Objective To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP-2, MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinoblastoma (RB) and its relationship with the differentiation and optic nerve infiltration of RB. Methods Forty paraffin specimens of pathological confirmed RB were studied. They were divided into differentiated group (15 cases) and undifferentiated group (25 cases) , optic nerve infiltration group( 13 cases) and without optic nerve infiltration group(27cases). The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry, their relationships with the differentiation and optic nerve infiltration were also analyzed. Results The positive rate of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expression in 40 RB cases were 52.5%, 57.5% and 72.5%respectively. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in the undifferentiated group were significantly higher than those in the differentiated group (χ2= 9. 037, 9. 253, 8. 095;P＜0. 05). The expression ofMMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in RB with optic nerve infiltration group were significantly higher than those in RB without optic nerve infiltration group (χ2=11.045,10. 243, 8. 956;P＜0. 05). The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 had a positive correlation with the expression of VEGF in RB (r= 0. 126, 0. 314;P ＜ 0. 05).Conclusions MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expressed in RB tumor tissues. The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 has a positive correlation with the expression of VEGF. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expression are related to optic nerve infiltration of RB cells.

Objective To observe blood glucose values and serum insulin levels at different times after acupoint injection of insulin with PVP as a sustained release agent and analyze the correlation between them in SD Rats.Methods One hundred and forty-four male SD rats were randomized into groups A (acupoint injection of insulin alone), B (acupoint injection of sustained-release insulin) and C (control). At one hour after every group received an oral gavage of 40% glucose solution (2.2 g/kg), groups A and B were given point Zusanli injection and group C was not treated. In the three groups of rats, blood glucose values and serum insulin levels were measured at six time points: 0.5, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 24 hours after acupoint injection (in group C at the corresponding time points). In every group, the reaction of Point Zusanli region to the stimulation was observed by optical microscopy in at three time points: 3, 10 and 24 hours after acupoint injection.Results The glucose-lowering rate reached its peak at 3 hours after acupoint injection and then declined in groups A and B. The hypoglycemic effect tended to be stable at 6 hours after acupoint injection in group A and at 10 hours after acupoint injection in group B. The hypoglycemic effect was better in group B than in group A at 6 and 8 hours after acupoint injection (P<0.01). In group A, serum insulin reached its peak at 3 hours and tended to be stable at 6 hours after acupoint injection (P<0.05). Serum insulin levels were significantly lower in group B than in group A at four time pints: 0.5, 3, 6 and 8 hours after acupoint injection (P<0.05). An analysis of the correlation between rat serum insulin levels and the glucose-lowering rate showed a significant positive correlation in group A (P<0.01) and a low positive correlation in group B (P<0.05). In groups A and B of rats, clear stripes and complete structure of muscle fibers were seen with no obvious degeneration, necrosis and inflammatory reaction around point Zusanli at three time points: 3, 8 and 24 hours after acupoint injection; there were no obvious pathological changes compared with group C.Conclusions PVP as a sustained release agent can slow down the absorption rate of insulin in rat point Zusanli region. Meanwhile, it prolongs the continuous time of the hypoglycemic effect of insulin. There is a low correlation between serum insulin levels and the hypoglycemic effect, suggesting that acupoint injection with a sustained release agent can prolong the effect of acupoint injection of medicine.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Multiple Acyl Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; complications ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases ; complications

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dipyridamole ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of AlumaTM functional aspiration controlled electrothermal stimulation (FACES) radiofrequency in the treatment of skin wrinkles and laxity on the face and neck. Methods A total of 30 volunteers with aging skin were recruited in the study. All volunteers were treated with AlumaTM FACES radiofrequency for 6 times at 2-week interval. Photographs were taken for volunteers before every treatment and 1 month after the last treatment. Improvement in lesions was objectively assessed by two separate physicians based on the photographs of volunteers taken before the first,fourth and sixth treatment, and 1 month after the last treatment. Patient satisfaction was measured by ques-tionnaire. Adverse effects were recorded. Results Totally, 24 volunteers completed the treatment. Improve-ment of lesions was achieved in 66.7% of the volunteers after 3 treatments, 90.5% after 5 treatments, and 94.4% one month after the last treatment. About 50% of the volunteers were satisfied with the effect after 3 treatments, 90.5% after 5 treatments, and 100% one month after the last treatment. Slight purpura was the most common side effect. Conehusion Radiofrequency therapy is effective for skin wrinkles and laxity on the face and neck, without obvious side effect.

Objective: To investigate the antimotion sickness effects of ginsenosides combined with dexamethasone in rats. Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal saline, scopolamine-treated, ginsenosides-treated, dexamethasone-treated and ginsenosides plus dexamethasone-treated groups. There were 10 rats in each group. The rats in each group were fed with corresponding ingredients respectively, and then the rats were exposed to abnormal acceleration for one hour. The motion sickness index, the level of kaolin consumption and the course and time of spontaneous activity were observed. Results: The motion sickness index and the level of kaolin consumption of acceleration-exposed rats in ginsenosides plus dexamethasone-treated group were significantly lower than those in normal saline group. And the course and time of spontaneous activity of acceleration-exposed rats in ginsenosides plus dexamethasone-treated group were significantly higher than those in normal saline group. The level of body weight increment of acceleration-exposed rats in ginsenosides plus dexamethasone-treated group was significantly higher than that in dexamethasone-treated group. Conclusion: Ginsenosides combined with dexamethasone can significantly increase tolerance to acceleration of rats, and the drug combination can decrease side effects of methylprednisolone, such as body weight loss.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus pulsed dye laser(PDL)for the treatment of port wine stains(PWS). Methods Forty?five patients with PWS were enrolled in this study. The PWS lesions in each patient were randomly divided into PDT and PDL areas. Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether of 5 mg/kg was injected intravenously into the PDT area protected from light, followed by 20?minute irradiation with a 532?nm, solid?state, continuous?wave laser(power density:80-100 mw/cm2;spot diameter: 7 cm)10 minutes later. The PDL area was treated with a single session of 595?nm pulsed dye laser radiation(spot diameter:7 mm;pulse width:10 ms;energy density:10-12 J/cm2). The interval between PDT and PDL treatment was no shorter than two months. Follow up visits were scheduled on day 4 and week 8 after each treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded, and photographs were taken before and 8 weeks after the treatment for evaluation of lesion regression. Results In the case of PDT area, 10 cases(22.22%)were nearly cured, 22(48.89%)achieved marked improvement, 9(20.00%)improvement, 4(8.89%)no improvement. As far as the PDL area is concerned, 6 cases(13.33%)were nearly cured, 16(35.56%)achieved marked improvement, 18(40.00%)improvement, and 5 (11.11%)no improvement. The response rate was significantly higher in the PDT area than in the PDL area(Z=2.48, P<0.05). Hyperpigmentation, which spontaneously subsided within 3 to 6 months, was the main adverse reaction. No significant difference was found in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the PDL and PDT areas(24.44%vs. 15.56%, Z=1.26, P>0.05). Conclusion For the treatment of PWS, both PDT and PDL are effective and safe, and single?session PDT appears to be superior to single?session PDL.

Objective To investigate the levels of serum interleukin(IL)-18 in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF)and its relationship with relevant indexes. Methods Sixty patients with CRF were divided into three groups: patients with CRF (CRF group, n = 18) ,patients with bemedialysis (HD group, n = 22) and patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD group,n = 20). 20 healthy subjects were taken as controls. The levels of serum IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected by means of ELISA. Serum albumin (ALB) ,total cholesterol (TC) ,triglyceride (TG) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels were detected by con-ventional means. The GFR was measured by using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) equation. Differences in continuous variables between the three groups were evaluated. Results The lev-els of serum IL-18 were significantly increased in CRF[(497.7 ± 120.7) ng/L], HD[(538.1 ± 113.2) ng/L] and PD[(565.7 ± 122.1) ng/L] patients than those in healthy subjects[(163.9±42.2) ng/L] (P <0.01). Further-more,serum IL-18 levels in HD patients were higher than these in CRF patients (P <0.05). Serum IL-18 levels in CRF were positively related to serum TNF-α,hs-CRP and SCr(r =0. 636,0.436,0.367,P <0.01) ,and negatively related to GFR(r = -0.515 ,P <0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum IL-18 are markedly increased in patients with CRF,HD and PD,and related to the levels of TNF-α,hs-CRP and GFR,so IL-18 might be an important marker of sub-clinical inflammation in patients with chronic renal failure.

Objective To explore the characterization of the long-term survival patients through monitoring the lymphoeytes subgroup and cytokines level.Method The lymphocytes subgroups (T,B,and NK) and cytokines (IL-9,-17,-22) of patients and healthy groups were tested by using flow cytometry and ELISA.Results The levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD8+ CD28+/CD8+ and IL-9 were gradually increased in the short-term group and long-term group as compared those in healthy group.The percentage of CD3 + cells and level of IL-9 were significantly lower in short-term group and long-term group than in healthy group (P＜0.05).The percentage of CD8+ cell was significantly lower in short-term group than in healthy group (P＜0.05).The ratio of CD8+ CD28+/CD8+ was significantly lower in short-term group than in longterm group and healthy group (P＜0.05).The percentage of B cells and NK cells,and IL-22 were gradually increased in the healthy group,shortterm group and long-term group.The percentage of B cells and NK cells was significamly higher in long-term group than in healthy group (P＜0.05).The level of IL-22 was significantly higher in longterm group than in short-term group and healthy group (P＜0.05).However,NKT lymnphocytes and IL-17 showed no statistically significant difference between long-term group and short-term group.Conclusion The ratio of T lymphocyte subgroups and the level of IL-9 were good biomarkers for evaluating the immune characterization of OLT patients; NK and B lymphocytes,and IL-22 may be associated with the long-term survival in patients after OLT.

Objective To assess the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and their effects on target organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension .Methods 421 treated elderly hypertension patients were divided into 5 groups based on the number of risk factors :hypertension without additional risk factor (group A ,25 cases) ,and the other 4 groups were complicated with 1 (group B ,76 cases) ,2(group C ,127 cases) ,3(group D ,128 cases)and ≥ 4 (group E ,65 cases) risk factors .The structure and function of heart and carotid artery were examined by ultrasonography in order to evaluate the damage of target organ and the morbidity .Re-sults The patient groups with three or more risk factors showed significantly higher levels of BMI ,plasma glucose ,triglyceride , LDL-C cholesterol ,serum creatinine and serum uric acid ,and needed greater number of antihypertensive drugs ,compared with other groups(P<0 .05) .The patient groups with two or more risk factors showed significantly higher levels of LVMI ,IMT and MAU/Cr compared with group A(P<0 .05) ,and significantly lower levels of the creatinine clearance (P<0 .05) .In addition ,they showed significantly higher incidences of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease and chronic kidney disease compared with group A (P<0 .05) .Conclusion These results suggest that the hypertensive patients with clustering risk factors required greater number of antihypertensive drugs .The more additional risk factors exit ,the more target organ damages and higher morbidity occur ,and more intensive intervension are required to control not only blood pressure but also other complicated risk factors .