Objective To observe the changes of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and serum of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after treated by Qingfeitang and investigate its clinical value. Methods 52 ARDS patients receiving mechanical ventilation at intensive care unit (ICU) were divided into the Qingfeitang treatment group and the control group, with 26 cases in each group. The EBC were collected by Ecoscreen condenser within 24 h after diagnosis of ARDS and on the 5th day of medication, and the venous blood were collected at the same time. The levels of ET-1 and PGE2 in the EBC and serum of different period were measured by EIA. Results (1) After treatment, The levels of ET-1 in EBC and serum of the Qingfeitang treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group. (2) After treatment, the levels of PGE2 in serum of the Qingfeitang treatment group were significantly lower than that of the control group. (3) The oxygenation index difference before and after treatment of Qingfeitang in the treatment group was higher than in the control group. (4) The duration of mechanical ventilation of the Qingfeitang treatment group was significantly less than that of the control group. Conclusions Qingfeitang could be an effective method for alleviating acute respiratory distress syndrome.

To observe BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 expressions in invasive breast cancer and its correlation with clini-cal pathological indicators, as well as to evaluate their clinical significance. Methods:The BAG-l, EGFR, and PARP-1 expressions in a tissue microarray of invasive breast cancer and peritumoral tissues were detected through immunohistochemical staining. The clinical and pathological significance of BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 were evaluated. Results:The BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 expression lev-els are higher in invasive breast cancer tissues than in peritumoral tissues (P<0.05). BAG-1 expression in invasive cancer tissues is not related to age, tumor site, lymph node metastases, and clinical TNM staging of patients, but is related to size, grade, ER, PR, and HER-2 expressions and molecular subtype (P<0.05). EGFR expression is related to size, clinical TNM staging, and molecular subtype (P<0.05). PARP-1 expression is related to grade, lymph node metastases, ER, and molecular subtype (P<0.05). BAG-1 expression is not significantly correlated with EGFR and PARP-1 in all cases, but BAG-1 and PARP-1 expressions are positively correlated in tri-ple-negative breast cancer tissues (P<0.05). Results of the univariate analysis revealed that the BAG-1 and PARP-1 expressions and the molecular subtypes are associated with the prognoses of breast cancer patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that BAG-1 and PARP-1 expressions are factors that are independent of the prognosis. Conclusion: BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 overexpressions in human breast tissues suggest that BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 are related to breast cancer development. BAG-1, EGFR, and PARP-1 are poten-tial biomarkers of breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Objective To investigate the change of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level and its impact on glucose metabolism and bone mineral density in type 2 diabetic patients.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty-eight cases of type 2 diabetic patients in our hospital were collected.In accordance with 25 (OH) D =50 nmol/L for the critical values,they were grouped into vitamin D deficiency group ( n =192) and the relative lack of vitamin D group ( n =66).Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement of the lumbar vertebrae L2 - L4 and femoral neck bone mineral density were undertaking.Taking the total value of the lumbar spine,femoral neck and total value as judgment indicators,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),we collected and statistically analyzed glucose metabolism and bone metabolism indicators in patients with diabetes.Results Among 258 cases of type 2 diabetes,there were 57 cases of osteoporosis accounting for 22.1％.There was significant difference on the duration of diabetes [ (7.98 ± 1.09 ) years old vs (3.77 ± 1.21 ) years old,t =4.849,P ＜0.05],FINS [ (6.42 ± 1.30) mU/L vs (5.79 ± 1.08) mU/L,t =3.871,P ＜0.05] and HOMA-IR [ (2.35 ±0.54) vs ( 1.85 ±0.41 ),t =2.705,P ＜0.05],but no significant difference on the FPG and HbA1c ( P ＞ 0.05 ) between two groups.PTH [ ( 36.51 ± 7.59) ng/L vs ( 32.02 ± 6.89 ) ng/L,t =2.008,P ＜ 0.05 ],bone mineral density in the lumbar total value [ (0.87 ±0.14) g/cm2 vs (0.99 ±0.12) g/cm2,t =2.799,P ＜0.05 ],femoral neck Neck [ ( 0.70 ± 0.10 ) g/cm2 vs ( 0.79 ± 0.11 ) g/cm2,t =2.564,P ＜ 0.05 ] and Total [ (0.84 ± 0.14) g/cm2 vs (0.97 ± 0.15 ) g/cm2,t =3.340 P ＜ 0.05 ] were statistically different,but no significant difference on the rest of the indicators.Conclusion The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in patients with diabetes.Vitamin D level could affect insulin resistance and glycemic control and bone mineral density level.Therefore,routine vitamin D testing to the diabetic patients and giving vitamin D replacement therapy to vitamin D deficiency patients in a timely manner were necessary.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical significance of nitric oxide (NO) and 8-isoprostane (8-isoPG) changes in exhaled breath condensate ( EBC) of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients after treated by Qingfei Decoction (QD).

METHODSTotally 48 ARDS patients receiving mechanical ventilation were equally assigned to the QD treatment group and the control group by random digit table. EBC specimens were collected by modified Ecoscreen breath condensate collector (German JAEGER Company) on the first day and the fifth day after confirmed diagnosis of ARDS. Concentrations of NO and 8-isoPG in EBC were measured by ELISA. The oxygenation index and APACHE II scores were recorded at the same time.

RESULTS(1) The fatality rate in the QD treatment group was lower than that in the control group (8.3% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05). (2) After treatment NO and 8-isoPG concentrations in EBC were lower in the QD treatment group (34.49 ± 5.67 µmol/L, 30.09 ± 7.89 ng/L) than in the control group (39.78 ± 9.27 µmol/L, 35.65 ± 8.90 ng/L; P < 0.05). (3) After treatment improved oxygenation index value was higher in the QD treatment group than in the control group (120.88 ± 35.16 vs 101.50 ± 37.70, P < 0.05). After treatment APACHEII scores was lower in the QD treatment group than in the control group (6.21 ± 3.51 vs 10. 26 ± 4.33, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of ARDS patients by QD was favorable in controlling inflammation, alleviating lung injury, and improving clinical efficacy.

Breath Tests ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of H-ras gene silence on cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma -M (SACC-M) cell lines.

METHODSThe plasmid H-ras-shRNA, containing the sequence of shRNA targeting H-ras, and HK-shRNA (without interfering effect) were constructed and transfected into SACC-M cells. The cell line with shRNA plasmid stable expression was isolated by G418. The expression levels of H-ras were detected by RT-PCR and protein immunofluorescent assay; cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The proliferation of cell was also determined by subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice.

RESULTSAfter transfection of H-ras-shRNA plasmid, the mRNA expression of H-ras in SACC-M cells was down-regulated by 61.80% and protein expression of H-ras was inhibited by 62.76%; the cell proliferation was inhibited obviously; the G0G1 phase cells were increased. The cell apoptosis rate of H-ras-shRNA group was significantly higher than that of HK-shRNA group (P <0.05). The volume of subcutaneous tumor in nude mice was significantly smaller in Hras-shRNA group than in control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant plasmid HRAS-shRNA could efficiently down-regulate the expression of H-ras gene and protein, induce apoptosis of SACC-M cells and simultaneously inhibit proliferation of these cells in vitro and in vivo.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDIntraoperative Doppler sonography has been used in the neurosurgical operating room for the localization and description of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This study aimed to investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography, including its ability to assess the location and identify of feeding arteries in patients with AVMs and to compare this method with angiography.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with cerebral AVMs who were diagnosed using angiography, were examined with contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography. As an echo-enhancing agent, Sulphur Hexafluoride Microbubbles for Injection ("SonoVue") was administered intravenously in all patients. Sonogram results were reviewed and correlated with angiographic findings. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied.

RESULTSAngiography identified 20 AVM lesions in the anterior or middle fossa and 3 in the posterior fossa. Contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler was somewhat less sensitive for only detecting 21/23 (91.3%) of the AVM lesions. Additionally, contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler slightly underestimated AVM size compared with angiographic findings but showed feeding arteries with sufficient acoustic properties. In 15 patients, angiography revealed a coincidental blood supply from another intracranial vessel, which was missed by contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography.

CONCLUSIONSIn a limited group of patients with AVMs, contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography was a less sensitive but useful and simple method for the detection of AVMs in contrast to angiography. No specific untoward effects were attributed to the use of "SonoVue" as a contrast-enhancing substance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Angiography ; methods ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phospholipids ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; methods

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging in evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).MethodsAll 24 patients with IPAH underwent 18 F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging.Right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV)-FDG uptake was calculated by ROI method drawing over the central areas of left and right ventricular free walls.All patients underwent right heart catheterization within 3 days after imaging studies.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were recorded.After six month pharmaceutical treatment,15 IPAH patients were re-examined with 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging followed by repeated right heart catheterization within 3 days.Plasma N-terminal pro-brain naturetic peptide (NT-proBNP) and endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ) were measured in 17 patients using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay respectively.All patients were followed up for 12 months at least.Correlations between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP and PVR were determined by simple linear regression analysis.Change of RV/LV-FDG before and after treatment was calculated using Student's t-test.Survival in groups with RV/LV FDG uptake ≥ 1.15 and RV/LV-FDG uptake ＜ 1.15 were compared using Log-rank test.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP (r =0.562,P ＜ 0.01 ),and between RV/LV-FDG uptake and PVR ( r =0.574,P ＜ 0.01 ).There were no significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG uptake and NT-proBNP( r =0.18 1,P ＞ 0.05 ),but a significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG and ET-1 was observed (r =0.669,P ＜ 0.01 ).The RV/LV-FDG uptake in patients with positive treatment outcome ( n =6) decreased from 1.38 ± 0.52 to 0.92 ±0.26 (t =4.018,P ＜ 0.05) after 6 months treatment.In contrast,no significant change of RV/LV-FDG uptake was seen in those patients (n =9) with negative treatment outcome ( t =1.861,P ＞ 0.05 ).The mean follow-up time was (21 ±8) months.Mean survival time for the patients with RV/LV- FDG uptake ≥ 1.15was 28 months (95％ confidence interval:24-32 months),which was significantly lower than 34 months survival (95％ confidence interval:33-35 months) for the patients with RV/LV-FDG ＜ 1.15 (x2 =3.956,P ＜0.05 ).Conclusions Detection of right ventricle myocardial glucose metabolism level with 18F-FDG SPECT may be a practical method for evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis of IPAH.

500 pmol/L were greater than those in any group.Conclusion Serum MMP-2 can be involved in left ventricular remodeling of HF,and measuring its concentration is helpful to judge the severity and prognosis of HF.

BACKGROUNDThe precise mechanisms responsible for the development and growth of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remain unclear. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein with diverse functions. This study aimed to analyze the expression of OPN in human brain AVMs.

METHODSThe AVM nidus was surgically obtained from patients with AVM, whereas control brain artery specimens were surgically obtained from patients with epilepsy. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of OPN mRNA in biopsy specimens. OPN protein expression was localized by immunohistochemistry. The statistical differences between different groups were assessed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTSWe analyzed 36 brain AVM specimens and 8 control brain artery specimens. Eleven patients with brain AVM received embolization treatment, and five underwent gamma knife radiotherapy before resection. Nineteen patients with brain AVM had a history of hemorrhage from AVMs. The expression of OPN mRNA was significantly higher in AVMs than that in the control specimens (25.76 ± 2.71 vs. 21.46 ± 2.01, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the extent of OPN mRNA expression between the AVM group with and that without history of hemorrhage (26.13 ± 2.45 vs. 25.34 ± 2.99) or gamma knife radiotherapy (24.39 ± 2.10 vs. 24.53 ± 1.85). However, the difference between the AVM group with and that without embolization treatment history was statistically significant (24.39 ± 2.10 vs. 28.80 ± 1.13, P < 0.01). In the group with gamma knife radiotherapy history, OPN expression was found in arteries with early-stage radio-effect.

CONCLUSIONSOPN may contribute to the vascular instability of brain AVMs. It may play an important role in the pathophysiological process related to embolization treatment.

Analysis of Variance ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the resuscitation promoting role of resuscitation promoting factor and the initial bacteria amount of dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

METHODSMycobacterium tuberculosis (dormant bacteria) was cultured for 100 days, then diluted into 1 mg/ml concentration with 7H9, and further diluted into 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625, and 0.03125 mg/ml. Twelve new tubes added with 5 ml 7H9 and divided into two groups: the first group was added with the resuscitation-promoting factor protein, and the second group as control was added with 7H9. In each group the above diluted solutions were added. The tubes were located at 37 degrees C for culture. Optical density (OD) was detected on day 15, 25, 30, and 35. From each tube 1 microl culture solution was plated on 7H11 medium for colony counting.

RESULTSOD detection showed that bacteria proliferation in each group had positive linear correlation (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), indicating that the resuscitation-promoting factor played a similiar role in solutions with different dilution concentrations. 7H11 results and the OD results show that these two detection methods in each group had linear correlation (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), indicating that these two methods showed consistent test results.

CONCLUSIONThe resuscitation-promoting factor has no effect on the resuscitation of dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its initial bacteria amount.

Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; physiology ; Resuscitation