Objectives To clarify the differential diagnostic value for iron deficiency anemia (IDA)and anemia of chronic disease(ACD)with analysis method of multiple parameters.Methods The serum concentrations of iron parameters (SI,TIBC,TF,SF and sTfR),inflammatory index(IL-1,IL-6,TNF-β),CRP and hepcidin were detected in patients with IDA and ACD by biochemical method and ELISA respectively.Results In the differential diagnosis of IDA versus ACD,the SF (98.6 versus 6.0,P=0)and sTfR/logSF[(13.1-±-4.4) versus (27.6 ± 16.5),P=0.002] had clinical value for the differential diagnosis.Inflammatory factors level was increased in two groups,only the difference in CRP between IDA and ACD showed a statistical significance.The hepcidin had the clinical value in differential diagnosis for single disease diagnosis of IDA and ACD and for differential diagnosis between IDA and ACD [(144.6 ±-1.9) versus (86.5-±-3.1),P＜ 0.05].Correlation analysis showed that the sTfR/logSF had a significantly negative correlation with SI(P=0.002),a significantly positive correlation with TIBC and TRF,and no significant correlation with inflammatory factors.The hepcidin had significantly positive correlation with IL-6 and TNF-β,and a significantly negative correlation with SI.The positive correlation was observed between sTfR/logSF and Hepcidin(r=0.376,P=0.005).Conclusions Analysis method of multiple parameters could make a differential diagnosis of ACD in the elderly.

Facial Paralysis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; complications ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative three-dimensional endoscopic ultra-sonography (3D-EUS) in tumor invasion depth (T-staging) of rectal cancer. Methods From May 2007 to November 2007, 21 patients with rectal cancer diagnosed by eolonoscopy and biopsy, underwent 3D-EUS, 2D-EUS and MRI before surgery to predict T-staging. The results were assessed according to post-surgical pathological findings. Results The accuracy of 3D-EUS in T-staging was 85.71%, which was significantly higher than that of MRI (57.14%, P<0.05), and similar with that of 2D-EUS (76.19%, P>0.05). Conclusion More accurate T-staging could be achieved by 3D-EUS, which could be combined with MRI to detect lymph node metastasis, and provide more information for therapy decision in rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Ginseng and Sanchi Compositions (GSC) on the protein and mRNA expressions of Ras, extracellular signal-regulated Kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and C-Raf-1 of ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSBy adopting myocardial ischemia Wistar rat model with the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, the normal control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Betaloc group, the high and low dose GSC group were set up. The protein expressions of Ras, C-Raf-1, ERK1/2,and phosphor-ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expressions of Ras, C-Raf-1, ERK1, and ERK2 were detected using Real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe protein expressions of Ras, c-Raf-1, and p-ERK1/2 and their mRNA expressions in the model group increased more than those in the normal control group and the sham-operation group (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of Ras, c-Raf-1, and p-ERK1/2 and their mRNA expressions in the high and low dose GSC groups and the Betaloc group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of Ras, c-Raf-1, and p-ERK1/2 and their mRNA expressions increased more obviously in the high dose GSC group than in the low dose GSC group (P < 0.05). The ERK1/2 protein expression was not significantly different among all groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGSC could up-regulate the protein expressions and mRNA expressions of Ras, C-Raf-1, and p-ERK1/2. It suggested that GSC might promote the angiogenesis through Ras signal transduction pathway dose-dependently.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Panax ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and the mechanisms of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQ) on Spleen-Qi deficiency rat's model using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. The rat Spleen-Qi deficiency model was established as follows: oral administration of Radix Rhei extract, loaded swimming and starvation for 24 h. The body weight and motor behavior of the rats were measured and recorded once a week. BZYQ could significantly improve body weight and behavioral of Spleen-Qi deficiency model rats compared with the model group (P < 0.05, 0.01). After drug administration, the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in the spleen including decreasing lactate, taurine and hypoxanthine, increasing glutamate and scyllo-inositol compared with the model group. The metabolomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the pharmacologic mechanism of BZYQ and it is helpful to further research.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Qi ; Rats ; Spleen

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) belong to pattern recognition receptors, which perform significant roles in antiviral responses. RLRs can initiate a cascade of signaling transduction that induces the production of type I interferon and activates the interferon signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in antiviral responses. In the course of evolution, viruses have been constantly counteracting host immune systems to facilitate their own survival and replication, and have developed a set of antagonistic strategies. These mainly comprise elusion, disguise and attack strategies to eliminate the activation of RLRs. In virus-infected cells, RLRs recognize viral RNA and then induce antiviral responses. A better understanding of viral antagonistic strategies against RLRs will provide insights into the development of new antiviral medicines. This mini-review concludes that there are three main antagonistic strategies by which RNA viruses can counteract the activation of the RLRs pathway. It aims to provide references and insights for similar studies on viral antagonism in an array of RNA viruses.
DEAD Box Protein 58 ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; immunology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; RNA Viruses ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; immunology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of surgical strategies for Shang Ring circumcision in the treatment of short frenulum praeputii in patients with redundant prepuce or phimosis.

METHODSTotally, 130 cases of short frenulum praeputii with redundant prepuce or phimosis were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group of equal number to receive Shang Ring circumcision, the former by transverse incision in the distal penis foreskin and pull-up of the interior board, and the latter by conventional transverse incision and longitudinal suture of the frenulum praeputii. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, 24 h postoperative pain visual analog score (VAS), postoperative complications, satisfaction with the penile appearance, and the quality of sexual life.

RESULTSThe surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, 24 h postoperative VAS, postoperative sexual satisfaction, and satisfaction with penile appearance were (4.60 +/- 1.20) min, (2.61 +/- 1.81) ml, 1.73 +/- 0.76, 98.5%, and 98.5%, respectively, in the experimental group, as compared with (21.60 +/- 6.30) min, (11.10 +/- 3.40) ml, 5.37 +/- 1.84, 70.3% and 69.8% in the control, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of such major complications as wound dehiscence, infection, and moderate to severe edema were 1.5% (1/65), 3.1% (2/65), and 4.6% (3/65), respectively, in the experimental group in comparison with 12.3% (8/65), 15.3% (10/65), and 30.7% (20/65) in the control, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). None of patients had any serious complications.

CONCLUSIONShang Ring circumcision by transverse incision in the distal penis foreskin and pull-up of the interior board, with its advantages of shorter operation time, less blood loss, mild pain, fewer complications, and higher satisfaction and acceptance of the patients, can be used as an safe and effective approach to the treatment of short frenulum praeputii.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; statistics & numerical data ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Edema ; epidemiology ; Foreskin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; diagnosis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surgical Wound Dehiscence ; epidemiology ; Surgical Wound Infection ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the action targets of ginseng (GS) and Panax notoginseng (PN), Chinese herbs for benefiting qi and activating blood circulation, on angiogenesis signaling pathway (VEGFR-2-Ras-MAPK) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSTo block the signal pathway by turns, at the first, added the IC50 of VEGFR-2 inhibitor, SU5416, and detected its downstream signaling protein Ras, MAPK expression using Western Blot. Secondly, added the IC50 of the Ras inhibitor, FPP, and detected its downstream signaling protein MAPK expression.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, adding SU5416 made the Ras, MAPK expression significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and adding FPP made the expression of MAPK significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the group treated by SU5416 alone, the expression of downstream signaling protein Ras, MAPK were significantly higher in the group treated by SU5416 plus GS and PN (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); same state also found in comparison MAPK expression between groups treated with FPP alone and FPP plus GS and PN (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe angiogenesis mechanism of GS and PN on HUVEC may be realized by increasing the protein expression of three key signals, VEGFR-2, Ras and MAPK, respectively.

Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Panax ; chemistry ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism ; ras Proteins ; metabolism

There were significant increase in urine protein excretion,raised malondialdehyde(MDA) level and expressions of NF-?B,p22phox and p47phox in renal tissue,and significant decrease in reduced glutathione,superoxide dismutase,vitamin C and E levels in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakisaki rats after 12 weeks. There was obvious histomorphologic change in the kidneys.All the above indices were improved by intraperitoneal injection of?-lipoic acid(35 mg/kg q.o.d).Besides,significant positive correlations were found of MDA level to p22phox,p47phox and NF-?B in the renal tissue,?-lipoic acid seems to protect the diabetic kidney in this diabetic rat model via antioxidative effects.

The ergosterols were produced from corn straw hydrolysates fermented by ergosterol yeast,which was obtained from protoplast electrofusion.The effects on the yield of ergosterol were studied in the condition of shaker,such as initial sugar concentration,nitrogen source,pH value and fermentation time.The technical conditions were optimized according to the DPS center-united experimental design principles and the method of response surface analysis with four factors and three levels.The results indicated that the four factors had significant correlation to ergosterol accumulation.The biomass and the ergosterol content could be up to 8.67g/L and 2.37% respectively after cultivated for 32h under optimal technical condition.The structure of ergosterol crystal was characterized by UV,IR and SEM.A new approach of biomass source application was presented.