Objective To explore whether pioglitazone can ameliorate radiation-induced fibrosis in rat heart.Methods A total of 46 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups (control group, pioglitazone (Pio) 10 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 group, Pio 20 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 group, 18 Gy irradiation + placebo group;18 Gy irradiation + Pio 10 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 , and 18 Gy irradiation + Pio 20 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 group).Experimental animals were exposed to radiation at the chest, then administered Pio or placebo for one month.At 3 months later, the rats were killed and their heart tissues were collected for Masson staining, Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (real-time PCR).Results Masson staining revealed significant myocardial fibrosis in rats exposed to radiation, while these changes were reduced when the rats were given Pio.Western blot analysis showed that the PPAR-γ protein expression in the heart tissue of irradiated rats were higher than in the non-irradiated group (F =12.435, P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR assay showed that PPAR-γ mRNA expression in the irradiation + Pio 20 mg· kg-1· d-1 group was higher than that in the Pio 20 mg· kg-1 ·d-1 group (F =2.333, P ＜ 0.05).The expression of TGF-β1 protein in the irradiation + placebo group were higher than those in the other five groups (F =17.578 ,P ＜0.05), and the CDK5 protein expression had a high level in the three irradiated groups while only the irradiation + placebo group was statistically higher than controls (F =3.651, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Pioglitazone may ameliorate radiation fibrosis in the rat heart through its anti-fibrotic activity, perhaps via inhibiting Cdk5-mediated PPAR-γ phosphorylation.

The antioxidant activity of lycopene is highest among the current carotenoids.Recently the researches on lycopene are focused on ingredient of functional foods in the world.The fermentation production of lycopene by Streptomyces rimosus was reported first time in China.The determination methods,such as spectrophotometric method and HPLC were constructed.Using a stain Fc of Streptomyces rimosus as a original strain,a high-yield lycopene producing mutant strain Fc' was selected after UV mutation.The lycopene yield of the strain is 2.5 times higher than the original strain Fc.The optimal fermentation conditions were determined by flask experiments,and the lycopene yield of strain Fc' reached 230mg/L in flask under the optimal fermentation condition,meanwhile the Streptomyces rimosus strain could produce purer lycopene without adding any blocking agents in its fermentation process.This results lay a good foundation for lycopene commercial production by fermentation using Streptomyces rimosus.

This study was performed to investigate the chemical constituents in the twigs and leaves of Harrisonia perforate. Six compounds were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the twigs and leaves of Harrisonia perforate by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies and preparative HPLC. On the basis of chemical properties and spectra data, these compounds were identified as harriperfin E (1), kihadanin A (2), kihadanin B (3), 6α-acetoxyobacunol acetate (4), gardaubryone C (5), and β-sitosterol methyl ether (6), respectively. Compound 1 is a new chromone, and compounds 2-6 are isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Simaroubaceae ; chemistry

Background Stromal-derived factor 1α /chemokine receptor 4(SDF-1α/CXCR4) axis is one of the important signals which mediates several different activities such as chemotaxis,adhesion,proliferation and survival resulting in recruitment to sites of immune and inflammatory reactions.Considerable evidence suggests that CXCR4/SDF-1α axis is involved in tumor angiogenesis and plays a key role in the development of ocular neovascularization.Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of CXCR4 antagonist on the development of cxperimental corneal neovascularization(CNV).Methods CNV model was established in the left eye of 8-weekold clean BALB/c mouse by putting the filter with 1 mol/L NaOH at the central cornea for 40 seconds.The animals were randomizcd into hyaluronate group and CXCR4 antagonist group,and the edydrops was topically administered respectively on the day of modeling 4 times per day for 14 days.CNV was examined under the slit lamp at the fourteenth day,and then the corneal suspension and section were made.Expressions of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in corneas were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot.The CD31 level in cornea was assayed by flowcytometry and immunochemistry.The expression of VEGF in burned corneas and suspension from mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with CXCR4 antagonist in vitro was detected by ELISA.The use of the animal followed Ragulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Two weeks after corneal alkali burn,the growth of CNV peaked under the slit lamp.Compared with hyaluronate group,CNV was obviously decreased in the CXCR4 antagonist group.Immunochemistry showed that intensity of positive staining for CD31 in cornea in the CXCR4 antagonist group was weaker than the hyaluronate group.Flowcytometry clarified that CD31 positive cells rate was 9.50％ ±2.34％ in the CXCR4 antagonist group and 17.50％ ±3.16％ in the hyaluronate group,showing a significant difference between them (t=-7.312,P＜0.05).In 2,4,7 days after cornea alkali burn,the expressions of CXCR4 mRNA and protein were significantly enhanced in burn corneas compared with normal corneas(P＜0.01 ;P＜0.05).ELISA showed that the VEGF expression level in corneal tissue and supernatant of mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro were significantly lower in the CXCR4 antagonist group than that of hyaluronate group(t =10.927,5.151,P＜0.05).The expression level of VEGF in corneal suspension was lower in the GM-CSH+CXCR4 antogonist group than that in the GM-CSH group (P＜0.05).Conclusions CXCR4 antagonist can reduce experimental CNV by down-regulating VEGF expression in cornea.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics in the incarcerated inmate's death, investigate the main cause of death of the incarcerated inmate and provide some information for forensic investigation. METHODS: The cases from the forensic medical center of Shanxi Medical University from 2005 to 2013 were selected. The statistical analysis was performed by using the incarcerated inmate's gender, age, cause of death, manner of death, and disease as the markers. RESULTS: There were 100 men, 5 women in the 105 incarcerated inmates; the age range was from 16 to 65 years; Inmates were mostly died of natural diseases, mainly in the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; the main unnatural death was suicide with a rate of 54.5%. CONCLUSION At present, most incarcerated inmate's death are due to natural diseases. The prison should improve incarcerated inmate's lives, work and health care conditions, and strengthen supervision of law enforcement.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality* ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prisoners/statistics & numerical data* ; Prisons ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/mortality* ; Suicide ; Young Adult

Humans ; Forensic Medicine ; Poisoning/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy on post-stroke mild cognitive impairment (MCI) treated with acupuncture at Jing-well points on the differentiated meridians and temple-three-needle therapy.

METHODSSeventy-three of stroke patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (37 cases) and a conventional treatment group (36 cases). Twenty healthy aged people in physical examination were collected as a control group. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment of internal medication, the acupuncture at Jing-well points on the differentiated meridians and temple-three-needle therapy were applied. In the conventional treatment group, no any therapy was used except the conventional treatment of internal medication. In the control group, no any intervention was adopted. Neuroscan Nuamps electroencephalogram recording analysis system was used to determine the event-related potentials P300, and the amplitude and mini mental state examination (MMSE) score was observed before and after treatment in both groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in the acupuncture group, P300 latent stage was shortened, and the amplitude and the score of MMSE were increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the conventional treatment group, above indices were not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment (all P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional treatment group, the differences in P300 latent stage, amplitude and MMSE score were remarkable in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at Jing-well points on the differentiated meridians and temple-three-needle therapy improves the cognitive function of the patients with MCI.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Event-Related Potentials, P300 ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo improve the diagnosis and treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).

METHODSThe clinical data of four cases of lymphangioleiomyomatosis diagnosed in our hospital were analyzed and corresponding literature was reviewed.

RESULTSLymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare disorder of unknown cause that occured almost exclusively in women of child bearing ages, was characterized microscopically by atypical smooth muscle proliferation. It could occur as a sporadic diseases or as a part of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). LAM was associated with progressive dyspnea, recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces, chylous effusions, and hamartomas.

CONCLUSIONClinicians should be familiar with the characteristics of LAM so that diagnosis and treatment can be made earlier to improve the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND:Hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes is the sign of starting endochondral ossification, and it is also an essential step in endochondral ossification, which is a cascade reaction and difficult to be blocked once started. The end result is the formation of bone structure. RNA interference is a post-transcriptional gene silencing. Relevant studies have shown that the use of RNA interference to block the expression of core binding factorα1 (Cbfα1) can effectively inhibit the formation of heterotopic ossification. OBJECTIVE:To use RNA intereference technology to suppress Cbfα1 expression so as to achieve the purpose of blocking the hypertrophic diferentiation of chondrocytes. METHODs: We constructed an adenovirus containing siRNA against Cbfα1 (Ad-Cbfα1-siRNA). Retinoic acid and interleukin-1α were used to induce hypertrophic differetiation of chondrocytes, and then Ad-Cbfα1-siRNA was utilized to inhibit the hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry method was used to analyze the expression of Cbfα1. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After induction with retinoic acid and interleukin-1α, the chondrocytes in the negative control virus group appeared to have hypertrophy and the expression of Cbfα1 was positive. In the Ad-Cbα1-siRNA group, the expression of Cbfα1 was negative. These findings suggest that the inhibition of Cbfα1 by RNA interference can be a powerful way to prevent the hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes .

Objective: To select the telomerase positive cancer cell lines of gastrointestinal tract and to provide a convinced methodology for future telomerase study. Methods: Fifteen cancer cell lines (carcinoma of stomach 4, of liver 6, of pancreas 2, of colon 3) were cultured and telomerase activity were detected by TRAP-ELISA. The normal hepatic cells were taken as control. Results: Thirteen cell lines were telomerase positive in the 15 lines(86.7%). Conclusion: Most of gastrointestinal tract cancer lines express telomerase, indicating the detection of telomerase activity has clinical potential.