Objective To investigate the clinical value of serum homocysteine (Hcy),Cystatin C (CysC) detection in coronary heart disease prevention,diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 200 cases of coronary heart disease patients including 50 cases of acute myocardiac infarction (AMI) (AMI group),85 cases of unstable angina pectoris (UAP)(UAP group.) and 65 cases of stable angina pectoris (SAP) (SAP group) were selected,and 120 cases of healthy controls were selected as control group.The serum levels of Hcy and CysC were detected and compared.Results The serum levels of Hcy and CysC in AMI group,UAP group and SAP group were significandy higher than those in control group[Hcy:(22.35 ± 8.18),(16.54±7.56),(14.52±6.38) μmol/Lvs.(9.35±3.23) μmol/L; CysC:(1.32±0.27),(1.88± 0.66),(1.19 ± 0.46) mg/L vs.(0.80 ± 0.33) mg/L],and there were significant differences between two groups (P＜ 0.01).The serum level of Hcy in AMI group was higher than that in UAP group and SAP group [(22.35 ± 8.18) μ mol/L vs.(16.54 ± 7.56),(14.52 ± 6.38) μ mol/L],and there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The relationship between Hcy,CysC level and coronary heart disease is close,and Hcy levels increase with increasing degree of coronary heart disease.Detection of Hcy and CysC has some clinical value on prevention,diagnosis,treatment of coronary heart disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of sequential acupuncture in treating post-stroke dysphagia. Methods One hundred and ten patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 55 cases each. The control group received routine medication and the treatment group, “cortex-pharynx-tongue root” sequential acupuncture in addition. The pre-/post-treatment difference in the Kubota’s water drinking test score was observed in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups after 14 days of treatment.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the Kubota’s water drinking test score in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment differences in the Kubota’s water drinking test score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 89.1% in the treatment group and 67.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Sequential acupuncture is an effective way to treat post-stroke dysphagia.

Stercoral perforation of the colon is an unusual pathological condition with fewer than 150 cases reported in the literature to date. We present a case of stercoral colonic perforation mimicking upper gastrointestinal perforation, which was diagnosed by computed tomography preoperatively. However, at laparotomy, stercoral colonic diverticulum perforation with jejunal diverticulitis became the most appropriate diagnosis.
Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Diverticulitis ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Diverticulum, Colon ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Jejunal Diseases ; diagnosis ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

AIMTo study changes of function of transmitter glycine in nitrogen narcosis.

METHODSSynaptosomes of rat spinal cord were prepared. Glycine uptake of synaptosomes of rat spinal cord in 0.7 MPa (7ATA) hyperbaric air pressure was observed by the methods of isotope.

RESULTSGlycine uptake slowed down and took a longer period of time to reach saturation in 0.7 MPa (7ATA). The maximum glycine uptake was lessened. Vm was diminished, but Km was increased. Vm rose in 0.7 MPa (7ATA) when corticosterone was added.

CONCLUSIONWhen nitrogen narcosis arose in 0.7 MPa (7ATA), the function of transporters of glycine re-uptake was reduced, the affinity of glycine for transporters subsided. Corticosterone was conductive to the recovery of the function of glycine transporters of high affinity.

Air Pressure ; Animals ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Synaptosomes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the role of CYP2E1 in the protective effects and mechanism of garlic oil (GO) on the peripheral nerve injuries induced by n-hexane.

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): the control, the GO (80 mg/kg) control, the n-hexane (2000 mg/kg) model, the low dose GO (40 mg/kg) plus n-hexane, and the high dose GO (80 mg/kg) plus n-hexane groups. All rats were treated by intragastric administration 6 times a week for 10 weeks. The gait scores were determined every two weeks for monitoring the peripheral neurotrosis. All rats were sacrificed in 10 weeks, the activities and expression levels of hepatic CYP2E1 and 2, 5-HD in serum were examined.

RESULTSAs compared with control group, the content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1 in GO control group reduced by 83.1% and 48.3% respectively (P < 0.01), the content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1 in model group increased by 112.5% and 72.2% respectively (P < 0.01). As compared with model group, the contents of hepatic CYP2E1 in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 32.9% and 39.1% respectively, the activities of hepatic CYP2E1 in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 27.4% and 44.5% respectively (P < 0.01); the contents of serum 2,5-HD in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 47.7% and 78.7% respectively (P < 0.01). The gait scores in model, low dose and high dose GO groups were significantly lower than that in control group, but the gait scores in low dose and high dose GO groups were significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGarlic oil can effectively reduce the peripheral neurotrosis induced by n-hexane due to the decreased content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1, resulting in the reduced formation of 2, 5-HD from n-hexane.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Garlic ; Hexanes ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Peripheral Nerves ; drug effects ; pathology ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of garlic oil (GO) on the peripheral nerve injuries induced by n-hexane.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats in each group): the control, the n-hexane treatment (2000 mg/kg), the low dose GO, and the high dose GO groups. The rats in the low and high doses of GO groups were pretreated with GO (40 and 80 mg/kg) before exposure to n-hexane (2000 mg/ kg), while the animals of the n-hexane treatment group were given normal saline and then 2000 mg/ kg n-hexane. The rats were exposed to GO and n-hexane 6 times a week for 10 weeks. The gait scores and staying time on the rotating rod for all rats were detected every two weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of ten weeks, then the levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), total antioxidation capacity(T-AOC) and the ability of inhibition of *OH in livers were examined.

RESULTSThe gait scores increased significantly and the time staying on the rotating rod obviously decreased in rats of n-hexane treatment group, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In the hepatic tissues of n-hexane group, the levels of MDA and ADH significantly increased, the activities of GSH-Px, T-AOC and the ability of inhibition of *OH obviously decreased, as compared to control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In 2 GO groups, the gait scores and the staying time on the rotating rod were significantly improved, the levels of MDA and ADH significantly decreased, the activities of GSH-Px, T-AOC and the ability of inhibition of *OH obviously increased, as compared with n-hexane group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ).

CONCLUSIONADH could play an important role in the protective effects induced by garlic oil on the peripheral nerve injuries produced by n-hexane.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Garlic ; Hexanes ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDThe technique of intersphincteric resection of tumors combined with coloanal anastomosis has been used to avoid permanent colostomy for patients with a rectal cancer located < 5 cm from the anal verge. This study aimed at assessing the preservation of continence function of the residual rectum and the clinical prognosis of patients with lower rectal cancer after intersphincteric resection using a prolapsing technique.

METHODSThis study included patients with the following inclusion criteria: (1) pathological evidence of rectal cancer and the tumors within distal margins located 5 cm or less from the anus by preoperative endoscopic examination; (2) no evidence by MRI of infiltration of either the external sphincter, puborectalis or the levator muscle; (3) the patients are eligible for intersphincteric resection and lower coloanal anastomosis with a preoperative biopsy showing the tumors with well-to-moderate differentiation. From January 2000 to June 2004, 23 patients with low rectal cancer were included in this study. We used the standard abdominoperineal approach to perform radical resection of tumors with excision of the mesorectum and total or part of the internal sphincters. The patients were followed for assessment of the function of the residual rectum and of cancer recurrence after the operations.

RESULTSThe median tumor distance from the anal margin was 4.5 (range 3.5 - 5.0) cm and the mean distal surgical margin 1.6 (range 1.0 - 2.0) cm. Cancer was classified into Stage I (30.4%), Stage II (47.8%), and Stage III (21.7%) according to the TNM classification. Two patients developed anastomotic fistula after the surgical resection and 2 patients (8.7%) developed later stages of anastomotic stricture at the site of coloanal anastomosis. The median follow-up period was 31.5 months (range 12 - 54) and 2 patients (8.7%) developed local recurrence. Three deaths were associated with distal organ metastasis. Twenty patients (87.0%) have maintained competence to control solid or liquid stool and the capacity of flatus continence after the surgery. Among these patients, 2 patients were able to control solid stool and occasionally lose continence of liquid stool. And only 1 patient (4.4%) has retained partial rectum function with good continence of solid stool but not liquid after the operations. Average times of defecation per day of 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the surgery were 13.1, 4.7, 3.1, 2.9, and 3.2 times/day. Anal manometer measurements showed a decrease of pressure during the resting time after intersphincteric resection and this change remained during the period of follow-up. The maximum squeeze pressure was improved after an initial decrease after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONSMore residual rectum function after the surgery may be preserved by intersphincteric resection of low rectum cancer. At the same time this technique is safe with few postoperative complication and low tumor recurrence after the surgery.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Rectum ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) on the functions of learning-memory and the central cholinergic system in rats.

METHODSForty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: low 1-BP group (200 mg/kg), middle 1-BP group (400 mg/kg), high 1-BP group (800 mg/kg) and control group, and the exposure time was 7 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to evaluate the learning-memory function in rats. After the MWM test, the rats were sacrificed, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were quickly dissected and homogenized in ice bath. The activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in supernatant of homogenate were detected.

RESULTSThe latency and swim path-length of rats in middle and high 1-BP groups prolonged significantly in place navigation test and the efficiency of searching strategy obviously decreased, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In spatial probe test, the number of crossing platform in three 1-BP groups decreased significantly, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cortical AChE activity of rats in middle and high 1-BP groups was significantly higher than that of control and low 1-BP group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The AChE activity in rat hippocampus of high 1-BP group obviously increased, as compared with control group as compared with control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of cortical ChAT activity between three 1-BP groups and control group (P > 0.05). In the hippocampus, there was no difference of ChAT activity among the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION1-BP exposure could significantly influence the learning-memory function in rats due to the increase of AChE activity.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated ; toxicity ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo obtain large amount of differentiated chondrocytes in vitro, examine and compare the biological characterization of rabbits' articular chondrocyte cultured in different density in vitvo.

METHODSFrom November 2001 to June 2004, articulate tissues were obtained from the joints of the adult rabbits. Chondrocytes were isolated from the cartilage tissue with type II collagenase digestion and cultured in DMEM/F-12 supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The chondrocytes were cultured with low density of monolayer culture and high density of confluent culture respectively. The differentiated phenotype was evaluated by histochemistry or immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSWhen chondrocytes cultured in monolayer and in low density, it proliferated rapidly during the three generations, but with the same time, dedifferentiation was also rapid. After the third passage, most of the passage cells lost the phenotype, and the proliferation also stagnated. While chondrocytes cultured in high density, dedifferentiation slowed down. And even the phenotypes of the dedifferentiated chondrocyte which were cultured in low density could reduced partly by followed high density culture.

CONCLUSIONSCulture chondrocytes by high density in vitro can effectively maintain the differentiated phenotype of chondrocyte. It also keeps the proliferation character as monolayer culture. The dedifferentiated chondrocyte caused by many passages could redifferentiate partly. So it is indicated that confluent culture of original or expanded chondrocytes in high density is a better culture methods than culture in low density.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Female ; Male ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of TTRAP expression on apoptosis induced by hydroquinone in HL-60 cells in vitro, and explore the relationship between TTRAP expression and the apoptosis.

METHODSApoptotic and necrotic rate was examined by flow cytometer with Anti-AnnexinV/FITC Plus PI staining. The mRNA expression of TTRAP was detected by RT-PCR. The differences in different treated groups were compared.

RESULTSAfter different concentrations of hydroquinone to the cells for 0, 4, 8, 12 h culture, were added, the cell apoptotic rate in different concentrations of hydroquinone groups was significantly higher than that in blank control groups. The optimal concentration of hydroquinone was 200 micromol/L, lasting for 8 h. When it was 250 micromol/L, the necrotic rate increased significantly. The apoptosis induced by hydroquinone was associated with the culture time at the concentration of 200 micromol/L, and the peak apoptotic time was 8 h. Then the apoptotic rate decreased and necrotic rate increased. Furthermore, with the concentrations of hydroquinone increased and time lasted for 8 h, the apoptotic rate of cells increased, the amount of TTRAP expression in the mRNA level also increased accordingly. When the concentrations of hydroquinone was above 250 micromol/L, necrotic rate increased sharply, and the amount of TTRAP expression decreased.

CONCLUSIONHydroquinone could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The up-regulation of TTRAP expression may promote hydroquinone to induce HL-60 cells to go into apoptosis in vitro with dose-effect and time-effect relationship.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation