Objective Medication for pituitary adenomas is mainly targeted on the prolactin-secreting and growth-hormone types and shows poor therapeutic effects on other adenomas .Therefore, new drugs urgently need to be developed for this purpose .This study was to investigate the effects of glivec and everolimus on mouse pituitary AtT-20 cells and their molecular mechanisms in vitro. Methods Mouse pituitary AtT-20 cells were incubated with glivec or everolimus or combination of both and their inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.The mRNA levels of AKT and ERK were determined by q-PCR and the ex-pressions of the phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and ERK (p-ERK) were detected by Western blot. Results Used alone, both glivec and everolimus inhibited the proliferation of the AtT-20 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner , but their combination produced a mutually antagonistic effect, with combination index values of 1.13 ±0.06, 1.12 ±0.03, and 1.07 ±0.03 respectively.The two a-gents , either used alone or in combination , induced no significantly inhibitory effects on the mRNA and protein expressions of AKT and ERK ( P >0.05 ).Both glivec and everolimus up-regulated the expressions of p-AKT and p-ERK, and their combination manifested an even stronger effect (P>0.05). Conclusion Both glivec and everolimus inhibit the proliferation of AtT-20 cells when administered alone, but their combination produces an antagonistic effect .Their action mechanism might be that when targeting some signaling path-ways to inhibit cell proliferation , glivec, as well as everolimus , in-duces a feedback activation of AKT and ERK .

Background lnterleuldn-18(IL- 18) plays a key role in the development,progression and outcome of coronary artery disease and its complications.However,its variability relation to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque and percutaneous coronary intervention are still unknown.Methods Fifty four patients with coronary artery disease [22 patients with stable angina (SA) and 32 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)] were enrolled in this study.All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The stability of the plaques at the criminal vessels was assessed with analogical IVUS.Serum IL-18 levels were measured at the time points of 5 rain before PCI,and Oh,6h,24h and lmonth after PCI in all patients.Results ACS group consisted mainly of lipidic unstable plaques while SA group of fibrous stable plaques.Moreover,compared with those in SA group,eccentricity index (EI) and remodeling index (RI) were significantly higher in ACS group.Positive remodeling was seen in ACS group while negative or no remodeling in SA group.Further,serum IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with ACS than those in SA group before PCI,increased at Oh,6h,24h after PCI (P＜0.05)and were not significant different at 1 month after PCI from those before PCI.Conclusions There is significant difference in the composition and structural characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques between ACS and UA groups.PCI triggersd and enhances the inflammatory response in a short time.Serum levels of IL- 18 are the predictors of progression of unstable plaque in atherosclerosis.Post-operative complications of PCI might be reduced by inhibiting IL- 18.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:21-24)

Objective To study the feasibility of sustaining the viable status of a liver graft in at least 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood. Methods Eight extracorporeal porcine liver perfusions using autologous blood were performed, each for 96 h with hepatectomy, cold preservation, cannulation of vessels, and initiation of perfusion with normothermic oxygenated porcine blood. The graft viability was assessed by metabolic, synthetic, hemodynamic, and histologic parameters. Results After 96 h of normothermic, extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood, the isolated livers maintained normal physiological levels of pH and electrolytes with sustained hepatic protein synthesis (complement and factor V) throughout the perfusion. Hemodynamic parameters maintained normal physiological ranges. Histological inspection demonstrated good preservation of the liver with a good architectural integrity. Conclusion It is possible to sustain the viable status of a liver graft within 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

Objective To study the feasibility of sustaining the viable status of a liver graft in at least 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood. Methods Eight extracorporeal porcine liver perfusions using autologous blood were performed, each for 96 h with hepatectomy, cold preservation, cannulation of vessels, and initiation of perfusion with normothermic oxygenated porcine blood. The graft viability was assessed by metabolic, synthetic, hemodynamic, and histologic parameters. Results After 96 h of normothermic, extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood, the isolated livers maintained normal physiological levels of pH and electrolytes with sustained hepatic protein synthesis (complement and factor V) throughout the perfusion. Hemodynamic parameters maintained normal physiological ranges. Histological inspection demonstrated good preservation of the liver with a good architectural integrity. Conclusion It is possible to sustain the viable status of a liver graft within 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

Objective To investigate the molecular characteristics of H5 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIV) in Weining, Guizhou Province. Methods Nine representative strains were randomly select-ed from H5 subtype AIV that were identified by real-time PCR in Weining, Guizhou Province from 2015 to 2017. Nucleic acid was extracted from each sample and hemagglutinin (HA) genes were amplified and then sequenced. Homology, genetic evolution and the sites related to pathogenicity, receptor binding regions as well as potential glycosylation of H5 AIV were analyzed by bioinformation software. Results Homology analysis revealed that there was 96. 1%-99. 9% and 95. 7%-100% similarity among the nine strains in nu-cleotide and amino acid of HA gene, respectively. These strains belonged to two branches, H5-1 and H5-2. The cleavage site motifs were PLREKRRKR↓GLF for five strains in H5-1 branch and PQRERRRKR↓GLF for four strains in H5-2 branch, which made them high pathogenic. QSG and QRG at the key receptor bind-ing sites were found in H5-1 and H5-2 branch strains, respectively. They were responsible for receptor bind-ing specificity of AIV. Mutations of 138Q, 139G and 53K were all detected in the nine strains. 129K, 189T, 140K and 282V mutations were discovered in the five strains of H5-1 branch, while 189N, 140M and 282I mutations were found in the four strains of H5-2 branch. Results of the glycosylation motif analysis showed that six sites were conservative, but there was an addition of 124NHT site in two strains of H5-2 branch isolated in 2017. Conclusion Two high pathogenic H5 subtypes of AIV could be epidemic in Wein-ing, Guizhou Province during 2015 to 2017. Although H5 subtype AIV did not possess specific receptor binding regions like human influenza viruses, they were in continuous variation with an increase in glycosyla-tion motifs, which might enhance their virulence and pathogenicity to human beings. Hence, surveillance and study on the molecular properties of H5 subtype AIV should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method to rapidly determine and identify Guizhi Fuling capsule by portable acousto-optic tunable filter-near infrared spectroscopy.

METHODThe qualitative model was set up using principal component analysis. The correlation models between the NIR spectra and the reference values of five major constituents were obtained with partial least squares method.

RESULTThe identifying model accurately identified Guizhi Fuling capsule, and quantitative analytical models could precisely predicted the content of ellagic acid, baicalin, benzoylpaenoniflorin, cinnamaldehyde, and paeonol. The correlation coefficients of the calibration models were 0.924 2, 0.938 4, 0.924 2, 0.933 6, 0.934 7, the validation set coefficients of the calibration were 0.924 2, 0.938 4, 0.924 2, 0.933 6, 0.934 7, and the RMSEP were 1.138%, 3.014%, 0.751%, 0.625%, 3.455%, 1.363%, respectively. The results of external validation showed no significant difference between the predictive and the determining values by t-test.

CONCLUSIONThe method is accurate, rapid and non-destructive, and can be used for determining and identifying Guizhi Fuling capsule.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; Acrolein ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Calibration ; Capsules ; chemistry ; Drug Evaluation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ellagic Acid ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Chemical ; Principal Component Analysis ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of sustaining the viable status of a liver graft in at least 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

METHODSEight extracorporeal porcine liver perfusions using autologous blood were performed, each for 96 h with hepatectomy, cold preservation, cannulation of vessels, and initiation of perfusion with normothermic oxygenated porcine blood. The graft viability was assessed by metabolic, synthetic, hemodynamic, and histologic parameters.

RESULTSAfter 96 h of normothermic, extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood, the isolated livers maintained normal physiological levels of pH and electrolytes with sustained hepatic protein synthesis (complement and factor V) throughout the perfusion. Hemodynamic parameters maintained normal physiological ranges. Histological inspection demonstrated good preservation of the liver with a good architectural integrity.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to sustain the viable status of a liver graft within 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

Animals ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Organ Preservation ; Organ Preservation Solutions ; Swine

Objective? To explore the effect of video education combined with Teach-back on the compliance of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) to exercise at home and the condition of disease activity. Methods? By convenience sampling, 80 patients with RA who were hospitalized in the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from March to November 2018 were included in the study. By random number table, the patients were divided into the intervention group and control group, the control group was given routine discharge instruction and the patients were taught about the functional exercise orally; on the basis of that, the intervention group was given the video education combined with Teach-back and assisted to download videos, Family Exercise Compliance Scale and Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints(DAS28) were used to evaluate the patients' compliance in functional exercise at home and disease activity condition before intervention, 1 month and 3 months after intervention. Results? Finally, 73 cases(37 cases in the control group, 36 cases in the intervention group) in two groups completed the research plan. One and 3 months after intervention, the compliance with family functional exercise of the intervention group was better than the control group from the same period with statistical significance(P＜0.05); the scores of Tender Joint Coun(t TJC28), Swollen Joint Coun(t SJC28), Patient General Health(GH) of the intervention group were all lower than the control group from the same period with statistical significance (P＜0.05), however, the scores of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR) and DAS28 didn't demonstrate obvious intervention effects (P＞0.05). Conclusions? Video education combined with Teach-back can effectively improve the compliance of RA patients with home functional exercise, help to cultivate healthy behavior, and hence reduce the number of tender joint, swelling joints, reduce the degree of pain, improve the prognosis of patients.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between hemomyelogram and sererity of acute appendicitis and identify the best routine blood test feature for perforation.

METHODS721 patients were included in this study, all of whom underwent appendectomy for the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis during the years of 2010-2013. The initial preoperative hemomyelogram was evaluated at different stages of appendicitis. The area under the ROC curve was used to assess the clinical feature with greater diagnostic accuracy of perforation. Total lymphocyte counts of 1.83 was used in the prediction of perforative appendicitis. A group of 467 patients was used for validation to confirm the diagnostic value of the cut-off value.

RESULTSThe percentage of lymphocytes had the closest association with the evolutionary phase of acute appendicitis. Total lymphocyte counts < or=1.83 indicated perforation, with high sensitivity and low specificity.

CONCLUSIONThe percentage of lymphocytes and total lymphocyte counts are helpful as a diagnostic paramete for different stages of acute appendicitis.

Acute Disease ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity