OBJECTIVETo study the changes of thrombomodulin(TM) in both plasma and tissue extracts of cancer patients for evaluating its clinical significance.

METHODSPlasma TM levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in plasma of 188 cancer patients and in 24 cancer tissue extracts including their adjacent normal tissue.

RESULTSThe plasma TM levels both in cancer patients and in metastasis patients were significantly higher than that in controls [(33.47+/-14.25) microg/L/ (41.68 +/-16.96) micro/L, compared with (20.40+/-7.22) microg/L, P<0.01]. The plasma TM levels in cancer patients after operation decreased obviously [(18.45+/-9.96) microg/L, compared with (28.29+/-11.74) microg/L,P<0.01]. Whereas, the plasma TM levels in patients with recurrence and metastasis after operation increased obviously [(34.50+/-12.57 micro/L]. The plasma TM levels in metastasis of lung cancers, gastric cancers and pancreatic cancers were significantly higher than that in non-metastasis (P<0.05 approximate, equals 0.01) respectively, but no significant differences were found between controls and non-metastasis cancers including gastric cancers, pancreatic cancers, nasopharyngeal cancers, large intestine cancers and laryngeal cancers (P>0.05). The TM levels in cancer tissue extracts were significantly lower than that in their adjacent normal tissue extracts [(647.71+/-317.51)) microg/L,compared with (1455.63+/-772.22) microg/L,P<0.01]. On the contrary, the plasma TM levels in these cancers were higher than that in controls.

CONCLUSIONThe rise of plasma TM levels in cancer patients is associated with metastasis and diffusion of cancers. The TM levels can be used as an sensitive index for judging progression and metastasis of cancers.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms ; blood ; chemistry ; Thrombomodulin ; analysis ; blood ; Tissue Extracts ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the plasma levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator(u-PA) and its soluble receptor(suPAR )in patients with multiple myeloma(MM) and to evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSPlasma u-PA and suPAR levels in 34 MM cases were measured with enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes of plasma u-PA and suPAR levels in 6 MM cases were observed in succession before and after chemotherapy.

RESULTThe plasma u-PA and suPAR levels of MM patients were significantly higher than those of controls. The plasma u-PA and suPAR levels in the progress period was significantly higher than those in the stable period of MM patients as well as in controls (P<0.01), whereas there were no significant difference between the stable period of MM patients and controls (P>0.05). Among 6 cases,the plasma u-PA and suPAR levels after chemotherapy were significantly lower than those before chemotherapy (P<0.05). MM patients with tumor cells >20% in bone marrow smear had higher levels of plasma u-PA and suPAR than those with tumor cells <19% (P<0.05 P<0.01). The plasma u-PA and suPAR levels were positively correlated with the levels of serum globulin and the percentage of tumor cells in bone marrow,but negatively correlated with the levels of serum albumin.

CONCLUSIONPlasma u-PA and suPAR levels can serve as an index for clinical staging and assessing the therapeutic effect in MM patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

OBJECTIVEThe prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has markedly increased. Insulin resistance has been implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This study was aimed at observing the relationship between insulin resistance and NAFLD, and evaluating the role of pioglitazone (PGZ) acting as insulin-sensitizing agents in the prevention and treatment of rat fatty liver induced by high fat feeding.

METHODSThe rats were separated randomly into 6 groups: model group I were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks, PGZ prevention group were given PGZ 4 mg/(kg.d) simultaneously, while control group I were fed normal food for 8 weeks; model group II were fed high fat diet for 16 weeks, PGZ treatment group were given PGZ 4 mg/(kg.d) orally simultaneous with high fat diet for 8 weeks after high fat feeding for 8 weeks, control group II were fed normal food for 16 weeks. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and 16 weeks respectively. Liver weight, body weight, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FINS), HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and the liver histology of rats of all groups were assayed.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks, the liver in model group I showed typical steatosis, accompanied with mild to moderate lobular inflammatory cell infiltration, liver indexes and serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-alpha were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with control group I. Whereas, the degree of hepatic injury was attenuated in PGZ prevention group, liver indexes and serum levels of ALT, ALP were significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with model group I. After 16 weeks, notable steatosis, and lobular inflammation were observed in model group II rat liver, while the degree of hepatic injury was attenuated in the PGZ treatment group. Liver index, serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly increased (P<0.05) in model group II compared with control group II. Whereas, in PGZ treatment group, serum levels of AST and FINS showed decreasing tendency, liver indexes, serum levels of ALT, ALP, TNF-alpha and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased compared with model group II.

CONCLUSIONInsulin resistance plays a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in rats. Pioglitazone can attenuate insulin resistance and biochemical and histological injury in high fat-induced fatty liver in rats.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate efficacy and safety of Baimai ointment (see symbol in text) in the treatment of wrist-dysfunction after distal radius fracture.

METHODSFrom April, 2011 to June, 2012, 43 patients with distal radius fracture were treated with plaster fixation. All the patients were divided into two group: test group and control group. Twenty-one patients in test group and 22 in control group, and the baseline was balance (P > 0.05). The 21 patients in test group were treated with Baimai ointment (see symbol in text), fomentation, functional exercises. The 22 patients in control group were treated with placebo, fomentation, functional exercises. Foment affected side wrist with wet towel in 20 min before medication, with the temperature between 50 degrees C and 60 degrees C. Smear drugs uniformly in range of 3 cm in the vicinity of palm stripes after drying (about 3 g) and take functional exercises for the activities of wrist and hand. Continuous follow the program per 8 hours once and follow-up for 8 weeks. The Wrist's pain was assessed with VAS. The wrist's activities were measured with the protractor of orthopedic. Measure The grip strength was measured with dynamometer. The wrist's function were assessed with the table of Cooney.

RESULTSThe test group had a significantly better results than those of control group in the extent of wrist's pain throughout the treatment (P < 0.001), and grip strength on the 28th day and the 56th day (P < 0.05), and Cooney functional assessment on the 56th day (P < 0.05). Wrist's activities had no significane difference throughout the 8 weeks (P > 0.05). There were no drug adverse reactions occurred.

CONCLUSIONTibetan Baimai ointment (see symbol in text) has the treatment of wrist-dysfunction after distal radius fracture for external use, which can reduce the extent of wrist's pain, promote grip strength recovery in the middle and late of process, promote wrist's function recovery latterly, and safety for external use.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Ointments ; Radius Fractures ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Recovery of Function ; Wrist Joint ; drug effects ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in plasma, pleural and ascites fluid of malignant tumor patients and to evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSThe soluble Apo-1/Fas levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the plasma of 157 malignant tumor patients and 25 normal controls as well as in the pleural and ascite fluids of 129 patients with various diseases.

RESULTThe plasma soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in acute and chronic leukemia and multiple myeloma were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P <0.05). The plasma soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia were significantly higher than those in acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia, respectively (P <0.05). After chemotherapy, the plasma soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in complete remission group were distinctly decreased(P <0.05),whereas the levels in no remission and recurrence groups remained high. Compared with normal controls, the plasma soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in solid tumors were significantly increased (P <0.01), and the levels in metastasis cancers were significantly higher than those in non-metastasis cancer (P <0.0 1). Simultaneously the levels in remission cancer patients after operation and radiotherapy were distinctly lower than those before treatment(P <0.01), but were significantly increased in recurrence cancer patients (P <0.01). The soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in pleural and ascites fluid of malignant tumors were significantly higher than those in tuberculous effusions and transudates.

CONCLUSIONThe soluble Apo-1/Fas levels in plasma, pleural and ascites fluid of malignant tumor patients are markedly increased, which might be associated with the progress of cancers. The changes of soluble Apo-1/Fas levels may be useful for understanding the pathologic process of cancers and to differential diagnosis of various pleural and ascites fluids.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ascitic Fluid ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; blood ; chemistry ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; chemistry ; fas Receptor ; analysis ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the intermediate and long-term follow-up effect of posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization in lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSThe clinical outcomes of 96 patients (male 51, female 45, age from 21 to 68 years, mean 41.5 years) whose follow-up time were more than 2 years with lumbar degenerative disease treated by posterior decompression with Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization implant or combined with posterior lumbar fusion from August 2007 to January 2010 were retrospectively studied, and assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) and spinal operative standard of Chinese Medical Association. The early and long-term follow-up effect and complications associated with Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization were recorded. The height of intervertebral space at the treated level in lateral plain film were measured at preoperatively, 3 month postoperatively and last follow-up, respectively. The finds of MRI obtained at over 6 month postoperative were recorded.

RESULTSThe operative procedure of Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization implant was easy and less invasive. The VAS scores were 78 ± 24, 28 ± 16 and 14 ± 12 preoperatively, 3 month postoperatively and last follow-up, respectively. The good or excellent result was 91.7% at the last follow-up. No complication related with Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization was found. The rate of patient's satisfaction with the Wallis implant operation was 95.8%. The disc height at the treated level in lateral plain film were (8.2 ± 3.7), (10.4 ± 2.6) and (10.1 ± 1.9) mm at preoperatively, 3 month postoperatively and last follow-up, respectively. There is no further degenerative change found in MRI obtained at over 6 month postoperative. MRI 1 year after Wallis procedure showed rehydration of the formerly black disc at the treated level.

CONCLUSIONSIt is easy and safe to use Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization in treatment of degenerative lumbar disease, and the effect of the intermediate and long-term follow-up more than 2 years is good. The Wallis system provides an alternative for treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

To investigate the Fe2+ effects on root tips in rice plant, experiments were carried out using border cells in vitro. The border cells were pre-planted in aeroponic culture and detached from root tips. Most border cells have a long elliptical shape. The number and the viability of border cells in situ reached the maxima of 1600 and 97.5%, respectively, at 20-25 mm root length. This mortality was more pronounced at the first 1-12 h exposure to 250 mg/L Fe2+ than at the last 12-36 h. After 36 h, the cell viability exposed to 250 mg/L Fe2+ decreased to nought, whereas it was 46.5% at 0 mg/L Fe2+. Increased Fe2+ dosage stimulated the death of detached border cells from rice cultivars. After 4 h Fe2+ treatment, the cell viabilities were > or =80% at 0 and 50 mg/L Fe2+ treatment and were <62% at 150, 250 and 350 mg/L Fe2+ treatment; The viability of border cells decreased by 10% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. After 24 h Fe2+ treatment, the viabilities of border cells at all the Fe2+ levels were <65%; The viability of border cells decreased by 20% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. The decreased viabilities of border cells indicated that Fe2+ dosage and treatment time would cause deadly effect on the border cells. The increased cell death could protect the root tips from toxic harm. Therefore, it may protect root from the damage caused by harmful iron toxicity.
Iron ; toxicity ; Oryza ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development

In order to get some novel compounds with potent iNOS inhibitory activity, 12 target compounds of N-[ 4-( benzimidazole-2-thio) phenyl ] -N'-alkyl guanidine derivatives ( I1- I12 ) were synthesized from 1-benzoyl-3-[ 4-( benzimidazole-2-thio) phenyl] thioureas (4) by hydrolysis with 2. 0 mol x L(-1) sodium hydroxide solution containing tetrahydrofuran to form the corresponding N-[ 4-(benzimidazole-2-thio) phenyl] thioureas (5) which was S-ethylated with ethyl iodide, followed by amination with primary amines or secondary amines. The intermediate 4 was synthesized from 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (1) by reaction with 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene to form 2-( 4-nitrophenylthio) benzimidazole (2) which was reduced by iron powder and hydrochloric acid, followed by reaction with benzoyl isothiocyanate. The structures of compounds I1 - I12 were confirmed by IR, MS,1H NMR and elemental analysis. The results of preliminary pharmacological test showed that the activities of three compounds (I 1, I8 and I10) were stronger than aminoguanidine, especially for compound I1.
Animals ; Benzimidazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Guanidines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Objective To study the effects of melatonin (MT) on mitochondrial autophagy in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Method Animal model of HIBD was established.Forty-five 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group and HIBD group.Brain tissue were taken at 0,2,4,6,8,12,24 and 48 h after model preparation,and the expressions of mitochondrial autophagy-related protein Bnip3 and autophagy-related protein LC3-Ⅱ were detected.Seventy-two 7-day-old SD rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group,HIBD group and post-HIBD treatment group (3-MA,Mdivi-I,Rapa,MT,3-MA + MT,Mdivi-1 + MT,Rapa + MT).The sizes of cerebral infarction after different treatment were detected using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining (TIC).Primary cortical cells of fetal SD rats (embryonic day:17 ～ 19 d) were cultured.JC-I staining was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential and immunofluorescence method was used to observe mitochondrial autophagy.The Oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion/R (OGD) model was prepared.Autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1,autophagy activator Rapa,and MT were applied and Bnip3 and LC3-Ⅱ expressions and CCK8 (Cell Counting Kit CCK 8) for cell viability assay were examined.Result TTC staining results showed significant white infarcts in the tissue of HIBD group after hypoxia-ischemia,especially in the 3-MA and Mdivi-1 groups,and the infarcts were smaller in Rapa group and groups with MT treatment,the differences were statistical significant (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the sham operation group,the expressions of Bnip3 and LC3-Ⅱ in the HIBD group were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the normal group,the expressions of Bnip3 and LC3-Ⅱ in the OGD/R group were increased (P ＜0.05).The activities of 3-MA and Mdivi-1 cells decreased significantly,the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased,and mitochondrial autophagy were decreased (P ＜ 0.05).The cell activity,mitochondrial membrane potential,and mitochondrial autophagy of Rapa group were increased (P ＜ 0.05).The cell viability,Bnip3 and LC3-Ⅱ expressions were increased in groups with MT intervention (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion MT may play an important protective role in the early stage of brain injury by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy of HIBD,which provide a theoretical basis for the study of specific related mechanisms.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this work was to investigate the distribution pattern of fibrinolytic factors and their inhibitors in rabbit tissues.

METHODSThe components of the fibrinolytic system in extracts from a variety of rabbit tissues, including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen (Plg), plasmin (Pl) and alpha(2) plasmin inhibitor (alpha(2)PI), were determined by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe tissue extracts in renal, small intestine, lung, brain and spleen demonstrated strong fibrinolytic function, in which high activity of tPA, Plg and Pl was manifested; whereas in skeletal muscle, tongue and stomach, higher activity of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI showed obviously. Also excellent linear correlations were found between levels of tPA and PAI-1, Pl and alpha(2)PI, Plg and Pl. In related tissues, renal cortex and renal marrow showed distinctly higher activity of tPA and lower activity of PAI-1, with the levels of Plg and Pl in renal cortex being higher than those in renal marrow, where the alpha(2)PI level was higher than that in renal cortex. Similarly, the levels of tPA, Plg and Pl in small intestine were higher than those in large intestine, but with respect to PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI, the matter was reverse. In addition, the fibrinolytic activity in muscle tissue was lower, however, the levels of tPA, Plg, and Pl in cardiac muscle were obviously higher than those in skeletal muscles, and the levels of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI were significantly lower than those in skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONOur data demonstrate that a remarkable difference of the fibrinolytic patterns exists in rabbit tissues, which has probable profound significance in understanding the relationship between the function of haemostasis or thrombosis and the physiologic function in tissues.

Animals ; Female ; Fibrinolysin ; metabolism ; Fibrinolysis ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Plasminogen ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Extracts ; metabolism ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; alpha-2-Antiplasmin ; metabolism