Objective To observe the expression of ?-smooth muscle actin(?-SMA)in rats with tubulointerstitial fibrosis and explore the possible mechanism of renal-protecting of ?-SMA.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats,aged 3 months,were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(n=30)and model group(n=30).The renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis model was established by gavage with 150 mg/(kg?d)adenine solved by a solution of 20 g/L starch and the same volume starch was given to the rats from control group.At the 7th,12th,17th week,10 rats of every group were killed,the urinary protein,N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase(NAG)in the urine and renal profile including BUN and serum Cr were examined.The histological changes of kidney were observed by light microscopy,and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-?1)and ?-SMA were examined by immunohistochemistry staining.Results At the 7th,12th and 17th week,the value of urinary protein,urinary NAG,serum BUN and Cr of rats from model group were higher than those of controls(Pa

Objective To investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and peripheral neuropathy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with T2DM in Endocrinology Department in Beijing Hospital were retrospectively collected.Global and sectorial retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thicknesses were measured by using optical coherence tomography(OCT),and never conduction velocity measurements were performed in all patients.Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed by the criteria in diabetic neuropathies update(2010,American Diabetes Association).RNFL thickness was compared between diabetic nonperipheral neuropathy group (control group,n =30)and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group (DPN group,n=17)and between different sub-groups.Results The RNFL thicknesses of temporal,nasal,superior and inferior visual fields and the mean RNFL thickness were less in DPN group than in control group,among which there were significant differences in the RNFL thicknesses of superior,inferior visual fields and the mean RNFL thickness [(107.7±27.4)μm vs.(128.1±17.3)μm,(112.9 ±20.8)μm vs.(130.8±21.8)μm,(88.2±15.5)μm vs.(100.5± 11.3)μm,F=7.446,7.468,7.988,respectively,P=0.009,0.009 and 0.007].RNFL thickness was decreased along with the aggravation of DPN from the control group,the subclinical DPN group to the DPN group successively(all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes,and the relationship is more significant in patients with serious DPN.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the objectivity and comprehensiveness of Response Evaluation Criteria of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Solid Tumor (Draft, REC-TCM-ST) in application of Chinese medicine therapeutic effect in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA retrospective clinical research was used in 104 NSCLC patients in stages of III-IV, 53 cases were in Chinese medicine (CM) group and 51 cases were in Western medicine (WM) group. The therapeutic effect of the two groups was evaluated with both REC-TCM-ST and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST). Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival time. Kappa test method was used to test the consistency of the two kinds of evaluation results.

RESULTSAccording to REC-TCM-ST, the effective rate on relieving tumor mass in the CM group was significantly lower than that in the WM group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in tumor-mass stable rate (P>0.05); the symptom of weakness in the CM group was improved significantly, indicating better therapeutic effect than that in the WM group (P<0.01). Karnofsky score in the CM group was significantly better than that in the WM group (P<0.01). In terms of survival conditions, the median survival time and the survival rate of 6 months, 1 year and 2 years of the CM group were higher than the WM group. The total effective rate was 9.62%, and the total stable rate was 72.12% for 104 cases according to RECIST; while the total effective rate was 34.62%, and the total stable rate was 84.62% according to REC-TCM-ST, thus there were significant differences between the results of the two criteria (P<0.01), and there was also some consistency between them, but not satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSREC-TCM-ST was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CM in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, which shows that its evaluation results can better reflect the advantages and disadvantages of CM, and the effectiveness of CM is more objective and comprehensive than RECIST, so REC-TCM-ST is worthy of further improvement and clinical expansion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors ; Survival Analysis

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of extract ginkgo biloba (EGb) on learning memory ability and hippocampus CA1 region Caspase-9P35 activity in dementia rats induced by D-gal.Methods 48 rats were randomly divided into six groups.The dementia model were established by injecting intraperitoneally with the D-gal and each EGb group was injected different doses of EGb simultaneously.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in the CA1 region.Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to determine the expression of Caspase-9P35 in hippocampus CA1 region.Results Compared with the normal group,TUN EL-positive neurons ( (37.8 ± 1.3 ),(0.8 ± 0.2 ) ) and the activity of Caspase-9P35 ( (37.6 ±1.8 ),(6.2 ± 1.3 ) ) had significant increase in hippocampal CA1 subfield of D-gal group (P ＜ 0.01 ).Contrast to D-Gal group,TUNEL-positive neurons ( ( 17.6 ± 0.9),(9.8 ± 0.8 ),( 37.8 ± 1.3 ) ) and the activity of Caspase9P35( (28.6 ± 1.3),(25.0 ± 1.6),(37.6 ± 1.8) ) were significant decreased in EGb-M and EGb-H group (P＜0.01 ).While TUNEL-positive neurons and the activity of Caspase-9P35 had not significant difference in the therapy group than D-Gal group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion EGb can improve the cognitive level of the dementia rats.One of the therapeutic mechanisms may be to decrease the hippocampus CA1 region Caspase-9P35 activity.The results of the pretreatment group was more effective than the therapy group.

AIMTo investigate the intestinal absorption of silybin (SLB) in male rats.

METHODSSingle-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique was performed in each isolated region of the small intestine at a flow rate of 0.1 mL x min(-1). The samples of perfusate and portal plasma were collected at the designated periods of time after rat intestinal perfusion and analyzed for drug by HPLC.

RESULTSThe absorption rate constant (k(a)) and the effective permeability (P(eff)) of SLB at 190 microg x mL(-1) were determined for each segment. These data indicated the absorption rate were duodenum > jejunum > ileum > colon. SPIP was also performed in duodenum with three concentrations of SLB (80, 190 and 300 microg x mL(-1)). The concentration dependent changes of k(a) and P(eff) were evident in the duodenum perfusion of silybin. At silybin perfusate concentrations of 80 microg x mL(-1), k(a) and P(eff) were different from the values at either of the two higher concentrations (190 and 300 microg x mL(-1), P < 0.05). However there was no difference between 190 microg x mL(-1) and 300 microg x mL(-1) groups. The drug mass appearing in the plasma further indicated the absorption were duodenum > jejunum > ileum > colon.

CONCLUSIONSLB can be absorbed in whole intestinal sections. When the concentration raises to a certain level, the uptake of SLB will not increase.

Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Milk Thistle ; chemistry ; Perfusion ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silymarin ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics

Performance evaluation system of 13 research institutions funded by the South Korean government was introduced in terms of policy and management.The situation of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine performance evaluation in 2012 was presented.A reference has been provided for further improving science and technology evaluation system of China.

Objective To analyze the relationship between categories,sum and seasonal distribution of airborne fungi and childhood bronchial asthma in Huangshi region.Methods Airborne fungi was investigated through gravitational precipitating method by placing the sample cutter at the 5th floor platform of the surgery department of the First People′s Hospital of Huangshi.Slides were exposed to the air in 24 hours with each day a new slide to be placed.This explosion of slides stayed a whole year from Feb.2007 to Feb.2008.Thus the collected data of fungi were filed,verified and then classified so as to find out the dominant allergic fungi.Multivalent allergen skin tests of fungi were performed on 247 children with bronchial asthma in Huangshi region at the same period and the pattern was explored during invasion season.Results Altogether 365 slides were exposed and 12 667 fungi were collected,which falled to the 22 genres of the 4 sub-categories.And these fungi could be arranged by sum to be alternaria,smut,cladosporium cladosporioides,uredinales,leptosphaeriamaculans and many others including those even without a name.The peak period of fungi distribution in Huangshi city was from Apr to Oct,and it was affected by temperature,wind and rainfall and sunshine.Forty-two point nine one percent were positive reaction to multivalent fungi allergens,of which the hig-hest positive rate to multivalent fungi allergensⅠwas 23.48%.The result showed asthma usually happened during Apr to Aug.Conclusions There were airborne fungi in Huangshi region yearly,and the sensitive season was spring and summer.Dominant fungi were alternaria,ustilaginales and ciadosporium.Forty percent asthma had a close connection to fungi allergens.The attack of children bronchial asthma was corresponded with fungi peak duration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neonatal isolation stress on hyperlocomotion in complexin II knockout mouse (Cplx2(-/-)). The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Cplx2(-/-) with stress, Cplx2(+/+) with stress, Cplx2(-/-) without stress and Cplx2(+/+) without stress. Isolation stress was employed on the pups of stress groups from the 2nd day after the postnatal to the 21st day. The PCR was used to determine the gene type and the hyperlocomotion test was employed to detect the change of animal behavior after methamphetamine or saline injection (i.p.). The results showed that the animals of all groups increased their movement after injection of 0.2 mg/kg methamphetamine in different levels (P < 0.01), compared with those injected with saline. The Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress revealed a significant increase in the distance of free movement after injection of 0.2 mg/kg methamphetamine compared with the knockout mouse without stress (P < 0.001). When Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress was compared with wild type with stress, Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress had more movement (P < 0.001), indicating that Cplx2 has effect on the hyperlocomotion as well. These results suggest an involvement of stress and Cplx2 in the movement behavior of mice.
Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport ; genetics ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Behavior, Animal ; physiology ; Locomotion ; physiology ; Methamphetamine ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Social Isolation ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology

Objective To prepare the 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA)and investigate its value as a gene imaging agent in tumor bearing mice and early diagnosis in tumor.Methods Survivin mRNA antisense PNA and mismatch PNA were synthesized.Four amino acids (Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly) and Aba (4-aminobutyric acid) were linked to the 5' end of PNA.Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly served as a chelating moiety for strong chelation of 99Tcm and Aba acted as a spacer to minimize the steric hindrance.PNAs were labeled with 99Tcm by the ligand-exchange method.The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were measured by HPLC and ITLC methods.There were five BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung carcinoma ( A549 ) in each of antisense PNA and mismatch PNA groups.Gene imaging of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense and mismatch PNAs were performed at 1,2 and 4 h post the injection,respectively,and the T/NT ratio was measured by the method of ROI.The statistical comparisons of average values were performed with the two-group t-test for independent sample by SPSS 13.0.Results The product kept stable in vitro.The labeling efficiency of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was (95.48 ±1.92)％ and more than 85％ after the incubation for24 h in serum.The radiochemical purity was ＞ 95％.The labeling efficiency of mismatch PNA was similar to the antisense PNA.99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was especially uptaken by tumor lesion,and its accumulation reached the top at 4 h post the injection.T/NT ratios at 1,2,and 4 h were 2.70 ± 0.28,3.44 ± 0.35,4.21 ± 0.63,respectively.In the comparison,the T/NT ratio of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA mismatch PNA at 4 h (3.12 ±0.50) was significantly lower (t =2.918,P =0.019).Conclusions 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA has high labeling efficiency,good stability and no need of purification.Its characteristic of especial uptake by tumor lesion provides the potential value in early diagnosis of tumor.

OBJECTIVETo study the different expression of VCAM-1, eotaxin and VEGF in nasal polyp tissues and in the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity after endoscopic surgery and its significance.

METHODSParaffin sections of nasal polyps and the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity were studied with immunohistochemical technique and HE staining.

RESULTS(1) Abundant eosinophils were observed in the nasal polyps, however, it was rarely seen in the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity (t = 2.891, P <0.05). (2) The positive expression of VCAM-1 and eotaxin was in nasal polyps and nasal mucosa of operative cavity, and both of the positive area were not statistically significant (t = - 2.051, P > 0.05), but their average density of light was decreased in the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity (t = 3.670, P = 0.05). The positive glandular of eotaxin were increased after endoscopic surgery (t = -2.899, P < 0.05). (3) Expression of VEGF was similar in both groups (t = - 0.037, 0.825, P > 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS(1) It is suggested that the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity was different from the nasal polyps. (2) The positive expression of VCAM-1 and eotaxin in the nasal mucosa of the operative cavity after endoscopic surgery indicates that eotaxin may up-regulate the expression of VCAM-1 in vessel endothelium and promote adhesion and migration of eosinophils, as a result, to lead to the recurrence of nasal polyps. The glandulous expression of eotaxin may play a key role in the early stage. (3) The expression of VEGF in nasal mucosa after surgery may contribute to the growth of blood vessel and induce increasing of vascular permeability and tissue edema. This may be an important factor in the process of nasal polyp recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemokine CCL11 ; metabolism ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Nasal Polyps ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Young Adult