Preparation and quality evaluation of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-volatile oil microemulsion / 中草药

Objective: Taking the volatile oil of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma with the effect of anti-senile dementia as model drug to prepare Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-volatile oil microemulsion (AO-ME). Methods: The composition of microemulsion was preliminarily determined according to the solubility of volatile oil from Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma in various solvents. By drawing pseudo-ternary phase diagram, the optimal microemulsion formulation was selected according to the size of particles and microemulsion region, stability of preparations and drug loading. Results: The optimal microemulsion formulation was that volatile oil of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Cremophor EL-glycerol-water was 6.25:20.83:10.42:62.5. The average particle size of AO-ME was (30.5 ± 0.2) nm with a polydispersity index of 0.150 ± 0.002. The viscosity value of AO-ME was (2.80 ± 0.21) mPa∙s. In vitro transdermal rate of AO-ME was (1 288.76 ± 16.20) μg/(cm2∙h), measured in β-asarone. Compared with ordinary emulsion, the transdermal rate of AO-ME was increased 14 times. The ciliary toxicity test of toad showed that the preparation had no significant toxicity. Conclusion: The preparation of AO-ME was prepared with stable physicochemical properties, good transdermal properties, and low toxicity to nasal mucosa cilia.

Detection of Repair of the Zone of Calcified Cartilage with Osteoarthritis through Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Objective</b>Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used imaging modality for observing the growth and development of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after in vivo transplantation to treat osteoarthritis (OA). However, it is a challenge to accurately monitor the treatment effects of MSCs in the zone of calcified cartilage (ZCC) with OA. This is especially true in the physiological and biochemical views that are not accurately detected by MRI contrast agents. In contrast, ultrashort time echo (UTE) MRI has been shown to be sensitive to the presence of the ZCC, creating the potential for more effectively observing the repair of the ZCC in OA by MSCs. A special focus is given to the outlook of the use of UTE MRI to detect repair of the ZCC with OA through MSCs. The limitations of the current techniques for clinical applications and future directions are also discussed.</p><p><b>Data Sources</b>Using the combined keywords: "osteoarthritis", "mesenchymal stem cells", "calcified cartilage", and "magnetic resonance imaging", the PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was conducted up to June 1, 2017.</p><p><b>Study Selection</b>A total of 132 published articles were initially identified citations. Of the 132 articles, 48 articles were selected after further detailed review. This study referred to all the important English literature in full.</p><p><b>Results</b>In contrast, UTE MRI has been shown to be sensitive to the presence of the ZCC, creating the potential for more effectively observing the repair of the ZCC in OA by MSCs.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>The current studies showed that the ZCC could be described in terms of its histomorphology and biochemistry by UTE MRI. We prospected that UTE MRI has been shown the potential for more effectively observing the repair of the ZCC in OA by MSCs in vivo.</p>

Effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide on differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells into chondrocytes in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) on the differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) into chondrocytes in vitro and explore the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CCK8 assay was performed to examine the cytotoxicity of SPIO (1 and 5 µg/mL) on cultured SD rat BMSCs. Prussian blue staining and fluorescence excitation assay were used to assess the binding of the SPIO to BMSCs after the cells had been cultured in chondrocytes-induced medium in the presence of SPIO (1 and 5 µg/mL) for 9 days. The mRNA levels of COL2 α2, aggrecan and MMP13 in the cell culture were examined using Q-PCR, and the chondrogenic differentiation of the BMSCs was analyzed using alcian blue staining and immunofluorescence staining for COL2 α2. The protein levels of COL2 α2, aggrecan, MMP13, Ihh and PTHrP in the cells were examined using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CCK8 assay showed no significant toxicity of SPIO on BMSCs. Compared with the control cells, the cells cultured in the presence of SPIO showed increased expressions of COL2 α2 and aggrecan and decreased expression of MMP13 at both mRNA and protein levels with also significantly increased expressions of Ihh and PTHrP proteins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SPIO can promote the differentiation of rat BMSCs into chondrocytes and up-regulate the Ihh/PTHrP signal pathway, suggesting the potential of SPIO as a new therapeutic agent for chondrocyte-related diseases.</p>

Magnetic resonance imaging versus DR for whole spine imaging in patients with degenerative spinal disease / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the quality of whole spine images obtained by DR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analyze the whole spinal imaging sagittal parameters for standing DR and supine MRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-one patients aged 49.9∓17.6 years with degenerative spinal disease underwent both standing DR and supine MRI of the whole spine from November, 2010 to March, 2016. The image quality was retrospectively reviewed, and the cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured on the whole spinal lateral DR and middle sagittal MR images.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the DR and MR whole spine images had a high quality (100%). The CL, TK, LL, SS, and SVA measured were 28.37mnplus;10.91 °, 29.98mnplus;8.96 °, 45.61mnplus;12.46 °, 34.38mnplus;9.05 °, and 17.20mnplus;26.39 mm on DR images and were 24.34mnplus;9.01 °, 21.22mnplus;8.13 °, 41.45mnplus;12.17 °, 37.45mnplus;8.19 °, and 36.51mnplus;12.44mm on MR images, respectively, showing significant differences in the measurements between the two modalities (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.001, and 0.007, respectively). The correlation coefficient between DR and MR images for CL, TK, LL, SS, and SVA were 0.69, 0.68, 0.72, 0.51, and 0.27 (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, and 0.034, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both standing DR and supine MR whole spine imaging can provide high-quality images. The CL, TK, LL, SS, and SVA measured on supine MR whole spine images are correlated with those on standing DR images but differ obviously. Supine MR imaging can not substitute standing DR examinations, and comprehensive assessment of degenerative spinal disease needs the combination of the two imaging techniques.</p>

Role of Diffusion-weighted and Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Activity of Ankylosing Spondylitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies showed that combining apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value with the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) index value might provide a reliable evaluation of the activity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and that contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unnecessary. However, the results were based on confirming only a small random sample. This study aimed to assess the role of CE-MRI in differentiating the disease activity of AS by comparing ADC value with a large sample.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 115 patients with AS were enrolled in accordance with Bath AS Disease Activity Index and laboratory indices, and 115 patients were divided into two groups, including active group (n = 69) and inactive group (n = 46). SPARCC, ΔSI, and ADC values were obtained from the short tau inversion recovery (STIR), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and CE-MRI, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed for all parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The optimal cutoff values (with sensitivity, specificity, respective area under the curve, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio) for the differentiation between active and inactive groups are as follows: SPARCC = 6 (72.06%, 82.61%, 0.836, 4.14, 0.34); ΔSI (%) = 153 (80.6%, 84.78%, 0.819, 5.3, 0.23); ADC value = 1.15 × 10-3 mm2/s (72.73%, 81.82%, 0.786, 4, 0.33). No statistical differences were found among the predictive values of SPARCC, ΔSI, and ADC. Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference between the combination of SPARCC and ADC values with and without ΔSI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Using large sample, we concluded that the combination of STIR and DWI would play significant roles in assessing the disease activity, and CE-MRI sequence is not routinely used in imaging of AS to avoid renal fibrosis and aggravation of kidney disease.</p>

Correlation between vertebral bone marrow fat and abdomen fat: a prospective study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between the lumbar bone marrow fat and abdominal fat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 68 individuals (32 men and 36 women, aged 21-74 years with a median of 49.5 years) were included in this study. All the subjects underwent spectroscopic examination of the third lumber vertebra with the single voxel method on a 1.5T MR scanner to measure the fat fraction (FF%). Quantitative CT was also performed for measurement of the abdomen subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The measurements were compared between subjects aged ≥50 years and those below 50 years, respectively,in male or female subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In male subjects, BMI, FF%, VAT or SAT showed no significant differences between the two age groups (P>0.05), and FF% was not correlated with BMI, VAT or SAT (r=0.109, 0.034, 0.066, respectively; P>0.05). In the female subjects, BMI, FF%, VAT and SAT differed significantly between the two age groups (P<0.05), and in ≥50 years group, FF% showed a positive correlation with VAT (r=0.499, P<0.05) but was not correlated with SAT (r=0.221, P>0.05); in<50 years group, FF% was not correlated with VAT or SAT (r=0.076, -0.067, respectively; P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FF% is positively correlated with VAT in female subjects aged beyond 50 years, but is not correlated with VAT or SAT in male subjects or in younger female subjects.</p>

Effects of external magnetic field on the transfection rate of SPIO-shRNADual functional molecular probe into ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells in vitro / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the transfection rate of SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe into ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells in external magnetic field.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dual functional molecular probe at an iron concentration of 45 mg/L was transfected into SKOV3 cells. The cells with coexisting probe and magnetic fields were set as the intervention group,the probe-transfected cells as negative control group, and normally cultured SKOV3 without any transfection as blank control group. The transfection rate was detected by flow cytometry. Cell viability was observed by CCK-8 assay. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level in SKOV3 cells was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. The signal intensity was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The transfection rate of the intervention group was (79.20 ± 3.31)%, which was significantly higher than that of negative control group (P=0.001). Compared with the negative control group,the cell viability of the intervention group significantly decreased (P=0.011), protein and mRNA expression levels of EGFR in the intervention group were significantly decreased (both P<0.05). The signal intensity on T2(*)WI in the intervention group also significantly decreased (P=0.0004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The external magnetic field can improve the transfection efficiency SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe into ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells.</p>

Effects of magnetic c-erbB-2 antisense probe of different concentrations on morphology and expression of SK-Br-3 cancer cell lines in vitro / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of the magnetic c-erbB-2 antisense probe of different concentrations on the morphology and expression of SK-Br-3 cancer cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Breast cancer SK-Br-3 cells were transfected for 24 h by antisense probe at an iron concentration of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L, respectively. The distribution and content of iron particles in SK-Br-3 cells was determined by Prussian blue staining, electron microscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry. Cell viability was observed by trypan-blue exclusion and CCK-8 test. The protein expression of c-erbB-2 was assessed by the Western blot analysis. The changes of the signal strength were considered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>c-erbB-2 antisense probe was uptake by SK-Br-3 cells in a concentration-dependence manner within a certain range (5, 10, and the Medicine Scientific Research Project of Chongqing Health Bureau (062025)25 mg/L). When the probe concentration was 25 mg/L, iron content in cells was (18.38±0.28) pg, the cell vitality, survival, and c-erbB-2 protein expression were reduced significantly (all P<0.05), and the T2 value was lower significantly (P<0.05). However, the results of 50 mg/L or 100 mg/L group showed no significant difference with the 25 mg/L group (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The magnetic c-erbB-2 antisense probe can effectively transfect and specifically inhibit the expression of SK-Br-3 cell lines at the iron concentration of 25 mg/L.</p>

Establishment of a rabbit model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration via the paraspinal approach / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture. At 4 weeks after the operation, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the discs were carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>X-ray of the punctured discs at 4 weeks after the operation presented a significant decrease of disc height, osteophytosis formation, and end-plate stiffness; an obvious decrease of signal intensity on T(2)-weighted images was found in the puncture group but not in the control or sham-operated groups. Gross morphological inspection showed atrophy of the nucleus pulposus, which became loose, soft, and fragile with a light yellow color. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed a significant decrease of notochordal cells and type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus in the puncture group as compared to the control and sham-operated groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Puncture through the approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis allows the establishment of a reliable animal model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration.</p>

Malignant paraganglioma originating from the kidney: a case report and literature review / 南方医科大学学报

Paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor arising from the undifferentiated cells of the primitive neural crest. We report a case of malignant paraganglioma originating from the left kidney. The 55-year-old female patient was admitted for intractable cough for a month and the presence of a solid mass in the left lung detected by computer tomography (CT). Sonography revealed a mass in the left kidney after admission. Complete surgical resection of the tumor was performed and the diagnosis of malignant paraganglioma originating from the left kidney was established pathologically. During the follow-up for 12 months, the patient showed a good general condition and sonography revealed no evidence of recurrence. Based on these findings, we discussed the diagnosis of this disease using medical imaging modalities.

Effect of peroxiredoxin I gene silencing on the radiosensitivity of breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell xenograft in nude mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) gene silencing on the radiosensitivity of breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell xenograft in nude mice and explore the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MCF-7 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmids pGPU6-PrxI and pGPU6-HK separately. The pGPU6-PrxI-transfected cells stably expressing Prx I shRNA and pGPU6-HK-transfected cells were inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice. After exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) with 6 MV X-ray, the xenografts were harvested for measuring the tumor volume and mass, and the tumor inhibition rates were calculated. Immunohistochemistry was employed for detecting the expressions of Prx I and caspase-3 proteins. The ultrastructural changes of the tumor tissues following the exposure were observed using electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to analyze the expressions of γ-H2AX and Rad51 proteins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Following IR exposure, the pGPU6-Prx I-transfected cell xenograft showed a significantly delayed growth and smaller tumor volume as compared with pGPU6-HK xnegraft, with a tumor inhibition rate reaching 79.76%, significantly higher than that in non-exposed pGPU6-Prx I group (34.92%) and pGPU6-HK+IR group (56.94%) (P<0.05). The pGPU6-Prx I-transfected xenografts showed significantly increased tumor cell apoptosis and necrosis, down-regulated the expressions of Prx I and Rad51 proteins, and up-regulated the expressions of caspase-3 and γ-H2AX proteins; these changes were even more obvious after IR exposure, which caused a decrease of Rad51 protein by 84.8% and an increase in γ-H2AX protein by 5.6 folds compared with those in pGPU6-HK group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prx I gene silencing can significantly enhance the radiosensitivity of breast carcinoma xenograft in nude mice possibly by increasing DNA damage and lowering the capacity of the cells for DNA repair. Prx I may serve as an ideal molecular target for radiosensitization of breast carcinoma.</p>

Application of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating liver fibrosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the value of time-signal intensity curve (TIC) in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DEC-MRI) in the evaluation of liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six consecutive patients and healthy volunteers were divided into 4 groups according to the stages of fibrosis, namely the normal group (n=9), mild fibrosis group (n=5), moderate to severe fibrosis group (n=7), and liver cirrhosis group (n=15). All the subjects underwent conventional and DEC-MRI, and the TIC was generated automatically to evaluate the peak height, TTP, MSI and MSD. The correlations between the TIC parameters and the stage of fibrosis were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the value of the TIC parameters in the evaluation of fibrosis stage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Moderate but significant inverse correlations of the peak height, MSI, and to fibrosis stage were noted in these patients (P<0.05); the peak time was positively correlated to the fibrosis stage (P<0.05). In patients with a fibrosis stage ≥1, the AUC of the measured TIC parameters ranged from 0.747 to 0.783, with the MSD of the spleen had the highest AUC (0.783). For a fibrosis stage ≥3, the AUC of the indices ranged between 0.728 and 0.877, highest for liver MSI of the arterial phase, followed by the portal vein MSI, liver MSI of portal venous phase, liver MSD, splenic MSI of arterial phase and splenic MSD. In the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, the AUC (range 0.742-0.821) decreased in the order of liver MSI of the portal venous phase, liver MSD, liver MSI of the arterial phase, the portal vein MSI, splenic MSI of the arterial phase and splenic MSD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TIC of DEC-MRI can be used to evaluate hemodynamic changes in the liver, and may serve as a practical non-invasive functional imaging modality for assessing the severity of liver fibrosis.</p>

Preparation and characterization of human phage display antibody against peroxiredoxin I of lung adenocarcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a human phage antibody library and screen the single chain variable fragment (ScFv) antibudies to peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) of lung adenocarcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The total RNA was isolated from the lymph nodes of lung cancer patients to amplify V(H) and V(L) genes by RT-PCR. V(H) and V(L) were linked with a DNA linker by SOE-PCR to construct the single chain variable fragment gene. The ScFvs were coloned into the phage vector pCANTAB5E. The insert ratio of the ScFv antibody library was identified by PCR, and the products were digested by SfiI/NotI and analyzed with 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Three rounds of panning against lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and Prx I were performed, and the positive clones were identified for soluble expression. The soluble antibodies were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and ELISA and immunocytochemistry were used to characterize the activity of the antibodies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A recombination phage antibody library was constructed. The insert ratio of ScFv gene was 77% (23/30), and enzyme digestion identified the target product. The sixth phage harvest resulted in a yield 180 folds of that of the first one. Positive reactions to A549 cells were detected in 6 of 10 random clones, with a positivity rate of 60%. The soluble human ScFvs against Prx I of lung adenocarcinoma were expressed in E. coli HB2151 and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. ELISA and immunocytochemistry demonstrated a relative specific affinity of the soluble antibodies to A549 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ScFv antibodies against lung adenocarcinoma have been acquired by phage display antibody library technique, and the soluble antibodies have a relative avidity specific to human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells overexpressing PrxI.</p>

Diagnosis of liver pathologies based on apparent diffusion coefficient of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging in a rabbit model of liver fibrosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) for diagnosis of the liver pathologies in rabbit model of liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>MR-DWI with four different b values (200, 500, 300 and 600 s/mm(2)) was performed in 4 normal New Zealand white rabbits and 13 rabbits with experimental liver fibrosis. For each rabbit, 4 ADC values were obtained in the left and right lobes of the liver. According to the ISHAK criteria of liver histopathological scoring and fibrosis staging system, all the liver specimens were histopathologically graded (scores 1-6 for grade I, 7-12 for grade II, and 13-18 for grade III) and assessed for fibrosis staging (stages I to VI). The variation of ADC values were analyzed based on the results of histopathological grading and fibrosis staging.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 4 ADC values were obviously lower in rabbits with liver fibrosis than in the normal control rabbits. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the ADC values between the normal control and liver fibrosis groups, and between the rabbits with different histopathological grades and fibrosis stages (P=0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Liver fibrosis results in significantly lowered ADC values of the liver depending on the histopathological grades and fibrosis stages. The pathological basis for these changes lies in reduced water content and restricted Brownian motion of water in the liver due to hepatocyte degeneration and swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition in the interstitial space.</p>

Application of superparamagnetic iron oxide labeled antisense oligodeoxynucleotide probe in cellular magnetic resonance imaging / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) probe and evaluate the application of this probe in cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prepared the SPIO-labeled ASODN probe using chemical cross linking method to conjugate SPIO to ASODN, detected its configuration by atomic force microscopy, determined the conjugating rate and biology activation by high performance liquid chromatography, and detected the stability by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After that, we transfected the SK-Br3 oncocytes which had over-expression of the c-erbB2 oncogene by this probes, observed the intracellular iron distribution by optical microscope, measured iron content by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and observed the signal change by MRI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Atomic force microscope showed that the SPIO-labeled ASODN probe was mostly spherical and well-distributed, with a diameter of 25-40 nm and a conjugating rate of 100%. This probe had inhered biological activity and stability. In addition, light microscopy revealed an intracellular uptake of iron oxides in the transfected SK-Br3 oncocyte, and the iron content of the group of transfected SK-Br3 oncocytes was significantly higher than those of other contrast groups (all P < 0.01). MRI showed that transfected SK-Br3 oncocyte had the lowest signal among all other cells (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We prepared the SPIO-labeled ASODN probe successfully. It can effectively transfect SK-Br3 oncocyte and enter SK-Br3 oncocyte, and thus reduce the signal intension in MRI.</p>

Protective effects and mechanism of total coptis alkaloids on a beta 25-35 induced learning and memory dysfunction in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of total coptis alkaloids (TCA) on beta -amyloid peptide (A beta 25-35) induced learning and memory dysfunction in rats, and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the model group, the TCA low dose (60 mg/kg) group and the TCA high dose (120 mg/kg) group, 10 in each. A beta 25-35 (5microl, 2 microg/microl) was injected into bilateral hippocampi of each rat to induce learning and memory dysfunction. TCA were administered through intragavage for consecutive 15 days. Morris Water Maze test was used to assess the impairment of learning and memory; concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cerebral cortex was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance to indicate the level of lipid peroxidation in brain tissues; activity of manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in cerebral cortex was determined by xanthine-oxidase to indicate the activity of the enzyme; and NF- kappa B protein expression in cerebral cortex was measured by SP immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Morris Water Maze test showed that, during the 4 consecutive days of acquisition trials, the rats in the model group took longer latency and searching distance than those in the control group (P<0.01), which could be shortened by high dose TCA (P<0.05); during the spatial probe trial on the fifth day, the rats in the model group took shorter searching time and distance on the previous flat area than those in the control group (P<0.01), which could be prolonged after TCA treatment (for low dose group, P<0.05; for high dose group, P<0.01). (2) Analysis of cerebral cortical tissues showed that, compared with the control group, MDA level got significantly increased and Mn-SOD activity decreased in the model group (both P<0.01). After having been treated with TCA, the MDA level got significantly decreased (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively for low and high dose group), while relative increase of Mn-SOD activity only appeared in high dose group (P<0.05). (3) Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the protein expression of NF- kappa B got significantly increased after modeling, while high dose TCA can significantly inhibit it.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCA could improve A beta 25-35 induced dysfunction of learning and memory in rats, and its protective mechanism is associated with its actions in decreasing MDA level, increasing Mn-SOD activity and inhibiting the expression of NF-kappa B in cerebral cortex.</p>

Imaging features of primary bone lymphoma and its histopathology / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the imaging features of primary bone of the lymphoma PLB on X-ray, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 8 patients (6 males and 3 females, aged 9-60 years with a median age of 26.5 years) with pathologically confirmed PLB were retrospectively reviewed. Plain radiographs were obtained in all the 8 cases, CT scans performed in 5 and MRI examinations in 7. Four patients underwent X-ray, CT and MRI, two underwent CT and MRI, and one underwent X-ray and MRI. Surgical resection was performed in 7 cases and biopsy done in 2, and routine histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed for all patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The site of PLB focus was found in the pelvic bone in 4 cases, right frontal bone in 1 case, proximal femoral bone in 1 case, occipital clivus in 2 cases, and vertebral column in 1 case. Plain X-ray revealed in 4 cases roughly normal shape of the involved bone with stippled interior bone structure destruction; the other 4 cases presented with slight or moderate bone expansion with obvious signs of osteolysis. CT scans displayed areas of different sizes of osteolytic cortical and marrow cavity destruction with large soft tissue masses around the lesion. MRI found heterogeneous iso- to hyperintense signals in the lesions in the bone and soft-tissue masses on T2-weighted images but homogeneous isointense signals on T2-weighted images. The tumors were obviously enhanced after contrast-enhanced scans on CT and MRI. Histological examination identified B-cell lymphoma in 5 cases and T-cell lymphoma in 4 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PBL is characterized in imaging examinations by basically normal shape of the involved bones with possible bone expansion, obvious stippled osteolytic destruction, large soft-tissue mass around the lesion and obvious enhancement after contrast-enhanced scans.</p>

Experimental Teaching Reformation in Nuclear Medicine / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Considering the present condition of nuclear medicine experiment teaching and management model,this paper proposes some reform measures:reforming teaching model,adjusting teaching content,enhancing lab management.

Reversion of multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma by antisense oligonucleotides and ultrasonic microbubble intensifier transfection combined with ultrasound irradiation / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study whether antisense oligonucleotides and ultrasonic microbubble intensifier transfection combined with ultrasound irradiation is an effective and directional way in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mdr1, mrp, and lrp genes antisense oligonucleotides on the ultrasound microbubble intensifier were transfected for the human HepG2/ADM cell lines and then the cells were radiated with low intensity ultrasound. The effects of the reversion of carcinoma cells' MDR and the reduction of their malignancy and growth capability in vitro and in vivo were assessed using RT-PCR, Western blot and MTT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The treatment restrained the multiplication of the human HepG2/AMD cell lines. The levels of their mRNA and protein of cells' mdr1 and mrp genes dropped significantly. Growth of the subcutaneous transplanted tumors in the nude mice decreased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Transfection of MDR genes antisense oligonucleotides on the ultrasonic microbubble intensifier combined with low intensity ultrasound radiation may serve as a new treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma.</p>