Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-2 ; Mucins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Fatigue ; blood ; Female ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)on differential diagnosis of intracranial cystic lesions.Methods Seventy-six patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed intracranial cystic lesions undergone conventional MRI,DWI and contrast enhanced MRI examination.The signal characteristics of intracrania]cystic lesions on DWI were analysed retrospectively, the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values of cystic areas were measured quantitatively.Results Nineteen brain abscesses showed hyperintense signal on DWI.Among 34 brain tumors,3 brain gliomas were hyperintense signal,1 brain glioma was isointense signal and 1 metastasis was hyperintense signal;the other 29 brain tumors showed hypointense signal on DWI.The ADC values of all lesions were:(0.62?0.15)? 10~(-3)mm~2/s in brain abscesses,(2.39?0.78)?10~(-3)mm~2/s in brain gliomas,(2.68?0.40)? 10~(-3)mm~2/s in brain hemangioblastomas,(2.79?0.79)?10~(-3)mm~2/s in brain metastases,respectively. There were significant differences between the ADC values of brain abscess and the cystic or necrotic portions of brain glioma,hemangioblastoma,metastasis(P0.05). Seven intracranial arachnoid cysts showed hypointense signal and 16 epidermoid cysts strikingly hyperintense signal on DWI.The ADC values of arachnoid cysts and epidermoid cysts were(2.96?0.36)?10~(-3)mm~2/s and(0.94?0.13)?10~(-3)mm~2/s respectively.There was significant difference between the ADC values of arachnoid cysts and epidermoid cysts(P

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Qishen capsule against focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.METHODS The rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was established with the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)by reversible inserting a nylon thread method. Rats were killed after ischemia 1 hour and reperfusion 2 hours. Brain were fetched out and measured the contents of H2 O, [ Ca2 + ] i, NO, neurological function evaluation and infarct volume and the activities of NOS,Ca2+ -ATPase, Na+ , K+- ATPase. The sections were stained with hemotoxylin-eosin(HE) or TTC, histological changes of brain were observed. RESULTS Compared with sham operation group, H2 0 and [ Ca2 + ] i, NO contents were lower significantly and the activity Qishen capsule has protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion lesion.

OBJECTIVETo study emetic and anti-emetic effects of Rhizoma pinelliae in minks.

METHODThe emetic effect of raw pinellia 2 g kg(-1) (i.g.) was investigated. Three preparations of Rhizoma pinelliae (processed with ginger) were made by ethanol extraction, water extraction and water decoction respectively and their effects on emesis model induced by cisplatin (7.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or apomorphine (1.6 mg kg(-1), s.c.) were then studied; the effect of the decoction of ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae on rotation-induced emesis model in minks was also observed.

RESULTThe emesis was induced by raw pinellia in minks (P < 0.01); ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae, metoclopramide and ondansetron significantly inhibit the emesis induced by cisplatin and apomorphine (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae exhibits a anti-emetic effect in minks, which may be mediated by inhibiting the function of the vomiting center in central nervous system.

Animals ; Antiemetics ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Ginger ; Hot Temperature ; Male ; Mink ; Phytotherapy ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

The present paper is aimed to explore the biological osteoinductive activity of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 9 (rhBMP-9) by various biological technologies. In this study, we firstly obtained hBMP-9 cDNA by PCR and inserted it into vector pcDNA4/His Max to reconstruct hBMP-9 eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA4/His Max-BMP-9. Recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell line expressing high-level rhBMP-9 was reconstructed by co-transfecting the expression vectors pcDNA4/His* Max-hBMP-9 and plasmid pSV2-dhfr into dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr)-deficient CHO cells and the subsequent gene amplification by the methotrexate. We finally obtained a monoclonal cell line expressing the highest level protein. We purified the medium after culturing the highest-producing monoclonal by Ni-NTA His-Bind Resin columns and concentrated to by a Centricon 50 at 4 degrees C and stored at 70 degrees C until it was used. Western blot and SDS-PAGE analyses showed a specific band of about 32kD in pro-region lane and a specific band of about 50kD in pro-region complex lane. Biological activities of rhBMP-9 were tested by colorimetric determination and histochemical staining of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Activity, osteocalcin and oesteopontin for C3H10 T1/2 cells, which were stimulated culture by different concentration (20, 50, 100 microg/mL) of rhBMP-9. The results showed that the rhBMP-9 could induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, and were proportional to the amount. This study can provide experimental data for further tests in vivo and clinical applications.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Growth Differentiation Factor 2 ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo assess the occurrence of stressful life events in the year before the initiation of systemic sclerosis.

METHODSA consecutive series of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age (56.3+/-11.9) years, mean disease duration (4.3+/-3.1) years; 32 females and 8 males), including 28 with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and 12 with limited cutaneous scleroderma, were evaluated. A control group of 40 healthy subjects free of systemic sclerosis also was included. Socioeconomic status was investigated and Paykel's interview for recent life events (a semi-structured research interview covering 64 life events) was conducted.

RESULTSPatients with systemic sclerosis showed higher percentages of lower education (72.5%) and working class (82.5%), and reported more stressful life events (P<0.05), such as exits (P<0.05), undesirable events (P<0.01), and uncontrolled events (P<0.001), when compared with the control. More events that had an objective negative impact (P<0.001) were also reported in systemic sclerosis patients than in the control. These results are in accordance with a multifactorial model of pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis.

CONCLUSIONWe reported a strong relationship between stressful life events and the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Our findings are consistent with current understanding of the extensive links of behavioral responses to stress with neurophysiological and biochemical processes.

Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Life Change Events ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; etiology ; pathology ; psychology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; complications ; pathology ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of Bungarus multicinctus.

METHODBased on the sequence of Cyt b gene fragment of B. multicinctus and its adulterants, a pair of highly specific primer (HJL- and HJH-) were designed for distinguishing B. ulticinctus from other species of snake. To establish specific PCR reaction condition, the primers were employed to amplify the DNA templates extracted from B. multicinctus and 6 other species of snake, under different annealing temperature. Using this method, B. multicinctus was identified from 18 samples bought from many drugstores.

RESULTA 230 bp DNA fragment was amplified from B. multicinctus in PCR with annealed temperature at 67 degrees C, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other snake samples under the same reaction condition, B. multicinctus could be clearly distinguished from others by PCR reaction with the highly specific primers. In the present study, 18 sample, bought from different drugstores, were also identified by the highly specific PCR with the primers. The results indicated that 14 samples were B. multicinctus and the other 4 were adulterant, which was consistent with the conclusion of authentication based on morphological.

CONCLUSIONThe primers designed in the present study were highly specific for B. multicinctus.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bungarus ; classification ; genetics ; Cytochromes b ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; Drug Contamination ; Materia Medica ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Snakes ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; complications ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; complications ; Aortic Diseases ; etiology ; Esophageal Fistula ; etiology ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of the carotid artery invasion by the oral-maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors with computed tomography (CT).

METHODSFifty-three patients (55 tumors) of oral-maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors were examined with enhanced axial CT examination in pre-operation. The CT manifestations of all tumors were retrospectively corresponded with the surgical findings.

RESULTSOral-maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors with abnormal common carotid artery (CCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA) manifestations were shown on CT as five types: type I, compression and deformation of CCA or ICA in six tumors; type II, displacement of CCA or ICA in 15 tumors; type III, the tumors encompass the carotid vessels more than 180 degrees in 8 tumors; type IV, the segmental deletion of fat or fascia planes between tumor and CCA/ICA in 25 tumors; and type V, ill-defined CCA/ICA wall in 12 tumors. Surgical findings recorded that 20 CCAs or ICAs were adhered by the oral-maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors. Of these 20 lesions, 14 malignant tumors (70%) with more than two abnormal changes of CCA or ICA were shown on CT images. The respective sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 30.0%, 100.0% and 74.5% for type I, 20.0%, 68.6%, 50.9% for type II, 22.2%, 100.0%, 49.1% for type III, 90.0%, 80.0% and 83.6% for type IV, and 45.0%, 88.6% and 72.7% for type V.

CONCLUSIONSThe main CT findings of maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors affecting the carotid artery are different. Comparatively, the signs of type I, type III and type IV may be valuable in evaluating CCA or ICA invasion, although the accurate diagnosis of the CCA or ICA involvement by the maxillofacial and neck malignant tumors remains difficult.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed