AIM: To investigate the damages of adrenal gland in rabbits infected with neisseria meningococci(MC).METHODS: 18 rabbits were injected with MC (1×1011 organism/kg, iv, model group, n=10) or normal saline (control group, n=8).TNF-α was detected in baseline (before challenged), 60 min and 120 min after injection. 120 min after injection, TNF-α immunochemical localization of adrenal gland was detected with ABC methods by electron microscopy. RESULTS: In model group, TNF-α positive cells were located in medulla and TNF-α released into simus of medulla. The medulla damages were appeared but gland cells of cortex was normal. No damages were showed in control group. TNF-α value of plasm was elevated at 60 min and 120 min after injection compared with control group. CONCLUSION: TNF-α was released into medulla and resulted in medulla damages after MC challenging. Adrenal cortex didnt damaged in early phase of MC septic shock.

Objective To evaluate the ability of virtual CT colonoscopy to detect colorectal proliferative lesions in endoscopically proven patients and its clinical application prospects. Methods Virtual colonoscopy was performed using thin section helical computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis in 23 patients with conventional colonoscopic findings suggestive of abnormalities within 1 hour. The data from CT scanning was processed by computer with specific commercial software, two and three dimensional reconstruction was subsequently made. Results The diagnosis of colorectal carcinomas was made on virtual colonoscopy in 21 cases, among which 20 cases were endoscopically diagnosed as cancers and 1 case was found sigmoid stricture of unknown causes, that was finally confirmed surgically and pathologically. All polyps greater than 11 mm were identified both by conventional endoscopy and virtual colonoscopy. 19 polyps with size of 6～10 mm were detected on virtual colonoscopy, the location and size of 13 polyps were in accordance with those of endoscopic findings, 2 false positive polyps were reported in 6 newly detected polyps. Virtual colonoscopy correctly localized all 21 cancers, compared with 18 using conventional colonoscopy. Conclusion Virtual colonoscopy is a valuable clinical method in diagnosis of colorectal cancers and polyps with size larger than 6 mm, and it is a good indication for colonic stricture and colonoscopy intolerable patients.

Objective To establish a calcification mode in vitro of human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) induced by β-GP. Methods Primary HVSMCs were obtained from human embryo by plant method and confirmed by stain with α-sm-actin antibody. The cells after 4-6 passages were divided into two groups.The control group was incubated with normal DMEM medium while the calcification group was incubated with the medium containing 10 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate for 10 days.Calcification was confirmed by alizarin red S stain and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assays. Results The primary cells observed by S-P stain were positive and the cells after being stained were pale yellow. After being induced with β-GP, the cells of calcification group began concentric growth and formed vesicles. Alizarin red S staining showed that the reaction of calcifying nodules was red,ALP activity was higher than that of controls at various time points(4 d,6 d,8 d and 10 d,P＜0.01 ).Conclusion The HVSMCs could be induced into calcification in vitro by β-GP, and this model contribates to further studies of vascular diseases.

Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; therapy

Objective To observe the effect of early enteral feeding on clinical outcomes and immune function in patients after colorectal cancer surgery.Methods 90 cases of colorectal cancer patients were randomly divided into early enteral feeding group (43 cases) and control group (45 cases).Patients in early feeding group were given small amount of water several times and enteral nutrition early after surgery,while patients in the control group were administrated according to conventional postoperative care protocol.Data were collected on serum IgA,IgG,IgM,CD4 +,CD4 +/CD8 + and CRP on the postoperative first,third and seventh days,postoperative length of stay,complications and quality of life.Results The postoperative fever time [(54 ±6) h vs.(65 ±6) h,t =8.688,P ＜0.01],time to flatus [(58 ±8) h vs.(72±7) h,t=8.573,P＜0.01],postoperative length of stay [(6.9±1.4) dvs.(8.5 ±1.9) d,t=4.277,P ＜ 0.01] and health care cost [(41 868 ± 3 168) RMB vs.(45 950 ± 3 714) RMB,t =5.536,P ＜ 0.01] were significantly in favour of early enteral feeding group than those in control group.Further,the score of quality of life at discharge were significantly higher in early enteral feeding group [(18.4 ± 1.7) vs.(16.4 ± 1.9),t =5.235,P ＜ 0.01],while the complication incidence showed no difference between the two groups [18.6％ (8/43) vs.22.2％ (10/45),t=0.177,P＞0.05].The CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ and IgM on the seventh postoperative day and the IgA and IgG on the third and seventh postoperative day were significantly better in early enteral feeding group while the CRP was significantly lower as compared to the control group (t =3.639,t =2.255,t =2.119,t =2.035,t =2.961,t =2.060,t =2.108,t =7.308,t =3.435,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Early oral enteral feeding after elective colorectal cancer surgery can improve patient's immune function,reduce the stress and accelerate rehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of estrogen receptor alpha in renal tissue of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.Methods Fifty renal tissue samples including forty five cases of IgA nephropathy and five cases of normal expression were collected.The expression of estrogen receptor αt (ERα) was detected by immunohistochemistry method,and its relationship with clinical parameters and the degree of glomerular damage were analyzed.Results ERα was located in the glomerular and renal tubules.With the severity of the lesion,the expression of ERα in renal tissue of IgA nephropathy decreased gradually (P =0.001) and its expression was associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR),serum creatinine (Scr),and pathologic grade of IgA nephropathy (r =0.876,-0.818,and -0.736,P ＜ 0.05),The expression of ERα was significantly decreased in hypertensive patients with IgA nephropathy,and the difference was statistically significant compared with that in non-hypertensive group (P =0.011).Conclusions The expression of ERα in renal tissue of IgA nephropathy was significantly decreased and there was a correlation between the degree of renal tissue damage,suggesting that ERα might play a role in the development of renal disease.

The protective roles of alpha-lipoic acid in the rat model of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 4834bp deletion in inner ear were investigated. Forty female Wistar rats at 4 weeks of age were divided into four groups: group A (D-galactose group, n=10), group B (D-galactose+alpha-lipoic acid group, n=10), group C (alpha-lipoic acid group, n=10), and group D (control group, n=10). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to detect the hearing threshold. Colorimetry was used to analyze activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). The percentage of mtDNA4834bp deletion in inner ear was identified by real-time PCR. There was no significant difference in ABR threshold shift among all groups. The percentage of mtDNA4834bp deletion in group A was higher than that in other groups, but there was no significant difference in percentage of mtDNA4834bp deletion among groups B, C, and D. The activity of SOD in group A was lower than that in other groups. The concentration of MDA in group A was higher than that in other groups. It was concluded that there was no significant hearing loss when the percentage of mtDNA4834bp deletion was lower than 12.5%. alpha-Lipoic acid could prevent the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced mtDNA4834bp deletion in inner ear of rats.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidy.Methods:FISH and karyotyping analysis were done in 120 samples of amniotic fluid from pregnant women.Results:FISH analysis results were consistent with those of karyotyping,the dectecting rate can reach 100%for chromosomal aneuploidies.There was no significant difference in the preference for FISH or karyotying for prenatal diagnosis when facing high matemal age,multi-indications and other factors(P>0.05).FISH was better when biochemical datafor down's syndrome were positive (P=0.029),however karyotyping was better when there was abnormal fetal ultrasound scan(P=0.000).Conclusions:FISH can detect the chromosomal aneuploidy quickly and accurately,especially when biochemical data for down's syndrome were positive.FISH could be the first choice for prenatal diagnosis in the third trimester of high-risk pregnancy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Xiaoyu Tablet (XYT) on blood flow parameters and morphology of carotid artery in atherosclerotic patients.

METHODSUsing color Doppler ultrasonographic technique to examine the blood flow parameters and intimal thickness of carotid artery in 20 patients of carotid atherosclerosis after 24 weeks treatment of XYT, and compared with those in 10 patients treated with gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

RESULTSAfter 24 weeks treatment, blood flow parameters of carotid artery were obviously improved and intimal thickness of common carotid arteries in both side was markedly decreased. XYT showed an effect better than that of gastrodine lipid-lowering tablet.

CONCLUSIONXYT is effective in increasing blood flow of cervical and cerebral arteries.

Arteriosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of combination chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin(EP)regimen on the patients with high-risk,chemorefractory and recurrent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia(GTN).Methods Thirty-nine patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors were analyzed retrospectively,25 of 39 patients were of high-risk,9 patients were chemorefractory and 5 patients were recurrent.All 39 patients were administrated with EP regimen,and 10 patients were assisted with surgery.All the patients were followed up.Clinical response,toxicity,the occurrence of secondary tumors of all patients,and the fertility of 30 patients whose fertility function was preserved were investigated. Results Thirty-nine GTN patients underwent a total of 221 cycles of the EP regimen.The average number of courses for each patient was 5.7.The total complete remission rate of the regimen was 74%(29/39). Twenty-five patients with high-risk GTN received a total of 139 cycles and the average number of courses was 5.6.Nineteen patients achieved complete remission and 6 patients showed drug-resistant.The complete remission rate of the high-risk group was 76%(19/25).Nine patients with chemorefractory GTN obtained a total of 55 cycles and the average number of courses was 6.1.Six patients achieved complete remission and 3 patients showed drug-resistant again.The complete remission rate of the chemorefractory group was 6/9. Five patients with recurrent GTN received 27 cycles and the average number of courses was 5.4.Four patients achieved complete remission,1 patient showed drug-resistance and died.Bone marrow toxicity, gastrointestinal reaction and alopecia were the main side effects of the EP regimen,but the bone marrow toxicity was slight and no grade Ⅳ side effect occurred.No fatal effect was found.Eight of 30 patients whose fertility faction was preserved had become pregnant after recovery,with a total of 8 pregnancies.Among them,2 were terminated by induced abortion,and 6 underwent normal term delivery and gained 6 infants who had no congenital malformation.All the 6 children had normal growth and development after childbirth. None of the women developed secondary tumors.Conclusion The EP regimen is effective and safe for the treatment of high-risk,chemorefractory and recurrent GTN.