Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; therapy ; Silicosis ; complications ; therapy

Adult ; Aged ; Cystostomy ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumothorax ; complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicosis ; complications ; therapy

Calculi ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology

Biomedical Research ; China ; Freeze Drying ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Safety ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; adverse effects ; immunology

Objective To explore the accuracy and practical significance of the 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the liver and the abdominal blood vessels based on the data of 64-slice spiral computerized tomography (64S-SCT). Methods The 2D images of the liver and the abdominal blood vessels were collected after TLC-scanning with 64S-SCT. The 3D images of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and the abdominal blood vessels were reconstructed by the medical image processing system. The volume of the 3D reconstructed liver was compared with that of the actual liver measured by the 64S-SCT, and the portal vein of the reconstructed liver model was compared with that reconstructed by the Mxview workstation based on the 64S-SCT data. Results The 3D models of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and abdominal blood vessels were vivid, and could be revolved and observed at any direction. The spatial relationship among main intrahepatic ducts was clearly displayed. The actual liver volume and the condition of the intrahepatic ducts were accurately demonstrated. The reconstructed liver, the branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein, and the abdominal blood vessels were simultaneously displayed by adjusting the transparency of the liver model. The portal vein of the reconstructed liver model completely matched that reconstructed by the Mxview workstation based on the 64S-SCT data. Conclusions The 3D models of the liver, hepatic internal duct system and abdominal blood vessels reflect the human anatomy structure, and provide reliable virtual organs and vessel system for virtual liver surgery.

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

With rapid and efficient drug release, few side effects and excellent biodegradable properties, the reduction-sensitive carriers is not only the new hot point in the field of pharmaceutical research, but also the most promising intelligent drug carrier on clinical application. This paper reviews the latest research of reduction-sensitive drug and gene carriers, including the mechanisms of drug release and the synthesis of the reduction-sensitive conjugates, reduction-sensitive nano polymer micelles, nano vesicles, nano hollow microspheres, nano liposomes, as well as the characteristics and advantages of various kinds of carrier system. It will provide a theoretical basis for its further application.
Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Micelles ; Microspheres ; Nanoparticles ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and immunoreactivity in experimental acute inflammatory brain injury.

METHODSTen rats were inoculated with pneumococcus to establish the model of bacterial inflammatory brain injury and other 6 rats were used as normal controls. At 24 h after inoculating, the expression of BDNF mRNA and BDNF protein in brain tissue was detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods, respectively.

RESULTThe necrosis of neuron in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was observed after infection. The increase of BDNF mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of experimental animals was demonstrated at 24 h after inoculation: (0.1194 +/- 0.02941 compared with 0.0662 +/- 0.01176)A and (0.1608 +/-0.01854 compared with 0.0680 +/- 0.00946)A (P<0.01), respectively. Compared with controls the expression of BDNF protein in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was enhanced at 24 h of inoculation:(177.04+/-43.66 compared with 79.79+/-7.23)mm(2) (P<0.01) and (81.78 +/-37.47 compared with 42.98 +/-20.44)mm(2) (P<0.01), respectively. Strong positive hybridization and immunoreactivity were observed in the infiltrated inflammatory cell in leptomeninges, subarachnoid cavity, ventricles and brain parenchyma in the brain from the experimental rats.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of BDNF mRNA and BDNF protein increases following brain inflammatory injury, which supports the hypothesis that BDNF may constitute intrinsic neuroprotective mechanism as a part of the inflammatory response.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Meningitis, Pneumococcal ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; 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

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in population of Dong, Miao minority and Han in Guizhou.

METHODSS region nucleotides were compared in 127 strains whole sequence of HBV and three restriction enzymes which can be used for genotyping were found by DNA software analysis system. The partial gene fragment of HBV S region was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The products were digested with Mbo I, BstN I or BsmA I and subjected to electrophoresis on agarose gel, respectively. The patterns of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were analysed. The genotypes were determined by nPCR-RFLP in 166 asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), including 48 Dong minority, 52 Miao minority and 66 Han subjects. Some of the ASC were also analysed by direct sequencing of PCR products.

RESULTSThe nPCR-RFLP method was simple and accurate. Of the 166 ASC, 138 (83.13%) were genotype B, and 28 (16.87%) were genotype C. Of the 48 Dong minority subjects, 47 (97.2%) were genotype B and 1 (2.08%) was type C. Of the 52 Miao minority subjects, 49 (94.23%) were genotype B and 3 (5.77%) were genotype C. Of the 66 Han subjects, 42 (63.64%) were genotype B and 24 (36.36%) were genotype C. There was a statistical significance in the distribution of genotype C between Dong, Miao minority and Han (7.85% vs 36.36% P less than 0.005).

CONCLUSIONGenotype B and C exist in Guizhou and genotype B is the major genotype. Genotype C is found more frequently in Han than in Dong and Miao minority.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; ethnology ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Species Specificity