OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Wu-He Dipsacus asper (WHDA), Traditional Chinese Medicine, injection on mice-aging model induced by D-galactose.

METHODSForty-eight Kunming mice (24 male and 24 female) were randomly divided into control group, model group, positive control group, 7.2 g/kg WHDA group, 3.6 g/kg WHDA group and 1.8 g/kg WHDA group with eight in each group. The model was induced through injecting D-galactose into peritoneal cavity and Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and cognitive ability of mice. The skin hydroxyproline, brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin (LP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels of mice were detected; the IL-2 and IL-6 levels in serum of mice were detected by using double antibody sandwich ELISA method.

RESULTSEach WHDA group was significantly reduced in latency period compared with the model group during Morris water maze test (P < 0.05) and the number of mice in model group through the platform was less than other mice in each group (P < 0.05). The levels of MAD and LP of the control group and each WHDA group were less than model group in the detection of heart, brain tissue oxidation index (SOD, MAD, LP and GSH-Px, P < 0.05). The activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the control group and each WHDA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The skin hydroxyproline content of mice which had been injected with D-galactose was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05) and the skin hydroxyproline content of mice of WHDA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The IL-2, IL-6 levels in serum of mice in WHDA group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the model group (P < 0.05) and the IL-2, IL-6 levels in serum of mice in the model group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effective constituents of WHDA have a variety of biological activity which can have a good effect on anti-aging by different ways, improving learning and memory function, eliminating free radicals antioxidant, and enhancing the body immunity and other aspects.

Aging ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Galactose ; toxicity ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Interleukins ; blood ; Learning ; drug effects ; Lipofuscin ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the difference of carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) among different glucose tolerance status and to investigate the association of IMT with different glucose levels of 4 time points during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the lipid metabolic indices in non-diabetic subjects. Methods Eleven normal control subjects, 69 subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) newly diagnosed by OGTT (including 28 patients with non-elevated OGTT 30 min and 60 min glucose values (

OBJECTIVETo determine the proportion of Tc17 cells in the lungs of mice with neutrophilic(NEU) asthma, and to investigate the role of Tc17 cells in the pathogenesis of NEU asthma.

METHODSThirty-two C57/B6 mice of clean grade were randomly divided into two groups: NEU asthma and control. The mice in the NEU asthma group were sensitized by airway instillation of ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and challenged with an aerosol of OVA, while those in the control group were sensitized and challenged with normal saline. At 24 hours after the final challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and the total number and differential counts of nucleated cells and percentage of each type were determined. The lung tissues were separated and hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lungs; flow cytometry was applied to determine the percentages of Tc17 and Th17 cells in the lung tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in BALF.

RESULTSThe NEU asthma group had a significantly higher total number of nucleated cells, a significantly higher percentage of eosinophils, and a significantly higher percentage of neutrophils in BALF than the control group (P<0.01). The NEU asthma group also had significantly higher percentages of Tc17 and Th17 cells than the control group (P<0.01). In the NEU asthma group, the percentage of Tc17 cells was positively correlated with that of Th17 cells (P<0.05). The NEU asthma group had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-17 in BALF than the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Tc17 cells in the lung tissues increases in mice with NEU asthma, and the increased number of Tc17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of NEU asthma. Tc17 cells may play an important role in NEU asthma through IL-17.

Animals ; Asthma ; genetics ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mice ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

Adult ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the efficacy of transvenous embolization in the management of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas. Methods Nine patients with cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were treated by transvenous embolization. Results Eight of the 9 patients were cured and 1 patient showed symptomatic improvement after the operations. No deterioration or death occurred in these cases. Follow-up of the patients for 2 to 96 months found no cases of relapse or exacerbation. Conclusion Transvenous embolization is effective and safe in the management of cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Objective To observe the expression and clinical implication of plasma miR-328 in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods Fifty-eight patients with AF (AF group: 17 paroxysmal AF,21 persistent AF,and 20 permanent AF) and 15 healthy volunteers (Control group) were included.General clinical data and related biochemical parameters were collected.Plasma miR-328 levels were detected with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis.The correlation between plasma miR-328 and AF risk factors was analyzed.Results (1) Compared with the control group,the expression level of plasma miR-328 was significantly elevated in AF group (fold 7.72 ± 9.32) (P ＜ 0.05).(2) In AF group,the expression of plasma miR-328 was significantly different in different type of AF [paroxysmal AF with (1.98 ± 0.81),persistent AF with (6.57 ± 5.82) and permanent AF with (13.47 ± 12.29)] (P ＜ 0.05),and which was increased in proportion to the duration of AF.(3) There was a positive correlation between plasma miR-328 level and left atrial diameter in the AF group (r =0.310,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion miR-328 expression is significantly increased in patients with AF,which may be involved in the atrial remodeling process of AF.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of exemestane (a new aromatase inactivator) in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-three patients with advanced breast cancer entered this study with two patients excluded because of postmenopausal time being less than one year. Therefore, 173 patients could be evaluated for adverse events and 171 patients could be evaluated for efficacy. Exemestane, 25 mg orally daily for 4 weeks as one cycle was given.

RESULTSIn the 171 patients evaluated for efficacy, 4 (2.3%) experienced a complete response (CR) and 40 (23.4%) a partial response (PR), with the overall response rate of 25.7%. Ninety patients (52.6%) had stable disease (SD), with 25 having SD for at least 24 weeks. The clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD > or = 24 weeks) was shown in 69 (40.4%) patients. Progressive disease (PD) was shown in 37 (21.6%) patients. The untreated patients had a higher objective response rate (33.8%) than the retreated ones (18.1%) with significant difference (P = 0.019 7). The response rates for soft-tissue, bone involvement and visceral metastasis were 32.8%, 23.9%, and 12.4% (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in different ages, time of menopause, disease-free interval or receptor status (P > 0.05). Drug-related adverse events were gastric discomfort (17.9%), malaise (17.9%), nausea (13.9%), hot flushes (11.0%) and dysphoria (5.8%). Other side reactions and abnormal laboratory parameters were observed occasionally which were irrelevant.

CONCLUSIONExemestane can be used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer giving only mild adverse reactions which are well tolerated.

Adult ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effects of microvaseular decompression on primary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods The general clinical data,culprit vessels and therapeutic effects of the surgical interventions were analyzed in 181 patients(aged from 24 to 79 years with a mean of54.9 years,including 78 male and 103 female patients)with established diagnosis of primary trigeminal neuralgia admitted from January,2000 to Deceber,2007. Results Blood type O was present in 43.65%of the 181 patients with trigeminal neuralgia,which had an increasing tendency compared to the national norm(33.8%).The morbidity ratio between the right and left side was 1.8:l in these patients.Forty-five patients(24.86%)were identified to have more than 2 culprit vessels.The culprit vessels included the superior cerebellar artery(96 cases),posterior inferior cerebellar artery(7 cases),anterior inferior cerebellar artery(25 cases),arteries communicated with veins(25 cases),internal auditory artery (13 cases),basilar artery(15 cases),vertical artery(9 cases),exclusive veins(15 cases,mainly vena pelrosa and bridging vein)and unknown vessels(9 cases).of the 181 cases,171(94.48%)were cured within one month,9(4.97%)showed relieved symptoms but required drug therapy,and 1 was in vegetative state(0.55%). Conclusions Patients with blood type O may have greater chance of developing primary trigeminal neuralgia.Microvascular decompression is an ideal treatment for primary trigeminal neuralgia,and clear identification of the culprit vessels can be crucial for decreasing the postoperative recurrence.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the influence of uncinate process on air flow velocity, trace, distribution, air pressure, as well as the air flow exchange of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Methods Fluent software was used to simulate two nasal cavity and paranasal sinus structures following CT scanning, one hod normal nasal cavity, the another had the nasal cavity with uncinate process removde. Air flow velocity, essure, distribution and trace lines were calculated and compared by avierStokes equation and numerically visualized between two odels. Results Air flow of two models in the ommon and middle meatus accounted for more than 50% and 30% of total nasal cavity flow. Flow velocity of two models were aximal in the common eatus, followed by the middle meatus. The maximal velocity xisted on the left nasal district between limen nasi and head of inferior turbinate. The flow traces of two medels were similar. In the normal model, the air flow velocity of the district around uncinate process was almost the same in inhale and exhale. In the model with the uncinate process removed, the air flow velocity of the district around uncinate process was faster, the air flow velocity in expiratory phase was quicker. Compared with the normal nasal cavity, there was more exchange of maxillary sinus in the model with cut uncinate process. Conclusions In the view of flow dynamics, the uncinate process effect sthe air flow velocity of the district around uncinate process and the exchange of maxillary sinus, the contribution of nasal flow is connected with the morphosis of the uncinate process.

Objective To study the airflow velocity, trace, distribution, pressure, as well as the airflow exchange between the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in a computer simulation of nasal cavity pre and post virtual endoscopic sinus surgery(ESS).Methods Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)technique was applied to construct an anatomically and proportionally accurate three-dimensional nasal model based on a healthy adult woman's nasal CT scans. A virtual ESS intervention Was performed numerically on the normal hasal model using Fluent 6.1.22 software. Navier-Stokes and continuity equations were used to flux in the common meatus decreased significantly. FIUX in the middle meatus and the connected area of significantly changed in the middle meatus. Wide-ranging vortices formed at the maxillary sinus, the Conclusions After ESS airflow velocity, flux and trace were altered. Airflow exchange increased in each nasal sinus, especially in the maxillary sinus.