Objective To investigate the effect of calcium antagonist verapamil on the function of rat?- cells and tolbutamide (D860)-induced insulin release.Methods Insulin released from isolated islets were measured in control,verapamil,D860,and verapamil+D860 groups.Furthermore,intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was conducted in acute experiments treated with verapamil and D860 respectively to assess?-cell function in rats with the same allocation as in vitro.Another IVGTT was performed in the end of 4 weeks' treatment.The insulin contents in pancreas were assayed and pancreas islets morphology were observed with immunohistochemistry.Results Verapamil could inhibit insulin release from isolated islets.Verapamil group was [(1.244?0.082)ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)]and control group (2.623?0.226) ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)(P0.05).Also,similar results were obtained in normal rats during acute experiments and verapamil reduce the hypoglycemic effect promoted by D860. However,above results were not observed in the end of 4 weeks experiments,and no difference for insulin content and morphological change in islets was found among four groups.Conclusion Treatment of verapamil chronically does not impair islet function and interfere with the hypoglycemic effect of D860 in rats .

OBJECTIVESTo probe into the relationship between the CT grouping of liver cirrhosis and its complications as well as clinical condition.

METHODSOn the basis of CT findings in 357 cases with liver cirrhosis, CT grouping of the cirrhosis was performed. The complications of the cirrhosis, including enlargement of spleen, varicose collateral veins, ascites, pleurorrhea, primary liver carcinoma, gallbladder stone, etc, of all groups were analyzed. According to examination the blood routine, and the serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine and uric acid, the condition of spleen function accentuation and liver-kidney syndrome were estimated.

RESULTSThree hundred and fifty-seven cases with cirrhosis were divided into homogeneous group (87 cases, 24.4%), segmental group (41 cases, 11.5%) and nodal group (229 cases, 64.1%). The grade of spleen enlargement in the segmental group and the nodal group was significantly greater than that in homogeneous group. The cases with varicose in the segmental group was the most (70.7%), in the nodal group next (17.0%) and in the homogeneous group the least (2.3%). There was significant difference among three groups. In the nodal group, there was ascites in 182 cases (79.5%) and significantly more than that in the segmental group (11 cases, 26.8%) and the homogeneous group (9 cases, 10.3%), and the former significantly more than the latter. There were 68 cases (29.7%) with primary liver carcinoma in the nodal group, and significantly more than that in the segmental group (1 case, 2.4%) and the homogeneous group (5 cases, 5.7%). The cases with hemoglobin decrease in the nodal group were significantly more than that in the homogeneous group. The averages of hemoglobin and platelet in the nodal group and the segmental group were significantly lower than that in the homogeneous group. The cases with SUN increase in the nodal group and the segmental group were significantly more than that in the homogeneous group. The concentration of SUN in the nodal group was significantly higher than that in the homogeneous group.

CONCLUSIONSThere are close relationship between the grouping of liver cirrhosis on basis of CT findings and complications of the cirrhosis. The practice of grouping might be useful for estimating clinical condition

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of mitochondrial proteome in hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone g (SAMPg) mice models with Alzheimer disease (AD),and to explore the possible protective mechanism of acupuncture on mitochondria.Methods:Sixty 6-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture at acupoint group,an acupuncture at non-acupoint group and a model group,20 mice in each group.The 20 male senescence-accelerated mouse/resistance 1 (SAMR1) mice of the same age were used as a normal control group.Shenshu (BL 23),Baihui (GV 20),Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL 17) were selected for acupuncture intervention in acupuncture at acupoint group.After an 8-week intervention,mitochondrial tissues were extracted from the hippocampus.Differentially expressed proteins were identified by subcellular organelle proteomics.Western blot was used to verify the expressions of some related proteins in hippocampal mitochondria.Results:Compared with the model group,there were 13 differentially expressed protein spots in the acupuncture at acupoint group,of which,9 were up-regulated,including neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL),actin (cytoplasmic 1,database ID:ACTB),tubulin beta-2A chain (TBB2A),tropomodulin-2 (TMOD2),pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit beta (PDHE1-β),NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit (database ID:NDUS1),heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (HSC71),pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit alpha (PDHE1-α) and ATP synthase beta subunit (ATP-β);4 were down-regulated,including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP),pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 (PDP1),mitochondrial-processing peptidase subunit alpha (MMP-α) and adenosine kinase (ADK).According to the information provided in the protein database,most of the differentially expressed proteins involve the regulation of mitochondrial function and structure.The expression levels of NFL and TBB2A in the normal control group and the acupuncture at acupoint group were significantly higher than those in the acupuncture at non-acupoint group (P＜0.05).ATP-β and NDUS1 expression levels were significantly higher in the acupuncture at acupoint group than those in the acupuncture at non-acupoint group (P＜0.05);there was no significant difference between the acupuncture at non-acupoint group and the model group (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture may achieve the potential therapeutic effect on AD by regulating the structure and functional proteins of hippocampal mitochondria.

[Abstract] Objective To study the morphology, muscle architecture index and distribution pattern of intramuscular nerve dense area of elbow muscle, so as to provide anatomical location for poster-lateral approach of elbow joint and transplantation of elbow muscle flap. Methods Through gross anatomy, muscle architecture index and modified Sihler’s intramuscular nerve staining, 10 cases with an average age of 64. 2 years were selected. Results The elbow muscle was approximate triangle, the muscle wet weight was (6. 31±0. 85) g, the muscle length was (6. 24±0. 78) cm, the muscle fiber length was (4. 74±0. 88) cm, pennation angle(70. 60±6. 41)°and the muscle physiological cross-sectional area was (0. 41±0. 15) cm

WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), a new member of the genus Polyomavirus in the family Polyomaviridae, is recently found in patients with respiratory tract infections. In our study, the complete genome of the two WUPyV isolates (FZ18, FZTF) were sequenced and deposited in GenBank (accession nos. FJ890981, FJ890982). The two sequences of the WUPyV isolates in this study varied little from each other. Compared with other complete genome sequences of WUPyV in GenBank (strain B0, S1-S4, CLFF, accession nos. EF444549, EF444550, EF444551, EF444552, EF444553, EU296475 respectively), the sequence length in nucleotides is 5228bp, 1bp shorter than the known sequences. The deleted base pair was at nucleotide position 4536 in the non-coding region of large T antigen (LTAg). The genome of the WUPyV encoded for five proteins. They were three capsid proteins: VP2, VP1, VP3 and LTAg, small T antigen (STAg), respectively. To investigate whether these nucleotide sequences had any unique features, we compared the genome sequence of the 2 WUPyV isolates in Fuzhou, China to those documented in the GenBank database by using PHYLIP software version 3.65 and the neighbor-joining method. The 2 WUPyV strains in our study were clustered together. Strain FZTF was more closed to the reference strain B0 of Australian than strain FZ18.
Adult ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polyomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of metoprolol on the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 (GRK2) in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS32 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were divided into control group and metoprolol group, 16 each. Conventional therapy was used in the control group, conventional therapy plua metoprolol was used in metoprolol group. The treatment courses were 8 weeks in both groups.

RESULTSLeft ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different between the two groups. Lymphocyte GRK2 mRNA level in metoprolol group was lower than that in control group.

CONCLUSIONMetoprolol can inhibit the expression of GRK2 in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical outcomes of stage I testis teratoma, including pure teratoma, and to provide information on the treatment options for this disease.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 27 cases of orchiectomy for stage I testis teratoma, excluding epidermoid cyst, and investigated its recurrence associated with treatment methods and clinicopathological factors.

RESULTSFour of the 27 cases relapsed, all in the orchiectomy group and confined to the retroperitoneal region, 3 with and the other 1 without risk factors, but with no death. No recurrence was found in those treated by orchiectomy followed by chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and platinum (BEP). The total rate of recurrence was 15.8%. No severe side effects were observed in the 9 patients undergoing adjuvant BEP chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONRisk factors may increase the recurrence rate of stage I testis teratoma, while postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can reduce it, including that of pure teratoma, though surveillance policy remains the most popular option after orchiectomy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Teratoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) and its differential diagnosis.

METHODSTen cases of FDCS were studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. The clinical features and follow-up information were analyzed.

RESULTSAmongst the 10 cases of FDCS studied, the male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The mean age of the patients was 42 years. Six of them were located in cervical and peritoneal lymph nodes and four in extranodal sites (including tonsil, pelvic cavity, tail of pancreas and spleen). Histologically, the tumor cells had whorled, storiform or diffuse growth patterns. They were spindle in shape and contained syncytial eosinophilic cytoplasm, with round or oval nuclei, vesicular chromatin, distinct nucleoli and a variable number of mitotic figures. Multinucleated tumor giant cells and intranuclear pseudoinclusions were occasionally seen. There was a sprinkling of small lymphocytes and neutrophils within the tumor as well as in the perivascular region. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were diffusely or focally positive for CD21, CD23, CD35 and D2-40, but negative for LCA, CD20, CD3, CD1a, HMB45 and CK. Some of them showed EMA, CD68 and S-100 reactivity. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) showed positive signals in only one case (which was diagnosed as inflammatory pseudotumor-like FDCS). Of the 7 patients with follow-up information available (duration: 2 months to 39 months; mean: 14 months), 2 cases with paraneoplastic pemphigus died of pulmonary infection at 5 and 7 months respectively. The remaining 5 patients were alive and disease-free after surgical excision (+/- chemotherapy and radiotherapy).

CONCLUSIONSFDCS is a rare low to intermediate-grade malignant tumor. Appropriate application of FDC markers, such as CD21, CD35 and D2-40, would be helpful for arriving at a correct diagnosis. Most cases are associated with good prognosis after surgical treatment, with or without chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus carry a less favorable prognosis.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Interdigitating ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Meningioma ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; complications ; Pemphigus ; complications ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; metabolism ; Receptors, IgE ; metabolism ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the trend of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading cause of the deaths in China from 1996 to 2000.

METHODSThe data presented in this report were obtained from the national child mortality surveillance network, including 116 counties (cities) throughout China. The target population was all children under 5 years old in the monitored areas whose mothers or fathers had resided in the area for at least one year. The data were collected and reported by health workers at the three-level network.

RESULTSThe neonatal mortality rate (NMR), infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 years old mortality rate (U(5)MR) in China dropped to 22.8, 32.2, 39.7 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 24.0, 36.0, 45.0 respectively in 1996), which declined 5.0%, 10.6%, 11.8% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. In urban areas, NMR, IMR and U(5)MR dropped to 9.5, 11.8, 13.8 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 12.2, 14.8, 16.9 respectively in 1996), which declined 22.1%, 20.3%, 18.3% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. In rural areas, NMR, IMR and U(5)MR dropped to 25.8, 37.0, 45.7 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 26.7, 40.9, 51.4 respectively in 1996), which declined 3.4%, 9.5%, 11.1% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. There was a steady decline in the U(5)MR due to diarrhea, pneumonia, neural tube defects and drowning in China.

CONCLUSIONIn urban/rural areas, the overall decline in NMR, IMR and U(5)MR from 1996 to 2000 was spectacular. Especially the U(5)MR due to avoidable deaths such as pneumonia and diarrhea was dropped markedly in rural areas.

Cause of Death ; trends ; Child Mortality ; trends ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Fetal Death ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; trends ; Infant, Newborn ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

Objective To discuss the optimal clinical diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with occult tumors. Methods Clinical features, imaging examinations and treatment of 17 patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome were described and compared. Results All patients illustrated the typical clinical features of Cushing’s syndrome. They had hypokalemic alkalosis, elevated serum cortisol and plasma ACTH levels. In the high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, most patients failed to suppress serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary cortisol. CT and MRI are useful imaging modalities to localize the ACTH-secreting tumor in patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome. The patients with overt ACTH-secreting tumors had surgical curative resection soon after diagnosis. Among patients with occult ACTH-secreting tumors, three underwent subtotal bilateral adrenalectomy, two underwent right adrenalectomy, four received inhibitor of steroidogenesis aminoglutethimide. Their hypercortisolism was controlled. Conclusion Surgical curative resection is the optimal treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with overt ACTH-secreting tumor. Bilateral adrenalectomy, right adrenal ectomy or chemotherapy to control hypercortisolism is an available treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome with occult ACTH-secreting tumors.