Diabetic macular edema ( DME ) is a major cause of visual impairment in patients with diabetes mellitus, the central retinal thickness ( CRT ) is correlated with the visual impairment and the changes of visual function before and after treatment. Furthermore, CRT is related to the changes of macular microstructure. The subtle changes of retinal microstructure can be qualitative and quantitative analyzed by spectral- domain OCT ( SD -OCT) . In this study, the changes of retinal microstructure in patients with DME are reviewed, what is of great meaning to explore mechanism, observe disease progress, guide clinical treatment and prospect prognosis of DME.

AIM: To investigate the effects of human urotensin Ⅱ (hUII) on in vivo mesenteric microcirculation in rats. METHODS: For recording of microcirculation images in the mesentery, the intestinal loop was mounted on the stage of an intravital microscope equipped with a TV camera. Video images of microcirculation were stored by a video cassette recorder. Temporal changes in internal diameter and microcirculatory velocity of microvesseles were measured by computer using the ImagePro software. The blood flow in intestinal wall was measured with PIMII laser Doppler perfusion Imager (Lisca Sweden). RESULTS: The internal diameters of arterioles and venules in control group were (21.4?2.3) ?m and (38.1?3.6) ?m,respectively. In UII group, the arterioles and venules contracted immediately after treated with UII and up to the peak at 1 min [(14.1?1.4) ?m and (22.2?5.2) ?m vs control,P0.05). The blood flow in intestinal wall increased 1 min after treated with UII and up to high peak at 5 min(6.4?1.1 perfusion unit vs control 4.2?0.9,P

Objective To provide a practicable method for the complete display and localization of the posterolateral structures (PLS) of the normal knee through MRI study. Methods 30 tibial bone specimens were observed to establish the bony landmark for localizing the knee. In 50 cadaver knees, the angles between lateral tibial plateau and the long axis of the individual structure of PLS were measured. Then the scan methods of the oblique MR images were determined based on above results. The routine and oblique scans of T 1WI were performed in 40 normal knees. The display effect and appearance of the PLS were observed on MRI. Results The lateral tibial plateau was a stable bony landmark for measuring and localizing of the knee. In the 40 normal knees, The fibular collateral ligament could be intactly displayed on 70? posterior coronal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). The popliteus could be better seen on either 45? medial sagittal oblique in 34 cases (85%) or 60? posterior coronal oblique planes in 36 cases (90%). The popliteofibular ligament could be intactly appreciated on both 60? posterior coronal oblique in 32 cases (80%) and 70? lateral sagittal oblique images in 34 cases (85%). Although the arcuate ligament and the fabellofibular ligament could occasionally be seen on routine and oblique images, but the display rate was lower. Conclusion The oblique MR imaging can intactly display the main structures of PLS, and can be useful in diagnosing the injuries in those structures.

Objective To investigate the effect of escharectomy on rats' pulmonary NF-?B activation and the expression of pulmonary proinflammatory cytokines in early stage of burn injury.Method Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:group A(control group),group B(postburn without escharectomy),group C(escharectomy at early stage of burn injury).Thermal-injuried rats underwent 35% TBSA full-thickness burns. Activation of pulmonary NF-?B at 12 hours and 24 hours postburn was tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA),and at the same time expressions of pulmonary TNF-?mRNA were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and release of pulmonary TNF-?were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Compared with control group,activity of pulmonary NF-?B in group B was markedly increased,reached(19.56?1.36)?10~4 A at 12 hours and(15.23?1.94)?10~4 A at 24 hours,which was higher than that in group A[(4.36?0.38)?10~4 A,P

Objective: To improve the economic and technical indicator’s evaluation system and the essential medicines’ centralized bidding procurement practice in China. Methods:By using the literature analysis, comparative analysis and field survey, we collected and analyzed the implementation plans and regulations for the essential medicines’ centralized bidding procurement in 30 provinces. Results: The quality level classification lacks in preci-sion. The economic and technical indicator’s concentration grade is low, the score and content in each indicator un-reasonably fluctuates in different provinces and these indicators are of low efficiency in bond with their structures for the drug quality evaluation. The quality level indicator lacks in the distinction degree and the government’s unreason-able interference exists in competition. Conclusions and suggestions: The quality levels’ indicator type and number should be simplified. The economic and technical indicators’ function, content, score, weight value and the structure should be normatively and scientifically set to improve the efficiency during the drug quality evaluation and the gov-ernment should strive to play their role in the market.

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam. Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations. The efficacy, Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), and the levels of ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment. Results: After treatment, the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); the VAS, BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); and the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 92.2％ in the observation group, versus 78.1％ in the control group, presenting a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms, accelerate the recovery of physical functioning, and reduce the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of NF-kappaB activation on the early expression of proinflammatory cytokines in myocardium and early myocardial dysfunction in burn rats.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy Wistar rats were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into three groups, i. e. control( C, n = 20, with isotonic saline solution) , burn ( B, n = 90, with isotonic solution after burns) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, n =60, with isotonic saline and 250 mg/kg PDTC after burns) groups. The rats in B and PDTC groups were inflicted with 35% TBSA full-thickness burns on the back. The activity of myocardial NF-kappaB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay at 1 , 3, 6, 12,24 postburn hours (PBH), with expression of integral absorbance ( A ) value . The expression of myocardial tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-alpha) mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization at 6, 12 PBH, with expression ofA value. The left ventricular systolic pressure( LVSP) , the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) ,the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure ( +/- dp/dt max) were also observed at 3, 6, 12,24 PBH. RESULTS The activity of myocardial NF-KB in B group was markedly increased at 1 PBH [ (20. 3+/-3. 4) x 104A ] ,which was obviously higher than that in C group (2. 2 +/- 0. 4) x 104A , P <0.01]. It peaked at 3 PBH, and was still evidently higher than that in C group at 24 PBH ( P <0. 01). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was obviously higher than that in C group at 3 PBH ( P < 0. 01) , peaking at 6 PBH, and it was mainly expressed in myocardium. The expression of LVSP and +/- dp/dt max were lower, but LVEDP was higher than that in C group during 3 -24 PBH ( P <0.01).

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the burn serum induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and divided into control (with normal serum stimulation), burn serum (B, with burn serum stimulation) and PDTC (with burn serum and PDTC stimulation) groups. The NF-kappaB activity in endothelial cells was determined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 post-stimulation hour (PSH). The expression of ICAM-1 at 3.0, 6.0, 12. 0, 24.0 PSH was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe NF-kappaB activity in endothelial cells in burn serum group and PDTC group were markedly higher than that in control group (P <0.01), and it reached the peak at 1.0 PSH [(21.03 +/- 4.87), (7.44 +/- 0.60) x 10(4) A], respectively, then gradually decreased. But it was obviously lower in PDTC group than that in burn serum group ( P <0. 01 ). The expression of ICAM-1 was gradually increased in both burn serum group and PDTC group, reaching the peak level at 12.0 PSH [(327 +/- 37), (142 +/- 31) mean fluorescence intensity], respectively, which were significantly higher than that in control group (P <0.01). But it was evidently lower in PDTC group than that in burn serum group at 12.0 and 24.0 PSH (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONBurn serum can initiate the synthesis and release of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells through activation of NF-kappaB, indicating that NF-kappaB plays an important role in the process of burn serum induced endothelial secretion of adhesion molecules.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; blood ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Serum ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the performance of static and dynamic adsorption and desorption of the three macroporous resins of AB-8, D-101 and H-103.

METHODCompare the adsorption and desorption of the three macroporous resins for glycyrrhizic acid by determining the static adsorption, static desorption, dynamic adsorption and dynamic desorption through detecting the glycyrrhizic acid content by HPLC method.

RESULTThe saturation of AB-8 is 0.75 g (crude drug)/mL (macroporous resins), the best elution reagent is 50% EtoH and it's eluation ration is 68.81% . The saturation of D-101 is 0.75 g (crude drug)/mL (macroporous resins), the best elution reagent is 60%EtoH and it's eluation ration is 64.67%. The saturation of H-103 is 0.5 g (crude drug)/mL (macroporous resins), the best elution reagent is 50%E-toH and it's elution ration is 51.18%.

CONCLUSIONAB-8 and D-101 are the superior absorbents for glycyrrhizic acid.

Adsorption ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of NF-kappaB activation on the expression of cytokines in monocytes stimulated by burn serum, so as to explore the mechanism in monocyte activation by burn serum.

METHODSPeripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) isolated from healthy volunteers were employed as the target cells. The cells were stimulated by serum from healthy volunteers (control), by serum from burn patients (burn serum), and by burn serum with addition of PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate). Activation of monocytic NF-kappaB before stimulation and at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 poststimulation hours (PSH) was assessed with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-8 mRNA at 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 PSHs was assayed with in situ hybridization (ISH). Meanwhile, the contents of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in the supernatants were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe monocytic NF-kappaB activity in burn serum group increased significantly and reached the peak level at 1 PSH [(30.2 +/- 3.5) x 10(4) integration gray scale value] after the PBMCs were stimulated by burn serum, and it was obviously higher than that in control group [(4.4 +/- 0.8) x 10(4) integration gray scale value], (P < 0.01). It gradually decreased and returned to the pre-stimulation state at 2 PSH. The monocytic NF-kappaB activity in PDTC group decreased to [(6.8 +/- 0.9) x 10(4) integration gray scale value at 1 PSH] after the stimulation. The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA of the monocytes and the TNF-alpha level in the supernatant of the cultured PBMCs reached peak level at 1 PSHs after being stimulated by burn serum, and they were obviously higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). While the expression of IL-8 mRNA and the IL-8 level in the supernatant of the cultured PBMCs reached peak level at the 4 PSHs after being stimulated by burn serum, which were obviously higher than those in control group (P < 0.01) too. In addition, the synthesis and release of TNF-alpha (peaked at 1 PSH: 0.52 +/- 0.06 microg/L) and IL-8 (peaked at 4 PSH: 239 +/- 20 ng/L) in the supernatant of PBMCs in PDTC group were evidently higher than those in control group [(0.13 +/- 0.07) microg/L, < 156 ng/L] (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBurn serum can induce the activation of NF-kappaB which lead to the synthesis and release of cytokines from PBMC. This result indicates that the activation of NF-kappaB plays important role in the secretion of cytokines from PBMCs induced by the burn serum.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Serum ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism