Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; Humans ; Trans Fatty Acids ; adverse effects

Cocaine is usually used in clinical local anesthesia. However, because of its excitatory effect, it is also abused by some people, and thus results in the onset of disease. Since the first cocaine-related stroke was reported in 1977, many researchers have gradually realized that cocaine abuse causes many cerebrovascular diseases; its exact pathophysiological mechanism remains unknown and it may be involved in a variety of mechanisms.

There is a close relationship between high trans fatty acids intake and occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Trans fatty acids intake may lead to metabolic disorders. It affects lipid level, induces visceral obesity and insulin resistance, triggers systemic inflammation, and significantly increases cardiometabolic risks. If the chain of trans fatty acids-metabolic syndrome-cardiovascular disease is understood, a new effective way to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events may be provided.

Objective:To retrospectively evaluate the prognostic risk factors of patients with gallbladder carcinoma and the effect of normal prognostic nutrition index (PNI) on the survival. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients with gallbladder carcino-ma treated in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2012. The independent prognostic factors of the patients were calculat-ed by the Cox proportional hazards model. The benefit of normal PNI status on the prognosis was further explored in the patients using survival analysis. Results:Lymph node metastasis, PNI≤50, squamous carcinoma, liver invasion and choledoch invasion were the risk factors of overall survival (OS) in the univariate analysis, while only lymph node metastasis (HR=4.495, 95%CI 2.380~8.488, P<0.001) and PNI(HR=0.195, 95%CI 0.098~0.389, P<0.001) were the dependent influential factors of the prognosis and OS in the multi-variate analysis. The effect of PNI on OS was even more statistically significant different in the younger patients (≤65y) than in the el-der (>65y) (younger group:P=0.011;elder group:P=0.078). Conclusion:The gallbladder carcinoma patients with normal PNI status (>50) have better OS compared to the patients with PNI≤50, with statistical differences between the two. And it is more significant in the patients of the younger group (≤65y), comparing with the elder group. PNI could be taken as a potential prognostic evaluation factor for the gallbladder carcinoma patients and can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of patients' conditions to clinician.

Breast Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yin Deficiency

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of TREM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion from lipopolysaccharide-induced mice macrophage cell lines RAW264.7. METHODS: Designing and synthesizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) with high intangerference ratio, then constructing pLKO1.1-puro-TREM-1 The mice macrophage cell lines RAW264.7 were divided into four groups: control group (control); lipopolysaccharide group (LPS); empty plasmid group (pLKO1.1) - just transfected with pLKO1.1; interference group (siRNA) - transfected with pLKO1.1-puro-TREM1.24 h after stimulation with LPS, real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of TREM-1, TNF-α and IL-1β respectively. The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were assayed by ELISA. RESULTS: In siRNA group, the mRNA levels of TREM-1, TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased significantly (P<0.01): moreover, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were lower than other groups significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Small interfering RNA may reduce TNF-α, IL-1β secretion in LPS-induced macrophage 264.7 through inhibiting the expression of TREM-1 gene.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of pinacidil on the intestinal mucosa of scalded rats and the mechanism. Methods A total of 24 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, burn group, and pinacidil treated group. Rats in burn group and pinacidil treated group were inflicted with 30% TBSA Ⅲ degree burn and resuscitated intraperitoneally with Ringer's solution immediately after burn. Pinacidil was injected intraperitoneally into rats in pinacidil treated group at the dose of 2 mg/kg. Mitochondrial respiratory function intestinal mucosa and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma were determined at 6 h after burn. Results Mitochondrial respiratory function control rate (RCR), ST3, and SOD levels in pinacidil treated group were evidently higher than those in the burn group. However, ST4, MDA, and ROS levels in pinacidil treated group were significantly lower than those in the burn group, but ST4 was not significantly different from that in the normal control. Conclusion Pinacidil can attenuate the damage of intestinal mucosa in scalded rats.

Objective To investigate effects of ginkgo biloba extract(GBE) and tanshinoneⅡ A preventative administration against cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in gerbils.Methods Cerebral iscthemia and reperfu- sion injury were made by 10 minutes'occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries followed by 24 hours' reperfusion in ger- bils.GBE,tanshinone Ⅱ A,nimodipine or GBE plus tanshinone Ⅱ A were administrated intragastrically 3 days prior to and at the day of ischemia and reperfusion.Effects of experimental agents on mortality,stroke index,brain body index,water content in brain hemisphere,level of SOD activity and MDA in cerebral tissue were measured,and pathological changes of cortex and hippoearnpal CA1 sector were observed.Results GBE 48 mg/kg and tanshinone Ⅱ A 25mg/kg preventive administration could significantly reduce the stroke index,brain body index,and water in brain hemisphere,together with a reduced mortality of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injuried gerbils.The two a- gents could also significantly improve the activity of SOD,reduce the level of MDA in cerebral tissue and the injury in cortex and hippocampal CA1 sector.Moreover,combined treatment of these two agents demonstrated more signifi- cant effects.Conclusion GBE,tanshinone Ⅱ A and combined therapy of these two agents may protect cerebral func- tion from ischemia and reperfusion injury through reducing the cerebral edema and attenuating the injury of oxygen free radicals.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that hyperhomocysteinemia can induce atherosclerosis by enhancing oxidative stress, whereas Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) can scavenge oxygen-derived free radicals.OBJECTIVE: To observe the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) induced by homocysteine (Hcy), and investigate the effect of GbE.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal trial.SETTING: Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERrALS: Twenty-four healthy male rabbits of 6 months old. Dl-methionine (Sigma Chemical, Co.,Ltd.); GbE (Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical Company; powder).METHODS: The experiment was accomplished in the Laboratory of Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from March 2003 to April 2004. ① After adaptive feeding for 2 weeks, the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Model group (n =12): The rabbits were treated with subcutaneous injection of dl-methionine (80 mg/kg per day); GbE group (n =8): The rabbits were administrated with GbE (mixed with feed, 50 m/kg per day) at 1 hour before the subcutaneous injection of dl-methionine; Control group (n=4): The rabbits were injected with equivalent sodium chloride. They were administrated for 7 weeks continuously. ②Histological changes were observed under light and electron microscopes: ROS level was determined with colorimetries (721 visible spectrophotometer); The expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells were detected with immunohistochemical methods; The concentration of plasma Hcy was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histological changes, ROS level and expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells.RESULTS: All the 24 rabbits were involved in the analysis of results. ① ROS level: After administration, the ROS level in the model group was obviously increased (2.92±0.20,2.48±0.26, P ＜ 0.05), whereas those in the GbE group and control group (2.41±0.23, 2.43±0.20) had no obvious differences as compared with those before administration (2.31±0.27,2.47±0.32, P ＞ 0.05). ② Histological changes: Aortas of rabbits in the model group presented initial changes of atherosclerosis, including shedding or necrosis of endothelial cells and nuclear pyknosis or standing in a clutter of smooth muscle cells. There were scarcely any changes in the GbE group and control group. ③ Expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells: After treatments, the expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and NF-κB in the model group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P ＜0.05), and there were no significant differences between the GbE group and control group (P ＞ 0.05). ④ Concentration of plasma Hcy: After 7 weeks, the concentration of plasma Hcy was higher in the model group and GbE group than in the control group [(25.01±6.80), (26.71±2.36), (16.85± 1.64) μmol/L, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Hcy-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in NF-κB activation. GbE might suppress the activation of NF-κB and expression of CAMs by reducing ROS.

Objective To observe clinical efficacy of Banxiaxiexin tonga for the treatment of helicobacter pylori related peptic ulcers.Methods 110 patients were randomly divided into two groups.60 cases received Banxiaxiexin tonga for the treatment.50 cases in the control group received omeprazole triple therapy.Results The improvement in symptoms and signs,negative ulcer healing and Hp have made a good effect in treatment group.The total efficiency is 91.6% ,the total effective rate in control group is 78.0%.There was significant difference between the two groups(P <0.01).Treatment group had no adverse reaction,the control group was 24.0% ,the difference between the two groups was significant(P < 0.01).There was no significant difference between the two groups in hpclearance(P >0.05).Conclusion Banxiaxiexin tonga had good effect on the treatment of Hp-related peptic ulcer.