Objective To study the effect of retinal dehydrogenase type 2 inhibitor (4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde,DEAB) on embryonic CSrdiac develclpment of zebrafish model with retinoic acid(RA)deficiency. Methods Zebrafish embryos were treated with DEAB at various concentrations including 1×10~(-6),5×10~(-6),10×10~(-6),25×10~(-6)mol/L at 5,8 and 10.3 hours post fertilization,respectively.The effects of DEAB on the embryonic development were assessed under microscope.1×10~(-9)mol/L exogenous RA was then added to detect the antagonistic effect against DEAB.The abnormal cardiac phenotype,heart rate and ventricular systolic fraction were observed and analyzed between wild type and DEAB treated groups.The expression of specific cardiac gene, natriuretic peptide precursor A,was monitored by whole-mount in situ hybridization to demonstrate the effect of RA signaling on early cardiac development. Results The survival rate of zebrafish embryos declined with the increase of DEAB concentration at different developmental stage.The percentage of abnormal embryos reached 100% when DEAB over 5×10~(-6)mol/L.1×10~(-9) mol/L exogenous RA could eliminate the teratogenic effect of DEAB(≥5×10~(-6)mol/L).DEAB treated embryos presented abnormal cardiac phenotype,including tubular heart,incomplete D-loop,abnormal atrioventricular development,regurgitation,slow blood flow and weak heart beat.The difference of heart rate and ventrieular systolic fraction between wild type and RA deficiency embryos was of statistical significance(P<0.05).The natriuretic peptide precursor A expression remained in the ventricle,but reduced obviously in the atrium with RA signaling deficiency. Conclusions The effects of DEAB on the embryonic development are dose-dependent and time-dependent,and could be rescued by exogenous RA.RA signaling plays a critical role in several key stages of early cardiac development and natriuretie peptide precursor A expression.

Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex is the dry bark of Cleistocalyx operculatus. It is the raw material of Compound Hibiscuse which is external sterilization antipruritic drugs. The quality standard of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex in Guangdong Province "standard for the traditional Chinese medicine" (second volumes) only contains TLC identification. It is unable to effectively monitor and control the quality of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex. A reversed-phase HPLC method was established for the determination of 3, 3'-O-dimethylellagic acid from Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex and the content was calculated by external standard method for the first time. Under the selected chromatographic conditions, the target components between peaks to achieve effective separation. 3,3'-O- dimethylellagic acid standard solution at the concentration of 1.00 - 25.0 mg x L(-1) showed a good linear relationship. The standard curve was Y = 77.33X + 7.904, r = 0.999 5. The average recovery was 101.0%, RSD was 1.3%. The HPLC method for the determination of 3,3'-O-dimethylellagic acid in Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex is accurate and reliable. It can provide a strong technical support for monitoring the quality of Cleistocalycis Operculati Cortex.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Syzygium ; chemistry

Objective： This study was designed to investigate the relationship between expression level of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) genes and chemotherapy efficacy or clinical drug resistance in the patients with malignant lymphomas. Methods： Using the methods of semi quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FCM), The authors examined the expression level of MRP and P-gp of 46 lymphoma patients. Results： The expression level and positive rate of P-gp in the recurrent patients was higher than that in untreated patients (P<0.001). There was no difference in MRP gene expression level and positive rate between recurrent and untreated patients (P>0.05). Chemotherapeutic effective rate in P-gp positive patients (26.67％ ) was lower than that in P-gp negative patients (83.87％ )(P<0.001). While there was no difference between MRP gene positive and negative patients, their chemotherapy effective rate had no difference. Relevant analysis showed that there was no correlation between MRP and P-gp (r-0.0808, P>0.05). Conclusion： P-gp expression correlates to multidrug resistance, and is the major mechanism of clinical drug resistance of lymphomas, whereas, MRP gene does not appears to play any role in that course.

Arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis (ARC) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the VPS33B or VIPAS39 gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and VPS33B gene mutations of an infant with ARC syndrome. A 47-day-old female infant was referred to the hospital with the complaint of jaundiced skin and sclera for 45 days and abnormal liver function for 39 days. The patient had been managed in different hospitals, but the therapeutic effects were unsatisfactory due to undetermined diagnosis. Physical examination showed jaundice of the skin and sclera. Systemic skin was dry with desquamation in the limbs and trunk. There were no positive signs on cardiopulmonary examination. The liver was palpable 2.0 cm under the right subcostal margin. The hips and knees were flexed, and the extension was limited, with low muscular tone in the four limbs. Biochemical analysis demonstrated raised serum total bile acids, bilirubin (predominantly conjugated bilirubin) and transaminases, but the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase level was normal. Routine urine test revealed increased glucose as well as red and white blood cells. On genetic analysis, the infant was proved to be homologous for a VPS33B mutation c.1594C>T(p.R532X). She was definitely diagnosed to have ARC syndrome. Symptomatic and supportive therapy was given, but no improvement was observed, and the infant finally died at 3 months and 29 days of life.
Arthrogryposis ; blood ; genetics ; Bile Acids and Salts ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Cholestasis ; blood ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Renal Insufficiency ; blood ; genetics ; Vesicular Transport Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo measure continuously the urine beta-FSH excretion in the patients with male hypogonadism, and to evaluate the significance of urine beta-FSH when used in the clinical practice and pathophysiological study on male hypogonadism.

METHODSFour health male volunteers (aged 19, 22, 27 and 33 years), four patients with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (aged 17, 17, 19 and 24 years) and five patients with idiopathy hypogonadism (hypergonadotropic, aged 16, 16, 17, 20 and 22 years) were asked to collect their morning-first urine samples for 30 to 32 days. One normal men collected his urine samples for 63 days. The urine beta-FSH was assayed with the method of EIA, then corrected by creatinine (Cr) concentration.

RESULTSThe urine beta-FSH level of normal men was (1.16 +/- 0.20) micrograms/mg Cr, with the peak variation in their curves, peak level at 2.76 micrograms/mg Cr. The levels of urine beta-FSH of 4 patients with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were lower significantly than those of normal men [(0.58 +/- 0.31) (0.93 +/- 0.47) (0.47 +/- 0.33) and (0.60 +/- 0.40) micrograms/mg Cr], without fluctuation in their curves. beta-FSH levels of 5 patients with idiopathy hypogonadism were higher significantly [(3.02 +/- 0.93), (4.36 +/- 1.12), (4.79 +/- 0.78), (4.64 +/- 1.42) and (3.88 +/- 1.42) micrograms/mg Cr], with irregular fluctuation, the highest peak level at 6.83 micrograms/mg Cr. The second sexual characteristics of hypogonadal patients were poor and serum testosterone levels low.

CONCLUSIONSThe urine beta-FSH level raised with irregular fluctuation in patients with idiopathy hypogonadism, while lowed without any fluctuation in patients with the hypogonadism. These findings suggested that the urine beta-FSH excretion was useful for the clinically classified diagnoses and pathophysiological study on male hypogonadism, and for observing the treatment reaction of androgen replacement.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit ; urine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; metabolism ; urine ; Luteinizing Hormone ; urine ; Male ; Testosterone ; urine

OBJECTIVESTo observe the change of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients of hypogonadism who received androgen replacement treatment and explore the mechanism of androgen-induced increase of red blood cells and haemoglobin.

METHODSEight patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, divided into two groups, received TU intramuscular injections of 500 mg or 1000 mg dose, respectively. After three months, seven patients received the second injection of crossover dose. Testosterone levels in serum were measured with RIA before and after the injections treatment. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin concentration were measured before treatment and 4, 8 weeks after treatment. At the same interval, EPO levels were measured with ELISA method.

RESULTSDevelopment of the secondary sex characters was improved in all patients after the TU injection. Serum testosterone levels raised significantly and reached the peak one week after the injections. Effective level of testosterone lasted for over 6 weeks. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin increased at different degrees after TU injections, but these changes were not significant in statistic(P < 0.05). The increased levels remained for 8 weeks. EPO levels were elevated significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.05) after the TU injection(Pbat > 0.05). The second injection could still make the EPO level go up.

CONCLUSIONSAndrogen replacement treatment can increase the EPO levels in patients of hypogonadism, which is one of the mechanism of RBC production increase.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes in lower limb deep vein diameters, blood flow velocity and blood biochemistry in full-term pregnant women for early diagnosis and treatment of prothrombotic state.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight full-term pregnant women at high risk of thrombosis (Group A), 61 healthy full-term pregnant women (Group B), and 42 healthy non-pregnant women (Group C) underwent high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) for examining the deep veins of the lower limbs. The hematological indexes such as D-D, PLT, HGB, HCT, TT, APTT, PT, and FbgC were also observed in these 3 groups.

RESULTSCompared to Group B, the women in group A showed significantly increased diameters of the common femoral veins (CFV) and left superficial femoral vein (SFV), HCT and DD, but with significantly decreased peak blood flow in the bilateral popliteal veins (POPV) (P<0.01) and increased left POPV diameter (P=0.034). Compared to those in group C, the diameters of the bilateral CFVs, SFVs, POPV, and posterior tibial veins (PTVs) were significantly increased, but the peak blood flow in the bilateral CFVs and POPVs were significantly reduced in groups A and B; the PLT, HGB, HCT, DD, TT, APTT, PT, and FbgC also showed significant changes in groups A and B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe full-term pregnant women are at higher risk of prothrombotic state than non-pregnant women, and the full-term pregnant women with the high risk factors for thrombosis are more likely to have prothrombotic state than healthy full-term pregnant women. CDU examination of the lower limb deep veins can be of value in the diagnosis of prothrombotic state.

Adult ; Anthropometry ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Female ; Femoral Vein ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Humans ; Leg ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Popliteal Vein ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; physiology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging in restaging, evaluating the treatment outcome, monitoring relapse and predicting prognosis of T-cell lymphoma.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of PET/CT image results of thirty-four patients with T-cell lymphoma, and to evaluate its clinical significance in restaging, treatment efficiency, relapse monitor and prognosis prediction.

RESULTSClinical restaging among the 20 stage I and II patients, 6 were ascended, 9 descended and 5 unchanged. Restaging among the other 14 stage III and IV patients, 3 were ascended, 4 descended and 7 unchanged. There were 12 patients in complete remission (CR), 11 in partial remission (PR), 2 in stable disease (SD) and 9 in progressive disease (PD) among all the 34 patients. There is obvious statistical difference of the standardized uptake value (SUV) between the efficacy group and the inefficacy group after treatment of 6 courses at least in 25 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.009). There is obvious statistical difference of the SUV value before and after treatment in 8 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.000). There is obvious statistical difference in the survival time between the efficacy group and the inefficacy group after treatment of 6 courses at least in 25 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging plays an very important role in guiding clinical restaging, evaluating the treatment outcome, monitoring relapse and predicting prognosis of T-cell lymphoma. It is helpful to establish personalized treatment planning.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Male hypogonadism is a group of syndromes in clinic andrology characterized by complete or partial androgen deficiency. It can be divided into primary and secondary hypogonadism. Besides the etiological treatment, androgen replacement therapy should be adopted in all patients of primary hypogonadism and patients of secondary hypogonadism who do not have the need of having a child. For patient's benefits, androgen should be used and selected properly as there are so many androgen preparation at present.
Androgens ; administration & dosage ; deficiency ; therapeutic use ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of infrared radiation and magnetic field therapy on cartilage damage in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSKnee osteoarthritis was induced in 24 adult New Zealand rabbits by prolonged fixation of the knee joint in extension for 6 weeks. The rabbits were subsequently randomized into control group (without treatment), infrared therapy group, magnetic field therapy group and the combined infrared and magnetic field therapy group. At the end of the first, second and third weeks of the therapy, respectively, 2 rabbits from each group were sacrificed to observe the general changes and histopathology of the condylar cartilage of the femur, and the findings were assessed using Mankin scores.

RESULTSCompared with other groups, the rabbits in the combined therapy group showed significantly milder cartilage damage (including injury of the cartilage surface and chondrocyte's proliferation and disarrangement) with significantly lower Mankin scores (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the findings between the two groups with exclusive infrared or magnetic field therapy (P>0.1).

CONCLUSIONCombined infrared and magnetic field therapy can effectively alleviate cartilage destruction, shortens the disease course and enhance the therapeutic effects in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; pathology ; Femur ; pathology ; Infrared Rays ; therapeutic use ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; pathology ; therapy ; Rabbits