Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in PC12 cells exposed to bupivacaine. Methods The PC12 cells were provided by Shanghai Cell Biology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences and cultured in DMEM liquid culture medium. The cultured PC12 cells were seeded in 36 well plates and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups (n=9 wells each): group Ⅰ control (C);group Ⅱ propofol (P);group Ⅲ bupivacaine (B) and group Ⅳ propofol + bupivacaine (PB). In control group D-Hank solution was added. The cells were exposed to propofol 2 mmol/L and bupivacaine 0.09 mmol/L in group P and B respectively. In group PB the cells were incubated with propofol 2 mmol/L and bupivacaine 0.09 mmol/L simultaneously. After being incubated for 6 and 24 h the apoptosis in BC12 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic rate was calculated. NOS activity and intracellular free Ca2+ coneentration in PC12 cells were determined. Results Bupivacaine significantly increased the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells, the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and NOS activity in PC12 cells in group B as compared with control group. Propofol significantly decreased the toxic effects of bupivacaine on PC12 cells in group PB compared with group B. Conclusion Bupivacaine is toxic to PC12 cells by increasing apoptosis, intracellular Ca+ concentration and NOS activity in the cells. The toxic effects can be prevented to some extent by concomitant administration of propofol.

In this article, based on the analysis on the regional information system's development background and its applications, the construction of the regional medical information system through creating the electronic medical record and the medicine image data centers is proposed, for information resource sharing. And then, the system's software construction and various subsystems functions are mainly introduced. Standardization and the middleware platform are suggested as the effective way of constructing these two data centers in the present situation in our country.
Computer Security ; Computer Systems ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Radiology Information Systems ; Software

OBJECTIVETo compare the manifestations of peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma by CT dynamic enhancement with that of adenocarcinoma, and evaluate the difference of CT dynamic enhancement to distinguish peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas from adenocarcinoma.

METHODSThirty peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas and 40 adenocarcinomas were examined with dynamic contrasted CT, enhancement at various phases recorded, based on which the time-intensity curves were produced. The enhancement patterns were compared and analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference in the enhancement degree and peak time between peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (P > 0.05). The difference in enhancement pattern between these two different types of carcinoma was not statistically significant when the lesion was larger than 3 cm in diameter (P > 0.05), whereas it became statistically significant when the lesion is less than 3 cm (P < 0.05). Most of the squamous cell carcinoma showed heterogeneous enhancement or peripheral enhancement in the tumor zone, however, most of the adenocarcinomas had homogenous enhancement.

CONCLUSIONThe maximum enhancement and the peak time are not helpful in differentiating peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma. When the lesion is less than 3 cm in diameter, the enhancement pattern of peripheral squamous cell carcinomas is different from that of adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo offer normal reference of diameter of the cervical spinal cord and available diameter of cervical spinal canal and to screen scientific radiographic criteria to define and quantify cervical spinal cord disease.

METHODSThe magnetic resonance images of 120 normal people had been measured. The data of diameters of cervical spinal cord, CSF, M, the ratio of diameters of cord and CSF, and the ratio of diameters of cord and M had been collected and statistical analysis was made. And the relationships between the data above and each of gender, the length of C-spine and age were evaluated. In addition, the ratio of diameters of cord and CSF, and the ratio of diameters of cord and M was evaluated.

RESULTSThe study showed that in healthy people, the diameters of cervical spinal cord, CSF and M was larger in the males than in the females, decreased with age, and increased with the length of C-spine but the diameter of CSF. And the ratio of diameters of cord and CSF increased with age and not affected by the length of C-spine. However, the ratio of diameters of cord and M was not affected by age and the length of C-spine.

CONCLUSIONThe ratio of diameters of cord and M is not affected by individual variation and can be used to evaluate cervical spinal cord atrophy, compression and impaired in patients with cervical myelopathy and can be important information in looking for clinically critical points.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Canal ; anatomy & histology ; Spinal Cord ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo understand the sero-prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among different populations and animals in Fujian province.

METHODSOne thousand one hundred and fifty-one serum samples were collected from 5 species of animals including swine, dog, cow, sheep and rat. A total of 2209 and 1722 serum samples from the general population and from the exposed population were collected. Anti-HEV IgG was detected by ELISA. The general population was composed of healthy blood donors and the individuals who had attended physical examination including farmers, handlers, veterinarians, cooks who worked with pigs or chickens while the poultry wholesale suppliers made up the exposure population.

RESULTSThe infection rates of HEV in animals were different between species (chi2 = 406.25, P < 0.01) with the highest seen in the pig group. With pigs being kept at home, the rates were between 70.00% and 94.12% but the rate was 39.77% for those families that keeping the pigs at farms. The infection rate of HEV was 23.3% in the general population and 33.3% in the exposed populations, respectively. A significantly higher infection rate for anti-HEV was found in the exposed population when comparing with general population. The positive rate of anti-HEV IgG was significantly higher in the exposed population that closely having had contact with chickens than those who had contact with pigs. The increasing trend of HEV infection rate with age had been found but there was no significant difference between males and females in the general population. In the exposed population, the infection rate in males was significantly higher than that in females.

CONCLUSIONThe infection ratse of HEV in pigs and in the exposure population were much higher, especially for those persons in close contact with chickens or pigs, suggesting that the sub-clinical infection for HEV might exist. These data further supported the hypothesis that HEV might have been an zoonotic disease.

Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tramadol hydrochloride with behavioral modification in delaying ejaculation in patients with premature ejaculation.

METHODSSeventy-two potent men with premature ejaculation were equally and randomly assigned to a treatment group and control group, the former received 50 mg tramadol hydrochloride with behavioral modification approximately 2 hours before planned sexual activity, while the latter underwent behavioral therapy only, both treated for 8 weeks. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), intercourse satisfaction of the partners, total therapeutic effectiveness, adverse reactions, and hepatic and renal function of the patients were recorded and compared before and after the treatment.

RESULTSBoth the treatment and the control groups showed significant differences from pretreatment in the mean IELT and intercourse satisfaction domain values (P < 0.01). The total rate of effectiveness was 72.2% in the treatment group and 47.2% in the control. The former exhibited even more significant improvement than the latter in the mean IELT, intercourse satisfaction domain values and total rate of effectiveness (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions occurred in 10 cases (27.8%), and no statistically significant differences were found in hepatic and renal function before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTramadol hydrochloride with behavioral modification showed positive effects in prolonging IELT and improving partners' intercourse satisfaction. Yet more multicenter and double-blind studies are required to evaluate its efficacy and safety as a routine therapy for premature ejaculation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Behavior Therapy ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; therapy ; Tramadol ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the distribution frequency of Gly82Ser polymorphism of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGR) gene and investigate its association with type 2 diabetic Chinese patients.

METHODSThe allele frequencies and genotype distribution of Gly82Ser polymorphism of RAGE gene were compared in a case-control study of 194 type 2 diabetic and 546 non-diabetic subjects. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for detection of the genotype variants.

RESULTSIn general Chinese population and type 2 diabetic Chinese patients, the most frequent genotype and allele of RAGR gene Gly82Ser polymorphism were genotype GG and allele G, whose frequency distribution were significantly higher than those in other countries (P<0.01). No significantly difference in the genotype frequencies or allele frequencies of Gly82Ser polymorphism were found between the diabetic patients and non-diabetic subjects (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONGly82Ser polymorphism of RAGE gene does not demonstrate any association with type 2 diabetes in Chinese patients, but high genotype and allele frequencies of Gly82Ser polymorphism occur in Chinese population and type 2 diabetic Chinese patients.

Aged ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Glycine ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; Serine ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo study the diagnosis and treatment for the injury of cervical disc and longitudinal ligament.

METHODSFrom 2001 to 2005, the clinical data of sixty-three patients with cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury were studied. Early treatment was done based on spinal cord injuries and spinal stabilities by X rays and MRI. Early operation was done in fifty-four cases and early non-operation in nine cases.

RESULTSThe follow-up time was six to forty-one months in all patients. The neurological recovery was found in two of eight complete SCI post-operation, thirty-one in thirty-nine incomplete SCI. Cervical collar or plaster orthotic were used in nine cases with four to six weeks. Evidence of instability was noted in four patients, who were operated with anterior decompression fusion. Neck chronic pain was found in two patients, anterior decompression and fusion was done in one with cervical spinal cord compression.

CONCLUSIONSMRI examination is the most value measure for the diagnosis of cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury. Early anterior decompression and fusion was an important approach for cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; injuries ; surgery ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Injuries ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the role of magnesium sulfate in vascular calcification, to explore the role and the mechanism of magnesium sulfate in vascular calcification.

METHODSThe vascular calcification model was established by administration of vitamin D3 plus nicotine (VDN) in SD rats. To estimate the extent of calcification by Von Kossa staining, calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin (OPN) mRNA were determined by using semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.The malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) content and activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were measured by biochemistry.

RESULTSA strong positive staining of black/brown areas among the elastic fibers of the medial layer in calcified aorta by Von Kossa staining, calcium content and ALP activity in calcified arteries increased by 3.9-and 3.4-fold as compared with the controls. The expression of OPN mRNA was up-regulated by 40% (P < 0.01). The lipid peroxidation products MDA in vascular were increased 2.0-fold (P < 0.01). The NO content and SOD activity were greatly decreased by 64% and 72% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared with controls. However, calcium content and ALP activity in VDN plus magnesium sulfate group were lower than those in VDN group. Low and high dosage magnesium sulfate obviously relieved degree of calcification in the cardiovascular tissues in a dosage-dependent manner (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMagnesium sulfate plays a role in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification by reducing vascular calcification and decreasing vascular injury.

Animals ; Cholecalciferol ; adverse effects ; Magnesium ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nicotine ; adverse effects ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Vascular Calcification ; chemically induced ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotic supplementation for preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and reducing mortality in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

METHODSThe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about probiotics for preventing NEC in preterm neonates were searched in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the ISI Web of Knowledge databases, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu and Wanfang Data from their establishment to March 2014. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.1 Software was used for a Meta analysis.

RESULTSA total of 21 RCTs involving 4 607 preterm VLBW infants were eligible for inclusion in the Meta analysis. The Meta analysis showed that probiotic supplement was associated with a significantly decreased risk of NEC in preterm VLBW infants (RR=0.47; 95%CI: 0.35-0.62; P<0.001). Risk of mortality was also significantly reduced in the probiotic group (RR=0.63; 95%CI: 0.51-0.78; P<0.01). Probiotic supplement did not decrease the risk for sepsis (RR=0.87; 95%CI: 0.72-1.06; P=0.17) and NEC related mortality (RR=0.68; 95%CI: 0.31-1.48, P=0.33).

CONCLUSIONSThe results confirm that probiotic supplement can reduce risk of NEC and mortality in preterm VLBW infants. However, the long-term effects and safety of probiotics need to be assessed in large trials.

Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; mortality ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Probiotics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sepsis ; prevention & control