OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effectiveness of Sanmiao Powder (SP) combined fibrinogenase for injection in treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis (ADVT) of lower limbs.

METHODSEighty patients with ADVT were randomly assigned to two groups according to the disease course (within 7 days or 7-28 days), 40 in each group. Every time phase was also divided into two groups, i. e., one group treated with fibrinogenase for injection alone (Group A and C) and another group treated with fibrinogenase for injection + SP administration (Group B and D) , 20 in each group. The clinical effectiveness was observed after 2-week treatment.

RESULTSThe fibrinogenase for injection + SP administration showed better effects in alleviating the swelling of limbs, relieving pain, and lowering fibrinogen. Better effects were obtained in the group with the disease course less than 7 days.

CONCLUSIONBetter effect on ADVT was obtained by integrative medicine.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Metalloendopeptidases ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Venous Thrombosis ; drug therapy

AIMTo isolate and identify a glucuronide metabolite of SFZ-47 [3H-1,2-dihydro-2-(4-methyl-phenylamino)methyl-1-pyrrolizinone], which is difficult to synthesize because it undergoes hydrolysis and intramolecular acyl migration at physiological pH, in rabbit urine.

METHODSTwo rabbits were ig 200 mg doses of SFZ-47. Urine was collected for 24 h, adjusted to pH 4.0 with acetic acid and lyophilized. The residues were reconstituted in 25 mL methanol and centrifuged at 5,000 r.min-1 for 10 min. The supernatant was filtered (0.45 micron) and then isolated with semi-preparative reversed phase HPLC. The eluent collected from individual peaks was evaporated by rotary evaporation and freeze-drying. Compounds were then identified with electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry and 1HNMR spectroscopy.

RESULTSThe 1HNMR and ESI-MSn results indicate that the metabolite is the 1-O-acyl beta-D-glucuronide conjugate of 4-(3H-1,2-dihydro-1-pyrrolizinone-2-methylamino) benzoic acid.

CONCLUSIONThis method was shown to be rapid and simple and gave excellent resolution from endogenous constituents in urine, and it is suitable for preparation of the glucuronide metabolites of SFZ-47 and its analogues.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; metabolism ; urine ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Male ; Molecular Structure ; Pyrroles ; chemistry ; metabolism ; urine ; Rabbits ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To investigate the clinical diagnosis,treatment and prevention of fallopian tube prolapse(FTP)after hysterectomy.Methods A total of 7949 patients received hysterectomy from 1983 to Aug 2005 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital,including 6229 cases of trans-abdominal hysterectomy(TAH),780 cases of transvaginal hysterectomy(TVH),and 940 cases of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy(LAVH).Nine cases(including 1 case from other hospital)of FTP after hysterectomy were analyzed retrospectively for their symptoms,diagnosis and treatment.All of them were diagnosed according to the results of histology and follow-up.Results The overall incidence of FTP after hysterectomy was 0.11%(9/7949).Incidence of FTP after trans-abdominal hysterectomy was 0.08% (5/6229),after vaginal hysterectomy 0.51%(4/780),and after laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy 0(0/940).There were no symptoms in 3 cases,but the other 6 cases had symptoms.The pelvic examination revealed the typical prolapsed fimbrial end of a fallopian tube in 3 cases and red granulation tissue in the other 6 cases.All of them were excised vaginally and cauterized.The results were confirmed by histological examination.No recurrent cases were reported in follow up.Conclusions FTP is a rare complication after hysterectomy.The prognosis is well after proper diagnosis and treatment.Salpingectomy or fixation of accessories into the pelvic wall and complete peritonealisation at the time of hysterectomy are important methods to prevent FTP after hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on alteration of immune function of patients undergoing open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and to appraise the value of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia in the operation.

METHODSThirty patients undergoing atrial septal defect repairing operation were selected and divided into three groups, Group A was the general anesthesia group; Group B, the acupuncture anesthesia group and Group C, the general anesthesia plus EA group. Peripheral venous blood of patients was collected at different time points, i.e. before anesthesia, before CPB, 30 min and 24 hrs after CPB, to determine natural killer cells activity (NKCA), and the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in supernatant of cell culture were also tested.

RESULTSNKCA was significantly lowered in Group A before CPB but increased in Group B, while no evident change was found in Group C, so the level of NKCA in Group B was significantly higher than in the other two groups. It lowered in all the three groups after CPB, especially evidently in Group B, so as to cause the NKCA level in Group B lower than that in Group A. The lowering further progressed, 24 hrs after CPB, NKCA in Group B was more reduced than that in Group C. Levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 lowered in all the three groups after CPB, and further lowered at time point of 24 hrs after CPB, but the parameters in Group C were significantly higher than those in Group B.

CONCLUSIONEA could enhance NKCA, but acupuncture anesthesia couldn't inhibit the suppressive effect of CPB on NKCA, IL-2 and IFN-gamma, suggesting that the immunosuppression induced by stress has a prior effect. General anesthesia plus EA yielded better effect than general anesthesia and acupuncture anesthesia, but it could't improve the immunosuppression completely, indicating that the compound anesthesia could partially improve the immunosuppression induced by CPB.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; immunology ; surgery ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged

In view of the anatomical and physiological barrier of the ocular surface and the intraocular structure, the conventional ophthalmic agents cannot efficiently reach the lesion site.Currently, the different types of nanomaterials possess great advantages in delivering drugs due to their characteristics of small size, easy preparation, degradability, strong targeting and less irritation to biological tissue.As drug delivery carriers, nanomaterials have been widely used in ocular drug delivery so as to treat different types of eye diseases.In this paper, the applications of nanomaterials as drug delivery carriers in treating eye diseases are briefly reviewed.

BACKGROUNDCathespin-B (cath-B) is an important proteolytic enzyme involved in the disease course of invasion in many types of cancer. Cath-B expression in subcutaneous heteroplastic pancreatic carcinoma in nude mice has not been studied. We investigated the role of cath-B in a model of heteroplastic pancreatic carcinoma in BALB/c nude mice.

METHODSThirty-two six-week-old female BALB/c nude mice were equally divided into four groups. PANC-1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously in the left axillary region. Besides volume, weight of subcutaneous tumor, and change in body weight, cath-B expression in each group was measured by immunohistochemical staining, PCR and Western blotting. Its relationship to microvessel density (MVD), CD44v6, and placenta growth factor (PLGF) was also examined. CA-074Me, a specific inhibitor of cath-B, was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at different stages of tumor growth in group B and C. Gemcitabine (GEM), was also injected (i.p.) in group D to compare anti-tumor efficacy with CA-074Me.

RESULTSExpression of cath-B at different levels was related to tumor growth, MVD, and PLGF expression. In group A (control group), cath-B expression was enhanced more than that seen in other groups. CA-074Me clearly inhibited cath-B expression and tumor growth in group B. There was no difference between group C and D with respect to anti-tumor effect.

CONCLUSIONSCath-B correlates with the growth and angiogenesis of tumors, but not with the adhesion induced by CD44v6. CA-074Me clearly inhibited cath-B expression and demonstrated an anti-neoplastic and anti-angiogenesis effect.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Cathepsin B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dipeptides ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Placenta Growth Factor ; Pregnancy Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical characteristics of gastric cancer between young and elderly patients,and bring forward corresponding countermeasures.

METHODSClinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis between 79 young (or= 65 years old) patients were compared.

RESULTSThe constituent ratio of gender between young and elderly group was not significantly different (P=0.226). There was no particularity of early symptom in young patients, but they had shorter course of disease (165 d vs 400 d, P=0.029) and more frequent inferior part of cancer (49.4% vs 41.7%, P=0.038) as compared to elderly patients. There was significant difference between two groups in pathological stage ratio (P=0.027). The median total survival time of young and elderly patients was 1006 d and 530 d respectively, which was not significantly different (P=0.108). Furthermore, median survival time of young and elderly patients after radical resection were 1197 d and 919 d respectively, and the difference was not significant as well (P=0.242).

CONCLUSIONSCharacteristics of young patients with gastric cancer are lower incidence, larvaceous symptoms, more malignancy and quick development, which still remain general features of gastric cancer. By correct therapy, the efficacy of above young patients is similar to elderly patients. The key to improve prognosis is to further fortify cognition for gastric cancer and elevate early diagnostic rate.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Carcinoid Tumor ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of IL-12 produced by dendritic cells in peripheral blood in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), and to explore its influence on TH1/TH2 balance in order to elucidate its significance in the pathogenesis of HSP.

METHODSThe levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in plasma were determined by ELISA in 60 HSP children (HSP group) and 21 healthy children (Control group). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 22 HSP patients and 21 healthy children were cultured in vitro and then were transformed into dendritic cells. The levels of IL-12 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA and the positive expression rate of CD1a(+) was detected by indirect immunofluorescence procedure.

RESULTS1) The levels of IFN-gamma and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in plasma of the HSP group were lower than those of the Control group (IFN-gamma 30.59 +/- 11.27 pg/mL vs 43.38 +/- 19.19 pg/mL; IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio 0.70 +/- 0.28 vs 1.33 +/- 0.57) (P < 0.01). The levels of IL-12 in the HSP group were also lower than those of the Control group (153.95 +/- 91.88 pg/mL vs 323.06 +/- 162.34 pg/mL; P < 0.01). In contrast, the levels of IL-4 were higher than those of the Control group (45.08 +/- 9.19 pg/mL vs 32.95 +/- 7.10 pg/mL; P < 0.01). The plasma levels of IL-12 positively correlated with the IFN-gamma levels (r=0.52, P < 0.01) and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 (r=0.43, P < 0.01) in the HSP group. 2) The IL-12 levels in the supernatant of the HSP group were lower than those of the Control group (357.06 +/- 153.56 pg/mL vs 489.80 +/- 213.45 pg/mL; P < 0.05), and had a positive correlation with the plasma IL-12 levels (r=0.74, P < 0.01). 3) The positive expression rate of CD1a(+) of the HSP group was lower than that of the Control group [(27.42 +/- 10.75)% vs (35.68 +/- 12.18)%; P < 0.05], and positively correlated with the IL-12 levels in the supernatants (r=0.57, P < 0.01) and in plasma (r=0.68, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was an imbalance of TH1/TH2 in HSP children. The decrease of TH1 function had a positive correlation with the low levels of IL-12 in plasma, while the latter correlated closely with decreased number and / or function of dendritic cells, suggesting that the decreased number and / or function of dendritic cells in peripheral blood resulted in the imbalance of TH1/TH2 indirectly.

Adolescent ; Antigens, CD1 ; analysis ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and treatment interstitial cystitis (IC).

METHODSThe clinical date of 10 cases of IC (all women) were analyzed. Their age ranged from 31 to 63 years, with a mean of 41 years. Their courses ranged from 1.5 to 7 years, with a mean of 3.4 years. The symptom criteria of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) was met for IC and no patients had Hunner's ulcer. Potassium sensitivity tests (PST) were performed in all cases. Eight were positive. The O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) was used as treatment outcome measures. ICSI score was from 9 to 20 (mean, 14 +/- 4) at baseline. All the patients were treated with hydrodistention initially. Efficacy was evaluated at 1 month after hydrodistention. The patients who failed to respond to the treatment and recurrence after the treatment were treated by oral or intravesical therapy.

RESULTSThe 10 cases were followed up for 3 to 26 months (mean, 7.8 months) after hydrodistention. Five patients obtained symptom relief. Among them, symptom significantly relieved or disappeared in 2, with the score decreased > 7; symptom partially relieved in 3, with the score decreased > 3. Five cases failed to respond to the treatment. Two cases had recurrence 3 and 6 months after the treatment. The effective rate was 50%. The ICSI score was decreased to 11 +/- 6 at 1 month (t = 4.394, P < 0.05) after the treatment. Those who failed to respond or recurrence after hydrodistention were treated by other methods. Two case were treated with oral Pentosan Polysulfate, effective. Three cases were treated with amitriptylin, 2 effective. Three cases were treated with intravesical Dimethyl sulfoxide plus heparin plus dexamethasone, all effective.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of IC should meet the symptom criteria of the NIDDK. PST has significant high positive rate in IC patient, which can be used not only for diagnosis but also for instruction. There are a lot of strategies in the management of patients with IC. Hydrodistention is the first choice.

Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Dilatation ; methods ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the clinical value of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) as a biomarker in evaluating its prognosis,monitoring and follow-up of the postoperative patients with non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Serum CYFRA21-1 was determined by radioimmunoassay for 207 patients with NSCLC before and after surgical operation at Tongji Hospital,Shanghai.Relationship between serum CYFRA21-1 and the prognosis,recurrence and metastasis of lung cancer was analyzed retrospectively.Results The patients were followed-up for 37 months in average.Preoperative serum CYFRA21-1 was positive in 42.0% (87/207) of all the cases,48.8% (60/123) of squamous cell earcinama and 34.6% (27/78) of adenocarcinoma,with statistical significance (X~2=3.901,P