0.05).However,the shorter the history of the disease,the better the efficacy of the treatment.The younger the patient was,the better the efficacy of the treatment.Conclusions Vulva dystrophy can be treated with focused ultrasound effectively and safely.This approach appears to be a new promising treatment method.

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on poststroke deglutition disorders.

METHODSSixty-eight inpatients of moderate and severe deglutition disorders were treated by the activating brain function to cause resuscitation needling method.

RESULTSTwenty-six cases were cured, 24 were remarkedly effective, 16 were effective, with a total effective rate of 97.06%.

CONCLUSIONThis needling method has a markedly therapeutic effect on poststroke moderate and severe deglutition disorders.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; Deglutition Disorders ; therapy ; Humans ; Resuscitation ; Stroke

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of salivary duct carcinoma (SOC) so as to provide basis for the diagnosis and therapy of SOC.

METHODSEight patients suffered with SOC treated in Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Kunming Medical College from March 2001 to February 2009 were studied retrospectively including the clinical data. Meanwhile, eight tumor specimens were examined for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cytokeratin (CK), gross cystic disease fluid protein (CC DFP)-15, androgen receptor (AR) and oncogene C-erBb-2 protein expression via immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSOf the eight patients with SOC, five tumors grew in the parotid gland, the majority of the patients had facial nerve paralysis, three had recurrence. Computerized tomography (CT) showed that no obvious margin and similar crystal. Immunohistochemical staining for the expression of VEGF, CK, GCDFP-15 and C-erbB-2 were carried out in all SOC, while AR in majority.

CONCLUSIONSOC is a high-grade malignant carcinoma among all salivary carcinoma, immunohistochemical analysis of SOC has revealed a variety of similarities to ductal carcinoma of the breast. GCDFP-15, AR and C-erBb--2 may play an important role in pathological diagnosis for SOC.

Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carrier Proteins ; Glycoproteins ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; Receptors, Androgen ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The hypertension is one of chronic vascular diseases, which often implicates multiple tissues causing stroke, cardiac hypertrophy, and renal failure. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammatory mechanisms are important participants in the pathophysiology of hypertension. In this study, the inflammatory status of these tissues (kidney, liver, heart, and brain) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was analyzed and its molecular mechanism was explored. The tissues were dissected from SHR and age-matched control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats to investigate the abundance of inflammation-related mediators (IL-1beta, TNFalpha, ICAM-1, iNOS, C/EBPdelta and PPARgamma). mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and protein expression was evaluated by Western blot. To evaluate the oxidative stress of tissues, carbonyl protein content and total antioxidant capacity of tissues were detected by spectrophotometry and ferric reduction ability power (FRAP) method. The results suggest that: (1) Expressions of inflammation-related mediators (IL-1beta, TNFalpha, ICAM-1, iNOS, C/EBPdelta and PPARgamma) in SHR were higher compared with those in WKY rats except no evident increase of IL-1beta mRNA in liver and brain in SHR. (2) Tissues in SHR contained obviously increased carbonyl protein (nmol/mg protein) compared to that in WKY rats (8.93+/-1.08 vs 2.27+/-0.43 for kidney, 2.23+/-0.23 vs 0.17+/-0.02 for heart, 13.42+/-1.10 vs 5.72+/-1.01 for brain, respectively, P<0.05). However, no evident difference in the amount of carbonyl protein in liver was detected between SHR and WKY rats. (3) Total antioxidant capacities of kidney, liver, heart and brain were markedly lower in SHR than that in WKY rats (P<0.05). Thus, the present data reveal a higher inflammatory status in the important tissues in SHR and indicate that inflammation might play a potential role in pathogenesis of hypertension and secondary organ complications.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; pathology ; Inflammation ; pathology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Objectives:To study the expression of GST-pi and MDR1 genes in operative specimens of ovarian cancer,and to analyze the possible clinical role of GST-pi and MDR1. Methods:Eighteen frozen specimens of ovarian carcinoma and ten specimens of normal ovarian tissues from patients were examined for the expression of GST-pi and MDR1 genes by means of RT-PCR, and quantitative analysis was performed using β-actin as internal contrast.Results: Positive expression rate of GST-pi and MDR1 in ovarian carcinoma were 61.1% and 33.3%,respectively,and in contrast, 20% and 10% in normal ovarian tissues respectively. The level of GST-pi gene expression in ovarian carcinoma was obviously higher than that in normal ovarian tissue (P<0.05)and MDR1 gene also had high level expression in ovarian carcinoma, but had no statistical significantance. Four patients with ovarian carcinoma had GST-pi and MDR1 coexpression. Expression levels of GST-pi mRNA were lower than that of protein. Conclusions: (1) GST-pi and MDR1 had higher level expression in ovarian carcinoma than in normal ovarian tissues. (2) GST-pi and MDR1 may have same regulating factors but different mechanisms of action. (3)Processing after transcription and/or regulation of translation level may exist in GST-pi expression.

To investigate 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein expression during osteoclast formation and differentiation, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were administered to induce the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 during culturing, and cell proliferation was measured using the methylthiazol tetrazolium method. Osteoclast formation was confirmed using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and assessing bone lacunar resorption. MMP-9 protein expression levels were measured with Western blotting. We showed that 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited RAW264.7 cell proliferation induced by RANKL and M-CSF, increased the numbers of TRAP-positive osteoclasts and their nuclei, enhanced osteoclast bone resorption, and promoted MMP-9 protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 administered at a physiological relevant concentration promoted osteoclast formation and could regulate osteoclast bone metabolism by increasing MMP-9 protein expression during osteoclast differentiation.
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Calcitriol/*pharmacology ; Calcium Channel Agonists/pharmacology ; *Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/*drug effects ; Isoenzymes/metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/*genetics/metabolism ; Mice ; Osteoclasts/*cytology/*enzymology ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

In this study, chemistry, biology and pharmacology were combinated to screen pseudoallergenic substances of Shuang-huanglian injection (SHLI) so that to establish a scientific and systematic approach to screen pseudoallergenic substances of traditional Chinese medicine injections. The mouse pseudoallergic reaction models were used to screen the pseudoallergic reaction of SHLI's intermediate extract and the intermediate extract's component or ingredient. Among the three intermediates of Shuanghuanglian injection (extract of Scutellaria baicalensis, extract of Lonicera japonica, extract of Forsythia suspensa) , pseudoallergic action of Forsythia suspensa was the strongest, Forsythia suspesnsa's pseudoallergic reaction mainly associated with the composition with largerchemical polarity. Further it was found that forsythiaside A and arctiin which existed in the the composition with largerchemical polarity caused obvious pseudoallergic reactions. SHLI with removal forsythoside A with the technology of HPLC-MS displayed reduced pseudoallergic reaction and a significant improved safety. This study provided a scientific basis for SHLI process improvements and also offered idea and research foundation for screening pseudoallergenic substances injections in other TCM injections.
Animals ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Furans ; adverse effects ; Glucosides ; adverse effects ; Glycosides ; adverse effects ; Injections ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR

OBJECTIVETo summary the efficacy and safety of aerosolized iloprost in patients with pulmonary hypertensive crisis.

METHODSOn the basis of conventional therapy, aerosolized iloprost (10 µg per time for 10 - 15 min in 2 hours interval, 8 times per day) was administered to four patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertensive crisis. Blood pressure, heart rate, systemic artery oxygen saturation, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) measured by echocardiography and the adverse events were analyzed.

RESULTSAfter aerosolized iloprost therapy, sPAP was significantly decreased and systemic artery oxygen saturation was improved. Adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough) were observed in two patients, and the iloprost use was stopped in one patient due to severe vomiting and diarrhea.

CONCLUSIONAerosolized iloprost could significantly reduce the sPAP and improve the systemic artery oxygen saturation in patients with pulmonary hypertension crisis.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Iloprost ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe chronic pathological changes in vascular walls of hypertension may exert destructive effects on multiple organ systems. Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammatory reactions are involved in the pathological changes of hypertension. Three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been identified: PPARalpha, PPARbeta/delta, and PPARgamma, all of which have multiple biological effects, especially the inhibition of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate PPAR isoforms expression profile in important organs of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and to understand the modulation of endogenous PPAR isoforms under inflammatory condition.

METHODSTissues (kidney, liver, heart, and brain) were dissected from SHR and age-matched control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) to investigate the abundance of PPAR isoforms and PPAR-responsive genes (acyl-CoA oxidase and CD36). The expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (C/EBPdelta), which can trans-activate PPARgamma expression, was also observed. The inflammatory response was analyzed by the expression of inflammatory mediators inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and formation of carbonyl and nitrated proteins.

RESULTSThe expressions of 3 PPAR isoforms and PPAR-responsive genes were markedly upregulated in SHR compared with those of WKY. Specifically, the expression of PPARalpha protein in the kidney, liver, heart and brain increased by 130.76%, 91.48%, 306.24%, and 90.70%; PPARbeta/delta upregulated by 109.34%, 161.98%, 137.04%, and 131.66%; PPARgamma increased by 393.76%, 193.17%, 559.29%, and 591.18%. In consistent with the changes in PPARgamma, the expression of C/EBPdelta was also dramatically elevated in SHR. Inflammatory mediators expressions were significantly increased in the most organs of SHR than WKY. As a consequence, increased formation of carbonyl and nitrated proteins were also observed in the most organs of SHR.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest an enhanced inflammatory response in the organs of SHR, which might play a key role in pathogenesis of hypertension and secondary organ complications. Changes (increases) in PPARs expression may reflect a compensatory mechanism to the inflammatory status of hypertensive rats.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Blotting, Western ; E-Selectin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; PPAR alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; PPAR delta ; genetics ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plethysmography ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the beneficial effects of Rhein (RH) on hepatic progression in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-transgenic mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a high-fat (HF) diet.

METHODSA mice model of HBV chronic infection concomitant with liver steatosis was induced by a HF diet in 4-week old HBV-transgenic mice for 16 weeks (n = 130). Thereafter, the mice were divided randomly into control group (back to normal chow), model group (continuing HF diet), RH group [continuing HF diet and administering with 120 mg/(kg x d) RH by gavage] and Essentiale group [continuing HF diet and administering with 69.2 mg/(kg x d) Essentiale by gavage] with 30 mice in each, and were sacrificed at the end of 24-week and 48-week respectively. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer, and serum HBV-DNA was determined with qPCR. Hepatic histology was evaluated by HE staining with a light microscope.

RESULTS(1) An histological change composed of steatosis, lymphocytes intralobular infiltration and ballooning was observed after 48 weeks feeding of HF diet, in part mimicking that of NASH patients as evidenced by a NAFLD activity score (NAS) of 3.58 +/- 1.44 points. (2) Histologically, the NAS of model group was higher than that of control group at both time points. RH failed to lessen NAS whereas Essentiale improved the NAS at 48-week. (3) Serum levels of TC, TG and FPG were significantly different between 4 groups at 24-week, with a comparable low value in both RH and Essentiale group. A similar change was evident at 48-week. (4) In terms of HBV viral load, a significantly lower level in Essentiale group than the others was observed at both time points.

CONCLUSIONHF diet feeding is able to induce a mouse model of HBV chronic infection concomitant with NASH. RH is effective in alleviating the glucose and lipid metabolism but ineffective in improving the hepatic histology in this model, in contrast, backing to normal chow achieved a better effect in this aspect.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Disease Progression ; Fatty Liver ; complications ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; metabolism ; virology ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Transgenic ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease