Objective To investigate whether HER-2/neu oneogene amplification exists in 08- teosarcomas. Methods Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)and DNA probes for HER-2/neu and centromere 17 were used to examine the HER-2/neu gene amplification in samples taken from 23 patients with osteosarcoma. Results None of the 23 osteosarcoma samples showed the HER-2/neu gene amplification.Condusion Since HER-2/neu gene amplification is rare in osteosarcomas, HER-2/neu target medicine should not be applied to patients with osteosarcoma

95%) was performed in 62 cases, a subtotal resection (76%~95%) was performed in 6 cases, and a partial resection (≤75%), 2 cases. No peri-operative deaths occurred. Transient diabetes insipidus was noted in 24 cases and was cured within 3 weeks after operation. Nasal cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed in 8 cases, 5 of which spontaneously recovered after 2 weeks of bed rest, and 3 of which were cured by lumbar cistern drainage. Follow-up observations for 3 months ~ 2 years (mean, 7 months) in 48 cases found 2 cases of recurrence. Conclusions Transnasal transseptal transsphenoidal approach adenomectomy is an effective and minimally invasive procedure, with simplicity to performance, short operative time and fewer complications.

Objective To investigate the impact ofα?lipoic acid(ALA)treatment on sepsis?induced acute kidney injury in rats and explore the mechanisms. Methods A total of 32 male SD rats were randomized into 4 groups:normal control group(group A),ALA?treated control group (group B),sepsis group(group C)and sepsis with ALA treated group(group D). Group A and B underwent sham operation,while CLP operations were conducted in group C and D. Rats in both group B and group D were then administered with 200 mg/kg ALA by oral gavage immediately after the surgical procedure. Twenty?four hours after the surgical procedure blood samples were obtained for the evaluation of creatinine,BUN,TNF?α,IL?6 and IL?1β. Rat kidneys were rapidly removed for PAS stain. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of NF?κB. Results Pathologi?cal changes of kidney were induced by sepsis and the level of creatinine,BUN,TNF?α,IL?6 and IL?1βwere significantly increased by 178%,66%, 55%,114%and 110%(P<0.01). respectively;simultaneously the phosphorylation and nuclear expression of NF?κB p65 in kidney tissues were significantly increased by 144%and 102%(P<0.01). Sepsis?induced acute kidney injury also significantly reduced the expression of IκBαby 61%(P<0.01). These changes were significantly suppressed by early ALA treatment. Compared with C group,the level of creatinine,BUN,TNF?α,IL?6 and IL?1βwere significantly decreased by 48%,26%,25%,37%and 40%(P<0.05),respectively,and the relative expression of IκBαwas increased by 103%(P<0.05). Conclusion The present study demonstrated that ALA can suppress the activation of NF?κB,thus ameliorat?ing sepsis?related acute kidney injury.

Objective To assess the role of helical CT in the long-term follow-up of patients with malignant hepatic tumors treated with RFA. Methods CT findings of patients with liver malignant tumors (29 hepatocellular carcinomas and 7 metastases) were reviewed retrospectively, who underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA). CT images consisted of nonenhanced and dual-phase contrast-enhanced helical CT scan, the effect of ablation therapy and tumor recurrence were detected. Results The major patterns of tumor residual or local recurrence were the lesions with thick rim or nodular peripheral enhancement in arterial phase or the lesions with gross enlargement on follow-up CT images. The complete necrosis lesions in 28 cases (77.8%) were seen on the initial postablation CT scans after a single session RFA. On the subsequent follow-up CT examination, the local intra-hepatic tumor recurrences were seen in 2 cases (5.6%) as well as the remote intra-hepatic tumor recurrences were seen in 4 cases (11.1%).Conclusion For certain patients with hepatic malignant tumors, RFA is an effective therapeutic method, and dual-phase contrast enhanced helical CT scans play a important role in long-term assessment and follow-up of patients.

Objective To investigate the expressions of CD133 and CD44 and their prognostic significance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).Methods Streptavidin perosidase (SP) method of immunohistochemistry was used to detect expressions of CD133 and CD44 proteins in 42 cases of GIST, and the relationship between their expressions and tumor size, mitotic count were analyzed by univariate and multivariate factor analyses.Results The expressions of CD133 and CD44 proteins in GIST were 21.4％ (9/42) and 78.6％ (33/42), respectively.The expressions of CD133 and CD44 proteins were significantly correlated with tumor size and mitotic count (P ＜ 0.05).Univariate factor analysis showed that the overall survival of GIST patients with positive CD133 protein (23.2 months) was shorter than that of patients with negative CD133 protein(63.1 months) (P ＜ 0.05).The overall survival of GIST patients with negative CD44 protein (23.2 months) was shorter than that of patients with positive CD44 protein (63.3 months) (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate factor analysis showed that tumor size, mitotic count and CD44 protein were independent prognostic indicators for survival time after operation.Conclusions The positive expressions of CD133 and CD44 proteins might be the prognostic factors of GIST patients.

To investigate the effects of cycloartocarpin A (ACR-2) and artocarpin (ACR-3), monomeric compounds isolated from Fructus Artocarpi Heterophylli, on apoptosis of SMMC-7721 and SGC-7901 cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of three compounds extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook (TW) on angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). METHODS: Fifty fresh Hongkong Mahua chicken eggs were divided into five groups: PBS-treated group, TW1-, TW2- and TW3-treated groups and Rg3-treated group. After disinfection, the eggs were incubated for six days in a constant temperature box with the temperature being controlled within 37.8 degrees C, then exposed CAM, laid the filter papers with specimen on the CAM, and the eggs were incubated for another two days. CAM was fixed with the mixture of methyl alcohol and acetone at room temperature for about 15 min, and then cutting the CAM, taking photos and observing the angiogenesis in the CAM. RESULTS: There were many CAM vessels in the PBS-treated group and the blood vessel net could be seen clearly. The number of CAM vessels in the TW1-, TW2- and TW3-treated groups (10 microg/egg) was much less than that in the PBS-treated group. Furthermore, the frame of the vessels was not clear, and the color was obscure. Inhibition rates of angiogenesis in the TW1-, TW2- and TW3-treated groups were 80%, 60% and 100% respectively, while the inhibition rate of angiogenesis in the Rg3-treated group (10 microg/egg) was only 10%. CONCLUSION: TW1, TW2 and TW3 can obviously restrain the angiogenesis in CAM and still need further study.

In order to prove safety and efficacy, herbal medicines must undergo the rigorous scientific researches such as pharmacokinetic and bioavailability, before they are put on the market in the foreign countries. Botanical Drug Products promulgated by the US FDA could guide industry sponsors to develop herbal drugs, which was also an important reference for investigating Chinese herbal medicines. This paper reviews and discusses novel approaches for how to assess systemic exposure and pharmacokinetic of Chinese herbal medicines, which were in line with FDA guidance. This mainly focus on identifying pharmacokinetic markers of botanical products, integral pharmacokinetic study of multiple components, Biopharmaceutics drug disposition classification system, and population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study in herb-drug interaction.
Animals ; Biomarkers, Pharmacological ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Herbal Medicine ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Humans

Objective To explore the effects of the community-based rehabilitation on schizophrenia. Methods 100 patients with schizophrenia from 4 communities were assigned to intervention group (n=50) and control group (n=50). The intervention group accepted comprehensive intervention for 6 months. All the patients were followed up for 12 months, and assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Personal and Social Function Scale (PSP), the General Quality of Life Inventory (GQOLI-74). Results 48 cases of the intervention group and 44 of the control group finished the study. The scores of negative symptoms and general spirit pathology were less in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.01). The score of PSP was more in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.01), as well as the total score and score of dimensions of physical function, mental health and social function (P<0.05). Conclusion Community-based rehabilitation can control the mental symptoms, and improve the social function and the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVETo explore the transmembrane transport and metabolism of diammonium glycyrrhizinate in intestines of rats.

METHODAn Ussing Chamber model were used to investigate the transmembrane transport of diammonium glycyrrhizinate (GZ), the concentrations of diammonium glycyrrhizinate and its two metabolites were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe permeability coefficients of GZ in difference intestinal mucous membranes were ranged from 0.3 x 10(-6) cm x s(-1) to 1.1 x 10(-6) cm x s(-1). The metabolism of GZ in enterocytes during its transport process was negligible. The concentration of diammonium glycyrrhizinate and pH had limit effects on the transport amount and the permeability coefficients of GZ.

CONCLUSIONGZ is a low permeability drug, but it can be absorbed at all segments of the small intestine in rats. Ileum is the major absorption region of GZ.

Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestine, Small ; chemistry ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley