Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a derivative of effective component of a Chinese material medica, Houttuynia cordata, which is applied in anti-infection of microorganism. But, the antimicrobial mechanisms of SH still remain unclear. Here, we firstly discovered that SH effectively inhibits the three types of virulence related motility of.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., swimming, twitching and swarming. The plate assay results showed that the inhibitory action of SH against swimming and twitching in 24 h and swarming in 48 h is dose-dependent; and bacteria nearly lost all of the motile activities under the concentration of 1 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (512 mg x L(-1) same as azithromycin positive group (1 x MIC, 16 mg x L(-1)). Furthermore, we found that the expression of structural gene flgB and pilG is down-regulated by SH, which implies that inhibitory mechanism of SH against motility of P. aeruginosa may be due to the inhibition of flagella and pili bioformation of P. aeruginosa by SR Therefore, our presented results firstly demonstrate that SH effectively inhibits the motility activities of P. aeruginosa, and suggest that SH could be a promising antipseudomonas agents in clinic.
Alkanes ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fimbriae, Bacterial ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Houttuynia ; chemistry ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; cytology ; drug effects ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Sulfites ; pharmacology ; Virulence ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo determine the exact location of the opening of the ejaculatory duct in men and provide some basic anatomical evidence for seminal vesiculoscopy and the treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction.

METHODSWe performed ureterocystoscopy for 21 male patients aged 26 - 47 years with hematuria (n = 12), hematospermia (n = 2), glandular cystitis (n = 6), and anejaculation after radical resection of rectal carcinoma (n = 1), and meanwhile, with the consent of the patients, massaged the prostate and ejaculatory duct and observed the outlet of the expelled fluid. Under the microscope, we described the fluid samples with sperm as the expulsion from the ejaculatory duct.

RESULTSUreterocystoscopy showed that the exact anatomical sites of the expulsion of prostatic fluid and semen in the patients were the side and lower side of the prostatic utricle opening above the verumontanum and the ventral side of the verumontanum. Quantities of sperm were found in the expulsion fluid of 13 of the patients, and no expulsion, including semen, was seen from the prostatic utricle opening.

CONCLUSIONAnatomically, the ejaculatory duct openings of males are located at the two sides of the verumontanum adjacent to the opening of the prostatic utricle, rather than in the prostatic utricle above the verumontanum.

Adult ; Cystoscopes ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Endoscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Hematuria ; Hemospermia ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostate ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Semen ; secretion ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVETo study change and the value of diagnosis of harmonic imaging ultrasonic integrated backscatter (IBS) on the very early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHOD72 patients were divided 2 groups, A group 30 cases with AMI at the very early stage of acute myocardial infarction (in 2 hours), B group 42 cases with typical acute myocardial infarction (in 2 - 12 hours) were examined by IBS and the cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CVIB) with HP-5500 ultrasonic system in the segment of myocardial infarction and no myocardial infarction.

RESULTSIn A group the IBS of the segment of AMI are very higher than that of the segment of no AMI [(18.8 +/- 3.4) dB vs (8.3 +/- 1.2) dB, P < 0.01], the CVIB are lower [(6.3 +/- 0.7) dB vs (7.6 +/- 1.1) dB, P < 0.01]. But in the meanwhile there are no obvious changes in ECG. In B group the IBS of the segment of AMI is obvious higher than the normal person and no infarction segment in the same heart [(22.2 +/- 4.1) dB vs (8.3 +/- 1.2) dB, (21.1 +/- 3.2) dB vs (8.7 +/- 0.9) dB, P < 0.05], but CVIB is obvious lower than the normal person and no infarction segment in the same heart [(5.6 +/- 0.8) dB vs (7.6 +/- 1.1) dB, P < 0.05; (5.8 +/- 0.7) dB vs (9.3 +/- 0.9) dB, P < 0.01], the changes of the ultrasonic is coincidence with ECG. The change of IBS are very obvious just as in ECG.

CONCLUSIONThe result demonstrate that ultrasonic tissue characterization with harmonic imaging integrated backscatter can be used for diagnosis the very early stage of AMI, and can judge the segment range of AMI and function of the whole heart.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of apogossypolone (ApoG2) on proliferative inhibition and apoptotic induction of multiple myeloma cells and its mechanism. The effects of ApopG2 on cell growth, cell viability, cell cycle and cell apoptosis were determined by Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA ladder formation and subdiploid peak analysis respectively. Cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was analyzed by colorimetric assay. Expression of BCL-2 and BCL-XL was detected by flow cytometry. The results indicated that the ApoG2 inhibited multiple myeloma cell proliferation in dose-and time-dependent manners, with IC(50) value to both U266 and Wusl cells at 0.1 and 0.2 micromol/L at 48 hours after treatment. ApoG2 effectively inhibited the proliferation of multiple myeloma cells, the IC(50) value in U266 cells and Wusl cells (at 48 hours) were 0.1 micromol/L and 0.2 micromol/L respectively. ApoG2 could induce the apoptosis of cells of myeloma in a time-dependent manner.The typical apoptotic morphological changes were observed under transmission electron microscope, while DNA ladder formation and remarkable peak of subdiploid cells appeared. ApoG2 could arrest the myeloma cells in G(2) phase, increasing from 9.7%(0 micromol/L) to 19.6% (10 micromol/L) in U266 cells and 9.8%(0 micromol/L) to 31.7% (10 micromol/L) in Wusl cells. ApoG2 could induce increase of caspase 9 and caspase 3 activity and down-regulate the expression of BCL-XL in U266 and Wusl cells, as well as the expression of BCL-2 in Wusl cells. It is concluded that ApoG2 has significant effect of antiproliferation and induction of apoptosis on multiple myeloma cells in vitro, ant its mechanisms may involve in down-regulation of BCL-2/BCL-XL and in change of cell cycle.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gossypol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEPatients with coronary artery disease (CAD, stenosis between 50% - 70% evidenced by coronary angiography) were treated with atorvastatin 40 mg (n = 19) or atorvastatin 10 mg in combination with ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 23). Blood lipid profile and metalloproteinases were monitored up to 3 months.

METHODSCholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), liver function, renal function, creatine kinase, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 were measured at baseline and at 1 month and 3 months post therapy.

RESULTS(1) At 3 months, LDL-C was similarly reduced in monotherapy group [(1.94 +/- 0.49) mmol/L, 37.82% reduction compared to baseline] and in combined therapy group [(1.92 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, 38.26% reduction compared to baseline]. (2) AST, ALT, renal function and creatine kinase remained unchanged post various therapy (all P > 0.05). (3) MMP-2, MMP-9 significantly decreased and TIMP-1 significantly increased at 3 months compared to baseline in monotherapy group but these parameters remained unchanged in combined therapy group.

CONCLUSIONBoth therapy regimens were well tolerated and similarly effectively reduced blood lipids and 40 mg atorvastatin monotherapy regimen is superior to atorvastatin 10 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg regimen in improving metalloproteinases parameters.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Azetidines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Ezetimibe ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Metalloproteases ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

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

In our previous studies,a novel cortex-like TiO2 coating was prepared on Ti surface through micro-arc oxidation (MAO) by using sodium tetraborate as electrolyte,and the effects of the coating on cell attachment were testified.This study aimed to investigate the effects of this cortex-like MAO coating on osseointegration.A sand-blasting and acid-etching (SLA) coating that has been widely used in clinical practice served as control.Topographical and chemical characterizations were conducted by scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer,X-ray diffraction,contact angle meter,and step profiler.Results showed that the cortex-like coating had microslots and nanopores and it was superhydrophilic,whereas the SLA surface was hydrophobic.The roughness of MAO was similar to that of SLA.The MAO and SLA implants were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their in-vivo performance through micro-CT,histological analysis,and fluorescent labeling at the bone-implant interface four weeks after surgery.The micro-CT showed that the bone volume ratio and mean trabecular thickness were similar between MAO and SLA groups four weeks after implantation.Histological analysis and fluorescent labeling showed no significant differences in the bone-implant contact between the MAO and SLA surfaces.It was suggested that with micro/nanostructure and superhydrophilicity,the cortex-like MAO coating causes excellent osseointegration,holding a promise of an application to implant modification.

OBJECTIVETo explore the difference of lingual arterial CT angiography images(CTA) between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients and normal subjects, and to investigate the safety of partial glossectomy guided by lingual arteria CT angiography.

METHODSSeventy-four patients with OSAHS and 10 control adults were included in the study. The lingual upper airway and lingual arterial CT angiography were obtained. The area and the dimensions of lingual upper airway, and the length and thickness of lingua, length of lingual arteria, depth and bilateral lingual arteria spacing were studied. The CT measuring data of OSAHS patients and normal adults were compared. The multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the main factors which affects the lingual arterial measuring results. Guided by the lingual arterial CT angiography and measuring results, glossectomy was performed in 23 OSAHS patients with lingua hypertrophy.

RESULTSThe area and dimensions of lingual airway of OSAHS patients were less than those of control adults, and the length and thickness of lingua of OSAHS were more than those of control adults (t test, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There were no difference in length of lingual arteria and bilateral lingual arteria spacing between OSAHS patients and control adults. The 3 measured points' depth (x(-) +/- s) of lingual arteria of OSAHS patients were (29.1 +/- 5.5) mm, (26.9 +/- 5.1) mm and (25.6 +/- 5.2) mm, respectively, and those of control adult were (23.0 +/- 3.8) mm, (22.6 +/- 2.7) mm and (21.5 +/- 2.6) mm, the depth of lingual arteria of OSAHS was more than that of control adults (t test, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The main factors affects lingual arterial depth were body mass index (BMI), lingual length and lingual thickness, unstandardized regression coefficient were 0.255, 0.11 and 0.03, respectively (analysis of variance, F = 6.216, P < 0.05). No damage of lingual arteria and nerve in 23 patients who had expanded glossectomy.

CONCLUSIONSThe study showed statistical difference significance of lingual arterial CTA measurements between OSAHS patients and control adults. Guided with lingual arteria CTA data, the expanded glossectomy in OSAHS patients has proved good safety and high cure rate.

Adult ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, External ; diagnostic imaging ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tongue ; blood supply ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the replication and encapsidation of HBV mutants with the truncated C gene.

METHODSThe HBV mutants with the truncated C gene were constructed by molecular cloning and PCR-based deletion in vitro. The replication and encapsidation of HBV mutants were investigated by Southern blotting, PCR and real-time fluorescence PCR respectively after transfecting the HBV mutants plasmid into HepG2 cells by using liposome.

RESULTSThe C-truncated HBV mutant vectors were constructed successfully and confirmed exactly by clone sequencing and enzymes digestion. The C-truncated HBV mutants were replication defective, however, all types of HBV DNA could be detected positive in the cytoplasm and supernatant after co-transfecting the C-truncated HBV mutants plasmid and the helper constructs into HepG2 cells. The C-truncated HBV mutants were proved to produce 3-40 folds more progeny DNA than that of the wild-type HBV by DNA quantitative assay.

CONCLUSIONThe C-truncated HBV mutants are replication-deficient and could not replicate and encapsulate in the hepatocytes when transfected solely, however, the progeny HBV-variant viruses are encapsidated more effectively to secrete into supernatant when co-transfected with the helper construct which lacks part of 5 prime-proximal HBV RNA packaging signal Epsilon.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection ; Virus Replication