AIM:To observe the effect of Rheum emodi Wall on expess level of TNF-?、IL-1? and IL-6 on acute ischemic stroke(ACI)at high altitude. METHODS: 65 patients aith ACI at high altitude(2 260 m)were randomly divided into treatment group(34) and control groups(31).both groups received danshen-safflower injection.Meanwhile treatment group took Rheum emodi decoction orally for 4 weeks,while control group doesn't.Serum levels of TNF-?、IL-1? and IL-6 were measured by radioimmumoassay. RESULTS: The treatment group showed much higher rates of improvement than control group(88.24%;70.97%)after weeks.Serum levels of TNF-?、IL-1? and IL-6 decreased significantly in patients with ACI at treatment group as compared with those of control group. CONCLUSION: Rheum emodi Wall can improve the nervous function of ACI by reducing TNF-?、IL-1? and IL-6 content in serun.

Objective To assess the clinical value of multi-slice helical CT perfusion on the post-operative follow-up of glioma.Methods CT perfusion image was applied to 32 patients with glioma after operation.Various perfusion parameters,include cerebral blood volume(CBV),permeability surface(PS),relative cerebral blood volume(rCBV)and relative permeability surface(rPS)were measured on recurrent area,nonrecurrent area and normal cerebral area respectively.SPSS 12.0 statistical software was used.Independent t test was used to compare the differences.Results In the recurrent group(16 cases),the value of CBV in creased in 12 cases and was normal in the other 4 cases.The value of PS increased in all the cases of recurrent group.The value of rCBV exceeded 2.6 in 10 cases,among which the biggest value of rCBV was 4.01.The mean value of rCBV was 2.67 and the mean value of rPS was 6.32;In the non-recurrent group(16 cases),the value of CBV was nearly normal in 7 cases,increased in 2 cases and decreased in the remaining 7 cases.The value of PS was nearly normal in 11 case,decreased in 3 cases and increased in the remaining 2 cases.The values of rCBV were all less than 2.6 and the biggest value of rCBV was 2.14.The mean value of rCBV was 0.99 and the mean value of rPS was 1.42.The statistic significance was obtained for all the parameters when compared the recurrent group with the non-recurrent group(P＜0.01)and with the normal cerebral area(P＜0.01).When compared the non-recurrent group with the normal cerebral area,none of the parameters had statistic significance(P＞0.05);The statistic significance was obtained for rCBV and rPS when compared the recurrent group with the non-recurrent group(P＜0.01).Conclusion CT perfusion image is valuable in determining glioma recurrence after operation.

BACKGROUND: The existence of minimal residual leukemia cells is the main cause for the recurrence of acute leukemia in children, and immunological biological therapy has attracted more and more attentions in the various methods from eliminating minimal residual disease. Previous studies have found that interferon α-2b can effectively inhibit the increase of tumor cells in vivo in children with neuroblastoma and malignant lymphoma, whether it can inhibit the increase of leukemia cells?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of interferon α-2b in vitro on leukemia cells.DESIGN: A comparative observation taking human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line as the material.SETTING: Cell Culture Room; Immunological Laboratory; Cell Room, Institute of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital,Medical College of Qingdao University.MATERIALS: HL-60 cell line was provided by Shandong Institute of Basic Medical Sciences. Interferon α-2b was purchased from Megagene Company Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FTTC) rabbit-anti-rat Ig solution (CatEK001) and CD13 anti-human monoclonal antibody solution (Cat. DK013Y) were purchased from Union Stem Cell & Gene Engineering Co.,Ltd.METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the Institute of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Qingdao University from March to September 2005. HL-60 cells culture system was established in vitro, and the oncentration was adjusted to 1×109 L-1. The cells were divided into control group and experimental group. In the experimental group, each well was added by interferon-α-2b with the terminal concentration of 5×105, 1×106, 2×106,5×106 and 1×107 U/L, respectively. In the control group, each well was added by saline of the same volume. The cells were cultured continuously for 48 hours. The morphological changes of HL-60 cells were observed using Wright's staining under light microscope; Cell apoptosis was observed using acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining; Antigen expression and maturation and differentiation on cell membrane were observed by determining CD13 protein expression; Proliferation and activity of HL-60 were detected with methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) assay.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of apoptosis was judged according to the uniformity and staining of HL-60 nuclear chromatin; HL-60 cell proliferation was judged according to the absorbance (A) value; The maturation of HL-60 cells was judged according to the number of positive CD13 cells.RESULTS: ① HL-60 cell apoptosis: The cells were cultured for 48 hours. When the concentration of interferon α-2b was 5×105 U/L, there were mainly early apoptotic HL-60 cells; When the concentration was 1×107 U/L, there were mainly late apoptotic cells, and the apoptotic rate was significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 ).② HL-60 cell proliferation: The A values in the experimental groups treated with interferon α-2b of 2×106 U/L and 1 ×107 U/L were significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01). ③ Maturation of HL-60 cells: The percentages of positive CD13 cells in the experimental groups treated with interferon α-2b of 1 ×106 and 1 ×107 U/L were significantly lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: It is concluded that interferon α-2b can enhance the apoptosis, inhibit the proliferation and promote maturation and differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Objective To study the effect of ratanasampil (RNSP) which is Traditional Tibetan Medicine on the levels of serum β-amyloid protein, interleukin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods One hundred AD patients were divided into two groups in randomized controlled study, including treatment group (RNSP 1 g/d) and control group (piracetam 2.4 g/d). The treatment lasted 12 weeks. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer' s disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADLs) were taken to evaluate the efficacy. Serum levels of amyloid peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42 ) were measured by ELISA assay. The radioimmunologic assay was used to determine the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Results The scores of MMSE, ADAS-cog and ADL significantly improved at 12 weeks after RNSP treatment (P＜0.01, 0.01, 0.05, respectively), while had no significant changes in piracetam group (P＜0.05).The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and Aβ42 were significantly lower in RNSP group than in Piracetam group (P＜0.01). There was a decrease trend of the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio at 12 weeks after RNSP treatment (P＜0. 05, P＜0.01 ). The serum Aβ42 level had strong correlations with TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6. There were no significant differences in Aβ40 and IL-8 between RNSP group and piracetam group. No obvious drug side effect happened on the groups. Conclusions The reductions of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels after RNSP treatment may lead to decrease of Aβ42 production in AD patients. RNSP may decrease the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and slow down the progress of AD. It may improve the learning and memory ability in treating patients with mild to moderate AD and is well tolerated and safe.

Objective To investigate the effect of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT-3)on sen-sitizing oral squamous cell carcinoma to cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum via downregulating miRNA-21. Methods Tscca and Tca8113P160 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were employed in this study. WP1066 was used to suppress STAT-3 signaling pathway. Cells were divided into three groups:dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) group, cis-dichlorodiamine-platinum (DDP) group and WP1066+DDP group. Transcription level of miR-21 was assessed by real-time PCR, while the expression levels of STAT-3, p-STAT-3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9 ) were evaluated by Western blot assay. Matrigel matrix and transwell assay were used to determine cancer cell colony formation and invasive ability respectively. Expression level of miR-21 was examined by luciferase reporter gene as-say. Results Expression levels of STAT-3, pSTAT-3 and miR-21 were significantly suppressed by WP1066 treatment. The diameters of culture colony in cells treated with WP1066 and DDP were smaller than those in control group. The number of tongue cancer cells that migrated through the transwell membrane in WP1066 and DDP treated group was less than that in control group. Additionally, MMP-2/9 expression decreased while TIMP-3 increased dramatically in both cell lines in WP1066+DPP group compared to the other two groups. Conclusion Reduction of STAT-3 can sensitize oral squamous cell carcinoma to cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum via downregulating miR-21. Our study shows that DDP, in combination with WP1066, might be used as a potential target in the treatment of human oral squamous cell cancer.

AIM: To investigate the effect of probucol on proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and/or hydrogen peroxide(H 2O 2). METHODS: Effects of probucol on VSMC proliferation and DNA synthesis stimulated by bFGF and/or H 2O 2 were observed by means of MTT test, cell number count and [ 3H]-TdR incorporation. RESULTS: ①Probucol significantly inhibited proliferation and DNA synthesis in VSMC stimulated by bFGF and/or H 2O 2, with dosage-dependent manner. Cell number, A value and [ 3H]-TdR incorporation in group probucol+bFGF and group probucol+H 2O 2 were reduced by 40.0%, 39.1%, 45 5% and 46 9%, 45 0%, 39 5%, respectively, compared with group bFGF and group H 2O 2 ( P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Probucol dramatically inhibited proliferation and DNA synthesis in VSMC stimulated by bFGF and/or H 2O 2, but had no inhibitory effect on the cell proliferation prestimulated by bFGF and /or H 2O 2. [

The exact etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease(PD)are currently unknown.With intensifying research on PD, it has been found that Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is closely related to PD.In a hypoxic environment, the gastric mucosa is in a state of chronic hypoxia, which increases the likelihood of gastric mucosal damage and H. pylori infection and may be one of the factors affecting the gastrointestinal symptoms of PD and leading to the deterioration of PD.This article reviews recent advances on the correlation between H. pylori infection and PD in hypoxia.

Objective: To explore the effect of autophagy on process of high phosphate salt induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calciifcation in experimental rats. Methods: Rats’ model of VSMC calciifcation was induced by phosphate incubation. VSMC were divided into 3 groups:①Control group,②Calciifcation group which included 3 subgroups as 4-day subgroup, the cells were cultured by 3.2 mmol/L phosphate for 4 days, 6-day subgroup and 8-day subgroup,③Calciifcation+ 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor) group, in which the 8-day cells were cultured with 5mmol/L 3-MA. Calcium nodule formation and calcium deposition in VSMC were measured by Alizarin red staining and o-cresolphthaleincomplexone method, protein expressions of Runx2, α-SMA and LC3 II were examined by Western blot analysis, autophagosome formation in VSMC was measured by transmission electron microscope and the localization and expression of Runx2 and LC3 II in VSMC were observed by immunolfuorescent microscope. Results: Compared with Control group, the cells at 8-day subgroup showed more calcium nodules, higher calcium deposition, increased protein expressions of Runx2, LC3 II, more autophagosome and decreased α-SMA expression, allP<0.05. Compared with 8-day subgroup, the cells in Calcification+3-MA group presented increased calcium deposition, decreased lfuorescence distribution of LC3 II and more cells with positive Runx2 protein expression, all P<0.05. Conclusion: Autophagy has the protective effect on process of phosphate induced VSMC calciifcation in experimental rats.

Background and purpose:For patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring an activating EGFR gene mutation, the current standard of care is EGFR-TKI alone. This study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of gefitinib plus chemotherapy with gefitinib or chemotherapy alone for treating advanced lung adenocarcinoma with an activatingEGFR gene mutation.Methods:This study included 61 patients with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an acti-vatingEGFR gene mutation (19 exons deletion and exon 21 L858R mutations) whose ECOG performance status was 0 or 1. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (n=20) were given carboplatin/pemetrexed of a 4-week cycle, six cycles at most, plus gefitinib (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, d1; carboplatin AUC 5, d1; gefitinib 250 mg/d, d 5-21), and then re-ceived pemetrexed of a 4-week cycle plus gefitinib as maintenance therapy; Group B (n=20) were given carboplatin/peme-trexed of a 4-week cycle, six cycles at most (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, d1; carboplatin AUC 5, d1), then received pemetrexed as maintenance therapy; Group C (n=21) were given gefitinib (gefitinib 250 mg/d). Patients continued to receive therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or death. The primary end point was middle PFS and 12 months PFS rate. The secondary end points included objective response rate and adverse events.Results:Groups A and C both lost 1 case during follow-up. Median PFS for patients was 20.1 months (95%CI:18.0-22.2) in group A, 5.5 months (95%CI:3.9-7.2) in group B, and 9.8 months (95%CI:6.8-12.8) in group C. PFS rates of 12 months for groups A, B and C were 78.9%, 15.0% and 40.0%, respectively. The overall objective response rates for groups A, B and C were 84.2%, 35.0% and 65.0%, respectively. Serious adverse events were reported by 36.8% for group A, 30.0% for group B, and 5.0% for group C. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (3 cases in group A, 4 cases in group B), fatigue (2 cases in group A, 2 cases in group B) and liver function impairment (2 cases in group A, 1 case in group C).Conclusion:Among patients withEGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma, combination of chemotherapy with gefitinib as first-line treatment demonstrates an improvement in PFS. Long-term survival results will be further followed up.

Objective To analyze the miss rates of colorectal adenomas during colonoscopy as well as risk factors influencing the adenoma miss rates and to take corresponding measures. Methods A total of 432 patients who underwent index and follow-up colonoscopy in 18 months were randomized and investigated. The results of two colonoscopies were compared and the missed adenomas were defined as the adenomas de-tected only during the second colonoscopy. Miss rates were calculated according to patient-based methods. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relative factors influencing the adenoma miss rate of per-patient. Then the meaningful factors were chosen into the logistic regression model for multiple factors analysis. Results Of 432 patients,116(26. 9%)had missed adenomas on first colonoscopy. Single factor analysis found that the size of adenoma( χ2 = 89. 686,P = 0. 000),the shape of adenoma( χ2 = 68. 488,P = 0. 000),the location of adenoma(χ2 = 77. 055,P = 0. 000)and adenoma tissue types(χ2 = 417. 000,P = 0. 000)were the risk factors for miss rates of colorectal adenomas. Number of polyps(χ2 = 8. 450,P= 0. 038),the organi-zation type of polyp(χ2 = 10. 718,P= 0. 013)and proficiency of colonoscopists(χ2 = 56. 069,P= 0. 000), the quality of bowel preparation(χ2 = 39. 195,P = 0. 000),insertion time(χ2 = 13. 133,P = 0. 001)were also the risk factors for miss rates of colorectal adenomas. Logistic regression analysis showed that the bigger the adenoma size,the less missed adenomas(OR= 0. 341,95%CI:0. 173-0. 671). Also,the longer insertion time took,the lower the adenoma miss rate(OR = 0. 987,95% CI:0. 981-0. 994). Per-patient miss rates were lower for high-risk adenomas compared with low-risk adenomas(OR = 0. 324,95%CI:0. 154-0. 680). Adenomas happening in multiple parts of bowel easily leads to missing(OR= 3. 791,95%CI:1. 505-9. 546). Conclusion The missed diagnosis of adenomas is not only significantly associated with features of missed adenomas,but also with skills of colonoscopists,insertion time,and bowel preparation. The key is high-quality index colonoscopy to avoid adenomas missing.