OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of component I from agkistrodon acutus venomon (AAVC-I) the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to elucidate the possible anti-angiogenic mechanism of AAVC-I.

METHODSThe effect of AAVC-I on the migration of HUVECs which was cultivated in vitro and treated with AAVC-1 at four concentrations: 0, 20, 40, 80 microg/ml, was observed by methods of scratch wound-healing and Transwell assay. The expression level of mRNA and protein of P-selectin and intercellular cell adhension molecule-I (ICAM-1) were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot assay.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the migration ability of HUVECs in each AAVE-I treated group was reduced in a dose-dependent manner, and the expression level of the mRNA and protein of P-selectin and ICAM-1 were decreased.

CONCLUSIONAAVC-I inhibits the migration of endothelial cell, which is acted by down-regulation of the expression content of mRNA and protein of P-selectin and ICAM-1.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Crotalid Venoms ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; P-Selectin ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger

Objective To analyze the ultrasonic features of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) and the causes of misdiagnosis. Methods The ultrasonic features including shape, margin, echogenecity, microcalcification, vascularity and lymphadenopathy were analyzed retrospectively in 26 pathologically-proven TMC patients. Results In 26 cases, 11 cases were diagnosed correctly before operation (11/26, 42.31%), 12 cases were misdiagnosed (12/26, 46.15%) as adenoma or benign nodule, and 3 cases were missed diagnosed (3/26, 11.54%). Among the 23 cases detected on ultrasound, 21 cases were solid and hypoechoic (21/23, 91.30%);19 cases were ill-defined (19/23, 82.61%);12 cases were taller than wide in shape (12/23, 52.17%); 14 cases had microcalcification (14/23, 60.87%); 7 cases showed central or peripheral blood flow signals (7/23,30.43%) with arterial resistance index>0.70 in 3 lesions and<0.70 in 4 lesions. Conclusions Several ultrasonographic features are helpful in identiifcation of TMC, including hypo/iso-echogenecity, ill-deifned margin, taller-than-wide shape, microcalciifcation, arterial signals with high resistance index, and abnormal lymphadenopathy. Moreover, for cases with multiple lesions, to the potential co-existence of benign and malignant lesions should be considered.

Effects of main environmental factors, such as temperature, pH , metal ions and anions, on expression and activity of bacterial extracellular car bonic anhydrase(CA) were studied, exemplified by a bacterium named GLRT102Ca, wh ich was separated from karst ecosystems of Southwest China. The results showed that the tested strain could express different activity of extracellular carboni c anhydrase within the scope of experimental temperature (10℃~50℃) and pH (5. 5~9.0). The activity of extracellular carbonic anhydrase was higher at tempera ture of 20℃~30℃ and at neutral and alkaline trending condition. Moreover, the expression of activity of extracellular carbonic anhydrase could be generally p romoted at the experimental range of concentration of 4 kinds of metal ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and Co2+, along with 8 kinds of ani ons such as SO2-_4, H_2PO-_4, NO-_3, NO-_2, Cl-,Br-, I- and HCO-_3. This research provides a cert ain theoretical basis for further study on the role of microbial CA in karst pro cesses.

Bronchial Diseases ; diagnosis ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a penis with sensation and erectile function maintained by corpora cavernosa lengthening and skin flap transferring in the penis defect cases.

METHODSThe procedure was based on the use of releasing the suspensory ligaments and part of crus, various flaps were designed as coverage material. Penis residual stump was advanced to anterior portion of the newly reconstruction penile body as "glans".

RESULTS40 patients with penis defect have been operated by the above methods. In the cases, length of the penis varied from 0.5-4.0 cm in the flaccid, 1.5-5.0 cm in erect state before operation. And after operation, it turned to 5.0-8.5 cm in the flaccid, 7.0-12.5 cm in erect state. Most of the patients recovered gross tactile sensation and had satisfactory erectile function.

CONCLUSIONWith this method, the reconstructed penis tends to have a better appearance and function. It's a more optimal method compared with the conventional operation.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; injuries ; innervation ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Sensation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between efficacy of Chaihu Taoren Decoction (CTD) and the polymorphism of valine-alanine missense mutation of 9th codan (Val9Ala, T1183C) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD).

METHODSSeverity of TD was assessed by abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS), and the psychologic symptoms were rated by the positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS). The sample size consisted of 119 patients with TD assigned to the TD group, 129 patients of chronic schizophrenia with the general condition matched strictly with that of the enrolled TD patients assigned to the non-TD group, and 148 healthy persons assigned to the normal group. The gene distribution rate of Val9Ala gene was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and the therapeutic effect of CTD on 36 patients with TD was observed after 12 weeks treatment.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in genotype and allelic gene frequency of SOD Val9Ala among the TD, non-TD and normal groups (P > 0.05). Comparison of the AIMS score in TD patients with various Val9Ala genotypes showed that the difference of AIMS scores in patients with TT and CT genotype was not significant (P > 0.05), but CTD did show a better efficacy in TD patients with CT heterozygote than in those with TT homozygote (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe CTD could effectively relieve the symptoms of TD, its efficacy might be related with the genotype of SOD, and 9Ala is considered to be a protective factor for the susceptibility to TD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced ; drug therapy ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Valine ; genetics ; Young Adult

Dysfunction of the pancreatic beta-cell is an important defect in the pathophysiological changes of type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is evidently associated with obesity. But the role of the adipocyte in the dysfunction of the pancreatic beta-cell remains unknown. In the present study, we examined the direct effects of 3T3-L1 adipocytes on the expression of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP) channels) in MIN6 insulin-secreting cells. MIN6 cells were divided into two groups as control group, where MIN6 cells were cultured in normal culture medium, and coculture group, where MIN6 cells were cocultured with differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes for 1 week. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was employed to measure the expression of K(ATP) channel subunit Kir6.2 in MIN6 cells. Fura-2 was used to reflect changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in MIN6 cells. The secretary function of MIN6 cells from both groups was estimated by radioimmunoassay method. The results showed that the Kir6.2 cDNA levels corrected by GAPDH cDNA levels after densitometric analysis were 0.989+/-0.035 in control group and 0.726+/-0.087 in coculture group. The expression of Kir6.2 was significantly decreased in MIN6 cells in the coculture group as compared with that in control. MIN6 cells cocultured with 3T3-L1 adipocytes lost the ability to increase [Ca(2+)](i) when stimulated by tolbutamide (0.1 mmol/L), a highly selective KATP channel closer. In contrast, MIN6 cells in control group had typical responses to tolbutamide with a significant increase in [Ca(2+)](i). The magnitudes to basal levels of [Ca(2+)](i) after tolbutamide stimulation were 1.520+/-0.203 in control and 1.114+/-0.097 in coculture group (P<0.05, n=6). MIN6 cells in control showed a significant increase in insulin secretion from 0.38+/-0.099 mU/min to 2.87+/-0.248 mU/min after being stimulated by tolbutamide, whereas MIN6 cells in coculture group did not increase insulin secretion when stimulated by tolbutamide (0.21+/-0.055 mU/min to 0.22+/-0.082 mU/min). It is demonstrated that 3T3-L1 adipocytes decrease the expression of K(ATP) channels in MIN6 cells through secreting certain factors, which impair the secretary function of MIN6 cells. The present results indicate that adipocytes are directly involved in pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, which may facilitate the development of type 2 diabetes.
3T3 Cells ; Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Gene Expression ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; biosynthesis ; Insulin Resistance ; Islets of Langerhans ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Tolbutamide ; pharmacology ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Gastritis ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Retrospective Studies

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; CA-125 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymph Node Excision ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

AIMTo determine the effect of long-term inactivation of tyrosine kinases on voltage-gated calcium currents in pancreatic beta-cells and to evaluate the function of tyrosine kinases in pancreatic beta-cells.

METHODSPrimarily cultured mouse pancreatic islets and beta-cells were pretreated by 0.1 mmol/L genistein for 12 hours. Voltage-gated calcium currents and action potentials were recorded with patch clamp techniques in the configuration of perforated whole-cell recording. RT-PCR method was used to evaluate the changes in expression of voltage-gated calcium channels alpha1 subunit.

RESULTSAfter treatment by genistein for 12 hours, the whole-cell voltage-gated calcium currents were significantly diminished (-13.83 +/- 1.515 pA/pF vs. -7.012 +/- 1.502 pA/pF, P < 0.01, n=6). The amplitudes of action potentials in genistein-treated beta-cells were also significantly attenuated (38.50 +/- 7.46 mV vs. 15.95 +/- 4.39 mV, P < 0.01, n=6). The expression of voltage-gated calcium channels alpha1 subunit in mouse islets was significantly decreased to 0.792 +/- 0.078 of that in control conditions (P < 0.01, n=5).

CONCLUSIONGenistein treatment decreases expression and current of voltage-gated calcium currents in mouse pancreatic beta-cells, which suggests that inhibition of tyrosine kinases activity plays an important role in the dysfunction of pancreatic beta-cells.

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism