Sensory, chemical, microbiological quality and bacterial flora on fresh Pseudosciaena crocea were qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. The results showed that total viable counts and total volatile basic nitrogen reached 5. 51?0. 25Log10cfu/g, 7. 84?2. 25mg/100g respectively. 279 strains of bacteria were isolated and 84.2% of them were gram negative bacteria, a small percentages of gram positive bacteria were detected (6. 1% ) . The predominant bacterial floras were composed of Enterobacteriaceae (14. 7% ), Aeromonas spp. (12. 5% ), Acinetobacter spp. (11. 5% ) and Moraxella spp. (11. 1% ) . A few percent of Pseudomonas spp. , Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and other bacteria were also found. The high number of Enterobacteriaceae showed that bacterial contamination on Pseudosciaena crocea, was mainly from cultural water field and polluted seriously by non-borne bacteria, and it should be paid attention to.

Objective: To investigate the effect of combining acupuncture and auricular point sticking on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods: A total of 80 cases with PSD were randomized into a treatment group and a control group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of paroxetine hydrochloride, whereas the treatment group received acupuncture plus auricular point sticking base on the same oral administration. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) and HRV were measured before and after treatment in both groups. Results: The individual and global scores of HAMD significantly dropped after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (all P<0.05). In the treatment group, anxiety/somatization factor, sleep disturbance, hopelessness factor, cognition factor and global score were significantly different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). The 24 h standard deviation of all normal-to-normal R-R interval (SDNN), standard deviation of 5-minute average of normal R-R intervals (SDANN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), percent of differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals >50 ms (PNN50) and high frequency (HF) were increased while low frequency (LF) and LF/HF decreased significantly after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (P<0.05). All items in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining acupuncture and auricular point sticking can enhance the conventional medical treatment for HRV in patients with PSD.

Objective To observe the effects of low-intensity(650 nm,5 mW)laser irradiation on the pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis using a rabbit model.Methods Thirty-six male Zelanian rabbits were randomly divided into 4 equal groups:a control group,a laser irradiation group,a simvastatin treatment group and a laser plus simvastatin group,and were treated accordingly.After being fed the basic diet for a week,all the animals were fed a high fat diet during the experiment.Blood samples were taken for lipid assay at the 60th day. The animals were sacrificed at the 61st day and their aortas removed for gross and microscopic examination.Any pathological changes were graded as mild,intermediate or severe according to the indicators of atherosclerosis observed.Results There were no significant differences in blood fat levels among the four groups before the experi- ment,but significant differences in serum triglyceride prevailed after the treatments.Low-density lipoprotein(LDL)- C level in the control group was significantly higher than those in the laser irradiation,simvastatin treatment and laser plus simvastatin groups.There was also a very significant difference in high-density lipoprotein(HDL)-C levels among the laser irradiation group,the laser plus simvastatin group and the control group.The pathological changes observed were correlated with blood fat levels.Mild atherosclerosis was found in the treated groups,but severe or in- termediate atherosclerosis was more prevalent in the control group.Conclusion Low-intensity laser irradiation a- lone or combined with simvastatin can significantly decrease blood lipid levels and the severity of pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis in this animal model.

Objective To explore the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) during renal senescence by using human TIMP-1 transgenic mice.Methods Renal histological changes of wild type mice and transgenic mice at the age of 3,12,24 months were observed by periodic acid-schiff(PAS)staining of paraffin sections.The numbers of F4/80 positive cells were detected by immunofluoreseence.The protein expressions of TIMP-1,TIMP-2,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9,MMP-2,intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),transforming growth factor?1(TGF-?1),collagenⅢand collagenⅣwere detected by Western blot.The activities of gelatinases and TIMP-1 were examined by gelatin zymography and reverse zymography respectively.Results Focal renal fibrosis was found in two genotypes with aging.At the age of 24 months,compared with wild type,in kidneys of transgenic type,the expressions and activities of gelatinases were dowregulated (MMP-2:2.08?0.20 vs.3.39?0.43;MMP-9:4.02?0.82 vs.6.72?1.40,all P＜0.05);the expressions of collagenⅢ,collagenⅣ,ICAM-1,and TGF-?1 were upragulated(0.72+0.11 vs.0.57?0.09;0.84?0.13 vs.0.6?0.11,0.72?0.12 vs.0.53?0.07; 0.69?0.12 vs.0.45?0.09,all P＜0.05),and the numbers of F4/80 positive cells were increased (18.8?4.4 vs.12.7?3.6,P＜0.05)with the upregulated expression and activity of TIMP-1(1.10?0.18 vs.0.62?0.09;50.75?7.25 vs.20.64?3.50,P＜0.05).Conclusions TIMP-1 could promote age-related renal fibrosis through enhancing inflammation reaction by ICAM-1 upregulation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 221 RCC patients who received nephron-sparing surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Open surgery was performed for 203 cases and laparoscopic surgery for 18 cases. The renal arteries were blocked and ice fragments were used for 115 patients. Biopsy was performed on renal tissue adjacent the tumor for 136 patients. After operation 156 patients were treated with interferon and interleukin II. Among these 221 patients, 132 patients (59.7%) were followed for 3-56 months (mean: 28 months).

RESULTSThe mean distance from the edge of normal tissue to the tumor was 0.4 cm (0.2-1.0 cm). The mean volume of blood loss was 180 ml (50-1 000 ml). Pathological examination showed clear cell carcinoma (n = 195), chromophobe renal carcinoma (n = 12), papillary renal carcinoma (n = 7), cystic renal carcinoma (n = 6), and sarcomatoid clear cell carcinoma (n = 1). Biopsies in 136 patients showed negative results. Post-operative complications included leakage of urine (n = 1), hemorrhage or hematuria (n = 5), and infarction of blood vessel of lower limbs (n = 2). During the follow-up, no patients died for this reason, although tumor recurrence (n = 4, 1.8%) and metastasis (n = 3, 1.4%) were noted.

CONCLUSIONNSS is a safe and effective method to treat carefully selected RCC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Nephrons ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To determine effects of T-2 toxin and selenium on expression of aggrecanase in human chondrocyte.Methods Human chondrocytes were treated with T-2 toxin(0,1,10,20 μg/L),and/or sodium selenite(final concentration of selenium 0,0.1 mg/L) for 5 days.Aggrecan expression was determined by Western blotting,aggrecanase-1 and aggrecanase-2 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR.ResultsSelenium and T-2 toxin had effects on both aggrecan protein levels and its aggrecanases(include aggrecanase-1 and aggrecanase-2 ) mRNA levels(F =0.294,27.71 for aggrecan,F =107.45,362.25 for aggrecanase-l,F =34.68,22.26 for aggrecanase-2,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05),and there was interaction between selenium and T-2 toxin on aggrecan,aggrecanase-1 and aggrecanase-2 expression(F =79.99,230.76,388.33,all P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,selenium presented significant antagonism to T-2 toxin on aggrecan,aggrecanase-1 and aggrecanase-2 expression.Aggrecan expression levels(0.278 ± 0.015,0.235 ± 0.029,0.195 ± 0.028,0.399 ± 0.028,0.299 ± 0.020,0.263 ±0.019) induced by both 1,10,20 μg/L T-2 toxin and 0,0.1 mg/L selenium were significantly decreased than the levels(0.472 ± 0.0358,0.197 ± 0.018,all P ＜ 0.05) in control group(0 mg/L toxin).Selenium partially blocked the effects induced by 1,10,and 20 μg/L T-2 toxin(all P＜ 0.05).One,10,20 μg/L T-2 toxin and 0,0.1 mg/L selenium increased both aggrecanase-1 mRNA levels(0.535 ± 0.033,1.071 ± 0.043,1.454 ± 0.058,1.057 ±0.048,0.555 ± 0.036,0.902 ± 0.045) and aggrecanase-2 mRNA levels(0.596 ± 0.038,0.656 ± 0.033,0.949 ±0.049,0.600 ± 0.040,0.453 ± 0.031,0.164 ± 0.011),when compared with control(0.481 ± 0.023,0.346 ±0.020 for aggrecanase-1 and 0.387 ± 0.020,1.021 ± 0.046 for aggrecanase-2,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Selenium partially blocked 10,20 μg/L T-2 toxins induced upregulation of aggrecanase-1 (all P ＜ 0.05) and aggrecanase-2 (all P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions These data suggest a possible molecular mechanism that T-2 toxin could induce cartilage matrix degradation through the upregulation of aggrecanases expression and enzyme activities.Trace element selenium has some protective effect on cartilage proteoglycan degradation induced by T-2 toxins.

OBJECTIVETo study the segmentation methods of the liver CT images and the value of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the liver in the planning of hepatic surgery.

METHODSThe 2D Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format data of the liver obtained from healthy volunteers were transformed into bmp format image, and the liver image segmentation was performed using Photoshop software. The 3D model was reconstructed using MIMICS software.

RESULTSThe DICOM format data of the liver obtained by 64 slice spiral CT included totally 658 slice images. The segmented liver image showed clear profiles and complete intrahepatic duct data were reserved. The segmented liver images were free of discontinuation during continuous observation. The liver surface and internal ductal system, including the hepatic arteries and veins, and the hepatic portal system and their branches, were represented clearly. The reconstructed liver allowed clear identification of the anatomic landmark and matched the actual liver volume. The reconstructed ductal structure were distinct and continuous with natural texture. The reconstructed liver and the hepatic internal duct system were simultaneously displayed by adjusting the transparency of the liver, and the blood vessels were also represented.

CONCLUSIONSegmentation of the liver images in different phases using Photoshop can be feasible for liver reconstruction. The reconstructed liver and the intrahepatic ductal structure allow vivid 3D observation of the spatial relationship among the major tracts and accurate estimation of the liver volume.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of paeonol on amyloid beta1-42 (Abeta1-42)-induced neurotoxicity and its mechanism.

METHODHippocampal neurons of well-grown newborn SD rats and differentiated SH-SY5Y cell lines were cultured with various concentrations of paeonol (1, 5, 10 micromol x L(-1), respectively) for 6 hours and then incubated with Abeta1-42 oligomer (30 micromol x L(-1)) for 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. The neuron apoptosis was observed by Heochst33258. Annexin V/PI double stain flow cytometry assay was adopted for determining SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis rate. And the expression of BDNF and Bcl-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTCompared with the model group, various concentrations of paeonol (1, 5, 10 micromol x L(-1)) significantly reduced the hippocampal neurons karyopycnosis, decreased the rate of SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis to 22.4%, 18.1% and 16.4%, respectively, and improved the expressions of BDNF and Bcl-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONPaeonol relieves Abeta1-42 oligomer-induced neuron injury by increasing BDNF and Bcl-2 expressions.

Acetophenones ; pharmacology ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of colon cancer TH-29 cells and to explore its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSPhorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the activity of SphK1 and N, N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) was used to suppress the activity of SphK1. Cell prolieration and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The migration and invasion capabilities of the cells were assessed in Transwell chambers. The activity of SphK1 was assayed by autoradiography. Western blot was used to evaluate the protein expression of SphK1, p38, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) and SAPK/JNK.

RESULTSPMA and DMS were able to induce and suppress the activity and protein expression of SphK1 in a time-dependent manner, respectively. PMA enhanced and DMS suppressed the cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Being treated with 100 nmol/L PMA or 50 µmol/L DMS for 0, 6, 12, 24 h, the cell apoptosis rates of PMA group were (9.35 ± 0.84)%, (7.61 ± 0.48)%, (5.53 ± 0.76)% and (0.56 ± 0.33)%, contrastly, that of DMS group were (9.18 ± 0.94)%, (12.06 ± 1.41)%, (19.80 ± 2.36)% and (31.85 ± 3.60)%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the cell migration and invasion capabilities of the PMA group were significantly enhanced, and that of the DMS group were significantly suppressed. The migration cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 68.75 ± 6.15, 109.33 ± 11.63 and 10.83 ± 2.48, the invasion cell number of control, PMA and DMS groups were 55.42 ± 4.50, 90.58 ± 7.06 and 9.58 ± 2.39, respectively. With the elevating activity and expression of SphK1, the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were strikingly suppressed. On the contrary, after treating with DMS the protein expressions of p38, p-p38 and SAPK/JNK were enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSSphK1 potently enhances the prolieration, migration and invasion of colon cancer HT-29 cells, meanwhile suppresses the cell apoptosis. The suppressing of the p38 and SAPK/JNK signalling pathways may be one of its molecular mechanisms.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinogens ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sphingosine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Time Factors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDImprovement of clinical symptoms following hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders arising from traumatic brain injury was proved by our previous study. This study was aim to obtain the evidence of other changes.

METHODSThree hundred and ten patients with neuropsychiatric disorders arising from traumatic brain injury were treated twice with hyperbaric oxygen. Cerebral single photon emissions computed tomography (SPECT) images and computed tomography scans (CT) before and after hyperbaric oxygen treatment, were compared.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the proportion of abnormal cerebral changes detected by SPECT was 81.3% but only 15.2% by CT. After HBO treatment, 70.3% of SPECT scans showed no abnormalities and these patients were clinically improved. Treatment improved regional cerebral blood flow.

CONCLUSIONSPECT was much more sensitive than CT in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders following hyperbaric oxygen treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders arising from traumatic brain injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy