLR1 increased after MCD feeding( 1.00±0. 14 vs 0. 84±0. 26; 1.00±0. 38 vs 1. 51 ±0. 33; 1. 01 ±0. 13 vs 1. 84 ± 0. 39 ). Conclusion The change of chemerin and its receptor may participate in the process of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: To study caspase-9 expression on rat retina in the process of chronic elevation of IOP and the changes with the application of amino guanidine (AG), thus to investigate potential protective function of AG to rat retina with chronic elevation of IOP.METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to observe retinal morphology and expression of caspase-9 at different time points of rat with chronic IOP elevation, both affected or not affected by the application of AG.RESULTS: Compared with control group, as time passed retina of experimental group gradually had detectable morphological changes. On 21st day of chronic IOP elevation, retinas became thinner and the quantity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) decreased; caspase-9 expression increased, consistent with the morphological changes. The group using AG presented relatively smaller morphology changes and less expression of caspase-9.CONCLUSION: Apoptosis-related gene caspase-9 played a part in the process of chronic IOP elevation; AG protects retina by down-regulating expression of caspase-9.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological significance of p16(INK4A) expression and DNA ploidy status in HPV-negative uterine cervical cancers and their precursors.

METHODSHPV-negative cervical lesions, including 20 cases of cervicitis, 20 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN), 3 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasm (CGIN), 38 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) and 15 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were selected and subject to screening for HPV infection by PCR method. The p16(INK4A) protein expression and DNA ploidy status were studied by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry respectively.

RESULTSSpecific expression of p16(INK4A) was seen in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the dysplastic and malignant cells of CIN, CGIN, cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, no expression was present in normal and inflammatory squamous or glandular epithelium. DNA aneuploidy was significantly more frequent in invasive SCCs and adenocarcinomas than in CIN (P < 0.01). Aneuploid was also more frequent in the lymph node positive group than lymph node negative group, although no statistic significance was found. Among the 8 cases of p16(INK4A) negative SCCs, two showed DNA aneuploidy.

CONCLUSIONSImmunohistochemical detection for p16(INK4A) can be an early diagnostic marker for HPV-negative cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. DNA ploidy analysis may further assist the diagnosis of cervical malignancies.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aneuploidy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Cervicitis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

This study is to investigate the effects of indirubin on ATP-induced immune responses of macrophages. For this, neutral red dye uptake method was used to test phagocytosis, MTT assay was used for measuring cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested with fluorescent probe DHE. The data showed that extracellular ATP attenuated phagocytosis, induced cell death and increased ROS production, and these effects were restored by pre-treating with indirubin. This result suggested that indirubin blockade the effects of ATP on macrophages, because extracellular ATP-induced effects are dependent on P2 receptors, in particular P2X7 receptors. Furthermore, the effects of indirubin on the activation of P2 receptors were tested, in particular P2X7 receptors. The data showed that indirubin significantly decreased ATP-induced, P2 receptors mediated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise and inhibited P2X7 receptor-based ethidium bromide (EB) dye uptake. These results suggested the inhibitory effects of indirubin on the activation of P2X7 receptors, which may underlying the effects on ATP induced ROS production, phagocytosis attenuation and cell death of macrophages.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPneumonia has become the predominant cause of death for the elderly. It is critical to determine the status of oropharyngeal pathogen colonization in the elderly when treating pneumonia. To explore the efficient approaches to treat age-related pneumonia, we determined the status of oropharyngeal pathogenic colonization in the elderly community.

METHODSThroat swab cultures were used to isolate oropharyngeal pathogens from 706 residents older than 65 years living in the community of Shenyang City. Characteristics of bacterial strains were sorted and identified using drug sensitivity tests.

RESULTSResults of bacterial identification showed that 265 out of 706 samples were positive, thereby exhibiting a 37.5% positive rate. There were 290 bacterial strains isolated from the elderly community in total, of which 248 strains were gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and 42 strains were gram-positive cocci (GNC), accounting for 85.5% and 14.5%, respectively. There were 158 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, representing 54.4% of the all GNB.

CONCLUSIONThe rate of oropharyngeal GNB colonization in the elderly community increases and Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common strain.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteria ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oropharynx ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of first molar extraction in patients with crowding.

METHODSTotally 22 patients (8 males and 14 females) from Clinic of Orthodontics, SUN Yat-sen University School of Stomatology with crowding were collected. The patients were aged 11 years 3 months to 26 years 8 months (mean age 16 years 6 months). All of them treated with 1 to 4 first molar extractions.

RESULTSThe average duration of orthodontic treatment was 18.5 months. Normal overjet and overbite was achieved. Good functional occlusion was established.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with severe crowding could be successfully treated with first molar extraction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; surgery ; Molar ; surgery ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; methods ; Tooth Extraction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of new bone formation in sinus augmentation with guided bone regeneration (GBR) using collagen membranes.

METHODSThe first maxillary molars of 18 adult female Beagle dogs were extracted and the sinus floors of both sides were lifted with simultaneous implantation. A combination of autografts and Bio-Oss in a 2:1 ratio was placed in the space under the membrane. On the experimental side in each dog, the collagen membrane was folded at the lateral osteotomy window, the apex of the implants and a certain part of palatal bone. On the contralateral control side, the collagen membrane only covered the osteotomy window. Six animals were sacrificed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks respectively after surgery. Gross observation, biomechanical testing and histological examinations were performed.

RESULTSThe translocation of grafted materials and bone absorption were found on the top of implants in the control side, and the grafted materials kept original shape at the experimental side at 4th week. The granule of Bio-oss absorbed obviously at 12th and 24th week. The pull-out force increased with time. At 24th week, the force of pull out was 558.1 ± 37.4 N at the study side, and 471.4 ± 31.5 N at the control side. There was a significant difference in the pull-out force was noted between the two groups (P < 0.01). Histological examination showed new bone formation on the sinus floor, and the grafted materials gradually reduced with time

CONCLUSIONSGBR with the enfolded-coverage of the membrane can effectively decrease absorption of the grafted materialon the apical surface of implants and stimulate new bone formation in the sinus augmentation.

Animals ; Collagen ; Dental Implantation ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Female ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Male ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; surgery ; Minerals ; Molar ; Osteogenesis ; physiology ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; methods ; Tooth Extraction

BACKGROUNDHemangiopericytomas (HPCs) have a relentless tendency for local recurrence and metastases, differentiating between benign meningiomas and HPCs before surgery is important for both treatment planning and the prognosis appraisal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations between CT perfusion parameters and microvessel density (MVD) in extra-axial tumors and the possible role of CT perfusion imaging in preoperatively differentiating benign meningiomas and HPCs.

METHODSSeventeen patients with benign meningiomas and peritumoral edema, 12 patients with HPCs and peritumoral edema underwent 64-slice CT perfusion imaging pre-operation. Perfusion was calculated using the Patlak method. The quantitative parameters, include cerebral blood volume (CBV), permeability surface (PS) of parenchyma, peritumoral edema among benign meningiomas and HPCs were compared respectively. CBV and PS in parenchyma, peritumoral edema of benign meningiomas and HPCs were also compared to that of the contrallateral normal white matter respectively. The correlations between CBV, PS of tumoral parenchyma and MVD were examined.

RESULTSThe value of CBV and PS in parenchyma of HPCs were significantly higher than that of benign meningiomas (P < 0.05), while the values of CBV and PS in peritumoral edema of benign meningiomas and HPCs were not significantly different (P > 0.05). MVD in parenchyma of HPCs were significantly higher than that of benign meningiomas (P < 0.05). There were positive correlations between CBV and MVD (r = 0.648, P < 0.05), PS and MVD (r = 0.541, P < 0.05) respectively. Furthermore, the value of CBV and PS in parenchyma of benign meningiomas and HPCs were significantly higher than that of contrallateral normal white matter (P < 0.05), the value of CBV in peritumoral edema of benign meningiomas and HPCs were significantly lower than that of contrallateral normal white matter (P < 0.05), while the value of PS in peritumoral edema of benign meningiomas and HPCs were not significantly different with that of contrallateral normal white matter (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCT perfusion imaging can provide critical information on the vascularity of HPC and benign meningiomas. Determination of maximal CBV and corresponding PS values in the parenchyma may be useful in the preoperative differentiating HPC from benign meningiomas.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemangiopericytoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Meningioma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the situation of 1- 5-years-old children's antibody against Coxsackievirus A group 16 strain (CVA16) in Guangdong, Heilongjiang,Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions, China, 2005, it can offer scientific evidences for preventing and controlling CVA16 causative hand-food and mouth disease.

METHODSUsing microneutrilization test, to study 503 serum samples randomly selected from sera collected in 2005.

RESULTSPositive rate of anti-CVA16 antibody were 41.90%, 9.40%, 40.00% and 34.40% in Guangdong, Heilongjiang,Yunnan and Xinjiang, respectively. Antibody titer was relative low (average, 1: 6.1) and there was no statistical difference of geometry mean of antibody titer (GMT) among Guangdong, Heilongjiang, Yunnan (F = 0.97, 0.40, 1.06, respectively; P > 0.05), while there had statistical difference of GMT between Heilongjiang and other three regions( F = 10.61, P < 0.00).

CONCLUSIONSThere had probably existed local epidemic in some regions of Guangdong, Heilongjiang, Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions, China, 2005 or even before, but the area and degree of transmission and epidemic had difference. Children aged from 1- 5-years-old were relatively susceptible population of CVA16 infection.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

BACKGROUNDExtracellular matrix (ECM) orchestrates cell behaviour including growth, death, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, and invasion by activating several signalling pathways. Certain components of ECM, such as integrins, may act as receptors or co-receptors of enterovirus. ECM-activated gene expressions in myocardium of viral heart disease including myocarditis and partial cardiomyopathy remain elusive. This study was to investigate the expression of ECM-activated genes in myocardium of mouse with viral myocarditis.

METHODSBALB/c mice were infected with Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) to establish an animal model of myocarditis. Uninfected mice were also prepared and served as controls. Specific mRNA expression pattern in myocarditic mouse heart was analysed by an in-house cDNA microarray containing 8,192 genes. Overexpressed ECM genes were selected and subsequently confirmed by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTSNine ECM genes were isolated, from the array of 8,192 genes, as overexpressed genes in hearts of myocarditic mice in comparison with controls. Subsequent Northern blot analysis confirmed that four of the nine genes were highly expressed. Expression of these four genes, Fin15, ILk, Lamr1 and ADAMTS-1, has not been reported previously to be induced by Coxsackie virus.

CONCLUSIONCVB3-induced myocarditis is associated with gene expression profiles of certain ECM components.

Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Enterovirus Infections ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis