Objective To explore the expression level of calmodulin (CaM) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its clinical significance. Methods The expression levels of CaM and CaM mRNA were detected in 64 human NSCLC samples by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. Results The positive rates of CaM mRNA and CaM protein were 60.4% and 65.6%, respectively. The positive rates of CaM mRNA in low-differentiated samples were significantly higher (70.0%) than those in moderate- to well-differentiated samples (45.3%). The expression rates of CaM in Ⅲ-Ⅳ stages (81.8%) were significantly higher than those inⅠ-Ⅱstages (51.6%) (P

Objective To explore the relationship of the expression levels of laminin (LN) and calmodulin (CaM) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with its metastasis and prognosis. Methods The expressions of CaM and LN were detected in 64 human NSCLC samples by immunohistochemistry. Results The expressions of LN and CaM were closely associated with the differentiation and the grades of NSCLC as well as the lymph node metastasis. The positive rates of LN in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were 45.1% and 69.7 (P0.05), respectively. The positive rate of LN protein in low-differentiated samples (36.6%) was significantly lower than that in moderate- to well-differentiated samples (61.7%), but the positive rates of CaM were 73.3% in low-differentiated samples and 41.1% in moderate- to well-differentiated samples (P

AIM: The method of the double qualitative similarities and the double quantitative similarities was carried out for the evaluation of the chromatographic fingerprints and applied to HPLC fingerprints of Rhizoma anemarrhenae. METHODS: The chromatographic fingerprints were obtained by injecting 5 ?L of the sample solution each time on a CenturySIL C_(18) BDS column(20 cm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) with the gradient elution solvent system composed of 1% acetic acid-water and 1% acetic acid-acetonitrile.The column temperature was maintained at(30?0.15) ℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 265 nm.The chromatographic fingerprints were evaluated by the normalized similarity S_F and normalizing similarity S′_F and the projecting similarity C% and quautitative similarity P%, changes in characteristics were investigated in the cases of big peaks-free and small peaks-free respectively. RESULTS: 21 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Rhizoma anernarrhenae by choosing rutin peak as the reference peak.S_F could clearly reflect the chemical constituent distribution,and C% could reflect the total contents of the sample,but both of them were seriously influenced by the big peaks and could not reflect the missing of small peaks.S′_F and P% were equivalent weight to all fingerprint peaks,and they could reflect sensitively the small peaks drop-out. CONCLUSION: The double qualitative similarities and the double quantitative similarities are composed of S_F,S′_F,C% and P%,so the changes or lacks of both big peaks and small peaks can be punctually simultaneously monitored to be a novel method for evaluating fingerprints.The HPLC fingerprints can be useful in the quality control of Rhizoma anemarrhenae.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for metastatic lung tumors. Methods Clinical records of 31 cases of metastatic lung tumors treated by VATS were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 cases of lobectomy, 1 case of lobectomy and metastasectomy, 1 case of lobectomy and resection of metastatic tumor in the chest wall, 2 cases of segmentectomy, 20 cases of wedge resection, and 5 cases of wedge resection and metastasectomy. Results No fatal cases were observed. Postoperative complications, including 1 case of respiratory insufficiency, 2 cases of pulmonary infection, 2 cases of continuous alveolar leakage and 3 cases of pleural effusion, were cured by antibiotic therapy and closed thoracic drainage. One case of lung metastasis from primary liver cancer was found lumbar vertebral metastasis at 2 months after operation and was referred to the Department of Orthopedics for further treatment. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 71.0% (22/31) and 38.7% (12/31), respectively. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a feasible and safe treatment for metastatic lung tumors with surgical indications.

AIM: To establish a novel method for the overall quality control of Radix et rhizoma seu caulis Acanthopanacis senticosi on the ground of HPLC digitized fingerprint.METHODS: The chromatographic fingerprints were obtained by injecting 10 ?L of the sample solution each time on a Century SIL BDS column(20 cm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) with the gradient elution solvent system composed of 1% acetate acid water and 1% acetate acid acetonitrile.The flow rate was 1 mL/min,the colunm temperature was maintained at(30?0.15)℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 265 nm. RESULTS: 31 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Radix et rhizoma seu caulis Acanthopanacis senticosi and the similarities between the chromatographic fingerprints and the herbal drugs were calculated taking chlorogenic acid peak as the reference peak.The chromatographic fingerprints also were evaluated by the chromatographic fingerprint index(F),the relative index(Fr). CONCLUSION: This method with good precision and reproducibility can be useful for the quality control of Radix et rhizoma seu caulis Acanthopanacis senticosi.

AIM: A HPLC fingerprint method for the quality control of Fructus Forsythiae has been established. METHODS: The chromatographic fingerprints were determined by injecting 5 ?L of the sample solution each time on a CentriSIL BDS colunm(20 cm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) with the gradient elution solvent system composed of 1% acetate acid water and 1% acetate acid acetonitrile.The flow rate was 1 mL/min,the colunm temperature was maintained at(30?0.15)℃ and the signals were acquired at 265 nm.The chromatographic fingerprints were also evaluated by the chromatographic fingerprint index(F),information index of chromatographic fingerprint(I).(RESULTS:)30 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks,the similarities among samples of Fructus Forsythiae come from 10 production places and its standard chromatographic fingerprints were calculated taking coffeic acid peak as the reference peak. CONCLUSION: This method with good characteristics and specificity can be used in the quality control of Fructus Forsythiae.

Objective To constructed the cell model transferred angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ ) type 2 receptor (AT2R) in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) Method The VSMCs, isolated from the aorta of rat, were cultured by routine method. Recombinant adenoviral vector, AdCMV-AT2R, containing rat AT2 receptor gene was constructed by homologous recombination, and then it was used to transfer AT2 receptor gene to VSMC in vitro. The rate of AT2R expression in VSMC was analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of mRNA, protein were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively. The angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) type 1 receptor (A T1R) was determined as well. Result The expression rate of AT2R in VSMC was increased signific antly after transferred by AdCMV-AT2R with time, and the peak value detected by flow cytometry was about 89.51% at 48 hours. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of AT2R mRNA and protein were increased obviously in transferred VSMC. There were no significantly change of AT1R expression during AT2R expression. Conclusion Our study indicates that AdCMV-AT2R did generate high level expression of AT2 receptor and its expression did not affect AT1R exp ression in cultured VSMC. The VSMCs transferred AT2R gene may be used as a good model to study the effect of AT2R on their biological action such as proliferation, migration and apoptosis.

Objective To improve the understanding of pulmonary mucormycosis by analyzing the clinical manifestations,imaging features,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of this disease.Methods The clinical data of eight patients diagnosed as pulmonary mucormycosis by histopathologic examination were retrospectively analyzed.Results Eight patients included six males and two females with age from 36 days to 66 years.Underlying conditions covered diabetes (n =4),renal transplantation (n =3),premature (n =1) and long-term corticosteroid treatment in two cases.Imaging manifestations revealed multiple irregular lumps or nodules in three cases,multiple cavities with thick wall in three cases,diffuse lung infiltrate in one case and lung opacities in one case.The diagnoses of seven patients were confirmed by percutaneous needle lung biopsy and the remaining one was diagnosed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsy.Surgery combined with amphotericin B liposome(60 mg/d for three weeks)was applied to one patient who was cured with no recurrence after a 22 month follow-up.Three cases were given amphotericin B liposome (a newborn with 7mg/d for 62 days,the other two 60 mg/d for 31 days and 70 mg/d for 71 days respectively).All had achieved marked response with follow up from 8 to 29 months,but one patient relapsed and died of recurrent lung mucormycosis.The other three patients were treated with itraconazole 400-200 mg/d from 21 days to 1 year with duration of follow up from 1 month to 20 months.One patient was not evaluable due to missing.Two patients relapsed and one died.Conclusion Pulmonary mucormycosis is difficult to diagnose and treat with a high mortality.Percutaneous tranthoracic lung biopsy is a useful diagnostic method.Amphotericin B liposome or itraconazole may be active against mucus.Early control of causes is essential to improve the prognosis and reduce the recurrence in patients with pulmonary mucormycosis.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of speckle-tracking echocardiography in detecting left atrial (LA) function impairment in early hypertensive (HT) patients.Methods Echocardiography was performed in 154 HT patients with LA volume index ＜28 ml/m2 and 64 age/gender-matched control subjects.LA global longitudinal strain in late diastole (Sa),systole (Ss),and total strain (Stot =Sa + Ss),strain rate in late diastole (SRa),systole (SRs),and early diastole (SRe) were measured using off-line speckle-tracking analyzing software in apical 4 chamber view.Results Both parameters reflecting LA reservoir function [Stot (23.7 ± 6.0) ％ vs (25.7 ± 5.9) ％,p =0.03 and SRs ( 1.2 ± 0.3) s- 1 vs ( 1.3 ±0.3) s-1,P =0.03]and conduit function [Ss (12.0 ± 5.1)％ vs (14.0±5.7)％,P =0.02 and SRe (1.0 ± 0.4)s- 1 vs ( 1.2 ± 0.4)s- 1,p ＜0.001 ]decreased significantly in HT group than control,while LA pump function parameters (Sa and SRa) had no differences.Ss,Stot and SRe correlated significantly with HT and HT duration.Conclusions LA phasic function are impaired in HT patients with normal LA size.Speckle tracking echocardiography is a promising tool for the early detection of LA dysfunction.

Objective In order to study the biological characteristics of macrophages and provide the materials to study the survival mechanism of intracellular parasites, we conducted this study to establish a high-purity alveolar macrophage isolation and culture method.Methods Goat lungs were lavaged with normal saline in sterile environment several times, and cells were collected and then goat alveolar macrophages were purified by density gradient centrifugation using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) solution.The isolated goat alveolar macrophages were cultured in cell culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope every day,and the phagocytic activity of the cells was detected by chicken red blood cell phagocytosis test.Flow cytometry was used to detect CD14, a characteristic monocyte-macrophage surface marker.Results The adherent cells were characterized by typical macrophage morphology, pseudopodia and protrusions, showing round and irregular shape, rich cytoplasm, and large cell body.Of the cultured macrophages, 54.5% could phagocytize chicken erythrocytes and showed good phagocytic activity.After one month of in vitro culture, 93.7% of the cells were able to express CD14 antigen, which had a macrophage-specific immunophenotype.Conclusions The alveolar macrophages obtained in this study have high purity and good bioactivity, thus provide a cell model for studying the immune mechanism of intracellular parasites.