OBJECTIVEThe device of a bone age film of analysis and process was designed, can calculate the expected patient's height and identify growth level and development.

METHODSSelect the DR bone age of 100 children of 6-13 years old, used semi Lagrange algorithm of target region of interest on bone age piece (ROI) for image analysis, compared with 2 pediatric endocrinologists (A, B) who used TW3 artificial to judge bone age (two methods were detected 2 times), and report the results.

RESULTSBone age assessment process, forecast error of bone age reduced to 0.12 years.

CONCLUSIONSThis device can quickly calculate the expected patient's height and identify his growth level, improve the speed and accuracy of bone age assessment, especially in the poor medical conditions in rural and remote areas.

Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; instrumentation ; Child ; Equipment Design ; Humans

Objective To investigate the effect of HbA1c meeting the standard or not on microalbuminuria,blood lipids and liver enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 457 subjects who had type 2 diabetes.They were divided into substandard group and standard group according to HbA1c result.The general information and relevant laboratory indicators of patients were.collected and compared between two groups.Results The microalbuminuria,serum triglyceride and liver enzymes (glutamyl transpeptidase,alkaline phosphatase,aspertate aminotransferase) were significantly different between two groups [ (189.8 ± 235.3) mg/dl vs (38.9 ± 85.5) mg/dl,(2.64 ± 2.99) mmol/L vs (2.02 ± 1.50)mmol/L,(41.7 ±52.9)U/L vs (29.7 ±24.9)U/L,(83.6 ±28.6) U/L vs (74.3 ±25.8)U/L,(26.7 ±19.1)U/L vs (22.0 ±10.5) U/L,P ＜0.05].HbA1c level was positively correlated with microalbuminuria,glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase (r =0.209,0.115,0.11,P ＜0.01).The microalbuminuria was an independent risk factor of affecting HbA1c to reach the standard (OR = 1.009,P ＜0.05).Conclusions HbA1c meeting the standard or not can influence many factors except blood glucose.

Objective To explore the effects of ecoimmunonutrition support on the intestinal barrier function and pancreas in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods Totally 64 SPF rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (control group) , SAP without enteral nutrition support group (SAP group), SAP with early enteral nutrition support group (EEN group), and SAP with early ecoimmunonutrition support group (EIN group). Bacteria translocation (BT), plasma endotoxin (ET) , gut permeability, pancreas pathology score,and distant ileum pathology were determined on the 4th and 7th post-modeling day. Results The BT rate was significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜ 0.05), was significantly lower in EEN group and EIN group than in SAP group (P ＜ 0.05), and was significantly lower in EIN group than in EEN group (P ＜ 0.05). ET and FD-40 levels in blood were both significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.01)and were significantly lower in EIN group and EEN group than in SAP group (P ＜0.01); ET was significantly lower in EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.05). Pathological scores were significantly higher in SAP group, EEN group, and EIN group than in control group (P ＜0.01)and were significantly lower in EEN group and EIN group than in SAP group (P ＜ 0.01). The individual pathological scores of EIN group were not significantly different from EEN group (P ＞ 0.05), while the total score was significantly lower in EIN group than in EEN group (P ＞ 0.05). Distant iliac mucosa was significantly thicker in EIN group than in other groups. Conclusions Early enteral nutrition support protects the intestinal barrier and pancreas in rats with SAP. Ecoimmunonutrition has better nutritional effectiveness than the normal enteral nutrition.

AIM: To investigate the relationship among MCP-1 and monocyte chemoattract protein activity (MCA) and pathogenesis of lung cancer. METHODS: 173 patients were involved in the study and divided into three groups: group A: lung cancer group (60 patients); group B: benign lung disease group (55 patients) and group C: healthy control group (58 patients). MCP-1 level and MCA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. RESULTS: The concentration of MCP-1 and MCA in BALF in group A were much higher than those in group B and group C (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSThis investigator-initiated randomized, controlled trial recruited 88 patients with stable GOLD stage IV COPD, who were randomized into 4 equal groups to continue oxygen therapy (control group) or to receive inspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (IMT-NPPV group), inspiratory muscle training only (IMT group), or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation only (NPPV group) for at least 8 weeks. The outcomes of the patients were assessed including the quality of life (SRI scores), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), dyspnea (MRC scores), 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and lung function.

RESULTSs Compared to baseline values, SRI scores, 6MWT and MRC scores increased significantly after 8 weeks in IMT-NPPV, IMT and NPPV groups, and the improvements were significantly greater in IMT-NPPV group than in IMT and NPPV groups (P<0.05 for all). In IMT-NPPV and IMT groups, MIP and MEP increased significantly after the training (P<0.05), and the improvement was more prominent in IMT-NPPV group (P<0.05). No significant changes were found in pulmonary functions in the groups after 8 weeks of treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONInspiratory muscle training followed by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, compared with inspiratory muscle training or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation alone, can better enhance the quality of life, strengthen the respiratory muscles, improve exercise tolerance and relieve the dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Tolerance ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Physical Conditioning, Human ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Muscles ; physiopathology

Objective To study the impacts of the Three Gorges dam and change of water level on the survival of the local rodents, and to provide scientific basis to control the outbreak of rodent-borne diseases.Methods Four villages located around the Three Gorges dam were selected in the study. The mouse populations by using Elton night trapping method was monitored. Metallic spring traps were set for two consecutive nights. The mouse density and identified the mouse species was calculated. The mouse species indoor and outdoor, as well as the mouse density indoor and outdoor were compared. The impacts of water level in the dam and cleaning work on local mouse density were also analyzed. Results A total of 678 mice were caught in this study, 517 were caught indoor and 161 outdoor. Indoor dominant species was flavipectus; accounting for 36.49%(189/517), while outdoor was apodemus, reaching 56.88% (91/161). For mouse species, there was a significant difference between indoor and outdoor(x2 = 678.00, P ＜ 0.01 ). The average mouse density was 8.44%(678/8036) in trap nights. Indoor mouse density reached 14.44%(517/3581 ), which was significantly higher than that of outdoor(3.61%, 161/4455 ).For mouse density, there was a significant difference between indoor and outdoor(x2 = 301.04, P ＜ 0.01 ). When the water level was up to 156 m, mouse density reached 10%(513/5132), which was higher than that of before (5.68%, 165/2904). There was a significant difference in mouse density before and after reserving water (x2 = 44.68, P ＜ 0.01 ). With the change of water level, upstream mouse density formed a high platform from May 2007 to May 2008, followed by 12.25%(80/653), 13.16%(90/684), 12.95%(90/695), and decreased to 8.38%(28/334) after cleaning of the dam. Conclusions The Three Gorges dam and change of water level actually alter the survival environment of the local mouse, and affect local mouse density and mouse species. These may lead to local outbreak or epidemic of rodent-borne diseases.

BACKGROUNDEnvironmental toxins can destroy the physiological process of spermatogenesis and even lead to male infertility. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural phytoalexin with a wide range of biological activities. Some recent researches have demonstrated that RES can increase sperm output and protect sperm from apoptosis caused by physical damage. However, there is no evidence indicating that it can also exhibit a similar activity in testis injury caused by environmental toxins. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of resveratrol on testis damaged by environmental toxins and to elucidate the possible mechanism of its protective effect.

METHODSIn this study 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD) was used as the injury agent. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. During the first 5 weeks, group A was raised normally, groups B, C, D and E were exposed to 1% 2, 5-HD; during the following 9 weeks, group C, D, E received intragastric administration of different concentrations of resveratrol (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), while groups A and B were treated by carboxymethylcellulose. Physical signs, body weight gain and testis weight were comparatively observed. Numbers and diameters of seminiferous tubules were analyzed following HE staining. In addition, expression of the c-kit protein and gene in spermatogenic cells in every group was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blot or RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe 2, 5-HD treatment resulted in physical signs that became worse and in emarciated testis. HE staining and immunohistochemistry showed that seminiferous tubules became emarcid, obsolete spermatogonia being stagnant and expression of c-kit protein being depressed. After oral administration of resveratrol, the 2, 5-HD-induced physical signs were improved and close to the normal rats. The gain of body weight increased (P < 0.01). The recovery of testis weight was significant (P < 0.01). At the histological level, the seminiferous epithelia began to differentiate (P < 0.01); and even the physiological process of spermatogenesis restarted. Moreover, expression of c-kit protein and gene function resumed, although its expression remained different from the normal group. The diameter of and number of seminiferous tubules and the expression level of c-kit protein and gene activity were much closer to the normal group with increased doses of the resveratrol through oral administration.

CONCLUSIONSResveratrol could ameliorate markedly the dyszoospermia induced by 2, 5-HD and induce spermatogenesis. The expression of c-kit, which is a specific marker protein of spermatogenic cell membranes, could be regulated by resveratrol.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Testis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of artesunate on human endometrial carcinoma RL95-2 cell line proliferation in vitro and the possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of artesunate on the cell proliferation was assessed with MTT assay. Transmission electron miscrosopy was used to observe the morphological change of the cells after the treatment. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the changes in the cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (with DCFH-DA labeling) and mitochondrial membrane potential (rhodamine123 staining), and caspase-3 activity was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSArtesunate inhibited the proliferation of RL95-2 cells with an IC(50) of 26.29 microg/ml. Transmission electron microscopy revealed early apoptotic changes of the cells with obvious chromatin fragmentation. The cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase was observed by flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated caspase-3 positivity in cytoplasm. ROS generation in the cells increased obviously after treatment with artesunate for 72 h, which also resulted in lowered mitochondrial membrane potential.

CONCLUSIONArtesunate suppressed the proliferation of RL95-2 cells in vitro possibly by inducing cell apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the effect o f Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BHD) on neurobiochemical markers in the hippocampus of female rats with repeated immobilization stress.

METHODSSixty female rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the positive control group (treated with Liuwei Dihuang Pill at the dose of 3.3 g crude drug/kg), and the high, middle, and low BHD treated groups (at the dose of 8, 4, 2 g crude drug/kg), ten in each group. Chronic psychological stress was induced using repeated immobilization stress in rats. Medication was conducted by gastrogavage while modeling once a day for twenty successive days. The hippocampal neurohumoral levels were detected with high-performance liquid chromatography. The expression levels of BDNF and its receptor in the hippocampus were detected by Westem blot. Effect of BHD on neurobiochemical markers in the hippocampus of rats with repeated immobilization stress was observed.

RESULTSThe levels of Glu, GABA, and BDNF in the hippocampus of the normal group were 1280.0 +/- 258.3 ng/mg, 588.3 +/- 115.1 ng/mg, and 13.26 +/- 2.57 gray value, respectively. But the hippocampal neurohumoral levels and the expression of BDNF in the model group obviously decreased when compared with the normal group, being 1016.9 +/- 215.9 ng/mg, 485.1 +/- 71.0 ng/mg, and 7.23 +/- 0.61 gray value, respectively. The levels of Glu (ng/mg) in hippocampus of the three BHD treated groups were 1459.1 +/- 413.5, 1894.7 +/- 542.8, and 1373.3 +/- 345.7, respectively. GABA levels (ng/mg) inthe hippocampus were 631.6 +/- 161.4, 899.1 +/- 262.1, and 656.4 +/- 140.8, respectively. BDNF levels (gray value) were 16.57 +/- 1.52, 29.85 +/- 1.37, and 24.44 +/- 3.81, respectively, significantly higher than that of the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of Glu in the positive control group (1216.5 +/- 193.8 ng/mg) was significantly higher than that of model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBHD showed significant accommodation on the hippocampal neurohumoral levels and the expression of BDNF in the female rats with repeated immobilization stress.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkB ; metabolism ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological ; metabolism ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bufalin on nucleus-mitochondria localization of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) by exploring its effect on proliferation and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells.

METHODSEC9706 cells were treated with bufalin at various concentrations, and then the cell growth inhibition of EC9706 cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was calculated.Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry with PI staining, and nucleus morphology of apoptosis were observed by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. The apoptotic index was measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. hTERT subcellular localization and protein expression were determined by Western blotting and multiple immunofluorescence labling combined with laser confocal scanning microscopy.

RESULTSThe proliferation of EC 9706 cells was significantly inhibited by bufalin along with the increase of processing time and concentrations (p<0.01). After the EC9706 cells were exposed to 100 nmol/L bufalin,the number of cells gradually decreased in G(1) phase and increased in S and G(2)/M phases(p<0.05). The typical nucleus morphological changes of apoptosis were observed and the apoptotic index was increased(p<0.01). The expression of hTERT decreased in nucleus but increased in mitochondria(p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBufalin can inhibit the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It can arrest cell cycle in S and G(2)/M phases and induce the apoptosis of EC 9706 cells. hTERT is localized in both nucleus and mitochondria,and can be partially translocated from nucleus to mitochondria during the bufalin-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Telomerase ; metabolism