OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive value of the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in the hypertensives.

METHODSWe evaluated 147 hypertensive patients who were never treated regularly before. All patients underwent ultrasound examinations of the heart and the IMT of carotid arteries. We classified them as LVH group (n = 45) or no LVH group (n = 102), and as IMT increased group (n = 52) or no IMT increased group (n = 95). The record of medical history, physical examination and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed in all the patients. The biochemical parameters such as blood lipids, glucose and so on were tested. Then the data comparison was made.

RESULTS(1) There were no significant differences in clinical manifestations and biochemical parameters between the LVH and no LVH groups (P > 0.05). Age (68.3 +/- 6.2) year vs (65.6 +/- 5.8) year, male 75.6% vs 66.7%, body mass index (24.1 +/- 4.1) vs (23.8 +/- 4.7) (kg/m(2)), diabetes mellitus and(or) impaired glucose tolerance 40.0% vs 38.2%, angina pectoris 42.3% vs 38.9%, cerebral vascular diseases 19.2% vs 15.7%, total cholesterol (5.40 +/- 1.42) vs (5.28 +/- 1.46) mmol/L, triglycerides (1.80 +/- 1.02) vs (1.74 +/- 1.08) mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.03 +/- 1.43) vs (4.06 +/- 1.48) mmol/L, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.00 +/- 0.30) vs (0.99 +/- 0.26) mmol/L. (2) The parameters of ABPM in LVH group were higher than those in no LVH group. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in 24 h mean systolic blood pressure (140.7 +/- 14.1) vs (128.3 +/- 12.3) mm Hg, 24 h mean diastolic blood pressure (86.4 +/- 8.9) vs (81.6 +/- 9.3) mm Hg, daytime mean systolic blood pressure (142.8 +/- 13.9) vs (130.9 +/- 11.1) mm Hg, daytime mean diastolic blood pressure (86.9 +/- 8.8) vs (83.4 +/- 9.0) mm Hg, nighttime mean systolic blood pressure (129.0 +/- 13.2) vs (114.6 +/- 11.4) mm Hg, nighttime mean diastolic blood pressure (77.2 +/- 9.4) vs (67.5 +/- 8.1) mm Hg, 24 h pulse pressure (54.2 +/- 10.2) vs (46.9 +/- 9.6) mm Hg, daytime pulse pressure (55.9 +/- 10.5) vs (47.5 +/- 9.1) mm Hg, nighttime pulse pressure (51.8 +/- 10.7) vs (47.1 +/- 8.7) mm Hg, 24 h systolic blood pressure variance (8.4 +/- 2.0) vs (7.2 +/- 1.9), 24 h diastolic blood pressure variance (9.5 +/- 2.2) vs (8.0 +/- 2.1), the non-dipper rhythm of ambulatory blood pressure 55.6% vs 25.5%. (3) There were also no significant differences in clinical manifestations between the IMT increased and no IMT increased group (P > 0.05). While there were significant differences between the IMT increased and no IMT increased group in those parameters of ABPM (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were more LVH or IMT increased persons in the hypertensives whose ABPM parameters were abnormal.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and variation of tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSACL reconstructions using hamstring tendons were performed in 58 patients (58 knees) in the study. MRI scans were taken in a consistent manner at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery to measure tibial and femoral tunnel expansion.

RESULTSFemoral tunnel enlargement was observed in 9 knees (9/58, 15.5%); Tibial tunnel enlargement was found in 12 knees (12/58, 20.7%). Of those with enlarged bone tunnels, there was no significant difference of tunnel diameters between 1 and 3 months after surgery (P>0.05). Six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively, the average tunnel diameters were larger than those of 1 or 3 months after surgery (P<0.05), however, no significant difference was found in between the tunnel diameters 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively either (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONTunnel expansion mainly occurs during 3 to 6 months after surgery, and it remains basically unchanged between 12 and 24 months postoperatively.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Arthroscopy ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Femur ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons ; transplantation ; Tibia ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in systemic hemodynamics and their relations to the concentrations of nitric oxide, endothelin, prostacyclin, and thromboxane A2 after portal cavity clamping and opening in portal hypertensive canines.

METHODSTwelve canines were randomly divided into control group and model group, and partial ligation of the portal vein was performed in the model group. Portal cavity clamping and opening was performed 12 weeks later in the two groups. The hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output index (CI), heart rate (HR), mean artery blood pressure (MABP), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary arteriole wedge pressure (PAWP), and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) were measured during the operation. Samples were obtained from the central vein at 3 time points during the operation for measuring NO, ET, PGI2, and TXA2.

RESULTSPortal vein ligation and portal cavity clamping produced obvious changes in the systemic circulation of the dogs, and the alteration was milder in the control group. After obstruction of the portal vein, the NO levels in systemic circulation in portal hypertensive dogs declined obviously, but gradually recovered the normal level after reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONSystemic circulation undergoes significant alterations after portal vein obstruction, but its changes in portal hypertensive dogs are milder than those in the control group, the mechanism of which needs further investigation.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Endothelins ; blood ; Epoprostenol ; blood ; Hemodynamics ; Hypertension, Portal ; blood ; physiopathology ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Plasma ; metabolism ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology ; Thromboxane A2 ; blood ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; physiopathology

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ampelopsin on B16 melanoma's invasion and metastasis in vivo and in vitro.

METHODB16 mouse melanoma cells were injected into C57BL/6 mouse via tail lateral vein, which subsequently colonized into the animal lungs to form an experimental pulmonary metastasis of tumor cell. The ampelopsin was administered at 3 dosages by intraperitoneal injection daily for 18 days from the day before the cells injection. The B16 mouse melanoma cells were exposed to ampelopsin for 3 days. The effects of ampelopsin on invasion, migration and adhesion of B16 melanoma cells were evaluated with Transwell chambers or attachment with polycarbonate filters and reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel).

RESULTThe number of metastases in the animals that were given ampelopsin 150, 200, and 250 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) was significantly reduced as compared to the vehicle control (P<0.05), and the inhibition rates were 30.97%, 40.58%, and 61.16%, respectively. The ability of the ampelopsin treated B16 cells to invade the reconstituted basement membrane was decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the inhibition rates were 36.06%, 59.58%, and 79.09% at 20 micromol x L(-1), 40 micromol x L(-1) and 80 micromol x L(-1) concentration, respectively. Ampelopsin could also inhibit B16 cells migration through PVPF in the Transwell chambers, and the inhibition rates were 51.59%, 56.51%, and 66.75% at 20 micromol x L(-1), 40 micromol x L(-1) and 80 micromol x L(-1), respectively (P<0.01). The ability of adhesion of the B16 cells by ampelopsin treated cells on fibronectin, laminin, or Matrigel was decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONAmpelopsin has anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effects on B16 melanoma.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lauraceae ; chemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo report a case of pure erythroid leukemia.

METHODSThe clinical features, treatment and prognosis of a rare case of pure erythroid leukemia were reported, and the related literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThe pure erythroid leukemia patient was diagnosed by 90.4% pronormoblasts in bone marrow, 99.5% for erythroid antigen CD71, 67.4% for glycophorin A were detected, while no differentiation antigen of myeloid, lymphoid and megakaryocyte lineages were observed. HAG (homoharringtonine + Cytarabine and G-CSF) regimen were administered with no effect. The patient developed multiple organ failure and died soon.

CONCLUSIONPure erythroid leukemia has a fulminant clinical course with poor response to chemotherapy and worse prognosis.

Humans ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and determine the risk factors of survival for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA).

METHODSFrom January 1999 to December 2008, 82 patients with recurrent HCC, with the diameter less than 7 cm for solitary tumor, or the largest tumor less than 5 cm for multiple tumors(the number of tumors less than 3), were treated by PRFA. The significance of 12 clinical or pathological variables in the risk factors of overall survival were assessed.

RESULTSThe overall survival 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 75.8%, 43.9% and 34.5% (from the date of PRFA), and 95.1%, 63.2% and 46.6% (from initial hepatectomy), respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that tumor size before initial hepatectomy, recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, number of recurrent tumors, diameter of largest recurrent tumor, serum glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and serum albumin (ALB) level were significant prognostic factors (P < 0.05, Kaplan-Meier Log-rank test). Multivariate analysis showed recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, diameter of largest recurrence tumor, serum GGT and ALB level were significant prognostic (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPRFA is effective for recurrent HCC. Recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, diameter of largest recurrent tumor, serum GGT and ALB level are significant prognostic factors.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among a 50 Hz magnetic field (MF)-induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) clustering,lipid rafts and acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSHuman amnion FL cells were exposed to 50 Hz, 0.4 mT MF for 15 min. EGF treatment was used as positive control. Nystatin was employed to study lipid rafts since it could disrupt lipid rafts structure.The EGF receptors, ASM and lipid rafts were labeled with polyclonal anti-EGFR antibody, anti-ASM antibody and FITC-Cholera toxin B, respectively. The images were observed by laser confocal scanning microscope.

RESULTBoth EGF treatment and 50 Hz MF exposure could induce EGFR clustering; however, nystatin pretreatment disrupted this effect. MF exposure turned ASM (labeled with Cy3) from a diffused state in the sham exposure group to a concentrated state on the cell membrane, which co-localized with lipid rafts (labeled with FITC).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the EGFR clustering induced by 50 Hz MF depends on intact lipid rafts on cellular membrane, and the ASM might participate in the process of EGFR clustering.

Cell Membrane ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Microdomains ; radiation effects ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTo assess the safety and tolerance of adefovir dipivoxil tablet in Chinese healthy volunteers.

METHODSTotally 42 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study, 21 were female and 21 were male and their age ranged from 19 to 26 years. The subjects were randomly divided into 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg dose-groups (6-10 subjects in each group) based on sex and weight, beginning with the 5 mg dose-group. Clinical symptoms, vital signs, electrocardiogram, routine blood test, routine urine test, prothrombin time and blood biochemical tests were recorded and evaluated.

RESULTSNo significant changes were found in clinical symptoms, vital signs and laboratory tests after dosing, except slight elevations of alanine aminotransferase in 2 subjects and bilirubin in 6 subjects observed and some gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea found in 3 subjects, but the frequency and severity of all the adverse reactions were not found to be related to the dosages.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that single oral dose of adefovir dipivoxil 60 mg or less was safe and tolerable.

Adenine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Organophosphonates ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Tablets ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of chitosan on the biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues.

METHODSThe biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues were evaluated with a MTT method for fibroblast proliferation, photic and electronic microscope for morphologic and subcellular structure, 3H-proline uptake method for collagen secretion and ELISA box for the secretion of TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB, and IL-8.

RESULTSThis study showed that the chitosan inhabited the proliferation of the fibroblasts and the secretion of the TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB and collagen of the fibroblasts with a dose-depended manner in the normal skin, hypertrophic scar and keloid groups, but it stimulated the IL-8. However, there were no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe chitosan could inhibit the growth, proliferation, biosynthesis and secretion of the fibroblasts, and it may be used to treat different scars.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Chitosan ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; secretion ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Hemostatics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; secretion ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Peptide Fragments ; secretion ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; secretion