K-ras gene is one of oncogenes,which promotes cells growth and differentiation.Ras protein loses the activity of GTP enzyme because of K-ras mutations,and that may cause abnormal growth,differentiation of cells and promote the occurrence of tumor.Patients with colorectal carcinoma that carry mutations in K-ras gene do not benefit from the administration of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) polyclonal antibodies.Different solid tumors of colorectal carcinoma have different K-ras mutation rates.Different genotypes of K-ras gene (wild-type or K-ras mutant type) affect significantly on treatment options and prognosis.The efficacy of mutant type patients with anti-EGFR antibodies is poor,and the therapeutic effects of 5-FU and FOLFOX are still unclear.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of bone density and bone strength after alveolar ridge augmentation with Titanium Nickel shake memory alloy (TiNi-SMA) distractor and acellular dermal matrix (ADM).Methods Twelve adult healthy male dogs were selected.After the animal model of alveolar atrophy was set up,on one side of mandible,two S-shaped distractors were placed.The diameter of S-shaped distractor was 1 mm and the rebound temperature was 33℃.The ADM was placed on the distraction gap and fixed by the feet of distractors.The other side was placed only with distractors,serving as control side.Six dogs' mandibles were harvested after 1 and 3 months respectively.Dual energy X-ray absorptimetry (DEXA) was used to scan bone density around the distraction gap.Mechanical machine was used to test compression strength and elastic modulus.Results Months after distraction,the bone density of upper distraction gap ,distraction gap and low distraction gap were respectively (0.714±0.238) g/cm2,(0.512±0.435) g/cm2 and (0.615±0.043) g/cm2 on experimental side.The compression strength and elastic modulus were (36.54±7.32) Mpa and (1674.10±256.43) Mpa.All of above were higher than those of control side.Conclusions ADM can improve the bone quality, increase bone density and intensity and is an ideal guided bone regeneration (GBR) membrane for alveolar ridge agumentation with TiNi-SMA distraetor.

Objective To investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide(As_2 O_3)nanoparticles on rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro in comparison with normal form As_2 03.Methods The rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro.Nano and normal forms of As_2O_3 with drug concentrations of 3?mol/L were added into the cells.Cell proliferation curve was drawn according to the light absorption values of MTT test.Flow cytometry was applied to observe the apoptosis.DNA was extracted and underwent electrophoresis.Results Cell proliferation treated with the 3?mol/L concentration of As_2O_3 was inhibited. Cell growth was inhibited markedly with increased treatment time,and the inhibition effect of nano drug form seemed stronger than that of normal form.MTT light absorption values of cells treated at 24,48 and 72 h showed statistically significant difference(H=10.934,15.039,15.539,P

Human xanthine oxidase is considered to be a target for therapy of hyperuricemia. Cichorium intybus is a Chinese plant medicine which widely used in Xinjiang against various diseases. In order to screen the inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from C. intybus and to explore main pharmacological actions of cichory a compound collection of C. intybus was built via consulting related references about chemical research on cichory. The three-dimensional crystal structure of xanthine oxidase (PDB code: 1N5X) from Protein Data Bank was downloaded.. Autodock 4.2 was employed to screen the inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from cichory 70 compounds were found to possess quite low binding free energy comparing with TEI (febuxostat). C. intybus contains constituents possessing potential inhibitive activity against xanthine oxidase. It can explain the main pharmacological actions of cichory which can significantly lower the level of serum uric acid.
Chicory ; chemistry ; Databases, Protein ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Structure ; Xanthine Oxidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential biochemical mechanisms of neuromuscular junction transmission (NMJT) dysfunction induced by organophosphorus insecticides.

METHODSTen rats were dosed with phoxim (1,144 mg/kg) and 5 of them developed myasthenia. The NMJT function was evaluated by the mean consecutive differences (MCD) measured by stimulation single fiber electromyography (SSFEMG) with the frequency of stimuli at 20 Hz. The activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA), Ca(2+)/phospholipid dependent protein kinase (PKC), and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) were determined.

RESULTSIn comparison with the control and non-myasthenic rats, the results in myasthenic rats showed that: (1) the MCDs increased; (2) the activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and PKA decreased and were negatively correlated with MCD; (3) the activities of PKC and TPK increased, and were positively correlated with MCD; (4) the phosphorylation of serine residuals in sarcolemma was weaker and the phosphorylation of tyrosine residuals was stronger.

CONCLUSIONSThe NMJT dysfunction is likely associated with the decrease in Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity. The acceleration of desensitization and prolongation of resensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors occur following the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and the decrease in serine phosphorylation induced by OPs poisoning.

Animals ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; Electromyography ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Myasthenia Gravis ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVECharacters of stem epidermis, leaf epidermis and stoma could be used as important microcosmic morphological characteristic when inheritance trend is studied in Ephedra breeding and identification.

METHODThe stomatic density, stoma major axis and mimor axis, stomatic morphylogy, characters of leaf and stem epidermis of 6 Ephedra plants' stems were examined by SEM.

RESULTThe stomatic density and characteristic of leaf epidermis and stem epidermis in six Ephedra species was differenc, there were no obvious morphological differences in stoma shape and size. The guard cells were covered with heavy cuticle and sunken stomata, which were the typical characteristics of xerophytes. The stomas of leaf lower epidermis were oblong or hexagon, but the stomas of steam epidermis were narrowed-oblong or dumbbell-shape, they all belonged to anomalous type.

CONCLUSIONThe stoma type and characters of Ephedra plants is stable and conservative, there was no obvious morphological differences in stoma shape and size between species, so it is difficult to distinguish different species by the variance of stomas, but that can be applyed to distinguish Ephedra from others at plant taxonomy.

Ephedra ; classification ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Plant Epidermis ; ultrastructure ; Plant Leaves ; ultrastructure ; Plant Stems ; ultrastructure ; Plant Stomata ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity

BACKGROUND: As the surgical treatment for intestinal fistulas nowadays needs to be improved, we are seeking a new kind of artificially synthesized hydrogel to replace fibrin gels as the sealing gel, which is imperative for both economic and social benefits.OBJECTIVE: To prepare a degradable antibacterial composite hydrogel and to detect the in vitro biological properties. METHODS: In this study, we combined soluble chitosan (S-Cts) with oxidized alginate (O-Alg) to prepare the injectable and degradable hydrogel under Schiff base reaction. Besides, nanosilver (nano-Ag) particles were added to obtain S-Cts/O-Alg/nano-Ag composite hydrogel. Gelation time, microstructure, swelling, degradation, and antibacterial properties of the composite hydrogel were observed and detected in simulated physiological environment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The closer constituent contents of water-soluble chitosan and sodium alginate indicate the shorter gelation time, and the time could be controlled within the range of surgery. The variation in the constituent content of the two components can affect the hydrogel microstructure. The higher constituent content of water-soluble chitosan implicates the denser network of the hydrogel. The composite hydrogel has excellent swelling properties, and it degrades faster in the simulated intestinal fluid containing trypsin than in the PBS. Moreover, adding nanosilver particles can bring certain antibacterial properties. This hydrogel has better biocompatibility, biodegradability and antibacterial ability than natural macromolecules, and has certain research value and application prospect.

Objective To discuss the effect of proximal interphalangeal joint(PIPJ) motion on the tension of the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon through measuring the extensor tendon and find the fixed position of PIPJ when the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon at minimum tension,and to provide reference for best fixed position in clinical treatment.Methods The maximal passive flexion angles of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP J) of the index,distal,ring and little fingers were measured in 20 cadaver hands when the PIPJ flexed at 0 °,20 °,40 °,60 °,80 ° and 100 °.Making an incision over the back of the DIPJ to expose the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon.Incising the extensor tendon laterally at the level of the DIPJ with the DIPJ fixed in extension position to make a mallet finger.Pierced a Kirschner wire through and perpendicular to the distal phalangeal basement as a sign.Parallel to this sign,marked the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon and measured its relative distance to the sign as the sliding distance of the extensor.Recording the widest gap between the tendon edges and the tendon sliding distance while the PIPJ was in extension and 20°,40°,60°,80° and 100°flexion position,severally.Results The maximal passive flexion angle of the DIPJ increased with the PIPJ flexed from 0°to 100°in 80 fingers.The gap between the extensor tendon edges in zone Ⅰ was (1.322 8 ± 1.078 9) mm when the PIPJ was in extension position.The proximal extensor tendon glide distally while the PIPJ flexed to 100° with an average sliding distance of(1.540 5 ± 0.690 7) mm.Conclusion The zone Ⅰ extensor tendon has the maximal tension while the PIPJ is in extension position.Flexing PIPJ can make the tension decrease.

To examine the feasibility of using a computer tool for stratifying the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on computed tomography (CT) images. We retrospectively examined 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases. All cases were evaluated separately by radiologists (visually) and through an in-house computer software. The degree of lesions was visually scored by the radiologist, as follows, for each of the 5 lung lobes:0, no lesion present;1,<1/3 involvement;2,>1/3 and<2/3 involvement;and 3,>2/3 involvement. Lesion density was assessed based on the proportion of ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation and fibrosis of the lesions. The parameters obtained using the computer tool included lung volume (mL), lesion volume (mL), lesion percentage (％), and mean lesion density (HU) of the whole lung, right lung, left lung, and each lobe. The scores obtained by the radiologists and quantitative results generated by the computer software were tested for correlation. A Chi-square test was used to test the consistency of radiologist- and computer-derived lesion percentage in the right/left lung, upper/lower lobe, and each of the 5 lobes. The results showed a strong to moderate correlation between lesion percentage scores obtained by radiologists and the computer software (r ranged from 0.7679 to 0.8373, P < 0.05), and a moderate correlation between the proportion of GGO and mean lesion density (r=-0.5894, P<0.05), and proportion of consolidation and mean lesion density (r=0.6282, P<0.05). Computer-aided quantification showed a statistical significant higher lesion percentage for lower lobes than that assessed by the radiologists (x2 = 8.160, P = 0.004). Our experiments demonstrated that the computer tool could reliably and accurately assess the severity and distribution of pneumonia on CT scans.

Objective To investigate the changes in function of liver and kidney of the rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumor after transarterial embolization and hyperthermia with magnetic nanoparticles suspended in lipiodol(MN-L) and its therapeutic effect Methods Thirty-two rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumor were randomly divided into four groups and each group contained 8 rabbits The four groups were MN-L embolization hyperthermia group (Group A), MN-L embolization group(Group B),Lipiodol embolization group(Group C), and Control group (Group D), Each rabbit in Group A and B was embolized with 0.5-0.8 ml MN-L through hepatic artery, while each rabbit in Group C was embolized with 0.5-0.8 ml lipiodol.Hyperthermia in alternating magnetic field was performed in Group A after embolization.The remaining groups did not undergo hyperthermia.The rabbits in control group were not treated.The function of liver and kidney of all the animals was measured 1d before embolization,and 1,7,and 14 d after embolization/hyperthermia respectively.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) were used to reflect the function of liver,and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were used to reflect the function of kidney.CT was performed on all of subjects before and after embolization to determine the embolization effect and the tumor size, and follow-up CT was performed weekly.All of subjects were sacrificed 14 days after embolization/hyperthermia, and their livers, spleens, kidneys and lungs were removed for histopathology examination.The data from every group were analyzed using analysis of variance of repeated measure data.Results On 1 day before embolization and 1,7, and 14 d after embolization/hyperthermia, the function of liver of the rabbits was as follows:Group A:ALT was (43.9±19.0),(795.1±327.1),(67.0±9.3), and(41.9±10.8) U/L respectively,and AST was (50.2±13.6),(1011.2±655.9),(62.4±24.1),and(51.6±7.9) U/L respectively; Group B: ALT was(45.0±19.1),(580.8±160.4),(67.2±31.0),and(47.6±7.8) U/L respectively, and AST was (52.9±20.3),(735.2±186.1),(57.9±24.8),and (50.9±9.8) U/L respectively; Group C: ALT was (47.4±14.6),(558.5±167.8),(63.5±21.9),and (48.0±9.3) U/L respectively, and AST was (51.8±9.5),(752.5±112.0),(56.5±20.6),and(51.4±8.6) U/L respectively.Both ALT and AST mean values of the rabbits were significantly elevated 1 d after embolization/hyperthermia in Group A, B and C, and the data showed statistically significant difference comparing with that before therapy and that of Group D 1 d after therapy (P<0.01).The function of liver showed no statistically significant difference between 7 or 14 days after embolization and 1 day before embolization in Group A,B and C. BUN and Cr mean values in pre-embolization and post-embolization rabbits revealed no statistically significant difference in group A, B, C and D.The MN-L /lipiodol were deposited in the tumor when it was injected, which was validated by CT.To compare with immediate CT after embolization, the MN-L deposited in tumors was not significantly different on CT 7 d after embolization .On the 14 th day after treatment,the MN-L deposited in tumors became concentrative and compact in Group A, while the MN-L/lipiodol deposited at the rim of tumors disappeared on CT in five rabbits of Group B and C.And the tumor size decreased by 21.7% compared to that before treatment in Group A [from (7.8±1.4)cm~3 to(6.1±0.6) cm~3,F=17.56, P<0.01], but tumor size increased by 16.2% and 18.9% in Group B and C respectively [from (7.9±1.1)and (7.8±0.9)cm~3 to (9.1±0.8) and (9.3±1.0)cm~3, F =25.23,55.50, P<0.01].Histopathologically, the tumor of Group A was necrotic for at least 80% 14 day after embolization, while the tumor of Group B and C was necrotic for 30% to 50% .Conclusion Transarterial embolization and hyperthermia with MN-L is safe, effective and feasible on the rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumor.