Objective To explore the prognostic factor by analyzing clinical characters, pathologic features and treatment methods of thymic carcinoma. Methods From January 2000 to Deceber 2011, 71 patients received re-section of thymic carcinoma. They were analyzed retrospectively based on Masaoka stage(stageII 7,stageIII 33, stageIV 31). The clinical factors included histological classification, Masaoka stage, treatment and prognosis. Sur-vival rate was calculated and the survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meimer and Log-Rank method, Multi-analy-sis was carried out by COX regression. Results For these patients, the median survival time was 57. 2 months, the 5-year survival rate was 47. 9%. 25 patients received complete resection with 5-years survival rate 68%, 46 patients received partial resection with 5-years survival rate 36. 9%. 41 patients whose lump size was greater than or equal to 8 cm with 5-years survival rate 53. 6%, 40% with lower than 8 cm. Histology Masaoka staging with 5-years survival rate was stage II(57. 1%) , stage III(69. 7%) and stage IV(29. 0%) , respectively. Defferent his-tological type with 5-years survival rate squamous carcinoma(55. 1%) , adenocarcinoma (14. 3%) ,small cell car-cinoma ( 28. 6%) , adenosquamous carcinoma ( 33. 3%) , and carcinoid ( 100%) , respectively. The operation method, the maximum diameter, mass Masaoka stage and different pathology types for survival were statistically dif-ferent (P<0. 05). Preoperative treatment, postoperative radiotherapy and differentiation degree of survival had no statistical difference. Conclusion Surgical method, lump size, masaoka stage and histological type are the impor-tant factors affecting prognosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy maybe is not the poor prognosis factor of thymic tumors. Sur-gical method and lump size are the significant independent prognostic factors in patients with thymic tumors.

AlM: To monitor long - term changes of matrix metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2 ) in human tears fluid after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASlK) .
METHODS: Thirty - two myopia cases ( 64 eyes ) underwent uneventful LASlK were enrolled in the study. Tear fluid were collected and MMP-2 expression was analyzed by Western - bolt assay preoperatively and postoperatively on 15d, at 1, 3mo, and 1a.
RESULTS:LASlK increased the concentration of MMP-2 in human tear fluid. At 15d postoperatively, the magnitude of MMP-2 was 1. 4 times that of preoperative, thereafter subsided, but didn't return to preoperative level by 3mo ( P < 0. 05 ). Up to 1a after surgery, the concentration of MMP-2 almost recovered (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSlON: MMP- 2 is significantly expressed in human tear fluid after LASlK, then subsided with time, but didn't return to preoperative level by 3mo and almost recovered up to 1a, indicating wound healing of LASlK would continue up at least 3mo after surgery and almost recovered 1a postoperatively.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Favism ; complications ; Humans ; Male

To investigate the effect of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) on the reactivity of rabbit pulmonary artery, the responses of rabbit pulmonary artery rings (PARs) pre-incubated with ONOO(-) to endothelium-dependent and receptor-dependent relaxants ACh and ADP, endothelium-dependent and receptor-independent relaxant calcium ionophore A23187, endothelium-independent relaxant sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) were observed in vitro in an accumulative manner. (1) Relaxations of PARs to ACh, calcium ionophore A23187 and ADP were markedly impaired with shift of accumulative dose-response curve of each agonist to the right. Inhibition of endothelium-dependent and receptor-dependent or independent relaxation by ONOO(-) was dose-dependent. (2) ONOO(-) incubation inhibited SNP-induced relaxation in a dose-dependent manner. (3) Contractile response of PARs to PE varied with the different doses of ONOO(-). In PARs pre-incubated with 0.5 mmol/L ONOO(-), contractile response was significantly enhanced with shift of PE accumulative dose-response curve to the left, whereas in PARs pre-incubated with 1.0 mmol/L or 2.0 mmol/L ONOO(-), it was markedly reduced with right shift of PE accumulative dose-response curve. (4) Vehicle of ONOO(-) had no effect on responses to each agonist.Decomposed ONOO(-) had minimal effect on the response to PE and ADP, in contrast, relaxation of PARs to ACh, A23187 and SNP were enhanced. These results indicate that ONOO(-) may contribute to regulatory disorder of pulmonary artery reactivity.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; In Vitro Techniques ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the direct effects of fenvalerate (Fen) on sperm motility in SD rats.

METHODSSperm were isolated from caudal epididymides of healthy adult male rats with the diffusion method. The motility parameters of the isolated sperm, such as VCL, VSL, VAP, BCF, STR and LIN, were monitored by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system after 1, 2 and 4 h Fen-exposure in vitro at concentrations of 0, 1, 4, 16 and 64 micromol/L respectively.

RESULTSAfter 1 and 2 h Fen-exposure, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN decreased significantly at 64 micromol/L compared with the control group. After 4 h Fen-exposure, the motility parameters VCL, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN dropped progressively at 64 micromol/L, and VCL declined markedly at 16 micromol/L. However, only VCL and STR showed alterations in a time-response manner.

CONCLUSIONFen may affect the caudal epididymal sperm and produce a direct toxic effect on sperm motility in SD rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the curative effect of pingyangmycin and sodium morrhuae respectively in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial venous malformation.

METHODSForty cases of oral and maxillofacial venous malformation were induced in this study, 20 of which were given local injection of low dose of pingyangmycin, and 20 given local injection of 5% sodium morrheate. The therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSThe effective cases of pingyangmycin was 19, and the effective cases of sodium morrhuate was 12. The side effect was found in 10 cases of, and in 15 cases sodium morrhuate group, the former was mainly pingymangmycin group systemic, the later was mainly local. The difference was significant between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPingyangmycin is more effective in effective rate and side effect treatment of venous hemangioma than sodium morrhuate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections, Intralesional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sclerosing Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Sodium Morrhuate ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Malformations ; therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND:How to improve the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSCs)in vitro is of great importance in regenerative medicine. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of TAZ, a transcriptional coactivator, on the proliferation of hDPSCs and its potential mechanisms. METHODS:hDPSCs were isolated from human dental pulps and cultured in vitro.The expression of TAZ in hDPSCs was detected by immunofluorescence method. Then, we knocked down the expression of TAZ in hDPSCs, and the proliferation of hDPSCs was measured by MTT and BrdU kit analysis respectively. The levels of CTGF and Cry61, which are the downstream target genes of TAZ, were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot assay. We also investigated the effect of TAZ on the levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling proteins, Smad3 and Smad 4 by using western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: TAZ protein was expressed in hDPSCs. After the transfection by siTAZ for 24 hours, the mRNA and protein levels of TAZ were both significantly decreased. After the transfection by siTAZ for 24 and 48 hours, the proliferation of hDPSCs was obviously inhibited. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of CTGF and Cry61 were decreased by siTAZ transfection. The further research showed that TAZ silence also inhibited the expression of Smad3 and Smad 4, which belonged to the TGF-β signaling pathway. To conclude, TAZ may modulate the proliferation of hDPSCs through regulating the expression of CTGF and Cry61, and TGF-β-dependent signaling pathways may be involved in this regulation.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different parameters (frequency, intensity, needle-retained time and treatment interval) of electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) for adjusting blood lipids, so as to find out the optimization parameter.

METHODSFifty-four cases meeting the criteria for hyperlipoidemia were randomly divided into 27 groups with orthogonal design L27 (3(13) ). According to the orthogonal design program they were treated with electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40). Ten sessions constituted one course with a one week's interval between two course. The treatment was given for 2 courses.

RESULTS(1) The parameters of EA at Fenglong (ST 40) for regulating blood lipids in primary and secondary orders are: frequency, needle-retained time, interval of treatment, intensity. (2) The parameters of EA at Fenglong (ST 40) for various programs in regulating various blood lipids are: for TG, frequency AM 50 Hz, needle-retained time 20 ain, intensity 1 mA, twice each week; for TC, frequency AM 100 Hz, needle-retained time 30 min, intensity 1 mA, once every other day; for LDL-C, frequency Am 100 Hz, needle-retained time 30 min, intensity tolerable and comfortable, once every other day.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEIn this study, a growing rat model of zinc deficiency was established to investigate the effect of zinc deficiency on intestinal mucosal morphology and digestive enzyme activity as well as to provide a scientific basis for zinc supplementation therapy in patients with diarrhea.

METHODThree-week-old weaned Sprague-Dawley male rats (n = 30) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 in each: rats in the control group (ZA) were fed with a normal diet containing 30 µg/g zinc; rats in the zinc deficient group (ZD) were fed with a zinc-deficient diet containing 0.4 µg/g zinc (refer to AIN-76 formula); and rats in the paired fed group (PF) were fed with a normal diet, but the food intake was limited to intake of rats in ZD group in the previous day. All rats were provided with deionized water for drinking. Their body weight was measured and the food intake during the previous day was recorded early in the morning of the following day. Symptoms of zinc deficiency, such as anorexia, diarrhea, dermatitis, and growth retardation, were observed. Two weeks later, the rats were sacrificed and serum zinc concentration was measured. Jejunal mucosa was taken for biopsy and was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The height ratio of the jejunal mucosal villi and crypts was measured. In addition, the activity of lactase in the jejunal mucosal brush border, γ-glutamyl peptidase (GGT), and aminopeptidase N (APN) were measured.

RESULTThe average weight of the rats in the ZA, ZD, and PF groups at the beginning of the experiment was (67.4 ± 5.3) g, (64.7 ± 4.8) g, and (66.5 ± 4.1) g, respectively, and the average daily food intake was (11.2 ± 1.0) g, (11.6 ± 1.6) g, and (11.2 ± 1.4) g, respectively. The intergroup differences were not significant. On the 7(th) day of experiment, no significant differences in average food intake were observed between the ZD group and the ZA and PF groups, but the average body weight in the ZD group was significantly lower than that in the ZA and PF groups (P < 0.01). At the end of the experiment (2 weeks), the average weight in the ZD group (112.0 ± 11.5) g was significantly lower than that in the ZA (164.0 ± 15.9) g and PF groups (137.5 ± 16.2) g. The average food intake in the ZD group (13.4 ± 5.1) g was significantly lower than that in the ZA group (18.2 ± 2.4) g (P < 0.01). Serum zinc level in the ZD group (733 ± 231) µg/L was significantly lower than that in the ZA (1553 ± 159) µg/L and PF groups (1457 ± 216) µg/L (P < 0.01). The height ratio of jejunal mucosa villus and crypt in the ZA, ZD, and PF groups was 2.98 ± 0.5, 2.77 ± 0.5, and 2.81 ± 0.7, respectively, and lactase activity was (26.1 ± 15.0) U/mg, (27.4 ± 12.8) U/mg, and (40.8 ± 18.5) U/mg, respectively, without significant intergroup differences. The GGT activity in the jejunal mucosa in the ZD group (12.7 ± 6.5) U/g was significantly lower than that in the ZA (19.1 ± 10.4) U/g and PF groups (18.5 ± 7.7) U/g, but the difference was not significant. The activity of APN in the jejunal mucosa in the ZD group (25.5 ± 7.5) U/g was significantly lower than that in the ZA (48.7 ± 16.8) U/g and PF groups (43.9 ± 14.5) U/g (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZinc deficiency can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, and decreased activity of peptidase in the jejunal mucosal brush border. Zinc deficiency has little effect on the height ratio of the villus and crypt and lactase activity, thereby indicating that zinc deficiency may first affect protein digestion and absorption.

Animals ; Intestinal Mucosa ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lactase ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Zinc ; deficiency