Objective To investigate the expression of caspase-10 in differentiated thyroid carcinoma and association with its development and metastasis. Methods Thyroid samples from 37 patients in a period from January 2006 to December 2007, with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed for caspase-10 by immunohistocbemistry(streptavidin-perosidase, S-P), compared to control group of 46 cases with nodtdar goiter. The relationship between the expression of caspase-10 and the clinical pathologic characteristics of thyroid carcinoma were also explored simultaneously. Results caspase-10 were observed as brown or yellow particles located in the cytoplasm or cell membrane of nodular goiter but there were no significant evidence for its positive expression in thyroid carcinoma, caspase-10 expression was markedly down-regulated in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(29.73%,11/37) compared with benign nodules(71.74%,33/46, χ2=14.528, P<0.01). The positive expression in 18 cases with lymph node metastasis(11.11%,2/18) was significantly lower than those in 19 patients without lymph node metastasis(47.37%,9/19; χ2=4.210, P<0.01). There was no significant correlation(P> 0.05) between the expression of caspase-10 and the clinical pathologic characteristics including male, age, TNM stage and pathologic type. Conclusion Down-regulation of caspase-10 may play a critical role in carcinogenesis and development of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) on the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism indicators of rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming, and to explore the differences between moxibustion at different points in the effects on anti-exercise fatigue. Methods: Forty-eight male SPF rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a non-meridian and non-acupoint group, a Shenshu (BL 23) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, and a Shenque (CV 8) group using random number table method, with eight rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats in the other groups were subjected to replicating the one-time exhaustive model using the weight-bearing swimming experiment. Except for the model group, the other model rats received mild moxibustion immediately after swimming. Rats in the non-meridian and non-acupoint group received mild moxibustion at bilateral subcostal non-meridian and non-acupoint points, those in the Shenshu (BL 23) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), those in the Zusanli (ST 36) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), and those in the Shenque (CV 8) group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min. Four hours after the exhaustive swimming, femoral artery blood was collected to detect blood lactate (BLA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels, and calculate the T/C ratio. Results: Compared with the blank group, rat's serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group were increased, and serum levels of CRE and T, and T/C ratios were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05); compared with the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group, the serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the Shenshu (BL 23) group, Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group were decreased, and the serum CRE and T levels, and the T/C ratios were increased (all P<0.01); compared with the Shenshu (BL 23) group, the serum CK level was decreased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01), the serum levels of T and C were decreased in the Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01); compared with the Zusanli (ST 36) group, the serum CK and BUN levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) shows different anti-fatigue effects by regulating the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism in rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming. Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) is better in promoting energy synthesis. Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) is more effective in regulating synthesis and decomposition of the skeletal muscle proteins.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the expression of tumor O (6)-methylquanine DNA methyl-tranferase(MGMT) and pathological grade,and the influence of racial factors on tumor MGMT expression levels for glioma patients.

METHODSCompare and analysis the correlation between the pathological grade and MGMT levels and the racial factors on MGMT expression levels by the immunohistochemical staining on the tumor specimens of 33 Uygur and 61 Han.

RESULTSThe positive rate of 61 Han gliomas pations with MGMT is 45.90% and 33 cases of the Uygur is 30.30% , there's no clear correlation between the racial factors and the tumor MGMT levels. (P >0.05). Comparative the 94 patients with pathological level and tumor MGMT level, there is no clear correlation between pathologic level and MGMT pression in tumor tissues (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere's no clear correlation of tumor MGMT expression and pathological levels; and there's no significant effect between racial factors and expression of glioma MGMT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; ethnology ; DNA Modification Methylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma ; enzymology ; ethnology ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAcute renal failure following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Approximately half of all patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) subsequently develop acute renal failure (ARF). The purpose of the study was to compare early transient changes in renal function within the first post-operative week following CABG in patients that were either off-pump or on-pump.

METHODSEight hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients with isolated CABG in a single institution between January 1990 and August 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, including 518 off-pump and 331 on-pump patients. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to identify risk factors for the development of AKI.

RESULTSSixty-one off-pump patients and 63 on-pump patients developed AKI. Risk factors for the development of post-operative AKI included an ejection fraction > or =50% or < or =30%, a pulse pressure > or =60 mmHg, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, emergent procedure, triple-vessel disease, body mass index, peri-operative and post-operative. intra-aortic balloon pumping, NYHA class III and IV, and cardiopulmonary bypass. An ejection fraction > or =50% and peri-operative and post-operative intra-aortic balloon pumping were protective (OR <1). Peak serum creatinine for post-operative AKI was noted 12 hours and 24 hours in the off-pump and on-pump patients, respectively. Serum creatinine kinetics revealed rapid recovery in the 24th to 48th hour (off-pump) and the 48th to 72nd hour (on-pump).

CONCLUSIONRenal protection strategies are indicated from general anesthesia induction until 48 and 72 hours post-operatively in off-pump and on-pump patients, respectively.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; adverse effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

To explore the new pattern of Chinese medicine solid preparations (CMSP) in vitro dissolution, a method testing the bio-thermal activity in combination with UPLC was used. Microcalorimetry was used to obtain the characteristic metabolic growth power-time curves and a series of biothermodynamic parameters of the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus by Yinhuang tablet dissolving solutions at the pH 6.8 (phosphate buffer) dissolution medium at different times. From these results, the cumulative dissolution of Yinhuang tablet based on bio-thermal activity was obtained. The dissolution rates of two components of chlorogenic acid and baicalin were determined by UPLC method. Then f2 similar factor method was used to evaluate the relevance of these two methods. The result showed that f2 values all were more than 50, indicating that there is a good correlation between the two methods of measuring the dissolution rate. It is feasible to determine CMSP in vitro dissolution by using bio-thermal activity, and to provide new evaluation methods for controlling the quality of CMSP.
Calorimetry ; methods ; Chlorogenic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Quality Control ; Solubility ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Tablets ; Thermodynamics

To compare the microcalorimetric fingerprint profiles of Lonicerae japonicae Flos (Lj.F) and Lonicerae Flos (L.F), microcalormietry was applied to find the heat change regularity of Bacillus shigae (B. shigae) metabolism affected by Lj.F and L.F (we choose Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz in this paper) with different concentrations. The thermogenic curves and thermodynamics parameters were investigated as evaluation index, and then the date of experiment was studied by similarity analysis. All the results indicated that the Lj.F and Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz (L.m.H-M) significantly impacted the microbial growth and had good similarity in its inhibitory activities. The combination approach of chemical analysis with bioassay was developed and employed to ensure the safety and efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bacillus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Calorimetry ; methods ; Chemical Safety ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Thermodynamics ; Thermogenesis

BACKGROUNDSeveral candidate genes of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) susceptibility have been identified, but their polymorphisms account for only a small percent of the total variance. Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) is a potent ectopic ossification inducing factor. BMP4 protein and mRNA are present in cells from OPLL patients, but not non-OPLL controls. A single nucleotide polymorphism of 6007C>T(rs17563) of BMP4 has been reported to affect bone density in postmenopausal women. Thus, BMP4 may function in OPLL development. Appropriately, the relationship between BMP4 polymorphisms and OPLL was investigated.

METHODSA case-control association study investigated the genetic etiology in 179 OPLL patients and 298 non-OPLL controls. Extent of OPLL was analyzed by radiologic examinations. Whether single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of -5826G>A(rs1957860) 5' of the transcription start site and 6007C>T(rs17563) in exon 4 of the BMP4 gene were statistically associated with genetic susceptibility to OPLL in Chinese Han subjects was assessed.

RESULTSA significant statistical difference in genotype of 6007C>T polymorphism between male OPLL patients and male controls was evident, and the frequency of "TT" genotype in male OPLL patients was significantly higher than in male controls (P = 0.039). The frequency of the "T" allele was also significantly higher in male OPLL subjects than in male controls (P = 0.014, OR = 1.57). A significant difference was also observed between the 6007C>T polymorphism and the number of ossified cervical vertebrae in OPLL patients, while no statistical difference was apparent between the -5826G>A polymorphism and OPLL occurrence.

CONCLUSIONSThe T allele in the 6007C>T polymorphism may be a risk factor for male Han Chinese with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine. Chinese Han male patients with CT and TT 6007C>T genotypes have a genetic susceptibility to OPLL and more extensive OPLL in the cervical spine.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the prediction of the site for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (VE) in the treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (OA).

METHODSThis study involved 56 infertile men with confirmed OA whose obstruction was suspected to be in the epididymis. Based on their medical history and results of preoperative physical examination and ultrasonography, we predicted the sites for VE. We performed surgical scrotal exploration for the status of epididymal obstruction, conducted palpation and microscopic observation for the epididymal tubules to be anastomosed, and finally decided on the sites for VE by making sure of the presence of motile sperm in the epididymal fluid of the patients. After surgery, we followed up the patients for the rate of pregnancy.

RESULTSAll the patients received bilateral scrotal ultrasonography and surgical scrotal exploration, totaling 112 procedures, including 98 VE procedures. The accuracy rate of the predicted sites for VE was 80.5% (153/190) by medical history and physical examination, 80.3% (90/112) based on the results of ultrasonography, and 87.4% (90/103) according to the first selected epididymal tubules. Of the 28 patients followed up for more than 12 months, motile sperm were found in 19 (67.9% ) at 2 to 12 months and spontaneous pregnancies were achieved in 10 (35.7%), all with the anastomotic sites in the corpus or cauda.

CONCLUSIONMedical history and physical examination contribute to the selection of anastomotic sites and non-invasive scrotal ultrasonography is effective and practical for positioning epididymal obstruction. The epididymal tubules with motile sperm for anastomosis could be easily obtained from the most dilated ones in indurated epididymides.

Azoospermia ; surgery ; Body Fluids ; Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Scrotum ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Vas Deferens ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the metabolites of marine fungus Alternalia sp.

METHODCompounds were separated by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by means of chemical and spectral analysis.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of the fermentation of marine fungus Alternalia sp. Their structures were elucidated as p-benzyloxy-phenol ( I ), p-hydroxy phenyl ethylamine( II ), 3-hydroxymethyl-8-hydroxyl-pyrrolopiperazine-2, 5-dione ( III ), 3-isobutyl-6-secbutyl-piperazine-2, 5-dione (IV), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-diene-3beta-ol (V), 3beta-hydroxxy-cholesta-5-ene (VI).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I , II, III, IV have the activity of inducing morphological deformation of mycelia germinated from conidia of Pyricularia oryzae. Compounds I , II , III were isolated from the genus Alternalia for the first time.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ascomycota ; drug effects ; Fermentation ; Fungi ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Phenethylamines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fenofibrate on the proliferation and apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). METHODS: HUVECs were cultured in vitro. The study was designated to 5 groups according to fenofibrate concentration: control group, LPC group, LPC + low-concentration fenofibrate (10 micromol/L), LPC + middle-concentration fenofibrate (50 micromol/L), and LPC + high-concentration fenofibrate (100 micromol/L). The study was designated to 6 groups according to the intervention time: control group, LPC group, LPC + fenofibrate (50 micromol/L) 6 h, LPC + fenofibrate 12 h, LPC + fenofibrate 24 h, and LPC + fenofibrate 48 h. The proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. eNOS mRNA were assayed by real time-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, LPC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis, and downregulate eNOS mRNA expression and decrease NO production of HUVECs. Fenofibrate could increase the proliferation and decrease the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression and enhance NO production in HUVECs. CONCLUSION Fenofibrate could improve the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression of HUVECs induced by LPC, which may be responsible for fenofibrate to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology