A method was developed for determining residual dexamethasone and betamethasone in swine liver by HPLC-MS/MS with isotope dilution. The samples were digested by β-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase, and extracted) with acetonitrile. Further cleanup was performed on C_(18)) cartridge and liquid-liquid extraction with sodium) carbonate solution. Then the supernatant was dried under nitrogen and residues were dissolved in mobile) phase. The samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS on a Hypercarb C_(18)) column with a mixture of acetonitrile-water-formic acid as the mobile phase. The samples were quantified with the internal standard calibration curve method using isotope dilution. The limit of detection for dexamethasone and betamethasone in swine liver was 0.12 μg/kg and 0.14 μg/kg, respectively. The limits of quantification were 0.42 μg/kg and0.47 μg/kg), respectively. The average recoveries were 97.3%-111.0%, the intra-assay relative standard deviations were 1.85%-5.65% and the inter-assay relative standard deviations were 2.8%-8.0% at spiked levels of 0.75-2.00 μg/kg. There was a good linear correlation (the correlation coefficient is above 0.9997) between the ratio of peak areas of quantitative ion-pair to internal standard and concentration of analyte) in the range of 10-500 μg/L.

Adult ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-10 ; metabolism ; Male ; Ovotesticular Disorders of Sex Development ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Teratoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of adding folic acid, vitamin B(12) and probucol to standard antihypertensive medication on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), serum NO and eNOS of essential hypertensive patients.

METHODA total of 120 patients with hypertension were randomly divided to three groups (n = 40 each): group 1 (standard medication), group 2 (adding folic acid 5 mg/day and vitamin B(12) 500 µg twice daily) and group 3 (adding folic acid 5 mg/day and vitamin B(12) 500 µg twice daily and probucol 500 mg twice daily). Plasma Hcy and ADMA, serum NO and eNOS levels were observed at baseline, 2 and 12 weeks after various therapy.

RESULTSIn group 1, concentrations of plasma Hcy [(23.06 ± 14.15) µmol/L, (23.67 ± 12.31) µmol/L, (23.25 ± 11.64) µmol/L], ADMA [(0.21 ± 0.12) µmol/L, (0.23 ± 0.13) µmol/L, (0.21 ± 0.09) µmol/L] and serum NO [(64.14 ± 15.07) µmol/L, (65.29 ± 15.04) µmol/L, (65.32 ± 13.58) µmol/L], eNOS [(20.02 ± 4.50) µg/L, (20.79 ± 4.03) µg/L, (19.82 ± 5.70) µg/L] remained unchanged during the 12 weeks therapy (all P > 0.05). In group 2, concentrations of plasma Hcy [(12.54 ± 6.49) µmol/L] and ADMA[(0.18 ± 0.07) µmol/L] were significantly decreased after the treatment of 12 weeks than the treatment baseline value [(21.51 ± 7.82) µmol/L, (0.20 ± 0.12) µmol/L] and 2 weeks value[(19.38 ± 8.14) µmol/L, (0.21 ± 0.12) µmol/L], however the concentrations of serum NO and eNOS showed contrary results of the Hcy and ADMA's. (all P < 0.05). In group 3, similar changes occurred at 2 weeks after therapy (P < 0.05 2 weeks vs. baseline and 12 weeks vs. 2 weeks). Plasma ADMA level was positively correlated with Hcy at baseline (r = 0.546, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSupplementation of folic acid, VitB(12) and/or probucol helps to improve endothelial function and reduce plasma Hcy and ADMA levels in patients with hypertension.

Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Female ; Folic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; blood ; Plasma ; metabolism ; Probucol ; therapeutic use ; Vitamin B 12 ; therapeutic use ; Vitamin B Complex ; therapeutic use ; Vitamins ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging characteristics of 5 cases of diffuse meningeal melanomatosis.Methods The clinical manifestation, features of cerebrospinal fluid and image of 5 patients with meningeal melanomatosis diagnosed by biopsy or autopsy were retrospectively summarized.Results Clinical manifestations of these 5 cases included intracranial hyperpressure, meningeal irritation sign, intracranial nerves impairment, root pain of spinal nerve.In all of these 5 cases, retina hyperpigmentation above left discus opticus was found by funduseope in one case, and congenital melanocytic nevi were found in 4 patients, in which 2 cases were giant congenital melanocytic nevi.Increased lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)pressure occurred in all cases.Subarachnoid hemorrhage was found in 3 cases.Analysis of CSF revealed increased protein in 4 cases and decreased glucose in 3 cases.Cranial MRI obtained after the intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA showed leptomeningeal enhancement.Malignant melanoma cells were found in CSF of 3 cases.Metastatic malignant melanoma cells were found by biopsy of axillary fossa lymph node in one case.Autopsy of one case revealed diffuse black pigmentation of the leptomeninges, especially in base of skull.Two cases were diagnosed as metastatic meningeal melanomatosis and 3 cases were possible primary meningeal melanomatosis. Conclusions Menings, root of cranial nerve and spinal nerve are impaired in meningeal melanomatosis, which is usually accompanied by congenital melanocytic nevi.Subarachnoid hemorrhage implies meningeal melanomatosis.Diagnosis can be identified when malignant melanoma cells are found in CSF.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of polypeptide extract from scorpion venom (PESV) on inhibiting angiogenesis.

METHODSThe H22 hepatoma tumor model was established by subcutaneously implanting H22 hepatoma cells into mice. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the control group, the high dose PESV group, the low dose PESV group, and the 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) group, 10 mice in each group. The intervention was lasted for 14 days. The growth curve of the tumor volume was drawn and the inhibition rate calculated. Pathological changes of the tumors were observed by HE staining. The microvessel density (MVD) was detected using SP method. The protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K), phosphoprotein kinase B (P-Akt), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 )alpha, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot.

RESULTSThe tumor inhibitory rate was 64.8%, 43.7%, and 32.4% in the 5-Fu group, the high dose PESV group, and the low dose PESV group. Compared with the control group, the protein expression of PI3K, P-Akt, HIF-1alpha, and VEGF-A were obviously inhibited by PESV and 5-Fu (P <0. 05,P <0. 01). The MVD also decreased in the high and low dose PESV groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPESV could inhibit the angiogenesis of H22 hepatoma. The mechanisms might be associated with suppressing the expression of PI3K, P-Akt, HIF-1 alpha, and VEGF-A.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; Male ; Mice ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Scorpion Venoms ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy, median survival time, time to progression, quality of life and adverse effect of gefitinib (IRESSA) in the treatment for refractory advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSForty-one patients with stage III b to IV NSCLC who had previously treated with 2-7 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled into the study, 85.4% of the patients had received second line chemotherapy. The regimen was oral intake of gefitinib 250 mg once daily until the disease progression or intolerable toxic reaction occurred. The patients were required to receive tumor assessment before the treatment, one month, two months and every three months after IRESSA administration.

RESULTSAll 41 patients were evaluable for therapeutic effect. Partial response rate (PR), stable disease (SD) and progression of disease (PD) was 43.9% (18/41), 34.1% (14/41) and 22.0% (9/41), respectively. No complete regression was observed. The overall response rate was 43.9% (18/41) with a rate of 42.1% in the male and 45.5% in the female (P > 0.05). The disease control rate (PR + SD) was 78.0% (32/41). Twenty-two of the 41 patients (53.7%, 22/41) were still alive with MST of 10.1 months when the follow-up ended in Nov. 2006. TP and MST of dead patients was 2.7 and 5.0 months, respectively. The rate of symptom improvement was 78% for all patients with MST of 13.3 months for PR patients. The performance status (Karnofsky) was improved (20 +/- 5) after 28-day treatment. III-IV degree toxicity was not observed.

CONCLUSIONIRESSA is effective and safe for the advanced NSCLC patients with poor performance status who previously failed in the second or third line chemotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease-Free Survival ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Quality of Life ; Quinazolines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical manifestations and radiological characteristics, diagnostic methods and outcomes of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-derived(MALT) lymphoma.

METHODSA retrospective review of clinical, radiological and follow-up data of 29 pulmonary MALT lymphoma cases at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital affiliated to Tong Ji University from January 2002 to June 2010 was performed.

RESULTSAmong these patients, there were 19(65.5%) males and 10 (34.5%) females aged from 27 to 73 (median 53) years old. Common clinical manifestations were cough (51.7%), fever (20.7%), apnea (17.2%), chest pain (17.2%), fatigue (13.8%) and weight loss (13.8%), while 9(31.0%) cases had no symptoms at diagnosis. The characteristics of the chest CT showed that 22 (75.9%) of the cases had patch infiltration or consolidation of the lung, 7(24.1%) of the cases had mass, and 15 (51.7%) unilateral and 14(48.3%) bilateral lesions. Their diagnosis duration varied between 0.5 and 96 months. 18(62.1%) cases were confirmed by surgery (15 open lung and 7 video-assisted thoracic surgery, VAST), 4 (13.8%) by percutaneous lung biopsy, 5 (17.2%) by bronchoscopic biopsy, and 2 (6.9%) by peripheral lymph node biopsy. The treatment methods included surgery, combined chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine. The 1- and 3-year-survival rates were 92.3% and 87.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPulmonary MALT lymphoma is atypical in clinical manifestations and radiological characteristics, and easy to be misdiagnosed. Local diseases are mainly treated by operation while extensive diseases receive combined chemotherapy. A proper diagnosis is mainly based on pathological biopsy. Patients with MALT lymphoma have a favorable outcome. Poor prognosis may be connected with poor performance status and long diagnosis duration.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the method and effect of inter-locking intramedullary nail and tripus in closed reduction for treating tibial fracture.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-six patients of tibial fractures were treated by inter-locking intramedullary nail and tripus in closed reduction. There were 76 males and 50 females aged from 25 to 68, the mean age was 38; There were 86 close fractures and 40 open fractures (Gustilo I and II type). AO classification system was used for all cases, fracture type A in 49 cases, type B in 41 cases, type C in 36 cases.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 10 to 16 months. Fratures were cured, according to the criteria of Johner-Wruhs, the results were excellent in 103 cases, good in 18 cases, fair in 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONInter-locking intramedullary nail is the optimal operation method in treating tibial fracture. Static locking should be a routine way, and closed reduction, no stripping periosteum, infectious rate and complications are reduced. Through tripus work intensity are reduced and reduction easily during operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe present study was designed to explore the cited status and its correlated factors of articles published in Chinese Journal of Pediatrics.

METHODArticles published in Chinese Journal of Pediatrics from 2001 to 2010 were searched using Wanfang Medical Online database, and the relationship between cited number and column and funding status were analyzed.

RESULTSTotally 3209 articles were published by Chinese Journal of Pediatrics from 2001 to 2010. Two thousand and seventy-three articles (64.60%) were cited. The total cited number was 18 546 (mean rate: 5.78 per paper). Standard/protocol/guideline was the most often cited column (mean rate: 62.92 per paper). Featured articles including editorials (mean rate: 7.12 per paper), special articles (mean rate: 6.50 per paper) and original articles (mean rate: 7.90 per paper) had higher cited rate. Cited rate of original papers in featured articles was higher than other original articles (mean rate: 6.03 per paper). Those with academic perspectives, such as Opinion/Debate/Discussion, were well cited (mean rate: 7.09 per paper). All of original articles in Rapid Pathway were well cited (mean rate: 16.20 per paper). Mean cited number of grant-supported articles was 4.81 per paper, lower than that of all kinds of papers (mean rate: 5.78 per paper) and non-grant-supported articles (mean rate: 6.06 per paper). However, it was slightly higher than that of articles except Standard/protocol/guideline (mean rate: 4.36 per paper).

CONCLUSIONCited status varies among columns. The invited papers should be increased in number to raise commentary papers and original articles with high quality.Grant-supported or non-grant-supported papers should be reviewed based on the same standard after submission.

Bibliometrics ; Pediatrics ; Periodicals as Topic ; statistics & numerical data

BACKGROUNDThe congenital Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac channelopathy that is characterized by a prolonged QT interval, syncope, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. The chromosome 7-linked type 2 congenital LQTS (LQT2) is caused by gene mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG).

METHODSA Chinese family diagnosed with LQTS were screened for KCNQ1, HERG and SCN5A, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct sequencing, and clong sequencing. We also investigated the mRNA expression of the HERG gene.

RESULTSWe identified a novel I414fs + 98X mutation in the HERG gene. The deletion mutation of 14-bp in the first transmembrane segment (S1) introduced premature termination codons (PTCs) at the end of exon 6. This mutation would result in a serious phenotype if the truncated proteins co-assembled with normal subunit to form the defective channels. But only the proband was symptomatic.

CONCLUSIONSWe found that the mRNA level of the HERG gene was significantly lower in I414fs + 98X carriers than in noncarriers. We found a novel I414fs + 98X mutation. The mRNA level supports that NMD mechanism might regulate the novel mutation.

Adult ; ERG1 Potassium Channel ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis