Objective The levels of Thl cytokines(IL-10 and IL-13)and Th2 cytokines(INF-? and TNF-?)were determined in the sera of patients with Schistosomiasis japonica in order to find the relationship between cytokines and severe hepatic fibrosis(HF)in schistosomiasis.Methods A total of 358 patients with advanced Schistosomiasis japonica were examined by ultrasound.68 HBsAg negative patients were chosen randomly as experimental control.Among them,39 patients were found to have mild HF and 29 were severe HF.The sera levels of Thl and Th2 cytokines were determined with ELISA.Results Among these 358 patients,83(23.2%)were HBsAg positive.Neither earlier nor severer hepatic fibrosis was noted in the patients who had been simultaneously infected with HBV than those only infected with schistosomiasis. There was a significant difference between mild[ 1.60(1.30-12.14)ng/L]and severe[ 4.20(1.43- 52.07)ng/L]HF patients in the level of IL-10(Z=-3.907,P0.05)was found in level of IFN-?,between severe[3.12(1.38-66.14)ng/L]and mild[5.87(1.33-216.33)ng/ L]HF subjects.Our observation did not reveal any obvious difference of TNF-? between severe[ 2.48(0.79 -19.86)ng/L]and mild[ 2.28(0.67-15.72)ng/L]HF groups.Conclusions Patients infected with advanced shistosomiasis may become more susceptible to HBV.The results of the present investigation showed that a high level production of IL-13 was associated with severe HF.

Carbon-nitrogen lyases (E.C.4.3) are a group of enzymes that release ammonia, amidine or amino group etc, and also show ability to form double bond or ring structure. Specifically, enzymes forming amino group are called amine-lyases (E.C.4.3.3), which are critical in the industrial production of many medicine intermediates. In this review is a summary of four major amine-lyases in terms of their source, enzymatic characteristics and their applications in preparation of pharmaceutical intermediates.

Tautomycin is one of well-known specific protein phosphatase inhibitors and exhibiting potent antifungal ability, especially to Sclerotinia sclerotiolum. This article reviews the recent research progress of tautomycin, focusing on its inhibition region and biosynthesis.

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Pyrazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of methylene blue on the growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans, and the effect of methylene blue on acid production metabolism in plaque glycolysis model (i-PGM) in vitro, and investigate the practicability of methylene blue as a new kind of dental caries prevention agent.

METHODSNephelometer method was used to measure OD value of Streptococcus mutans culture fluid in the different incubation conditions. The kinds and quantities of acid produced by Streptococcus mutans in the different incubation conditions were measured with gas chromatography. pH values of glycolysis buffer media of i-PGM in the different treatment conditions were measured by ORION electrode.

RESULTS(1) The OD value of Streptococcus mutans treated by methylene blue was lower than that by normal saline, and there was significant statistical difference between them. (2) The kinds of acid in three different culture fluid were same, but the total quantities of acid were significantly different among three different culture fluid, in which the total quantities of acid of culture fluids treated by glucose was the greatest, and treated by methylene blue was the lest. (3) The pH value of i-PGM treated by methylene blue was significantly different compared with negative control group, but was not significantly different compared with positive control group.

CONCLUSIONMethylene blue can inhibit the growth and acid production metabolism of Streptococcus matans and acid production metabolism of i-PGM.

Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Glycolysis ; Methylene Blue ; Streptococcus mutans

BACKGROUNDImproving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.

RESULTSIn group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket (51.6%). Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.

CONCLUSIONSUreteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential markers of colorectal cancer metastasis and the influence of 5-FU on differentially expressed proteins by using proteomic technology, and to elucidate the mechanism of colorectal cancer metastasis.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma cell lines of different metastatic potential, Lovo and SW480 were conventionally cultured, and the protein was extracted. 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 5-FU to these two cell lines was measured by MTT assay. Proteins of these two cell lines after intervention by 5-FU at IC(50) were extracted, then 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis was conducted for the proteins. The differential protein spots were examined by mass spectrometry and analyzed by bioinformatics. Difference of expressed proteins in two cell lines before and after the intervention of 5-FU was validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSEleven differentially expressed proteins were identified by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The hnRNP K protein and PDI were selected to be examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results revealed that the expression of hnRNP K in Lovo was higher than that in SW480, while the expression of PDI was lower in Lovo. After intervention by 5-FU at IC(50), the expression of hnRNP K in Lovo decreased more as compared to SW480, while the expression of PDI in SW480 increased more as compared to Lovo.

CONCLUSIONThere are significant differences in expression of hnRNP K and PDI proteins between Lovo and SW480 cell lines, and the proteins alter regularly after 5-FU intervention.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proteomics

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method of reducing intraoperative blood loss in radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

METHODSWe performed RRP for 100 patients with prostate cancer, 50 (group A) with the Walsh or Poor method for handling the dorsal venous complex (DVC), and the other 50 (group B) through the following three additional procedures for hemostasis: first placing a #7 prophylactic suture in the distal position of DVC, then ligating the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex with continuous 4-0 Vicryl sutures, and lastly placing a 4-0 absorbable suture followed by freeing the neurovascular bundle (NVB) or freeing NVB before suturing the remained levator ani myofascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers' fascia above the rectal serosa with 4-0 Vicryl. We assessed the effects of the three hemostatic methods in RRP by comparing the volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, operation time and perioperative levels of hemoglobin.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups A and B in age, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, prostate volume, operation time and perioperative hemoglobin levels (P>0.05). The volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were markedly higher in group A ([1103.00 +/- 528.03] ml and [482.00 +/- 364.60] ml) than in B ([528.00 +/- 258.96] ml and [140.00 +/- 266.28] ml) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntraoperative blood loss in RRP could be significantly decreased by placing a prophylactic hemostatic suture in the distal position of DVC, continuous suture of the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex after cutting off the urethra, and placing a fine absorbable suture above NVB or continuous suture of the remained levator ani mony fascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers'fascia above the rectal serosa with absorbable sutures after freeing NVB.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery

Objective The application of hinged scaffold in the terrible triad of the elbow has been widely accepted by or-thopedic trauma physicians. We discussed whether to repair the collateral ligament or not of terrible triad of the elbow under hinged ex-ternal fixator in this study. Methods 23 patients with terrible triad of the elbow,who had been admitted in Foshan Hospital of tradi-tional Chinese Medicine from June 2011 to August 2016 were selected. In the surgeries, we firstly repaired and fixed the coronoid and radial head fractures,and the repairments of the lateral collateral ligament complex(LCLC) was based on the severity of injury and the stability of the elbow joint. All the patients were treated with hinged external fixator in flexion 90°,forearm neutral position and the medial collateral ligament complex (MCLC) was not repaired. The patients were followed up from 8 to 26 months with an average of 13.7 months. Elbow flexion and extension amplitude and forearm rotation amplitude were measured at the time of follow-up. The clinical effects were eval-uated according to HSS scoring of elbow joint function. Results Their average elbow range of flexion and extension at the last follow-up is (122.2 ± 11.9)°,LDLC insertion site reconstruction and non-reconstruction has the flexion and extension range of (120.3 ± 13.1)°,(125.6±9.0)°;their average forearm rotation amplitude was(118.7±14.3)°,LDLC insertion site reconstruction and non-re-construction has the forearm rotation amplitude of (116.0±13.1)°,(123.8±16.0)°. HSS score was (82.0±12.6) points.The results were excellent in 7 cases,good in 11. The excellent-good rate was 78.3%. After surgery,1 case developed radial head subluxation,1 case developed nonunion of radial head without recurrent dislocation of elbow joint,6 cases developed ectopic ossification of the elbow joint. Conclusion With the use of hinged external fixator,it is not necessary to repair the MCLC. And the LCLC injury cannot be repaired when it does not cause severe instability of the elbow,with the use of hinged external fixator can get a good effect.

Objective To evaluate the effects of hearing disorder factors on analgesic efficacy of propofol. Methods Ninety?five patients with hearing disorders, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, aged 18-60 yr, with body mass index of 20-30 kg∕m2, scheduled for elective ear surgery, served as test group(group T). Ninety?five patients with normal hearing function, of Ameri?can Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, aged 18-60 yr, with body mass index of 20-30 kg∕m2, scheduled for elective non?ear surgery, served as control group(group C). Propofol was given at the initial target plasma concentration of 1.2 μg∕ml. When the target plasma concentration was achieved, 1 min later the concentration was increased in increments of 0.3 μg∕ml. When the patients lost eyelash reflex and had no responses to clapping on the shoulder, bispectral index value and target plasma and effect?site concentrations of propofol, consumption of propofol and time for loss of consciousness were recorded. Re?sults Compared with group C, no significant change was found in bispectral index value at baseline or at loss of consciousness(P>0.05), the target plasma and effect?site concentrations and consumption of propofol were significantly decreased, and the time for loss of consciousness was shortened in group T(P<0.05). The consumption of propofol required at loss of consciousness was gradually reduced with the aggra?vated severity of hearing disorders in group T(P<0.05). Conclusion The analgesic efficacy of propofol is enhanced in the patients with hearing disorders.