ObjectiveTo detect the changes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with high resolution endoscopy,and to explore its diagnostic value for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). Methods From April 2007 to January 2008, consecutive out-patients visiting the Department of Gastroenterology due to continuous or recurrent symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, cardiac-like chest pain for at least three months and volunteer healthy controls were recruited to the study. The subjects were classified into the normal group ( n =48 ), the NERD group ( n =70), the erosive esophagitis (EE) group ( n =70), and the Barrett esophagus (BE) group ( n =48). All subjects underwent endoscopy, and the shape of Z-lines, the shape of mucosal pits, mucosa roughness above Z-line and the shape of mucosal blood vessels were observed. The NERD changes were analyzed with optimal scale. ResultsZ-line shape of NERD group showed a significant difference from that of EE and BE groups ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), which was not different from that of normal controls ( P ＞0. 01 ). The shape of mucosal pits of NERD group was different from that of EE and BE (P ＜0. 01 ), which also was not different from that of control (P＞0. 01 ). Roughness of the mucosa above Z-line of NERD group was different from other 3 groups (P ＜0. 05). And the shape of mucosal blood vessels of NERD was different from the control (P＜0. 05), but was not from two others. Features of NERD relative images were thin,straight and spiral blood vessels, bar-like pits, plat mucosa, round, smooth and wide tooth-like Z-line and mucosa of white particle hypertrophy. ConclusionHigh resolution endoscopic features of most NERD patients are cloudy, white and rough mucosal surface, with white particular hypertrophy, spiral vascular dilation, extending to Z-line. These features can be indicators of NERD.

To study the in situ intestinal absorption kinetics and compatibility influence of peimine and peiminine in rats, the absorption of peimine and peiminine in small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and colon of rats was investigated using in situ single-pass perfusion method and the drug content was measured by HPLC-ELSD. Perfusion rate, pH, concentration of drug, gender and bile duct ligation can significantly affect the absorption of peimine and peiminine, the Ka, and Papp values in the condition of pH 6.8 and pH 7.4 had significant difference (P<0.01), as drug concentration irlcreased, the absorption parameters of peimine and peiminine decreased, Ka and Papp between low concentrations and middle concentrations was significant difference (P<0.01). Verapamil can not affect Ka and Papp of peimine and peiminine which are in the extract (P> 0.05). Bitter almonds and licorice can significantly reduce the absorption of peimine and peiminine with the usual dose (P<0.01), extracted separately and together had no significant difference on Ka and Papp (P> 0.05). Experimental results show that the absorption features of peimine and peiminine are basically the same, both of them could be absorbed at all segments of the intestine in rats and had no special absorption window, and with significant differences between male and female individuals. The absorption of peimine and peiminine complies with the active transport and facilitated diffusion in the general intestinal segments. Bitter almond and licorice can reduce the intestinal absorption rate ofpeimine and peiminine.
Animals ; Cevanes ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Colon ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fritillaria ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Perfusion ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunus dulcis ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sex Factors

Abstract： Objective To evaluate the filtration effects of various nanofiltration systems on intravenous human immunog⁃ lobulin（IVIG）in order to screen the optimal nanofiltration system. Methods Various nanofilters were used for IVIG filtration to determine the best one and then various prefilters were selected to combine with the optimal nanofilter for IVIG filtration to determine the optimal nanofiltration system. Results The tangential flow（cross flow）nanofilter showed better filtering effect than dead end（direct current）nanofilter，and nanofilter C was the best one. The effect of deep filtration prefilter was better than that of absolute filtration prefilter，and prefilter Y1 in series with nanofilter C was the optimal nanofiltration system. Conclusion The optimal nanofiltration system was determined through the effect evaluation of various nanofiltration systems filtering for IVIG.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to examine the regulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on endoplasmic reticulum stress in alveolar epithelial cells of rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by oleic acid (OA). METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group, oleic acid-induced ALI group (OA group), oleic acid-induced ALI with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) pretreatment group (OA+NaHS group), and sodium hydrosulfide treatment group (NaHS group). Rats of each group were further subdivided into 3 subgroups. Index of quantitative assessment of histological lung injury (IQA), wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and H2S level of lung tissues were measured. The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and α-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (elF2α) in lung tissues were measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: The IQA score and W/D ratio of lung tissues at the three time points significantly increased in rats injected with OA, but significantly decreased in other rats injected with OA and NaHS. The level of H2S in lung tissue at the three time points significantly decreased in rats injected with OA, but significantly increased in other rats injected with both OA and NaHS. GRP78 and elF2αdecreased in rats injected with OA, but increased in other rats injected with both OA and NaHS, especially at 4-hour and 6-hour time points. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that H2S could promote alveolar epithelial cell endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with ALI.

Animals ; Female ; Fluorosis, Dental ; blood ; etiology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sinoatrial Node ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Sodium Fluoride ; poisoning ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

The chemical structures of P1 A was identified by complete acid hydrolysis, partial acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, methylation analysis, IR and NMR. The results showed that P1 A had a backbone consisting rhamnose, mannose, glucose and galactose. The side chain possessed arabinose and xylose. 1-->, 1-->6 and non-reducing terminal linkages existed in polysaccharide P1A, but there are doubling amount of 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. Oxidable linkage of P1 A accounted for 45%, and inoxidable linkage of P1A accounted for 55%. Mannose, glucose and galactose were mainly linked by 1-->2 linkage. Rhamnose, arabinose and xylose were mainly linked by 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. PlA contained beta-Glc(1,6)-,beta-Gal(1,3)-,beta-Man(1,4)-beta-Rha,-Glc(1,4)-, Glc(1)-,-Gal(1,4)- and Man(1)-.
Acanthaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Molecular Weight ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry

Objective To find out a reference range of epidermal nerve fiber density in normal humans and compare the concordance between clinical features, electrophysiology and the results of skin biopsy. Methods Fifty-one patients with peripheral neuropathy and 10 normal controls were studied. Skin biopsies were obtained from distal leg and/or proximal leg and nerves identified using immunohistochemistry with antibody against protein gene product (PGP) 9. 5. Forty-one in 51 performed routine nerve conduction vdocity and electromyography, 21 in 51 performed sympathetic skin response(SSR). The concordance of the consequences was compared. Results Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was (21.4 + 2. 7) /mm in thigh and (15.4±2. 2) /mm in the distal part of the leg in normal controls. IENFD was (15.0± 6. 3)/mm and (8. 1±5.9) /mm in patients. The intraepidermal nerve fiber density was significantly lower in the patients than in the normal controls both in proximal (t = 2. 976, P = 0.004) and distal legs (t= 3.191, P=0.002). Forty-eight out of 51 patients showed abnormalities in skin biopsy, among which 33 patients had length-dependent neuropathy. In the group of abnormal skin biopsy, 41 received routine electrophysiology, among which 21 (51.2%) were abnormal and they were performed SSR, turning out that 17 (81.0%) were abnormal. In 29 patients who had only small fiber neuropathy, 27(93. 1%) showed abnormalities in skin biopsy, out of whom 20 were performed routine electromyography, and it identified that 6 (30. 0%) were abnormaL In 14 receiving SSR, 11 were abnormal. Conclusion Skin biopsy is safe and tolerable, which has a higher sensitivity especially in small fiber neuropathy.

Objective To investigate the value of the immunohistochemistry and Western blot in the diagnosis of the benign muscular dystrophy with abnormal dystrophin expression.Methods The medical histories and clinical manifestations of 4 patients were collected.In addition to routine histological and histochemical studies,expression of dystrophin in muscle fibets was observed by immunohistochemical reaction(dys-N,dys-R and dys-C)and Western blot to anti-dystrophin antibody.Results Two patients had muscular weakness while another 2 patients had only muscular pain and elevated creatine kinase blood levels without muscular weakness.Histochemical stains showed atrophy,hypertrophy and fiber splitting in 2 patients,while only variation in fiber size was presented in anothor 2 patients.One patient had no reaction for dys-N,but had immunostains for dys-C and dys-R in the sarcolemma of muscle fibers.Western blot confirmed that the band of dys-C and dys-R was partly deficient,and the band of dys-N was absent compared with control.Three patients had no reaction for dys-R,but had immunostains for dys-C and dys-N.Compared with control,Western blot confirmed that the band of dys-R was absent,and the band of dys-C and dys-N were truncated.Conclusion The immunohistochemistry is stained with three anti-dystrophin antibodies to avoid diagnostic errors.Western blot is essential to further determine the type of dystrophin protein.

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods From 2007 Aug.to 2009 Nov.,22 patients( 10 males,12 females) with sarcoidosis,confirmed by pathological study and clinical follow-up,underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging.The imaging patterns of intrathoracic and extrathoracic lesions were analyzed.The patterns were classified as the typical or atypical ( symmetrical or asymmetrical FDG accumulation and enlargement of hilar lymph nodes) based on PET and CT separately.Nonparametric McNemar test,independent t-test and Fisher exact test were applied for statistical analysis.Results For typical pattern vs atypical pattem identification,PET was significantly different from CT ( 18 and 4 vs 12 and 10,P =0.031 ).In those with atypical pattern demonstrated by CT alone at hilar region,PET showed either symmetrical or asymmetrical accumulation of FDG.Except for mediastinal lymph nodes involvement,lung parenchyma was the second common site ( 19/22,86.4％ ),followed by lymph nodes at abdomen and (or) pelvis ( 12/22,54.5％ ).Conclusion The imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful for the diagnosis of atypical sarcoidosis on CT image alone.

Objective To investigate the management of pregnancy and cardiovascular complications in women with Marian syndrome(MFS).Methods From October 1994 to September 2006, 30 patients with MFS undergoing cardiovascular surgery were studied retrospectively.Results In the labor of 46 offsprings given birth by 30 women,5 cases(11%)were performed elective cesarean section because of the existence of aortic complication,and 12(26%)were diagnosed as MFS.The gestation in two patients was terminated due to deterioration of aortic abnormalities during their third trimester,and they received surgical treatment with Bcntall procedure.Two developed acute aortic dissection during labor and post delivery respectively.With the manipulation of anticoagulation peripartum,one who had the implantation with mechanical prosthesis went through pregnancy and delivery uneventfully.The average duration between delivery and cardiovascular surgery was(15?9)years.Conclusions Vaginal delivery can be done safely in patients with the MFS who do not have or have mild cardiovascular system abnormalities,aortic dissection,or other important cardiac abnormalities,cesarean section should be the preferred method of delivery.Women with MFS are at increased risk for dissection and congestive heart failure during pregnancy and should be counseled before pregnancy about these risks,as well as the inheritance of the condition.