Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Candidiasis ; complications ; microbiology ; Coal Mining ; Esophagitis ; complications ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; microbiology

Objective To investigate the mierotechnique of bilayer amniotic membrane transplantation for treatment of Mooren's ulcer and evaluate the efficacy. Methods Six patients (6 eyes) with Mooren's ulcer were recruited for this study. After medical treatment or lameilar keratoplasty failed to arrest progress of corneal ulcer, bilayer amniotic membrane transplantation was performed for the treatment. We investigated the integrity of corneal epithelium, the healing of corneal ulcer, the improvement of stromal edema, the atrophy of neovessels, the transformation of amniotic membrane and the occurrence of relapse. Results All patients were followed up for 24-34 months (mean 30 months). In all cases, superficial anmiotic membrane dissolved or shed on postoperative day 7-11, disconnecting now. Corneal ulcer healed within 7-15 days postoperatively. In 5 eyes, corneal stromal edema faded away within 2-3 weeks. Corneal neovessels regressed within 2-3 months. The deeper grafts were adhered into the ulcer and fused with the cornea 3 months after the operation. Corneal transparence or macula was achieved within 5-8 months. No recurrence of Moorcn's ulcer was oc-curred in 4 patients during the follow-up period, while 2 eyes relapsed for the exposure of sutures and not re-moving the stitches timely, which had been treated with lamellar keratoplasty and no recurrence again during the follow-up period. Conclusion Bilayer amniotic membrane transplantation has advantages for Mooren's ulcer treatment. Mastering the microsurgical techniques and removing the stitches timely are the key to the success of surgery. It also provides good conditions for the further conduct of keratoplasty.

Objective To evaluate the necessity and safety of implanting temporary vena eava fihers to prevent pulmonary emboli in patients of lower extremity fractures concomitant with acute deep venous thrombosis(DVT). Methods A total of 782 patients with lower extremity fractures were complicated with DVT perioperatively. Among them, 91 received temporary vena cava filters implantation before orthopedic operations for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. All patients were followed up post-operation. Results Vena cava filters were successfully implanted in 89 patients. Mean implantation time was 27 days (range from 14 to 42 days). Thrombus trapped within the filters were found in 78 patients (87.6%) after the filters removal. Eight-two filters (92.1%) were retrived successfully at the first attempt as scheduled. Seven filters(7.9%) with big trapped thrombi were removed at the 2nd attempt after additional thrombolytic therapy. No patients needed a permanent filter. No fetal pulmonary embolism (PE) or other major complications were detected during the three to six months follow-ups period. Conclusion Temporary vena cava filter can reduce the incidence and mortality of pulmonary embolism as well as the occurrence of mid- or long-term complications in lower limb fracture patients complicated with DVT.

AIM: To investigate the effects of PAR-2 agonist peptide on the proliferation and cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca~(2+)]_c) in human hepatoma cells HepG2. METHODS: Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was cultured. The cells were treated with PAR-2 agonist peptide SLIGKV-NH_2 and the reverse PAR-2 agonist peptide VKGILS-NH_2, respectively. The [Ca~(2+)]_c of hepatoma cells were measured by microfluorimetric techniques based on calcium indicator fura-2/AM. The influences on proliferation of hepatoma cells were determined by MTT method. The changes of cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the changes of cyclin D1 mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: After treated with 50 μmol/L SLIGKV-NH_2, a rapid rise of [Ca~(2+)]_c in HepG2 cells was induced (P<0.01), percent S phase, G_2/M phase and proliferation index (PI) of HepG2 cells were elevated (P<0.01), and cyclin D1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The proliferation rates of HepG2 cells treated with 1-50 μmol/L SLIGKV-NH_2 were significantly increased, and the effect was in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01 or P<0.05). No statistical significance of the difference between VKGILS-NH_2 and control group was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PAR-2 agonist peptide induces the rise of [Ca~(2+)]_c in HepG2 cells, upregulates the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA, accelerates the progress of cell cycle, promotes the synthesis of DNA and the proliferation of hepatoma cells via activating PAR-2 in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of stem cell factor (SCF) in bone marrow stem cells heart transplantation (BMT) and the influence of bone marrow mobilization on the transplantation efficacy.

METHODSRats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accepted BMT. The SCF expression in the bone marrow was measured by RT-PCR after the operation. Then bone marrow stem cells with different SCF levels for the transplantation were used and the cardiac function was compared by using echocardiography. The SCF protein expression in the heart, plasma and bone marrow was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSSCF expression level decreased significantly 1 week after AMI (P < 0.01), but it didn't decrease in those accepting BMT. Though the rats accepted BMT with bone marrow stem cells from different sources, the cardiac function showed no difference (P > 0.05). After BMT, the SCF protein level in the plasma decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBMT may make mobilization through SCF. Bone marrow stem cells from rats with AMI and also those with myocardial infarction plus BMT therapy can also be used for the transplantation into heart, and have no influence on cardiac function improvement.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Stem Cell Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of vinorelbine on apoptosis, telomerase activity and expression of hTERT gene in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line Anip973 cells.

METHODSAnip973 cells were cocultured with Vinorelbine at different concentrations and collected at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after treatment, respectively. The inhibition rate of cell growth was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to evaluate the effect of vinorelbine. The percentage of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The cellular morphology was observed under inverted microscope and electron microscope. Telomerase activity of Anip973 cells was determined by the method of TRAP-PAGE-silver staining. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of hTERT mRNA.

RESULTSVinorelbine down-regulated the telomerase activity and expression of hTERT gene mRNA, inhibited the growth of Anip973 cells, and induced cell apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Annexin V-FITC assay showed 0.08 µg/ml NVB group could inhibited cell proliferation in 24 hour, and apoptosis rate was (7.37 ± 0.35)%, RT-PCR detection of hTERT mRNA expression in this group was (57.01 ± 1.71), and they were very significantly different from that in the control group (P < 0.01), but telomerase activity was (6.36 ± 0.06), compared with the control group showed no significant difference(P > 0.05). The change of hTERT mRNA expression is more sensitive than telomerase activity. The apoptosis rate, telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression of 0.4 µg/ml group and 2.0 µg/ml group were very significantly different from that in the control group (P < 0.01). The telomerase activity of 2.0 µg/ml at 72 hour group was (1.36 ± 0.27), basically completely inhibited, while the apoptosis rate was (74.87 ± 1.88)%, showed the cell apoptosis rate was in a negative correlation with the down-regulation of the hTERT mRNA (r = -0.96046, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVinorelbine can induce apoptosis in Anip973 cells, and its mechanism of action is related to telomerase activity. The detection of telomerase activity and expression of hTERT gene is useful in predicting prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo approach the long term safety and efficacy of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR, holmium: YAG) combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) compared with OPCAB alone in patients with ischemic cardiac disease.

METHODSBetween 1999 and 2005, 80 patients with diffusely diseased target vessels from two centers in Beijing were enrolled to the study and randomized to receive either TMLR/OPCAB (n = 40) or OPCAB (n = 40) operation. Baseline demographics and operative characteristics were similar between groups. Follow-up (mean 3.4 +/- 1.7 years) included CCS angina class and NYHA classification assessments, 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and echocardiography.

RESULTSPerioperative mortality was 5% in both groups. No death occurred during follow up. At the end of follow-up, patients at both groups experienced significant improvement on angina score compared with baseline, and angina score was also significantly lower (1.21 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.87, P = 0.03) and 6MWT-distance significantly increased (518.0 +/- 65.5 m vs. 473.8 +/- 65.8m, P = 0.006) in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB group. Fewer patients developed recurrent severe angina and received re-CABG/PCI in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB (1 vs. 6 cases, P = 0.113). NYHA and LVEF were similar between the groups at the end of follow up.

CONCLUSIONOur study showed that the addition of TMLR to OPCAB is superior in improving angina and exercise tolerance, but there is no further improvement in cardiac function compared to OPCAB alone.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Laser ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the coping strategies of the community-based population in Shenzhen.

METHODSTotally 5,940 subjects from the communities in Shenzhen were sampled and tested with the Simplified Coping Style questionnaire.

RESULTSThe most common coping strategies adopted by the community residents in Shenzhen were "consoling themselves" (33.1%) and "looking at the bright side of things" (31.4%), and the least adopted coping strategy was "relieving distress by smoking, drinking, taking medicine and eating" (57.8%); the strategies left out from their choices were mostly negative strategies. The scores for positive coping strategy factors of community residents in Shenzhen were greater than those of negative ones, with a mean difference of 0.43. The scores of both positive and negative coping strategy factors of these residents were significantly lower than those of general population in other mainland cities (P<0.001), with mean differences of 0.12 and 0.36, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe community residents in Shenzhen adopt mostly positive strategies for coping with frustration, which benefit their status of self-rated health.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Emotions ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Residence Characteristics ; Self Care ; methods ; psychology ; Social Support ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the changes of the copy numbers of mtDNA in peripheral blood mono-nucle- ar cell(PBMC) and the disordered of antioxidant capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSThe Ficoll Hypaque method was used to isolate the PBMC from blood specimens. The ND1 gene of the mitochondrial was amplified by real-time PCR; meantime β-actin was served as a quantitative standard marker; the difference of mtDNA copy number in PBMC was compared between HCC and healthy control group. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. The change of total antioxidant capacity (T- AOC) of plasma was detected by the biochemistry examination.

RESULTSThe copy numbers of ND1 gene in PBMC of HCC was 73% that of the healthy control group,which suggested a decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA in HCC. The levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC was (417. 82 ± 110.62) and (301.82 ± 75.54) in control group, which showed that the levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC were significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.01).Plasma T-AOC in HCC was (1.30 ± 0.85), and (3.20 ± 1.62) in control. The T-AOC of plasma of HCC was significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere was a certain relationship between the decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA and the disordered antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Actins ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess bone health in epileptic children who have been treated with topiramate (TPM) or carbamazepine (CBZ).

METHODSSixty-three epileptic children who received TPM or CBZ treatment and 36 eileptic children who did not receive any drug treatment (control group) were enrolled. Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4) and radius-ulna was evaluated by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. Biochemical indices of bone metabolism, including serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase contents were measured.

RESULTSThe serum calcium content was higher in the TPM group (2.41+/-0.17 mmol/L), but it was lower in the CBZ group (2.15+/-0.26 mmol/L) than that (2.26+/-0.11 mmol/L) in the control group (p<0.05). The serum phosphorus content in both the TPM (1.55+/-0.17 mmol/L) and the CBZ groups (1.52+/-0.26 mmol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.70+/-0.30 mmol/L) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the serum content of alkaline phosphatase between three groups. BMD was significantly reduced in both the TPM and the CBZ groups when compared to the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTPM and CBZ may result in alterations in serum contents of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase as well as BMD reduction.

Adolescent ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Anticonvulsants ; adverse effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; Carbamazepine ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Fructose ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphorus ; blood