Aim To observe the effects of liver cirrho-sis on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) and ColⅠin rat myocardium and interven-tion of erythropoietin ( EPO ) . Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dasley rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group, liver cirrhosis group and EPO group, then the cardic hemodynamic parameters in vivo and levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) as well as creatine kinase isoenzyme ( CK-MB) were measured. With Masson′s trichrome stain, changes of collagen formation of myocardial tissue in different groups were observed. Also the mRNA ex-pressions of TGF-β1 and ColⅠin myocardium were de-tected by RT-PCR. Results In contrast to control group, rats in liver cirrhosis group showed a decline in systolic and diastolic function of left ventricule, rising myocardial enzyme, a distinct increase of cardiac colla-gen deposition, as well as an elevation of TGF-β1 and ColⅠmRNA expressions. In contrast to liver cirrhosis group, rats in EPO group demonstrated an improve-ment in systolic and diastolic function of left ventricule as well as in cardiac collagen deposition, and a de-crease in both myocardial enzyme and TGF-β1 and ColⅠmRNA expressions. Conclusion Liver cirrhosis can lead to the changes of myocardial structure and function in rats,and it can accelerate myocardial inter-stitial fibrosis; EPO can protect the myocardial injury in liver cirrhosis rats.

Objective To evaluate the change of renal function in patients with acute stroke by estimate glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR). Methods One hundred patients with acute stroke admitted into hospital from emergency department in 72 h were enrolled. There were 100 patients, with 50 male patients and 50 female patients. Fifty-eight patients were older than 50 years old, and 42 patients were less than 50 years. Blood samples were collected from the next day in hospital to detect the level of creatinine (Cr), then e-GFR was calculated with a simplified method of modification of diet in renal disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation published kidney disease outcome quality initiative (K/DOQI), the renal function of these 100 patients was estimated. The outcome of e-GFR and Cr were compared. The differences of e-GFR in patients with acute stroke were analyzed from the aspects of age and gender. Results 56.0% (56/100) patients were determined as decreased renal function according to the standard of GFR<90 ml/(min · 1.73 m2). 4.0% (4/100) patients were determined as decreased renal function according to the standard of Cr> 124μmol/L. The abnormal rate of e-GFR in patients older than 50 years old was 93.1%(54/58), in patients less than 50 years old was 4.8%(2/42), and there was significantly difference (χ2=77.16, P<0.01). The abnormal rate of e-GFR in male and female had no significantly difference: 54.0%(27/50) vs. 58.0% (29/50), P > 0.05. Conclusions The decreased renal function in patients with acute stroke is common. The detection of e-GFR can more accurately assess the patient′s renal function and provide a basis for individual choice of drugs.

Objective To evaluate the effect of late course accelerated hyperfractionated irradiation combined with intraluminal hyperthermia for esophageal carcinoma. Methods From March 2000 to October 2002, totally 91 such eligible patients were entered into the prospective randomized control trial of late course accelerated hyperfractionated irradiation (LCAH-, 44 patients) versus LCAH combined with intraluminal hyperthermia ( LCAH-HT-, 47 patients). Radiotherapy regimen consisted of conventional fractionation radiotherapy (1.8 ?Gy/f, 5f/w, totally 41.4 ?Gy/23fx) during the first two-thirds of the radiotherapy course, followed by accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy (1.5?Gy/f, 2f/d, with 6 h interval), using the cone-down fields, to a total dose of 68.4?Gy/41fx . Hyperthermia was given weekly during conventional fractionation irradiation, totally 4 times. Results The CR and PR rates were 47.7% and 72.3%, 52.3%and 27.8% in the LCAH arm and LCAH-HT group,respectively(P=0.016). The median survivals were 30.3 and 30.6 months,the 1-,2-,3-year survival rates were 77.3%,57.4% ,37.3% and 80.5%,68.6%, 46.3%(P= 0.526 ), the 1-,2-,3-year local control rates were 86.3%,70.5%,56.5% and 92.4%,72.5%,65.5% (P= 0.686 )in the LCAH group and LCAH-HT group,respectively. Grade III and severer of esophagitis were 18.2% and 27.6% in LCAH and LCAH-HT (P= 0.498 ), Grade III and severer tracheitis were 11.4% and 19.2% respectively (P=0.191). Conclusions The immediate effect of LCAH combined with hyperthermia is better than that of LCAH alone. Additional hyperthermia to LCAH does not increase the likelihood of radiation injury.

A new flavonoid glycoside, (-)-2S-8-methyl-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with five known ones, quercetin-3-O-(2"-galloyl)-α-L-arabinoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-arabinoside (3), guaijaverin (4), trifolin (5) and hyperin (6), was isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, CD spectra data and physicochemical methods. In addition, 2-6 were isolated from E. robusta for the first time.
Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

Objective To explore the application of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in the treatment of dysphagia post-stroke. Methods Eighty patients were assigned into control and treatment groups. Both groups accepted routine drug treatments and physical therapy, and all patients underwent VFSS on the 1 st and 28th day of the study. The patients in the treatment group accepted weekly VFSS in addition, and their swal-lowing training schedules were formulated according to the VFSS assessment results. Water drinking tests and de-glutition disorders were adopted to assess the patients' swallowing function before and after therapy. Results In treatment group, where the therapy schedule was adjusted using VFSS every week, the adjustment proportion at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week was 20.6% , 40.7% and 15.8% , respectively. Before treatment there was no difference between the two groups with regard to water drinking, deglutition or VFSS scores. After training the water drinking and deglutition results and the time for iodine to transit the oral cavity and pharynx all improved significantly in both groups. The improvements in the treatment group were significantly greater than in the con-trol group. Conclusions Swallowing training based on videofluoroscopic assessment can significantly alleviate post-stroke dysphagia.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Ray cartilage glycosaminoglycans (RCG) on the expression of MMP-9 in Lewis lung carcinoma of mice.

METHODThe model of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma was induced. The experimental mice were randomly divided into normal saline group, RCG groups at varied concentrations and CTX group. Tumor growth state was observed, and tumor inhibitory rate of primary tumor and number of lung metastasis focus were measured. The expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein in Lewis lung carcinoma was determined with RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTAs compared with normal saline group, tumor growth curves in RCG groups were smooth, there were significant differences of inhibitory rates of primary tumor and number of lung metastasis focus between RCG groups and normal saline group, and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels in RCG groups were reduced significantly.

CONCLUSIONRCG can inhibit effectively the growth and metastasis of implanted Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice, which is probably attributed to reducing the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cartilage ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glycosaminoglycans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Skates (Fish)

Objective To investigate and analyze the clinical and imageological features of skull base erosion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma( NPC). Methods 67 NPC patients proved by pathology were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent both CT and MRI plain plus enhancement scan. Scan slices were performed from oral pharynx (lower border of second cervical vertebra) to suprasellar cistern by axial CT scans and axial, sagittal and coronal MRI scans. Results (1) 52 patients with skull base erosion were found with MRI, and only 35 patients with CT. The following structures and figures were difined with CT and MRI respectively: pterygoid plates 8,14; clivus 22,25 ; petrous apex 25 ,28 ; sphenoid body or sinus 19,25; sphenoid wing 9, 12; cavernous sinus 14,17. The display difference between CT and MRI had statistical significance ( x2= 9. 47 , P = 0. 02). (2) CT- defined skull base erosion was most bone destruction , however, not only bone destruction but also tumor crossing skull base structure could be defined by MRI. (3) The incidence of headache was 82.7% (43/52) , cranial nerve palsy was 67. 3% (35/52) , both headache and cranial nerve palsy was 57. 7% (30/52). Conclusion Headache and cranial nerve palsy are primary characteristics of the skull base erosion in NPC. MRI is superior to CT in defining both bone erosion and brain tissue abnormality.

Cerebral venous and sinus Thrombosis (CVST) is a rare ischemic cerebrovascular disease,the lesions of 60% patients are involved in multiple venous sinus,of which the superior sagittal sinus thrombosis is most common.The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of CVST has not yet been fully elucidated,and the establishment of stable and ideal animal models can provide a basis for the study of its development,prognosis and efficacy assessment.This article summarizes the characteristics and advantages of several available CVST models,but each method has its own limitations.Therefore,the establishment of a more ideal animal model will help to fully understand the pathogenesis and pathological process of CVST.

By means of comparing biomasses of biodegradation fungi,Fusarium sp.HG-P-01 for ?-cypermethrin,a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used widely in China,in five different media,the Czapek-Dox medium was selected as the best medium for mycelia growth.Furthermore,an experiment of central composite rotatable design(CCRD) was used to optimize the content of nutrient components.The optimal composition of C,N and P in media for HG-P-01 were 20.94 g/L,1.82 g/L and 1.66 g/L,respec-tively,in which an expectant or real rate of ?-cypermethrin-degradation got to 96.34% or 93.78% by HPLC for a concentration of 50 mg/L after 24 h treatment.The predicted value in degradation rate model was con-sistent with that from HPLC method.

OBJECTIVETo study changes of left ventricular remodeling (LVR) in hypertension patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) of phlegm-dampness syndrome (PDS).

METHODSDoppler ultrasonography data of CAS were observed in 223 hypertension patients with CAS (as the hypertension group, including 119 patients of the PDS group and 104 of the non-PDS group), 81 CAS patients with non-hypertension, and 19 non-hypertension non-CAS patients (as the control group). The difference in the degree of LVR was compared among the above groups.

RESULTSThe left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), inter ventricular septum thickness (IVS), E/A were higher in the hypertension group than in the non-hypertension group (P < 0.05). The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), stroke volume (SV) were higher in the soft plaque hypertension group and the soft plaque non-hypertension group than in the hard plaque group, the thickening intimal group, and the normal intimal group (P < 0.01 , P < 0.05). The LVEDD, LVESD, and SV were higher, and the ejection fraction (EF) was lower in the PDS hypertension group than in the non-PDS hypertension group (all P < 0.05). Of them, LVEDD, LVESD, and SV were higher in the soft plaque group than in the hard plaque group (P < 0.01), the thickening intimal group (P < 0.01) and the normal intimal group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in PDS hypertension between the soft plaque group and the hard plaque group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hypertension patients with CAS of PDS might be correlated to LVR, and LVR was more obviously in the soft plaque patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Ventricular Remodeling