OBJECTIVETo explore the intervening and therapeutic effect of Cordyceps mycelia extract (CME) on liver cirrhosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats.

METHODSRat liver cirrhosis model was established by peritoneal injection of DMN at a dose of 10 microg/kg, once daily in the first 3 days of every week for 4 successive weeks. Experimental study on CME-intervention was conducted from the beginning of modeling to the end of the 4th week, while the CME-treatment experiment was carried out from the 4th week of modeling, when terminating the modeling factor, to the end of the 8th week, by administering CME at a dose of 0. 74 g/( kg d) once a day. Animals were killed in batches on the 3rd day, the 2nd (T1), 4th (T2), 6th (T3) and 8th (T4) week after modeling, to observe the histopathologic change in liver and the immunohistochemical staining of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen type I (Col I), determine the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver, and the liver function was tested as well.

RESULTSCME-intervention experiment showed that as compared to those in the modeled rats at corresponding time points, in rats at T1 and T2, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and total bilirubin (TBIL) content were significantly lower, and albumin (Alb) obviously higher; while at T2, Hyp content, ct-SMA and Col I positive expression were significantly lower (P < 0.05), the proliferation of collagen fibre attenuated. CME-treatment experiment showed that as compared to those in the modeled rats at corresponding time points, lower serum ALT, AST activity and TBIL content, and higher serum level of Alb were shown in rats at T1; and lower Hyp content, liver collagen fibre, and alpha-SMA positive expression were shown at T1 and T2; while less Col I positive expression at T2 was also shown in them (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCME could not only prevent the development of liver cirrhosis induced by DMN in rats, but also effectively promote the reversion of already formed liver cirrhosis, having a favourable prospect of clinical application.

Alanine Transaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biological Factors ; therapeutic use ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Moths ; chemistry ; Mycelium ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate protein expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase(TERT),telomerase-associated protein 1(TP1) and telomeric repeat binding factor 2(TRF2) in human fetal cadiacmyocytes.Methods Using immunohistochemical method,sections of human fetal hearts were stained with antibodies against TERT,TP1 and TRF2.Results Expression of TERT was gradually decreased with development in human fetal cadiacmyocytes nuclear.Expression of TP1 and TRF2 was gradually increased with development in human fetal cadiacmyocytes cytoplasm.Conclusion Down-regulation of TERT and up-regulation of TP1 and TRF2 may promote the permanent withdrawal of cardiomyocytes from the cell cycle and enter terminal differentiation and myocardium hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus (CREF) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells (SGC-7901) and determine the optimal proportion of Coptidis rhizoma to Evodiae fructus.

METHODSThe growth inhibition of SGC-7901 cells treated with the water extracts of CREF of varying proportions was tested with MTT assay. The cell apoptotic rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe water extract of CREF with Coptidis Rhizoma: Evodiae Fructus proportions at 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1 all significantly inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 cells after a 24-h or 48-h treatment (P<0.05). The growth inhibition and cell death ratio both exhibited a dose-dependent pattern of Coptidis Rhizoma. Flow cytometry analysis showed that, after treatment of the cells with CREF at the proportions of 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1, the apoptotic rate were (8.50 ∓ 1.59)%, (9.90 ∓ 1.01)%, (17.15∓1.68)%, (21.55 ∓ 1.97)%, (34.10 ∓ 1.06)% and (34.40 ∓ 1.02)%, respectively, all significantly higher than that in the control group [(1.69 ∓ 1.91)%, P<0.05]. JC-1 Kit staining showed that mitochondrial membrane potential of SGC-7901 cells was decreased and the ratio of green to red fluorescence increased significantly after incubation with CREF.

CONCLUSIONCREF can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells, and the strongest effect is achieved at the optimal proportion of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus at 6:1.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Compounding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the acting mechanism of Cordyceps mycelia extract (CME) for antagonizing hepatic sinusoidal capillarization (HSC) in rats with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) induced liver cirrhosis.

METHODSRat liver cirrhosis model was established by peritoneal injection of DMN 10 mg/kg 3 times a week for 4 weeks. To rats in the CME-prevented group CME were administrated at a dose of 10 mL/kg, once a day, for 4 weeks. The observation time points were scheduled on the 3rd day (d3), and at the end of the 2nd (W2) and 4th week (W4) after modeling, and the following items were observed: hepatic ultrastructure was observed under electron microscope; expressions of CD44, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and type IV collagen (Col lV) in the liver sinusoidal walls by immunohistochemistry; matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) activity under zymogram method; and serum hyaluronic acid (HA) content by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSObservation at d3 showed MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity significantly increased, Col IV deposition and CD44 positive staining decreased, vWF positive staining increased in the liver sinusoidal walls, the fenestrae in the sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) decreased, and serum HA content increased (P<0.05); at W4, SECs defenestration and sub-SECs basal membrane formation were shown. In the CME-prevented group MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity significantly decreased (P<0.05); defenestration and basal membrane formation alleviated in the early stage (d3, W4); and at W2 and W4 decreases of HA content and vWF positive staining were shown, with increase of CD44 positive staining (P<0.05), more SECs fenestrae, and alleviated basal membrane formation.

CONCLUSIONSThe elevation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the early stage, which degrades the Col IV normally distributed under the sinusoidal endothelium, is an important factor for HSC formation. CME could inhibit the initiation of HSC by decreasing MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the early stage, and prevent its formation by decreasing SECs injury and phenotypic changes.

Animals ; Capillaries ; pathology ; Cordyceps ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; adverse effects ; Hepatic Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver ; blood supply ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mycelium ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between test anxiety and personality, self-esteem in grade one senior high school students.

METHODSTotally 538 senior high school students of grade one were investigated by Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Self-Esteem Scale (SES) in a Senior High School in Shandong Province.

RESULTSThe prevalence of test anxiety among all the surveyed students was rated 65.2%. The Psychoticism (P) (51.60 +/- 9.66) or Neuroticism (N) (51.57 +/- 10.75) factor score of EPQ in students with test anxiety was significantly higher than that in students without test anxiety (48.07 +/- 8.62, 45.65 +/- 10.14) (P < 0.001), while the Extroversion or Introversion (E) score (50.76 +/- 11.09) was on the contrary (53.68 +/- 11.60) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly positively related to the P (r = 0.14) and N (r = 0.36) factor score and significantly negatively related to the E factor score of EPQ (r = -0.15) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of test anxiety in introversive students (72.3%) was higher than that in extroversive students (53.2%) (P < 0.05), and that in students with unstable emotion (81.4%) and in students with apparent psychoticism (84.1%) were also higher than that in those with stable emotion (41.0%) and in those without psychoticism (57.7%) (P < 0.01). The total score of SES in students with test anxiety (29.12 +/- 4.41) was significantly lower than that in students without test anxiety (30.29 +/- 4.25) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly negatively related to the total score of SES (r = -0.23) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONTest anxiety should be related to the personality and self-esteem, and the prevalence of test anxiety in introversive, unstable emotional, apparent psychoticism or low self-esteem students should be higher.

Adolescent ; Anxiety ; psychology ; China ; Educational Measurement ; Female ; Humans ; Individuation ; Male ; Personality ; Self Concept ; Students ; psychology ; Test Anxiety Scale ; statistics & numerical data

Objective:To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on stress response and cellular immune function in patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer during perioperative period.Methods: 96 cases of colon cancer undergoing radical resection were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group(group D)and control group(group C).The group D was intubated with in-travenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.6 μg/kg,followed by intravenous infusion of 0.3 μg/(kg·h) at the end of the surgery,and the group C was given 0.9% saline at equal volume and rate.The venous blood of patients was collected before anesthesia induction,10 min(T0),immediate postoperative(T1),postoperative 24 h(T2)and postoperative 72 h(T3).Flow cytometry were used to detect T lym-phocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+)and the percentage of NK cells,and determination of norepinephrine(NE), epinephrine(E),cortisol(Cor),IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α levels.Records of patients with T0,immediate intubation(Ta),T1,immediate extubation(Tb)of SBP,DBP,MAP,and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Results:The SBP,DBP and MAP of group C at Ta,T1,Tbwere significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+and CD4+/CD8 at T1and T2were significantly lower in both groups(P<0.05),and the levels of group C at T1,T2,T3were significantly lower than those in group D(P<0.05).The NK cells of group C at T1,T2were significantly lower than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α at T1and T2were significantly higher in both groups(P<0.05), and the levels in group C were significantly higher than those in group D(P<0.05).The IL-6 and IL-10 of group C at T3were significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).Compared to those at T0,the levels of NE,E and Cor at T1and T2were sig-nificantly higher in both groups(P<0.05),and the levels in group C were significantly higher than those in group D(P<0.05).The NE,E and Cor of group C at T3were significantly higher than that of T0and group D(P<0.05).The proportion of adverse reactions in group D was significantly lower than that in group C(χ2= 4.800,P= 0.028).Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine can inhibit the perioperative stress response and reduce the impact on immune function in patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer.

Objective To evaluate the effect of PTH gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple skeletal sites in normal females.Methods PTH gene phenotype was determined by PCR-RFLP of restriction enzyme Bst BⅠin 596 females aged (46.3?13.7) years (20-80 years),and PCR products with or without enzymolytic site were considered as genotype B or genotype b respectively.BMDs of the anteropesterior spine (AP) and supine lateral spine (Lat) of lumbar vertebrae (L_1-L_4),femoral neck (FN),total hip (T-hip), Ward's triangle (Ward),Trochanter (Troch),forearm [radius+ulna ultradistal (RUUD) and total area of radius + ulna (RUT) ] were measured by DEXA (QDR4500A).Results (1) Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was evident for PTH polymorphisms.The frequencies of genotype were BB 0.784,Bb 0.208,bb 0.008 and frequencies of alleles B,b were 0.888 and 0.112 respectively in 596 normal females.Frequencies of BB,Bb,bb genotypes were 0.781,0.210,and 0.009 respectively in 347 postmenopausal women and their frequencies of alleles B,b were 0.886,0.114.No significant difference was found between post- and premenopausal women in genotype frequen- cy.(2) Comparing their BMDs of AP,Lat,FN,T-hip,Ward,Troch,RUUD and RUT,there was no significant difference between BB and Bb genotypes of pre- and postmenopansal women groups.(3) Logistic regression analysis failed to show any statistical difference between normal and osteoporosis women with regard to PTH phenotype.Conclusion PTH gene polymorphism has little effect on BMD in normal females.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of the spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) on computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODSTwenty-five patients with unexplained acute abdominal pain received CTA.

RESULTSFour cases with the SISMAD were found and all were male with a mean age of (45.3±6.7) years. Two patients had hypertension history. CT showed enlarged diameter of the superior mesenteric artery with dissection in 4 cases, intimal flap and visible false lumen in 2 cases, ulcer-like laceration in 1 case, and intramural hematoma in 1 case. The proximal lacerations or entries were all at the proximal segment of the superior mesenteric artery. CTA classifications were type Ia (n=2), IIb (n=1), and III (n=1). Two patients underwent repeated CTA when discharged, and progressive changes were discovered.

CONCLUSIONCTA can clearly show the characteristics of the superior mesenteric artery dissection, confirm the diagnosis, and provide an important basis for the classification and follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of microcystin-LR (MCLR) on the expression of base excision repair genes and genes related to apoptosis.

METHODSThe BRL-3A cells were exposed to different concentrations of MCLR for various periods of time and the cell viability was measured by MTT. The mRNA expression was determined with the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR).

RESULTSThe viability of BRL-3A cells significantly reduced in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In 30 µg/ml group, the mRNA expression level (1.327 ± 0.028) of p53 increased significantly at 24 h after exposure, as compared with the other groups (1.005 ± 0.117, 0.862 ± 0.154, 1.028 ± 0.056 and 1.015 ± 0.091) (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels (5.080 ± 0.729, 5.820 ± 0.373, 6.018 ± 0.359 and 6.183 ± 0.515) of Bax in all exposure groups were significantly higher than that (1.024 ± 0.277) in control group at 24 h after exposure. However, the Bax mRNA expression level (0.604 ± 0.146) in the 30 µg/ml group at 72 h after exposure was significantly lower than those (1.004 ± 0.107, 0.811 ± 0.142, 0.855 ± 0.101 and 0.814 ± 0.056) in other groups (P < 0.05). When compared with control group (1.006 ± 0.132) and 1 µg/ml group (1.034 ± 0.241), the mRNA expression level (0.488 ± 0.147) of PARP1 in 30 µg/ml group at 48 h after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels (0.594 ± 0.180, 0.491 ± 0.015 and 0.305 ± 0.091) of JWA, XRCC1 and PARP1 in 30 µg/ml group at 72 h after exposure decreased significantly, as compared with the other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe induction of gene expression is a transient phenomenon that occurred at different times of exposure for different genes. Inhibition of MCLR on the base excision repair gene expression may play important role in the course of MCLR promoting liver tumor.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; DNA Repair ; Gene Expression ; Microcystins ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats

Objective To explore the treatment of cervical tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) with complicated or remnant iaryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) and anterior neck defect (AND). Methods From 1980 to 2007,14 patients were diagnosed as TEF. Among them, 9 patients had complicated or remnant LTS, 3 patients had complicated AND, and 2 patients had TEF which were induced by Niekel-Titaium alloy mesh stent for treating benign esophageal stricture. All these patients were retrospectively studied in Tangdu Hospital. Treatment consisted of conservative therapy of TEF, staged surgical repair of TEF and laryngotracheal reconstruction according to the dimension (small or large) of TEF and complications. Results Four patients with small TEE (2-3 mm length) complicated LTS underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction stented with silicone T tube and TEF was adopted conservative treatment. The TEF and LTS were healed. Six patients with larger TEF (10-25 mm length) were repaired by staged surgical repair of TEF and laryngotracheal reconstruction. Among them, 3 eases had complicated LTS and AND, 2 cases had rement LTS and 1 ease had TEF without complication. Two patients had TEF and LTS, whose TEF healed before laryngntracheal reconstruction, the remnant LTS were reconstructed and healed. During the follow-up ranged from one to ten years, 12 patients were successfully treated without complications. One patient with TEF and LTS was treated only LTS because of a segment of esophagus was closed and treated with esophugngastrostomy in the department of thoracic surgery after LTS was successfully reconstructed and cured. One patient died of bleeding and asphyxia induced by the Nickel-Titanium alloy stentt because of the stent had not been taken out. Conclusion The small cervical TEF complicated or remnant LTS can be treated by laryngotracheal reconstruction and conservative treatment of TEF at the same time. A larger TEF complicated LTS should be treated by staged repair of TEF and LTS.