In recent years a huge amount of clinical studies have proved that fluctuant hypertension could aggravate the damage of target organs and increase the incidence of acute cardio-/cerebrovascular events, when compared with stable hypertension [increased mean artery blood pressure (MBP)]. How to prevent and treat fluctuant hypertension and its damage of target organs has become one of the hot and difficult problems in the field of hypertension studies all over the world. Hypertensive patients often suffer from thromboembolic target organ damage. Platelet activation plays a key role in this progress, but its concrete mechanisms have not been clearly clarified. Based on the in-depth discussions on progress of fluctuant hypertension, its relationship with platelet activation and blood stasis syndrome of Chinese medicine (CM) in recent three years, we proposed, under the fluctuant hypertensive state, the prethrombotic state has occurred in the organisms, i.e., a pathological state featured by platelet activation, liable to have vulnerable thrombopoiesis, and accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. Blood stasis syndrome might occupy an important position in CM syndrome typing of fluctuant hypertension. Herbs for activating blood circulation and removing stasis might have an extensive application prospect.
Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; prevention & control ; Integrative Medicine ; Platelet Activation

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of embelin on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSDifferent concentration of embelin were used to treat HL-60 cells. Cell growth curve was analysed by MTT assay, cell apoptosis by Annexin V/PI double staining and JC-1 dye. The differentiation of HL-60 cells was evaluated by expression of CD33, CD34, CD11b and CD14. Bone marrow cells (BMC) from nine patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANML) were also studied.

RESULTSEmbelin induced differentiation of HL-60 cells with significant increase of CD14 and CD11b expression at 33.97µmol/L for 3 days (P < 0.01). Embelin induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, the apoptosis rates were (9.23 ± 0.05)%, (25.86 ± 0.30)% and (39.03 ± 0.07)% respectively at 339.67 µmol/L of embelin for 12-, 24- and 48-hours treatment (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rates were (0.07 ± 0.03)%, (7.43 ± 0.30)%, (14.01 ± 0.01)%, (25.52 ± 0.03)% and (39.15 ± 0.01)% respectively at 10.19, 33.97, 101.90, 339.67 and 1019.02 µmol/L of embelin for 24-hours culture (P < 0.05). Clusters of differentiation antigen on BMC from three acute promyelocytic leukemia patients showed significant changes at 33.97 µmol/L of embelin treatment for 3 days. Embelin induced apoptosis of BMCs from all the nine ANML patients at 33.97 µmol/L for 24 hour.

CONCLUSIONEmbelin can inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The mechanism may be related to mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Embelin at subtoxic concentration doesn't promote leukemia BMC differentiation, but at 339.67 µmol/L induces apoptosis of these cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism

The present study investigates the vasodilative action of carbon monoxide on rat pulmonary artery in vitro. After isolation of the pulmonary artery rings (PAR) from Wistar rats, an ACh concentration-response curve was generated; the PARs were incubated with the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (30 micromol/L, n=10) or the heme oxygenase inhibitor ZnPPIX (10 micromol/L)+L-NAME (30 micromol/L, n=10) for 30 min. After that, a second ACh concentration-response curve was elicited. Other isolated PARs were randomly divided into two groups: endothelium-intact group (n=8) and endothelium-denuded group (n=8). The effect of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on pulmonary arterial vessel tone was observed. The results showed that ACh induced a concentration-dependent pulmonary vasorelaxation. This relaxation disappeared after endothelium was denuded. The ACh induced relaxation was attenuated after pretreatment with 30 micromol/L L-NAME, and attenuated further after pretreatment with 10 micromol/L ZnPPIX+30 micromol/L L-NAME. Exogenous carbon monoxide relaxed pulmonary artery in both the endothelium-intact group and the endothelium-denuded group. These data suggest that ZnPPIX inhibits ACh induced endothelium-dependent pulmonary artery relaxation and that CO is an endothelium-derived relaxation factor, and exogenous CO can relax pulmonary artery.
Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; antagonists & inhibitors ; In Vitro Techniques ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

Myeloproliferative neoplasm is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disease, which is often complicated by coagulation dysfunction, manifested as thrombosis and bleeding tendency. The mechanism of coagulation dysfunction in myeloproliferative neoplasm is unclear, which may be the result of multiple factors, such as proliferation and activation of leukocyte, abnormality of platelet and its receptors, JAK2V617 F mutation, vWF consumption and drugs. High-risk patients should be assessed to prevent and reduce adverse events.

Objective To investigate the effects of fosinopril sodium pre-treatment combined with ischemic postconditioning on rat serum and myocardial oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines post ischemia/reperfusion. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group ( n = 15 ) , ischemia/reperfusion group ( 30 minutes in situ occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 1 hour nitrotetrazolium blue chloride staining, SOD content was examined by colorimetric method, MDA content was detected using thiobarbituric acid method, serum levels of Interleukin-1α (IL-lα), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) were examined by radioimmunoassay, IL-lα, IL-6 and TNF-α levels of myocardial tissue were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with I/R group, myocardial enzymes and infarction size were significantly decreased ( P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) , serum SOD content was increased and MDA content was decreased (allP<0.01), serum and myocaidial levels of IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced (P<0. 05,P<0.05, P<0.01) in IPoC group. Compared with IPoC group, fosinopril sodium pretreatment further reduced infarction size and myocardial enzyme CK-MB ( P < 0.05 ) , increased SOD content ( P < 0. 05 ) while reduced serum IL-6 and myocaidial tissue TNF-a (P <0. 05, P <0.01). Conclusion Pretreatment with fosinopril sodium enhanced the protective effect of IPoC on rat myocardium underwent I/R injury, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and early inflammatory reaction.

Objective To observe the T helper 1 and T helper 2(Th1/Th2)balance and possible association to vascular endothelial cells iniury in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS).Methods Forty patients with ACS and l 8 patients with stable angina pectoris(SAP)were included in this study.The concentrations of T helper 1/T helper 2 sabsets related cytokines in plasma were evaluated bv ELISA Kits.Cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)or PBMCs depleted CD+ T cells against human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were evaluated by Cr51 cytotoxicity assay.Results Concentrations of T helper 1 related cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 were significantly higher[IFN-γ:(131.2±42.2)ng/L vs.(47.6±20.2)ng/L;IL-2:(83.7 4±21.3)ng/L vs.(46.2±16.7)ng/I.,all P<0.05]while T helper 2 related cytokine IL-10 concentration was significantly lower[(1 6.7 ±4.3)ng/L vs.(27.5±5.5)ng/L.P<0.05 ] in patients with ACS compared to those in SAP patients.Cytotoxic activity of PBMCs against HUVECs in patients with ACS was also significantly higher than that in patients with SAP (28.84%±4.20% vs.20.28%±2.71%,P<0.05).Conclusions In patients with ACS.Th1 related cytokines were significantly upregulated while Th2 related cytokines were significantly downregulated.This imbalante of Th1/Th2 accelerated PBMCs mediated endothelium iniury in patients with ACS.

BACKGROUNDBladder recurrent disease is still a challenge in the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This controlled study aims to investigate the efficacy of early clipping of the distal ureter prior to nephroureterectomy (NU) to prevent bladder recurrence after UTUC.

METHODSPatients with clinical diagnosis of UTUC were subjected to open trans-peritoneal NU and were randomly divided into two groups. One group received modified NU: clipping the distal ureter prior to NU; while the other group underwent traditional standard NU. Subsequent bladder recurrence was the primary endpoint.

RESULTSFrom January 2007 to December 2009, 85 eligible cases were enrolled in this study. Modified NU and standard NU were performed on 42 and 43 patients, respectively. Operation time ((215.73 ± 21.26) minutes vs. (220.19 ± 15.35) minutes), blood loss ((105.15 ± 11.32) ml vs. (110.12 ± 9.07) ml), transfusion event (11.20% vs. 9.78%), and the in-patient time (10.0 days vs 9.5 days) were not significant between the two groups. After a median follow-up of 28 months (5 - 60), six (14.3%) cases who received modified NU had bladder recurrence, which was significantly lower compared with 15 (34.9%) patients from the group that underwent standard NU (P = 0.026). In univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor grade (HR 4.33, 95%CI 2.66 - 6.30, P = 0.01) and operation type (HR 2.35, 95%CI 1.53 - 3.48, P = 0.041) were independent risk factors for subsequent bladder recurrence after UTUC.

CONCLUSIONSClipping the distal ureter at the beginning of NU significantly reduces bladder recurrence after UTUC. It is reasonable to conclude that clipping the distal portion of ureter trans-peritoneal is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of UTUC.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Ureter ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo identify the antimicrobial resistance of commercial lactic acid bacteria present in microbial foods and drug additives by analyzing their isolated strains used for fermentation and probiotics.

METHODSAntimicrobial susceptibility of 41 screened isolates was tested with disc diffusion and E-test methods after species-level identification. Resistant strains were selected and examined for the presence of resistance genes by PCR.

RESULTSDistribution of resistance was found in different species. All isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalothin, and imipenem. In addition, isolates resistant to vancomycin, rifampicin, streptomycin, bacitracin, and erythromycin were detected, although the incidence of resistance to these antibiotics was relatively low. In contrast, most strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole, and gentamycin. The genes msrC, vanX, and dfrA were detected in strains of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactococcus lactis.

CONCLUSIONAntibiotic resistance is present in different species of probiotic strains, which poses a threat to food safety. Evaluation of the safety of lactic acid bacteria for human consumption should be guided by established criteria, guidelines and regulations.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Cultured Milk Products ; microbiology ; Dairy Products ; Drug Contamination ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Food Microbiology ; Humans ; Lactobacillaceae ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Probiotics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the technique of repeated operation for removement of polyacrylamide hydrogel from breast.

METHODS17 cases after uncomplete removement of PHG were reoperated through inferior periareolar incision. The PHG and affected denatured muscle and gland tissue were removed.

RESULTSPreoperative MRI or CT showed PHG distributed diffusely in muscle and gland. There was only minimal residual PHG after operation. Histological examination showed PHG distributed in the denatured and proliferative fibrous tissue, including giant cells, many neutrophilic cells infiltration, and foreign body granuloma. The symptoms, such as intramammary pump or nodule, chest and back pain, infection, were relieved after operation.

CONCLUSIONSBlinded suction technique can not remove PHG completely and can also result in malposition of PHG and make the tissue denaturation worse. We suggest open approach to remove the PHG and denatured tissue completely through periareolar incision.

Acrylic Resins ; Adult ; Breast Implants ; Device Removal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; instrumentation ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and effect of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in treatment of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma.

METHODSRetrospective analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients with T1 renal cell carcinoma underwent NSS from November 1999 to December 2009.Including 79 male and 22 female with the mean age of 52.3 years (ranged 28 to 79 years). Based on tumor pathologic diameter, 101 patients were divided into T1a group with 62 patient and T1b group with 39 cases. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTSThe operation were performed successfully in all the 101 cases. The mean operation time was (151 ± 80) min in group T1a and (158 ± 50) min in group T1b with no statistical difference (P = 0.32). The mean blood loss was (322 ± 596) ml in group T1a and (308 ± 239) ml in group T1b (P = 0.45). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 8 to 102 months with a mean of 38.4 months. One patient in T1b group died of distant metastasis 36 months after operation. Others were no tumor recurred.

CONCLUSIONNephron-sparing surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome