Adolescent ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects ; Silicosis ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the imaging characters of abdominal cocoon.Methods Six cases of abdominal cocoon proved by surgery and pathologic findings were retrospectively analyzed. Abdominal plain X-ray and CT were performed in 6 cases.The gastrointestinal barium meal series were undergone in 4 cases.The imaging findings were analyzed.Results Abdominal plain X-ray suggested intestinal obstruction in 3 of 6 cases.The gastrointestinal barium meal showed"cauliflower sign"or "concertina pattern"in all of the 4 cases;CT images revealed a conglomeration of multiple small bowel loops in all 6 cases and the intestinal loops seemed to be encapsulated in a membranelike sac.Conclusion The imaging features of gastrointestinal barium meal and CT scan could suggest the diagnose of abdominal cocoon.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperthyroidism on the electrophysiological characteristics of atrium and gap junction between atrium and pulmonary vein.Methods Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into control group and hyperthyroid group.Atrium and pulmonary vein were dissected after the atrial effective refractory period (AERP)was measured.Connexin 43(Cx43)and Counexin 40(Cx40)protein and mRNA were determined by Western blot and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,respectively.Results In comparison with control group,AERP and rate adaption of AERP in hyperthyroid group were significantly shorter than that of control group( P＜0.01).The concentration of Cx43 protein in hyperthyroid group was significantly higher than that of control group,but Cx40 protein was significantly lower than that of control group(P＜0.05).The expression of Cx43 mRNA in atrium and pulmonary vein was found to be up-regulated in hyperthyroid group as compared with that of control group(P＜0.01). With the level of Cx40 mRNA,there was no significant difference between two groups.Conclusion Thyroid hormone could lead to remodeling of both atrial electrophysiology and gap junction between atrium and pulmonary vein.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Chinese materia medica (CMM) combined chemotherapy on the recurrence, metastasis, and the disease free survival (DFS) of stage II and III colorectal cancer (CC) patients after radical cure.

METHODSRecruited were 366 inpatients and outpatients with stage II and III colorectal cancer (CC) from Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, and Tumor Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2002 to December 2008. A non-randomized concurrent control method was adopted. Patients were assigned to the combination group (treated by CMM + chemotherapy, 189 cases) and the chemotherapy group (177 cases) according to whether they were willing to receive the CMM treatment for more than 6 successive months. By using follow-ups at clinics, by letter, and by telephone, the DFS, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year DFS ratios were observed. The correlations between DFS and the gender, age, tumor location, staging of clinical pathology, pathological type, chemotherapeutic cycle, radiotherapy, CMM treatment, end point event (recurrence and metastasis) were analyzed.

RESULTSThe recurrence or metastasis occurred in 145 cases (39. 61%) of the 366 patients. Of them, local recurrence occurred in 17 cases (11.72%), liver metastasis in 45 cases (31.03%), lung metastasis in 52 cases (35.86%), and metastasis in other parts in 53 cases (36.55%). Results of one-factor analysis showed six factors such as the tumor location, pathological type, staging of clinical pathology, chemotherapeutic cycle, radiotherapy, and CMM treatment were correlated with the DFS, showing statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). Results of multifactor analysis showed staging of clinical pathology, chemotherapeutic cycle, and CMM treatment were correlated with the DFS, showing statistical difference (P<0.01). Results of stratified study on the staging of clinical pathology indicated that the primary tumor location (P=0.016) and the pathological type (P=0.047) were the independent predictors for DFS of stage II CC. The median DFS of the two groups could not be calculated. Results of stratified study on the stages of clinical pathology indicated that CMM treatment (P=0.000) and chemotherapeutic cycle (P=0.017) were independent predictors for DFS of stage III CC. As for comparing the composition ratio of the two therapeutic cycles, results showed the baselines of the chemotherapeutic cycle of the two groups were balanced. Further comparison showed the median DFS for the chemotherapy group at stage III was 24. 16 months, while it could not be calculated in the combination group. The DFS, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year DFS ratios were 92%, 72%, 61%, and 59%, respectively in the stage III CC combination group, while they were 74%, 50%, 36%, and 20%, respectively in the stage IlI CC chemotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONCMM combined chemotherapy could prolong the DFS of stage III CC patients after radical cure.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Phytotherapy

Objective To verify a new revised method with low usage amount of arsenic trioxide for determining urinary iodine by As(Ⅲ)-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry using ammonium persulfate digestion.Methods The standard curve linearity,sample detection limit,precision and accuracy of determining urinary iodine of this modified method were verified according to Determination Methods of Chemicals in Biological Materials.Results The linear correlative coefficients of the 0-300 μg/L range and 300-1200 μg/L range calibration curve were-0.9998--1.0000(n =6) and-0.9998--1.0000,respectively.The detection limit for iodine was 1.3 μg/L.The relative standard deviations were 1.5％ (1.1/71.3)-2.5％ (6.2/244.9) when measuring 3 urine samples with iodine concentration of 71.3-244.9 μg/L,and 0.6％(2.4/388.5)-1.7％(17.3/1018.0) when measuring 3 urine samples with iodine concentration of 388.5-1018.0 μg/L,respectively(n =6).The test results of the four urinary iodine national standard materials with iodine concentration of 73.0,206.0,556.0 and 883.0 μg,/L were all within the given value range and the average value relative deviation was 1.8％ (1.3/73.0),0.4％ (0.8/206.0),0.2％ (1.0/556.0) and-1.6％(-13.7/883.0),respectively (n =6).The average recovery was 98.8％ with a range of 93.2％ (186.3/200.0)-103.4％(51.7/50.0) when measuring 3 urine samples with iodine concentration of 64.6-144.9 μg/L and 3 urine samples with iodine concentration of 346.8-574.4 μg/L,respectively.Conclusions This new modified method greatly reduces the amount of waste containing arsenic,and can directly take urine samples with high iodine concentration to digest and determine without dilution.It is performed with good standard linear curve,better precision and high accuracy,and in line with the analysis of biological samples requirements.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of active breathing control (ABC) in conformal radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From Feb 2005 to Mar 2008, 29 patients with inoperable NSCLC (stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were evaluated. For each patient, two series of CT scans were obtained with free breathing (FB) and ABC system during simulation, respectively. Then two confonnal radiotherapy (CRT) plans were finished based on the two sets of reconstructed images. The pattern of post-inspiratory breath-hold was triggered at 80% of the peak of inspiration curve. The margin of clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) was 0. 6 cm for lesions of the superior lobe, and 1.0 cm for the lesions of middle and inferior lobes. Three to five coplanar fields were performed in conformal radiotherapy. The gross tumor volume (GTV), CTV, PTV, volume of the bilateral lungs (Volume_(lung)), V_(20) and mean lung dose (MLD) of two plans were evaluated by dose-volume histogram (DVH). The World Health Organization criteria and National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 3.0 (NCI-CTC3.0) scale were used to assess the immediate response and acute side-effect, respectively. Results Significant differences of GTV, CTV, FIN, Volum_(lung), V_(20) and MDL were observed between the two plans (36. 35 cm~3 vs. 31.40 cm~3, t = 9. 70, P <0. 001 ;82. 33 cm~3 vs. 70. 83 cm~3, t = 8. 19, P < 0. 001 ; 230. 73 cm~3 vs. 197.59 cm~3 ,t=5.72,P <0. 001 ;21.66% vs. 18. 76% ,t = 11.16,P <0. 001 ;1329. 07 Gy vs. 1143. 14 Gy, t = 13. 24, P < 0. 001). With ABC, all patients completed their treatment successfully except one patient for financial problems. The median radiation dose to the GTV was 64 Gy (60 -64 Gy). The overall immediate response rate was 64% (18/28). According to the NCI-CTC 3.0, grade 1 and 2 acute radiation-related toxicities occurred in 68% (19/28) and 18% (5/28) of patients for esophagitis, 82% (23/28) and 7% (2/28) for pneumonitis, respectively. Grade 1, 2 and 3 bone marrow suppression occurred in 57% (16/28), 25% (7/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients, respectively. Grade 1 and 2 acute cardiac injuries occurred in 86% (24/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients. Conclusions During CRT for patients with NSCLC, the use of ABC can decrease the radiation dose and acute complications of normal tissues.

To examine the effects of heterologous expression of ZrGPD1 (encoding glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase ) cloned from osmotolerant yeast Zygosacharomyces rouxii on glycerol production in wild Pichia farinosa,the URA3 gene was amplified from P. farinosa as the homology integrative region. A recombinant plasmid (pUR-ZG) was constructed then transformed into P. farinosa by electroporation. The transformant pfa-gu was obtained by the selectable marker Zeocin TM . Primary results showed that the biomass of pfa-gu was higher than the wild type in the flask and after 72h fermentation the concentration of glycerol of pfa-gu was 37g/L enhanced 30% in comparison with the wild type. It is concluded that heterologous expression of ZrGPD1 is useful for increasing glycerol production and the ability of osmoregulation in P. farinosa.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the role of liposomal prostaglandin E(1) (Lipo-PGE(1)) on reperfusion injury in a rabbit ischemia-reperfusion model. METHODS: Twenty-four open-chest rebbits were randomized to receive a 10 min intravenous infusion of either liposome diluent, free PGE(1), or Lipo-PGE(1) after 60 min of left anterior desending (LAD) ligation just before reperfusion. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), malodialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected; infarct size and region at risk were measured. RESULTS: Infarct size as a ratio of weight of infarcted tissue to weight at risk (MI/RISK) was significantly reduced with Lipo-PGE(1) (32.20+/-4.70)% compared with PGE(1) (42.09+/-6.93)% or placebo (44.57+/-5.46)% infusion (P<0.01). The values of serum CPK, MDA during reperfusion in treatment of Lipo-PGE(1) group were significantly reduced than in treatment of PGE(1) group or control group (P<0.05), and the values of serum SOD were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Lipo-PGE(1) can effectively decrease the serum CPK and MDA contents, elevate the SOD activity, and attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Xinfeng Capsule (XC) on the cardiac function and the myocardial ultrastructure in rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA).

METHODSSixty rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the methotrexate (MTX) treated group, the Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet (TGT) treated group, and the XC treated group, 12 in each group. Except those in the normal control group, rats in the rest groups were induced to establish the AA model by intradermally injecting Freund's complete adjuvant into their right paws. The medication was started from the 19th day. Normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. MTX, TGT, and XC was respectively administered to rats in the MTX, TGT, and XC groups. The medication lasted for 30 days. The swelling degree of voix pedis, arthritis index (AI), the heart function, serum levels of cytokines, and the myocardial ultrastructure were observed.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the normal control group, the swelling degree of voix pedis and AI significantly increased (P < 0.01), the body weight significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the model group and the other 3 treated groups. (2) Compared with the model group, the heart index (HI), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure of development or decline (+/- dp/dt(max)) significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the MTX treated group, the LVSP and LVEDP significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and +/- dp/dtmax significantly increased (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the model group, TNF-alpha, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and IL-17 significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); IL-10, CD4+, CD4+ CDA25+ significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the MTX treated group, IL-17 significantly decreased (P < 0.05), CD4+ CD25+ expression significantly increased in the XC group (P < 0.05). (4) Transmission electron microscopy showed that myocardial ultrastructure was basically contact in the XC treated group, approaching to that of the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONSDecreased cardiac function and damaged myocardial ultrastructure existed in AA rats. XFC could ameliorate the swelling degree of voix pedis and AI, as well as improve the heart function. Its mechanisms might be correlated with down-regulating serum levels of inflammatory factors, up-regulating the expressions of anti-inflammation factors, thus improving the myocardial ultrastructure and protecting injured myocardial cells.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tripterygium