This study was aimed to investigate effects of Er-Xian (EX) decoction in follicular granulosa cell apoptosis in chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) of rats. SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, positive group and EX decoction group. Intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin was used in the establishment of chemotherapy-induced POF rat model. Intragastric administration of corresponding medication was give to each group for four weeks. The general conditions of rats were observed. The serum contents of E2, FSH, LH and Pro were determined. The ovarian tissue morphology was observed. Granulosa cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL. The expressions of BAX, Bcl-2 and VEGF protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that in the model group, the body weight decreased with disordered estrous cycle. After treatment, the weight gained, and the estrous cycle recovered. Compared with the normal group, in the model group, E2 decreased, FSH and LH levels increased. There was no significant difference in the content of progesterone among different groups. Detection of TUNEL showed that the positive expression in the model group was increased compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). The positive expression of EX decoction group was reduced compared to the positive group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of BAX was obviously increased and Bcl-2 was decreased in the model group. After EX decoction treatment, the expression of BAX was decreased and the Bcl-2 was increased compared to the model group. The expression of VEGF protein in the model group was obviously less than that in the normal group. It was concluded that cisplatin can induce follicular granulosa cell apoptosis, and cause premature ovarian function recession. EX decoction can adjust the content of different hormones in serum, alter expression of apoptosis related protein to reduce the damage of cisplatin on ovarian follicular development, in order to promote follicular development, improve and enhance the ovarian function.

ObjectiveTo discuss the epidemiological characteristic s of road traffic injuries in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and explore effective pre ventive measures against traffic accidents in the plateau as well as correspondi ng emergency treatment methods.MethodsA retrospective statis tical analysis was carried out in 1 894 cases of traffic injuries with detailed data admitted in our hospital from January 1980 to December 2000. Resu ltsMost of the traffic accidents occurred on the Qinghai-Tibet road, accounting for 68.0% (1 288/1 894). Of the patients with serious traffic inju ries, 54.0% (1 022/1 894) were in need of hospitalization. The patients who first entered into the plateau accounted for 61.1% (1 158/ 1 894). Death occurre d in 108 cases accounting for 5.7%. The duration from injury to treatment was ve ry long, average over six hours. Furthermore, the patients received no any manag ement before treatment in the hospital. ConclusionsHypoxia i n the plateau, unclear road sign and fatigue driving are the main factors leadin g to traffic accidents. Lack of health care units, serious hypoxia, long deliver y time and carriers' deficiency in medical knowledge are the main causes for gr eat amount of casualties.

This study was aimed to observe the influence of β-sitosterol (BSS) on estrogen receptor (ER) positive the human breast cancer cell line T47D and to study its mechanisms. ER antagonist ICI182 780 was employed to observe the influence on the proliferation. Proliferations of T47D cells influenced by different concentrations of BSS were analyzed by MTT assay. Cell cycle analyses were examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression of cyclin D1 was measured by western blot analysis and cyclin D1 mRNA was quantified by real-time PCR assay. The results showed that BSS in high dose exhibited significant inhibitory effects that were partly antagonized by ICI182 780 and decreased the proliferative index on T47D cells. However, BSS in low dose obviously promoted the proliferation that was completely inhibited by ICI182 780 and increased the proliferative index on T47D cells. The mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 were increased in low-dose BSS. The effect was blocked by ICI182 780. It was concluded that BSS in low concentration had phytoestrogenic effect by up-regulating the expression of cyclin D1 via ER pathway.