Objective To evaluate the clinical value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level in asthmatic children to predict bronchial hyperresponsiveness by analyzing the correlation between fraction of exhaled nitric oxide and bronchial provocation test.Methods One hundred and fourteen asthma outpatients of Shengjing Hospital were enrolled, FeNO levels, spirometry and bronchial provocation test were measured.Results In the bronchial provocation test,there were 33 positive and 81 negative cases.The positive group had a significantly higher FeNO levels than the negative ones(19.0 × 10-9 vs.16.0 × 10-9 ,p =0.000).By the ROC curve, the best FeNO cut-off value to predict bronchial hyperresponsiveness was 38.5 × 10-9 with high specificity (92.6％) but relatively low sensitivity (36.4％).There was no relationship between methacholine provocative dose causing a 20％ fall in FEV1 (PD20-FEV1) and the level of FeNO.Conclusion FeNO level has important predicting value for bronchial hyperreactivity in children with asthma.The level of FeNO ＞ 38.5 × 10-9 has high predictive value in asthmatic children with bronchial hyperreactivity.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Humans

Objective To compare the fluorescence intensity and duration of qdots streptavidin conjugate (QDs-SA) with Cy3 as the molecular probe of β amyloid precursor protein (APP), and to provide evidence for early molecular imaging and diagnosis of Alzheimer's dissease (AD). Methods With the help of laser scanning confocal microscope and flow cytometry, the flurescence probe based on the QDs-SA was used to detect APP in HEK293 cells stably transfected pcDNA3.1/APP, and to compare with conventional fluroimmunoassay Cy3. Results The immunofluorescence staining detection indicated APP expression was mainly located in the plasma membrane. The mean fluorescence intensity of QDs-SA (34.2336±4.2455) was greater than that of Cy3 (21.6023±3.0102)under the confocal fluorescence microscope (P<0.05). After persistent exciting for 12 min, the fluorescence intensity of APP stained by QDs-SA decreased by 27.87%. The other stained by Cy3 decreased by 79.60%. The positive rate of APP staining had no significant difference between the QDs-SA(54.4700±3.4433)% and Cy3 (54.3800±8.5229)% by flow cytometry, but the mean fluorescence intensity had statistical significance(P<0.05). The QDs-SA (1 045.4167±47.3623) was significantly higher than the mean fluorescence intensity of Cy3 (658.5467±55.0591). Conclusion QDs-SA fluorescence probes can effectively recognize APP and are sensitive and exceptionally photostable, suggesting that QDs-SA fluorescence probes could be a potential method in APP detection and offer a novel way for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; Ethmoid Sinus ; pathology ; Frontal Lobe ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms ; pathology ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; pathology ; Skull Base ; pathology

Objective To study the clinical outcomes of titanium-coated interbody fusion system in treating lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis.Methods A retrospective study was made in 22 cases with lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis including 15 with degree I spondylolisthesis and seven with degree II spondylolisthesis treated by posterior lumbar interbody fusion using titanium-coated fusion cages from June 2002 to December 2003 in our hospital.There were six males and 16 females,with age range of 41-68 years(mean 52.5 years).In all cases,double cages were implanted with additional posterolateral bone graft,supplemented with pedicle screw systems.The average preoperative and postoperative disc space height,foraminal height,segmental and lumbar lordosis,spondylolisthesis and domain of sagittal rotation on flexion-extension radiographs were measured and fusion state observed.The Oswestry disability index (ODI)was used to evaluate the clinical outcome.Results The fusion rate was 95.4%.There was significant recovery of disc space height,foraminal height and domain of sagittal rotation.ODI decreased significantly.Conclusion The anatomic titanium-coated fusion system is effective and safe in treatment of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis because it has advantages in restoring sagittal alignment and keeping bony endplate intact.

Background Ultraviolet irradiation promotes cellular apoptosis by affecting the mitochondrial transmembrane potential,including human lens epithelial cells (LECs).Gene associated with retinoid-interferoninduced mortality-19 (GRIM-19),a cell death regulatory protein,is essential for the assembly and function of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ.However,whether LECs apoptosis induced by ultraviolet irradiation is related to GRIM-19 is still unclear.Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the apoptosis of human LECs caused by ultraviolet with GRIM-19 expression in vitro.Methods Human LEC line(SRA01/04)was cultured in α-MEM containing 10％ fetal bovine serum.The cells were exposed to ultraviolet ray at doses of 0,30,60,90,120 or 150 mJ/cm2 when cell growth reached the logarithmic phase and 80％ confluency.The rate of apoptosis of the cells was assayed using flow cytometry,and the level of expression and relative amount of GRIM-19 protein (GRIM-19/β-actin) were detected by Western blot.The relationship between apoptosis and the GRIM-19/β-actin value among the different treatment groups was compared using One-way ANOVA,and the correlation of LECs apoptosis rate and GRIM-19 expression level was assessed by Pearson linear analysis.Results A significant difference was found in the apoptosis rate among the different treatment groups(F=149.32,P＜0.01).Compared with the 0 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet irradiation group,the apoptosis rate of LECs was significantly increased in the 60,90,120 and 150 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet irradiation groups (q =17.02,-25.20,-29.41,-8.61,P ＜ 0.01).The expression of the GRIM-19 protein in the LECs suspension was enhanced by ultraviolet irradiation at 60,90,120 and 150 mJ/cm2.The relative expression of the GRIM-19 protein (GRIM-19/β-actin) was significantly different among the various groups (F=6.87,P＜0.05),and the GRIM-19/β-actin values in the 60,90,120,150 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet irradiation groups were elevated in comparison with the un-irradiated group(2.01±0.76,2.98± 1.80,3.97± 1.61,2.42± 1.28 vs.0.56±0.23),which showed statistically significant differences (q =4.12,-5.04,-7.09,-3.85,P ＜ 0.01).In addition,a positive correlation was seen between the rate of apoptosis and the expression of the GRIM-19 protein(r=0.71,P＜0.01).Conclusions GRIM-19 is expressed in normal human LECs.The apoptosis of human LECs accompanies the up-regulation of GRIM-19.The expression of GRIM-19 in LECs increases with ultraviolet irradiation in a doseindependent manner.

Background Epithelial-myofibroblast transition (EMT) of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) is the main mechanism in the pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification(PCO).Seeking an effective drug capable of inhibiting this process is important for the prevention and treatment of PCO.Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of rapamycin (RAPA)on the proliferation of human LECs and TGF-β2-induced EMT.Methods Human LEC strain(SRA01/04)was cultured in DMEM with high glucose and 10％ fetal bovine serum.The cells were consequently cultured in serumfree DMEM with 5 mg/L TGF-β2,TGF-β2+10 mg/L RAPA,TGF-β2 + 100 mg/L RAPA,TGF-β2 + 1000 mg/L RAPA or TGF-β2 +10 000 mg/L RAPA for 72 hours,and SRA01/04 cultured in serum-free DMEM were used as control.The proliferation rate(A490)of SRA01/04 in the different groups was detected using the MTT assay and the rate of inhibition of RAPA was calculated.The expressions of the α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and E-cadherin(E-cad)mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot,respectively.The changes in the expression of α-SMA and E-cad in SRA01/04 were evaluated by Western blot 24,48 and 72 hours after TGF-β2 +400 mg/L RAPA treatment.Results The A490 value of SRA01/04 was 0.680±0.020,0.550±0.013,0.480±0.014,0.400±0.011 and 0.200±0.019 in the control group,TGF-β2 group,TGF-β2 + 10 mg/LRAPA group,TGF-β2 + 100 mg/L RAPA group,TGF-β2 + 1000 mg/L RAPA and TGF-β2 + 10 000 mg/L RAPA group,respectively,showing a gradually declining trend in SRA01/04 rate of proliferation with increasing RAPA concentrations (F =101.920,P =0.000).RT-PCR and Western blot assay showed that the relative expression levels of α-SMA mRNA (α-SMA mRNA/β-actin mRNA)and protein (α-SMA/β-actin)in the cells were significantly increased in the TGF-β2 treatment group.However,with exposure to RAPA,the relative expression levels of α-SMA mRNA and protein were significantly lowered with increasing RAPA concentrations,but the expression levels of E-cad mRNA and protein were raised (α-SMA mRNA:F =294.660,P =0.000 ; α-SMA protein:F =346.950,P =0.000 ; E-cad mRNA:F =264.250,P =0.000 ; E-cad protein:F =317.327,P =0.000).In addition,after exposure to 400 mg/L RAPA,the expression levels of α-SMA protein gradually reduced and those of E-cad protein gradually increased with increasing treatment durations,showing significant differences among the different time points (α-SMA:F =693.864,P =0.000 ;E-cad:F=369.286,P =0.000).Conclusions RAPA can inhibit the proliferation of SRA01/04 in vitro and arrest EMT of SRA01/04 induced by TGF-β2 in a dose-and time-dependent manner.

In the previous study, a high-throughput screening method was established to find the antagonists of CD36. In the present study, a new compound named IMB-1680 was found using this method. The anti-atherosclerotic activities of IMB-1680 were then evaluated. Dose-dependent activities of IMB-1680 were detected by using Sf9 [hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] models. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry were used to analyze uptake of mLDL. Foam cell test with RAW264.7 macrophages was used to examine lipid accumulation. The results showed that IMB-1680 inhibited CD36 activity with IC50 of 2.80 and 8.79 micromol x L(-1) in Sf9[hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] cells, respectively. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry revealed that IMB-1680 could significantly reduce DiI-AcLDL uptake. Meanwhile, IMB-1680 also could reduce lipids accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages. In all, the data indicated that IMB-1680 might be a potent effective anti-atherosclerotic leading compound.
Animals ; CD36 Antigens ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; CHO Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Scavenger ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sf9 Cells ; Spodoptera ; Transfection

In clinical practice, we have found that cognitive impairment frequently occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, but little is known about its pathophysiological mechanism. Given that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is affected by many factors such as smoking, infection, hypoperfusion and hypoxia, the present study was to explore the expression of BDNF in COPD rats. The rat COPD model was established by passive smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats with the same age and gender ratios were divided into 4 groups: the control group (n = 6), the smoking group (n = 6), the LPS group (n = 6) and the smoking + LPS group (n = 6, COPD model). Level of BDNF in serum was measured by ELISA. And the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus was assessed using the immunohistochemistry and image analysis. The results showed that BDNF in the hippocampus and serum significantly increased in the smoking, LPS and smoking + LPS groups, compared to that in the control group. However, the expression of BDNF was less in the smoking + LPS group than that in the smoking or LPS group both in the hippocampus and serum. In conclusion, the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and serum is highly increased in the COPD group. Smoking and intratracheal instillation of LPS induce the increase of BDNF level in the hippocampus and serum.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Objective To examine the effects and mechanisms of siRNA targeting aquaporin 4 (AQP 4) in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBO) on cerebral edema and apoptosis in the brain tissue of rats after hemorrhage.Methods Rats were randomly divided into four groups,the control group,the hyperbaric oxygen group,the AQP-4 siRNA group and the combination therapy group (24 rats).Thrombin Ⅶ was injected into the caudate nucleus to establish the hemorrhage model.Construction of siRNA targeting aquaporin 4 was conducted.The mRNA expression of AQP-4 was detected by RT-PCR at day 3.Changes in brain moisture and blood-brain barrier perme ability were measured by a wet/dry weight method and Evans blue fluorometry.The nerve cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by Annexin V andTdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).The expression of proteins including AQP-4,MMP-2,MMP-9,Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was detected by Western Blotting.All the animals were given a score for their nerve function at day 3.Results AQP-4 siRNA treatment obtained better effects than HBO in decreasing the brain edema leveland silencing AQP-4 mRNA(P＜0.05)while,the combination therapy group achieved the best results(P＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group,the percentage of apoptotic cells decreased in all the three treatment groups,with the most marked decrease observed in the combination treatment group(4.24± 0.04)％(F=13.76,P=0.001).The expression of AQP-4,MMP-2,MMP-9 and caspase-3 was lower (P＜0.05) and the expression of Bcl-2 was higher(P＜0.01)in the combination treatment group than in the other three groups.Compared with the control group,all the other three groups received better scores on nerve function defect evaluation at day 3 after hemorrhage(P＜0.05),with the combination treatment group again achieving the most favorable score (4.7 ± 1.1) (F=7.21,P =0.013).Conclusions Targeted siRNA interference combined with hyperbaric oxygen can effectively reduce cerebral edema after cerebral hemorrhage,inhibit neuronal apoptosis and promote neuron function recovery.The underlying mechanisms may be related to down-regulation of AQP-4,MMP 2,MMP-9 and caspase-3 expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.