Boronic Acids ; adverse effects ; Bortezomib ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Fish Oils ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; adverse effects

Objective 99Tcm-4,9-diaza-3,3,10,10-tetramethyldodecan-2,11-dione dioxime(HL91),a new type of hypoxic agents,accumulates in tumor hypoxic tissue specifically.The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of 99Tcm-HL91 imaging in the diagnosis of bone metastasis.Methods Nineteen cases with bone metastasis(without any treatment)and 8 cases with benign lesions underwent SPECT imaging at 4 h after injection of 740 MBq of 99Tcm-HL91 along with 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonic acid(MDP)imaging.Regions of interest(ROIs)were drawn in tumor tissue and contralateral normal tissue respectively,and the radioactivity ratios of tumor-to-normal(T/N)were calculated.The t-test was used for data analysis with SPSS 11.0.Results There were visible uptake of 99Tcm-HL91 in 79 out of 85 focuses in 19 patients of bone metastasis;however,there was no obvious uptake of 99Tcm-HL91 in 12 focuses of 8 patients of benign lesions.Significant difference existed between the T/N values of malignant(1.877±0.288)and benign lesions[(0.735±0.236);t=13.065,P＜0.05].However,the T/N value of bone metastasis from lung cancer did not differ with that from prostate cancer(1.915±0.344 and 1.825±0.175,respectively;t=1.378,P＞0.05).Conclusion The results indicated that 99Tcm-HL91 was useful in diagnosing the malignant and benign bone lesions.

A series of surveillance and management actions was taken to minimize out-of-plan re-operations. These actions include: 1) Building and completing the surveillance and management mechanism against unplanned re-operations; 2) Building a real-time surveillance and reporting mechanism; 3) Enhancing quality control and continuous improvement at the operating departments; 4) Enhancing the supervision on regulations implementation by quality control departments of the hospital; 5) Enhancing quality control for medical records; 6) Building a feedback mechanism for surveillance results; 7) Building a penalty and reward mechanism. Efforts for one year and a half on such surveillance and management proved successful, as the incidence of out-of-plan re-operations fell from 1.7% before these actions to 1.0% afterwards.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

miR-200c has been shown to regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression in breast cancer cells. This study further examined the role of miR-200c in the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer that goes beyond the regulation on ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression. In this study, the bioinformatics software (miRanda) was used to predict the target gene of miR-200c and Renilla luciferase assay to verify the result. The metastatic breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 were cultured and transfected with the miR-200c mimic or inhibitor. The expressions of miR-200c and HMGB1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were employed to examine the invasive and migrating ability of transfected cells. Target prediction and Renilla luciferase analysis revealed that HMGB1 was a putative target gene of miR-200c. After transfection of MDA-MB-231 cells with the miR-200c mimic or inhibitor, the expression of miR-200c was significantly increased or decreased when compared with cells transfected with the miR-200c mimic NC or inhibitor NC. Moreover, the expression of HMGB1 was reversely correlated with that of miR-200c in transfected cells. Tranwell assay showed that the number of invasive cells was significantly reduced in miR-200c mimic group when compared with miR-200c inhibitor group. It was also found that the migrating ability of cells transfected with miR-200c mimics was much lower than that of cells transfected with miR-200c inhibitors. It was suggested that miR-200c can suppress the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells by regulating the expression of HMGB1. miR-200c and HMGB1 may become useful biomarkers for progression of breast cancer and targets of gene therapy.

This study aims to investigate the effect of total flavones of Fructus Chorspondiatis (TFFC) on the mRNA and protein expression of collagen type I and III of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and explore its anti-myocardial fibrosis molecular mechanism. Neonatal rat CFs were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 d after birth). The expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The study showed that stimulation of neonatal rat CFs with 100 nmol.L-1 of Ang II for 72 h resulted in a significant increase of the expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein. The changes on the expression level were blocked by TFFC. The results demonstrated that TFFC can inhibit myocardial fibrosis induced by Ang II in rats, which is probably associated with the collagen type I and III mRNA and protein levels up-regulated by Ang II, and TFFC was shown to decrease the expression levels of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein.
Anacardiaceae ; chemistry ; Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flavones ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Myocardium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using an intracavitary convex array probe for detecting the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) by transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU).

METHODSForty patients underwent examinations with bilateral ICA inspected with an intracavitary convex array probe by TOCU to observe the internal diameter, visible length, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI).

RESULTSEight of the 40 patients were excluded from the observation for the presence of carotid plaques. The examination was terminated in two patients due to sensitive throat and severe pharyngeal reflex. The rest of the patients completed the examination of the internal diameter, visible length, PSV, EDV and RI, which showed no statistically significant differences among them (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONUsing intracavitary convex array probe, the distal extracranial ICA disease can be diagnosed with higher accuracy.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Wuzi Yanzong Pill (, WYP) on the spermatogenesis and specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells in rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanism.

METHODSFive groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats including the control group, the model group, the low-dose WYP group, the medium-dose WYP group and the high-dose WYP group (5 in each group) were treated daily with vehicle, multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (GTW) either alone (20 mg/kg) or followed by WYP (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg daily), respectively for 30 days. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin B (INHB) and testosterone (T) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Androgen-binding protein (ABP) gene expression and transferrin (TF) protein expression in testis tissue specimens of all rats were determined using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Histopathological alterations in the testis were determined using Johnsen's score.

RESULTSThe toxicity of GTW towards Sertoli cell secretory functions and spermatogenesis was accompanied by increased serum FSH concentrations and decreased INHB and T concentrations. Upregulated ABP mRNA levels, and decreased TF protein expression and Johnsen's scores were detected in the model group compared with the control group P<0.05 or P<0.01). Oral high-dose WYP administrations to GTW-treated rats effectively alleviated all of the GTW-induced changes in specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells (ABP, INHB and TF). Furthermore, serum T level and Johnsen's score of the testis increased greatly compared with the model group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONWYP has the ability to improve the spermatogenesis, possibly through modulating the secretory proteins expression of Sertoli cells.

Androgen-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Inhibins ; blood ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Tablets ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; Transferrin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of serum Golgi protein-73 (GP73) in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and determine its clinical value for differential diagnosis.

METHODSSerum protein expressions of GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence assay, respectively, in patients with PHC (n=80), liver cirrhosis (n=65), and healthy controls (n=50). Inter-group changes were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and significance of these differences was assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and determine the cut-off values for GP73 and AFP. Sensitivity and specificity were compared by the Chi-squared test. Correlation between serum GP73 expression and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe PHC group showed significantly higher serum GP73 (282.0 mug/L) than the liver cirrhosis group (211.8 mug/L) and control group (58.3 mug/L) (H = 93.30, P less than 0.01). For differential diagnosis of PHC and liver cirrhosis, the cut-off value was 318.1 mug/L for GP73 and 13.4 mug/L for AFP. Sensitivity of GP73 was lower than AFP (45% (36/80) vs. 65% (52/80); X2 = 8.02, P less than 0.05). Specificity of GP73 was lower than AFP but no significance was found (83.1% (54/65) vs. 87.7% (57/65); X2=0.27, P more than 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between GP73 and AFP (0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54~0.72) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z = 1.88, P more than 0.05). The area under the ROC curves increased but not significantly (0.80 (95% CI: 0.73~0.88) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z=2.61, P more than 0.05). Serum GP73 was correlated with liver cirrhosis (r=0.27), vascular invasion (r=0.29), and TNM staging (r=0.27) (all P less than 0.05), but not with sex (r=0.13), age (r=0.10), enhanced AFP (> 13.4 mug/L; r=0.03), tumor size (r=0.18), or distant metastasis (r=0.04), all P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSerum GP73 and AFP have comparable diagnostic efficiency, but the sensitivity of AFP is superior for differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma. Elevated serum GP73 may be correlated with liver tumor load and aggressiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo develop a novel porous poly lactic-acid(PLA)/bone matrix gelatin (BMG) bioactive composite biomaterial with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction and determine the optimal proportion of the ingredients by evaluating the physical and chemical characteristics and cellular compatibility of the composites.

METHODSThe PLA/BMG composite biomaterials with various PLA/BMG proportions were prepared with SC-CO2 technique and evaluated by macroscopic observation, porosity and mechanical assessment, and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The optimal proportion of PLA/BMG was determined in conjunction with the results of cellular compatibility evaluation.

RESULTSBMG proportion in BLA/BMG composite biomaterials prepared with SC-CO2 technique was positively associated with the cellular compatibility and porosity, and inversely with the mechanics of the prepared composite. The results showed BMG content of 30% in PLA/BMG composite was optimal.

CONCLUSIONThe composite with PLA and BMG proportion of 7:3 possesses good physical and chemical characteristics and cellular compatibility, suggesting its potential as the bone implant biomaterial and bone-tissue engineering scaffold.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Matrix ; chemistry ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Gelatin ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Rats ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds