Patient noncompliance with the physician's prescribed therapeutic regimen is a serious problem in glaucoma because of the possibility of blindness. In this report the compliance with medical treatment of 67 patients with chronic glaucoma was studied for 2 years and 45% of the patient was identified as noncomplier. The authors' observations relative to noncompliance were lack of the knowledge of disease and its prognosis, little concern about disease, side effects of medication, improper timing and increased number of medication dosage, long-term use of medication, improperties of the physician-patient interaction, and other serious medical disorder, etc. The noncompliance does not correlate with the patient's age, sex, education, marital status, previous surgery for glaucoma,concerh of family, and increased waiting time to see the doctor.
Blindness ; Compliance* ; Education ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Patient Compliance ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of siRNA silencing the role of C-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) gene in excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSMouse model of pulmonary ischemia reperfusion injury (PIRI) in situ was established with unilateral lung in vivo. Seventy experimental mice were randomly allocated into seven groups (n = 10): Sham group (Sham group), ischemia reperfusion group (I/R), PBS+ Lipofectamine2000TM transfection reagent group (I/R + PBS+ Lipo group), negative control group (I/R+ SCR group), JNK-siRNA group (I/R + siRNA(JNK1), siRNA(JNK2), siRNA(JNK3)). Mice were euthanized after experimental time out, and left lung tissue was extracted. Wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D) and total lung water content (TLW) were tested. Light microscope, alveolar damage quantitative evaluation index (IQA) and electron microscope were observed. The expression levels of JNK and glucose regulatex protein(GRP78) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis of lung tissue was determined by TUNEL.

RESULTSCompared with Sham group, all indicators above of I/R + PBS + Lipo group and I/R + SCR group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and compared with I/R group, those indicators of the three groups all had no notable difference; those indicators were not statistically different between I/R + PBS + Lipo group and I/R + SCR group, and compared to the three groups, the above indicators in JNK-siRNA group were lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) except that the expression levels of GRP78 was not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONI/R induces excessive ERS in lung tissue, in which JNK pathway participates in apoptosis, leading to lung tissue injury.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Lung Injury ; genetics ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo classify and repair "Butterfly Ear" deformity which presents characters of dysplasia of inferior auricle of ear and congenital bat ear.

METHODThe repairment procedures include: type I: auricular cartilage flap inversion folding technique. type II: local ear skin flap. type III: soft tissue expander autogenous, rib cartilage framework.

RESULTSThe method was used in 19 cases from October 2001 to March 2005. Postoperative follow-up showed satisfactory results in all cases.

CONCLUSIONAccording to "Butterfly Ear" deformity classification, different technique could be applied.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; classification ; surgery ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of Yangyin Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (YYHR, the basic recipe of Yangyin Tongnao Granule) in treatment of ischemic stroke patients of deficiency of qi and yin syndrome (DQYS) and static blood obstructing collaterals syndrome (SBOCS).

METHODSTotally 312 patients were assigned to the control group (86 cases) and the treatment group (226 cases) using strati- fied randomized allocation method. Patients in the treatment group were treated with modified YYHR, while those in the control group took Xueshuan Xinmaining. The treatment course was 4 weeks for all. Constituent ratios of the acute stage and the recovery stage of DQYS and SBOCS and their complicated syndromes were observed in the two groups. Changes of the clinical curative effect, clinical symptoms integral, whole blood viscosity ratio, plasma viscosity ratio, hematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total cho- lesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected in the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThere was statistical difference in constituent ratios of the acute stage and the recovery stage of DQYS SBOCS and its complicated syndromes between the two groups (P < 0.01). DQYS and SBOCS was basic syndrome types of the two groups. The cured and markedly effective rate was 71.24%(161/226) in the treatment group and 43.02% (37/86) in the control group. The total effective rate was 91.15% (206/226) in the treatment group, higher than that of the control group (76.74%, 66/86) with statistical difference (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the clinical symptoms integral, whole blood viscosity ratio, plasma viscosity ratio, hematocrit, ESR, TC, TG,HDL-C, and LDL-C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSymptoms of ischemic stroke patients could be improved by modified YYHR. Indices such as the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity ratio, hematocrit, ESR, abnormal metabolism of blood lipids were also significantly improved. Pathological changes of blood stasis induced by qi-yin deficiency exist in ischemic stroke patients, and DQYS and SBOCS were basic syndrome types.

Aged ; Biomedical Research ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Yin Deficiency ; therapy

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the role of macrophages in promotion of ovarian tumor cell proliferation mediated by over-expression of antimicrobial peptide LL-37.

METHODSTo co-culture ovarian tumor cells SKOV3, 3AO and HO-8910 with macrophages. The Transwell(®) inserts system was used in the co-culture model. The effect of macrophages promoted ovarian tumor cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU-ELISA and cell number counting. Expressions of mRNA and protein of LL-37 in the macrophages and SKOV3 cells were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. To observe that LL-37 is responsible for macrophage-promoted ovarian tumor cells growth, LL-37 neutralizing antibody was added to abrogate the LL-37 activation.

RESULTSThe cell number assay showed that after 4 days coincubation with macrophages in the proportion of 1:0.5, the number of SKOV3 cells increased from (6.0 ± 0.5)×10(4) to (11.8 ± 1.3)×10(4), showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). It also showed that the growth of the SKOV3 cells was dependent on the macrophage number (P < 0.05). The number variability of 3AO and HO-8910 cells was as the same as SKOV3 cells upon co-culture with macrophages. As determined by BrdU-ELISA, the resulted proliferation of ovarian tumor cells was similar to the result of cell number counting. RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that the expression of LL-37 mRNA and protein in the macrophages was remarkably enhanced in a time dependent manner upon coincubation with SKOV3 cells, but did not work in SKOV3 cells. BrdU-ELISA assay exhibited that treatment of cells with LL-37 significantly stimulated HO-8910 and 3AO cell proliferation. Addition of LL-37 neutralizing antibody markedly inhibited macrophage-promoted ovarian tumor cell (SKOV3, 3AO and HO-8910 cells) proliferation. The OD values of these three cells were decreased from 2.95 ± 0.11 to 1.45 ± 0.04, from 3.39 ± 0.36 to 1.32 ± 0.09 and from 3.93 ± 0.17 to 1.68 ± 0.23, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOver-expression and release of LL-37 from macrophages is responsible for proliferation of ovarian tumor cells in co-culture condition. The data presented indicate that LL-37 may be critical for macrophage-induced tumor progression.

Antibodies, Neutralizing ; pharmacology ; Cathelicidins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; Female ; Humans ; Macrophages ; cytology ; physiology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the possible role of hTERT and c-myc in endometrial carcinogenesis.

METHODSThe expression of hTERT and c-myc mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization of endometrial samples from 14 cases with simple hyperplasia, 10 with complex hyperplasia, 8 with atypical hyperplasia and 42 with endometrioid carcinoma.

RESULTSExpression of hTERT was demonstrated in samples with simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma at frequencies of 2/14, 4/8, 8/10 and 39/42 (92.9%), respectively. The prevalence and intensity of the hTERT signal was greater in the carcinomas and lesions with atypical hyperplasia than those with simple or complex hyperplasia (P < 0.05). The expression of c-myc was demonstrated in samples with simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma at frequencies of 3/14, 1/8, 5/10 and 23/42 (54.8%), respectively. The frequency of c-myc expression was higher in carcinomas and hyperplastic lesions with atypia than those in lesions with simple or complex hyperplasia without atypia (P < 0.05). The expression of hTERT was shown to be correlated with the level of differentiation (P < 0.05), while the c-myc expression appeared to be associated with the depth of myometrial invasion (P < 0.05). The expression levels of hTERT and c-myc were not found to be correlated with each other in the tissues examined (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of hTERT and c-myc may be involved in the progression from the endometrial aypical hyperplasia to invasive carcinoma. The correlation between hTERT and c-myc in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma are not found.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tongfu Huoxue decoction on experimental intracelebral hemorrhage and the associated machenisms.

METHODThe cerebral hemorrhage model in rats was induced by local injection of type VII collagenase and they were randomly divided into four groups. The treated groups were treated with Naoxuekang and Tongfu Huoxue decoction. The control groups were only treated with water. The changes of neurological defect were observed. The content of brain water, MDA, NO and the activity of SOD were measured.

RESULTThe cerebral hemorrhage rats showed hemiplegia, and the hemorrhage brains showed celebral edema, higher quotient of brain and content of brain water, suggesting the hemorrhage model was established successfully. After the treatment of Tongfu Huoxue decoction, the hemorrhage rats showed smaller hemorrhage volume, the brain tissue from the hemorrhage rats had lower MDA content and the quotient of brain, and also had higher activity of SOD and content of NO.

CONCLUSIONTongfu Huoxue decoction has treatment effects on cerebral hemorrhage.

Animals ; Arctium ; chemistry ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagenases ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fallopia japonica ; chemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunus ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: The application of coronary stents, especially drug-eluting stents (DESs), has made percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) one of important therapeutic methods for CHD. DES has reduced the in-stent restenosis to 5％–9％ and signifi cantly improved the long-term prognosis of patients with CHD. The study aimed to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of domestic drug-eluting stents (DESs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: All patients with ACS who had undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2009 to December 2010 were included in this study. Patients were excluded from the study if they were implanted with bare metal stents or different stents (domestic and imported DESs) simultaneously. The included patients were divided into two groups according to different stents implanted: domestic DESs and imported DESs. RESULTS: In the 1683 patients of this study, 1558 (92.6％) patients were folowed up successfuly for an average of (29.1±5.9) months. 130 (8.3％) patients had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiac death in 32 (2.1％) patients, recurrent myocardial infarction in 16 (1％), and revascularization in 94 (6％). The rates of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, revascularization, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis and other MACEs were not significantly different between the two groups (allP>0.05). Multivarite logistic regression revealed that diabetes mellitus (OR=1.75, 95％CI: 1.09–2.82,P=0.021), vascular numbers of PCI (OR=2.16, 95％CI: 1.22–3.83, P=0.09) and PCI with left main lesion (OR=9.47, 95％CI: 2.96–30.26,P=0.01) were independent prognostic factors of MACEs. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed that there was no significant difference in cumulative survival rates and survival rates free from clinical events between the two groups (allP>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of clinical events and cumulative survival rates are not statistically different between domestic DESs and imported DESs. Domestic DES is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with ACS.

OBJECTIVETo classify the blood vessel distribution of the expanded skin in the mastoid region and its relevance to reasonable and reliable design of the expanded flap for auricular reconstruction in congenital microtia.

METHODSThe blood vessel distribution of the expanded skin in the mastoid region was observed by light permeation test. The expanded flaps with different ratio of length to width were designed according to their blood vessel distribution types.

RESULTSThe vascular distribution of the expanded skin in 403 cases was divided into five types. All the flaps survived completely.

CONCLUSIONSThe blood vessel distribution type of the expanded skin in mastoid region has great significance for the design of post-auricular expanded flap in auricular reconstruction.

Congenital Abnormalities ; surgery ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Ear ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Skin ; blood supply ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tissue Expansion Devices

Objective To investigate the effect ofplatelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and conditional medium of U87 glioma cells on the migration ability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to understand the possible role of PDGF in the directional migration of hMSCs toward gliomas. Methods hMSCs were isolated from the whole bone marrow by adherent culture, and the expression of PDGF receptor (PDGFR-α, β) in the cells was examined by RT-PCR. In vitro migration assay was performed using transwell inserts to observe the effect of PDGF (0, 5, 50, and 125 ng/mL) and the conditional medium on the directional migration ability ofhMSCs. The changes in the migration ability of hMSCs in response to addition of anti-PDGF antibody in the conditional medium were investigated. Results RT-PCR detected the expression of PDGFR- αand PDGFR-β mRNA in the isolated hMSCs. In the cell migration assay, both PDGF and the conditional medium induced directional migration of hMSCs (P<0.05), which was significantly suppressed by anti-PDGF antibody P<0.05). Conclusion With chemokine-like activities, PDGF concentration-dependently enhances the directional migration of hMSCs toward gliomas in vitro.