Objective: To explore the synergies mechanism of Coriaria sinica extract (CSE) combined with β-lactam antibiotics on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: The relevant gene expression, autolytic enzyme, and influence of β-lactamase were determined by AFFX prokaryotic expression microarray, Western-blotting, SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, etc. Results: MRSA was resistant to the most antibiotics, and it had significant synergistic antibacterial effect while CSE was combined with β-lactam antibiotics (P < 0.05). The CSE can significantly reduce the total expression of RNA and regulate the expression of many genes with showing a dose-dependence when used alone or combined with ampicillin (AP), such as the basal metabolism genes, peptidoglycan hydrolase gene (lytM), transporter gene, PBPs, β-lactamase activity, etc. (P < 0.05). It can significantly improve the concentration of cefotaxime (CFX) in internal of MRSA (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The CSE has significant inhibitory effects on MRSA, and it has significant synergistic effects when combined with β-lactam antibiotic on MRSA. The mechanism is associated with many factors of MRSA, such as regulation of expression and transcription on target genes (ribA, PBPs, lytM, etc.), the influence of active efflux, autolysis and metabolism, etc.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) gene on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of leukemic cell line U937.

METHODSShort hairpin RNAs (shRNA) targeting VEGFR-1 was synthesized and cloned into pRNAT-U6.2 lentiviral vector. The expression vectors were transfected into 293T cell line to produce packaged lentivirus. After infected with the packaged lentivirus, the expression of VEGFR-1 gene of U937 cells at mRNA and protein level was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. VEGF production by the cells was determined by ELISA. Cell proliferation and survival under regular culture and in the presence of cytarabine (Ara-C) was determined by CCK-8 assay. Migration assays were performed by 5 µm pore transwell inserts.

RESULTSThe lentiviral shRNA vector targeting VEGFR-1 was successfully constructed and transfected into U937 cells. The shRNA vector effectively inhibited the expression of VEGFR-1 gene in U937 cell line at mRNA and protein levels. As compared to that of the control, the proliferation rate of U937-shVEGFR-1 cells reduced; The VEGF production and migrated cell number of U937-shVEGFR-1 cells decreased dramatically. After treated with Ara-C, the inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of U937-shVEGFR-1 cells increased significantly. The number of migrated cells in the KD group under regular culture and in the presence of VEGF was markedly lower than that in the NC group and CON group. Bevacizumab could decrease the number of migrated cells in the NC group and CON group, but could not in the KD group.

CONCLUSIONSLentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting VEGFR1 gene reduces the proliferation, migration of U937 cell line and enhances its sensitivity to Ara-C.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; U937 Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus injection (ASI) on the activities of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and natural killer cell (NKC) in the patients with lung cancer and the underlying mechanism.

METHOD73 cases with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the treatment group (n = 39) and observation group (n = 34); 61 cases with or without other diseases were respectively divided into control A (n = 30) and B (n = 31) groups. The patients in treatment group were injected with ASI for 21 days. The activities of human TNF and NKC and the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were detected respectively.

RESULTAfter injection with ASI the activity of TNF-alpha in treatment group was comparable with that in the two control groups and was significant lower that that in observation group. The activity of TNF-beta and the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were significantly higher than those in observation group and two control groups (P < 0.01). The activity of NKC was also remarkably higher than observation and two control groups.

CONCLUSIONASI can regulate the cellular immunity and factor, indicating that ASI can be used as an assistant drug to regulate the function of cellular immunity in the patients with lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphotoxin-alpha ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Modified Banxia Houpu Decoction (MBHD) in treating heroin abusers with protracted abstinence syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-seven heroin abusers were randomly divided into three groups, the 58 patients in the control group, 62 in the treated group A and 67 in the treated group B. All were detoxified with lofexidine hydrochloride (LFX) tablet for 12 days. MBHD was given to the two treated groups, the medication started from the beginning of detoxification in the group B, and from the end of detoxification in group A for 60 days. To the control group, an imitate preparation was given. The observation was carried out 10 days after withdrawal of medication, and the protracted abstinence related symptoms were observed and scored. And the condition of re-abusing in patients were investigated through urinary examination one year later.

RESULTSThe heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptom score in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and comparison of the scores between the two treated groups also showed significant difference (A < B, P < 0.01). The 1-year re-abusing rate in treated group B was significantly lower than that in the control group and in the treated group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMBHD could improve the heroin abusers' protracted abstinence symptoms after detoxification. In spite of the complexity of various factors, to effectively control the early stage abstinence symptoms and median stage protracted abstinence symptoms is one of the effective measures to prevent drug re-abusing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Clonidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Narcotic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; drug therapy

Aim To explore the inhibitory effect of Euonymus alatus on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice and its mechanism. Methods Eighty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into eight groups: normal group, CCl4model group, Euonymus alatus(EA) ethanol extracts groups in early stage(EAE), EA ethanol extracts groups in later stage(EAL),two drug groups with low/medium/high dose(EAE-L/M/H, EAL-L/M/H), with 10 mice in each group. Fibrosis model was established by injecting CCl4in peritoneal cavity,and the study lasted for 30 days. Different doses of drugs were given from 1 st day to 15 th day in EAE while from 16 th day to 30 th day in EAL,then all mice were sacrificed to for the observation of the morphological changes and collage-nous fiber by HE and Masson staining. Liver index, ALT,AST and TNF-α were tested by ELISA. The ex-pressions of α-SMA and CollagenⅠwere measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results Compared to normal group, liver index, ALT, AST, TNF-α, α-SMA and CollagenⅠ in EA groups were lower than those in model group in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Liver morphology and collagenous fiber in EAE and EAL were better than those in model group in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of EAE were superior to that of the EAL in HE, Masson, α-SMA, Collagen Ⅰ indexes(P <0.05). Conclusions Euonymus alatus may inhibit the process of hepatic fibrosis in mice with dose-effect de-pendence, and drug treatment in early stage performs better,which may be related to the decrease of TNF-α that affects the expression of α-SMA and Collagen Ⅰ.

Objective To evaluate the lymphoscintigraphic imaging characteristics for the patients with lower limb lymphedema and to establish a novel grading system for the injury to lower limb lymphatic system. Methods One hundred and sixty six consecutive patients (332 lower limbs) with lower limb lymphedema after surgical and(or) radiotherapy treatment for gynecological cancer were recruited into this retrospective study. The lymphoscintigraphy studies were performed after subcutaneous injection of 111～185 MBq (0. 1～0. 15 ml) of 99Tcm-DX into the webbed space between the first and second toes of both feet. Based on the integrity of lymphatic vessel and the extension of dermal diffusion on lymphoscintigram,the lymphatic injury to the lower limb was graded as 0, 1,2 and 3 respectively. The lymphedema of the limb was staged as 0, Ⅰ , Ⅱ a, Ⅱ b, Ⅲ by the standard of Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology (ISL). Chi square test was carried out to validate the established grading system for the assessment of the injury to the lower limb lymphatic system. Results The lymphoscintigraphic imaging characteristics included lymphatic blockage, dermal backflow, no visualization of lymphatic or lymph node, lymphocele and lymph fistula in the lower limb, pelvis and abdomen. There were 65 (19.6%), 71 (21.4%),131 (39.5%), 62 (18.7%) and 3 (0.9%) limbs staged as 0, Ⅰ , Ⅱa, Ⅱb, and Ⅲ for lymphedema while 36(10.8%), 79(23.8%), 116(34.9%) and 101 (30.4%) limbs graded as 0, 1, 2, and 3 for lymphatic injury. There was a statistically significant correlation between the grading methods (χ2 =313.483, P <0.001). The patients who underwent radiotherapy had a higher incidence rate of grade 2 and 3 (70.5%, 158/224) than those who underwent surgery (53.6%, 59/108) (χ2 = 9.662, P = 0.022).The patients with erysipelas had a higher incidence rate of grade 3(73.1%, 38/52) than those without erysipelas (43.9%, 50/114) (χ2= 12.238, P<0.001). The incidence rate of grade 3 increased with the duration of lymphedema after treatment: 36.6% (34/93) for less than 1.5 years, 72.3% (34/47) for between 1.5 to 5 years, and 76.9% (20/26) for more than 5 years (χ2 = 23.123, P<0.001). The grade of lymphatic injury showed no significant difference among 3 types of gynecological cancers (χ2 = 4.000, P =0.676), or between the patients with and without chemotherapy (χ2 =0.411, P=0.938). Conclusions Lymphoscintigraphy is a reliable modality to diagnose lower limb lymphedema after treatment for gynecological cancer. The injury grading system could provide objective assessment of the lymphatic damage.

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of sinapine thiocyanate(ST)on hyperglycemia,hyper-lipemia,atherosclerosis and hepatocellular steatosis of ApoE-/-mice with insulin resistance(IR)and the possible mecha-nisms.METHODS:ApoE-/-male mice(n=60)were assigned randomly into control group ,saline group,rosiglitazone group and ST treatment groups(at low,middle and high doses )with 10 mice in each group.The mice in control group were fed with fundamental diet ,while the mice in other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks.The mice in ST groups were given gavage with different doses of ST(10,30 and 90 mg· kg-1· d-1)simultaneously,while the mice in rosiglitazone group received gavage with rosigltazone(1.33 mg· kg-1 · d-1 ).In the last 3 weeks,the mice in control group received daily intrape-ritoneal injection of physiological saline ,and IR was induced in other groups by daily intrape-ritoneal injection of dexamethasone(0.8 mg/kg).The blood sample was collected and fasting plasma glucose was tested weekly through tail vein.After all animals fasted for 12 h at the end of the 12th week,they were sacrificed and the levels of fasting insulin,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),triglyceride,total cholesterol and liver lipids were measured.The li-ver tissue and aortic immobilized sections were detected by HE staining.The expression of the proteins related to liver lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle MAPK signaling pathway was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:ST showed dose-dependently reduced serum lipids ,plasma glucose and TNF-α(P<0.05),delayed hepatocellular steatosis and atheroscle-rosis,and dose-dependently regulated hepatic lipid metabolism signaling molecules(HMGR and SREBP-2)and MAPK signaling molecules(ERK and p38)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:ST has the biological potential of reducing blood li-pids and relieving IR.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of liver lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical and radiographic results and influencing factors of hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODSTotally 126 patients (135 hips) from January 1999 to December 2001 accepted hybrid THA were followed up. Components migration, periprosthetic bone changes, the polyethylene wear rate were measured radiologically. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the survival of the acetabular and femoral components. End point was obvious radiological loosening or revision either or both of the acetabular and femoral components for aseptic loosening, infection or osteolysis debridement surgery.

RESULTSA total of 79 cases (85 hips) had been given follow-up. Using revision as the end point, the survival rate of acetabular was 95.2%, cemented femoral components was 98.8%. Using loosening as the end point for failure, the survival rate of acetabular was 97.6%, cemented femoral components was 100%.

CONCLUSIONSThe hybrid total hip prosthesis long-term survival rate was satisfactory, especially in the femoral side. As a result of third-cement technology, the long-term survival rate of the femoral components was close to the modern cementless prosthesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in patients with hematologic malignancies after chemotherapy and discuss the possible etiology and appropriate therapy.

METHODSSymptoms, physical examinations, laboratory examination, chest radiographs or computed tomographic (CT) scans, treatments and outcomes of two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) each after chemotherapy were presented.

RESULTSBoth of the patients developed cough, progressive dyspnea, a drop of hemoglobin level, hypoxemia and widespread pulmonary infiltrate on chest radiographs or CT scans after chemotherapy. Moreover, case 1 (ALL) had high fever and bloody fluid drained from the intubation of mechanical ventilation, case 2 (NHL) developed continual hemoptysis. They were diagnosed as DAH and improved significantly after intermediate- or high-dose corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSIONSDAH is a rare fatal acute noninfectious pulmonary complication in patients with hematologic malignancies after chemotherapy. Early accurate diagnosis, identifying the underlying cause and appropriate treatment are critical for the management of DAH.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; Pulmonary Alveoli

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of ulinastatin on coagulation in children who underwent open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODSFifty children who underwent open-heart surgery for ventricular septal defect were randomly divided into two groups: ulinastatin treatment and control. Before CPB, ulinastatin (1.0×10(4) U/kg) was added to CPB priming fluid only in the ulinastatin treatment group. Activated partial thromboplasin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and international normalized ratio (INR) were measured both before and at 1 hr, 6 hrs and 24 hrs after CPB.

RESULTSThe PT in the ulinastatin group was more prolonged than in the control group at 1 hr after CPB (18.7 ± 0.7 s vs 15.5 ± 0.5 s) and 6 hrs after CPB (17.5 ± 0.6 s vs 15.0 ± 0.6 s). The APTT in the ulinatatin group was also significantly more prolonged than in the control group at 6 hrs after CPB (38.7 ± 3.1 s vs 35.3 ± 3.1 s) and 24 hrs after CPB (34.2 ± 3.0 s vs 31.1 ± 2.6 s).

CONCLUSIONSUlinastatin may prolong PT and APTT after CPB, and thus affects coagulation in children.

Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prothrombin Time ; Trypsin Inhibitors ; pharmacology