The AC impedance of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells were measured in our laboratory by Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer in the frequency range of 0.01-100 MHz. And then the effect of hematocrit on electrical impedance characteristics of hepatoma cells was observed by electrical impedance spectroscopy, Bode diagram, Nyquist diagram and Nichols diagram. The results showed that firstly, there is a frequency dependence, i.e., the increment of real part and the imaginary part of complex electrical impedance (δZ', δZ"), the increment of the amplitude modulus of complex electrical impedance (δ[Z *]) and phase angle (δθ) were all changed with the increasing frequency. Secondly, it showed cell volume fraction (CVF) dependence, i. e. , the increment of low-frequency limit (δZ'0, δ[Z*] 0), peak (δZ"(p), δθ(p)), area and radius (Nyquist diagram, Nichols diagram) were all increased along with the electric field frequency. Thirdly, there was the presence of two characteristic frequencies: the first characteristic frequency (f(c1)) and the second characteristic frequency (f(c2)), which were originated respectively in the polarization effects of two interfaces that the cell membrane and extracellular fluid, cell membrane and cytoplasm. A conclusion can be drawn that the electrical impedance spectroscopy is able to be used to observe the electrical characteristics of human hepatoma cells, and therefore this method can be used to investigate the electrophysiological mechanisms of liver cancer cells, and provide research tools and observation parameters, and it also has important theoretical value and potential applications for screening anticancer drugs.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Electric Impedance ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Membrane Potentials

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy between Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease and the conventional western medication in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).

METHODSEighty patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, besides the physician instruction of low protein and low phosphorus diet in the two groups, Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease was applied, including (1) the isolated herbal moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Pishu (BL 21), or Ganshu (BL 18), Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) alternatively; (2) acupuncture at the auricular points such as shen (CO10), jiaogan (AHR6), Shenshangxian (TG2), fei (CO14) and pizhixia (AT4); (3) injection of mixture of astragalus injection and lidocaine injection at Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 21), Shenshu (BL 23) and the others; (4) modified Shenshuai Yihao decoction according to syndrome differentiation. In the control group, the conventional western medication was used. After 6 months of treatment, the differences were observed between the two groups in the clinical efficacy, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), endogenous creatinine (Ccr) and 24 h urine protein quantitation (UPQ).

RESULTSIn the observation group, after treatment, the remarkably effective rate was 50.0% (20/40) and the total effective rate was 82.5% (33/40), which were superior to 25.0% (10/40) and 45.0% (18/40) in the control group (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced apparently (all P < 0.05), and the level of Ccr was increased apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced much more apparently in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGuan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease achieves a better efficacy on CRF compared with the conventional western medication. This therapy improves renal functions, relieves clinical symptoms and physical signs and benefits the life quality of patients.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To develop an interlocking-style vascular shunt device for the treatment of distal limb ischemia resulting from vascular disconnection and defect.Methods A one-way interlocking buckle was designed with the space between the clamping teeth being 0.5 mm,which prevented the device from moving backwards and fixed the vessel and shunt tube conveniently.The interlocking buckle combined with silicone tube was used to connect the two ends of the defected vessel,which was compared with conventional method by suture ligation and silicone tube by the tests on vessel bursting pressure and tensile biomechanics.Results The vessel repaired with the developed device behaved better than that by the conventional method in the tests on vessel bursting pressure and tensile biomechanics (P＜0.05).Conclusion The vascular shunt device can be used for the treatment of distal limb ischemia resulting from vascular disconnection and defect,and thus facilitates the vascular graft in rear hospital after evacuation.

Objective To investigate the pathogens,drug resistance and outcomes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) patients with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in our peritoneal dialysis(PD) centers. Method Data including clinical manifestations,pathogens,treatment,outcome of 93 CAPD cases with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in our peritoneal dialysis(PD) centers were retrospectively analyzed.Results Dialysate culture of 75cases was positive with a positive rate of 80.2％,including 45 cases of gram-positive cocci,21cases of gram-negative bacilli,2 cases of fungi and 5 cases of mixed infection.Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common gram-positive cocci.All the gram-positive cocci were sensitive to vancomycin,but the resistance rate to cefazolin was 60.0％ with an increasing tendence year by year.Resistance rate of gram-negative bacilli to ceftazidime was 46.1％.All the gram-negative bacilli were sensitive to imipenem.The withdraw rate of CAPD was 17.2％(16/93) because of peritonitis. Noobviousside-effectofperitonealadministrationofvancomycinwasfound.Conclusions Gram-positive cocci are major pathogens in CAPD-related peritonitis.Now cefasolin is not suitable for the empiric initial treatment.Peritoneal administration of vancomycin should be recommended for peritonitis caused by gram-positive cocci.

Growth patterns of trichome and contaminative bacteria in Spirulina sp. liquid culture were observed, and it was found that the number of neutral and alkalophilic bacteria was always 105～106 times of that of Spirulina sp. trichome. It would be very difficult to get real pure Spirulina sp. strain by classical methods of dilution plate, capillary and single trichome selecting methods. A great deal of contaminative bacteria was washed out by two pretreatment processes. Low speed centrifugation was designed to wash the strains which usually deposit at bottom, and filtration method was designed to treat the strains usually floating at surface. Sandwich plate and dilution plate were designed for the purification of the mobile strains and non-mobile strains, respectively. A lot of strains were purified by the above processes and pure single trichome formed pure colonies on plates.

Objective To study absorption of shegan heji marker components in blood and their excretion in urine and feces of rats, after intragastric administration of shegan heji. Methods LC-MS/MS was used for determination of marker compounds. Rat metabolic cage technology was employed. Results Excretion of marker components were completed 24 hours after administration. Conclusion Ephedrine can be excreted from rats within 24 hours. The possibility of mutual transformation of flavonoids exists in the body. Taking shegan heji will not cause accumulation of ephedrine and flavonoids in the body.

It was constructed that a genomic DNA library from Lactobacillus sp. MD-1 yielding D, L-lactic acid. The gene encoding L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH) was cloned from the genomic library of strain MD-1 by complementation in E. coli FMJ144 which was lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate-formate lyase double defective mutant. The nucleotide sequence of the ldhL gene predicted a protein of 316 amino acid starting with ATG. The putative molecular weight of the L-LDH amino acid sequence was 33.84kD. A putative typical promoter (-35 and -10 boxes) had been observed in the 5' noncoding region. An rho-independent transcriptional terminator has been observed in the 3' noncoding region. Three highly conserved regions (Gly13 approximately Asp50, Asp73 approximately Ileul00 and Asn123 approximately Arg154) with several conserved residues had been identified. Gly13 approximately Asp50 was NADH-binding site domain. Asp73 approximately Ileu100 and Asn123 approximately Arg154 were reported to be the active site domains. The ldhL and the L-LDH of Lactobacillus sp. MD-1 showed the low identity and similarity with other Lactobacilli, and the highest percentage were 61.9% and 68.9% respectively. All the above indicated this gene is a novel ldhL.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Lactobacillus ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVETo summarize the nutritional supporting experiences in duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma and to increase the therapeutic level of duodenal stump leakage.

METHODSData of 18 cases of duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma in our hospital from January 1997 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAll the cases were treated with abdominal cavity drainage, continuous gastrointestinal decompression and parenteral nutrition combined with enteral nutrition. Sixteen cases received glutamine enrichment, 12 cases somatostatin infusion, 8 cases recombinant human growth hormone. Five patients healed within 21-30 d, 12 patients within 30-72 d. One case died of abdominal cavity hemorrhage and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage 62 days postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONAbdominal cavity drainage, continuous gastrointestinal decompression, parenteral nutrition combined with enteral nutrition, intensive support with glutamine, somatostatin and recombinant human growth hormone are the important factors for the healing of duodenal stump leakage.

Adult ; Aged ; Duodenal Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Support ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Humans ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of memantine in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer' s disease (AD).Methods This was a 16-week,multi-center,randomized,double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Study 10116).A total of 258 AD patients (MMSE score 5—18) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either memantine 10—20 mg/day (MEM,n=128) or placebo (PBO,n= 130) group for 16 weeks.Efficacy was primarily assessed in terms of changes of severe impairment battery (SIB) score in patients from baseline up to SIB assessment in the 16th week (16-week completers set, CS16).While ehanges of MMSE,ADCS-ADL_(19),and NPI (neuropsychiatric inventory) were evaluated as secondary efficacy parameters on both CSI6 and full-analysis set (FAS).Safety was assessed by physical examination,lab assays,ECG,and adverse events.Results 236 subjeets (CS16:MEM n=117,PBO n=119) were eligible for the efficacy assessment.No statistically significant difference between the treatments was observed on the primary and seeondary efficacy analysis,although both treatment groups had a slight increase from baseline in SIB total score.Post hoe evaluation of the data identified two bias factors that had a significant impact on the results of the pre-protoeol specified primary and secondary analyses.In a re-analysis of the data (CS16_(modified),MEM n=94,PBO n=95) excluding patient data affeeted by these factors,memantine-treated patients showed a statistically significant improvement related to placebo in the 16th week on the SIB (MEM 2.2 vs PBO 0.3,P=0.04),MMSE (MEM 1.0 vs PBO 0.1,P=0.03),and ADL (MEM 0.1 vs PBO-1.6,P=0.02) scales,indicating that memantine improved the cognitive function of AD patients and stabilized the activity of daily life.Memantine was well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo.Conclusion This study provides further support for pre-existing data,showing that memantine is efficacious,safe,and well-tolerated in patients with moderate to severe AD.