OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of umbilical sticking therapy (UST) with Qitou Xiaugu Plaster (QXP) on hemodynamics of portal system in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension were assigned to two groups. On the basis of conventional therapy, UST was applied in the 66 patients in treated group, which was exchanged once every 3 days with an interval of 1-day rest. The 54 patients in the control group were orally administered with propanolol. The therapeutic course for both groups was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the hemodynamic changes in portal or splenic veins were observed by color Doppler ultrasonograph, and the changes of liver function, blood coagulation and patients' subjective symptoms were observed as well.

RESULTSAfter treatment, portal vein diameter and splenic vein diameter significantly decreased (P < 0.05, portal venous flow velocity and splenic venous flow velocity apparently increased (P < 0.05), and portal venous flow apparently decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), while no significant change was found in the splenic venous flow (P > 0.05). The liver function and blood coagulation indexes in both groups were improved. The improvement of clinical symptoms in the treated group was superior to that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONUST with QXP could decrease the portal vein pressure in a short time, with the therapeutic effect comparable to propanolol, and with no adverse reaction.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Pressure ; drug effects ; Portal Vein ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Splenic Vein ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Umbilicus ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate mRNA expression of integrin beta3 in gastric carcinoma, its correlation with microvascular density (MVD), growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODSIn situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to study the expression of integrin beta3 mRNA and CD34 protein in 105 gastric carcinoma specimens.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization revealed a 30% (6/20) positive rate of integrin beta3 mRNA in non-tumor gastric mucosa, which was significantly lower than that of the gastric cancer group (61.0%, 64/105, chi(2) = 8.85, P = 0.037); In infiltrating type cases (70.2%, 40/57), stage III - IV (72.1%, 44/61), lymphatic metastasis (68.6%, 48/70) and distant metastasis (85.7%, 36/42), the positive expression rates were significantly higher than those of the expanding type (chi(2) = 14.97, P = 0.002), stage I - II (chi(2) = 15.21, P = 0.015), non-lymphatic metastasis (chi(2) = 17.89, P = 0.025) and non-distant metastasis (chi(2) = 20.22, P = 0.005; chi(2) = 21.35, P = 0.035); its mean MVD was also significantly higher than that of the expanding type (t = 10.105, P = 0.001), stage I approximately II (t = 5.961, P = 0.001), non-lymphatic metastasis (t = 3.819, P = 0.01)and non-distant metastasis (t = 10.578, P = 0.001; t = 7.882, P = 0.001), respectively; The mean MVD (41.02 +/- 8.55)/0.72 mm(2) of the integrin beta3 mRNA positive expression group was significantly higher than (25.26 +/- 11.25)/0.72 mm(2) of the negative expression group. There was a positive relation between MVD and integrin beta3 mRNA expression in the tumor (r(s) = 0.316, P = 0.001). The mean survival time in cases with positive integrin beta3 mRNA expression or MVD value >or= 39.5 was significantly shorter than that in cases with negative expression or MVD value < 39.5.

CONCLUSIONSIntegrin beta3 expression correlates with enhanced tumor angiogenesis and may play a role in the invasion and nodal metastasis of gastric carcinoma, therefore it may serve as a prognostic marker of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Integrin beta3 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; mortality ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective To compare the effects of antenatal ambroxol and 3-day dexamethasone and 1-day dexamethasone on rats′ fetal lung morphogenesis.Methods Twelve pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups randomly:3-day ambroxol group,3-day dexamethasone group,1-day dexamethasone group and control group,every group had 3 rats.On gestational day 19,cesareans were carried out and the histologic structures of 6 fetal rats lungs of each pregnant rats were observed with light microscope,electronic microscope and image analysis.Results 1.Under the light microscope,compared with control group,fetal rats lung in three treatment groups had more alveolar numbers,larger alveolar space,and thinner alveolar septum(Pa

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of terpene penetration enhancers on membrane fluidity and membrane potential using HaCaT keratinocytes, and study the potential mechanisms of these terpene compounds using as natural transdermal penetration enhancer. Six terpene compounds, namely menthol, limonene, 1,8-cineole, menthone, terpinen-4-ol and pulegone, were chosen in this study on account of their good penetration-enhancement activities. The cytotoxicity of these terpene compounds was measured using an MTT assay. The fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique was employed to measure the change of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells. The flow cytometer was used to study the alteration of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells, and investigate the effect of terpene compounds on intracellular Ca2+. It was found that 6 terpene compounds possessed low cytotoxicity in comparison to the well-established and standard penetration enhancer azone. Those terpene compounds could significantly enhance HaCaT cells membrane fluidity and decrease HaCaT cells membrane potentials. Meanwhile, after treated with various terpene compounds, the Ca2(+)-ATPase activity and intracellular Ca2+ of HaCaT cells was decreased significantly. Terpene penetration enhancers perhaps changed the membrane fluidity and potentials of HaCaT cells by altering the Ca2+ balance of the cell inside and outside, resulting in the low skin permeability to increase the drug transdermal absorption.
Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects ; Terpenes ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate relationship between expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) as well as their correlation with angiogenesis and prognosis in gastric carcinoma.

METHODSHIF-1alpha and IGF-II mRNA expression were analyzed using in situ hybridization, microvessel density (MVD) was determined by anti-CD34 immunostaining in 118 cases gastric carcinoma.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HIF-1alpha mRNA and IGF-II mRNA were 49.2% and 47.4%, respectively. In stage T3-T4 cases, positive rates of HIF-1alpha and IGF-II mRNA expression, the frequencies of vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis were significantly higher than those in stage T1-T2 cases. The mean MVD in stage T3-T4 tumors, vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were significantly more frequent than those in stage T1-T2 tumors. The mean MVD in tumors with positive HIF-1alpha and IGF-II mRNA expression was significantly higher than those in tumors without HIF-1alpha and IGF-II mRNA expression. The expression of HIF-1alpha was positively correlated with IGF-II mRNA. There were positive correlations between MVD and expression of HIF-1alpha and IGF-II mRNA, respectively. The mean survival time and 5-year survival rate in cases with positive HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression and MVD value >/= 41.5 were significantly shorter than those in cases with negative HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression and MVD value < 41.5.

CONCLUSIONSHIF-1alpha and IGF-II play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis, especially in tumor angiogenesis. So test of the expression of HIF-1alpha and IGF-II may act as a useful index of treatment and prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; genetics ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether correlation exists between mRNA expression of IGF-II and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tumor progression and prognosis in gastric cancer.

METHODSIn situ hybridization technique was used to examine mRNA expression of IGF-II and HGF, and immunohistochemical technique was used to examine protein expression of CD34 in 105 specimens of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization revealed that the positive rates of IGF-II mRNA and HGFmRNA were 49.5% and 57.1%, respectively. In stage T3-T4 cases, positive mRNA expression rates of IGF-II and HGF, the frequencies of vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were significantly higher than those in stage T1-T2 cases. The mean microvascular density (MVD) in stage T3-T4 tumors, vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were significantly more frequent than those in stage T1-T2 tumors. The mean MVD in tumors with positive IGF-II and HGF expressions was significantly higher than that in tumors without IGF-II and HGF expression. There were positive correlations between MVD and expression of IGF-II and HGF. The mean survival time and 5-year survival rate in cases with positive IGF-II and HGF expression and MVD value > or = 39.5 were significantly shorter those that in cases with negative IGF-II and HGF expression and MVD value < 39.5.

CONCLUSIONIGF-II and HGF promote angiogenesis in gastric cancer, and take part in tumor invasion and metastasis. They can be used as prognostic markers of gastric cancer in clinical practice.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; blood supply ; metabolism ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; blood supply ; metabolism ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; blood supply ; metabolism ; secondary ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; secondary ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate mRNA expression of syndecan-1 and heparanase in gastric carcinoma, and their correlation with the growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

METHODSIn situ hybridization technique was used to examine mRNA expression of syndecan-1 and heparanase in 118 specimens of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTSThe positive rates of syndecan-1 mRNA and heparanase mRNA were 42.4% and 55.9%, respectively. The expression of syndecan-1 mRNA and heparanase mRNA were related to tumor invasion depth (chi(2) = 32.95, P = 0.001; chi(2) = 23.19, P = 0.001), vessel invasion (chi(2) = 46.22, P = 0.001; chi(2) = 33.78, P = 0.001), lymph node (chi(2) = 28.62, P = 0.001; chi(2) = 25.43, P = 0.001) and distant metastasis (chi(2) = 63.30, P = 0.001; chi(2) = 65.76, P = 0.001), and syndecan-1 mRNA positive expression was related to tumor size (chi(2) = 6.25, P = 0.012). There was a negative relationship between Syndecan-1 mRNA and heparanase mRNA expression (r = -0.844, P = 0.001). The mean survival time of cases with low expression of syndecan-1 mRNA was significantly shorter than that of cases with high expression (r = 36.48, P = 0.001), and meanwhile, the mean survival time of heparanase mRNA positive cases was significantly shorter than that of cases with negative expression (r = 34.41, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA expression of syndecan-1 and heparanase can predict the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma, and can be used as markers of prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucuronidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Syndecans ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To compare peripheral T lymphocyte apoptosis of chronic bronchitis during an acute episode with that during a stable period. METHODS: Seventeen Chronic Btonchitis patients who presented to the ER with an acute episode were compared with 10 stable Chronic Bronchitis patients seen in the out-patient clinic. Peripheral venous blood was obtained from each patient and T lymphocytes were separated by fluorescent monoclonal antibodies. CD3, CD95 and CD25 were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In the acute episode patients, the total quantity of T lymphocytes with CD3 was (42.63 +/-16.37) and with CD95 (14.15 +/-11.06). In the stable group T lymphocyte CD3 was (64.22 +/-23.90) and CD95 (34.88 +/-8.92) (t=-4.238, P <0.001; t=-8.796, P <0.001). The total quantity of Lymphocyte CD25 did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total quantity of active T lymphocytes with CD3/CD25 was lower in the acute episode group (6.26 +/-3.94) compared to the stable group (10.52 +/-3143) (t=-1.068, P <0.05). CONCLUSION: T lymphocyte apoptosis increased in Chronic Bronchitis patients who presented with an acute episode. They also experienced a significant disturbance in immune function.