Objective To evaluate the indications,complications and efficacy of permanent interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Methods Five patients (mean age,73 years;range,59~84 years) with clinically localized stage T 2b to T 3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with iodine-125 brachytherapy using the transrectal ultrasound guided transperineal implantation technique and Prowess 2.42 treatment planning system.The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 18 months. Results After implantation,the PSA levels of the 5 patients were decreased significantly and were all less than 0.5 ng/ml at 12th post-implant month;and the prostate volume shrunk from the third month. In the early period after the implantation all the patients complained of some voiding problems and had a noticed increase of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS),with the decrease of urinary flow rate.But the conditions improved gradually from the third month. No serious complications such as hematuria, bloody stool and rectal ulcer were found in this group. Conclusions Permanent interstitial brachytherapy has better efficacy,fewer complications and more radiation safety in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer.

To study the relationship between gastric pH and bilirubin absorption value in bile reflux gastritis, we simultaneously assessed the changes in gastric pH and bilirubin absorption value during 24h in 22 patients with bile reflux gastritis using ambulatory 24h pH meter and bilirubin monitoring technique. There was no relationship between gastric pH and bilirubin absorption value,either with occurrence of bile reflux or elevation of gastric pH value. It is concluded that 24h intragastric bilirubin monitoring can not be replaced by pH monitoring, and monitoring bilirubin absorption as an index of bile reflux is very important in the diagnosis of bile reflux gastritis.

Objective To investigate the effects of spleen preservation on hepatic fibrosis and relevant cytokine in rabbits with advanced schistosomiasis. Methods After hepatic cirrhosis was induced by infecting Schistosoma japonicum cercariae in rabbits, total splenectomy (TSG), subtotal splenectomy (SSG) or sham operation (model control group, MCG) were performed respectively on these rabbits. Meanwhile,a normal control group (NCG) was established. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-lβ) were detected respectively by radioimmunoassay(RIA) at the 8th, 15th and 21st week post-infection. The expressions of transforming growth factor betal (TGF-β1), type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in liver tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry before and after the operations. Results Compared with NCG, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β of MCG rabbits increased significantly at the 8th week post-infection (P <0.01). However, the levels of them decreased to a lower level at the 15th week. At the 6th week after operation,no significant difference was found among the three model groups ( MCG, TSG, SSG) (P > 0.05). The expressions of TGF-β1, type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in liver tissue of MCG rabbits were significantly higher than those of NCG rabbits before the operation (P < 0. 01). No significant difference was found among the three model groups at the 6th week after the operation ( P > 0.05). Conclusion The residual splenic tissue after subtotal splenectomy does not aggravate the hepatic fibrosis at advanced schistosomiasis. The mechanism may be that the relevant cytokines of hepatic fibrosis (TGF-β1, TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1β) decreased to a lower level at this time,and splenectomy does not influence the levels of them.

Objective To investigate the effect of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on the proliferation of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells and its underlying mechanism. Methods Cells were cultured in estrogen-free improved Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and then divided into 5 groups: no treatment (control group); treated with 17β-estradiol (E_2 group); treated with DEHP (DEHP group); treated with both E_2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 (E_2 + LY294002 group); treated with both DEHP and LY294002 (DEHP + LY294002 group). The absorbance value (AV) was measured on day 0, 2, and 5. DNA proliferation index (PI) and apoptotic index (AI) were determined by flow cytometry on day 5. Caspase-3 protein, protein-serine-threonine kinase (Akt) and phosphor-Akt (Ser473) protein expression were analyzed by Western blot on day 5. Results The AV of All groups increased on day 2, and 5. The AV of E_2 and DEHP groups were higher than that of the control group (P<0. 001), but the AV of E_2 + LY294002 and DEHP + LY294002 groups were lower than those of E_2 and DEHP groups (P<0.01) on day 2 and 5. On day 5, PI of E_2 and DEHP groups were also higher than that of control (P<0.01). However, PI of E_2 + LY294002 and DEHP + LY294002 groups were lower than those of E_2 and DEHP group (P<0.01) on day 5. There was no significant difference in AI and caspase-3 protein expression among the groups. At the same time, phosphor-Akt (Ser473) protein expression of E_2 and DEHP groups increased obviously, compared with the control group. Compared with E_2 and DEHP groups, E_2 + LY294002 and DEHP + LY294002 groups decreased significantly. However, Akt protein expression was equal among those groups. Conclusions DEHP can promote the growth of SK-N-SH cells to a level similar to that of E_2, with activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperthyroidism decoction on thyroid hormone and thyroid pathological changes of ex-perimental hyperthyroid rats. Methods 40 rats were randomly divided into four groups: Normal group,hyperthyreosis model group, western drugs control group and hyperthyroidism decoction group. The model rats were constructed by drenching Youjiale. Hyperthyroidism decoction group were given hyperthyroidism decoction of respective dosage, western drugs control group were given propylthiouracil. The serum contents of T3, T4, FT3, FT4 and TSH were determined by radio-immunity method, the thyroid pathological changes effected by hyperthyroidism de-coction were observed. Results Compared with model group, the contents of serum T3, T4, FT3, FT4, of hyperthyroidism decoction group were decreased, while the contents of serum TSH were increased. Hyperthyroidism decoction may improve thyroid pathological changes of ex-perimental hyperthyroid rats. Conclusion Hyperthyroidism decoction can effectively improve the thyroid function of experimental hyperthy-roid rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with cervical lymph metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS The expression of COX-2 and VEGF in 79 specimens of papillary thyroid carcinoma were evaluated with SP immunohistochemical methods. In all the 79 cases, there were 46 cases with cervical lymph node metastases and 33 cases without cervical lymph node metastasis. RESULTS The positive expression rates of COX-2 and VEGF in the cases with cervical metastases were 81.6 % and 86.8 % respectively, and in the cases without cervical lymph metastases were 54.5 % and 66.7 % respectively. There was a significant difference in the positive expression rates of COX-2 and VEGF between two groups (P

Objective:To investigate the immediate bond strength and surface structure of resin and the tooth enamel which treated by cold plasma.Methods:In the study,40 bovine incisors were divided into two equal parts.In this sense,all enamel adhesive samples were prepared and then randomly divided into 4 groups(n =20).group 1:acid +single bond 2 +resin composite(control group);group 2:beyond bleaching+acid+single bond 2+resin composite;group 3:treated by cold plasma for 5 minutes+acid+single bond 2+resin composite;group 4:treated by cold plasma for 5 minutes+single bond 2+resin composite.Single bond 2 bonding system and Filtek Z250 resin were used in this experiment.The shear bond strength was tested by universal testing machine.The surface of the enamel in different processes was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Statistical analyses by the single factor analysis of variance and multiple pairwise comparisons were performed with SPSS 1 7 .0 .Results:The shear bond strength of group 4 (8.60 MPa)was significantly lower than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). The shear bond strength of group 2 (1 7.89 MPa)was higher than that of group 4,but lower than group 1 and group 3 (P<0.05).There was no significant difference between group 1 (34.82 MPa)and group 3 (34.69 MPa).Scanning electron microscope indicated that the enamel treated by cold plasma had slight molten form,which was different from etched enamel surface.The fractured surface of group 3 was mix fracture,which was similar to the control group (group 1 ).Conclusion:Compared with the conven-tional clinic bleaching,immediate bond strength of resin-enamel that treated by cold plasma has not been affected.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of tolterodine on late-onset overactive bladder symptoms after prostate brachytherapy due to prostate carcinoma.Methods Twenty-six prostate cancer patients diagnosed by biopsy,who underwent prostate brachytherapy using iodine-125,were recrui(t)ed in this trial.All cascs complained of overactive bladder symptoms 6 months postoperatively.The 26 patients were divided into 2 groups:14 men in tolterodine group (TR group) who were given tolterodine 2 mg twice a day; 12 men in tamsulosin group (TS group) who were given tamsulosin 0.2 mg once a day.Efficacy was assessed by changes in IPSS,OABSS and nighttime voiding at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after medical treatment respectively.Safety was assessed by postvoid residual (PVR) and acute urinary retention (AUR),dry mouth,constipation and tachycardia at the fourth week after medical treatment.Results The age,tumor staging,GS,PSA,initial prostate volume,IPSS,OABSS,nighttime voiding,iodine-125 seeds implanted and needles punctured of both groups were comparable.IPSS,OABSS and nighttime voiding were significantly improved in TR group after 2 weeks of medical treatment and the above parameters were significantly improved than TS group (14.4 vs 18.3,5.9 vs8.4,1.4 vs2.5).OAB symptoms of TR group were also significantly improved than TS group after 4 weeks of therapy.There were no significant differences of PVR and AUR,dry mouth,constipation and tachycardia between both groups.Conclusions Tolterodine is effective and safe in treating late-onset OAB symptoms after prostate brachytherapy,although the occurence of dry mouth and tachycardia might be increased.

Background and purpose:Brucine is one of the active components from Strychnos nux vomica,with signifi cant analgesic,anti-inflammatory and platelet-aggregating inhibitory properties.Due to its cytotoxic effect,the anti-tumor effect of brucine has increasingly been appreciated.In this study,we investigated the impact of brucine on A549 cells proliferation,apoptosis as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:MTT assay was used to examine the cell viability,flow cytometric analysis and fluorescent microscope were applied to examine cell apoptosis,ELISA method was used to examine the effect of brucine on PGE2 release from A549 cells and RT-PCR analysis was used to measure mRNA content,western blotting analysis was used to measure protein expression and luciferase activity was detected to examine the effect of brucine on COX-2 promoter activity.Results:Brucine was able to suppress the proliferation of A549 cells and induce cell apoptosis to time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.To understand the mechanisms,COX-2 was identifi ed to be an important target molecule involved in the apoptosis induced by brucine because brucine could suppress the COX-2 mRNA,protein expressions as well as PGE2 release in A549 cells in a timedependent manner.Furthermore,overexpression of COX-2 abrogated brucine-induced cell apoptosis,in contrast,when A549 cells were transfected with COX-2 siRNA,the apoptotic effect of brucine was dramatically enhanced.Further analysis revealed that brucine was able to suppress COX-2 transcriptional activation.Conclusion:Brucine was able to induce lung cancer apoptosis via downregulation of COX-2.

Aiming at the deficiency in pathology in many TCM universities and colleges we should reform and actively explore the teaching methods,which will be significant to improving the teaching quality of pathology in TCM universities and ensuring the positive teaching effect.