OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of picrodide II on the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NFkappaB) in brain tissue of rat after cerebral ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSTen rats from 60 adult healthy female Wistar rats received sham-operation were set as the sham-operative group. Established as middle cerebral I/R model (MCAO/R) by thread tying method, the 30 successfully modeled rats were equally randomized into the negative control group, the positive control group and the treatment group. Besides, rats in the treatment group and the positive control group were respectively intervened with picrodide II (10 mg/kg) and salvianic acid A sodium (10 mg/kg) via caudal vein injection before I/R injury, while rats in the sham-operative group and the negative group were injected with equal volume of 0.1 mol/L PBS. Immunohistochemistry stain was used to determine the expressions of TLR4 and NFkappaB, and the apoptotic cells were counted by TUNEL-immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSIn the sham-operative group, the TLR4 and NFkappaB expressed weakly with few TUNEL positive cells scattering in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus. As compared with the sham-operative group, TLR4 and NFkappaB in the negative control group were significantly higher both in absorption A) value and cell number (P < 0.05). In the treatment group and the positive control group, the expressions of TLR4 and NFkappaB and the number of TUNEL positive cells were significantly lower than those in the negative control group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was shown between the two treated groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPicroside II could down-regulate the expressions of TLR4 and NFkappaB, and inhibit the inflammatory response induced apoptosis in cerebral I/R injured rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Iridoid Glucosides ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment characteristics of secretory otitis media (SOM) in cleft palate children.

METHODSA total of 319 patients (524 ears) with SOM and cleft palate (3-14 years old) who accepted treatment were divided into experiment group A, group B, and group C according to effusion characteristics in the middle ear and tympanic pressure. Group A included 112 patients with serous effusion (198 ears). Group B included 162 patients with mucinous effusion (248 ears). Group C included 45 patients (78 ears) with negative pressure in the middle ear without effusion and an acoustic immittance. A total of 208 patients (246 ears) with SOM and tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy were divided into control group Al, group B1, and group Cl matched with the same effusion characteristics in the middle ear and tympanic pressure. Group A and Al accepted puncture in the tympanic cavity, group B and B1 accepted tympanostomy tubes, and group C and Cl accepted puncture in the tympanic cavity after palatoplasty, adenoidectomy, and tonsillectomy. All groups were treated with antibiotics and ear drops. Cure rate and recurrence rate between the experiment group and the control group were compared.

RESULTSThe control group had a better cure rate [93.09% (229/246)] than the experiment group [77.29% (405/524)] 12 months after treatment. The experiment group had a higher recurrence rate [14.57% (59/405)] than the control group [3.93% (9/229)]. Statistical differences were observed between the two groups (P<0.05). SOM with cleft palate initially had a low cure rate, and thus it was treated repeatedly for many times.

CONCLUSIONSOM with cleft palate is different from normal otitis media in terms of clinical manifestation, treatment, outcome, and prognosis. This case should be considered a special otitis media to be treated with special examination and therapy to obtain better results. Repeated puncture in the tympanic cavity and tympanostomy tubes for six months according to effusion characteristics are better treatment options for patients with SOM and cleft palate.

Child ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

Objective To analyze the clinical features of infantile cytomegalovirus(CMV) hepatitis with cholestasis and investigate intrahepatic cholestasis due to hepatocytic impairment caused by CMV infection.Methods Forty-seven children with CMV cholestatic he-patitis were divided into 2 groups according to the level of total bilirubin(TB):22 cases with serum TB lower than 136.8 ?mol/L(groupⅠ),and 25 cases with serum TB higher than 136.8 ?mol/L(groupⅡ).All children were treated with both gangciclovir and routine met-hods,and serum biochemistry were checked before and after treatment.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Forty-seven cases of infantile CMV cholestatic hepatitis had different degrees of jaundice,hepatosplenomegaly and abnormal liver functions.The differences of serum ALT and AST between the 2 groups had statistical significance,the levels of serum gamma glutamy transferase(GGT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were lightly higher in groupⅡcompared with those in groupⅠ,but there were no statistical significance.TB,direct bilirubin(DB),ALT and AST were decreased in the 2 groups after treatment,GGT and ALP hadn′t decreased significantly after treatment.Conclusions CMV infection can injure hepatocytes and epithelials on each grade of bile duct,thus CMV hepatitis causes intrahepatic cholestasis.Cholestasis due to hepatocytic impairment deserves emphasis and intervention should be done as early as possible.Gangciclovir therapy for CMV infection manifest effective and safe in short-term.

To analyze the causes and treatments of high intraocular pressure ( > 21mmHg ) of angle - closure glaucoma underwent compound trabeculectomy 1mo after surgery.
●METHODS: This was a retrospective study of our hospital, from March 2010 to March 2013. Thirty-four (38 eyes) of angle-closure glaucoma patients were collected, who underwent compound trabeculectomy with high intraocular pressure ( > 21mmHg) 1mo after operation. We analyzed the causes and summarized the treatments.
●RESULTS:The causes which lead to early postoperative high intraocular pressure included malignant glaucoma (9 eyes of 8 cases), blood clot and connective tissue block under the scleral flap (15 eyes of 13 cases), hyphema after surgery(5 eyes of 5 cases), sclera flap incision was incarcerated with iris tissue ( 3 eyes of 3 cases ), preoperative high intraocular pressure for a long time(5 eyes of 4 cases), 1 eye of 1 case for unknown reason. After proper treatments, intraocular pressures of all patients were bellowed 21mmHg.
● CONCLUSlON: Early postoperative high intraocular pressure of angle - closure glaucoma underwent compound trabeculectomy is caused by various factors, and the early prevention and timely treatment are key points of a successful operation.

China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Syphilis, Congenital ; epidemiology ; transmission

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma in the isthmus (PTMCI) and the independent risk factors of central lymph node metastasis.Methods:58 consecutive patients with PTMCI admitted from Jan. 2016 to Dec. 2018 (isthmus group) were retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 43 females,age (42.93±12.69) years old; According to the specific location of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in isthmus, PTMCI were subdivided into the right PTMCI and the left PT-MCI 67 patients with a single PTMC located in the unilateral lobe were randomly selected as a control (lobe group) , including 13 cases of male and 54 cases of female, age (47.18±11.34) years old. Index included the patient’s age, gender, tumor diameter, TPOAb, aspect ratio, microcalcification, capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, surgical methods, operation method, and scope of lymph node dissection. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The quantitative data of normal distribution was expressed as ± s,and the difference between the two groups was compared by chi-square test.The risk factors of CLNM of the isthmus group were analyzed with univariate chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.The difference was statistically significant if P<0.05. Results:Compared with PTMC, PTMCI showed a higher rate of capsule invasion ( P=0.003) ,lymph node metastasis ( P=0.049) ,lymph node metastasis in central region ( P=0.033) ,and surgical methods between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05) ;But PTMCI was significantly lower than PTMC in aspect ratio>1 ( P<0.05) . Univariate analysis showed that capsule invasion ( P=0.001) and microcalcification ( P=0.012) were risk factors for PTMCI lymph node metastasis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that capsule invasion ( P=0.016) and microcalcification ( P=0.046) were independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in PTMCI. Conclusions:Compared with PTMC,PTMCI indicates a higher rate of capsular invasion,lymph node metastasis in prelaryngeal and central lymph node;Compared with PTMC, PTMCI indicates a lower rate of aspect ratio>1; Capsule invasion and microcalcification are independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in PTMCI. For patients with the right PTMCI or the left PTMCI and also without capsular invasion and calcification,ipsilateral central lymph node dissection should be considered.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Tinglizi on collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular collagen volume area (PVCA ) in left ventricle tissue of cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic banding in rats.

METHODVentricular remodeling was induced by abdominal aortic banding (AAB) in rats. After 30 day treatment, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP); heart rate (HR) were measured. The histological assay consisted of the HE stain for determining the myo-cardium cell cross section and collagen stain (Van Gieson' method) for determining collagen content, including collagen volume fracton (CVF) and perivascular collagen volume area (PVCA).

RESULTThe experimental data demonstrated that Tinglizi decreased SBP, DBP, HR and could significantly reduce the total collagen content (CVF, PVCA) and lessen the myocardium cell cross section (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTinglizi may decrease the total collagen content of ventricle and attenuate the ventricular remodeling induced by abdominal aortic banding.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Cardiomegaly ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new MRI imaging method--diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with short TI version recovery-echo planar imaging (STIR-EPI) sequence in differentiating benign cervical lymph nodes from malignant ones. METHODS Twenty nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and fourteen volunteers received both conventional MRI and DWI with STIR-EPI. Ability of detecting lymph nodes between conventional MRI and STIR-EPI-DWI was compared, and the difference of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value between metastatic lymph node and normal lymph node was analyzed.

RESULTSDWI was more sensitive in detecting lymph node than conventional MRI. ADC value of metastatic lymph node (0. 766 +/- 0. 119) x 10 (-3) mm(2)/s was significantly lower than that of normal lymph node (0. 975 +/- 0. 179) x 10 - mm2/s (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONAs a new MRI imaging technique in detecting cervical lymph nodes, diffusion weighted imaging ( DWI) with short TI version recovery-echo planar imaging ( STIR-EPI) sequence is more reliable and sensitive than conventional MRI imaging, providing an alternative way to differentiate benign lymph nodes from malignant ones.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Neck ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 in colorectal carcinoma and its relationship with the clinicopathological parameters, and to reveal the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSCXCR4 expression was studied in 53 colorectal cancer tissues and 27 normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. Its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer patients were analyzed. The CXCR4 expression in tumor and normal specimens and its metastatic sites were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSFifty-three colorectal cancer patients,collected from July 2005 to February 2007 in our hospital,were enrolled in this study. CXCR4 was positive in 39 cancer tissue specimens(73.6%) and its high expression rate (in > 50% of cells) was 45.3%. High CXCR4 expression rate was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastases (N(1)+N(2): 65.4%) than that in those without metastases(N(0) 25.9%). There were also associations between the high CXCR4 expression and the vascular and lymphatic vessel invasions (P<0.01). Meanwhile, there was a rising trend of high expression rate according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and pathologic grade,but no significant difference was found(P>0.05). There were no significant correlation of CXCR4 expression with clinicopathological parameters such as tumor location, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion(P>0.05). In addition, the CXCR4 mRNA expression in primary tumor specimens (n=27) from AJCC stage IIII( patients was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. CXCR4 mRNA expression of liver metastasis specimens(n=5) was significantly higher as compared with the primary colorectal cancer specimens(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSChemokine receptor CXCR4 is associated with the progression of colorectal carcinoma. High CXCR4 expression is associated with metastasis. The CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling pathway may be a potential novel target of therapy for patients with colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationships among the aberrant methylation of Runx3 gene promoter, the Runx3 protein expression and clinicopathological features in gastric cancer.

METHODSMethylation specific PCR was used to measure the promoter methylation status of Runx3 gene in tumor and the adjacent normal mucosal tissues from 40 patients with gastric cancer. Protein expression of Runx3 was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe frequency of promoter methylation of Runx3 gene in gastric cancer tissue(55.0%) was significantly higher compared to the adjacent normal tissues (12.5%)(P<0.01). The positive rate of protein expression of Runx3 in gastric cancer tissue(37.5%) was significantly lower compared to the adjacent normal tissues (100%). There was marked association between hypermethylation and negative protein expression (P<0.05). The frequency of Runx3 promoter methylation was associated with histological type, N grade, and tumor stage.

CONCLUSIONThe promoter hypermethylation is a main mechanism of reduced or loss expression of Runx3 gene, which may provide molecular diagnosis and stage evaluation of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology