Objective: To investigate the effects of insulin on the DNA synthesis and cell cycle distribution of human periodontal ligament cells (PDLs). Methods:PDLs were treated with insulin at the doses (U/L) of 0.01～1 000 for 72 h,DNA synthesis of the cells was measured by 3H-TdR incorporation and cell cycle distribution was studied by flow cytometer. Results : Insulin at 1 U/L to 1 000 U/L showed a significant concentration dependent stimulation of 3H thymidine uptake, and the effect of insulin at 100 ～ 1 000 U/L were not statistically different from that at 10 U/L. The percentage of PDL cells in G1 phase during exponential growth was decreased by insulin, while that in S phase and (G2+M) was increased in experimental group. Conclusion: Insulin increases DNA synthesis of PDL cells ,and stimulates the transformation of cells from G1 to S phase.

Objective To analyze the values of anteroposterior diameter (APD) in fetal renal pelvis separation during different gestational weeks and in predicting the prognosis.Methods Totally 182 cases of fetal renal pelvis separation in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled in this study between January 2013 and October 2015.All of them were followed up to 12 months after birth.The detecting gestational weeks of non-reversible renal hydronephrosis and values of fetal renal pelvis APD were analyzed.Results Among the 182 cases of fetal renal separation,46 cases were detected in the second trimester,136 cases were detected in the third trimester (bilateral renal pelvis separation occurred in 92 cases).During the follow-up,114 cases recovered in the fetal period and 52 cases recovered within 12 months after birth,finally,16 cases (8.8％,16/182) of them progressed to non-reversible renal hydronephrosis.Among the 16 fetus of non-reversible renal hydronephrosis,10 cases (62.5％,10/16) were detected in the second trimester,their values of APD were 7.4-11.5 mm and the average was (8.0± 1.5) mm;6 cases (37.5％,6/16) were detected in the third trimester,their values of APD were 13.6-14.8 mm and the average was (12.8±2.0) rmm.The values of APD in fetus who were detected in the second trimester were smaller than those in the fetus who detected in the third trimester and the prognosis in the fetus who were detected in the second trimester was worse than those in the fetus who were detected in the third trimester,the fetus (21.7％,10/46) who progressed to non-reversible renal hydronephrosis in the second trimester were more than the fetus (4.4％,6/136) who were detected in the third trimester.Conclusion Clinical following-up combined with the detecting gestational weeks of fetal renal pelvis separation and values of fetal renal plevis APD by prenatal ultrasound may be helpful in predicting their prognosis.

Objective To assess the features of transcranial sonography (TCS) in Parkinson disease (PD) and Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods Totally 38 PD patients (PD group),28 AD patients (AD group) and 26 controls (control group)underwent TCS.The echogenicity of the substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery among the three groups were analyzed.Results The ratio of hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra in PD group (31/38,81.58％) were higher than those in AD group (8/28,28.57％) and control group (3/26,11.54％;x2 =18.74,30.41,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra between AD group and control group (x2 =2.41,P=0.120).The widths of third ventricle in AD group ([0.82±0.14]cm) were wider than those in PD group ([0.63±±0.16]cm) and control group ([0.56±0.16]cm,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in widths of third ventricle between PD group and control group (P=0.098).The mean velocities in bilateral middle cerebral artery in AD group were lower than that of in PD group and in control group (all P＜0.05).The pulsatility index in right middle cerebral artery in AD group were greater than that in PD group and control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusion According to the changes of echogenicity of substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery,TCS may provide some useful information for diagnosis of PD and AD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of erlong zuoci (ELZC) pills and its disassembled prescriptions (Shudi-huang-Zexie group and Zexie group) on the enzymatic activity and protein expression changes of the key apoptosis molecules in the gentamycin injured hair cells.

METHODThe model of gentamycin induced ototoxicity in mice cochlear primary cultures was copied. Cochlear organotypic cultures of postnatal day 3-5 (P3-P5) mice were treated with gentamycin alone or in combination with ELZC pills, Shudihuang-Zexie group or Zexie group respectively. The enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was determined by means of fluorescence staining in situ. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hair cell area was examined by immunofluorescence in normal and treated specimens.

RESULTAverage optical density analysis indicated that, compared to the normal group, 0.03 mmol x L(-1) gentamycin could significantly activate Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, downregulate the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. Compared to the gentamycin model group, ELZC pills significantly inhibited the enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and upregulated the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, showing inhibition trend toward the enzymatic activity of Caspase-3. Both Shudihuang-Zexie group and Zexie group could effectively inhibit the enzymatic activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, upregulate the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.

CONCLUSIONELZC pills, Shudihuang-Zexie group and Zexie group can effectively protect hair cells from gentamycin by correcting the abnormal changes of the mitochondrion-dependent signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gentamicins ; adverse effects ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of protective effect of Jinqiaomai (JQM) on lung injury induced by Klebsiella pneumonia in rats.

METHODThe model of rats with Klebsiella pneumonia was established. The male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, JQM (6, 3, 1.5 g x kg(-1)) three groups, levofloxacin (25 mg x kg(-1)) group, JQM (3 g x kg(-1)) + levofloxacin (25 mg x kg(-1)) group. The contents of IL-1beta, ICAM-1 and INF-gamma in the lung tissue homogenate were measured by radio-immunoassay and Elisa. TLR2/4 mRNA and MyD88 mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR. IkappaB-alpha expression was detected by Western Blot.

RESULTThe rats of model group had obvious lung injury, but those of JQM, JQM + levofloxacin and levofloxacin groups had less injury. The contents of IL-1beta, ICAM-1 and INF-gamma in lung tissue homogenate and the expressions of TLR2/4 mRNA, MyD88 mRNA and IkappaB-alpha in lung of model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while IL-1beta, ICAM-1 and INF-gamma of JQM groups were significantly lower than those of model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expressions of TLR2/4 mRNA, MyD88 mRNA and IkappaB-alpha of JQM (6.3 g x kg(-1)) groups were significantly lower than those of model group(P <0. 05 or P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONThe lung injury induced by Klebsiella pneumonia is related to TLR2/4, MyD88 mRNA and IkappaB-alpha. To decrease the excessive expression of TLR2/4, MyD88 mRNA and IkappaB-alpha might be the main mechanism of protective effect of Jinqiaomai on lung injury.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Klebsiella Infections ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; drug effects ; physiology ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Male ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism