Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread embedding in preventing urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery.Method Fifty eligible patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 25 cases each. The control group was given catheterization after gynecological surgery; the treatment group was intervened by thread embedding at Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yinlingquan (SP9), Guanyuan (CV4), and Shenshu (BL23) on the 7th day after the surgery in addition to the basic intervention given to the control group. The indwelling catheter was removed on the 14th day after the surgery, and the bladder function, urination, and residual urine volume were compared between the two groups.Result After the treatment, the bladder function in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.05); the markedly effective rate of spontaneous micturition was 92.0% in the treatment group versus 72.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Early intervention with acupoint thread embedding after cervical cancer surgery can effectively decrease the incidence of post-surgery urinary retention, and it's easy-to-operation and worth application in clinic.

A rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method is developed for the qualitative identification of constituents in the flower buds of seven Lonicera species. The optimal condition of separation and detection were achieved on an AcQuity UPLC BEH C18 column with a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid within 17 min. Among the 33 constituents detected, 6 caffeoylquinic acids (including caffeic acid), 8 flavonoids and 8 iridoid glycosides were characterized based on their fragmentation patterns in collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments and/or by comparison with standard compounds. In addition, to statistically establish the correlation and discrimination of the Lonicera species, principle component analysis (PCA) was applied in this study. Lonicera samples were divided into well-defined groups directly related to their species based on PCA in terms of the log transformed relative contents of the major caffeoylquinic acids (including caffeic acid) as the variables. All of results indicated that the method presented here is able to classify the sample species and to reveal characteristic details of the chemical constituents of different Lonicera species.
Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; classification ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the heparitinase (HPA) expression and cell invasiveness in human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 during hypoxia, and explore their relationship with hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha).

METHODSSKOV3 cells were incubated with normoxia, hypoxia, and hypoxia plus rapamycin, respectively. SKOV3 cells of hypoxia group were incubated in 5% CO2 + 1% O2. Cells in hypoxia plus rapamycin group were incubated with 10 ng/ml of rapamycin before cultured under hypoxic condition. Cells in each group were collected for analysis after incubated with hypoxia for 12, 24, and 36 hours, respectively. Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to detect the expressions of HIF-1alpha and HPA. Cell invasiveness was measured by matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTSWestern blotting showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha significantly increased compared with normoxic group (P < 0.05). However, hypoxia had no obvious impact on HIF-1alpha mRNA expression. The expressions of HPA protein and mRNA of SKOV3 cells of hypoxia group were significantly higher than normoxic group (P < 0.05). The up-regulation of HPA expression in hypoxic group decreased after the utilization of rapamycin. The cell invasion of hypoxic group was significantly higher than that of normoxic group (P < 0.05); meanwhile, the expression of HPA was positively correlated with the invasiveness of SKOV3 cells (r = 0.9863, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHypoxia may promote the expression of HPA and the invasiveness of SKOV3 cells through the HIF-1alpha pathway, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.

Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Polysaccharide-Lyases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the position change of upper molars and incisors in order to evaluate the stability of posterior anchorage with the application of micro-screw implant.

METHODSEight adult patients with severe maxillary protrusion were included. Upper first premolars were extracted and upper posterior anchorage was reinforced with micro-screw implant in all patients. Cephalometric and cast analyses were carried out to record the position change of molar and micro-screw.

RESULTSDuring treatment the micro-screw implants kept stable in sagittal and vertical plane. Neither the mesial-distal movement nor the tipping of the upper molars during the treatment was statistically significant (P > 0.05). The edge of upper incisors was retracted by 6.86 mm and the tipping was reduced by 18.03 degrees . The center of resistance was intruded by 3.28 mm on average. Significant change was observed (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMicro-screw implant could provide good anchorage control in the orthodontic treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; therapy ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of fire-needle therapy in treating deglutition disorders due to pseudobulbar palsy in the remission stage of stroke.Methods:Sixty-two eligible subjects were divided into a fire-needle group and a rehabilitation group by a simple randomization method at a ratio of 1:1.The two groups received same basic intervention;in addition,the fire-needle group received fire-needle treatment,while the rehabilitation group received rehabilitation training.The two groups of subjects all received a 3-week treatment and were evaluated by the dysphagia severity rating scale (DSRS),modified Mann assessment of swallow ability (MMASA) and Kubota Toshio swallow test (KTST) before and after the intervention.The complications and adverse events occurred during the trial were recorded.The data were statistically analyzed.Results:At the third week,the DSRS,MMASA and KTST scores changed significantly compared with the baseline in both groups (P＜0.05),and the changes in the fire-needle group were more significant than those in the rehabilitation group (P＜0.05).The between-group comparison at the third week showed that the therapeutic efficacy in the fire-needle group was superior to that in the rehabilitation group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Fire-needle therapy can obviously change the DSRS,MMASA and KTST scores in pseudobulbar palsy in the remission stage of stroke,and significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment of deglutition disorders in this stage.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and related mechanisms of Tumstatin 185-191 as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin on proliferation and apoptosis in a cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549-DDP cells.

METHODSA549-DDP cells were treated with Tumstatin185-191 and cisplatin at varying concentrations. Cell viability was assessed by a modified 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)) values of the chemotherapeutic drugs were analyzed by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The activation of Akt and ERK was evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTSTumstatin185-191 inhibited the proliferation of A549-DDP cells and its IC(50) value was 80.25 micromol/L. After cotreatment with 20 micromol/L Tum185-191, the IC(50) value of cisplatin in A549-DDP cells reduced from 77.16 micromol/L to 57.97 micromol/L, the reverse index was 1.33, while with 40 micromol/L Tumstatin185-191 the IC(50) was reduced from 77.16 to 26.40 micromol/L and the reverse index was 2.92. The early apoptosis rate was 19.5% +/- 1.1% in the cotreatment group, while 13.3% +/- 1.5% in cisplatin group and 10.2% +/- 2.0% in Tum185-191 group (F = 4.09, P < 0.05). The levels of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in the A549-DDP cells were remarkably lower after treatment with Tumstatin 185-191. The Tumstatin 185-191 treatment alone or in combination with cisplatin had a similar effect on the protein levels of p-Akt and p-ERK in A549-DDP cells.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggest that Tumstatin185-191 may promote apoptosis, downregulate proliferation and partly reverse the drug resistance of A549-DDP cells to cisplatin. The effects induced by Tum185-191 may be mediated through inactivation of the Akt and ERK pathways.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autoantigens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Collagen Type IV ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Synergism ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify the phenotype and gene mutation in two Chinese pedigrees with hereditary protein C deficiency.

METHODSThe plasma level of protein C activity (PC: A) , protein C antigen (PC: Ag), protein S activity (PS: A), and antithrombin activity (AT: A) of the probands and their family members were detected using chromogenic assay and ELISA, respectively. All of the nine exons and intron-exon boundaries of protein C gene were amplified by PCR and analyzed by direct sequencing of the probands. Restriction enzyme site analysis was used to confirm the mutation.

RESULTSThe plasma PC: A and PC: Ag for proband 1 was 1.2% and 0, respectively. Compound heterozygous mutations, C(TGC)64W (TGG) and F(TTC) 139V(GTC) , were identified in her, the former being inherited from the maternal side and the later the paternal side. Further genetic analysis showed that her husband ( II 8) had the heterozygous deletion mutation (K150 or 151 Del) in exon 7, her daughter had the same heterozygous deletion mutation and a F139V. The plasma PC: A and PC: Ag for proband 2 was 50. 3% and 1.9 mg/L, respectively. He had the heterozygous Lys150 or Lys151 deletion mutation, which was inherited from his father. Polymorphisms of C/T at position - 1654, A/G at - 1641 , and A/T at - 1476A/T in the promoter region of protein C were confirmed in all members of the two pedigrees, of which, proband 2 had homozygous CC/GG/TT. The F139V mutation was confirmed by restriction enzyme site analysis and polymorphism for this mutation was excluded. PS: A and AT: A were in normal range for all members.

CONCLUSIONCompound heterozygous mutation C64W and F139V of protein C gene lead to type I hereditary protein C deficiency for proband 1. K150 or 151 deletion mutation and polymorphism of CC/GG/TT might lead to type I hereditary protein C deficiency for proband 2. C64W is a novel mutation for protein C gene. F139V and K150 or 151 deletion mutation are reported for the first time in China.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protein C Deficiency ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience with multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations and evaluate and the outcomes of speech rehabilitation.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted in 295 patients receiving cochlear implantation from 1998 to 2007, including 25 patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), 9 with Modini malformation, and 5 with common cavity deformity. All the patients received the Nucleus24 cochlear implants. In LVAS cases, 4 had Nucleus 24R (ST) implants, 8 had Contuor implants, 10 had Contuor Advance, and the remaining cases used Nucleus24(M) straight-electrode implants.

RESULTSSevere gusher appeared in 3 cases of LVAS, and perilymph fluctuation were seen in other 15 cases. Four patients with Mondini malformation and 2 with common cavity malformation also experienced severe gusher, but the electrodes were inserted smoothly in all the patients without postoperative facial paralysis or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The hearing threshold in these patients was similar to that in patients with normal cochlear structure. After speech rehabilitation for over 6 months, the abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language improved in all the cases in comparison with the preoperative lingual functions.

CONCLUSIONMulti-channel cochlear implantation can be performed in patients with inner ear malformation, but should not be attempted in patients with poor cochlear and cochlear nerve development. A comprehensive pre-operative radiographic and audiological evaluation is essential.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Ear, Inner ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; congenital ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanisms of protein C (PC) deficiency caused by PC gene mutations of C64W, F139V and K150 deletion (K150d).

METHODSWild-type and mutant PC cDNA expression plasmids (PCwt, PC C64W, PC F139V, PC K150d) were constructed and transfected into COS-7 cells or CHO cells respectively for in vitro expression study and immunofluorescent assay. Fluorescent real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of PC mRNA, protein degradation inhibition and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (Endo H) digestion experiments to explain the mutant protein degradation pathway and its localizations inside the cells.

RESULTSPC C64W was not secreted from the cells and was gradually degraded inside the cells. There was partial secretion of PC F139V, most of the protein molecule was not secreted and degraded intracellularly. Mutant PC K150d was secreted normally from the cells. Fluorescent realtime PCR analysis of total mRNA from transfected cells showed no reduction of the mutant PC mRNA expression compared with that of wild-type PC mRNA. Protein degradation inhibition experiments showed that mutants PC C64W and PC F139V were degraded intracellularly through the proteasome pathway. Endo H digestion experiments and immunofluorescence results suggested that mutant PC molecules were located mainly in pre-Golgi apparatus.

CONCLUSIONSImpaired secretion and degradation intracellularly of the mutants might be the molecular mechanisms of PC deficiency caused by C64W and F139V mutations. K150 deletion mutation might not affect the secretion of the mutant.

Animals ; CHO Cells ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Humans ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Protein C ; genetics ; Protein C Deficiency ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcome and effect of interferon treatment on patients with chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS136 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis C were followed up by methods of retrospective survey combined with prospective study. SPSS16. 0 was used to perform chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS136 cases of patients were infected with HCV virus mainly through blood and blood products transfusion. They were diagnosed mainly between 2000 and 2005. 98 cases of them had anti-viral treatment with interferon and ribavirin, while the rest did not; 12 new cases developed HCV-related cirrhosis or liver carcinoma in five years, which accounted for 8.8% of the total. Among 76 cases once treated with interferon, 46 cases (60.5%) relapsed in five years. For patients with age < 40, the rates of cirrhosis and liver cancer were 0, and patients with age ≥ 40 but < 60 years, the rates of cirrhosis and liver cancer were 12.5% (7/56 cases), while for those ≥ 60 years old the rates were 35.7% (10/28 cases). The difference was significant ( B = 0.111, Wald = 4.324, P = 0.038) as analysed by logistic regression. The rates of cirrhosis and liver cancer were zero for those with normal or within twice the upper normal AST limit in five years, 43.5% (10/23 cases) for those with AST ranging from 2 to 4 fold the upper normal limit, and 58.3% (7/12 cases) for those with AST higher than four times the upper normal limit. The difference was also significant ( B = 2.184, Wald = 5.443, P = 0.02) by logistic regression analysis. The rate of relapse was 29.7% (11/37 cases) for those using pegylated interferon and 89.7% (35/39 cases) for those using interferon. The difference was significant ( Result of logistic regression showed-B = -2.077, Wald = 4.352, P = 0.037). The rate of relapse was 100% (15/15 cases) for those with treatment less than 24 weeks, 76.2% (16/21 cases) for those with treatment more than 24 weeks but less than 48 weeks, and 37.5% (14/40 cases) for those with treatment more than 48 weeks. The difference was significant (Result of logistic regression showed-B = -1.632, Wald = 6.651, P = 0.01). 42 cases of the relapsed (91.3%) were administrated with interferon once again with ideal effect.

CONCLUSIONHepatitis C virus infection increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Interferon combined with ribavirin therapy could effectively control the virus and improve outcomes. We can reduce the incidence of relapse by choosing the treatment of pegylated interferon instead of interferon and by completing the full treatment.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis C ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies