OBJECTIVEP: To investigate the toxicokinetic and tissue distribution of vitexin in Beagle dogs. METHODS: Beagle dogs were randomly divided into three groups, and received vitexin injection at small, medium and big doses of 50, 20 and 8 mg•kg-1. They were given medicine once a day for consecutive 3 months by intravenous drip. The blood samples of Beagle dogs were drawn at different time points on the first and last day of administration, and concentrations in plasma were detected by HPLC method. RESULTS: Intravenous drip the vitexin injection at the doses of 8, 20 and 50 mg•kg-1, the blood concentration of vitexin linearly metabolized in Beagle dogs when given medicine for 1, 22, 44 and 83 d. Vitexin was significantly accumulated in Beagle dogs, and the accumulation was disappeared, and the exposure decreased with the prolonged time at the dose of 50 mg•kg-1; at the dose of 8 and 20 mg•kg-1, vitexin did not accumulate in Beagle dogs, and the exposure decreased with prolonged administration time. CONCLUSION: There is no accumulation of repeated drug delivery in the Beagle dog's body by intravenous drip at the doses of 8 and 20 mg•kg-1.

ObjectiveTo explore the state of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and excesseive diagnosis related to cerebral palsy(CP).Methods389 cases were retrospectively analyzed who were misdiagnosed, missed or escessively diagnosed related to CP as the first diagnosis in the inpatient and outpatient department from July 1999 to March 2010.ResultsAmong 389 cases, 156 cases were missed or misdiagnosed as nutritional disease, and 118 cases of other diseases were misdiagnosed as CP, while 115 cases who were normal children was excessively diagnosed as CP. The false diagnosis had relativity with children's age: doctors are more prone to make misdiagonsis when the children's age are smaller, while 293 cases were misdiagnosed before 12 months old (75.3%); 102 cases (65.4%) were misdiagnosed or missed as other diseases before September, 2004, while 87 cases (75.7%) were excessively diagnosed as CP after September, 2004. Frequency of misdiagnosis as CP reduced from 2004, and the proportion dropped from 55.9% to 44.1%.ConclusionIt is very important to master the diagnostic standard of CP. Both sides of the question are important, one side is to make early diagnosis and early treatment in order to achieve the best effect of rehabilitation, and the other side is to prevent misdiagnosis and excessive diagnosis which woud delay illness, or waste medical resources, increase the financial and psychological burden.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Huoxuezhitong recipe on the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis and the expression of related gene (Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2) in epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits, ranging in weight from 2.5 to 3.0 kg, were randomly divided into sham operative group (group A), control group (group B), sodium hyaluronate group (group C), Huoxuezhitong recipe group (group D, included Danggui 20 g, Chishao 20 g, Honghua 20 g, Ruxiang 15 g, Myrrh 15 g etc.) with 15 rabbits in each group. Except for group A, L4,5 vertebral plate were resected leading to 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater exposed area, which were covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. At 2 weeks after operation, the rabbits of group D were administered with Huoxuezhitong recipe (2.5 ml/kg, once a day, continuous 14 d). Five rabbits of each group were selected randomly and were killed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation; and the expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in scar tissue were surveyed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe results by RT-PCR showed significant different in expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 of group A and others groups at each period (P < 0.01). At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, compared with group B, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bcl-2 in group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05), but the expression of Bax in group C and D were increased (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks after operation, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in group D was significant decreased compared with group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxuezhitong recipe can regulate the levels of expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 mRNA and further induce the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis, thereby, achieve the effect of prophylaxis for the proliferation and conglutination of epidural scar tissue.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Genes, bcl-2 ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of Houxue Zhitong decoration on the expression of the mitochondria-initiated apoptosis pathway and transmembrane protein I an II of the epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits (weight: 2.5-3.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups, sham operation group (D, n=15), control group (B, n=14), sodium hyaluronate group (C, n=15), Houxue Zhitong decoration group (D, n=15). Except for group A, 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater uncovered area laminectomy was performed at I (4) and I(5), covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. First 2 weeks after operation, animals in group D were lavaged with 2.5 ml/kg Houxue Zhitong decoction by one a day for 14 days. Five rabbits of each group selected randomly were killed in the 2,4,8 weeks after laminectomy. The specimens were prepared for determination of the expression of Fas and FasL, at scar tissue by semiquantitative reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The degree of scar adhesion was evaluated according by Rydell method.

RESULTSThe adhesion area in group B was larger than of group C and D in the 4th and 8th week. However, the number of fibroblasts and inflammantory cells in group D was the least among the three groups in the 8th week. At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, as compared with group B the expression of Fas, FasL of group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05). Especially, at 2 weeks, as compared with group B the expression of this two cytokines of group D was significant decreased (P < 0.05), too. In group C and D the duramater adhesion was decreased (P < 0.05). The proliferation of fibroblast and fibroblastic function were inhibited (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxue Zhitong is able to down-regulated the expression of Fas, FasL, which inhibited the proliferation of fibroblast, the fibroblastic function and the synthesis of extracellular matrix in the epidural scar tissue. It is an effective way of reducing peridural scar formation and prevent the failed back surgery syndrome.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cicatrix ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epidural Space ; pathology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the prognostic significance of Omi/HtrA2 expression, and the correlation between Omi/HtrA2 and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe expression of HIF-1α and Omi/HtrA2 in 43 cases of hepatic carcinoma tissues were detected immunohistochemically. Follow-up data were obtained to perform the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The change of Omi/HtrA2 expression in HepG2 cell was measured after HIF-1α expression of HepG2 in vitro was regulated by Tet-on expression system.

RESULTSOmi/HtrA2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and recurring within liver during 2 years. Statistical analysis estimation showed the cumulative survival rate of post-hepatectomy for the patients with the positive expression of Omi/HtrA2 was higher than that for other patients with the negative expression of Omi/HtrA2 (χ(2) = 6.13, P = 0.013). In the common paraffin-embedded specimen of hepatocellular carcinoma, most of the samples showing negative or weak positive HIF-1α immunopositivity showed moderate positive or strong positive Omi/HtrA2 immunopositivity, while most of the samples showing moderate positive or strong positive HIF-1α immunopositivity showed negative or weak positive Omi/HtrA2 immunopositivity. The mRNA expression intensity of Omi/HtrA2 was decreasing with the HIF-1α expression increasing, and the difference was statistically significant(F = 106.766, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOmi/HtrA2 may be an important prognostic marker for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Omi/HtrA2 expression is reversely correlated with HIF-1α expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. During the apoptotic process Omi/HtrA2 participating in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, HIF-1α is involved in the controlling and regulating of Omi/HtrA2 expression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hep G2 Cells ; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 2 ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Serine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Young Adult

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on palmitate-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the underlying mechanism. HUVECs were cultured in vitro, and then treated by palmitate to induce apoptosis. Meanwhile, GLP-1 was added to explore its effect. After 24 h of the treatments, Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation were measured using ELISA kits. Phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) expression was detected by Western blot. The results showed that incubating HUVECs with 0.125 mmol/L GLP-1 increased Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. GLP-1 significantly inhibited palmitate-induced increases of Caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, GLP-1 inhibited the up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK expression induced by palmitate in HUVECs. These results suggest GLP-1 protects HUVECs against lipo-apoptosis, and this effect may be mediated through inhibiting p38 MAPK pathway.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; DNA Fragmentation ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To study the pathologic and clinical features of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney(MRTK),and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods The clinical and pathologic data of 5 patients(4 men and 1 woman;mean age,50 years;age range,21-67 years)with MRTK(3 tumors on the left and 2 on the right)were retrospectively analyzed in combination with review of the relevant literature.Of the 5 cases,I was incidentally diagnosed with renal tumor during physical examina- tion;and 3 had gross hematuria,low back pain and discomfort,and abdominal masses.Results Radical nephrectomy was performed in all 5 cases.The tumors averaged 6.5cm in diameter.By NWTS staging,4 ca- ses had stageⅡtumors and 1 case had stageⅢtumor.Pathological features were as follows.Rhabdoid cells were characterized by eccentric nuclei,prominent nucleoli,and abundant cytoplasm containing eosinophilic inclusions that were strongly positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen(EMA).Electron micros- copy showed intermediate filaments and round,irregular fibroid or whorl-like corpuscles in the cytoplasm. Follow-up was available in 4 patients(mean,6.8 months;range,3-24 months).Of them,2 died of metasta- sis or complications 12 months after operation;and 2 were alive without recurrence and metastasis for 6 months.Conclusions MRTK is a rare and morphologically distinctive neoplasm with specific findings of pathological features.The tumor has a poorer prognosis,but comparatively it is better in adults than in adoles- cents.

Objective To explore the effect and indication of splenectomy in liver transplantation.Methods From January 2001 to April 2006,260 patients underwent piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation(PBOLT),and 28 patients had undergone combined PBOLT and splenectomy(splenectomy group).These patients were compared to 56 randomly selected non-splenectomy patients from the same transplant period,meaningly two controls were se- lected for every non-spleneetomy case.Two groups were analyzed with respect to rate of infection and survival rate, as well as biopsy-proven acute allograft rejection within 30 days after transplantation.Results Rate of infection in the splenectomy group was higher than that in the non-splenectomy patients(85.7% vs 55.4%,P

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the postprocedural neutrophil count in patients with first acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSA total of 226 consecutive STEMI patients underwent successful primary PCI were enrolled. Electrocardiograms were recorded before PCI and 2 hours after PCI. Neutrophil counts were measured within 12 hours after PCI. All patients were followed up for 2 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictive values of postprocedural neutrophil for ST-segment resolution (STR) after PCI and for death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and heart failure at 30 days and 2 years post PCI. Time-to-event analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curves in patients with various ranges of postprocedural neutrophil counts.

RESULTSPostprocedural neutrophil count ranged from 2.83x10(9)/L to 18.74x10(9)/L, first quartile, median and fourth quartile were 5.66x10(9)/L, 7.38x10(9)/L and 9.34x10(9)/L respectively. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that when postprocedural neutrophil count increased 1x10(9)/L, the risk of non-STR increased 2.28 fold (OR: 2.28, P=0.009), the risk of death (OR: 1.63, P=0.010) and heart failure (OR: 1.16, P=0.035) at 30 days increased 1.63 and 1.16 folds respectively, and the risk of death (OR: 1.29, P=0.003) and heart failure (OR: 1.20, P=0.007) at 2 years increased 1.29 and 1.20 folds respectively, but the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction was not affected by postprocedural neutrophil count. Furthermore, the patients with postprocedural neutrophil count>or=9.34x10(9)/L had significant lower 30-day (89.1% vs. 99.1% vs. 98.2%, P=0.010) and 2-year (82.4% vs. 96.1% vs. 96.3%, P=0.003) survival rates compared with the patients with postprocedural neutrophil count from 5.66x10(9)/L to 9.33x10(9)/L and the patients with postprocedural neutrophil count<5.66x10(9)/L (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPostprocedural neutrophil count is an independent predictor of short- and long-term death and heart failure in first acute STEMI patients treated with successful primary PCI.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Emergency Treatment ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Neutrophils ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVESTo construct a novel hybrid artificial liver support system and evaluate its clinical efficacy in the treatment of hepatic failure.

METHODSA hybrid bioartificial liver support system consisting of plasma exchange device, charcoal perfusion column, and bioreactor cultured human or porcine hepatocytes was developed. 30 patients with hepatic failure were treated using this hybrid system.

RESULTSBoth the excellent rate and effectual rate of the artificial liver support system were 43.3% (13/30). The total effectual rate was 86.7%. Finally, eleven out of 30 patients recovered completely. Six patients were bridged to liver transplantation. Six patients (20%) died of hepatic failure and seven patients (23.3%) discharged due to worsening of disease.

CONCLUSIONSThe hybrid artificial liver support system has prominent liver support effects for hepatic failure, which can be regarded as an efficient measure for the treatment of severe hepatitis.

Adult ; Bioreactors ; Cells, Cultured ; Charcoal ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; instrumentation ; methods ; Hemoperfusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sorption Detoxification ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome