Animals ; Biogenic Polyamines ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Humans ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Edema ; metabolism

Khat leaves chewing/use, which imparts amphetamine like effects on the user, is widely practiced in parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and among the diaspora communities from these regions. Basic clinical and epidemiological studies from different settings have reported associations of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy, with khat chewing /use. This review aims to analyse the current evidence of the impact that khat, or its active constituent, cathinone, has on the cardiovascular system (CVS), particularly in two parameters, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). Subsequently, the possible mechanism of actions of how khat impacts these cardiovascular parameters is discussed, and different studies’ findings are summarised appropriately. The analysis of literature suggests that khat could influence HR and BP by most likely causing tachycardia and hypertension and the impacts might be dose-dependent and time-dependent. However, most of the studies involved different species and study designs, and had different limitations. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms of khat effects on these CVS parameters remain unclear. Therefore, more studies are needed to further support the current evidence of the impacts that khat has on the CVS parameters of HR and BP.
Khat, cardiovascular system (CVS) ; heart rate ; blood pressure ; cathinone ; Review

Objective To study the influence of excisional biopsy on detection rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy through methylene blue in breast cancer.Methods A review of 76 patients with clinical stage T1-2N0M0 breast cancer who had a successful sentinel lymph node biopsy at the Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University between July 2009 to July 2014 was analyzed.There were 37 patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy directly.And 39 patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy after a excisional biopsy to primary lesion.We compare the difference of detection rate of sentinel lymph node between the two groups.Results Seventy cases had been found sentinel lymph node successfully in a total of 76 patients and the detection rate is 92.1％.There were 34 cases had sentinel lymph node biopsy in successfully in group of excisional biopsy and the detection rate is 87.2％.There were 36 cases had sentinel lymph node biopsy in successfully in group of needle core biopsy and the detection rate is 97.3％.This difference,however,was not statistically significant between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The influence of excisional biopsy on detection rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy through methylene blue in breast cancer is not significant.

Objective To assess the association between NOD2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and leprosy in Chinese Yi population.Methods Whole blood samples were obtained from 300 patients with leprosy and 300 healthy human controls of Yi nationality in Sichuan province.Genomic DNA was extracted,and a SNaPshot assay was performed to determine the genotypes of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NOD2 gene,including rs9302752,rs7194886,rs8057341 and rs3135499.Chi-square test was conducted to compare allele frequency,and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested.Results The genotype distribution of all the four SNPs was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (all P ＞ 0.05).Significant differences were observed between the patients with leprosy and healthy controls in both genotype distribution and allele frequency of the SNP rs3135499 (both P ＜ 0.01),but not in those of the other three SNPs (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The SNP rs3135499 of the NOD2 gene may be associated with the development of leprosy in Chinese Yi population.

Equipment Design ; Facial Injuries ; therapy ; First Aid ; instrumentation

Objective To investigate the feasibility of NR2B small interference RNA(NR2B siRNA)carried by water-soluble lipopolymer(WSLP)for treatment of neuropathic pain in rats.Methods One hundred healthy male SD rats weighing 180-200 g were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=20 each):normal control group (group C),sham operation group(group S),neuropathic pain group(group NP),group WSLP-NR2B siRNA (group W)and group WSLP-negative NR2B siRNA(group WN).Neuropathic pain was induced by partial ligation of sciatic nenre.WSLP-NR2B siRNA complex was formed by binding WSLP and NR2B siRNA.Normal saline.WSLP-NR2B siRNA complex and WSLP-negative NR2B siRNA 20μl were injected intrathecally after operation in NP,W and WN groups respectively.Mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT)and thermal withdrawal duration (TWD)were measured before(baseline)and at 3,7,14 and 21 days after operation.Ten animals in each group were sacrificed on the 3rd day after operation and the lumbar segment(L4-6)of the dorsal root ganglia was removed for determination of the expression of NR2B mRNA and protein using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.Results Sciatic nerve ligation significantly decreased MWT and prolonged TWD and increased NR2B mRNA and protein expression in group NP as compared with group C.WSLP-NR2B siRNA complex significantly reduced sciatic nerve ligation-induced hyperalgesia and decreased NR2B mRNA and protein expression in group W as compared with group NP.Conclusion WSLP not only mediates NR2B siRNA successfully and inhibits the expression of NR2B,but also reduces neuropathic pain in rats.

Objective To survey the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment and to assess its risk factors.Methods A total of 141 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis receiving nucleos(t) ide therapy from April 2008 to June 2011 were enrolled.The clinical data including virological and biochemical tests were retrospectively analyzed.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the risk factors of HCC occurrence.Results Patients were followed up for 6.4 to 87.6 months with a median followup time of 32.5 months.During the follow-up period,15 out of 141 patients developed HCC with an average annual incidence rate of 3.8％.HCC incidence was higher in HBeAg positive cirrhosis and in those with family history of liver cancer ( RR =4.524 and 3.858,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Patients with HBV-related cirrhosis have a high incidence rate of HCC even they recieve nucleos (t) ide analogues treatment.HBeAg positive cirrhosis and family history of liver cancer are independent risk factors for HCC.

Objective To explore the clinical value of MRI in diagnosing and treating cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations of 54 patients diagnosed with CSP between January 2009 to January 2013 in Peking University Third Hospital.Based on the patients' MRI image and other clinical datas,we did transvaginal operation on patients with CSP1,and transvaginal combined with abdominal operations on patients with CSP2.The intraoperative blood loss,operation time,postoperative hospital stay,and the length of time required for of serum hCG dropping to normal of the patients were analyzed.Results The average age of the 54 patients was (34±5) years and the average duration of gestation was (56± 16) days,all patients' vital sign were stable,the hCG level was 23-142 962 U/L before treatment.Twelve patients were diagnosed with CSP1 by MRI,and 5 of them had focus of 1-2 cm in diameter,the 5 patients' serum hCG level was 436-1 159 U/L and 23-32 days after drug administration,their hCG level returned to normal; the other 7 patients had focus of 2.0-4.4 cm in diameter,and their hCG level was 2 218-63 446 U/L,lesion resection was done on the 7 patients by hysteroscope or under B-uhrasound monitor.Forty-two patients were diagnosed with CSP2,and their focus were 1.0-7.1 cm in diameter,and serum hCG level were 23-142 962 U/L.We did bilateral uterine artery occlusion by laparoscope or laparotomy during operation for 22 patients or bilateral uterine artery embolization (UAE) before operation for 20 patients,then we did lesion resections.The blood loss during operation of CSP1 or CSP 2 was 50.1,267.2 ml; operation time was 30,128 minutes; postoperative hospital stay was 4.6,6.7 days;their serum hCG returned to normal 13-30 days after the surgery.All the 54 patients' uterus were preserved,and the patients undergoing operations were all cured without the second operation.Conclusion MRI is an effective method to conduct clinical treatment in CSP.

BACKGROUND: Cells in contact with nanomaterials can induce oxidative stress, allergic reactions, and then produce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Therefore, studies on nano toxicology have attracted more and more attention.OBJECTIVE: To comparatively evaluate the cytocompatibility of Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymer nanoparticles modified with folic acid (FA) and polylactic acid (PLA).METHODS: Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymer nanoparticles were modified with FA and PLA to synthesize a variety of amphiphilic block copolymers, including PLA-P85-PLA, FA-P85-PLA, PLA-F127-PLA, FA-F127-PLA,PLA-F87-PLA and FA-F87-PLA. The cytotoxicity of these synthesized nanoparticles was analyzed by cell morphology,cell metabolic activity and cell membrane effects in HepG-2 cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The relative growth rate of HepG-2 cells had no significant differences under 24-hour induction of various concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 mg/L) of unmodified P85, F127, and F87 nanoparticles (P > 0.05).The growth and proliferation of cells under the low concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50 mg/L) were enhanced. P85 NPs and F87 NPs could significantly inhibit cell viability at dose of 400 mg/L. In contrast, there were no significant differences towards P85, F127 and F87 nanoparticles (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L) modified with FA and PLA when compared with the control group (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that the modification of FA and PLA can improve the cytocompatibility of Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymers, and therefore, PLA-Pluronic-PLA and FA-Pluronic-PLA nanoparticles are both good candidates for drug vectors.