OBJECTIVETo study the nerve electromyogram results by analysing the pathological characters of 4 cases diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy caused by n-hexane and arsenic.

METHODSThe nerve electromyogram examination and pathology data of 4 patients, who had been diagnosed as toxic chemicals peripheral neuropathy, were studied retrospectively.

RESULTSTwo patients in this group were exposed to n-hexane, their nerve electromyogram examinations and biopsy pathology of superficial peroneal nerve indicated the peripheral neuropathy was mainly manifests the lesion of medullary sheath. Another two patients were exposed to arsenic, their nerve electromyogram examinations showed axonal degeneration associated with demyelination, and their biopsy pathology showed the peripheral neuropathy was mainly axonal degeneration.

CONCLUSIONAxonal degeneration and demyelination always coexist in peripheral neuropathy caused by chemicals.

Arsenic Poisoning ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hexanes ; poisoning ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

To explore the protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides(ASP) on subacute renal damages induced by D-galactose in mice and its mechanism. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 10 mice in each group. The D-galactose model group was subcutaneously injected with D-galactose (120 mg x kg(-1)), qd x 42; the ASP + D-galactose model group was intraperitoneally injected with ASP since the 8th day of the replication of the D-galactose model, qd x 35; and the normal control group was subcutaneously injected with saline at the same dose and time. On the 2nd day of after the injection, the peripheral blood was collected to measure the content of BUN, Crea, UA, Cys-C; paraffin sections were made to observe the renal histomorphology by HE staining; senescence-associated β-g-alactosidase (SA-β-Gal) stain was used to observe the relative optical density (ROD) in renal tissues; transmission electron microscopy was assayed to observe the renal ultrastructure; the renal tissue homogenate was prepared to measure the content of SOD, GSH-PX, MDA; the content of AGEs and 8-OH-dG were measured by ELISA. According to the result, compared with the D-galactose model group, the ASP + D-galactose model group showed obviously decreases in the content of BUN, Crea, UA, Cysc, AGES, 8-OH-dG, the number of hardening renal corpuscle, renal capsular space and renal tubular lumen, ROD of SA-β-Gal staining positive kidney cells, mesangial cells, basement membrane thickness, podocyte secondary processes fusion and MDA and increases in the number of normal renal corpuscle, ribosome and rough endoplasmic reticulum in podocytes, the activity of SOD and GSH-PX. In Conclusion, A. sinensis polysaccharides can antagonize kidney subacute damages induced by D-galactose in mice. Its protective mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of the oxidative stress injury.
Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Galactose ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; injuries ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; Protective Agents ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the biological mechanisms underlying Angelica sindsis polysaccharide (ASP) -induced aging of human-derived leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in vitro.

METHODAcute myelogenous leukemia stem cells were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). The ability of LSC proliferation treated by various concentration of ASP(20-80 mg · L(-1)) in vitro for 48 hours were tested using cell counting Kit-8 ( CCK8) , colony forming were evaluated by methylcellulose CFU assay. The ultra structure changes of AML CD34+ CD38- cells were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The aging cells were detected with senescence-β-galactosidase Kit staining. Expression of aging-related p53, p21, p16, Rb mRNA and P16, Rb, CDK4 and Cyclin E protein were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction( qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTThe purity of the CD34 + CD38 - cells is (91.15 ± 2.41)% after sorted and showed good morphology. The proliferation of LSC was exhibited significantly concentration-dependent inhibited after exposure to various concentration of ASP. Treated by 40 mg · L(-1) ASP for 48 hours, the percentage of positive cells stained by SA-β-Gal was dramatically increased (P < 0.01) and the colony-formed ability has been weakened (P < 0.01). The observation of ultrastructure showed that cell heterochromatin condensation and fragmentation, mitochondrial swelling, lysosomes increased in number. Aging-related p53, p21, p16, Rb and P16, Rb were up-regulated, protein regulatory cell-cycle CDK4 and Cyclin E were down-regulated. ASP may induce the senescence of LSCs effectively in vitro, P16-Rb cell signaling pathway play a significant role in this process.

CONCLUSIONASP can induce human leukemia stem cell senescence in vitro, the mechanism involved may be related to ASP regulation P16-Rb signaling pathways.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the methods of surgical treatment and preservation of laryngeal function in senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODSA retrospective data review of 87 advanced laryngeal carcinoma patients aged over 65 years was carried out. Of these 87 patients treated by different modes of surgery, 48 had supraglottic cancer, 35 glottic cancer and 4 subglottic cancer. The surgery modes consisted of major partial laryngectomy in 36 patients, subtotal partial laryngectomy with laryngoplasty in 21 and total laryngectomy in 30. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy to a dose of 50-60 Gy. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival.

RESULTSThe overall 3- and 5-year survival rate was 73.2% and 67.4%, respectively. The ultimate rate of larynx preservation was 65.5%. Of 57 patients with partial laryngectomy, 46 were decannulated with a decannulation rate of 80.7%. Yet, in all patients, the nasal feeding tube was removed and food intake per os was resumed. All patients who underwent partial laryngectomy regained their phonation function.

CONCLUSIONIt is safe and effective to treat and preserve laryngeal function surgically in the senile patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma. The key points to achieve this are selection of proper patient, renovation of surgical procedure and improvement of surgical skill.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Larynx ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Period ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the role of interleukin (IL) 21 alone, IL12 alone, and IL21 plus IL12 for inducing the antitumor activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODSPBMCs were isolated from peripheral blood in patients with endometrial cancer in vitro, and kept the culture with low-level IL2. IL2-stimulated PBMCs were cocultured under different conditions (with anti-IL21 antibody, IL21 alone, IL12 alone, or IL21 plus IL12) for 72 h. The cytotoxicity of PBMCs was then examined by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) released assay. CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) regulatory (Treg) cell and CD4(+) IL17A(+) T-helper (Th17) cell proportion were determined with flow cytometry. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSIn comparison to control group, both IL21 and IL12 significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of PBMCs. The IL21 plus IL12 group had superior effect to IL21 alone and IL12 alone. IL21 and IL12 significantly decreased the percentages of Treg cells and the rate of PBMCs apoptosis. IL21 or IL12 had no significant effect on the differentiation of Th17 cells and the proliferation of PBMCs.

CONCLUSIONSIL21 and IL12 can enhance the cytotoxicity of PBMCs in patients with endometrial cancer, which can be further strengthened with treatment of IL21 plus IL12. Such effects may be achieved by inhibiting the differentiation of Treg cells and the apoptosis of PBMCs, but not by the differentiation of Th17 cell.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; pharmacology ; Interleukins ; pharmacology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

Leukemia is a type of malignant tumors of hematopoietic system with the abnormal increased immature leukemia cells showing metastasis and invasion ability. Liver is one of the main targets of the leukemia cells spread to, where they may continue to proliferate and differentiate and cause liver function damage, even liver failure. Our previous studies showed that Angelica polysscharides (APS), the main effective components in Angelica sinensis of Chinese traditional medicine, was able to inhibit the proliferation and induced differentiation of the leukemia cells, however, its effect on the liver during the treatment remains elucidated. In the present study, the human leukemia NOD/SCID mouse model were established by implantation human leukemia K562 cells line, then the leukemia mouse were treated with APS, Ara-c or APS + Ara-c respectively by peritoneal injection for 14 days, to explore the effect and mechanism of the chemicals on the mouse liver. Compared to the human leukemia NOD/SCID mouse model group with the treatments of APS, Ara-c and APS + Ara-c, We found that severe liver damage and pathological changes of the liver were able to alleviate: First, the number of white blood cells in the peripheral blood was significantly lower and with less transplanted K562 leukemia cells; Second, liver function damage was alleviated as liver function tests showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBiL) were significantly reduced, while the albumin (Alb) was notably increased; Third, liver antioxidant ability was improved as the activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased, and the contents of GSH and malonaldehyde (MDA) were decreased significantly in the liver; Fourth, the inflammation of the liver was relieved as the level of IL-1beta and IL-6, the inflammatory cytokines, were decreased significantly in the liver. Fifth, liver index was increased as the pathological observation showed that leukemia cells with diffused infiltration into the liver lobules were significantly reduced and with a remarkable increase of apoptotic positive cell rate by TUNEL test. Furthermore, the APS + Ara-c combined administration showed an even more significant positive effect. In conclusion, the APS, Ara-c therapy reduced the accumulation of leukemia cells within the liver, reduced the liver function damage and levels of inflammatory factors, improved antioxidant capacity of the liver tissue and thus alleviate the pathological changes of the liver. Moreover, the APS + Ara-c combination therapy may have an additive effect.
Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo observe the incidence, causes and deviation angle of axial offset in patients with fracture ununited treated by Ilizarov bone transport technology.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to December 2012, 10 patients with fracture ununited were treated by Ilizarov bone transport including 8 males and 2 females with an average age of (30.3 ± 10.6) years old ranging from 18 to 49 years old. The segment of bone defect involved upper tibial in 2 cases, medial tibia in 2 cases, lower tibial in 5 cases, upper femoral in 1 case. For Paley type of bone defect, 6 cases were type B1, 4 cases were B3. The incidence and deviation angle of axial offset after Ilizarov bone transport technology were observed and evaluated on bone result by Paley assessment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 19 to 32 months with an average of (22.0 ± 5.6) months. Three cases were natural healed at fracture ends, the other 7 cases were healed after bone graft. The time of external fixator was 16 to 28 months. At the last follow-up, there were 3 cases occurred coronal angulation of angle 5° to 11° with an average of (8.7 ± 3.2). Sagittal angulation was in 4 cases, angle 6° to 9° with an average of (8.5 ± 2.1)°. There were 4 cases occurred axial offset. In the last follow-up, according to Paley evaluation criteria, osseous results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 3 cases; functional results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONAxial deviation after the Ilizarov bone transport treatment is relatively common, which will result in delayed healing of bone and poor limb alignment. In order to improve the bone healing, corresponding measurements should be taken to avoid or reduce the incidence of axial deviation during and after the operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo compare the singing formant differences between successful opera actors and non-successful opera actors during their adolescence period, and to compare the same index between adolescence and adult period of successful actors.

METHODSFrom 1985 to 1986, the author had 21 adolescent actors' voice recorded, all of them were from Beijing KunQu opera troupe. In 2000, all the 21 subjects had their voice recorded and singing formant (Fs) analyzed by using computer and sound spectrograph, 7 of them had become adult actors, others quitted their actors career after adolescents period.

RESULTSuccessful actors have obvious Fs, and stronger acoustic energy; successful actors had weaker Fs value during adolescence period than during adult period (t = 2. 9600, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFs's presence and its acoustic energy were important to evaluate adolescent actors future locality potential.

Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Music ; Phonation ; Voice Quality

The B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) gene is an important member of the Bcl-2 family, a type of protein that plays an important role in the process of cell apoptosis. Bcl-2 does not change the rate of cell proliferation, but prolongs the life and increases the number of cells by counteracting a series of apoptosis. In the recent years, more and more evidence has shown a close correlation of the Bcl-2 gene with the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disease whose mechanism is not yet fully understood but is drawing more and more attention towards the role of cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of Longchang Granule in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSRat models of prostate hyperplasia were made by castration and testosterone propionate injection. After treated respectively with Longchang Granule and Longbishu by gastrogavage for 30 days, all the model rats were killed and their prostate glands harvested for the measurement of the wet weight and detection of the expression of bax in the prostatic hyperplastic tissues by RV 2-step method.

RESULTSThe wet weight of the prostate was (0.61 +/- 0.03) g in the blank control group, (0.95 +/- 0.04) g in the model group, (0.73 +/- 0.02) g in the Longbishu group, (0.80 +/- 0.05) g in the low-dose Longchang group, (0.78 +/- 0.07) g in the medium-dose Longchang group and (0.68 +/- 0.03) g in the high-dose Longchang group, with significant differences between the model and the intervention groups (P < 0.05). The prostate indexes in the above groups were 0.143 +/- 0.006, 0.226 +/- 0.008, 0.172 +/- 0.004, 0.199 +/- 0.012, 0.181 +/- 0.010 and 0.168 +/- 0.003, respectively, and the expressions of bax by mean optical density were 0.226 +/- 0.010, 0.184 +/- 0.005, 0.206 +/- 0.015, 0.199 +/- 0.001, 0.202 +/- 0.003 and 0.211 +/- 0.003, respectively, both with significant differences between the model and the intervention groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLongchang Granule can effectively reduce the wet weight of the prostate and alleviate its pathological changes in BPH rats, the mechanism of which may be associated with its effect of upregulating the expression of bax and accelerating cell apoptosis in the prostate tissues.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testosterone ; adverse effects ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism