OBJECTIVETo study the effect of herbal compound 861 (HB861) on expression and activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and to explore the feasibility of its application in preventing and treating the early portal hypertension.

METHODSHSC of HSC-T6 cell line (1 x 10(5)/ml) were cultured in dish with 95% O2 plus 5% CO2 under 37 degrees C for 24 hrs, then divided into 5 groups, 6 dishes in each group. Group A was the blank control group. To Group B-E, HB861 2 mg/ml, HB861 4 mg/ml, HB861 8 mg/ml, HB861 4 mg/ml + NW-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME)4 mg/ml were added separately, and continuously cultured for 24 hrs. NOS activity was measured using colorimetry, NO level was determined by nitrate reductase technique. The cells were fixed by 4% paraformaldehyde for 2 hrs for test HSC-T6 iNOS expression by immunocyto-chemical method.

RESULTSHB861 in 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml and 8 mg/ml could increase HSC-T6 NOS activity from 1.7 +/- 0.1 to 2.5 +/- 0.3, 3.5 +/- 0.4 and 3.7 +/- 0.9 respectively (P < 0.01), the NO levels in supernatant were increased in parallel from 56.1 +/- 4.8 to 90.7 +/- 4.6, 99.7 +/- 4.1 and 109.0 +/- 2.7 respectively (P < 0.01). L-NAME could not inhibit the effect of HB861 in increasing the synthesis and secretion of NO by activated HSC-T6. Immuno-cyto-chemical study showed that there was iNOS expression in cytoplasm, and which could be increased by HB861.

CONCLUSIONThe activated HSC-T6 showed positive iNOS expression, suggesting it could produce NO. HB861 could markedly increase HSC-T6 iNOS expression and NOS activity, enhance the NO synthesis and secretion, it also could inhibit the contractility of activated HSC by way of increase HSC to secrete NO, so as to lower the resistance in hepatic sinusoid, therefore would play important role in preventing and treating of early portal hypertension.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; enzymology ; Hypertension, Portal ; prevention & control ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the method of detecting antibodies to Bacillus anthracis by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)using crude antigen.Methods The anti-Bacillus anthracis antibody levels in sera of 42 healthy people and 42 patients were detected by indirect ELISA.Standard curve was plotted using the data from positive controls,based on which the relative content of each serum was calculated and compared with the result of rLF.Results The median of antibody's relative content in patient group and healthy people group are 1.19 and 0.24,the differences being statistically significant(uc=7.643,P＜0.05).The result of crude antigen is in concordance with rLF(but not parallel absolutely).Conclusions Crude antigen can distinguish most of patients with healthy population effectively.The results suggested that crude antigen is applicable in anti-Bacillus anthracis antibody surveillance.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of children dental fluorosis in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Liaoning province and to evaluate the disease prevention effects of water improvement measures.Methods Haicheng city,Linghai city,Faku county,Fumeng county,Liaoyang county and Jianping county six endemic fluorosis diseased counties (cities) of Liaoning province were included in the study in September 2011.In each county,3 water improvement villages were selected as survey points.In each surveyed village,children aged 8-12 were generally surveyed the prevalence of dental fluorosis.One tap water sample was collected in each surveyed village for determination of water fluorine.level.Results A total of 786 children aged 8-12 were examined; 110 of them were found with dental fluorosis; detection rate of dental fluorosis was 14.0％ ; no defect case of dental fluorosis was found,and dental fluorosis index was 0.27.Among the cases,very mild were 76 cases,and the detection rate was 9.7％; mild 33 cases,the detection rate was 4.2％; moderate 1 case,the detection rate was 0.1％; and no severe case.Four cases were in the eight-year-old group,accounting for 3.6％ of the total number of cases; 20 in the 9-year-old group,accounting for 18.2％ ; 26 in the 10-year-old group,accounting for 23.6％; 32 in the 11-year-old group,accounting for 29.1％; and 28 in the 12-year-old group,accounting for 25.5％.The differences of detection rates of dental fluorosis of children in each age groups were statistically significant (x2 =13.57,P ＜ 0.05).Water fluoride of the 18 water samples ranged from 0.34 to 2.03 mg/L; 77.8％ (14/18) of the water improvement areas reached the control standard for endemic fluorosis areas.Conclusion The prevalence of dental fluorosis in the areas with high fluoride in drinking water remains high,the measures of water improvement should be strengthened.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Flurbiprofen ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; Midazolam ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Molar, Third ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Patient Satisfaction ; Preoperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Tooth Extraction ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the functional outcome,predicting response and toxicity of CT- guided permanent implanted ~(125)I seed branchytherapy for metastatic cancers in vertebrae.Methods Forty three vertebrae with metastatic cancer were treated by CT-guided percutaneous permanent implanted ~(125)I seed branchytherapy in 15 patients.There were 8 male and 7 female patients with average age of 54.6 years and 2 to 5 vertebrae involved in this group.According to the size of tumor,the optimal activity and quantity of seeds were calculated by TPS and correlative formula.~(125)I seeds were implanted percutaneous puncture under CT- guidance with coaxial needles to pass the normal osseous tissue for approaching the lesions including 3 routes of pedicnlar lateral and anterior ways.The distance between seeds and posterior border of vertebral body was over 3 nun(3-10mm).Permanent ~(125)I seed implantation brachytherapy for paraspinal metastatic lesions were also taken place.Results Mean follow-up time was 12.3 months(range 3-30 months)and outcome was evaluated clinically and radiographieally in 10 of 15 procedures,with 5 only on clinical data.No new pain occurred at 11 sites with no previous complaint.The pain was completely controlled at 18/32 sites,partial control at 14/32 sites.No complications correlated to the radiotherapy damage of nerve and spinal cord were found.Conclusion The procedure of CT-guided permanent implanted ~(125)I seeds brachytherapy for vertebral metastatic cancers is a safe effective and minimal invasive method with few complications.It is beneficial not only for pretherapeutic metastasis but also for recurrent tumors after radiotherapy;bearing rather high tolerance and safety.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:834-837)

OBJECTIVETo analyze the Enterovirus 71 infectious status about probably cases of hand-foot-mouse disease (HFMD).

METHODSCollect the blood samples of HFDM children probably cases and test the IgG, IgM antibody by ELISA, analyzed the age and gender distribution.

RESULTSWe collected 159 blood samples of children probably cases who are 1 to 5 years old. The average EV71 IgG positive rate is 63.5%, which of IgM is 12.0%. The positive rate of EV71 IgG is decrease by aged. Male's EV71 IgM positive rate is higher than female's significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogen of this case of HFMD outbreak is EV71. Male's EV7l infectious and incidence are higher than female's. The result of this investigation could provide information to HFMD disease control.

Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin M ; immunology ; Infant ; Male

objecfive To know and compare the intelligence level of children born in different time periods in regions with iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)in Liaoning province.Methods All 7-14 year-old children from ten schools were chosen as the subjects respectively from six villages in each of the six counties and in regions with iodine deficiency,who were respectively born at the initialization of iodinated salt supplying period(1978-1980);non-iodinated salt supplying period(1981-1990);recovery of supplied iodized salt period(1991-1995);universal iodized salt period(1996-2000),respectively.Intelligence quotient(IQ)was measured by Combined Ravens Test in China(CRT-C)and Combined Ravens Test-the Rural,in China,2nd edition(CRT-RC2).Results IQ of children during the non-iodized salt period(91.9±14.3)was significantly lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(95.8±14.6,q=8.60,P<0.01),recovery of supplied iodized salt period(99.7±14.7)was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period(q = 9.53, 18.13, all P < 0.01 ),universal salt iodization( 104.3 ± 14.9) was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period, recovery of supplied salt iodization(q = 20.00,28.00,10.46, all P < 0.01). Children's rate of mental retardation (IQ≤69) was higher in non-iodinated salt supplying period (6.7%, 88/1314 ) than the initial supply of iodized salt (4.4%, 21/471, χ2 = 3.85, P < 0.05), recovery of supplied iodized salt period(3.3%,48/1470) was significantly lower than non-iodinzed salt supplying period (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01), universal salt iodization period(2.7%, 36/1344) was lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(χ2 = 4.41, P < 0.05) and non-iodinzed salt supplying period(χ2 = 26.34, P < 0.01 ). The IQ and intelligent retarded rates in children born during the initial years of iodinated salt supplying period were not different. The IQ of the children during ten years of non-iodized salt supplying period fluctuated in a "∪" curve, while the intelligent retardation rates in a "∩" curve.The children born during the period of recovery supplied iodized salt increased their IQ and lowered the retardation rates year after year. The IQ of the children in universal iodized salt period kept on increasing while intelligent retarded rates reduced to the lowest level. Conclusions The intelligence level of children born in regions with IDD during non-iodized salt supplying period is remarkably lower than that of the beginning years of iodinated salt supplying period. The intelligence level of children born after universal iodized salt period is remarkably higher than that of the initial iodinated salt supplying period and recovery of supplied iodized salt period, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of continuing warfarin when international normalized ratio (INR) was less than 2.5 before tooth extraction in the elderly.

METHODSOne hundred elderly outpatients with prolong use of warfarin and maintaining INR < 2.5 before tooth extraction served as observation group, 200 elderly outpatients without taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicine served as control group. All the patients underwent a single non-impacted tooth extraction. Postoperative bleeding at different time was observed.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in postoperative bleeding at 5, 10, 30 min, 24 h after extraction and there was no significant difference at 48 h between control group and observation group (P < 0.05) and no bleeding was found in either group at 48 h (incidence of bleeding were 0%).

CONCLUSIONSIt was feasible to continue warfarin for the elderly maintaining INR < 2.5 undergoing a single non-impacted tooth extraction by monitoring postoperative bleeding and hemostatic treatment measures.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Tooth Extraction ; adverse effects ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of continuation of aspirin before tooth extraction in the elderly.

METHODSThe patients enrolled in this study were the elderly requiring a single non-impacted tooth extraction. 300 elderly outpatients used lidocaine local infiltration anesthesia, 200 patients without using aspirin before tooth extraction served as control group I, 100 patients with prolong use of aspirin before tooth extraction as observation group I. 300 elderly outpatients used compound articaine local infiltration anesthesia, 200 patients without using aspirin before tooth extraction served as control group II, 100 patients with prolong use of aspirin before tooth extraction as observation group II.Bleedings at 5, 10, 30 min, 24 h after tooth extraction were observed and the relationship between postoperative bleeding and intake of aspirin was analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference at 5, 10, 30 min, 24 h in postoperative bleeding after extraction between control group I and observation group. The incidence of bleeding of observation group II after tooth extraction at 5 min was higher than that of control group II and there was no significant difference at 10, 30 min, 24 h between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSContinuation of aspirin have no influence on postoperative bleeding. Therefore we suggest that there was no indication to discontinue aspirin for the elderly before a single non-impacted tooth extraction.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Local ; Aspirin ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oral Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Tooth Extraction ; adverse effects

AIMTo investigate the effects of ginkgolide B (GB) on proliferation of bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) and its related mechanisms.

METHODSAfter pretreating with GB or the mixture of ginkgolide A and B (GA:GB) at 37 degrees C for 0.5 h, the VSMC were treated with or without angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 h. The proliferation of SMC was evaluated by 3H-thymidine incorporation and the cell cycle phase was measured by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was reflected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of the supernatant.

RESULTSWhether or not treated with Ang II, GB and GA:GB were shown to suppress SMC proliferation in concentration-dependent fashion at concentrations ranging from 10(-9) mol.L-1 to 10(-5) mol.L-1. The inhibitory effects appeared to be related to a G1-->S block in cell cycle traverse.

CONCLUSIONThe suppression of SMC proliferation by GB might not only be contributed by blockage of the PAF receptor activity.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cattle ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; G1 Phase ; drug effects ; Ginkgolides ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; antagonists & inhibitors