Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of Chinese herbs for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation (CHSQABC) on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSIn this ChiCTR-TRC-00000021, a total of 281 ACS patients complicated with type 2 DM after successful PCI were randomly assigned to the Western medicine treatment group (the control group, treated by routine Western medicine treatment) and the combined treatment group (the treatment group, treated by CHSQABC + routine Western medicine treatment). Patients in the combined treatment group took Xinyue Capsule (2 pills each time, 3 times per day) and Compound Chuanxiong Capsule (2 pills each time, 3 times per day for half a year and 1-year follow-ups). Primary endpoints covered incidence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia-driven revascularization, and secondary endpoints included stroke, heart failure, and rehospitalization for ACS. At the same time scores for blood stasis syndrome (BSS) and the incidence of angina pectoris were evaluated before treatment, at month 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 after treatment.

RESULTSThe incidence of ischemia-driven revascularization was obviously less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). No patient had nonfatal MI in the treatment group, while 5 patients in the control group had it. The incidence of non-fatal MI showed an obvious lowering tendency in the treatment group, but with no statistical difference when compared with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Four patients readmitted to hospital in the treatment group, while 12 patients readmitted. There existed obvious tendency in the treatment group, but with no statistical difference when compared with that in the control group (P > 0.05). The incidence of angina was significantly lower in the treatment group at month 6, 9, and 12 than that at month 1 , but it was lower in the control group at 9 months (P < 0.05). The incidence of angina was 15. 4% in the treatment group, obviously lower than that in the control group (26.2%, P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, scores for BSS were obviously lowered in the treatment group at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment and in the control group at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment (P < 0.05). It was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdministration of CHSQABC combined routine Western medicine treatment could reduce the event of revascularization and post-PCI recurrent angina, and improve scores for BSS of ACS patients complicated with DM after PCI.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; complications ; surgery ; therapy ; Angina Pectoris ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Qi

Obejective To explore mechanism and inhibition of thalido-mide ( Tha ) combined with epirubicine ( Epi ) on the growth of trans-planted H22 hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.Methods Forty male Kunming mice were transplanted by right armpit injection of 200 μL (2.0 ×106 cells) H22 tumor cells.Then these mice were randomly di-vided into four groups, ten mice in each group.Saline group, Tha group ( oral 200 mg · kg -1 · d-1 for 10 consecutive days ); Epi group ( intra-peritoneall injection, 50 mg · m-2 , once ) , Tha combined with Epi group ( oral Tha 200 mg · kg -1 · d-1 , for 10 consecutive days; Epi intraperitoneall injection, 50 mg· m-2 , once).The tumor diameter and short diameter was measured every 7 d, and twenty -eighth days were sacrificed by dislocation , tumor tissue was obtained.The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 ( Bcl -2 ) , Bcl -2 associated X protein ( Bax ) , and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) mRNA was measured by RT -PCR.The expression of Bax , Bcl -2 protein was measured by Western blot.The expression of VEGF protein was measured by immunohistochemical.Results After 21 days, compared with saline group (0.90 ±0.01), Epi group (0.67 ±0.01), Tha group (0.62 ±0.02) and combined group (0.43 ±0.01) transplanted tumor volume was decreased (P<0.05).Compared with Epi group and Tha group, combined group transplanted tumor volume was decreased (P<0.05).Compared with saline group, the expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF mRNA and protein was down -regulated ( P<0.05 ) , the expression of Bax mRNA and protein was up-regulated in Epi group, Tha group and combined group (all P<0.05).The expression of Bax, Bcl -2 and VEGF mRNA and protein had significant difference in combined group compared with Tha and Epi group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tha and Epi could inhibit the growth of transplanted H22 hepatocellular carcinoma, related to lower VEGF and Bcl-2 expression as well as higher Bax expression , and Tha combined with Epi might have synergistic effect.

OBJECTIVETo systematically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shengmai Injection (SMI) on the fatality rate of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSLiterature associated with randomized controlled trials (RCT) or quasi-RCT of SMI in treating patients with AMI were retrieved by computerized searching from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 3, 2007), PubMed (1980 - 2007), EMBASE (1979 -2007.4) , OVID (1979 - 2007.4), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (1979 - 2007.4), CNKI (1980 -2007.4), VIP (1989 - 2007.4) and those in Chinese Conference Treatises in cardiovascular diseases were hand searched (update to Dec 2006). Quality of them was evaluated with the method recommended in Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 4.2.6, and statistical analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Rev Man 4.2.9 software.

RESULTSFour RCT (conducted in China), involving 376 AMI patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. All the included RCT were graded as C. The results of meta-analyses indicated that the fatality rate in the SMI treated group was cut down [RR: 0.18, 95% CI (0.04, 0.77)], but the decreasing trend become insignificant when SMI was used in combination with vasoactive agents [RR: 0.67,95% CI (0.29, 1.51)].

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the present evidence, the fatality rate can be decreased by combined use of SMI with the conventional therapy of modern medicine. However, it is necessary to do further research on whether SMI is suitable for combined use with vasoactive agent, the opportunity and method of doing that way. As the evidence obtained is not strong enough due to the rather poor quality of current studies enclosed, further studies with high-quality, large-scale trials are required for identification.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Injections ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

A hypothesis of " blood-stasis and toxin causing catastrophe engender acute cardiovascular event (ACE)" was put forward according to TCM cognition on blood-stasis and toxin, in combining with the up to date concept of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and together with our clinical practical experiences. The etiology, pathogenesis, evolving law, initial characteristics, clinical manifestation, therapeutic methods, prescriptions and their compatibility, as well as the well-suited time for applying TCM intervention were discussed. The authors stressed that it is of great significance for further reducing the morbidity of ACE and improving the effect of integrative medicine for preventing and treating cardiovascular thrombotic disease.
Acute Disease ; therapy ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Coronary Thrombosis ; complications ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans

Objective To clone human NR2B gene, construct its eukaryotic expression vector, and temporarily express it in CHO cells. Methods Human NR2B gene was amplified by RT-PCR and then inserted into eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1. The recombinant plasmid was transfected into CHO cells. The expression of the target molecule was identified by RT-PCR, Western blotting, indirect immanofluorescent staining and the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results The NR2B gene was obtained; after transfection, NR2B was successfully expressed in CHO cells, and the expression of NR2B did not induce the apoptosis of CHO cells. Conclusion Human NR2B gene has been successfully cloned and expressed in CHO cells via constructing its eukaryotic expression vector.

The microsatellite (SSLP) marker RM262,which is tightly linked to the blast resistance gene Pi-d(t) in rice, provides means to conduct marker-aided selection in a rice breeding program. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of this marker to select the blast resistance gene, Pi-d(t), in two crosses for rice blast resistance breeding. The products with amplified the microsatellite primers were polymorphic between the three varietes examined. To examine the power of the identified microsatellite marker in predicting the Pi-d(t) locus, we determined the genotypes of the two F2 populations at the Pi-d(t) locus by performing progeny testing for the disease respones. The results indicated an accuracy of more than 98 % in identifying the resistant plants in both populations. Therefore the microsatellite marker can be utilized in marker-assisted selection and breeding for new varieties with blast resistance.

INTRODUCTIONMinimally invasive surgical ablation is an emerging alternative method to catheter ablation and the full surgical maze procedure for nonpharmacologic treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We present a totally thoracoscopic "box lesion" radiofrequency ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF.

MATERIALS AND METHODSFrom June 2011 to October 2012, 14 patients with lone paroxysmal (n = 7) or persistent AF (n = 7) were enrolled in this study. Procedures were performed through 3 5-12 mm holes on each side of the chest wall. A bipolar ablation device was used to create a box lesion in the posterior wall of the left atrium that encircled the 4 pulmonary veins (achieving bilateral pulmonary vein/posterior left atrial wall isolation). Perioperative complications were recorded for all patients. Freedom from AF was assessed by 24-hour Holter monitoring every 3 months or during symptoms of arrhythmia.

RESULTSThe ablation was successfully performed in all patients, with median operation time of 128 minutes (range, 45 to 180 minutes). No operative mortality or morbidity were noted during the study period. Freedom from AF was achieved in 12 patients (85.7%) during follow-up (median follow-up 9 months). One patient with persistent AF was shifted to paroxysmal AF. No atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia was noted during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThese early results show that totally thoracoscopic surgical ablation using a unique "box lesion" procedure for persistent or paroxysmal AF is a feasible and effective method with good short-term results. Further study is necessary to validate this result.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracoscopy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficiency of the disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD) in the surgical treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 249 outpatients with phimosis or redundant prepuce to be treated with DCSD (n = 129) and by conventional circumcision (CC, n = 120), respectively. Then we compared the safety and efficiency of the two strategies.

RESULTSComparisons between DCSD and CC showed that the operation time was (4.02 +/- 0.69) vs (30.8 +/- 4.05) min, blood loss was (1.07 +/- 1.29) vs (8.72 +/- 2.15) ml, intraoperative pain score was 0.81 +/- 0.81 vs 2.42 +/- 1.15, 24-hour postoperative pain score was 1.84 +/- 1.02 vs 4.99 +/- 1.36, postoperative complication rate was 13. 95% (18/129) vs 9.17% (11/120), wound healing time was (13.99 +/- 9.06) vs (17.48 +/- 3.49) d, satisfaction with the penile appearance was 98.4% (127/129) vs 95% (109/120), and treatment cost was (2215.62 +/- 17.67) vs (576.47 + 15.58) Y RMB. DCSD exhibited obvious superiority over CC for shorter operation time, less blood loss, milder intraoperative pain, sooner wound healing, and better penile appearance, but it also had a higher rate of postoperative complications (P > 0.05) and involved more treatment cost than the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe disposable circumcision suture device affords ideal clinical effects and therefore deserves clinical popularization.

Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; Disposable Equipment ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Surgical Staplers ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of detecting cyclin D1 protein expression and t(11;14) chromosomal translocation in paraffin-embedded tissues and its diagnostic and differential diagnostic significance for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

METHODSParaffin-embedded samples of 36 cases of MCL and a control group of 71 cases of small B-cell lymphomas were retrieved from archive materials. Immunohistochemical staining for cyclin D1 and semi-nested PCR for t(11;14) were detected in all samples. House-keeping gene beta-actin was used to detect the quality of DNA.

RESULTS(1) Cyclin D1 was expressed in 26 of the 36 MCL (72.2%). There was no cyclin D1 expression in the control group. (2) beta-actin DNA was detected in 101 of the 107 tumor cases (94.4%). t(11;14) was detected in 22 of the 36 MCL. Translocation was not found in control group. The positive rate for t(11;14) was 64.7% in MCL after exclusion of 2 cases which were negative for both t(11;14) and beta-actin. (3) 29 cases were positive for cyclin D1 and/or t(11;14), the positive rate reached 80.5%.

CONCLUSIONThe combined detection of cyclin D1 and t(11;14) in paraffin-embedded tissues is found to be a specific and feasible method for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Cyclin D1 ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Translocation, Genetic