Objective To study the inhibitory effects of angelica A_3 active fraction (A_3) inflammation and up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression of rat uterus induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Methods The anti-inflammatory effects of A_3 were investigated in rats using the carrageenin-induced paw swelling model and in mice using dimethylbenzene-induced ear edema model; RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze Cox-2 mRNA and the protein expression levels. Results A_3 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited dimethylbenzene-induced ear edema in mice and paw swelling in rats by ig administration. LPS 1 ?g/mL could significantly increase the level of Cox-2 mRNA and protein expression. A_3(10—320 mg/L) could concentration-dependently inhibit Cox-2 mRNA and protein over-expression stimulated by LPS. Conclusion A_3 possesses better anti-inflammatory effects than angelica oil, which maybe relates to its inhibitory effects on Cox-2 overexpression.

BACKGROUND: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) derived from adrenal cortex has an indirect bioeffect through differentiating into androgen or estrogen in the related peripheral tissues. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects and mechanisms of DHEA on promoting osteoblasts (OBs) proliferation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The grouping controlled experiment was accomplished in Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University from January 2006 to February 2007. MATERIALS: Ten SD rats were recruited, 1 day old, regardless of gender. DHEA was the product of American Sigma Company. METHODS: Rat OBs were separated and cultured in vitro. First generation of OBs cultured in a varied concentrations of DHEA (1?10-5, 1?10-7 and 1?10-9 mmol/L) for 72 hours were set up as the experiment group, while those exposed to 1?10-8 mmol/L of estradiol culture were regarded as positive controls and blank control group was set up as well. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The OBs were identified by cell morphology and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) dyeing. Light microscope and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay were used to detect the growth and proliferation of OBs. The formation of mineralized nodus was examined by alizarin bordeaux stain. The concentrations of osteoprotegerin in DHEA culture solution were also measured by double antibody sandwich ABC-ELISA simultaneously. RESULTS: ①Identification of primarily cultured OBs showed ALP dyeing was positive.②Proliferation rate of OBs was increased in experiment groups compared with that of the blank control group, and the most significant increase occurred in the concentration of 1?10-7 mmol/L DHEA culture (P 0.05).③ALP activity in experiment groups was higher, especially in the group with the concentration of 1?10-7 mmol/L DHEA (P 0.05).④ALP activity of unitary cell population was higher in 1?10-9 mmol/L DHEA culture group than that in blank control group (P

Objective To investigate the changes of serum ferritin and homocysteine of diabetic patients,to explore its correlation with diabetic gastroparesis.Methods Pure 50 patients with diabetes,50 patients with diabetic gastroparesis,and 50 cases of normal control group were chosen.The serum ferritin levels were measured with chemiluminescence method,the serum homocysteine levels were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.The changes of serum ferritin and serum homocysteine in each groups were observed.Its relationship with diabetic gastroparesis was studied.Results For all diabetic patients,the serum ferritin and homocysteine levels were significantly higher than those in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01).Patients with diabetic gastroparesis was higher than those of pure diabetes (P ＜ 0.01).Serum ferritin levels was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin and homocysteine (r =0.62,0.78,P ＜ 0.01).Multi-factor analysis showed that serum ferritin,and homocysteine level was positively associated with diabetic gastroparesis (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The increases of serum ferritin and homocysteine levels were closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetic gastroparesis.They can be used as one of parameters of diabetic gastroparesis,and provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention therapy.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen ( HBO) on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α( HIF-1α) expression in rat experimental periodontitis with psychological stress.METHODS:Male special pathogen-free Wistar rats ( n=120) were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group;psychological stress stimulation group;experi-mental periodontitis group: the periodontitis model was induced by wrapping 3/0 silk ligature inoculated with Porphy-romonas gingivalis around the left maxillary second molar of the rats;periodontitis model with stress stimulation group.Psy-chological stress was removed at the 9th weeks after ligature, 6 rats from each experiment group were randomly chosen to HBO treatment.The rats were sacrificed at the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 10th weeks after ligature.Gingival index ( GI) and at-tachment loss (AL) were measured before sacrifice.The histological changes of periodontal tissues were observed under microscope with HE staining.The expression of HIF-1αwas observed by the method of immunohistochemistry.RE-SULTS:The sites of gingival attachment were normal in control group and psychological stress stimulation group.Periodon-tal pocket, and periodontal attachment loss were observed in experimental periodontitis group.The tissue damage was much serious in periodontitis model with stress stimulation group.No significant difference of GI and AL among psychological stress stimulation group and normal control group during the experiment was observed.GI and AL in periodonitis model with stress stimulating group were significantly higher than those in experimental periodontitis group at the 4th and 8th weeks (P<0.01).The levels of GI and AL were significantly lower at the 10th weeks after HBO treatmnt than those in untreated groups (P<0.05).No significant difference of HIF-1αexpression scores among psychological stress stimulation group and normal control group was found.HIF-1αexpression scores in periodonitis model with stress stimulating group was signifi-cantly higher than that in experimental periodontitis group at the 4th and 8th weeks (P<0.01).At the 10th weeks after HBO treatment the levels of HIF-1αwere significantly lower than that in untreated groups (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Stress stimulation may aggravate periodontitis by decreasing tissue oxygenation in rats.HBO may represent a useful way in psychological stress periodontitis therapy.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between serum levels of leptin, endothelin and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods Leptin, endothelia, FBG, PBG, HBA1C, CHOL, TG and other clinical characteristics were tested in 80 type2 diabetes patients and 30 control case. All diabetes patients were divided into three group: non-diabetic retinopathy (NDR), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR) according to the examination results of fundus. Correlations between levels of serum leptin and other parameters were analyzed. Results Plasma level of leptin in the type 2 diabetes with PDR group[(17.41±5.81)μg/L] were higher than that in control, NPDR and NDR group (P＜0.01). Plasma level of ET in the type 2 diabetes with PDR group[(80.68±13.57)mg/L] were higher than that in control, NPDR and NDR group (P＜0.01). The serum leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI(r＝0.468,P＜0.01). Conclusions Serum leptin and endothelin levels were elevated in patient with diabetic retinopathy as diabetic retinopathy aggravated and serum level of leptin and endothelin raised.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia (HUA) in rural residents of Gaoyou City,Jiangsu Province.Methods A total of 4504 rural residents were investigated in a cross-sectional study.Questionarre survey and physical examination were used for the stndy.Fatsing venous blood samples were collected for biochemical examination.T-test,chi-square test for multiple-group data comparison and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results The prevalence of HUA was 11.9％,15.7％ in male,which was significantly higher than 8.6％ in the female (P＜0.01),the risks of HUA in male was 1.98 times higher than in female.The average value of serum uric acid in this population was higher than.that of female.The prevalence of HUA in female increased with age.Non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed WHR,Cr,Tg,hypertension were the independent risk factors of male patients with HUA.Age,BMI,Cr,Tg,hypertension were independent risk factors of HUA in female.Conclusion The prevalence of HUA can be affected by age and sex.Weight control,keeping blood pressure and blood lipid profiles in normals levels are important for the prevention of HUA.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum levels of homocysteine (HCy) and adiponectin (APN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods 65 patients with T2DM (diabetes mellitus group) and 25 healthy controls (control group) matched in the age and sex were recruited in the study.Serum HCy,APN,fasting plasma glucose (FPG),fasting insulin (FINS),total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were simultaneously measured.The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was calculated according to FPG and FINS.All the serum indicators were compared between the two groups.Results Serum level of HCy in T2DM group was (15.74 ± 2.76) μmol/L,which was significantly higher than (6.98 ± 1.94) μmol/L in the healthy control group (t =16.88,P ＜ 0.01).The serum level of APN in T2DM group was (8.14 ± 2.70) mg/L,which was significantly lower than (16.10 ± 1.93)mg/L in the healthy control group (t =13.44,P ＜ 0.01).Serum levels of FPG,HOMA-IR,TC,TG in T2DM group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (t =10.62,17.49,6.30,7.52,P ＜ 0.05).Serum level of APN in HCy ≥ 15μmol/L group was significantly decreased compared with HCy ＜ 15μmol/L group.Serum level of HCy was negatively correlated with APN in T2DM group after the influence of FPG,HOMA-IR,TG,TC were corrected in the partial correlation analysis.Conclusion In T2DM group,serum level of HCy was increased,but serum level of APN was decreased,serum HCy was negatively correlated with APN,higher serum level of HCy and lower serum level of APN are related with the process of insulin resistance and T2DM.

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of black plastic mulching in mountainous areas of Yunnan Prov-ince. Methods In Leqiu Village,Nanjian County,Yunnan Province,the terraced fields with Oncomelania hupensis snails were divided into A,B,C,D,E groups,and of which,A,B,C,D groups,as the experimental groups,were administered with sim-ple black plastic mulching for 30 days,60 days,90 days and 120 days respectively;Group E,as the control group,was adminis-tered with 50%niclosamide ethanolamine salt wettable powder spraying. Results In Group C and D(simple black film mulching for 90 days and 120 days),no snails were found after the administration,the average density of living snails decreased by 100%, and the cost of one year was similar to that of the control group. Conclusion The molluscicidal effect of black plastic mulching is good in mountainous areas.

Objective To explore clinical application value of Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing technology to decrease postoperative complication after breast cancer surgery.Methods Randomized controlled trial,large sample size,multicenter study design were adopted,and 200 patients who met inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the control group and the treatment group (100 cases in each group).The control group received routine nursing methods after breast cancer surgery.The treatment group received routine nursing methods as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing intervention,such as auricular application pressure,acupoint sticking,meridian moxibustion.Data of arm circumference,Athens insomnia scale(AIS),symptom in affected arm were collected a week before and after surgery,and range of motion of shoulder joint was evaluated 3 months after surgery to compare postoperative subcutaneous effusion,skin flap necrosis,limb edema,sleep disorder and occurrence of shoulder joint dysfunction in two groups.Results The cases developed postoperative subcutaneous effusion,skin flap necrosis,limb edema were different in two groups,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).There were significant differences between two groups in affected arm pain,swelling,skin tension,sleep,and shoulder joint dysfunction after 3 months(P＜0.05).Conclusion Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing technology can effectively decrease postoperative complication after breast cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE To isolate bacteria from three second-class hospitals in Zhenjiang Jiangsu Provine,to detect their drug(-resistance) to antibacterial(agents) and analyzed the results in order to find out pathogen distribution and drug(-resistance) trend of the common causative organism.METHODS We isolated 1661 strains of bacteria from clinical samples between 2002 and 2004,and analyze their drug-resistance.RESULTS The number of Gram-positive(bacteria) was 634,accounting for 38.2%,from them there were 312 strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis,and 148(coagulase)-positive S.aureus.Drug-fast of two above staphylococci was similar.The(resistance) rate to penicillin and to oxacillin surpassed 85%,that to erythromycins exceeded 75%,to quinolones and cephalosporins surpassed 30% and 35%,respectively.The resistance rate to(vancomycin) was zero.Gram-(negative) bacteria were 1 027 strains,accounted for 61.8%.(According) to quantity order,the first was Enterobacter(249 strains);then were Klebsiella(226 strains);Escherichia(167 strains);Pseudomonas aeruginosa(136 strains);and Proteus(62 strains).The resistant rate to semisyhthesized penicillins among the first five Gram-(negative) bacteria species,was the most,especially the Proteus.CONCLUSIONS Clinical doctors,the(laboratorians) and detecting infection department in hospital should markedly pay attention to drug-resistant(bacterium) detection,pathogen mutation and drug-resistance trend,in(order) to reasonably use antibacterial(agents).