Objective To observe the effects of bolus volume on pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter pressures and durations in healthy volunteers by using high-resolution manometry (HRM).Methods Twentyfour health subjects were recruited and asked to swallow three volumes of bolus (3 ml,5 ml and 10 ml) in the neutral head position.Pressure and duration measurements were acquired by utilizing a high-resolution solid-state manometer,with an emphasis on the hypopharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES).Variables including UES residual pressure,UES relaxation duration,maximum hypopharygeal pressure and hypopharyngeal pressure duration were analyzed across bolus volumes and consistencies by using three-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate influence of bolus volume.Results UES residual pressure [-1.71 mmHg(3 ml thick liquid)vs.-4.68 mmHg(10 ml thick liquid)],UES relaxation duration[590.45 ms(3 ml thick liquid) vs.702.49 ms (10 ml thick liquid)],maximum hypopharygeal pressure [169.91 mmHg (3 ml thick liquid) vs.204.42 mmHg (10 ml thick liquid)] and hypopharyngeal pressure duration(P ＜0.05) varied significantly across bolus volumes when swallowing water or thick liquid.The UES relaxation duration,UES residual pressure and maximum hypopharyngeal pressure had a direct positive relationship with bolus volume.There was significant differences with regard to UES relaxation duration [685.75 ms(3 ml paste)vs.772.27 ms (10 ml paste)] but not to UES residual pressure (P ＞ 0.05) and maximum hypopharyngeal pressure (P ＞ 0.05) across bolus volume when swallowing paste.Conclusions Difference in hypopharyngeal pressure and duration,UES residual pressure and duration were detected across varying bolus volumes.Consideration of these variables is paramount in understanding normal and pathological swallowing.

Objective To study the influence of unilateral and bilateral amplification on the effect of hearing aid evaluation .Methods Using the subjective method that International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) and objective method that medium acoustic intensity (65 dB SPL) word recognition score(WRS) to evaluate the effect of unilateral and bilateral hearing aid fitting of middle -aged severe sensorneural hearing loss .Results Hearing aid were used for severe sensorneural hearing loss and the improvement of monosyllables and sentences in quiet and noise test of unilateral were 35 .73% ,43 .15% ,43 .23% ;the improvement of monosyllables and sentences in quiet and noise test of bilateral were 37 .90% ,51 .33% ,54 .86% .The WRS of bilateral was higher than unilater-al .The score of IOI-HA was 15~37 ,meaning patients with severe sensorneural hearing loss were satisfied with hearing aid ,and there was no statistical significance between unilateral and bilateral fitting .Conclusion The bilat-eral hearing aid fitting was better than unilateral .Binaural hearing loss are recommended to fit bilaleral hearing aids .

Objective To investigate whether pregnant rats exposure to ketamine cause offspring changes in space cognitive abilities and exploration abilities.Methods 3-month Sprague-Dawley female rats ( n =24)were randomly divided into four groups:group N (control group),group K1 (small doses of ketamine group),group K2 ( clinical anesthesia dose of ketamine group),group K3 ( large doses of ketamine group).3-month Sprague-Dawley male rats ( n =4) and female rats were mated at the same cage by the proportion of 2∶ 1.Pregnant mice were treated at tenth day:group N were treated saline with equal-volume to ketamine vein injection; group K1,group K2,group K3 administered vein injection 3,8,20mg/kg of ketamine.Then the 20-day offspring rats'learning and memory were assessed used Open Field Test ( record the time of the offspring in the central case through the number of grid within 2 min ) and Hole Board Test ( Counting the times of offspring stretch into the hole in 5 min) at postnatal days 20.Results In the Open Field Test,the retention time in central check of group N,group K2 and group K3 were (2.45 ± 1.23)s,(6.42 ±2.50)s,(6.41 ±2.19)s.Compared with group N,the retention time in central check of group K2 and group K3 were significantly higher (F=13.42,P＜0.01 ),and group K1 were not significant different ( t =1.33,P＞0.01 ),and the locomotion of group K1,group K2,group K3 were significantly reduced( ( 15.33 ± 6.81 ),( 13.75 ± 5.93 ),( 16.92 ± 6.54 ),F =4.24,P ＜ 0.05 ).In the Hole Board Test,the times of offspring stretch into the hole were not significant different comparing with the control group(F=2.17,P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion The dose of ketamine that equivalented clinical anesthesia can affect offspring rats' space cognitive abilities; but the exploring cognitive ability were not significantly influenced.

OBJECTIVEThis paper aimed to determine the mRNA expression of osteoclast-related factors interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12) p35, IL-12p40, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATcl), receptor activator of nuclear factor-KB (RANK), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA in murine macrophages infected by a periodontitis patient's own tissue nucleic acid. Another aim was to investigate the effects of a periodontitis patient's own tissue nucleic acid on the differentiation of macrophages into osteoclasts.

METHODSInflammatory periodontal tissue samples of chronic periodontitis patients were taken during periodontal flap surgery, and healthy gingival tissue samples were taken from orthodontic patients during tooth extractions. Total RNA from periodontal tissue was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA and then cryo-preserved until further use. First, specific sequence oligodeoxynucleotide MT0I at a concentration of 1 µg · mL⁻¹ was added in murine macrophage RAW264.7, and the cells were incubated for 3 hours. Cells with PBS (1 µg · mL⁻¹) were used as negative controls. The inflammatory periodontal tissue cDNA and healthy periodontal tissue cDNA (1 µg · mL⁻¹) was added subsequently. There were four experimental groups: healthy periodontal tissue cDNA+ RAW264.7, inflammatory periodontal tissue cDNA+RAW264.7, MT01+healthy periodontal tissue cDNA+RAW264.7, and MT01+inflammatory periodontal tissue cDNA+RAW264.7. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of osteoclast-related factors IL-6, IL-12p35, IL-12p4O, MMP-9, NFATcl, RANK, and TNF-α mRNA after 3, 6, 12, and 24-hours.

RESULTSThe mRNA levels of osteoclast-related factors NFATc1, MMP-9, TNF-a, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-12p35, and RANK in RAW264.7 were markedly upregulated with the treatment of periodontitis patient's own tissue nucleic acid. However, the mRNA expression of osteoclast-related factors was inhibited by use of an immunosuppressant MT01.

CONCLUSIONThe periodontitis patient's own tissue nucleic acid could promote the differentiation of murine macrophage into osteoclasts.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; Periodontitis ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To observe the variation of enzymatic activity and areas and bulk of focus of heart injuries by using controllable catheter to ablate epicardial tmsue of rabbits and focus underneath atrioventrieular ring narcosis with 20% urethane(4 ml/kg)and divided into three groups.Each group included 7 rabbits.Anterior wallepieardium of left ventricle was ablated thirty seconds in each group(10,20 and 30 W)with self-made ablationspheroid microwave antenna,refilling with high pressure normal saline at same time.Then all of the rabbits were sacrificed respectively and their ventricular myocardium were taken out to undergo immunohistochemistry in order to display suceinate dehydrogenase(SDH).Also amplitude Wag measured in order to calculate areas of heart injuries.(8F)wag delivered to the pre-selected sites around atrioventricular ring of thirty-two healthy dogs,which had beenin intravenous narcosis with pentobarbital sodium(30 mg/kg).The dogs were divided into four groups(40,50,60 and 80 w) and two time points(60 and 120 s),by the combined method of X-ray and endocardial electrocardiograph,the microwave antenna could be confirmed to be located at the accurate position between anterior and posterior wall close to septum of left/right ventricle.After ventricular myocardium had been taken out,amplitude were measuredin order to calculate bulk of heart injuries by 1/6×3.14 x long×wide×deep.In addition.the histological changesand transmural injury were examined by optic microscope.Results In each group,the centre of injuries wagenzyme deficiency locus.The diameter and areag of heart injuries enlarged significantly(3.99.±0.41),(5.20±0.25),(6.31±0.37)mm and(12.53±2.56),(21.19±3.14),(30.96±3.76)mm2 with the increased microwave power level(10、20、30 W).Group comparison had statisficM significance(F＝76.8,58.5;P＜0.01 or ＜0.05).A total of 116points were ablated.The myocardial lesion showed ellipse in shape,and continuous symmetrical coagulationnecrosis under microscopic examination.There was a clear demarcated line around tlle myocardial tissue and fewparietal thmmbus.There were 16 transmura]injuries and five-with lung damage.The bulk of lesion aroundatrioventrieular ring hag been significantly enlarged(46.7±2.5),(51.1±2.7),(133.2±3.4),(141.8±3.9),(248.5±6.2),(260.3±6.5),(313.7±9.5),(327.4±10.5)with the increased microwave power level(40,50,60and 80 W)and/or distance of microwave ablation(60 and 120 s).Groups comparison had statistical significance(F＝31.16,27.85;all P＜0.01).In each time point,the lesion bulks had conspicuous distinction of statistics.In the same microwave power,the time wag longer,the bulk was larger(P＜0.01).Conclusions The more the microwave power level and time,the severe the heart injuries is.It is possible to use the microwave energy to ablate the deep focus under endocardium around atrioventricular ring.

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

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane pretreatment on the inflammatory response during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 12-14 weeks,weighing 220-260 g,were randomized into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),I/R group and sevoflurane pretreatment group (group SP).Renal I/R was induced by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min followed by reperfusion in I/R and SP groups.In group S inhalation of 3％ sevoflurane in O2 was started at 30 min before I/R and maintained throughout the experiment.Venous blood samples were taken at 3 h of reperfusion for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The animals were then sacrificed and the left kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and for measurement of the content of tumor necrosis factor-apha (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in renal tissues (by ELISA).Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules (0 =normal,4 =necrosis of whole segment of proximal convoluted tubules),and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly increased in I/R and SP groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules,and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in SP group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane pretreatment can protect kidney against I/R injury by inhibiting the inflammatory responses in the renal tissues of rats.

Objective To investigate the long-term outcome of children with recurrent wheeze and to determine the effectiveness of inhaled hormone therapy. Methods One thousand and thirty-five children with recurrent wheezing were followed up for more than 4 years and the data were retrospectively evaluated. Results Of 1035 cases, 751 (72.56%) patients outgrew their wheeze during the follow-up period, whereas the other 284 (27.44%) patients had recurrence wheeze during the last two years. The age of wheezing onset was<3 years in 542 (52.37%) cases, from 3 to 7 years in 386 (37.29%) cases, and from 7 to 12 years in 107 (10.34%) cases. There was significant difference in clinical control rate among groups with different wheezing ages onset (χ2=45.27, P<0.001). Children with wheezing age onset from 7 to 12 years had the lowest clinical control rate. Among 1035 wheeze children, 343 (79.95%) children in 429 cases who received inhaled hormone therapy for more than one year outgrew their wheeze. Whereas 408 (67.35%) in 606 cases who did not receive inhaled hormone therapy outgrew their wheeze. There was significant difference of clinical control rate between inhaled group and non-inhaled group (P<0.01). Con-clusions The age of wheezing onset is<7 years in 89.66%of children with recurrent wheeze. Most of them can be clinicalycon-trolled. The long term inhaled hoemone therapy for children with recurrent wheeze can reduce the risk of developing adulthood asthma.

A new steroid with a long cross-conjugation structure, 15a-hydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-3, 5, 8 (14), 22-tetraen-7-one (1), was isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus aculeatus. Its structure was established by the extensive spectroscopic analyses, and its cytotoxicities against P388, HL-60, and PC-3 cell lines were measured in vitro.
Animals ; Aspergillus ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cholestenones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Molecular Structure ; Seawater ; microbiology

This study aims to construct a eukaryotic expression system for envelope gene of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, observes its localization in 293T cells, and investigates the potential in inducing malignant transformation of NIH3T3 cells. By RT-PCR, the full-length cDNA of envelope gene of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (exJSRV-env) was amplified from the extract of naturally infected sheep lung. The clone of target gene was sub-cloned into eukaryotic expression system pEGFP-C1, and validated by PCR, restriction endonuclease, and sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis concerning biological function and cellular localiza tion of exJSRV-env was also performed. The recombinant clone of exJSRV-env was transfected into 293T cells and NIH3T3 cells by Lipofectamine LTX. The expression and celluar localization in 293T cells were validated by confocal microscopy. Soft agar colony formation assay was employed to test the anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3. DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion with Kpn I and Hind III indicated the correct construction of the recombinant plasmid, which was named pEGFP-C1/exJSRV-env. Amino acid sequence alignment of exJSRV-env with reference sequences found 85%-100% homogeneity. A YRNM motif was discovered at the cytoplasmic tail of envelope gene, which is exclusively found in exogenous viruses. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that our clone of exJSRV-env clustered closely with pathogenic exogenous Jaagsiekte sheep retroviruses. Fluorescence microscopy indicated typical membrane localization of exJSRV-env protein. NIH3T3 cells transfected with exJSRV-env lost contact inhibition, and acquired colony forming ability in soft agar. This study indicated that envelope protein of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus can induce malignant transformation of mouse fibroblast cell NIH3T3. Discoveries of this study provide a basis for further structural and functional research on Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus envelope protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Betaretrovirus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Transformation, Viral ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Phylogeny ; Retroviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases ; virology ; Transformation, Genetic ; Tumor Virus Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism