OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligustrazine on function of peritoneal macrophages during peritoneal dialysis.

METHODSPeritoneal macrophages of mice were cultured in culture medium (control), peritoneal dialysate (PD), drugs contained PD containing Angelica, Salvia and Ligustrazine combined (PD-ASL) or separated (PD-A, PD-S, PD-L) with concentration of 2 micrograms/ml, 10 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml, separately for 24 hrs. The nitric oxide (NO) content, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) reducing capacity (MTT-RC) and phagocytosis capacity of macrophages were determined and compared.

RESULTSNO content and MTT-RC of macrophages cultured in PD group were significantly lower than those of the control (P < 0.01), as compared with those in drug contained PD groups, the NO content in the PD-L group and the MTT-RC in the PD-ASL group were higher significantly (P < 0.01). The phagocytosis capacity and NO content in the PD-ASL group were raised along with the increased concentration of drug in PD.

CONCLUSIONAdministering Chinese herbal medicine during peritoneal dialysis has important significance in improving the defense function of peritoneal macrophages, reducing the incidence of peritonitis and enhancing the therapeutic effect of peritoneal dialysis.

Angelica sinensis ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; cytology ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of commercial peritoneal dialysate (CDS) on function of macrophage. METHODS: Cultured peritoneal macrophages were divided into two experimental groups and their controls.(1) Macrophages were cultured in conditioned culture medium containing 50%CDS (0.139 mol/L glucose) for 24 h. (2)Macrophage were exposed to CDS containing 0.139mol/L glucose for 10, 30 and 60 min respectively, and then cultured in CDS-free medium for 24 h. The nitric oxide (NO) production and MTT in two groups were measured. In each control group, CDS was replaced by same amount of culture medium. RESULTS: NO production and MTT reduction ability (related to cell viability) of experimental groups were remarkably lower than those of controls and the NO production and MTT reduction in 60min CDS-exposed group were lower than that of 10 min and 30 min CDS-exposed group. CONCLUSION: Dialysate may have detrimental effects on viability and other function of macrophage and these effects may related to time length of CDS exposure.

Objective To determine levels of serum Leptin,insulin like growth factor-1(IGF-1),interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-?) in newborn infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods The asphyxiated and normal term neonates were included.The HIE group contained 45 cases and control group 20 cases.Serum Leptin,IGF-1,IL-6 and TNF-? levels were measured by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results In asphyxiated term neonates,serum Leptin,IGF-1,IL-6 and TNF-? levels were significantly higher or lower than those in control group(all P

OBJECTIVETo explore a method to repair larger cleft palate and lengthen soft palate without oral palate raw surface and scar formation, reduce the effect on maxilla and dental arch development.

METHODSA modified double opposing Z-plasty was used to lengthen soft palate and the nasal palate was closed by using large turn-over mucoperiosteal flaps on the oral surface of the junction of the hard palate and soft palate, oral raw surface on the palate was closed by a buccal myomucosal island flap.

RESULTSThirty-six palates have been repaired by this procedure, all of which had satisfactory results without flap necrosis, infection, difficulties in opening mouth and facial nerve injury except two post-operative fistulas. Eight patients were followed up and all display complete velopharyngeal closure.

CONCLUSIONSUsing unilateral buccinator myomucosal island flap with double opposing Z-plasty to repair wider palatal cleft can get a satisfactory soft palate lengthening. At the same time it can avoid bone surface exposing and scar formation; it is a safe and reliable procedure.

Adolescent ; Cheek ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of angular nerve (AN), so as to provide safe approach for the denervation surgery of corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii and procerus.

METHODS10 fresh cadaver (20 sides)were perfused and fixed with formalin. Dissection was performed in the 10 x operating microscope. The plexus of the zygomatic branch and the buccal branch were detected to confirm the AN. The relationship of AN with the surrounding blood vessels was observed. We tracked AN until it entered corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii and procerus.

RESULTS(1) AN was classified into I, II, III type according to its formation pattern. Type I (20%, 4/20 sides) AN is single, which is mainly from the plexus of buccal branch plus the zygomatic branch from the orbicularis oculi muscle. In type II (20%, 4/20 sides), the single AN was formed by buccal branch plexus and zygomatic branch plexus in the "Four Muscle Gap". In type III (60%, 12/20 sides), the AN had two branches in the "Four Muscle Gap". (2) The three types AN passed inferior to the support ligament at the suborbital part, and then transversed medial to the support ligament at the medial canthus, along the vessels of medial canthus. (3) The branch of AN enters the depressor supercilii or procerus 2.19 to 4.28 mm above the medial canthus ligament. The backward branch enters the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi 6.89 to 9.38 mm below the medial canthus ligament.

CONCLUSIONSThe approach of denervation surgery for AN should be performed medial to the support ligation, between 2.19 mm above the medial canthus and 6.89 mm below the medial canthus.

Adult ; Cadaver ; Denervation ; Facial Muscles ; innervation ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDIn response to the injury of the central nervous system (CNS), the astrocytes upregulate the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which largely contributes to the reactive gliosis after brain injury. The regulatory mechanism of this process is still not clear. In this study, we aimed to compare the ephrin-B2 deficient mice with the wild type ones with regard to gliosis after traumatic brain injury.

METHODSWe generated ephrin-B2 knockout mice specifically in CNS astrocytes. Twelve mice from this gene-knockout strain were randomly selected along with twelve mice from the wild type littermates. In both groups, a modified controlled cortical impact injury model was applied to create a closed traumatic brain injury. Twenty-eight days after the injury, Nissl staining and GFAP immunofluorescence staining were used to compare the brain atrophy and GFAP immunoreactivity between the two groups. All the data were analyzed by t-test for between-group comparison.

RESULTSWe successfully set up the conditional ephrin-B2 knockout mice strain, which was confirmed by genotyping and ephrin-B2/GFAP double staining. These mice developed normally without apparent abnormality in general appearance. Twenty-eight days following brain injury, histopathology revealed by immunohistochemistry showed different degrees of cerebral injuries in both groups. Compared with wild-type group, the ephrin-B2 knockout group exhibited less brain atrophy ratio for the injured hemispheres (P = 0.005) and hippocampus (P = 0.027). Also the wild-type group demonstrated greater GFAP immunoreactivity increment within hippocampal regions (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONSThe establishment of conditional ephrin-B2 knockout mice provides us with a new way to explore the role of ephrin-B2 in astrocytes. Our findings revealed less atrophy and GFAP immunoreactivity in the knockout mice strain after traumatic brain injury, which implied ephrin-B2 could be one of the promoters to upregulate gliosis following brain injury.

Animals ; Atrophy ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; pathology ; Ephrin-B2 ; deficiency ; physiology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Gliosis ; etiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis

Objective :To observe therapeutic effect and safety of perindopril combined amlodipine (P+ A) and valsartan combined amlodipine (V+A) on hypertension .Methods :A total of 126 patients with hypertension treated in our hospital were enrolled.The patients were randomly and equally divided into V + A group and P+ A group ,both groups received corresponding treatment based on routine intervention for 12 weeks.Levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ,diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ,heart rate (HR) ,plasma nitric oxide (NO) ,endothelin (ET)-1 ,von Willebrand factor (vWF) ,serum cystatin C (CysC) and uric acid (SUA) before and after treatment ,therapeutic effect and incidence rate of adverse reac-tions were observed and compared between two groups .Results :Total effective rate of V+A group was significantly higher than that of P+A group (92.06% vs.79.37%) , P＝0.042. Compared with before treatment ,after 12-week treatment , there were significant reductions in levels of SBP ,DBP ,plasma ET-1 and vWF ,and significant rise in plasma NO level in two groups ;significant rise in serum CysC level in V+A group , P＝0.001 all.Compared with P+A group after 12-week treatment ,there were significant reductions in levels of DBP [(85.34 ± 6.27)mmHg vs.(80.25 ± 6.31)mmHg] ,SBP [(130.33 ± 10.18)mmHg vs.(125.61 ± 10.25)mmHg] ,plasma ET-1 [(63.48 ± 9.30)pg/ml vs.(54.32 ± 9.21) pg/ml] , vWF [(125.78 ± 13.37)% vs.(113.54 ± 13.26)% ] and serum CysC [(1.41 ± 0.31)mg/L vs.(0.89 ± 0.25)mg/L] ,and significant rise in plasma NO level [(75.48 ± 10.65) μmol/L vs.(82.94 ± 10.56)μmol/L] in V+A group ,P＜0.05 or ＜0.01. There was no significant difference in incidence rate of adverse reactions between two groups , P＝0.143. Conclu-sion :Valsartan and perindopril respectively combined amlodipine can effectively reduce blood pressure level in hypertensive patients ,but the former can more significantly improve vascular endothelial function with better therapeutic effect .

Objective This study is aimed to investigate oxidative stress status in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.Methods 52 CHC patients were divided into two groups according to the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT):group A (elevated ALT group) and group B (normal ALT group).20 healthy controls were included in this study.Serum levels of xanthine oxidase (XOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),oxidizided glutathione (GSSG),glutathione (GSH),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),glutathione S-transferase (GST),glutathione reductase (GR) and vitamin C (Vc) were determined by.enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results Serum levels of XOD,MDA,GST and GR increased in CHC patients compared with healthy controls.While,serum levels of GSH,GSH-Px and Vc decreased compared with healthy controls.Furthermore,serum levels of XOD,MDA,GSSG,GST and GR in group A were up-regulated compared with group B.Serum levels of GSH,GSH-Px and Vc in group A were down-regulated compared with group B.In CHC patients,serum ALT level positively correlated with serum levels of XOD,MDA,GSSG and GST,while,negatively correlated with serum levels of GSH,GSH-Px and Vc.Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level positively correlated with serum levels of XOD,MDA,GSSG,GR and GST,while,negatively correlated with serum GSH-Px level in CHC patients.Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) level positively correlated with serum GR level and negatively correlated with serum GSH level in CHC patients.Serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) level positively correlated with serum levels of MDA and GR in CHC patients.In CHC patients,serum XOD level was positively related with serum HCV RNA level.Conclusion Oxidative stress was increased in CHC patients.In CHC patients with elevated serum ALT level,oxidative stress usually became serious.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate retrospectively the efficacy and toxicity of capecitabine-based chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

METHODSThree hundred and seventy-six patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens in our department from Sep 2002 to Sep 2009. They were divided into 3 groups. The group 1 was treated with capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) orally twice daily on d1-d14, repeated every 3 weeks. The group 2 was treated with capecitabine as group 1, and combined with docetaxel 60 - 75 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on d1, repeated every 3 weeks. The group 3 was treated with capecitabine as group 1, and combined with vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on d1 and d8, repeated every 3 weeks. The median treatment period of treatment was 3 cycles.

RESULTSAmong the 376 patients, 218 patients were evaluable for response. In the group 1 the objective response rate (ORR) was 12.8% and the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 21.6%. The CBR but not ORR of first line therapy with capecitabine was 35.2%, significantly higher than that of more than first line therapy (17.1%, P < 0.01). The ORRs for group 2 and group 3 were 53.8% and 36.4%, respectively. In the group 2 there was no significant difference in the ORR between the first line therapy and more than first line therapy. In the group 3 the ORR of first line therapy of NX regimen was 36.4%, significantly higher than that of more than first line therapy (16.7%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe capecitabine-based chemotherapy is effective and tolerable, and can be used not only in first line but also more than first line therapy. The single agent maintenance chemotherapy after response to combined chemotherapy can prolonge the duration of treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Adult ; Agranulocytosis ; chemically induced ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Capecitabine ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand-Foot Syndrome ; etiology ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Maintenance Chemotherapy ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism by which heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) regulates 26S proteasome in hyperthermia.

METHODSHyperthermic HepG2 cell models established by exposure of the cells to 42 degrees celsius; for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h were examined for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell proliferation, and the changes in Hsp90α and 26S proteasome were analyzed.

RESULTSROS production in the cells increased significantly after hyperthermia (F=28.958, P<0.001), and the cell proliferation was suppressed progressively as the heat exposure time extended (F=621.704, P<0.001). Hyperthermia up-regulated Hsp90α but decreased the expression level (F=164.174, P<0.001) and activity (F=133.043, P<0.001) of 26S proteasome. The cells transfected with a small interfering RNA targeting Hsp90α also showed significantly decreased expression of 26S proteasome (F=180.231, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe intracellular ROS production increases as the hyperthermia time extends. Heat stress and ROS together cause protein denature, leading to increased HSP90 consumption and further to HSP90 deficiency for maintaining 26S proteasome assembly and stability. The accumulation of denatured protein causes unfolded protein reaction in the cells to eventually result in cell death.

HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation