OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation of blood concentrations of tamoxifen (TAM) and its metabolites with endometrial hyperplasia in estrogen receptor(ER)-positive breast cancer patients. METHODS:A total of 69 patients with ER-posi-tive breast cancer selected from our hospital during Mar. 2015-Apr. 2016 received TAM (twice a day,one tablet each time) for more than 6 months. According to endometrial thickness,they were divided into abnormal hyperplasia group(40 cases)and normal group(29 cases). The steady state concentrations of TAM and its metabolites [4-OH-tamoxifen(OHT),N-demethylation tamoxifen (DMT),Endoxifen] were determined by HPLC-FLU. The correlation of blood concentration and other factors with endometrial thickness were investigated by Pearson test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS:The medication time and Endoxifen steady state concentration in abnormal hyperplasia group were both significantly longer or higher than normal group,with statistical signifi-cance (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in age,BMI,complication and steady state concentrations of TAM,OHT and DMT between 2 groups(P>0.05). The endometrial thickness was positively correlated with Endoxifen steady state concentra-tion and medication time(r=0.447,0.460,P<0.05). Using endometrial thickness(y)as dependent variable,medication time(x1) and Endoxifen steady state concentration(x2)as independent variable,multiple regression analysis was conducted. Multiple regres-sion equation was calculated as follows:y=2.436+0.123x1+0.082x2(F=12.610,r=0.526,P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Medication time and Endoxifen steady state concentration may be related to endometrial hyperplasia,which can provide reference for predicting TAM induced endometrial abnormal hyperplasia in ER-positive breast cancer patients.

Objective To observe the impact of IL-1β on the expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in human mesangial cell line (HMCL), and its association with cholesterol homeostasis of HMCL. Methods Levels of LOX-1 and ABCA1 of HMCL induced by IL-1β were examined by using real-time PCR and Western blot. Results IL-1β up-regulated LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression. Treated with 5 μg/L IL-1β, the levels of LOX-1 mRNA and protein reached the peak after 6 h and 24 h of stimulation and were 6.87 folds and 1.88 folds of control rspectively. The expression of ABCA1 mRNA and protein of lipid-loaded HMCL was down-regulated by IL-1β Stimulated with 5 μg/L IL-1β the expression of ABCA1 mRNA and protein decreased to the lowest level, 19.0% and 50.62% of the baseline respectively. Conclusions The expression of LOX-1 can be up-regulated while the expression of ABCA1 can be decreased by the stimulation of IL-1β. IL-1β can enhance dyslipidemia and influence the balance of cholesterol homeostasis of HMCL.

Objective To investigate the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) with the abnormality of glucose metabolism in patients with essential hypertension.Methods Based on the level of fast plasma glucose(FPG) and 2-hours-plasma glucose(2hPG),120 patients with essential hypertension were divided into 3 groups:Normal glucose tolerance group(NGT),impaired glucose tolerance group(IGT)and diabetes mellitus group (DM).The hs-CRP was measured.Results The level of hs-CRP gradually increased from NGT to DM groups(P＜0.05).The level of hs-CRP was positively correlated with SBP,DBP,2hPG and FPG in patients with essential hypertension(r =0.48,0.37,0.46,0.31,P＜0.05).Conclusion The abnormality of glucose metabolism in patients with essential hypertension was related with hs-CRP.

Objective To explore the level of Th2 type cytokines including IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, and the immunoreg-ulation of cytokines in patients with neurocysticercosis. Methods Lymphocytes in patients with neurocysticercosis were separated from the blood sample with density gradient centrifugation and the total RNA was extracted by guanidine isothiocynate method. cDNA was synthesized by reversed transcription reaction. The target gene was then amplified by PCR. The PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis. Results Results of RT-PCR showed that cytokines mRNA in lymphocytes of peripheral blcod were detected in 27 patients with neurocysticercosis but not in the other 3 cases. Among the positive cases, mRNA of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 was detected in 16, 17 and 14 cases respectively and mRNA of IL-4, IL-10 and/or IL-13 was detected in all the 27 cases. In the detection of lymphocytes in peripheral blcod of 10 healthy subjects, expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was found in only one case at low level. Conclusion The study revealed that Th2 associated cytokines were expressed at high level and the humoral immunocompetence was relatively strong in patients with neurocysticercosis.

A total of 209 type 2 diabetic patients were divided into three groups:without,with mild to moderate,or severe diabetic lower extremity arterial disease based on the ankle brachial index value.60 healthy subjects were used as a control group.Retinol binding protein4 (RBP4),cystatin C,and biochemical parameters were determined in all subjects.The results showed that RBP4 and cystatin C levels were progressively raised with the increasing severity of lower extremity arterial disease in various groups,being significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild to moderate and severe arterial disease compared with control group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).RBP4 and cystatin C levels in groups with lower extremity arterial disease were significantly higher than those in the group without arterial disease (P＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed that RBP4 level was positively correlated with total cholesterol,triglyceride,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol,fasting serum insulin,body mass index,cystatin C etc while negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that serum RBP4 and cystatin C were significantly associated with lower extremity arterial disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To examine the circulating glucose and body weight in the transgenic MKR mouse model who expressed dominant-negative IGF-1 receptor and insulin receptor in skeletal muscle leading to systemic insulin resistance and diabetes. Methods MKR mice were genotyped by PCR analysis of tail DNA.And in these mice we examined the circulating glucose and body weight once a week from 1 to 16 weeks of age, and the circulating insulin and glucose tolerance at age of two-month-old by using C57 mice as controls. Results The descendents of MKR mice kept hereditary feature. And these mice had hyperglycaemia from 3 weeks of age,and an increasing body weight slowly(P<0.01).Twenty-fold significant hyperinsulinemia was observed in MKR mice,and they were glucose intolerant in 2-month-old male and female (P<0.01).Conclusions The MKR mouse is an excellent model of type 2 diabetes

Objective To analysis if intedeukin-1β (IL-1β) can regulate human mesangial cells (HMC) to uptake oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and if the effect of IL-lβ be changed through the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-l)pathway. Methods The uptake of HMC to Ox-LDL stimulated by IL-1β was observed using Oil Red "O" and flow cytometry. The level of LOX-1 in HMC induced by IL-1β and Ox-LDL was examined using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results Uptake of Ox-LDL and Dil-Ox-LDL by HMC was up-regulated upon stimulation with IL-1β in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Intracellular mean fluorescence density of Dil-Ox-LDL with LOX-1 blocker in IL-1β stimulation group was decreased compared to that without blocker. The peak level of LOX-1 mRNA reached after 6 h of stimulation and was as high as 6.87-fold of control. IL-1β could induce LOX-1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Treated with 10 μg/L IL-1β for 12 h, the upregulation effect on LOX-1 mRNA was as high as 6.57-fold of control. IL-1β could induce LOX-1 protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The peak level of LOX-1 protein reached after 24 h of stimulation of 5 μg/L IL-1β and was as high as 1.88-fold of control. Treated with 10 μg/L IL-1β for 24 h, the up-regulation effect on LOX-1 protein reached peak and was as high as 2.57-fold of control. IL-1β could induce LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dosedependent manner. Conclusion The expression of LOX-1 can be up-regulated by IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner and the enhanced uptake of HMC to Ox-LDL stimulated by IL-1β partly through the LOX-1 pathway, which means the dyslipidemia of HMC can be enhanced by inflammatory cytokines.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the dyeing status of cinnabar and its pieces,and provide reference for its quality clinical safetey appicaton. METHODS:TLC was used for the qualitative identification of amaranth,carmine,erythrosine,acid red 73, 808 udan and indirubin. HPLC-MS was used to detect the 808 udan :HPLC conditions were as follows,column was Acquity UPLC BEH C18 with mobile phase of cetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(70∶30,V/V)at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min,the detection wave-length was 520 nm;MS conditions were as follows,ion source was electrospray ionization source,scanning mode was positive ion scanning with full scanning tandem mass spectrometry,nebulizer pressure was 30 psi,drying gas was nitrogen,ion spray voltage was 4 000 V,collision energy was 30 V,and the injection volume was 5 μl. The volumetric method was used for content determi-nation of HgS. RESULTS:TLC spots of amaranth,carmine,erythrosine,acid red 73,808 udan and indirubin were clear and well-separated. 4 batches of 808 udan dyeing were included in the 18 batches of samples,6 batches had non-compliance contents (including 3 batches of 808 udan dyeing). CONCLUSIONS:Dyeing-doped and other quality problems exist in the cinnabaris in markets,which should be noticed.

Objective To evaluate the role of low salt (LS) medium and the involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of PGE2 in a mouse macula densa derived cell line (MMDD1 cells). Methods Confluent MMDD1 cells were exposed to serum free DMEM/F12 in a 1:1 mixture with normal saline (NS), 300 mmol/L mannitol (to reduce NaCl to half, LS solution). Semi-quantitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplication (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein with LS solution. The content of PGE2 in the supernatant was examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of total and phosphorylated p38 MAPK kinsae was examined by Western blotting in LS solution. Results The COX-2 mRNA abundance and protein expression of MMDD1 cells were up-regulated in LS group as compared to NS group (16 h mRNA 0.94?0.12 vs 0.26?0.09, 28 h protein 0.59?0.02 vs 0.25?0.07, rspectively, all P

Objective To explore the clinical value of serum procalcitonin (PCT)-based antibiotic therapy in the second-classedexacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods 240 patients diagnosised as AECOPD were randomized to the PCT group and the control group. Serum PCT levels of patients from the PCT group were measured 1 h after hospitalized and the third, fifth, eighth day respectively. When PCT < 0.1 μg / L, patients will stop taking antibiotics and initiated while PCT≥0.1 μg / L. Antibiotic treatment in the control group was based on guidelines of COPD diagnosis and treatment. Results Duration of antibiotic therapy and hospitalization were respectively 5.6 ± 1.4 and 8.2 ± 1.1 days in the PCT group, 9.2 ± 2.2 and 11.4 ± 2.5 days in the control group (both P < 0.05). Mean costs of hospitalization expensesand antibiotic therapy were 5700 ± 201 and 1650 ± 189) yuan in the PCT group, 6210 ± 220 and 2350 ± 210 yuan in the control group (both P < 0.05). The clinical effective rate, times of exacerbation, one-year ΔFEV1, the 1-year hospitalization rate and time to next exacerbation all showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion PCT-guided antibiotic treatment reduces antibiotic use inthe second-classed acute exacerbations patients.