Objective To study the potential effect of verapamil for the early changes of L-type calcium channel ?1c and potassium channel Kv4.3 in a rapid paced primary cultured atrial myocyte model for atrial fibrillation. Methods Primary rat atrial myocytes were cultured and established a rapid paced primary cultured atrial myocyte model. Atrial cells were divided into four groups: control group, rapid pacing group, verapamil with rapid pacing group and verapamil without rapid pacing group. Durations of rapid pacing were 24 h. The mRNA and protein expressions of L-type calcium channel ?1c and potassium channel Kv4.3 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. Results It was found that 24 h pacing significantly reduced mRNA and protein expressions of L-type calcium channel ?1c and potassium channel Kv4.3 as compared to controls (P0.05). Conclusion Expressions of L-type calcium channel ?1c and potassium channel Kv4.3 were reduced in the rapid pacing atrial myocytes, suggesting ion channel remodeling of atrial myocytes. However, verapamil can attenuate the progression of ion channel remodeling of atrial myocytes at least in early phase.

Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans ; Hypertension, Renal ; surgery ; Kidney ; innervation ; surgery ; Sympathectomy

Objective To discuss digital subtraction angiography(DSA)findings and interventional treatment of broncho-costoarterial pulmonary circulation fistula(BPF).Methods Fifty one patients with massive hemoptysis were undergone DSA showing 19 cases with BPF.All BPF were cmbolized with 500～700?PVA, silk particles and segments,and steel coil;separately or in combination according to shunt orifice size and blood flow velocity.Results There were 4 types of BPF demonstrated by DSA according to feeding and drainage vessels,including 13 cases of bronchial artery-pulmonary artery shunt(AAS),2 cases of bronchial artery-pulmonary venous shunt(AVS),3 cases of intercostal artery-pulmonary artery shunt(IAPS)and 1 case of bronchial arteriovenous malformatoin(B-AVM).All patients were followed up for 1～4 years,with 18 cases of complete symptomless during 7 days postoperatively obtaining,the effective rate of 94.7%.There were 3 recurrent cases within 1 year with the recurrent rate of 15.79%.Conlusions BPF is the main factor for inducing and aggrevating pulmonary hemoptysis and interventional embolization serves as a safe and effective treatment.The method could be used repeatedly for recurrent cases and furthermore emphasis should be put on treating the primary pulmonary diseases simultaneously.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:84-87)

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin versus nedaplatin for patients with middle-advanced stage uterine cervical cancer. Methods: Sixty-four patients with middle-advanced stage uterine cervical cancer were randomized into concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin group (n =32) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy with nedaplatin group (n =32). The short- and long-term efficacy and the adverse reactions were observed. Results: The short-term response rate between the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin group (96.9%) and the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with nedaplatin group (100.0%) was not significantly different (P >0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the three-year survival (71.88% vs 70.97%), local recurrence rate (12.50% vs 12.90%) and distant metastasis rate (6.25% vs 6.45%) between these two groups (P >0.05). The incidences of gastrointestinal toxicity and renal dysfunction in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin group were higher than those in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with nedaplatin (P <0.05), while the incidence of thrombopenia was lower in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin group (P <0.05). Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin/ nedaplatin can improve the short- and long-term efficacy and reduce the local recurrence and distant metastasis of patients with middle-advanced stage uterine cervical cancer. These two treatment regimens are both well-tolerated. Copyright© 2011 by TUMOR.

OBJECTIVETo explore the curative effect and safety of acupuncture for mild cognitive disorders after stroke.

METHODSRandomized controlled trial was adopted and one hundred cases conforming to criteria were divided into a combined acupuncture and medication group (group A) and a medication group (group B), 50 cases in each group. The basic treatment of cerebrovascular disease was applied in two groups. The group A treated was with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and Qucha (BL 4) etc. and oral administration of Nimodipine. In group B, Nimodipine was taken orally. The treatment lasted for 3 months, the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), modified Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) and Barthel Index (BI) were observed before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in group A was 66.7% (32/48), which was superior to 30.4% (14/46) in group B (P < 0.05). The scores of MMSE, HDS-R and BI after treatment were apparently improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The improvements in group A were superior to those in group B (all P < 0.05). There was no adverse event reported during the treatment in two groups.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve activity of daily living and has significant effect in treating mild cognition disorders after stroke without adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To study the change of microRNA during the early stage of high phosphorus in-duced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)calcification and its related mechanism.Methods:The in vitro calcification model was created through stimulating VSMC cell line A7r5 with high Pi (2.6 mmol /L)for 7 d.The calcification was validated through ocresolphthalein complexone colorimetry to detect the cellular calcium content,real-time PCR to measure the calcification-related gene expression and alizarin red staining to observe the formation of calcium nodules.Based on the cell calcification model,micro-RNA microarray array was applied to screen the profiles of microRNA expression in VSMC following high Pi stimulation for different periods (0,3 and 12 h).The array data were analyzed by TAMtool to explore the activated signaling pathway.Results:The calcium content of A7r5 cells induced by high Pi was in-creased 9.6 times high as cells without Pi treatment (P <0.05 ).VSMC contractile phenotype genes (SM-αactin,SM22)were down-regulated (P <0.05 ),while calcification-related genes (BMP2, MSX2,Runx2)were up-regulated (P <0.05)in VSMC stimulated by high Pi.The calcium nodules were obviously formed in cells after 7 d high Pi treatment.In microarray experiment,680 individual mi-croRNAs were detected in high Pi-treated VSMCs at different time points (0,3 and 12 h).Among these genes,miR-183,miR-664 and miR-9 * were increased whereas miR-542-5P,let-7f and miR-29a were decreased in time-dependent manners.Twenty-six kinds of signaling pathways,including cell apoptosis, differentiation and proliferation,were significantly activated.All these activated pathways were associated with calcification.Conclusion:This study implies that microRNA changed in high Pi-induced VSMCs may involve in the process of calcification.

Aurora-B as an important kinase to adjust the cell normal mitosis is a potent target for cancer treatment. Aurora-B is overexpressed in a broad range of tumor and tumor cells are more sensitive while Aurora-B is inhibited. Due to the key role of the Aurora-B in cell mitosis, the development of its inhibitors is becoming more and more important. Several small molecules inhibit with a similar efficacy both Aurora-A and Aurora-B, however, in most cases the effects resemble Aurora-B disruption by genetic methods, indicating that Aurora-B represents an effective therapeutic target. There were several Aurora-B kinase inhibitors which had entered the clinics and displayed good antitumor activity. In this review, we will outline the functions of Aurora kinase B in normal cell division and in malignancy. We will focus on recent preclinical and clinical studies that have explored the mechanism of action and clinical effect of Aurora-B inhibitors in cancer treatment.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach ( HAS) belongs to one of the rare cases in gastric cancer types ,which has extremely high malignant degree and poor prognosis .Lymph node metastasis and liver me-tastasis are common in HAS.In this article,we reported alpha-fetoprotein-high-producing hepatoid adenocar-cinoma of the stomach(HAS),and reviewed the related literature at home and abroad in order to improve clinical physicians understanding of these diseases and treatment experience .

Objective To investigate the effect of perioperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing general anesthesia.Methods Forty elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia and abdominal surgery, 24 males, 16 females, aged 65-81 years, ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, BMI 19-28 kg/m2, were randomly divided into two groups (n=20 each): protective ventilation group (group PV) and conventional ventilation group (group CV).Lung protective ventilation was received in group PV: intermittent positive pressure ventilation, tidal volume 6 ml/kg (ideal body weight), positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5-10 cm H2O, alveolar recruitment maneuver every 30 minutes;conventional ventilation was received in group CV: intermittent positive pressure ventilation, tidal volume 10 ml/kg (ideal body weight), without using the PEEP and alveolar recruitment maneuver.Venous blood samples for interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were taken at five different time points: before the anesthesia induction (T1), 2 h after mechanical ventilation (T2), at the end of operation (T3), 6 h (T4) and 24 h (T5) after operation.The clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) was recorded at before anesthesia, days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after surgery.The incidence of postoperative pulmonary inflammation was also recorded.Results There was no statistical difference in the two groups with respect to age, body mass index, ASA physical status, intraoperative volume of infusion, estimated blood loss, urine volume, mechanical ventilation time, operation method and IL-6, IL-8 levels at T1-T5.Compared with T1, the IL-6 and IL-8 levels in two groups at T2-T5 increased significantly (P＜0.05).Compared that before anesthesia, CPIS in group CV on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5 increased significantly (P＜0.05);compared with group CV, CPIS and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary inflammation in group PV reduced significantly on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Lung protective ventilation can not reduce perioperative IL-6, IL-8 levels in laparotomy elderly patients with COPD, but it can reduce the incidence of pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary infection within 5 postoperative days.

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE; To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Capsule (JTXZC) in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of qi-yin deficiency phlegm-stasis inter-obstruction syndrome (QYDPSIOS), and to observe its effect on inflammatory factors and fibrinolytic factors.

METHODSBy adopting a randomization grouping, parallel control, and prospective study, 73 T2DM patients of QYDPSIOS were assigned to two groups by random digit table, the Pioglitazone Tablet group (36 cases, as the control) and the JTXZC group (37 cases). All patients maintained their basic therapies and lifestyle as previous after recruitment. Patients in the JTXZC group took JTXZC, 4 pills each time, three times per day, while those in control group took Pioglitazone Tablet, 15 mg each time, once daily. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. The body weight (BW), the height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and scoring of Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms were observed. Levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 h PBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAL-1) were detected. The safety indices such as liver and renal functions and adverse reactions were also observed.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BW, BMI, HbA1c, and PBG were obviously lower after 8-week treatment than before treatment in the JTXZC group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in post-treatment BW, BMI, HbA1c, or 2 h PBG between the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, levels of TNF-alpha and PAI-1 were lowered after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (P < 0.01). The level of NF-kappaB was obviously lowered after 8 weeks of treatment in the control groups (P < 0.05), but it also decreased in the JTXZC group with no statistical difference. The scorings of CM symptoms were somewhat improved after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01). Besides, better effects were obtained in the JTXZC group (P < 0.05). No severe adverse event occurred in either group during the whole therapeutic course.

CONCLUSIONSJTXZC showed similar therapeutic effect to pioglitazone. Both of them could effectively improve patients' clinical symptoms, the inflammation and fibrinolytic activities in different pathways, with no severe adverse reaction.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Qi ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy