Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; complications ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Powders

Objective:To determine whether heme oxygenase-2(HO-2) gene deletion can attenuate oxidative injury induced by free Fe2+. Methods:Stereotactic injection of 10 μl sterile FeCl2 (10 mmol/L) was made into the right striata of HO-2 knockout mice and wild-type mice. Brain edema severity was measured at 24 h. Cell viability, protein oxidation, and lipid oxidation of the basal ganglia were determined at 72 h. Western blot analysis was applied for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) measurement.Results: Brain water content significantly decreased in HO-2 knockout mice at 24 h compared with wild-type mice. Protein oxidation and lipid oxidation significantly decreased in HO-2 knockout mice at 72 h compared with wild-type mice, while the striatal cell viability increased significantly. HO-1 expression at baseline and 72 h was also similar to that in wild-type mice. Conclusion:These results show that HO-2 gene deletion can protect basal ganalia cells from free Fe2+ -mediated oxidative stress injury,suggesting that selective inhibition of HO-2 may have a protective effect on brain oxidative injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the common nasal bleeding points and the management of intractable epistaxis.

METHODSThe bleeding points and its correlation with age distribution, surgical techniques as well as its effects were studied retrospectively in 92 patients, in whom the bleeding points were not found by routine nasal endoscopy and the hemorrhage was not controlled with standard nasal packing.

RESULTSThe bleeding points were found in the following different sites: superior wall of inferior nasal meatus (56.5%, 52/92), olfactory cleft of nasal septum (27.2%, 25/92), posterosuperior wall of middle nasal meatus (8.7%, 8/92) and uncertain (7.6%, 7/92). The results showed that the bleeding points had correlation with age. Epistaxis was well controlled by electrocoagulation in 83 cases, gelfoam packing in 8 cases, and transcatheter maxillary artery embolization in 1 case. There were no complications during a followed-up for 1 - 3 months after management. Among the 92 cases, the numbers of treatment needed to stop bleeding were 82 cases (89.1%) after 1 time of treatment, 9 cases (9.8%) after 2 times and in one case (1.1%) after 4 times.

CONCLUSIONSEndoscopy combined with displacement of the middle and inferior turbinate gives good visualization and direct management of the deeply-sited bleeding points, which were difficult in localization. The combined method provides an effective and safe way to control intractable epistaxis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electrocoagulation ; Endoscopy ; Epistaxis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of angiogenesis inhibitor and its combine with chemical drug in suppressing the growth of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).

METHODSAcc-M cells were inoculated subcutaneous into BABL/C nu/nu mice. The mice were divided into control, different dose of TNP-470 treatment groups, 5-Fu treatment group and TNP-470 plus 5-Fu treatment group. Treatments were given 48 hours after inoculation. The mice were sacrificed on the 22nd day and excised tumors were weighted. Tumors were also investigated by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural observations.

RESULTSTNP-470 100 mg/kg/qod efficiently inhibited the growth of Acc-M tumors. TNP-470 30 mg/kg/qod combined with 50 mg/kg/week 5-Fu also resulted in significant growth inhibit of the tumors. TNP-470 suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting neovascularization, therefore inducing apoptosis of Acc-M cells. All experimental groups had different degrees of VEGF and bFGF express.

CONCLUSIONSince ACC is a slow developing tumor, blood supply is not so sufficient as sarcomas. Angiogensis inhibitor may inhibit its growth in high dosage. Combining medium dosage of angiogensis inhibitor with chemical drug may have synergistic result in inhibiting ACC growth.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; drug therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclohexanes ; pharmacology ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology

Objective To study the expressions of nucleostemin gene mRNA and Ki-67antigen in pituitary adenomas and investigate the role of nucleostemin gene in the tumorigenesis and development of pituitary adenomas. Methods Seventy-one samples of pituitary adenomas were collected. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of nucleostemin gene mRNA in samples. Immunohistochemistry technique was applied to examine Ki-67 antigen expression in the paraffin sections of samples. At the same time,coherent clinical data were collected. Results Nucleostemin gene mRNA was detectable in all samples of pituitary adenomas. Between invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas, the difference of nucleostemin expression was extremely significant (P＜0.01), and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was also significantly different (P＜0.05). The difference of Ki-67LI between recurrent and non-recurrent groups was significant (P＜0.05). There was a positive correlation between nucleostemin gene and Ki-67LIlevels (r=0.237, P＜0.05). Conclusions Nucleostemin gene plays an important roles in the invasion of human pituitary adenoma. Expression of nucleostemin gene is positively related to Ki-67 antigen expression, and both may be the valid clinical detection markers for assessing proliferation, invasion and recurrence of pituitary adenomas.

OBJECTIVECanine model established for tracheal defect reconstruction, to investigate the outcome of tracheal reconstruction with combination of polypropylene and flap.

METHODSAbout 3.5 to 4 centimeter cervical trachea was resected and replaced with artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene and surgical flap. Covered stent was implanted postoperatively. Survival period and quality of life were recorded, bronchofibroscopy, X-ray films and HE sections were performed.

RESULTSSix dogs survived well and another two died. The causes of death were respiratory failure in 1 and infection in another. Stenosis of anastomosis in 1 was recorded during survival period. The dogs started drinking and eating on the second postoperative day, no dyspnea was found. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Soft tissue growth was found in polypropylene net 2 weeks after surgery and more at 4 weeks. The polypropylene net was covered completely with soft tissue at 8 weeks and 6 months postoperatively, the hardness and sustentation degree were enhanced following the growth and fibrosis of soft tissue. The squamous epithelium and columnar epithelium were observed healing well by HE staining method.

CONCLUSIONSOne-stage operative artificial trachea made from monofilament knitted polypropylene which has good histocompatibility and surgical flap is the closer artificial trachea to native trachea. It has a promising prospect in clinical use.

Animals ; Dogs ; Polypropylenes ; Prostheses and Implants ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Trachea ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSThis was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. It was performed in four steps. First step: subjects were randomly assigned to receive either ADV 10 mg once daily (QD) or matching placebo tablets in a 3:1 ratio for 12 weeks. Second step: at week 12, all subjects started to have open-label ADV 10 mg QD for 28 weeks. Third step: subjects who received ADV in the first 12 weeks were rerandomized to receive either ADV or a placebo in a 2:1 ratio for 12 weeks and subjects who initially received a placebo continued to receive open-label ADV, but they were further assigned into 3 groups: A, B and C. In group A (12 patients), they received a placebo for the first 12 weeks and then ADV for the following 40 weeks. In group B (24 patients), they received ADV for the entire 52 weeks. In group C (12 patients), they received ADV in the first 40 weeks and a placebo in the last 12 weeks. Fourth step: all subjects restarted open-label ADV 10 mg QD for 208 weeks.

RESULTS(1) At week 12, the median decrease in serum HBV DNA levels was 3.7 log10 copies/ml in the ADV group and 0.2 log10 copies/ml in the placebo group (P < 0.01). (2) At week 12, serum ALT normalization was observed in 10 of the 36 subjects (27.8%) in the ADV group and 0 of the 11 subjects (0%) in the placebo group (P < 0.05). (3) In group B the proportion of subjects with serum ALT normalization increased to 66.7% at week 52. As for virological parameters in those subjects rerandomized to a placebo for weeks 40-52 (group C), biochemical benefit was rapidly lost (ALT normalization dropped from 50.0% to 25.0%). (4) At week 40, the median reduction in serum HBV DNA was similar across all treatment groups. In subjects rerandomized to ADV (group A and B), there were further reductions in serum HBV DNA from -3.2 to -3.6 and from -4.4 to -4.6 log10 copies/ml, respectively at week 52. In contrast in subjects rerandomized to a placebo during weeks 40-52 (group C), the median reduction in serum HBV DNA decreased from -3.7 to -0.7 log10 copies/ml at week 52. (5) In week 40, the proportion with undetectable HBV DNA (< 300 copies/ml) was similar in these three groups, while at week 52, the proportion with undetectable HBV DNA (< 300 copies/ml) in group C was 0%. (6) At week 52, the proportion with HBeAg loss in group B was 12.5% (3/24). The ratios of HBeAg seroconversion and HBeAg seroconversion with HBV DNA < or = 10(5) copies/ml were both 8.3%. (7) At week 104, the median reduction in serum HBV DNA was -4.2 log10 copies/ml, which was -4.3 log10 copies/ml at week 156. The proportion with undetectable HBV DNA (< 300 copies/ml) was both 31.0% at week 104 and week 156. The proportion of subjects with serum ALT normalization was 46.3% at week 104, which was 86.4% at week 156. The proportion with HBeAg loss was 23.8% at week 104, which was 31.0% at week 156. The proportion with HBeAg seroconversion was 23.8%. (8) No renal toxic effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment with 10 mg ADV QD over 156 weeks was safe and effective in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of injectable tissue engineering to repair full-thickness meniscal defects.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to February 2009 full-thickness of meniscal defects were created in the anterior corner of goats, which with no blood supply, in a diameter of 2 mm. Then bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) was mixed with injectable calcium alginate gel to fill the defects. Other groups include the calcium alginate gel and empty group were served as control groups. At different time points, the animals were sacrificed and macroscopy, microscopy determination, electroscopy and MRI detection were performed to assess the outcomes of repairing.

RESULTSThe meniscal defects had been filled thoroughly in 16 weeks after operation with white, tough and elastic repair tissue similar to normal meniscal fibrocartilage in the tissue engineering groups. The repair tissue was mainly fibrochondrocytes in line with the calcium alginate fiber. Thick matrix secreted by the cells crammed the space between fibers. The view under electroscopy demonstrated that the microstructure of the repair tissue was normal and cells were in a fibrocartilage phenotype.

CONCLUSIONThe full-thickness meniscal defects in regions without blood supply can be reconstructed effectively with injectable tissue engineering.

Alginates ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gels ; Glucuronic Acid ; Goats ; Hexuronic Acids ; Injections ; Male ; Stem Cells ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression and distribution of metallothionein 2 (MT-2) in middle ear cholesteatoma, and to explore the relationship of MT-2 with interleukin 1α (IL-1α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and well as to explore the role of MT-2 in the pathogenetic mechanism of middle ear cholesteatoma.

METHODSUsing the immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to examine the expressions of MT-2, IL-1α and IL-6 protein and MT-2 mRNA in twenty-five middle ears' cholesteatoma and seven normal external ears' canal skin. The influence of cholesteatoma debris on the MT-2 mRNA and protein of HaCaT cell were further analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to immunohistochemistry research, the expressions of MT-2, IL-1α and IL-6 were extremely higher in middle ear cholesteatoma than those in normal external ears' canal skin (P < 0.05). The result of RT-PCR showed that there was significant difference between the expression of MT-2 mRNA of and middle ear cholesteatoma than those in normal external ear canal skin (t = 15.38, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression of MT-2 and that of IL-1α (r = 0.856, P < 0.05). There was also positive correlation between the expression of MT-2 and that of IL-6 (r = 0.714, P < 0.05). MT-2 mRNA and protein of HaCaT cell significantly increased when exposed to cholesteatoma debris in a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSMT-2, IL-1α and IL-6 may play an important role in the pathogenetic process of middle ear cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma debris may involve in the proliferation of middle ear cholesteatoma by activation of MT-2.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Metallothionein ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of tinnitus frequency on medication and prognosis in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus.

METHODSSeventy-two patients (Ninety-three ears) diagnosed as chronic subjective tinnitus were studied from October 2010 to March 2011. All cases were divided into low frequency(twenty-three ears), medium frequency(fourteen ears) and high frequency (fifty-six ears) according to tinnitus matching test. All cases were treated with microcirculation promotion and steroid therapy (5% glucose 250 ml + ginkgo biloba extract 87.5 mg + dexamethasone 10 mg intravenous drip). Curative effect was evaluated and the factors of prognosis were analyzed after three weeks.

RESULTSAfter medication, results were acquired as follows: recovery in 0 ear (0%), excellent in 0 ear (0%), effective in 18 ears (19.4%), invalid in 75 ear (80.6%). The effective percentage was 39.1%, 35.7% and 7.1%, respectively. There was significant difference between these groups, but no significant difference between low frequency and medium frequency. Logistic regression analysis showed that the difference of frequency was significant prognostic factors for medication.

CONCLUSIONSMicrocirculation promotion and steroid therapy had a poor treatment effect in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus. The prognosis of chronic low-medium frequency tinnitus was better than chronic high frequency tinnitus. The difference of frequency retained significant influence on effects and prognosis of medication.

Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Tinnitus ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome