Asphyxia ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retropharyngeal Abscess ; complications ; therapy ; Subphrenic Abscess ; complications ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the possible pathway and regulatory mechanism of dermal fibroblasts' transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts induced by estrogen. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts were divided into six groups (A: control; B: estrogen; C: estrogen + ICI-182780; D: estrogen + SB203580; E: estrogen + PD98059; F: estrogen + SP600125). The cells were collected for RNA extraction and the expression of α-SMA was detected by real time quantitative RT-PCR. Some cells were analyzed by single cell RT-PCR to detect positive expression percentage of α-SMA.Results The expression and positive rate of α-SMA in estrogen group were significantly increased (Group B vs. Group A, 7. 385±0. 246 vs 1. 367±0. 034, P＜0.01) and those in ICI-182780 group and SP600125 group were significantly inhibited (Groups C and F vs. Group B, 4. 619 ±0. 164,2. 409±0. 091 vs 7. 385±0. 246, P＜0. 05). Conclusions In the process of fibroblast transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts induced by estrogen, estrogen β receptor and JNK-MAPK signal transduction pathway may play an important role.

A new embedded telemetry system for potentiometric sensors was developed. The system consisted of a transmitter unit, a receiver unit and a personal computer ( PC) . The transmitter unit included a current amplifier, a∑-Δanalog-to-digital converter ( ADC) , a microcontroller unit ( MCU) and a radio module. The receiver unit was composed of a radio module, a microcontroller unit and a serial-to-USB converter module. The receiver unit was connected to an upper computer via a universal serial bus ( USB ) . The embedded software written in C language controlled the signal acquisition and transmission. The computer software written in LabVIEW language was used for data storage and display. The range of the acquisition voltages was from-1. 17 V to +1. 17 V. In order to verify the accuracy and reliability of this system, a control experiment had been done with this system and a digital multimeter. Moreover, a response test of acidity changes had been done with the self-made H+ selective electrode. The results showed that the accuracy of this system could be up to 0. 1 mV and it had strong anti-noise ability. The square of the linear correlation coefficient of the response of the changes in pH values was 0 . 998 . The curve of the results measured by this system was consistent with that measured by the commercial electrochemical analyzer. The system was built with standard hardware components and the size of the transmitter unit was only 29 mm×14 mm×11 mm. It can be easily used for remote and real-time detection for the potentiometric sensor.

Connexin 43 ; genetics ; Connexins ; genetics ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; genetics ; Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mutation ; genetics ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Aim To observe the changes of diaphragm contractility and cytoskeletal proteins titin,nebulin and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca~(2+)-ATPase gene expressions in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity in rats.Methods The animal models of diaphragm damage were duplicated by injecting adriamycin into abdominal cavity one time.Forty male sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=10):Three groups received adriamycin in low,middle and high dosage(10,20 and 40 mg·kg~(-1))respectively.Meanwhile,the normal saline was given to rats in control groups.Three days later,these rats were killed,and the diaphragm was removed by thoracotomy.The diaphragm contractility was assessed in isolated diaphragm strips perfusion by these paramemters including peak twitch tension(Pt),maximum tetanic tension(Po),time to peak contraction(CT),half relaxaion time(1/2RT),maximal rates of contraction(+dt/dt_(max))and maximal rates of relaxation(-dt/dt_(max)).The expressions of titin,nebulin and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca~(2+)-ATPase(SERCA)at mRNA level were detected by RT-PCR analysis.Results In contrast to those in control group,Po,Pt,±dt/dt_(max) in the adriamycin group were lower(P<0.01);CT,1/2RT in the adriamycin group increased significantly(P<0.01).The levels of titin,nebulin and SERCA gene expressions in middle-dose group were lower than those in control group(P<0.01).Conclusions The mRNA levels of titin,nebulin and SERCA of diaphragm are down-regulated in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity in rats.It may be associated with the decline of diaphragm contractility.

Objective To explore the role of MMP-9 in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and to promote rMSCs migration.Methods To investigate the effect of MMP-9 on the permeability of BBB,an in vitro model of BBB was established and performed Transwell experiments.To observe the pathologic changes of the cerebral cortex,rat brains from Sham treated group,HIBD group,MMP-9 treated group and TIMP-1 (intervention) treated group at different time points (0.5,1,3,7,14 d) were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and quantified the brain water content.Permeability of BBB examined by EB values measurement.MMP-9 protein level of rat cortex was detected by Western Blot.The number of Brdu labeled rMSCs in the rat cerebral cortex of each group was quantified by Immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results Transwell experiments results showed that migration of rMSCs increased remarkably in hypoxic condition compared to that of normal control (P＜0.01).The number of rMSCs migrated in the MMP-9 treated group was much more than that of negative control group and TIMP-1 group (P＜0.01).The results of pathology showed that compared to HIBD group,brain water content and the permeability of the BBB were increased in MMP-9 treated group but reduced in TIMP-1 treated one.The expression of MMP-9 protein in MMP-9 treated group was reached the peak at 3 d point,which was higher than that of HIBD group and TIMP-1 group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The quantity of Brdu labeled rMSCs crossed BBB in MMP-9 treated group was extremely higher than that of HIBD group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusions The expression level of MMp-9 protein was improved after hypoxic-ischemic.MMP-9 could facilitate the migration of rMSCs through vitro BBB and control the opening of BBB,which indicate that MMP-9 may facilitate the migration of rMSCs through BBB into brain.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,treatment,prognosis and causative agent of a case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla.Methods A case of eumycetoma diagnosed in our department was assessed for its clinical and pathological features as well as mycologic and molecular identification.Related literature was reviewed.Results The patient was primarily characterized by swelling of the submaxilla,with multiple sinuses draining many black granules.Pathologic examination revealed a pyogenic granulomatous inflammation,and a number of lotus rhizome node-like hypha were observed in tissue samples through PAS staining.Sequence analysis of multiple loci of the isolates,including ITS 1,ITS2 and D1/D2,showed that it was mostly similar to Madurella mycetomatis with a homology of 97%.Conclusion This is a case ofeumycetoma on the submaxilla induced by a novel species of Madurella.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Through potted inoculation test at room temperature and indoor analysis, the photosynthetic parameters and physiological and biochemical indexes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis were observed after 28 arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were injected into the P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis growing in a sterile soil environment. The results showed that AM fungi established a good symbiosis with P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The AM fungi influenced the photosynthetic parameters and physiological and biochemical indexes of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. And the influences were varied depending on different AM fungi. The application of AM fungi improved photosynthesis intensity of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis mesophyll cells, the contents of soluble protein and soluble sugar, protective enzyme activity of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis leaf, which was beneficial to resist the adverse environment and promote the growth of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Otherwise, there was a certain mutual selectivity between P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and AM fungi. From the comprehensive effect of inoculation, Racocetra coralloidea, Scutellospora calospora, Claroideoglomus claroideum, S. pellucida and Rhizophagus clarus were the most suitable AM fungi to P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis when P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was planted in the field.
Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Liliaceae ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Mycorrhizae ; classification ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Astragalus Injection (ASI) combined with rat's mesenchymal stem cells transplantation (rMSCs) for repairing spinal cord injury in rats.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, named respectively by letters from A-F. they were treated respectively with none, PBS solution, ASI, rMSCs, and ASI + rMSCs, with the ASI administered via intraperitoneal injection and the rMSCs given by local injection to the spinal cord, on the 3rd day of operation. The condition of nerve function recovery was assessed on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after treatment by scoring according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. Besides, the pathological change of the injured spinal cord was observed and expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament-M (NF-M) in the BrdU-labeled rMSCs in the spinal cord tissue were examined by immune histochemistry.

RESULTSThe recovery of spinal cord in Group D, E and F was better than that in Group B and C, showing higher BBB scores. As compared with Group E, Group F showed a higher score of nerve function and a milder inflammatory cell infiltration with lessened tissue edema in the spinal cord and more active proliferation of gliacyte. Double-labelled immunohistochemical examination showed that the transplanted rMSCs were alive in the host's spinal cord, revealing the expressions of GFAP and NF-M from the 7th day after transplantation, which were migrating to the injured site. The amount of GFAP and NF-M positive cells in Group F was much more than that in Group E (P < 0.05)

CONCLUSIONTransplantation of rMSCs is an effective method in treatment of the spinal cord injury; ASI has the capacity for inducing rMSCs differentiated into neurons, and could synergize with rMSCs to promote the repairing of the spinal cord from injury.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Nerve Regeneration ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; therapy