Objective To investigate the apoptotic effects of hypertrophic scar fibroblast (HSF) induced by HMME-PDT.Methods Fibroblasts were cultured from nontreated hypertrophic scars,and cells at passages 4-6 were used for the experiments (photosensitizer dose 4 μg/ml,λ630 nm,pow er density 10 mw/cm2,energy fluence 2.5 J/cm2).Morphological and biochemical changes in fibroblasts were assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy.The rate of apoptotic or necrotic cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) through double staining of Annexin V -FITC and popodium iodide (PI),respectively.Results Marked morphological features of cell apoptosis were viewed under the fluorescent microscope through Hoechst 33258 staining.The analysis of FCM indica ted that the apoptotic rate was significantly increased after HMME PDT [(34.82 ± I.42) ％ vs (3.12±0.28) ％,P＜0.05],and apoptotic rate was higher than necrosis rate [(14.65±1.02) ％ vs (34.82±1.42) ％,P＜0.05].Conclusions Low level exposure to 630 nm PDT mediated by HMME appears to induce fibroblast apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of calcium antagonist verapamil on the function of rat?- cells and tolbutamide (D860)-induced insulin release.Methods Insulin released from isolated islets were measured in control,verapamil,D860,and verapamil+D860 groups.Furthermore,intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was conducted in acute experiments treated with verapamil and D860 respectively to assess?-cell function in rats with the same allocation as in vitro.Another IVGTT was performed in the end of 4 weeks' treatment.The insulin contents in pancreas were assayed and pancreas islets morphology were observed with immunohistochemistry.Results Verapamil could inhibit insulin release from isolated islets.Verapamil group was [(1.244?0.082)ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)]and control group (2.623?0.226) ng?ml~(-1)?islet~(-1)(P0.05).Also,similar results were obtained in normal rats during acute experiments and verapamil reduce the hypoglycemic effect promoted by D860. However,above results were not observed in the end of 4 weeks experiments,and no difference for insulin content and morphological change in islets was found among four groups.Conclusion Treatment of verapamil chronically does not impair islet function and interfere with the hypoglycemic effect of D860 in rats .

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a male patient with 21hydroxylase deficiency combined with adrenal and testicular tumors.Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from the patient.Testicular biopsy was performed.The CYP21 gene was sequenced for mutations.Results The patient presented left adrenal and testicular enlargements.The laboratory examinations showed that plasma ACTH,androstenedione,testosterone,progesterone,and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were markedly elevated.CT scan revealed that the right adrenal gland being resected and the left adrenal with nodular enlargement.Furthermore,testicular biopsy showed a prominent peritubular fibrosis with increased number of peritubular fibroblasts,tubular hyalinisation,and calcification.Sequencing analysis showed a A>G homozygous mutation at intron 2.Conclusion Patients with untreated 21-hydroxylage deficiency may.have adrenal adenomas and(or)testicular adrenal rest tumor simultaneously.

y screen and prevent CAD in these people before diabetes sets in.

Objective To investigate the factors which may affect the secretions of human leptin and free fatty acids (FFA) by measuring plasma glucose, serum insulin, leptin and FFA levels during reduced sample number intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) in the subjects with different status of insulin resistance and ? cell function. Methods According to oral glucose tolerance test, 7 normal, 10 overweight/obese individuals, 12 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 11 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were recruited. During IVGTT, serum insulin, leptin and FFA levels at 12 time points were simultaneously measured. Results Compared to the stable secretion of leptin, during 180 min in the IVGTT, the FFA secretion showed a "U" shape profile. The correlation analysis showed that the average serum leptin and FFA levels in 3 h were independent to fasting plasma glucose concentration. The partial correlation coefficient of leptin and insulin decreased after being adjusted for FFA (before r=0.77, P0.05). Conclusion The changes of serum FFA levels in IVGTT are more significant than those of leptin after glucose loading. Fasting plasma glucose levels do not significantly affect the average serum levels of leptin and FFA. On the contrary, insulin manifests such action but does not affect the secretion profile of these parameters.

Objective To evaluate the difference of carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) among different glucose tolerance status and to investigate the association of IMT with different glucose levels of 4 time points during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the lipid metabolic indices in non-diabetic subjects. Methods Eleven normal control subjects, 69 subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) newly diagnosed by OGTT (including 28 patients with non-elevated OGTT 30 min and 60 min glucose values (

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Chinese medicinal therapy for cooling blood and removing stasis (CBRS) in treating psoriasis of blood-heat syndrome type by observing its clinical efficacy and impact on serum level of cytokines.

METHODSChanges of psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, scores of syndrome and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha, Th1 cytokine) and interleukin-10 (IL-10, Th2 cytokine) in 32 psoriatic patients before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate after 4 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks of treatment was 65.63% (21/32 cases) and 75.00% (24/32 cases) respectively. Scores of PASI and syndrome all improved after treatment (P < 0.05). And comparison of TNF-alpha level before and after treatment also showed significant difference (P < 0.05) , whereas that of IL-10 was insignificant (P > 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between PASI scores and secreting level of TNF-alpha in patients with psoriasis (r = 0.3709, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese therapy for CBRS could play its effect in treating psoriasis by way of reducing TNF-alpha level.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To estimate heart function among patients with diabetic foot ulcer,and to investigate the characteristics of heart failure(HF) before and after treatment of ulcer. Methods Items associated with diabetes and some physiological and biochemical indicators were observed in patients with diabetic foot ulcer(162 cases) and with high risk factors of ulcer(75 cases). Heart function was evaluated at patients′ admission, during ulcer related treatment, and prior to discharge. Left ventricular ejection fraction and other cardiac assessment were measured with ultrasonic scan.Results During hospitalization, 23.6%(56/237) patients underwent HF with normal left ventricular ejection fraction, and it was 27.2%(44/162) in patients with foot ulcers. The prevalence of HF was 8.9%(21/237) in all patients studied on admission, and that was 10.5%(17/162) in patients with foot ulcer, more than that without foot ulcer(P＜0.01). More patients with HF were found, being 14.8%(35/237) during 2-7 days after ulcer related treatment initiated, and peak was on the 4th day. There was statistical difference among different Wagner grades(P＜0.05) about the morbidity rate of HF. All patients with HF were improved and tolerant to ulcer related treatment. Conclusion The prevalence of HF with normal left ventricular ejection fraction was relatively high in patients with diabetic foot ulcer, especially after ulcer treatment.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between interleukin-18(IL-18) and insulin resistance, measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Forty-two young women with PCOS and 38 age-and body mass index (BMI)- matched control women were recruited in this study. A complete hormonal assay was performed and serum IL-18 level was determined in each subject. And euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test was completed in 41 of the above subjects. Results Serum IL-18 levels were increased in the PCOS women, as compared with the control (P=0.033). When all subjects were divided into lean and obese groups, the IL-18 levels were slightly increased in the obese subjects (P=0.902). IL-18 levels were negatively correlated with all the clamp parameters [mean glucose infusion rate (M), M-to-insulin ratio (M/I) and glucose metabolic clearance rate (MCRg), r =-0.419,-0.396,and-0.405,P=0.006,0.010 and 0.009 respectively], but were positively associated with HOMA-β index(r=0.334, P=O.035). Conclusion Serum IL-18 level was significantly increased in PCOS women and was strongly associated with the parameters obtained from the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, indicating that IL-18 may be an important mediator between inflammation and insulin resistance.