Objective cAMP promotes neurite outgrowth in vitro. The study is aimed to understand whether cAMP can repair spinal cord injury of rats. Methods 56 rats models of spinal cord hemisection were adopted and randomly distributed into six groups. Dibutyryl-cAMP or physiological saline was injected either once in the motor cortex with an amount of 6 ml of 50 mmol/L cAMP, or continuously infused through a polyethylene tube connecting with a micro-pump in the spinal lesion area or in the subarachnoid space with a total amount of 72 ml of 10 mmol/L cAMP for 72 h. The distribution of neurofilament (NF) in the lesion area was observed by immunohistochemistry. Corticospinal tracts (CST) and spinal axons regeneration were investigated by CST and spinal axons anterograde tracing with biotinylated dextran amine (BDA). The function of hindlimb movements were evaluated by BBB scales and as a reference to assess the repairing effect of treating strategy. Results NF were densely distributed and extended in the lesion area in the cAMP groups, but no connection could be found with the NF in the caudal. No axonal regeneration could be achieved when cAMP was input into the subarachnoid space. Many regenerated axons, including some CST axonal regeneration were presented in the lesion areas in cAMP groups though no continuous long regenerated axons traversed the lesion area, while there was no regenerated axon in the lesion areas in the control groups. All the rats restored to normally walk 4 to 5 weeks after operations, BBB scale exceed 20, and no significant difference between cAMP groups and control groups by comparing the BBB scales of hindlimb movements. Conclusion cAMP injected in the brain cortex or continuously infused in the spinal lesion area can induce the axonal regeneration and is beneficial to repair the spinal cord injury, but could not directly promote hindlimb movements recovering.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Racemases and Epimerases ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and IL-4.

METHODSA cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 200 workers from the refrigerator assembly line in Henan province in China. Psychosocial work conditions were measured by using the job demand-control model, the effort-reward imbalance model questionnaires and occupational stress measurement scale. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-4 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay or immunoradiometric assay method respectively.

RESULTSSerum TNF-α concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher affective balance level and control groups [(1.947 ± 0.173) and (2.029 ± 0.240) fmol/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-1β concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher effort level and control groups [(0.133 ± 0.034) and (0.118 ± 0.031) ng/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-2 concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher role ambiguity level [(1.658 ± 0.376) and (1.491 ± 0.033) ng/ml] and control groups (P < 0.05), as well as between workers with higher role conflict level and control groups [(1.774 ± 0.311) and (1.589 ± 0.380) ng/ml] (P < 0.05), between workers with higher daily life stress level and control groups [(1.759 ± 0.361) and (1.606 ± 0.381) ng/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-4 concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher reward level and control groups [(1.449 ± 0.025) and (1.466 ± 0.041) pg/ml] (P < 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that affective balance was the predictor of serum TNF-α (R(2) = 0.029). Effort and mental health were the predictors of serum IL-1β (R(2) was 0.029 and 0.055, respectively). Role conflict, daily life stress and role ambiguity were the predictors of serum IL-2 (R(2) was 0.040, 0.078 and 0.104, respectively). Reward was the predictor of serum IL-4 (R(2) = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONUnhealthy psychological stress factor might be induce a marked increase in the concentrations of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, as well as IL-4.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered an important complementary therapy with beneficial effects for cancer patients. Elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a complex patient group with increasing co-morbidity and shrinking physiological reserve, and may derive substantial benefit from the supportive aspects of TCM. Researchers from Shanghai Longhua Hospital found that qi and yin deficiency is a common syndrome in patients with stage III or IV lung cancer. This project was designed to study the combination of single-agent chemotherapy with TCM methods of benefiting qi and yin in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective To observe the protective effects of a mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach (保肝益胃合剂) on rat acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4). Methods The model of rat acute liver damage was established by injection of CCl_4 2 ml/kg into the abdominal cavity.The rat models were treated respectively by the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach 30 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),the polyene phosphatide acid radical choline capsule [Yi Shanfu (易善复), 180 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)],the glycyrrhizic acid diaminogen capsule [Gan Lixin (甘利欣),30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)] infused into the stomach.The activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected.In the mean time,the liver pathological changes were observed,the degree of liver cell necrosis was evaluated,and the rat mortality was noted in various groups of treatment.Results The values of ALT,AST and the score of liver cell necrosis in the group treated with the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach [(1.168?1.066) kU/L,(1.845?2.212) kU/L,(0.56?0.53) score] were significantly lower than those in the model group [(4.982?3.502) kU/L,(7.030?3.616) kU/L, (1.38?0.92) scores],and all the differences being statistically significant (all P

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance and the role of the p53 gene mutation in the exon 4 to 8 in keloid fibroblasts.

METHODSTissue samples from twelve patients with keloid and twelve hyperplastic scar respectively were harvested for in vitro culture of fibroblasts, and normal skin samples from the same patients were employed as the control. Polymerase chain reaction-based single-strained conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing were employed to detect p53 gene mutations of the fibroblasts.

RESULTSThe points and frameshift mutations in the exon 4, 5, 6, 7 of p53 gene were identified in 9 of the 12 keloid tissue samples. No p53 gene mutation was detected in all hyperplastic scar and normal skin samples.

CONCLUSIONp53 gene mutation might play an important role in the formation and development of keloids.

Female ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo study the biological exposure index of carbon disulfide in China.

METHODSHigh-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in the urine of the workers after working shift end, Gas chromatography was used to detect the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The relationship between the urine TTCA levels and the concentrations of the carbon disulfide was analyzed, the biological exposure index and judgement result from PC-TWA were compared.

RESULTSThe levels of TTCA in urine of workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide were closely and positively related with the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The regression equation was Y = 0.265X - 0.165, The biological exposure index of carbon disulfide were calculated by regression equation according to occupational exposure limits of carbon disulfide in China.

CONCLUSIONThe biological exposure index of CS(2) in China might be revised for 1.2 mg/g Cr.

Carbon Disulfide ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Thiazolidines ; urine ; Threshold Limit Values ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on ambulatory blood pressure.

METHODS30 male healthy workers from the refrigerator assembly line in Henan province in China were investigated. Psychosocial work conditions were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Ambulatory blood pressure(ABP) was measured by using mobile ABP monitor. The t test was utilized to analyze the difference of parameters of ABP monitoring between different groups of occupational stress and other variables scores. The stepwise regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of occupational stress factors on parameters of ABP.

RESULTS(1) As to stressors, systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV), mean arterial blood pressure variability (MABPV) and heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high role conflict score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high skill utilization score had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure variability (DBPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) in workers with high decision latitude score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high job psychological demands score had significantly higher SBPV, DBPV and MABPV than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate-pressure product(RPP) and SBPV in workers with high effort score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low rewards score had higher mean heart rate and heart rate at 30 minute after work than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (2) For personalities, workers with high work locus of control score had significantly higher mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high patience score had significantly lower mean SBP at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high organization commitment score was significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). (3) Concerning buffer factors, HRV in workers with high control strategies score were significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low supervisor support score had higher RPP and MABPV than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (4) In the multiple stepwise regression, daily life stress affected SBPV (R2 = 0.12) and MABPV (R2 = 0.05), depression was related to DBPV at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.15) and SBPV (R = 0.03), mental health was predictor of MABPV (R2 = 0.07) and negative affection was predictor of heart rate at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONSOccupational stressors, personality and social support have effect on parameters of ABP. Parameters of ABP monitoring could be used to evaluate occupational stress in the field research.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Burnout, Professional ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenluotong Decoction (SD) on serum levels of aldosterone, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) in obstructive nephropathy rats, and to explore the initial mechanism of SD for inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =12) and the model group (n =36). Renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After successful modeling, 36 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 12 in each group. Eplerenone was added in the forage at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for rats in the Western medicine group. Chinese medicine was added in the forage at the daily dose of 26 g/kg for rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily. The obstructive kidneys were extracted ten days after medication. The pathomorphological changes were observed. The contents of serum aldosterone and MCP-1, and the protein or mRNA expression of MCP-1, α-SMA, and NF-KB were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, infiltration of a large amount of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition significantly increased, serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1 obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were significantly enhanced in the model group (P <0.01). Com- pared with the model group, infiltration of inflammatory cells and renal collagen deposition were attenua- ted in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group, the serum MCP-1 level were reduced, and the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 were significantly down-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were obviously inhibited (P <0. 01). At the same time, serum aldosterone level was reduced in the Chinese medicine group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSinflammatory lesions of the renal tissue could promote the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy. SD could attenuate interstitial fibrosis through reducing serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1, down-regulating MCP-1/ NF-KB, and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical features of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and positive expression of sp100 autoantibody in order to generate a clinical screening profile that may help to increase early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 70 patients who were diagnosed with PBC by liver biopsy between January 2006 to December 2009 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine were retrospectively collected for analysis. The patients were divided according to expression of anti-sp100: positive patients, n = 12; negative patients, n = 58. The groups were comparatively analyzed for differences in clinical, biochemical, immunological, and histopathological parameters. Normally distributed data was compared by t-test, and non-normally data was compared by rank-sum test.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in age among the sp100-positive and sp100-negative patients (51.6 +/- 9.5 vs. 50.0 +/- 14.7 years, P more than 0.05). The sp100-positive group had significantly more women (80.0% vs. 61.9%, X2 = 0.32, P more than 0.05) and more patients with atypical symptoms (18.2% vs. 13.8%) but the difference of the latter did not reach statistical significance. The sp100-positive group had significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 466 vs. 163 U/L, Z = 3.71), gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT; 728 vs. 154 U/L, Z = 3.38), and immunoglobulin M (IgM; 4.25 +/- 2.86 vs. 2.81 +/- 2.15, t = 2.06, P less than 0.05). Forty of the total patients tested negative for antimitochondrial (AMA)-M2 antibodies, and eight of those were sp100-positive (20.0%) while 18 were antinuclear (ANA) antibody-positive (45.0%). There were significantly more AMA-M2-negative/ANA-positive patients than sp100-positive patients (P = 0.021). Anti-sp100 expression was not associated with the pathological stage of PBC (R1 = 5.500, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSP100-positive PBC may show a bias towards the female sex, and may be characterized by enhanced serum levels of ALP, GGT, and IgM. Further clinical differences may manifest as the disease progresses, and changes in autoantibodies' expression and liver function markers should be carefully monitored in follow-up.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; blood ; Antigens, Nuclear ; immunology ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoantigens ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult