Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on cognitive function of mice with Alzheimer's disease.Methods Twenty male mice carrying mnutations in amyloid precusor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 genes,weighing 30-40 g,aged 7 months,were divided into either sevoflurane group (group Sev) or control group (group C),with 20 mice in each group.Mice inhaled 3％ sevoflurane for 4 h in group Sev,and mice inhaled 30％ oxygen for 4 h in group C.At 1 month after inhaling sevoflurane or oxygen,the mice underwent continuous multiple-trail inhibitory avoidance training.The mice were then sacrificed and hippocampi were isolated for determination of the number of Aβ plaques (by immunohistochemistry) and expression of APP and Tau (S396) phosphorylation (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,the memory lateucy was significantly shortened,the number of Aβ plaques was increased,the phosphorylation of Tau (S396) was increased,and the expression of APP was up-regulated in group Sev (P＜0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane can decrease the cognitive function of mice with Alzheimer's disease.

Objective To evaluate Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with BMI range of 24 -29. Methods Thirty seven cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation were studied. Body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin ( GHbAlc), fasting glucose ( FPG), fasting insulin (FIns) and C-peptide( FC-p), HOMA-IR, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) including 2 hour insulin (2hIns) and C-peptide (2hC-p) , plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides(TG), high density lipoprotein( HDL-c)and low density lipoprotein ( LDL-c) were measured preoperatively and on 3 months, 6 months, later postoperatively. Result There was no statistically significant difference between BMI values measured preoperatively and postoperatively (P>0. 05 ). Serum levels measured in pre-operative and third and sixth post-operative months were: FPG (8. 8 ± 0. 9, 7. 0 ± 2. 0, 6. 3 ± 0. 6, P<0. 01) ( mmol/L) , GHbAlc (8.2±1.2, 7.0±0.8, 6.2±0.7, P<0.01)(%), FIns(10. 6 ±1. 2, 9.0±0.9, 9.0±0.8, P<0.05)(mU/L), FC-p(1.9±0.5, 1.2 ±0.6, 1.2 ±0.4, P<0. 01) (nmol/L), TG(3.3 ±0.8, 2.7 ±0.9,2.6±0.7, P<0.05)(mmol/L), TC(6.5±1.8, 4.6±0.9, 4.2 + 1.0, P<0. 05) (mmol/L)and LDL-c (3. 6 ±1.2, 2. 8 ±0.8, 2. 7 ±0.2, P<0.01) (mmol/L), 2 hour glucose after OGTT(2hPG) (18. 6 ±3.0, 12.7 ±2.3, 11.4±2.0, P<0. 01) (mmol/L), HOMA-IR(3. 2 ± 1. 7, 2.6±1.6, 2. 5 ±1.3, P<0. 05). Postoperative levels of HDL-c (1. 2 ± 0. 1, 1. 4 ± 0. 4, 1. 4 ± 0. 2, P<0. 01) ( mmol/L) , 2hIns (17. 2 ±3.4, 26. 3 ±4.7, 28. 6 ±4.1, P<0. 01) (mU/L)and 2hC-p(4. 2 ± 1. 0, 6. 3 ± 1. 5, 6. 2 ± 1.4,P<0. 01 ) ( nmol/L) were significantly higher than that of the pre-operative values ( P<0. 01 ).Conclusions Roux-en-Y gastric bypass significantly improves the metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid in type 2 diabetes patients with BMI 24-29, and the effects are not associated with weight loss.

Objective To observe the effects of Roux-en-Y gastrointestinal reconstruction(RYGR) on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes and gastric carcinoma.Methods Fifty seven gastric cancer cases who underwent radical distal gastrectomy were studied and among them 35 patients had Roux-en-Y gastrointestinal reconstruction (RYGR group) and 22 had Billroth-Ⅰ gastrointestinal reconstruction (B-I GR group).Both groups were subjected to the measuring of preoperative and postoperative third,sixth months values of body mass index (BMI),glycosylated hemoglobin (GHbA1c),fasting glucose (FPG),fasting insulin (Flns) and C-peptide (FC-P),oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) including 2 hour insulin (2hIns) and C-peptide (2hC-P),plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),high density lipoprutein (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-c).Result There was no significant difference between the two groups in preoperative values (P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in BMI values measured postoperatively (P ＞ 0.05).In RYGR group,preoperative FPG and that of third and sixth month postoperatively was (9.3±0.9) mmol/L vs.(7.2±2.1) mmol/L vs.(7.1±0.8) mmol/L,P=0.000,GHbAlc was (9.2±1.2)% vs.(7.3±1.2)% vs.(7.2±1.1)%,P=0.000,TG was (3.21±0.88) mmol/L vs.(2.12±0.97) mmol/L vs.(2.02±0.09) mmol/L,P =0.000,TC was (6.4±1.9) mmol/L vs.(4.3±1.0) mmol/L vs.(4.1±1.0) mmol/L,P =0.000 and LDL-c was (3.61±1.05) mmol/L vs.(2.77±0.68) mmol/L vs.(2.71±0.18)mmool/L,P=0.000,2 hour glucose after OGTT(2hPG) was (17.6±2.5) mmol/L vs.(12.1±1.9) mmol/L vs.(11.6±2.3) mmol/L,P = 0.000.Levels of FIns was (98±11) pmol/L vs.(120±9)pmol/L vs.(122±8) pmol/L,P =0.000,FC-P was (0.21±0.08) mmol/L vs.(0.30±0.01) mmol/L vs.(0.30±0.01) mmol/L,P=0.000,HDL-c was (1.08±0.10) mmol/L vs.(1.61±0.34) mmol/L vs.(1.62±0.09) mmol/L,P = 0.000,2 h Ins was (410±19) pmol/L vs.(446±19) pmol/L vs.(459±18) pmol/L,P = 0.000 and 2 h C-P was (0.87±0.17) mmol/L vs.(1.22±0.14) mmol/L vs.(1.19±0.15) mmol/L,P =0.000.In B-I GR group,preoperative and third and sixth postoperative month values of GHbA1c were (9.2±1.2)% vs.(8.4±1.6)% vs.(8.3±1.1)%,P =0.046.Conclusion Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can significantly improve the metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes and gastric carcinoma,and the effects are not related with postoperative weight loss.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Radius Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with chromosomal analysis for the detection of Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21 in amniotic fluid cells.

METHODSAmniotic fluid samples from pregnant women requesting prenatal diagnosis were cultivated. Metaphase cells were prepared for G-banding karyotype analysis. For the 5 Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21, interphase nuclei from amniotic fluid and parental peripheral blood cells were prepared for FISH analysis.

RESULTSIn 2 cases, analysis of parental peripheral blood cells showed normal karyotypes. FISH analysis of amniotic fluid cells indicated that one sample had two copies of chromosome 21, which has a 46, XY, rob(21;21)(q10;q10) karyotype, whilst another had trisomy 21 by FISH, which has a 46, XY, rob(14;21)(q10;q10) karyotype. For the remaining three samples, analysis of parental peripheral blood cells indicated that their karyotypes were 45, XX, rob(14;21)(q10;q10), 45, XX, rob(15;21)(q10;q10) and 45, XX, rob(21;22)(q10;q10), whilst the karyotypes of amniotic fluid cells were 46, XX, rob(14;21)(q10;q10), 46, XY, rob(15;21)(q10;q10) and 46, XX, rob(21;22)(q10;q10), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCombined FISH and chromosomal analysis is an efficient method for detecting non-homologous Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21. However, FISH has limited ability to detect homologous Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21.

Adult ; Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular tumor.

METHODSUltrasound findings and post-operation pathological results were retrospectively studied in 172 men with testicular mass 1998 to 2005.

RESULTSOf the total number, 50 cases were testicular hematoma, 13 testicular cyst, 26 testicular inflammatory node, 25 testicular tuberculosis and 58 testicular tumor. Among 59 testicular tumor cases, 50 were germ cell tumor (including 41 cases of seminoma and 9 cases of nonseminoma germ cell tumor), 6 were non-germ cell tumor and 3 were secondary tumor. The sonographic features of typical seminoma, teratomas, epidemic cyst, interstitial cell tumor and malignant lymphoma were obvious.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonography, contributive to the preliminary diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular tumor and capable of evidence for further treatment, can be the first choice in medical imaging for the diagnosis of testicular tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; Hematoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Teratoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Testicular Diseases ; surgery ; Testicular Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Yanshu injection (a compound Chinese traditional medicine from Sophora flauescens Ait) combined with concomitant radiochemotherapy in patients with stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODSSixty patients with stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomized into Yanshu group and control group (n = 30, each). Patients in the Yanshu group received Yanshu injection in addition to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concomitant chemotherapy, and those in the control group were treated with IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 4-year overall survival rates were 100%, 93.3%, 86.7%, 80.0% for Yanshu group, and 96.7%, 90.0%, 83.3%, 76.7% for the control group, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.565). The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 4-year progression-free survival rates were 96.7%, 90.0%, 83.3%, 70.0% for Yanshu group, and 90.0%, 86.7%, 76.7%, 66.7% for control group, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.554). However, the reaction of mucosa of oral cavity, myelosuppression and thrombocytopenia in the Yanshu group were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The quality of life of the patients in the Yanshu group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSYanshu injection combined with radiochemotherapy in patients with stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma show a good efficacy and can reduce the side effects of radiochemotherapy of nasopharygeal carcinoma, and improve the quality of life of the patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; methods ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; etiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mucositis ; chemically induced ; etiology ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; adverse effects ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; etiology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the possibility of creating a toxin, C-CPE-ETA', by fusing C-terminal high affinity binding domain of CPE (C-CPE) with a truncated form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA') and to examine whether C-CPE-ETA' could specifically target CLDN-3, 4 molecule and the targeted toxin was cytotoxic against CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer.

METHODSCLDN-3 and CLDN-4 expressions were analyzed at the mRNA level in three ovarian cancer cell lines and epithelial ovarian cancer tissues from 20 patients. After transforming an expression plasmid of C-CPE-ETA' into E. coli BL21 (DE3) plysS strain, the recombinant protein was purified using His-Bind resin chromatography column and analyzed by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. The specific binding, proapoptotic and cytolytic activities were evaluated by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy with the JC-1 probe and MTT assay in CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells.

RESULTSQuantitive RT-PCR results showed there existed high levels of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 in ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3. Moreover, high expressions of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 were observed in 90.0% (18/20) and 60.0% (12/20) of ovarian cancer tissues, with an expression level 10-fold higher than that in the normal ovarian tissue. A 58 000 recombinant protein C-CPE-ETA' was demonstrated by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. Purified and recombinant C-CPE-ETA' was bound with high affinity to CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. C-CPE-ETA' was strongly proapoptotic and cytotoxic towards the CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. The concentration of IC(50) was 7.364 ng/ml for CAOV3 cells, 8.110 ng/ml for OVCAR3 cells and 22.340 ng/ml for SKOV3 cells, respectively. However, control CLDN-3,4-deficient cell line HUVEC was not susceptible to the recombinant C-CPE-ETA' at a concentration up to 10 µg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSThe C-CPE-ETA' protein exhibits remarkably specific cytotoxicity for CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Its therapeutic potential warrants further development for ovarian cancer molecular targeted therapy.

ADP Ribose Transferases ; metabolism ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Toxins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Claudin-3 ; Claudin-4 ; Claudins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enterotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Exotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotoxins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Virulence Factors ; metabolism ; physiology

The study was aimed to investigate the action of Panax Notoginosides (PNS, extracted from notoginseng herb) on the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins (Daxx, Fas) and transcription factors (NFkB, c-Rel) in the hematopoietic cells and to explore the mechanisms of supporting cells to survive. The colony formation of CFU-GM and CFU-E in human bone marrow was assayed in the presence of various concentrations of PNS. The viability of cells was assayed by trypan blue and the changes of cell morphology were observed with microscope. The Annexin-V positive cells were detected by FCM. Three lineages of human myeloid HL-60, erythroid K562, megakaryoid CHRF-288 and Meg-01 cells were incubated in addition of PNS (10 mg/L) for 14 days. The nuclear or cytoplasm protein of cells was extracted and analyzed by Western blot with monoclonal antibodies against Daxx, Fas or NFkB, c-Rel. The results showed: (1) the proliferation on hematopoietic progenitor cells (CFU-GM and CFU-E) and four cell lines was promoted by PNS; (2) after the four cell lines were promoted by PNS and hungered through wiping off the sera, the viability of the four cell lines was high without significant morphological change and neither the detection of Annexin-V positive cells; (3) the expression of Daxx and Fas protein could be inhibited by PNS. Western Blot showed that Daxx in four cell lines treated by PNS were 33.3-61.5% lower than that in untreated controls. The Fas protein was also descended in three cell lines of K562, CHRF-288 and Meg-01 by 33.3-71.4% respectively, while Fas protein in HL-60 cells was no detectable difference after PNS treatment. (4) The transcription factors NFkB and c-Rel protein could be increased by PNS. The NFkB, c-Rel protein were also enhanced in three cell lines of K562, CHRF-288 and Meg-01 by (2.0-2.7) and (1.5-2.3)-fold respectively, while there were also no detectable difference in HL-60 cells after PNS treatment. It is concluded that PNS inhibites the expression of Daxx and Fas proteins, may decrease the apoptosis of the hematopoietic cells. The level of NFkB and c-Rel proteins can be enhanced by PNS, which not only stimulates the proliferation of cells, but also inhibits the activity of the waterfall of caspase and apoptosis of the hematopoietic cells. PNS may treat the disease with over-apoptosis of hematopoietic cells, as aplastic anemia.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; biosynthesis ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Fas Ligand Protein ; biosynthesis ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), including the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), the phosphorylated protein p38 (p-p38), the phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), on phosgene inhalation-induced lung injury and its relationship with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9).

METHODSAccording to the random number table, 30 male Wistar rats were divided into air control group (C), phosgene inhalation group (P), PD98059 (specific inhibitor of ERK1/2) group, SB203580 (specific inhibitor of p38) group, and SP600125 (specific inhibitor of JNK) group, with 6 rats in each group. The number of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was counted and the lung wet-dry ratio (W/D) was examined. The serum levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were determined with ELISA. The protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-p38, p-JNK, and MMP-9 in lung tissue were detected with Western blotting. The mRNA level of MMP-9 in lung tissue was detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance (among groups) and SNK method (paired comparison).

RESULTSCompared with those of group C [respectively (2.0 ± 0.7)×10(4) /mL and 3.7 ± 0.6], the number of neutrophils and W/D of group P [respectively (10.7 ± 1.4)×10(4) /mL and 7.6 ± 0.4] were increased. The number of neutrophils in group SB203580 and group SP600125 was respectively (8.3 ± 1.1)×10(4), (7.9 ± 1.3)×10(4)/mL, with W/D respectively 6.1 ± 1.4, 6.1 ± 0.9, all of which decreased as compared with those of group P (with P values all below 0.01). Compared with those of group C, the levels of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 of group P were increased, but decreased in group SB203580 and group SP600125 compared with that of group P, though still higher than those of group C, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P<0.01). Protein quantities of p-p38 and p-JNK were higher in group P (respectively 1.19 ± 0.22 and 1.43 ± 0.14) than in group C (respectively 0.76 ± 0.06 and 0.74 ± 0.05). Compared with those of group P, the protein levels of p-ERK1/2 (0.47 ± 0.05) in group PD98059, p-p38 (0.88 ± 0.07) in group SB203580, and p-JNK (0.91 ± 0.07) in group SP600125 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The protein and mRNA levels of MMP-9 were higher in group P (respectively 2.23 ± 0.18 and 4.93 ± 0.12) than in group C (respectively 1.26 ± 0.14 and 1.80 ± 0.03). The protein and mRNA levels of MMP-9 in group SB203580 (respectively 1.58 ± 0.14 and 2.96 ± 0.09) and group SP600125 (respectively 1.55 ± 0.30 and 3.00 ± 0.13) were lower than those in group P (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe phosgene inhalation can activate the MAPK signaling protein pathway by increasing expressions of p-p38 and p-JNK, which lead to an up-regulation of MMP-9, and this may contribute to the phosgene inhalation-induced lung injury.

Animals ; Burns, Inhalation ; enzymology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosgene ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar