OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shengmai Injection (SMI) on serum concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of digoxin in patients with congestive heart failure.

METHODSForty in-patients with congestive heart failure were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups, the three treated groups I, II and III treated with digoxin combined with 20 ml, 40 ml and 60 ml of SMI respectively, and the control group, 10 patients in each group. The serum concentration of digoxin at different time points was determined with radioimmunoassay and the pharmacokinetical parameters were calculated with 3P97 pharmacokinetic software.

RESULTSThe serum concentration of digoxin in the treated group I was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), with the pharmacokinetical parameters, including the elimination half-life time (T1/2), elimination rate constant (Ke), apparent volume of distribution (Vd), plasma clearance (CL) and area under curve (AUC), significantly different to those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But the serum concentration of digoxin with its pharmacokinetical parameters in the other two treated groups were not different significantly to those in the control group respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMI could influence the metabolism of digoxin in patients with congestive heart failure. This study has provided an important reference for safe and rational combined use of digoxin and SMI in clinical practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Disease ; complications ; Digoxin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occupational hazard factors and their critical control points in the process of construction of a large-scale construction project.METHODS: The engineering analysis, worksite survey occupational health and occupational hazard factor testing were conducted in a large-scale construction project, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: During the process of construction of this large-scale construction project, there were many occupational hazard factors such as silicon dust, welding smoke, wood and other dusts, inorganic compounds of manganese, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, ozone, noise, high temperature, hand-transmitted vibration and ultraviolet irradiation, among them, silicon dust and noise were the most common ones. The over standard rates of exposure concentration of short term of total dust and respirable dust in the workplace were 68.2%(15/22) and 40.9%(9/22), and the over standard rates of exposure concentration of time weighted average were 54.5%(12/22) and 13.6%(3/22), respectively. The over standard rates of the noise intensity of area sampling and personal sampling in workplace were 69.2%(45/65) and 61.0%(25/41) respectively. The four hours energy equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration to vibration of three hand-transmitted vibration positions has been detected, and the result has surpassed the occupational exposure limit.The results of other occupational hazard factors such as high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, wood dust, welding smoke, other dust, manganese inorganic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide and ozone all met the occupational exposure limits. CONCLUSION: There are various occupational hazard factors in the process of construction of this large-scale construction project, among them, noise, dust and hand-transmitted vibration are the most prominent hazards.These hazards are the critical control points of this type of construction projects.

Objective To provide the skin vessels morphologie basis for perforating flap of the antero- lateral thigh(ALT).Methods Six sides lower limbs of adult fresh cadaver specimens perfused with lead oxide-gelatine mixture were used.Observe the peraforators of anterolateral thigh by dissection.The elevated tissue was radiographed by X-ray and MSCT-scanning.Computer techniques was used for the detection and 3D-reconstruction of the regions of each perforators of ALT flap.Results The three-dimensional recostruct- ed digitized visible models perfectly displayed the anatomic structures of arteries on the anterolateral thigh, and,the morphology and distribution of the vascular territory of each perforator from descending branch of LCFA was displayed in the images of 3D-visualization,their effective morphology and distribution were same, and they accord with vascular territory of radiograph.On the 2D-image of X-ray,The margins of the anatomical distribution of each perforator from descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery were determined, their total areas was about 25cm?24cm.Conclusion Since the digitized image of perforator territory can accord with the morphology of anatomy,and can off vascular structure insights into cutaneous perforator anato- my,their 3D visualizative models can be applied in pre-operative designing and virtual operation procedures, and can be helped for study of perforator flap.

OBJECTIVEDue to its minimal-invasive approach, endovascular procedure had replaced surgery in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). The interventional therapy was a safe and effective treatment in adults with BCS and the cure rate was high. However Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is rare. Published literature on interventional procedure for Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is scarce. The aim of the study was to present results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stents placement in children and adolescents with BCS and to evaluate the efficacy and safety in these patients of this approach.

METHODTwenty-five patients [16 boys and 9 girls; average age of (14.5 ± 3.4) years old; age ranged from 5 to 17 years] with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were hospitalized from December 1990 to August 2012 were presented. All of them were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound scan while 12 of them had magnetic resonance venography (MRV) scan. All of the patients had undergone angiographic examination. Four cases with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were treated with PTA. One case with segmental block of IVC was treated with PTA and stent placement. Five cases with membranous obstruction of IVC and hepatic vein (/and accessory hepatic vein) were treated with PTA. Among 8 cases with membranous obstruction of hepatic veins, 6 cases were treated with PTA and the others with PTA and stent placement. Among 4 cases with blocks of 3 hepatic veins (HVs), one was treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement and the other one was unsuccessful. Three cases with obstruction of HV and accessory HV (AHV) were treated with PTA. Totally, 24 patients were treated with interventional approach and followed up.

RESULTThe procedure was successful in 24 patients. The involved veins (hepatic veins or IVC) were patented after interventional procedure. The pressure of hepatic vein was (42.1 ± 4.2) cm H2O (37-50 cm H2O) (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) before the interventional therapy, while it was (17.3 ± 3.3) cm H2O (14-26 cm H2O) after it. The pressure of IVC was (30.6 ± 2.9) cm H2O (26-36 cm H2O) before the interventional therapy, while it was (18.8 ± 4.2) cm H2O (15-26 cm H2O) after it. The symptoms and signs vanished instantly after interventional procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. The rate of overall initial cure was 96%. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25.8 months (range 6 months to 8 years). Seven cases developed restenosis after first procedure. Five of them were treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement. All of the involved veins were patented again. Clinical symptoms were relieved. There were no procedure-related complications as well.

CONCLUSIONThe interventional procedure in children and adolescents with BCS is the same as in adults. Radiological therapeutic intervention is efficacious and safe in children and adolescents with BCS.

Adolescent ; Angioplasty ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Phlebography ; methods ; Radiography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Venous Thrombosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical efficacy between discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation for lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom December 2007 to August 2008, 50 patients (31 males and 19 females) were treated by surgery of discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation. The average age was 52.5 years (range, 30 - 72 years). There were 24 cases in the group of discectomy plus Coflex fixation and 26 cases in the group of discectomy. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scales (VAS), Japanese Orthopadic Association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded, as well as radiological index. And use a paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) statistical method to evaluate the Coflex dynamic stabilization system in value in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

RESULTSBoth groups received significant improvement of JOA, ODI and VAS (t = -33.2 - 64.5, P < 0.01), but the group of discectomy was found with deterioration of ODI at last follow-up, 12 months after surgery 6.7 ± 1.5 to 10.2 ± 2.3 (t = -19.3, P < 0.05). The group of discectomy plus Coflex fixation was found with significant increase of height of dorsal intervertebral discs (HD), distance across the two adjacent spinous processes (DS), distance of intervertebral foramina (DIF) and spinal canal area(SA) (t = -34.4 - 4.5, P < 0.05). In contrast, the group of discectomy was found with significant decrease of HD, DS, DIF and SA (t = 3.4 - 52.8, P < 0.05). Coflex fixed group in HD, DIF, DS significant difference with simple discectomy group, with a statistically significant (F = 14.1 - 25.6, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation are apparently effective when treating lumbar disc herniation. Coflex can significantly increase the HD and DIF when used for lumbar disc herniation, and it has positive influence for keeping height of lumbar vertebral space and treating the nerve root symptom of lumbar disc herniation. Discectomy plus Coflex is better than pure discectomy in preventing lumbar degeneration.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

This study was purposed to investigate the regulatory effects of differentiating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on osteoclast formation. The MSC from mouse compact bones were cultured and induced into osteoblasts and adipocytes for one week. To test their regulatory effect on osteoclastogenesis, osteogenically differentiated and adipogenically differentiated MSC were co-cultured with CD11b(+) monocytes and osteoclasts were identified with in situ tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The results showed that differentiated MSC supported osteoclastogenesis but the osteoclast supporting capacity of osteogenically differentiated MSC decreased as compared with undifferentiated MSC. More interestingly, the adipogenically differentiated MSC significantly promoted osteoclasts formation when co-cultured with monocytes. It is concluded that the regulatory effect of MSC on osteoclast formation has changed while they have differentiated into different types of cells. The findings indicate that MSC may exert alternative effect on osteoclastogenesis by differentiation to descendant cells.
Adipogenesis ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Monocytes ; cytology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteoclasts ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which Qianliening Capsule (, QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSHuman prostate stromal cell line WPMY-1 was treated with 0, 1, 3 and 5 mg/mL of QC for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, in the presence of 10 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The viability of WPMY-1 cells was determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis. The loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by FACS analysis with 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyarine iodide (JC-1) staining. Activation of caspase-3 and -9 was evaluated by colorimetric assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSUpon bFGF stimulation, the viability of WPMY-1 cells was increased to 122%-118% compared with the control cells (P <0.05). However, treatment with 1-5 mg/mL of QC for 24, 48 and 72 h decreased the viability of bFGF-stimulated cells to 80%-92%, 59%-82%, 36%-62% compared with the untreated cells (P <0.05). In addition, QC treatment reduced WPMY-1 cell density in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, QC treatment dose-dependently induced the loss of plasma membrane asymmetry, the nuclear condensation and fragmentation, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and increase of pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

CONCLUSIONPromoting mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis of prostate stromal cells might be one of the mechanisms by which QC treats BPH.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; physiology ; Prostate ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc (PSZ) extract on methuosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 and CNE2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSCNE1 and CNE2 cells were treated with 1 mg/mL PSZ extract and the expressions of Rac1 mRNA and Rac1 protein were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results CNE1 and CNE2 cells showed obvious morphological changes typical of methuosis following treatment with PSZ extract characterized by cell merging, accumulation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles, and membrane rupture without obvious changes in the nuclei. PSZ treatment resulted in up-regulated Rac1 mRNA and Rac1 protein expressions in the cells. Application of EHT 1864 obviously blocked the effect of PSZ extract in inducing methuosis in CNE1 and CNE2 cells.

CONCLUSIONPSZ extract can induce methuosis in CNE1 and CNE2 cells by inducing the overexpression of Rac1.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of simvastatin combined with omega-3 fatty acids on high sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP), lipidemia, and fibrinolysis in coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipidemia.

METHODSA randomized, double-blind placebo controlled and parallel group trial was conducted. Patients with CHD and CHD risk equivalents with mixed dyslipidemia were treated with 10 or 20 mg simvastatin for 6-12 weeks. Following with the treatment of patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch) reaching goal level (< 100 mg/dL) or close to the goal (< 130 mg/dL), while triglyceride (TG) > or = 200 mg/dL and < 500 mg/dL, was combined with omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/d) or a placebo for 2 months. The effects of the treatment on HsCRP, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-ch, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch), TG, lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)], apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were investigated. Forty patients finished the study with each group consisting of twenty patients.

RESULTS(1) There were significant reductions of HsCRP, TG, TC, and TC/HDL-ch, which decreased by 2.16 +/- 2.77 mg/L (38.5%), 94.0 +/- 65.4 mg/dL (31.1%), 13.3 +/- 22.3 mg/dL (6.3%), 0.78 +/- 1.60 respectively in the omega-3 fatty acids group (P < 0.01, < 0.001, < 0.05, < 0.05) compared to the baseline. HsCRP and triglyceride reduction were more significant in omega-3 fatty acids group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.021 and 0.011 respectively). (2) In the omega-3 fatty acids group, the values and percentage of TG reduction had a significantly positive relation with HsCRP reduction (r = 0.51 and 0.45, P = 0.021 and 0.047 respectively).

CONCLUSIONIn CHD and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia's therapeutic effect using simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids may result from not only the combination of lipid adjustment, but also enhancement of their own nonlipid influences.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; therapeutic use ; Fibrinolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in diagnosing obstructive interface morphology of Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).

METHODSMRV examination was performed on 44 cases of BCS, and the images of obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava were reviewed by two radiologists.

RESULTSIn all 44 cases, there were 37 cases with complete obstruction and 7 with incomplete obstruction. MRV showed 4 cases with membrane with hole of incomplete obstruction. The morphologies MRV demonstrated that the proximal part of the 37 cases with complete obstruction were mainly divided into the cone type (36 cases) and the planum type (1 case). Besides, the type of distal end of obstruction were the cone type (30 cases), the planum type (4 cases) and the irregular type (3 cases). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of MRV were respectively 100%%, 57.1%, 92.5% and 100% as compared to the DSA.

CONCLUSIONThe examination of MRV is capable of revealing the obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava, especially for the distal end of obstruction. MRV can provide guidelines in interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult