Mice transplanted with S_(180) or Lewis lung sarcoma will result in impairment of their immunologic function with lowering of IL-2 activity and abnormal ratio of T cells (Th/Ts

According to traditional Chinese medical theory"Qi in motion can normalize blood circulation". To study the therapeutic effect of herbs regulating Qi on inhibition of tumor metastasis,their influence on blood stasis was investigated. Results showed that the herbs could slow down platelet aggregation and normalize the balance between TXA2 and PGI2. Hence,the herbs could inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between high myopia and MMP-2 in aqueous humor (AH), by comparing the protein level of MMP-2 in AH from patients with cataract combined with high myopia and with emmetropia. Design Experimental study. Participants 30 AH samples of patients with age-related cataract. Methods AH samples were collected from the patients with age-related cataract during phacoemulsification, including 15 AH samples from patients combined with high myopia (experimental group) and 15 AH samples from patients with emmetropia (control group). The expression of pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 in AH were ana-lyzed by Western blot technique. Main Outcome Measures The gray value of MMP-2 protein band detected by Western blot. Results The level of pro MMP-2 was statistically higher than that of MMP-2 in experimental group (430.4±57.3 versus 294.5±35.2, t=10.400, P= 0.000) and control group (402.8±57.7 versus 280.3±49.7, t=8.400, P=0.000). There was no statistically difference in the level of pro-MMP-2(t=1.320, P=0.200)and MMP-2 (t=0.900,P=0.375) between the two groups. Conclusions No abnormal expression of MMP-2 was detected in AH from patients with high myopia, according to this study based on limited samples. Pro-MMP-2 was the main form of MMP-2 in AH of patients with cataract combined with high myopia or emmetropia, which possessed potential ability of transferring into form of active MMP-2. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 260-264)

Objective To study the anatomical characteristic of nanophthalmos with ultrasonography and its clinical significance. Methods Forty-four nanophthalmic eyes (22 patients) and 200 normal eyes (100 persons) were included. A series of ocular parameters, including ocular axial length, angle between trabeculum and iris,thickness of lens and sclera.and vitreous cavity length were measured with ultrasound A-scan and ultrasound biomicroscopy. The refractive status was examined with dioptometry. Results The ocular axial length[(15. 95±0. 76)mm] and vitreous cavity length [(8. 48±0. 90)mm] were shorter, the lens [(4. 9±0. 53)mm] and sclera [(0. 917±0. 119)mm] were thicker in nanophthalmic eyes than those of normal eyes( P <0.01). The relative position of lens (0.312±0.09) was more forward, and the angle between trabeculum and iris (11. 41 ±7. 63 ) was narrower in nanophthalmic eyes, compared with normal eyes( P <0. 01). The hyperopia of nanophthalmic eyes was negatively correlated with the ocular axial length ( r = -0.806) and vitreous cavity length ( r = - 0. 663) ( P <0. 01). Conclusions Nanophthalmos was characterized by short ocular axial length, thick lens and sclera.and narrow anterior chamber angle. The thickness of sclera and the angle between trabeculum and iris measured with ultrasound biomicroscopy could provide a solid indication of the treatment to the complication of angle closure glaucoma.

AIM: To study the effect of berberine(Ber) on invasion and migration of PG cells from a high metastatic human giant lung carcinoma cell line and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Agarose drop method was used to detect PG migration; transwell cabin with FN in lower chamber was adopted to detect PG chemotaxis. PG adhesion to FN and martrigel was detected by MTT; PG invasive ability was determined by transwell cabin covered with martrigel. Expression of MMP2/TIMP2 protein and mRNA were detected by quantitative immunocytochemical method and RT - PCR respectively. RESULTS: After PG was treated by Ber( 10 mg/L) for 24 h: 1 ) migration distance of Ber- treated PG cells was markedly shorter than that of control cells (P ＜0. 01 ) and the number of passed membrane cells towards FN was much fewer than that of control cells ( P ＜ 0. 01 ); 2) PG adhesion to FN and martrigel was inhibited remarkably by Ber compared with control PG; 3) the migration of PG cells through the martrigel -coated transwell was significantly inhibited by the addition of Ber; 4) MMP2 expression was reduced significantly(P ＜0. 01 ), while the TIMP2 expression showed up - regulating tendency, but had no differences compared with control group (P ＞ 0. 05). The MMP2/TIMP2 ratio was decreased; 5 )the MMP2 mRNA/TIMP2 mRNA ratio was decreased by Ber. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of cell migration, adhesion to ECM and invasion into ECM of tumor cells and regulation of homeostasis between MMPs and TIMPs to maintain ECM integrity may be the basic mechanism of inhibitive effect of Ber on invasion and metastasis of tumors.

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of using left ventricular volume-time curve in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function,and to analyze characteristics of left ventricular volume-time curve changcs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).MethodsSeventeen cases of HCM and 12 healthy volunteers received cardiac MRI (CMRI) examination,and left ventricular (LV) 2-chamber long and short axis cine imaging were performed,LV volume-time curves were reconstructed and platform time,different diastolic volume recovery (DVR) time and their corresponding filling velocity were calculated from LV volume-time curve off-line.The DVR time and their corresponding filling velocity were analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis. Results Compared with the group of healthy volunteers,ventricular septal HCM group had delayed left ventricular 50％,70％ DVR time[ (8.9 ± 1.3) versus (7.7 ± 0.8 ) phase,F=6.787,P=0.016;(11.3 ±1.6) versus(9.7±1.8) phase,F=4.927,P=0.036] and shortened plateau time [ ( 1.8 ± 1.7) versus ( 4.1 ± 1.4 ) phase,t =6.787,P ＜ 0.01 ].Ventricular septal HCM group had reduced 30％,50％ DVR filling rates [ (0.22 ± 0.11 ) versus (0.40 ± 0.15 ) ml/ms,F =12.916,P ＜ 0.01 ; (0.20 ± 0.09 ) versus (0.30 ± 0.10) ml/ms,F =7.121,P =0.014 ] compared with those in the group of healthy volunteers.But 70％,80％,90％ DVR filling rates showed no statistically significant different in the two groups.In HCM patients,myocardial fibrosis caused 50％,70％,80％ DVR time delay [ (9.6 ± 1.0) versus ( 7.9 ± 1.5 ) phase,F =5.000,P =0.045 ; ( 12.3 ± 1.4 ) versus ( 9.6 ± 1.8)phase,F=8.039,P=0.015;(13.1 ±1.4 ) versus(10.9±1.9)phase,F=5.060,P=0.044],but no significant difference of DVR filling rate was found between the two groups. Conclusions Left ventricular volume curve analysis techniques can be used for detailed evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function.The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs mainly in early diastolic period,and accompanied by the shortening of the plateau time. Myocardial fibrosis can aggravate early left ventricular diastolic dysfunction of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIM:To study the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Fang(YHJ),composed of ginsenoside,penex notogingseng and berberin,on tumor growth and metastasis and to explore its mechanism.METHODS:Murine Lewis lung carcinoma transplant model was established and mice were treated with YHJ by intraperitoneal injection.After 10 days,the inhibitory rate of tumor,pathology of tumor and PCNA of tumor cells were detected.After 20 days,numbers of metastatic foci on lung surface and microvessel density(MVD)were determined.Expression of VEGF in tumor and serum were also analyzed by immunohistochemical test and ELISA,respectively.RESULTS:YHJ reduced the weight of tumor and the amount of metastatic foci.The inhibitory rates of tumor at high and low dose of YHJ(24 mg?kg-1?d-1,12 mg?kg-1?d-1)were 48.29% and 37.26%,and the number of metastatic foci was 1.67 and 3.50,while control was 6.44.Furthermore,PCNA of tumor cells,MVD of tumor and VEGF expression in serum and tumor were decreased in YHJ treatment goup as compared with control.CONCLUSION:YHJ remarkably inhibits Lewis lung carcinoma growth and metastasis in mice.Its mechanism may be related to inhibition of angiogenesis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance and cardiac function of fetuses with intracardiac hyperechogenic focus(ICEF) by fetal echocardiography. Methods Fetal echocardiograms were performed on 1291 fetuses for evaluation of fetal heart structures and rhythms. Echocardiographic characteristics of ICEF were investigated. Fetal systolic and diastolic functions of 399 fetuses with an isolated ICEF were compared with 128 normal fetuses using conventional two-dimensional, M-mode, pulsed Doppler echocardiography and myocardial Doppler tissue imaging(DTI). Results The prevalence of ICEF was 34. 7% (448/1291). Twenty-four(5.4%) cases were found with cardiovascular malformations. There was 1 (0.22%) case of ICEF fetus associated with chromosomal abnormality (trisomy 21 ). Comprehensive fetal echocardiographic data analysis showed no significant differences in heart dimensions, global cardiac functions,and myocardial performances in the two groups( P ＞0.05). Conclusions An isolated ICEF in the fetal heart is not associated with increased risk for chromosome abnormalities. Fetuses with ICEF do not indicate impaired left ventricular systolic or diastolic function, therefore having no hemodynamic significance.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of full volume three-dimensional echocardiography(FV3DE) for quantifying the left ventricular volume in healthy fetuses. Methods Two hundred and twenty-two normal fetuses with gestational ages between 20 and 40 weeks were investigated. Full volume three-dimensional, two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode images were acquired by Philips iE33 system and data was processed offline using QLAB analysis software. Left ventricular end-systolic volume(ESV) and end-diastolic volume ( EDV) were measured using semiautomated border detection echocardiographic techniques, and compared with 2D biplane Simpson's method and M-mode Teichholz formula. Results Thirty-six fetuses with poor three-dimensional images and 5 twin pregnancies were excluded,the study subjects consisted of 181 singleton fetuses. The highest concordance correlation ( r =0.987 for EDV, r =0.988 for ESV) P <0. 001) was noted between 2D biplane Simpson's and FV3DE-derived values with a small bias (0. 332 ml for EDV,0. 135 ml for ESV). The Bland-Altman analysis showed that FV3DE had the best reproducibility than M-mode Teichholz formula and 2D biplane Simpson's method. Intra- and interobserver error of EDV were 2.85% and 4.22% for FV3DE,8.37% and 8.98% for 2D biplane Simpson's rule,30. 63% and 54. 70% for M-mode Teichholz formula. Intra- and interobserver error of ESV were 2.34% and 6. 14% for FV3DE,6. 26% and 11.7% for 2D biplane Simpson's rule,43.06% and 66.03% for M-mode Teichholz formula. Conclusions FV3DE is a novel technique that can be more accurate than conventional methods in quantification of fetal left ventricular volumes, it may provide new insight into evolving fetal cardiac structure and function.

Objective To assess the changes of right atrial size and mechanical function after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using real-time threedimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE), and to study the correlation between the changes of left atrial(LA)and right atrial(RA) volume and function. Methods Thirty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were undergone radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) successfully. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE),tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) and RT-3DE were performed before, 1 month and 3 months after procedure respectively. Late systolic volume and area of RA and LA,ejection fraction(EF) of RA and LA,late diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve inflow, tricuspid valve inflow and late diastolic peak velocity of mitral annulus and tricuspid annulus were recorded. Results The 3DE images of all patients were satisfied.LA max area and 3DE LA max volume were significantly reduced at 1 months and 3 months after procedure compared with basic stage [ ( 18.8 ± 6.3) cm2 vs (21.5 ± 6.2) cm2 , (38.8 ± 17.0) ml vs (46.1 ± 20.0) ml,P ＜ 0.05]. 3DE LA EF also declined markedly at 1 month after RFCA, and restored at 3 months later compared with baseline [(41.1 ± 13.7) % vs (51.7 ± 15.9) %, (41.1 ± 13.7) % vs (45.6 ± 18.3) %, P ＜0.05]. The size and mechanical function of the right atrial after procedure were no obvious changes. There were no evidently correlation between the changes of LA and RA volume and function. Conclusions RT3DE can provide a precise method to quantify the value of atrial volume and function. The LA size and volume are significantly reduced after RFCA in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, however, the RA size and function are no obvious changes.