Animals ; Gene Expression ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism ; Rats ; Somatomedins ; metabolism

Objective To systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the investigation of bile duct anatomy of liver transplantation living donors.Methods A search in Cochrane library,MEDLINE,EMBASE,CBMdisc (China Biology Medicine disc) was performed to identify relevant English and Chinese-language abstracts,supplemented by Springer,OVID,Sciencedirect full text database,etc.Criteria for inclusion were based on validity criteria for diagnostic research published by the Cochrane collaboration.With Meta analysis package for Stata10.1,heterogeneity of the included articles was tested,which was used to select proper effect model to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Finally,sensitivity analysis was performed.Results Seventeen articles with 34 studies were included.Heterogeneity analysis revealed heterogeneity between studies and the source was MRCP imaging methods spotted by meta-regression analysis. Subgroup analysis according to MRCP imaging methods showed homogeneity within subgroups.The pooled sensitivity,specificity,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio,diagnostic odd ratio of breath-holding thick slice MRCP,3D MRCP,the combination of the prior two methods,contrast enhance MRCP were 0.89,0.78,4.1,0.14,29; 0.92,0.80,4.5,0.10,45;0.95,0.82,5.2,0.06,85; and 1.00,0.76,4.1,0,1228,respectively with fixed effect model analysis.The area under the SROC curve was 0.83,0.92,0.96 and 0.99 respectively.Conclusion The combination of thick slice and 3D MRCP is a practical and effective method with good sensitivity and specificity to investigate bile duct anatomy of living liver transplantation donors,which fully meets the requirements of the preoperative assessment of bile duct structure.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of SIRT6/NF-κB signal axis in delaying hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell senescence with ginsenoside Rg1, in order to provide theatrical and experimental basis for looking for methods for delaying HSC senescence.

METHODSca-1 + HSC/HPC was isolated by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and divided into five groups: the normal control group, the aging group, the positive control group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group, and the Rg1-treated group. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, cell cycle analysis and hemopoietic progenitor cell mix (CFU-Mix) were adopted to determine the effect Rg1 in delaying or treating Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence biology. The mRNA and protein of senescence regulation molecules SIRT6 and NF-KB were examined by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and western blotting.

RESULTCompared with the senescence group, the Rg1 anti-senescence group and the Rg1-treated group showed lower percentage in SA-β-Gal-stained positive cells, decreased cell proportion in G1 phase, increased number of CFU-Mix, up-regulated in SIRT6 mRNA and protein expression, down-regulation in NF-KB mRNA and protein expression. The Rg1 anti-senescence group showed more evident changes in indexes than the Rg1-treated group.

CONCLUSIONRg, may inhibit Sca-1 + HSC/HPC senescence induced by t-BHP by regulating SIRT6/NF-KB signal path.

Animals ; Antigens, Ly ; analysis ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Sirtuins ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo prepare Sj14-3-3 DNA vaccine and observe its immunoprotection against Schistosoma japonicum in mice.

METHODSThe Sj14-3-3 gene was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pBK. The recombinant plasmid pBK-Sj14-3-3 was extracted, purified and inoculated into BALB/c mice by intramuscular injection. Mice were attacked by Schistosoma japonicum cercariae and then killed. Adult worm and egg were counted, respectively. Diameter of the egg granulomas in the liver of infected mice was measured.

RESULTSElectrophoresis on 1% agarose gel showed that the product of RT-PCR and the inserted fragment of recombinant plasmid digested with EcoR I and Xho I had the same size, about 765 bp, confirming the latter was the 14-3-3 encoding gene by nucleotide sequencing. Adult worm load declined by 27%, average egg load of per gram (EPG) of the liver tissues by 79%, average egg production per couple of adult worm (EPWP) by 51%, and mean diameter of egg granulomas by 29% in vaccinated mice.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant plasmid pBK-Sj14-3-3 was successfully constructed, which had some immunoprotection against Schistosoma japonicum in infected mice, indicating its potential to be vaccine candidate molecule of Schistosoma japonicum.

14-3-3 Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; blood ; Antigens, Helminth ; genetics ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Helminth ; genetics ; Female ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Parasite Egg Count ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; immunology ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-fibrosis effects and mechanisms of fenofibrate on hepatic fibrosis using a mouse model of fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

METHODSTwenty-six male C57BL mice were divided into the following three groups: CCL4-induced untreated model control (n = 10), CCl4-induced fenofibrate-treated model (n = 10), and uninduced/untreated normal control (n = 6). All animals were sacrificed after the 5 weeks of induction and treatment. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP) were determined by routine biochemistry assays. Liver content of hydroxyproline (HYP) was measured by spectrophotometry. Liver content of malonic aldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by enzymatic assays. mRNA expression levels of liver fibrosis-associated factors were determined by PCR, and included alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1), type I collagen-alpha (Collagen1a), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARa), and the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Finally, the degree of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed by histological analysis using hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining.

RESULTSCompared to the untreated model group, the fenofibrate-treated model group showed significantly lower levels of serum ALT (55.72+/-1.20 vs. 38.72+/-1.25 IU/L), HA (236.20+/-17.57 vs. 152.9+/-13.06 mug/L) and PIIINP (41.66+/-1.89 vs. 34.32+/-1.53 mug/L) (all P less than 0.05). The fenofibrate-treated group also showed a significantly higher level of hepatic SOD content (untreated model: 67.00+/-4.65 vs. 101.1+/-5.32) but significantly lower level of hepatic MDA content (14.67+/-0.93 vs. 10.17+/-0.60 nmol/mg) and lower level of hepatic HYP content (0.67+/-0.80 vs. 0.41+/-0.50 mg/g) (all, P less than 0.05). In addition, the fenofibrate-treated group showed significantly reduced mRNA expression levels of a-SMA (6.83+/-0.88 vs. untreated model: 11.57+/-1.31), TGFbeta1 (67.83+/-4.65 vs. 112.30+/-4.81), Collagen1a (67.83+/-4.65 vs. 112.30+/-4.81), TNFa (17.43+/-2.32 vs. 37.83+/-4.69), and IL-6 (4.00+/-0.49 vs. 5.62+/-0.54), but significantly increased PPARa (0.30+/-0.03 vs. 0.18+/-0.03) (all, P less than 0.05). Finally, the degree of CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis was attenuated by the fenofibrate treatment.

CONCLUSIONFenofibrate can reduce the degree of liver fibrosis in mice induced by CCl4. The mechanism may involve up-regulation of PPARa, inhibition of the inflammatory response, and enhancement of SOD antioxidant activity.

Animals ; Fenofibrate ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; PPAR alpha ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo understand the information of female patients with knee osteoarthritis regarding muscle force, constitution parameter.

METHODSThirty-seven cases diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis and 37 controls were examined by MES. T-test was used to analysis two groups differences of muscle force, constitution parameter, et al.

RESULTSCompared between affected limbs and controls limbs in patients revealed that the lower limb muscle distribution index of the affected limbs was higher than the control limbs (P<0.05), but comparison in functional status the lower limb muscle force, muscle functional index and muscle force of unit volume of the affected limbs were lower than the control limbs (P<0.05). Compared between patients group and control group the muscle force of both lower limbs, muscle functional index and muscle force of unit volume were lower than control group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe utility muscle force of lower limbs of female patients with knee osteoarthritis is weaker than healthy female. Muscle function disorder instead of muscle atrophy is the key cause of the weakness.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Composition ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective To observe the methylation and expression of 14-3-3 sigma gene in human breast cancer.Methods 40 breast cancer tissues and 18 mammary gland tissues with benign lesions were analyzed by methylation specific PCR(MSP),RT-PCR,and Western-blot(WB)so as to detect the methylation status and expression of 14-3-3 sigma mRNA or protein.Results Methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene was detectable in 85%(34/40)of patients with breast cancers.RT-PCR showed negative in 12.5% of breast cancers(5/40),WB also indicated that 14-3-3 sigma was not detected in 32 of 40 breast carcinomas (80%).Furthermore,both RT-PCR and WB were negative in 30 of 34 positive cases by MSP.While methylation of 14-3-3 sigma was not detectable and its expression was demonstrated by RT-PCR and WB among 18 cases of benign breast diseases.These evidences proposed that methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene had great relevance with its silence.Conclusion Methylation and loss of expression in 14-3-3 sigma gene were high frequent events in breast cancers.And methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene might be related to its loss.

AIM To determine the contents of Pb,Cd,Hg,Cu and As in vinegar-processed,wine-processed,honey-processed and steamed products of Schisandrae chinensis Fructus and to investigate their speciations.METHODS After various elements were extracted by Tessier method,the contents of Pb and Cd were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry,and those of Cu,As and Hg were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry,hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry,respectively.RESULTS Pb content was decreased in four kinds of processed products,while Hg content was increased in them.Cd content was only increased in wine-processed product.As was only detected in wine-processed product.Cu content showed no obvious change within standard limit.Pb speciations mainly existed in ion exchange and organic binding states in vinegar-processed and wine-processed products,Fe-Mn oxidative binding and organic binding states in honey-processed product,and carbonate binding and Fe-Mn oxidative binding state in steamed product.Hg,Cu and Cd speciations mainly existed in ion exchange and carbonate binding,ion exchange and organic binding,and carbonate binding states in four kinds of processed products,respectively.CONCLUSION Different processing methods show obvious effects on the contents and speciations of five elements in Schisandra chinensis Fructus.

The positioning error in radiotherapy is one of the most important factors that influence the location precision of the tumor. Based on the CT-on-rails technology, this paper describes the research on measuring the positioning error in radiotherapy by comparing the planning CT images with the treatment CT images using 3-dimension (3D) methods. It can help doctors to measure positioning errors more accurately than 2D methods. It also supports the powerful 3D interaction such as drag-dropping, rotating and picking-up the object, so that doctors can visualize and measure the positioning errors intuitively.
Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Radiotherapy ; methods

Background: High rate of in?stent restenosis (ISR) remained an unsolved clinical problem in clinical practice, especially among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic patients often had hypertriglyceridemia with elevated levels of very low?density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL?C). Increasing evidence suggested that VLDL?C was known as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and had been recommended as a treatment target by current dyslipidemia guidelines. However, the role of VLDL?C in the occurrence and development of ISR in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with DM had not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the elevated levels of VLDL?C and the risk of ISR in CAD patients with DM. Methods: A total of 1390 diabetic patients, who underwent coronary drug?eluting stent (DES) implantation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital and followed up by angiography within 6–24 months, were consecutively enrolled. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, CAD risk factors, family history, life style, medical history, and coronary angiographic information, were collected carefully at baseline percutaneous coronary intervention and follow?up angiography. Multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression modeling using the step?wise method (entry, 0.05; removal, 0.05) was used to determine the independent risk associated with ISR in diabetic patients. Results: Finally, 1206 of patients were included in this study. ISR occurred in 132/1206 diabetic patients (10.9%) by follow?up angiography. Patients with ISR had elevated median serum VLDL?C levels compared with those without ISR (0.65 mmol/L vs. 0.52 mmol/L, P = 0.030). The multivariate regression analysis showed that VLDL?C was significantly associated with the risk of ISR in diabetic CAD patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.29, P = 0.017). The HR for the risk of ISR associated with VLDL?C level ≥0.52 mmol/L was 3.01 (95% CI: 1.24–7.34, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The elevated level of serum VLDL?C was a significant and independent risk factor for ISR in diabetic CAD patients after coronary DES implantation.