Urocortin,a novel peptide of the cortiotropin releasiong hormone(CRH)family,was discovered in 1995 in the rat brain and subsequently cloned and localized to human chromosome 2.It can bind to both CRH type 1 receptor and CRH type 2 receptor,as well as CRH binding protein.Especially to CRH type 2 receptor,urocortin binds to it with 40 times more potency than CRH does.Therefore,urocortin is thought to be an endogenous ligand for CRH type 2 receptor.Immunoreactive urocortin and urocortin mRNA were localized in many areas such as mammalian brain,cardiovascular system,placenta.It is believed that urocortinmay play important physiological roles as a neuropeptide not only in the central nervous system but also in peripheral tissues.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab combined with standard chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. This report presents the result of a preplanned subanalysis of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital's patients enrolled in SAiL study. Methods: Between July 2007 and March 2008, 44 patients with untreated locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer were recruited into this phase 4 study. Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically documented inoperable, locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease (stages ?B-?); an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0-1; and adequate haematological, hepatic, and renal functions. Patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) plus standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel-carboplatin) every 3 weeks for up to six cycles, followed by single-agent bevacizumab until disease progression. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary end points included time to disease progression and overall survival. Results: The rates of clinically significant adverse events (= grade 3) of special interest were relatively low in this population (13.6%); proteinuria (7%), hypertension (2%) and bleeding (2%) were the most common adverse events. One patient died because of hemoptysis. The partial remission and stable disease rates were 52.3% (23/44) and 45.5% (20/44), respectively. One patient had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 97.7%. The median time to progression was 8.13 months, and the median overall survival was 17.73 months. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab-based treatment in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital's patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer is satisfying with benefits in time to progression and overall survival. There were no new safety signals to be reported. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.

China ; epidemiology ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology

Objective To study the effects of advanced glycation end (AGEs) products induced by bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the survival and the morphology of bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC) and pericytes (BRP). Methods BSA with the final concentration of 50 mg/ml was incubated in PBS, containing 500 mmol/L D-glucose, for 12 weeks under 37℃. AGEs-BSA was purified by Sephacryl S-300 column chromatography and was confirmed by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The concentration of AGEs-BSA was determined by the method of commassie protein assay. In order to detect the toxic effects of AGEs-BSA on cultured BREC and BRP, groups of AGEs-BSA and BSA with different concentration and untreated control were set up. Phase contrast microscope was used to observe the effect of AGEs-BSA and BSA (with the concentration of 500 ?g/ml and actuation duration of 48 hours) on morphology of BREC and BRP. Results[WTBZ] As the dosage of AGEs-BSA increased, the number of inhibited cells increased. When the concentration of AGEs-BSA was 500 ?g/ml, the inhibited BREC in AGEs-BSA group was (72.8?15.9)% of which in untreated control group, and the inhibited BRP was (64.8?9) % of which in untreated control group. AGEs-BSA with low concentration promoted the proliferation of endothelial cells, but there was no significant difference between AGEs-BSA and the control group (P=0.231). Inhibited proliferation and abnormal morphology were seen under the phase contrast microscope while the normal morphology of cells was found in BSA and control group. Conclusion AGEs-BSA with the high concentration may inhibit the growth of both BREC and BRP, which leads the loss of BRP and damage of vascular function. These results suggest that nonenzymatic glycosylation plays a major role in diabetic complications.

Objective To probe a selective cultural method for bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC) and pericytes (BRP) in vitro. Methods With the isolation of active retinal blood vessels, BREC were cultured in a fibronectin coated substrate and Dulbecco′s Modified Eagle′s Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% human serum and 100 ?g/ml heparin, while homogeneous cultures of retinal pericytes were obtained when isolated microvessels were seeded to uncoated dishes and grown in DMEM supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. BREC were identified by acetylated-low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL) incorporation and immunohistochemical method of Von Willebrand factor, while BRP were identified by immunohistochemical method of ?-isoform of smooth-muscle actin. Results The purity of selectively cultured BREC and BRP was more than 98%, being reproducible. BREC got together around the microvessel fragments with the small-cyprinoid-like configuration at first,and could phagocytize Dil-Ac-LDL with the expression of fluorescence in cytoplasm. The expressions of Von Wllebrand factor and ?-isoform of smooth-muscle actin were positive and negative respectively in BREC, while were negative and positive respectively in BRP. Conclusion BREC and BRP with high purity can be obtained by using selective culture and coated-dishes respectively which are simple and repeatable methods.

Treating different diseases with the same method is a unique original thinking in Chinese medicine, which embodies the spirit of treatment based on syndrome differentiation. We briefly reviewed the origin and development of this concept. We also reviewed that thinking of combination of disease and syndrome is its premise and foundation. We put forward the conditionality of diseases in treating different diseases with the same method by cutting-in modern biological basic researches, that is to say, one kind specific diseases or disease of one specific system. We emphasized the importance of diseases conditionality in treating different diseases with the same method, which was of great significance in studies on combination of disease and syndrome, correspondence of prescription and syndrome, and modern biological basic researches of treating different diseases with the same method.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prescriptions ; Research

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism ; etiology ; therapy ; Male

Objective To evaluate the effect of small dose ketamine on the efficacy of intravenous PCA (POA) with sufentanil after intra-abdominal surgery in aged patients.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ orⅡpatienm aged 65-82 yr undergoing elective intra-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomized into 3 groups (n=20 each)according to the composition of PCIA solution:group I sufentanil 200 μg in 200 ml of noilnal saline (group S);group μ sufentanil 200μh+ketmine 100 mg in NS 200 ml(group K1)and group Ⅲ sufentannil 200 μg+ketmine 200 mg in NS 200 ml(group K2).A loading dose of 5 ml wag given at the end of operation.The PCIA setting was as follows:backgound infusion 1 ml/h,bolus dose 2 ml,lockout interval 5 min and 4-hour maximum dose 30 m1.If VAS score(0=no pain,10=womt pain)was≥7,pethidine 25 mg was given iv.The total amount of pethidine given within 48 h after operation and postoperative complications including nausea and vomiting and respiratory depression were recorded.Results Small dose ketamine added to the PCIA solution can significantly reduce the amount of pethidine administered after operation in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Small dose ketamine can improve the efficacy of PCIA with sufentanil after intra-abdominal surgery in aged patients with no significant adverse effect.

2 weeks) (both, P