OBJECTIVETo access the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the lung of Nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia rat model.

METHODSTwelve timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, namely control group and CDH group on day 9.5 of gestation. Each rat in the CDH group was given 125 mg of Nitrofen (dissolved in seed fat) by gavage. Each rat in the control group was given the same dose of single oil. On day 16 of gestation, the two groups mentioned above were divided into three subgroups, and fetuses were delivered by cesarean section respectively on day 16, 18 and 21 of gestation. After the fetuses were checked for diaphragmatic hernia, lung tissue weight (LW) and body weight (BW) of each fetus on gestational day 21 were recorded. Lung histologic evaluations were made with microscope and TGF-beta1 immunohistochemistry staining were performed with image analyzing.

RESULTSAt day 16 of gestation, no visible diaphragm closure was observed in all fetuses. Diaphragmatic hernia was observed in 32 of the 44 rat fetuses of the CDH groups on day 18 and day 21 of gestation (72.7%). Lw/Bw of the 21d subgroups of CDH group were lower than those of corresponding control group (P < 0.01). Observed under the microscope, the lungs of fetuses in CDH groups showed marked hypoplasia. The expression of TGF-beta1 was detected in cytoplasmic, without definite expression in nuclear. It was significantly stronger that the expression of TGF-beta1 was in the lungs of the CDH group than that of the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNitrofen interferes with lung development in early stage of the fetal before the diaphragm developed. TGF-beta1 would be one of the important factors which lead to pulmonary hypoplasia.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; metabolism ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital ; Lung ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

AIMTo study the structure and crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine.

METHODSKarl Fischer titrimetry, FTIR, thermal analysis, single and powder X-ray diffraction were used for the studies of the structure of chlorobenzylidine and for the identification of two forms of chlorobenzylidine.

RESULTSChlorobenzylidine and its diastereoisomer have been studied in this article. They can be distinguished by their different melting points. Two crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine (form A and form B) have also been detected and studied. Form A was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, it crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P1(-), with two formula units per cell, is monohydrate. Karl Fischer titrimetry, FTIR, thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction were used for identification of the two forms.

CONCLUSIONThe studies of structure and crystal forms of chlorobenzylidine are very useful for the clinical research and the selection of recrystallization process.

Benzylidene Compounds ; Crystallization ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Differential Thermal Analysis ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Polycyclic Compounds ; chemistry ; Stereoisomerism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the ASES, Constant and HSS score systems and their significance on postoperative function of the shoulder.

METHODSTotally 172 cases of proximal humeral fracture of five affiliated hospital from September 2004 to September 2008 were analyzed. All the functional outcome of the involved shoulder were evaluated by ASES, Constant, HSS score and patient self score. The correlations and agreement of three shoulder scales were analyzed with Pearson correlation test and Bland-Altman plot in different age groups and fracture types.

RESULTS(1) The Constant score were lower than other two scores in the same age group and fracture type (F = 13.62 and 4.80, P < 0.05). (2) The correlations between three shoulder scales: ASES and Constant (r = 0.754, P = 0.0003), ASES and HSS (r = 0.755, P = 0.0001), Constant and HSS (r = 0.858, P = 0.0002). The correlations between three shoulder scales and patient self evaluation: ASES (r = 0.602, P = 0.0002), Constant (r = 0.705, P = 0.0001), HSS (r = 0.663, P = 0.0037). The Bland-Altman plot shows three shoulder scales have good agreement. (3)The correlation between Constant score and patient self evaluation decreased in the elder group and severe fracture type.

CONCLUSIONSASES, Constant, HSS shoulder score systems are all fit to evaluate the functional outcome of the shoulder, they have good correlation and agreement. Constant score in recommended for its high correlation coefficient with patient self evaluation score. However, its age bias must be paid attention in clinical practice. ASES shoulder score can be used in remote follow-up.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Shoulder Joint ; physiopathology ; Trauma Severity Indices ; Young Adult