Climacteric ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; Methimazole ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

The family of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belongs to the superfamily of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). It has various functions in the body. In recent years the BMPs family(especially the BMP7) has been discovered to play an important role on the genesis and development of cancer. In this article the characteristic, the mechanism and the function of BMP7 in the genesis and development of cancer are summarized.

China ; Environmental Exposure ; prevention & control ; standards ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; standards ; Seasons ; Temperature ; Workplace ; legislation & jurisprudence ; standards

Objective: To discuss the management principles and skills for treatment of intractable ureterostenosis under ureteroscope. Methods: Our management experience on 19 patients with intractable ureteral stenosis was retrospectively analyzed. The 19 cases included urological TB-caused multiple ureteral stenosis, oncothlipsis to ureters from intestinal tract or gynecology, restenosis 3 months to 12 years after pelviureteric junction plasty, operative site stenosis after ureterolithotomy, double ureter back flow accompanied by stenosis, ureter imperforation after renal parenchyma lithotomy without placing double "J", ureter imperforation 3 months after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy due to ureterolith, tubal bladder stoma stenosis after renal transplantation, restenosis after tubal bladder stoma due to distal ureterostenosis, and so on. All the patients were treated under ureteroscope. The management methods included: the Wolf 8/9. 8 CH12° and Wolf 6/7. 6 CH5° ureteroscope was used as a dilator to dilate the stenoses; balloon expanding under ureteroscope was used to dilate the stenoses; the ureter pliers was used to expand the stenoses to different directions; the cold knife was used to open the stenoses; if the diameter of stenoses were smaller than the that of the ureteroscopes, F4. 5 or F3 double "J" tubes were inserted guided by a wire under ureteroscope; and 2 or 3 weeks later, a larger tube or two tubes were introduced into the stenoses already dilated partly by the former tube. Results: Ureteroscopic method failed in treating 2 patients in our group and succeeded in treating all the other patients. The outcomes of patient were fine during 2 months to 3 years' follow-up. Conclusion: It is difficult to treat patients with intractable ureterostenoses. With good experience in manipulation of ureteroscope, the flexible application of several techniques according to the different conditions of different patients can guarantee successful treatment in most patients.

Objective: A rapid and sensitive method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) and its main active metabolite danshensu(DSS) in rat plasma. Methods: The analytes were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate after IS (IS, chloramphenicol) spiked. The separation was performed on a Symmetry C18 column with methanol-acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid (55:5:40) as mobile phase at a flowrate of 0.4 mL/min. The triple quadrupole LC-MS system was operated under selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode using the electrospray ionization technique in negative mode. Quantification was performed using SRM of the transitions m/z 717→519 for Sal B, 197→135 for DSS, and 321→152 for the IS, respectively. Results: The nominal retention times for Sal B, DSS , and IS were 3.12, 2.60, and 3.98 min, respectively. The standard calibration curve for spiked rat plasma containing Sal B was linear over the range 10-5 000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r >0.995). And DSS was linear over the range 5-5000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r>0.995). The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of Sal B and DSS of the method were 10 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision of the assay were less than 12.6%. After Sal B was ig administered to rats, absorption of Sal B was rapidly metabolized to DSS. Pharmacokinetic parameters of Sal B and DSS after ig administration Sal B to Wistar rats were: Cmax (1.21±0.31) and (0.27±0.05) μg/mL, tmax (0.50±0.00) and (0.56±0.18) h, t1/2 (1.20±0.11) and (1.57±0.16) h, AUC0-1 (1.31±0.30) and (0.39±0.05) μg·mL-1·h. Conclusion: This method has been applied successfully to a pharmacokinetic study of Sal B and its metabolite DSS involving the ig administration of Sal B to rats.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of thrombotic biomarkers in estimation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in cancer patients.

METHODSA total of 1473 cancer patients treated in the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 2009 to 201 were selected, including 845 males and 628 females in the age of 56 ± 17 years. The activities of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), factor VII (F VII:A), factor VIII (F VIII:A), antithrombin (AT:A), protein C (PC:A) and protein S (PS:A) were assayed using an ACL TOP 700 blood coagulation analyzer. The level of D-dimer (D-D) was assayed using the Biomerieux Mini Vidas Automated Immunoassay Analyzer. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of the parameters. Cox regression analysis model was applied to evaluate the effect on prognosis, and Kaplan-Meier curve was used to implement the survival analysis.

RESULTSThe levels of vWF:Ag, D-D, and F VIII:A were significantly higher in all the specified tumor groups ( except the other tumor group ) than that of the control groups (P < 0.05). F VIII:A was significantly higher than that in the control group in all tumor groups except the renal carcinoma, prostatic cancer, lymphoma groups and the other tumor group (P < 0.05). The PC:A level was significantly lower in all tumor patients groups than in the control group, except glioma, breast cancer, gastric carcinoma, renal carcinoma and the other tumors groups (P < 0.05). The PS: A level was significantly lower in all tumor groups than in the control group, except the glioma, breast cancer, prostatic cancer, lymphoma and the other tumors groups (P<0.05). The AT: A level was significantly lower in all tumor groups than in the control group (P<0.05). When the optimum cut-off point of vWF:Ag for VTE diagnosis was 192% in the cancer group, the area under ROC curve = 0.828 (95% CI: 0.716 to 0.939). When the optimum cut-off point of D-dimer for VTE diagnosis was 1484 ng/ml in the cancer group, the area under ROC curve = 0.915 (95% confidence interval: 0. 840 to 0.988). When the optimum cut-off point of PC: A for VTE diagnosis was 75.2% in the cancer group, the area under ROC curve = 0.764 (95% confidence interval: 0.630 to 0.898). The Cox analysis showed that age, surgery, chemotherapy and D-dimer were independent risk factors for VTE event within three months in cancer patients. The cumulative probability of VTE was increased significantly in the cancer patients if whose plasma D-dimer level was over the cut-off value.

CONCLUSIONSThe plasma D-dimer level is obviously increased in cancer patients, and there is a relevance to thrombosis risk stratification and VTE cumulative probability. It is with good diagnostic performance, and may be used as an effective marker in estimation of VTE risk within 3 months in cancer patients.

Aged ; Antithrombins ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Factor VII ; analysis ; Factor VIII ; analysis ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; blood ; Prognosis ; Protein C ; analysis ; Protein S ; analysis ; ROC Curve ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thromboembolism ; etiology ; von Willebrand Factor ; analysis

To investigate the interrelationship between plasma renin activity(PRAXaldosterone (Ald),atrial natri-uretic peptide ( ANP ) and blood volume ( BV ) in adult nephrotic syndrome ( NS ) . Methods BV was assessed using 113mInCl dilution method. PRA、 Angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)、Ald、ANP were determined by radioirnmunoassay. 28 edema-tous NS patients,26 healthy controls and 18 cases of remission were involved. Results (1)During edematous period, PR, AngⅡ , Ald、 ANP were higher in NS than in controls. There was no difference of BV between NS and controls. Albumin ,PRA,AngⅡ 、Ald and ANP were not correlated with BV; (2)After remission, comparing with edematous period, Ald 、ANP deceased significantly whereas PRA、AngⅡ、Ald and total BV were not different; (3) Urine natrium excretion (UNaV) was negatively correlated with Aid. Conclusion Ald and ANP may be the major regulating factors of sodium excretion in nephrotic syndrome.

Objective　The clinical manifestations and mechanism of pathological synkinesia were studied. Methods　Recurrent pathological synkinesia was measured by clinical and experimental nictitation reflex. The changes of nerve-muscle junctions were observed via scanning electron microscope. Results　All the 32 cases of pathological synkinesia were denervation of degree Ⅲ and severe facial palsy. Reaction undulatory forms of musculus orbicularis oculi and musculus orbicularis oris recorded simultaneously at the stimulated side in trigemial-facial nerve reflex test accounted for 81%(28/32) patients and 89% guinea pigs. Conclusion　Pathological synkinesia was the marker of severe facial palsy and was related with over-error in regeneration of nerve.

Objective To understand the impacts of a small antimony smeltery on surrounding environment. Methods The samples of raw materials,such as ore and coal,soil and plant around a small antimony smeltery in southwest Guizhou province were analyzed. Results The levels of arsenic,mercury,fluoride ,antimony and selenium in soil around the antimony smeltery significantly increased compared with the average background levels of related elements in nationwide range . The levels of arsenic, mercury,fluoride ,antimony and selenium in soil around the antimony smeltery were 1. 73～4.69,4. 75～237.5,2. 26～3.42,35.6～36. 2,54. 29～57.14 times as much as their related average levels in our country respectively. The levels of arsenic ,mercury ,fluoride and selenium in soil around the smeltery were 1.25～ 3. , 58,1.86～ 93.14,1.38～ 2.08,33. 04～ 34.78 times as much as their related average levels of Guizhou province respectively. The levels of arsenic, mercury, fluoride, antimony and selenium in corn leaves around the smeltery was 67,26.7,1046.4,2220,38. 8 times as much as their related average levels in non-polluted plants respectively. Conclusion The air pollutants,such as sulphur,arsenic,mercury,fluoride,antimony and selenium in industrial waste gas emitted from the antimony smeltery had resulted in heavy pollution to the environment, which was aggravated by the application of coal with high level of sulphur.

Objective Based on the investigation of household drinking water in Lanzhou, the reason and difference of selecting drinking water by different households of educational and earning level were analyzed. Methods 1 000 households in Lanzhou city were chosen to fill the questionnaires, and the statistical analysis were performed. Results The tap water was chosen by 65.3% of Lanzhou households. 29.8% Lanzhou households drank barreled drinking water. The "convenience" and "price" were major concerns when Lanzhou residents chose drinking water. The acceptable price of barreled drinking water was 7.2 yuan(RMB) per barrel. The households of high income and well educated were the principal households using depth treatment water as drinking water. Residents in Lanzhou city had little concerns about quality of tap water. Conclusion The tape water was chosen by a majority of Lanzhou households as drinking water. The price was the major reason for Lanzhou residents to choose drinking water. In order to keep healthy,the residents should choose safe and healthy drinking water,and they had better clean the trough.