AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects and the toxicity of intrapleural injection of natural growth factors (NGF, with main component of staphylococcal aureus enterotoxin C) in the treatment of patients with malignant pleural effusions. METHODS: Patients with histopathologically confirmed malignant pleural effusions were evaluated for treatment with NGF. Twelve patients with malignant pleural effusions received NGF pleural instilations until the end of the survey. Drugs were administered according to the following schedule: NGF 2000-2500 intrapleural injection twice weekly. The courses stopped when pleural effusions disappeared or severe toxic reactions occurred. RESULTS: A total of 12 objective responses were assessed, including 10 complete responses (83%), and 2 partial responses. Mean time of following up was 11.1 (3-25) months, 11 patients died during the visit, and the mean survival time was 10.2 months, significantly longer than that (

Grasses infected by endophytes have an extraordinary impact on the ecology and economy of pasture and turf. In this review, we presented recent research progress on origin and evolution, biological and ecological impact, and perspective of the association in order to make full use of the widely distributed endophyte resources.

Rats were immersed into boiling water for 15 seconds with scalded area about 23 cm~2 and decapitated at 0.5,1 and 6 hours after scalding. The changes of immunoreactive glueocorticoid receptor (GR_(IR)) and glucocorticoid receptor binding (GR_B) of hepatic cytosol after scalding were studied by both monoclonal antibody method and radioligand binding assay. The results showed that GR_(IR) and GR_B decreased markedly in parallel manner after scalding. Comparing with the controls (100%), the values of GRIR of 0.5,1 and 6 hours after scalding decreased to 64.76?13.320% (n=4),59.55?13.18% (n=5) and 42.64?4.24% (n=4)respectively; and relevent GR_B decreased to 50.24?9.71% (n=4), 51.11?11.31% (n=5) and 30.43?3.03% (n=4). The amplitude of decrease of GR_B was about 10% more than that of GR_(IR). Thus it might be concluded that the reduction of GR_B after stress was mainly due to the decrease of GR protein molecules but 10% of that was due to the change of GR binding activity. The mechanisms of these changes were discussed.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; antagonists & inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; RNA Interference ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; antagonists & inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; RNA-Induced Silencing Complex ; metabolism

A PCR assay used for detection and quantification of Neotyphodium lolii in tissues of the grass Lolium perenne L. was developed. Compared with the Microscopic analysis of stained tissues, this method was more accurate. For quantitative applications, real time PCR was used to quantify Neotyphodium lolii in Lolium perenne L.. The results showed that there were some variations between different individuals, but no variance existed between different tillers from the same plant. Thus it can be concluded that fungal content in the plant is not only associated with species/variety specific, but also with the genotype of the host plant as well.

Polyketides are very large group of natural products with functional and structural diversity.Most of them are produced by microor- ganism and have medicinal activities,including antibiotic,anticancer,antifungal and antiparasitic properties.The researchs in this area have progressed greatly.More and more polyketides are discovered,on the other hand the mechanisms of biosynthesis of those various polyketides are researched more deeply and clearly.The article reviewed the progress of the research in the diversity of polyketide synthases and the mechanisms of polyketide biosynthesise.

Acetylcysteine ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Female ; Furans ; urine ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; analysis ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Young Adult

Air Pollution, Indoor ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Memory ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference of analgesia and detumescence on ankle sprain among acupuncture at Xiaojie point combined with tendon regulation manipulation, acupuncture at Xiaojie point and tendon regulation manipulation.

METHODSSixty cases of ankle sprain were randomized into a combined therapy group, a Xiaojie point group and a tendon-regulation manipulation group, 20 cases in each one. The combined therapy of acupuncture at Xiaojie point and tendon regulation manipulation, the acupuncture at Xiaojie point and the simple application of tendon-regulation manipulation were applied respectively in the three groups, once a day, 3 treatments were required. The symptom score such as pain, ecchymosis, swelling and motor dysfunction and the total score were observed before and after treatment in the three groups. The different values of pain and swelling scores were compared before and after treatment in the three groups. The efficacy was compared among the groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 100.0% (20/20) in each group. But the curative rate was 85.0% (17/20) in the combined group, 65.0% (13/20) in the Xiaojie point tion manipulation group. After treatment, the symptom scores of pain, ecchymosis, swelling and motor dysfunction and the total score were all improved as compared with those before treatment in the three groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The pain score in either the combined therapy group or Xiaojie point group was lower than that in the tendon-regulation manipulation group after treatment (0.20 -/+ 0.41, 0.15 +/- 0.37 vs 0.60 +/- 0.50, both P < 0.05). Swelling score in the Xiaojie point group was different significantly from that in the tendon-regulation manipulation 0.49 vs 06.4 vs. 20+0.41, P < 0.05). The different value of pain score in either the combined therapy group or Xiaojie point group was higher than that in the tendon-regulation manipulation group before group after treatment (0.65 bined therapy group or Xiaojie point group was higher than that in the tendon-regulation manipulation group before and after treatment (2.35 +/- 0.59, 2.45 +/- 0.51 vs 2.00 +/- 0.46, both P < 0.05). The different value of swelling score in the tendon-regulation manipulation group was higher than that in the Xiaojie point group before and after treatment (2.30 +/- 0.57 vs 1.60 +/- 0.60, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Xiaojie point combined with tendon-regulation manipulation achieve an apparent effect of analgesia and detumescence on ankle sprain.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tendons ; physiopathology ; Therapy, Soft Tissue ; Young Adult

Objective To study whether mannitol renal injury can be prevented by administering small dose dopamine without withdrawing mannitol.Methods Thirty adult rabbits were divided into three groups at random: control group(normal saline,NS),non-prevented group [20% mannitol 2g/kg+NS 4.6g/(kg?min),twice a day];prevented group(20% mannitol 2g/kg+dopamine 4.6g/kg min,twice a day).The changes of Bun,Cr,Na+ and K+ were observed.After the experiment the nephridial tissues were made into histological sections,the pathological changes were observed through microscope.Results The contents of Bun and Cr in blood of the non-prevented group were obviously elevated since day 8 and the difference was significant compared to the control group;the contents of Bun and Cr in the prevented group exceeded significantly those in the control group since day 9 between the non-prevented group and the prevented group.There was no significant difference before day 10.Since day 10,the difference became significant.No abnormality was found in the histological section of the control group.Both the renal tubular epithelial cells of the prevented group and non-prevented group were swollen and the renal tubular luminas were confined;however,the pathological changes in the non-prevented group were more severe than those in the prevented group.Conclusion It is effective to administer small-dose dopamine early to protect renal function.