Objective:To investigate the distribution and expression of the cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)in lung tissues and the effect of its inhibition in bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.Methods:72 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:the control group,model group and celecoxib group.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the distribution of COX-2 in the stage of acute pulmonary alveolitis.HE and Masson staining methods were used to evaculate the degree of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis.Results:(1)In early stage of pulmonary fibrosis except in the control group,COX-2 expression was found in small bronchial epithelial cells in the other two groups,especially the model group.(2)Compared with the control group,the other two groups had alveolitis(P

Purpose:The phase I study was conducted to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity of weekly administered docetaxel combined with cisplatin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ). The other objective was to measure the pharmacokinetic/dynamics (PK/PD).Methods:In the dose escalation study, 15 patients with unresectable and metastatic untreated NSCLC with performance status(0-1) were enrolled. Escalating doses of D 25 mg/m 2 (30 mg/m 2, 35 mg/m 2, 40 mg/m 2) on day 1, 8, 15 were given as a 30 min iv infusions and C 75 mg/m 2 30 min iv infusion after D on day 1 and the cycle was repeated every 4 weeks. Blood samples were drawn on day 1 and 15 in the first cycle to measure the PK. Dose limiting toxicity(DLT) was based on Cycle 1 and defined as any Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity not declining to Grade 2 or less within 4 days or any Grade 4 toxicity. Results:Chemotherapy was repeated for at least two cyc1es every 28 days. All patients were assessable for toxicities. Although grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred, there were no significant modifications of chemotherapy schedule. One patient developed an infection (DLT). Non-hematological toxicities, including nausea/vomiting, a1opecia, fluid intension and asthenia were tolerable. Based on these data, the MTD has not yet reached up to dose level of docetaxel of 40mg/m 2 weekly given in combination with cisplatin 75mg/m 2 every 4 weeks at the fixed dose. The exposure to docetaxel after Ⅳ administration on day 1 in combination with cisplatin and on day 15 without cisplatin , increased proportional to the dose for the range 25 to 40 mg/m 2, as measured by Cmax and AUC. No statistically significant difference between clearance values was shown for the 4 dose levels. The pharmacokinetics of docetaxel was not influenced by the coadministration of cisplatin on day 1 as compared to day 15, as the CmaxN, AUCN and CL were not statistically significantly different on both days. Fourteen patients were eva1uab1e for response, five cases achieved partial response, and thus the overall response was 35.7%. 1, 2, and 3 year survivals were 73%, 27%, and 20%, respectively. Weekly administration of docetaxel at 35mg/m 2 (days 1, 8, l5) combined with cisplatin 75mg/m 2 (day 1) is recommended for phase Ⅱ studies. Conclusions:Using the weekly schedule, toxicity was mainly manifested by non-hematologic profile and was well tolerated. A phase Ⅱ study is currently ongoing with docetaxel 35mg/m 2 as the suggested dosage.

AIM: To establish the quality standard for Shexiangtongbi Babu plaster (Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae sinensis, moschus, Commiphora myrrha, Resina Boswelliae Carterii, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, Sanguis Draxonis, etc.) METHODS: Borneolum Syntheticum, Commiphora Myrrha, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, Sanguis Draxonis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis were identified by TLC, and the content of Muscone was determined by GC. RESULTS: Borneolum Syntheticum, Commiphora Myrrha, Radix Angelicae Pubscentis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis could be identified by TLC. Muscone showed a good linear relationship at range of 0.026?g～0.078?g, r =0.9992. The average recovery was 97.57%, and RSD 1.50% respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is accurate and can be used to control the quality of Shexiangtongbi Babu plaster.

Objective To investigate the influence of chronic renal disease (CKD) on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and hospitalization.Methods Fifty patients clinically diagnosed as COPD complicating CKD in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2013 were selected as the observation group and 50 patients with CKD-free COPD were taken as a control group.The comparative analysis was performed by retrospecting the data of lung function,exercise tolerance and hospitalization situation in 1 year follow up.Results The mortality rate,total occurrence rate of AECOPD,occurrence rate of severe AECOPD,hospitalization rate,hospitalization time,self-rating test (CAT) score,mMRC dyspnea index,CRP and blood creatinine level in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);FEV1%pred,6MWD and creatinine clearance rate in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);FEV1/FVC had no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion The condition in COPD patients complicating CKD at 1 year after clinical diagnosis is significantly aggravated compared with COPD patients without complicating CKD,and the prognosis for patients complicated with CKD is poorer.

To investigate the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the proliferation of passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). After synchronization of cultured HASMCs, they were divided into a group A and Group B. The group A was treated with normal human serum and served as controls and the group B was treated with the serum of asthma patients. The group A was further divided into group of A1, A2 and A3 and the group B was sub-divided into the group of B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5. No other agents were added to the group A1 and B1. The cells of group A2 and B2 were stimulated with 5% CSE for 24 h. HASMCs from group A3 and B3 were treated with PKC agonist PMA (10 nmol/L) and CSE (5%) for 24 h. PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (5 micromol/L) was added to the HASMCs of group B4 for 24 h. The cells from group B5 were stimulated with Ro-31-8220 (5 micromol/L) and CSE (5 %) for 24 h. The proliferation of HASMCs isolated from group A and B was examined by cell cycle analysis, MTT colorimetric assay and 3H-TdR incorporation test. The expression of PKC-a in each group was observed by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the percentage of S phase, absorbance (A) value, the rate of 3H-TdR incorporation, the ratios of A value of PKC-alpha mRNA and the A value of PKC-alpha protein in HASMCs from group B1, B2 and B3 were significantly increased compared to those of group A1, A2 and A3 correspondingly and respectively (P< 0.01). The proliferation of HASMCs of group A2 and B2 stimulated with CSE and group A3 and B3 stimulated with CSE and PMA were also significantly enhanced when group A1, A2 and A3 and group B1, B2 and B3 compared to each other (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The percentage of S phase, absorbency (A) value, 3H-TdR incorporation rate, the ratios of A value of PKC-alpha mRNA and the A value of PKC-alpha protein in HASMCs from group B4 treated with Ro-31-8220 and group B5 treated with CSE and Ro-31-8220 were significantly decreased as compared to those of group B1 and B2 correspondingly and respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). It was concluded that CSE can enhance the passively sensitized HASMC proliferation and the expression of PKC alpha. PKC and its alpha subtype may contribute to this process. Our results suggest cigarette may play an important role in ASMCs proliferation of asthma through PKC signal pathway.
Asthma/*blood ; Bronchi/cytology ; Bronchi/metabolism ; Cell Cycle/drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/*cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/enzymology ; Protein Kinase C/biosynthesis ; Protein Kinase C/*physiology ; Serum ; Signal Transduction ; Tobacco/adverse effects ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/*adverse effects

Objective To assess the value of ultrasonography in distinguishing pharyngoesophageal diverticulum from thyroid nodule.Methods High-frequency sonography was used to detect the size,shape, echo and blood flow of cervix masses in 1219 patients in a lateral decubitus position after drinking water. Results On enhanced power,the image changing rates of pharyngcesophageal diverticulum and thyroid nodule were 71.43% and 14.19% respectively,and their difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). On drinking water,the image change rates of pharyngoesophageal diverticulum and thymid nodule were 100.00% and 1.98% respectively,and their difference was statisfically significant(P<0.05).The detection rates for pharyngoesophageal diverticulum and thyroid nodule were 0.098% and 17.042% respectively. Conclusions Ultrasound examination is of value in distinguishing pharyngoesophageal diverticulum from thyroid nodule in general health check up and regular health examination.

Objective To assess the effect of L-carnitine(L-CN)on left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH)in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Methods Thirty-one patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly divided into the L-CN group(n =20)and the control group(n = 11). Patients in the L-CN group received additional intravenous injection of 1.0 g L-CN immediately after hemodialysis for a 6-month period. Patients in the control group received isovolumic saline. Using echocardiography,left ventricular mass (LVM),left ventricular mass index(LVMI)and the ejection fraction(EF)were measured before and after the treatment. Plasma calculus,plasma phosphorus and hemoglobin levels were measured. Results The LVM decreased significantly from(252. 03 ±32. 29)g to(204. 47 ± 37.33)g in patients in L-CN group(P ＜ 0. 05),the LVMI decreased significantly from (155.83 ± 23.42)g/m2 to(129. 21 ± 17.46)g/m2 in patients in the L-CN group. However,LVM and LVMI remained unchanged in the control group. Conclusions Supplementation with L-CN induced hypertrophy of LVH in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Objective To analyze the distribution of various genotypes of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein N ( HCMV gN) in patients with HIV infection; to investigate the effects of HCMV-HIV co-in-fection on disease progression and the relationships between HCMV gN genotypes and disease progression. Methods Patients with active HCMV infection were screened out from 359 patients with HIV infection by using the pp65 antigenemia assay.The genes encoding HCMV gN ( UL73 ) were amplified by nested PCR ( nPCR) .The amplicons were digested by restriction enzymes including MboⅠ, ScaⅠ and SalⅠ.Then, the restricted fragment length polymorphisms were further analyzed on 4%agarose gel.The relationships be-tween HCMV genotypes and the morbidity and mortality of acquired immune deficiency syndrome ( AIDS ) were investigated via a prospective study.Results Among the 359 patients with HIV infection, 28 subjects were positive for the HCMV pp65 antigenemia assay.The HCMV gN genotypes in 20 patients with active HCMV infection were distributed as: gN-3a (4/20, 20%), gN-1 (4/20, 20%), gN-4d (1/20, 5%), gN-4b (1/20, 5%) and mixed infection (10/20, 50%).Patients with HCMV-HIV co-infection were more likely to develop AIDS during the follow-up period (RR=9.78).Patients harboring HCMV gN-1 and gN-4 genotypes would seem likely to have 4.6 times of chance leading to AIDS-associated death than those harbo-ring other HCMV gN genotypes.Conclusion HCMV infection ( especially gN-1 and gN-4 genotypes) might accelerate the progression of HIV infection.

Objective To investigate of effect and mechanism of honokiol against acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods Forty SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (N =8),normal control group,LPS group,low-and high-dose magnolol groups,and dexamethasone group.The mouse model of ALI was induced by LPS.After intraperitoneal injection of honokiol,we detected neutrophil count,concentration of albumin,and pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)as well as alveolar permeability.We also detected the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),protein carbonyl content(PCC),reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione(CAT),and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase,glutathione peroxidase (GPx),and glutathione-S-transferase(GST) in lung tissue of mice.Results In the LPS group,the neutrophil count,albumin concentration,MPO activity and Evans blue (EB)content were increased (P ＜ 0.05),and anti-oxidase activity was decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment with honokiol,the neutrophil count,albumin concentration,MPO activity,EB content,and lipid peroxidation level were decreased significantly,and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Honokiol has protective effects against LPS-induced acute lung injury through inhibiting oxidative stress.

Objective To evaluate the condition of oxidative stress and immunosuppression in early stage of severe sepsis,and investigate the correlation between them. Methods A prospective random control study in-cluded patients group(n=51)and control group(n=31). The concentration of serum superoxide dismutase was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),CD4+CD25+Treg% was measured by flow cytometry , respectively. The difference between two groups was compared and the correlation between parameters in patients group was evaluated. Results The concentration of serum SOD was lower than control group (P < 0.01). CD4+CD25+Treg% significantly high,compared to the control group(P < 0.01). There was no strong correlation be-tween parameters in patients group. Conclusion Oxidative stress and immunosuppression are exist in the early stage of severe sepsis.