OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of taurine (Tau) on the proliferation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and study whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway participated in the Tau-inhibited PASMC proliferation process and the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODThe primary culture was performed for PASMCs in rats. The second to fifth generations were adopted for the experiment. The Tau concentration was 80 mmol x L(-1). The concentration of ERK1/2 blocker (PD98059) was 50 micromol x L(-1). The drug administration time was 24 h. The effect of Tau on the PASMC proliferation was detected by MTT assay, immunofluorescence staining method and western blot under different conditions. The PASMCs were growing were divided into four groups: the normoxia group, the normoxia + Tau group, the hypoxia group and the hypoxia + Tau group. The Western blot was adopted to detect whether the ERK1/2 signal pathway participated in the Tau-inhibited PASMC proliferation process. Subsequently, the PASMCs were divided into five groups: the normoxia group, the hypoxia group, the hypoxia + Tau group, the hypoxia + Tau + PD98059 group and the hypoxia + PD98059 group.

RESULTHypoxia could induce the PASMC proliferation. Under the conditions of normoxia, Tau had no effect on the PASMC proliferation. Under the conditions of normoxia and hypoxia, Tau had no effect on the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) among PASMCs. Tau could reverse the expression up-regulation of hypoxia-induced proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (P < 0.01) and Cyclin A (Cyclin A) (P < 0. 05). Under the conditions of normoxia, Tau had no effect on the expression of phosphoryl extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2). Hypoxia could up-regulate the p-ERK1/2 expression (P < 0.01). Tau could reverse the up-regulation of the hypoxia-induced p-ERK1/2 expression(P < 0.01). Both PD98059 and Tau could inhibit the up-regulated expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A and p-ERK1/2. According to the comparison between the single addition of Tau and PD98059 under conditions of hypoxia, the hypoxia + Tau + PD98059 group showed more significant down-regulation in the expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A and p-ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONTau could inhibit the hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation, and may regulate it through ERK1/2 pathway.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

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

Objective To investigate the role of human estrogen receptor-related receptor(ERR) ?,a submember of orphan receptors,in the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancer.Methods Plasmid of pSG-ERR? was transfected into endometrial cancer cell lines HEC-1A,HEC-1B,and Ishikawa.Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression of ERR? in endometrial cancer cell.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cellular growth.Results Expressions of the ERR? were significantly increased in the endometrial cancer cells transfected with pSG-ERR? plasmid; expression of the ERR? mRNA in HEC-1A cell was 9644.4 copies/ng,HEC-1B:9835.3 copies/ng,and Ishikawa:8008.6 copies/ng(P

This study is to screen 23 blank O/W type microemulsion (ME) samples, that is 15 samples from our laboratory, and 8 samples from literature; compare the conductivity-water content curve (CWCC) method and visual method in determining the critical water content during O/W type MEs' formation, to analyze the deficiency and the feasibility of visual method and to exploxe scientific meanings of CWCC method in judging the critical water content of O/W type MEs during formation. The results show that there is a significant difference between the theoretical feasible CWCC method and visual method in determining the critical water content (P<0.001), and the results judged by conductivity is higher than that by eye-based water content. Therefore, this article firmly confirmed the shortcomings of visual method and suggested that the eye-base "critical water content" may falls into continuous ME stage during O/W MEs' formation. Further more, the CWCC method has theoretical feasibility and scientific meanings in determining the critical water content of O/W type MEs during formation.
Electric Conductivity ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo extract tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) from MKN-45 gastric cancer which is similar to "muddy phlegm" in Chinese medicine and observe influences of MKN-45 tumor interstitial fluid (MKN-45 TIF) intervention on metastasis of gastric cancer and on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), kinase insert domain containing receptor (KDR), epithelial-cadherin (E-cad), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and telomerase genes and proteins in primary tumor tissue.

METHODSAn MKN-45 tumor-bearing model was established in 50 nude mice. The modeled animals were equally randomized to 5 groups: the simple tumor-bearing group (model group), the normal saline (NS) via tail vein injection (i.v.) group (NS i.v. group), MKN-45 TIF i.v. group (TIF i.v. group), NS intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) group (NS i.p. group), and MKN-45 TIF i.p. group (TIF i.p. group). The TIF and NS intervention groups received injection (i.p. or i.v.) of MKN-45 TIF or NS twice a week, 0.2 mL at a time. After 8 weeks, the primary tumors were removed, weighed and HE stained to observe tumor metastasis. The primary tumor tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR to detect expressions of VEGF, KDR, E-cad, COX-2, ICAM-1, and telomerase genes and proteins in different groups.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in tumor weight between TIF intervention groups and the model and NS intervention groups. Tumor metastasis was observed in all 5 groups, but the tumor metastasis rate in TIF intervention groups was significantly higher than those in the model and NS intervention groups. The gene and protein expressions of gastric cancer-related factors VEGF, KDR, COX-2, ICAM-1 and telomerase were unregulated while the gene and protein expressions of E-cad were downregulated in TIF intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONSTIF promotes tumor growth, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer. These findings provide preliminary experimental clues for verifying the hypothesis of "tumor-phlegm microenvironment".

Animals ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Extracellular Fluid ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Microenvironment ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between Modic change and disc height together with lumbar hyperosteogeny and study the role of Modic change in lumbar degeneration.

METHODSThe imaging data of 150 elderly patients with chronic low back pain were analysed retrospectively. All patients underwent MRI and lumbar lateral X-ray examination. The lumbar disc from L1-L2 to L5-S1 were selected for this study, including 750 discs, vertebral and endplate close to disc in 150 patients. The incidence rate of lumbar endplate Modic change, disc height and the degree of vertebral bone hyperplasia were recorded. The ratio of disc height/lumbar intervertebral disc height < 50% was defined as disc collapse. The patients were divided into 4 groups in the basis of imaging changes. Group A1:disc collapse without severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group A2: disc collapse with severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group B1: Neither disc collapse nor severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group B2: severe lumbar hyperosteogeny without disc collapse. The incidence rates of Modic change were compared between the 4 groups by χ(2) test. Finally, the influence of disc height and vertebral bone hyperplasia on the incidence rate of Modic change was analysed.

RESULTSFour groups of patients observed a total of 750 discs. The number of intervertebral discs in the group A1 was 208, the incidence rate was 54.3%. The number of intervertebral discs in the group A2 was 135, the incidence rate of group A2 was 34.8%. The number of intervertebral discs in the B1 group was 225, the incidence rate of group B1 was 16.9%. The number of intervertebral discs in the B2 group was 182, the incidence rate of group B2 was 29.7%. There was significant difference of lumbar endplate Modic change incidence rate among the 4 groups(χ(2) = 69.565, P < 0.05). The results of post hoc test showed that the incidence rate of Modic change in group A1 was higher than group A2, B1 and B2 (χ(2) = 12.524, 66.701 and 24.102, P < 0.00714). There was significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group A2 and B1(χ(2) = 15.032, P < 0.00714), but there was no significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group A2 and B2 (χ(2) = 0.945, P > 0.00714) . There was significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group B2 and group B1 (χ(2) = 9.395, P < 0.00714).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence rate of Modic change with disc collapse but without severe lumbar hyperosteogeny is high in elderly patients with chronic low back pain. There is no significant difference of Modic change incidence between patients with both disc collapse and severe lumbar hyperosteogeny and patients with severe lumbar hyperosteogeny but without disc collapse.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; pathology ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; pathology ; Low Back Pain ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficacy of close reduction and percutaneous needle fixation for the treatment of anterior dislocation of sternoclavicular joint.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed with 6 cases of anterior sternoclavicular dislocation by close reduction and percutaneous needle fixation with Kirschner wire treated from January 2001 to February 2009, including 5 males and 1 female aged from 19 to 45 with an average of 28.8 years old. Among the 6 cases, 4 were on right lateral and 2 were on left lateral. The time from injured to treatment was from 6 hours to 12 days (averaged 4.5 days). The clinical effects were evaluated according to Rockwood scoring and the complications were observed.

RESULTSAll 6 patients were followed-up for 3 to 13 months (averaged 6 months). According to Rockwood scoring,the preoperative score was (7.00 +/- 0.89) points, postoperative score was (13.17 +/- 1.72) points; the results showed excellent in 5 cases and good in 1 case. No local infection, postoperative pain,recurrent dislocation,broken needle, and other complications were observed in this study.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of anterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation with Kirschner wire minimally invasive fixation is an easy, reliable fixation with less complications.

Adult ; Bone Wires ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Radiography ; Sternoclavicular Joint ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the impact of efforts of community-based organizations (CBO) in HIV testing mobilization and case finding among men who have sex with men(MSM).

METHODSResults of HIV testing mobilization among MSM through CBOs in 15 program areas were collected and compared with corresponding HIV case reporting data to demonstrate the contribution of CBO-based HIV testing in HIV case finding among MSM from July 2008 to December 2011. Meanwhile,the proportion of screened HIV positives who received testing results notification,confirmatory test, following up and CD4 cell tests were analyzed and compared with those identified in medical institutions.

RESULTSA total of 196 075 HIV tests were performed for MSM, as a result of mobilization efforts of CBOs. Cumulatively 7704 new HIV cases were identified, accounting for 51.7% (7704/14 914) of all newly diagnosed HIV cases infected via homosexual sex in the program areas.Among the newly diagnosed MSM HIV infections in the program areas,the proportion of infections detected through the mobilization of CBOs increased from 35.4% (609/1722) in 2008 to 63.7% (2371/3722) in 2010, and 58.3% (3024/5189) in 2011. Compared with those identified through medical institutions, newly diagnosed MSM infections detected though CBOs testing mobilization have higher rates of receiving screening testing results notification (97.3% (4441/4563) vs 92.8% (13 140/14 153)) , (84.6% (2559/3024) vs 79.8% (5589/7002)) and CD4 cell tests (66.1% (1999/3024) vs 52.9% (3705/7002)), and a lower rate of receiving confirmatory test (78.6% (3588/4563) vs 85.6% (12 115/14 153)).

CONCLUSIONCBOs can take their advantages in mobilizing MSM to receive HIV test, and MSM HIV cases detected through CBOs have become the main source of MSM HIV case finding in program areas.

Community Health Services ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; HIV Seropositivity ; Health Promotion ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility and influence of vagus nerve preservation in radical operation for proximal gastric cancer.

METHODSThirty-two patients with early or T2 cardia cancer from May 2007 to May 2009 were enrolled and randomized into two groups, i.e. vagus nerve preservation group(n=16) and control group(n=16). Two groups were compared with regard to operative time, anastomotic fistula, digestive discomforts, body weight, survival rate, findings on gastroscope and abdominal ultrasonography.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in operative time (2.8 vs. 2.5 h), postoperative complications rate (25.0% vs. 31.3%). No recurrence or mortality was observed after one-year follow-up. However, patients who underwent vagus nerve preservation had less postprandial discomforts(3 vs. 12 cases), bile reflux(3 vs. 10 cases), atrophic gastritis(1 vs. 9 cases), gallstones(1 vs. 8 cases), body mass index, and diarrhea(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor patients with early gastric cancer, preservation of the vagus nerve during radical gastrectomy results in less complications and does not compromise patient survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Vagus Nerve ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo prepare ligustrazine (TMPZ) ocular sustained-release implant, and investigate its in vitro drug release, pharmacokinetics in rabbit vitreum and in vitro correlation.

METHODLigustrazine ocular sustained-release implants were prepared by micro-twin conical screw mixers with hot-melting extrusion method, with polyactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as the matrix. HPLC was adopted to determine the concentration in vitreum after ligustrazine was implanted in rabbit eyes, in order to examine its in vivo sustained-release behavior, and study the correlation between in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTLigustrazine implants were prepared with a drug-loading rate between 10% and 30%, which was in conformity to the pharmacopoeia in terms of the content uniformity. Its in vitro release was in conformity to the zero-order release model. With PLGA 5050, 2. 5A as a vector, ligustrazine implants with a drug-loading rate of 30% could slowly release drug for more than 3 weeks, indicating a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo release.

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine ocular implants prepared with hot-melting extrusion method is practicable. Ligustrazine ocular implants release drug smoothly in rabbit vitreous vitreums, suggesting good sustained-release effect.

Animals ; Biological Availability ; Drug Implants ; Eye ; Female ; Male ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Vitreous Body