Objective:To analyze the chemical constituents of Rhizoma belamcandae by using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS).Methods: Dried Belamcanda chinensis powder was extracted with 70% ethanol by sonication.The chromatographic separation was performed on a YMC ODS-C18 column (250 mm?4.6 mm I.D.,5 ?m) with a mobile phase composed of 20%CH3OH(A)-70%ACN(B) (0→30→45→65 min,20→30→90→100 B),eluted at a flow rate of 0.45 ml/min,and the UV detection wavelength was set at 265 nm.Positive ionization mode with a needle voltage of 5 000 V,a capillary voltage of 20 V,a gas(N2)press of 20 psi and a temperature of the drying gas of 300℃ was selected.Relative molecular mass data acquisition was performed from m/z 250 to 550 in full MS scan mode.Results: Nine major isoflavones were identified from Rhizoma belamcandae based on their retention behavior obtained on-line by their UV spectra and the HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS.Conclusion: A rapid and efficient HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS method for identifying the chemical constituents of Belamcandae chinensis has been established,which provides more scientific information for quality control of Rhizoma belamcandae.

Unfavorable psychic reactions or psychological crisis always occur in patients preliminarily diagnosed with cancer.By analyzing the psychological activities and affecting factors,we try to discuss the measures of psychological crisis intervention for patients preliminarily diagnosed with cancer.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of nifedipine combined with losartan on the blood pressure and renal function of hypertension complicated with coronary heart disease. METHODS:150 patients with hypertension complicated with coronary heart disease were randomly divided into observation group and control group. Control group was orally treated with Nifedipine sustained release tablet 30 mg,once a day;observation group was additionally treated with Losartan potassium capsules 50 mg,once a day. The treatment course for both groups was 1 month. Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,renal function indicators be-fore and after treatment,and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were observed. RESULTS:After treatment,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure after 3 months was lower than 1 month and lower than before treatment in same group,renal function indicators were significantly lower than before treatment,and observation group was lower than control group,the differ-ences were statistically significant(P<0.05);the incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was significantly lower than control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Nifedipine combined with losartan can well control the blood pressure of hypertension complicated with coronary heart disease,protect renal functions,with good safety.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences between clinicopathological features and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative (AFP < 20 ng/ml) and positive (AFP ≥ 20 ng/ml) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 142 AFP-negative and 109 AFP-positive HCC patients who underwent RO radical hepatectomy in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2006 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed in this study.

RESULTSCompared with the AFP-negative patients, a higher female to male sex ratio, the later Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer ( BCLC) stage, more liver capsule invasion and poorer Edmondson-Steiner grade were in the AFP-positive cases (P < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, the 1-, 3-, and 5- year overall survival rates were 94.4%, 82.4% and 61.0% in the AFP-negative group and 87.2%, 61.1% and 40.2%, respectively, in the AFP-positive group (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model showed that AFP status, tumor size and Edmondson-Steiner grade are independent risk factors for survival of all the patients (P < 0.05) , and large tumor and Edmondson-Steiner grades III/IV are independent risk factors for worse survival in AFP-negative patients (P < 0.05). However, large tumor diameter was proved to be an independent risk factor leading to poor prognosis of AFP-positive cases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh levels of AFP indicate that the tumors are more malignant and with unfavorable prognosis.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-tumor effect of monocytes/macrophages against Tca8113 cells and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acid microenvironment in vitro.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted from healthy person's blood and cultivated to transform into monocytes/macrophages. The monocytes/macrophages were cultured with Tca8113 in acid microenvironment (pH6.6 and pH6.8) and in normal microenvironment (pH7.2). The anti-tumor effect of monocytes/macrophages against Tca8113 cells were examined by MTT assay. The expression of VEGF was detected by enzyme-link immunoassay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe anti-tumor effect of monocytes/macrophages against Tca8113 cells in acid environment was lower than in normal environment (P < 0.05). VEGF excreted by mononuclear/macrophage was significantly higher in acid microenvironment than in normal microenvironment.

CONCLUSIONDue to acid microenvironment inside tumor, the anti-tumor effect of monocytes/macrophages against tumor cell was decreased, but the secretion of VEGF was gradually increased. However, the function of monocytes/macrophages on anti-tumor need more research.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective： This study was designed to investigate the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and the active sites of podophyllotoxin derivatives. Methods： Twenty-three podophyllotoxin derivatives had been designed to investigate 3D-QSAR against L1210 cells by comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), then they were studied by Austin model 1 (AM1) method of quantum chemical calculation. The 3D-QSAR and the active sites were discussed according to their stereo structure and electronic structure. Results： A CoMFA model with considerable predictive ability was established. The results showed that the C4 position was an effective modified point. The steric effect and the electrostatic effect of 4-substituted group were the dominant factor for the activity. The replacement of the “ -NH-” bridge at C4 with the “ -O-” bridge resulted in lowering of the anticancer activity. The results revealed that there was a large electropositive region around the B ring moiety and it could easily combine with an acceptor of the drug. The B ring was essential for the activity. The E ring and its C4′ hydroxyl group also have strong influence on the activity and is an important center of negative electricity within the molecule. Conclusions： The inhibitory activities of the compounds can be predicated by the CoMFA mode. The B ring and E ring are important active sites of the molecule.

BACKGROUNDCompletely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is a reasonable treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, the indication for this procedure is stage Ia and Ib peripheral lung cancer (≤ 5 cm); however, for larger tumors, it remains controversial whether this surgical technique is comparable to open lobectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, completeness, and efficacy of thoracoscopic lobectomy, and to compare this technique with open lobectomy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer when the tumor's diameter was greater than 5 cm.

METHODSFrom May 2001 to April 2011, 802 patients underwent a lobectomy for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer at our center. In 133 patients, the tumor was > 5 cm. There were 98 men and 35 women, median age 63 years (range: 29 - 81 years). We divided the patients into two groups, group V (completely video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), and group T (open lobectomy), and evaluated the two groups for age, gender, tumor size, pathological type, location, duration of surgery, blood loss, lymph node dissection, pathological stage, time of drainage, hospitalization, complications, overall survival and recurrence.

RESULTSThere were 46 cases in group V and 87 cases in group T. Age, gender, tumor size, location, pathological type and stage were similar between the two groups. Group V had shorter operative duration ((186.5 ± 62.8) minutes vs. (256.7 ± 67.5) minutes, P < 0.001) and reduced bleeding ((218.5 ± 174.6) ml vs. (556.9 ± 187.2) ml, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in complications, lymph node dissection, time of drainage and hospitalization. The recurrence between the two groups was equivalent (2.4% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.670). The overall survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 95.1%, 81.6% and 69.6% for group V and 88.3%, 78.8% and 64.0% for group T. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that there was no significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.129).

CONCLUSIONSCompletely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy was similar to open lobectomy in safety, completeness, and efficacy, but had a shorter operative duration, and reduced bleeding. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is feasible for a subset of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with tumor size > 5 cm.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate technique aspects of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for benign diseases.

METHODSRetrospective review of 24 patients with benign pulmonary disease underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy from September 2006 to September 2008. One patient had bilateral bronchiectasis received concurrent bilateral lobectomy. The patients included 11 males and 13 females with mean age of 49.0 years. Fifteen cases were diagnosed as benign diseases preoperatively consisted 10 bronchiectasis as the primary indication. The other 9 cases were pulmonary nodules pathologic diagnosed intra-operatively. Inflammation changes including dense plural adhesions, pulmonary artery adhesions and calcified lymph nodes were managed endoscopically.

RESULTSAll 25 thoracoscopic procedures were completely with no conversion to thoracotomy. The mean operation time was (163 +/- 52) min, blood loss was (163 +/- 130) ml. There was no hospital death or major morbidity. Postoperative drainage was (5.8 +/- 2.8) d. No long-term complications were noticed during a mean follow-up of 7.3 months.

CONCLUSIONChronic inflammation induced adhesions is the key limiting factor for thoracoscopic lobectomy for benign diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the middle and distal circum peeling with bleeding control technique for redundant prepuce.

METHODSThe middle and distal part of prepuce was circum peeled with bleeding control and electrical scalpel. More preputial inner plate was reserved.

RESULTSFrom January 2004 to July 2008, 51 patients with redundant prepuce were treated with this procedure. The average blood loss was 1 to approximately 2 ml with minimal edema. The proportion of inner and outer plates was suitable.

CONCLUSIONSThis technique has the advantages of minimal blood loss and slight edema. The cosmetic result is also satisfactory.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premedication ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the correlation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( MTB ) PhoPR two-component system and drug resistance of MTB clinical isolates widespread in Xinjiang region by analyzing the expression of PhoP gene and PhoR gene among different isolates .Methods Total RNA of MTB was extracted from drug-susceptible strains , the strains only resistant to a single first-line anti-TB drugs (INH, RFP, SM and EB) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, respectively.The purity of total RNA was checked by agarose gel electrophoresis .The expressions of PhoP gene and PhoR gene were quantified by using SYBR Green I qRT-PCR and the differences of their gene expression in different isolates were ana-lyzed.Results Compared with the drug-susceptible strains of MTB, the expression of PhoP gene was up-regulated for about 1.48 times in MTB strains resistant to RFP (RFP-MTB) and 2.74 times in MDR strain (P<0.05).Compared with MDR strain, the expressions of PhoP gene in the isolates resistant to INH (IN-HMTB), RFP (RFP-MTB), SM (SM-MTB) and EB (EB-MTB) were down-regulated for 0.70, 0.50, 0.25 and 0.21 times respectively.The expressions of PhoR gene were down-regulated for 0.36, 0.54, 0.35 and 0.19 times, respectively (P<0.05).The expressions of PhoR gene in the isolates of INH-MTB, RFP-MTB, SM-MTB and EB-MTB were up-regulated for 6.33, 4.56, 2.34, 1.85 and 9.06 times, respectively as compared with the drug-susceptible strains (P<0.05).Conclusion Significant differences of PhoR gene and PhoP gene expressions were observed among drug-susceptible strains , INH-MTB, RFP-MTB, SM-MTB, EB-MTB and MDR strains.Therefore, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoPR two-component system is asso-ciated with the drug resistance of MTB strains prevalent in Xinjiang region .