OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of total paeony glycoside (TPG) on the expression of tumor suppressor gene in lung cancer model rats. METHODS:90 rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,positive control group [cyclophosphamide,50 mg/(kg·d)] and TPG low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups [50,100,200 mg/(kg·d)] with 15 rates in each group. Except for normal group,other groups were given disposable infusion of carcinogenic iodized oil via left lobe bronchus to induce lung cancer model. After modeling,those groups were given relevant medicine intravenously from Monday to Friday,while normal group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intravenously for consecutive 16 weeks. The expression of multidrug resistance associated protein(MRP),human multidrug resistance gene(MDR1),P21 and P16 mRNA in lung tissue of rats were determined by RT-PCR;the expression of P53 protein in lung cancer tissue was determined by IHC method.The rate of positive expression was calculated,and pathological change of lung tissue was observed. RESULTS:Com-pared with normal group,the expression of MRP,MDR1,P21,P16 mRNA and P53 protein(positive rate of 66.67%)in lung tis-sue was increased significantly in model group (P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression of MRP,MDR1,P21, P16 mRNA and P53 protein (positive rate of 46.67%,46.67%,40.00%,13.33%) decreased in positive control group,TPG low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups in dose-dependent manner,and the decrease of TPG medium-dose and high-dose groups were more significant than that of positive control group (P<0.05);there was statistical significance in above indexes among TPG groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:TPG could inhibit the expression of MRP,MDR1,P21,P16 gene and P53 pro-tein in lung cancer model rats significantly.

OBJECTIVETo constitute a model of B immunoblastic lymphomas in the Hu-PBL-SCID mice.

METHODSThe SCID mice were reconstituted by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 5 x 10(7) human lymphocytes from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seronegative individuals. After one week, the SCID mice were inoculated with EBV by i.p. injection, and subjected to the investigation of whether there was any tumor in the abdomen of such SCID mice four weeks later. The characteristics of the found tumor was observed by the methods of Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain, immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the control groups, all the EBV-infected Hu-PBL-SCID mice had abdominal solid tumors [(32 +/- 12.5) mm3] developed, often located in the liver. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed the tumors were human B cell lymphomas. EBV DNA could be detected in the tumors by the PCR.

CONCLUSIONSThe model of B immunoblastic lymphomas in the Hu-PBL-SCID mice is successfully constituted, and may well be useful to the human tumor immunological study.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; physiology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

OBJECTIVEIn order to understand the status of benzodiazepine (BZD) use in middleschool students from Wuhan city.

METHODSIn the Wuhan city zone, twenty-eight middle-schools were chosen randomly to the even numbers, with students from grade 8 to 12 had been studied. Altogether, 258 classes were investigated with 12 345 questionnaires were filled in by the subjects anonymously. SPSS 10.0 was used for data analysis.

RESULTSRate of BZD use in Wuhan middle school students was 4.0% with the rate of dependence as 4.1per thousand. There were differences in gender and grade: male students tend to be higher than females (P< 0.01), and senior higher than junior's (P < 0.01). More commonly used drugs would include Diazepam (59%) and Surazepam (29.7%). Among students who used drugs, 43.3% used for 1-7 day and 8.2% of them used 6 tablets or more. 57.6% used 1 tablet once a day (46.2%) before bed time (40.8%). The major reason for using drug was insomnia (43%), followed by pressure from school. The reasons for BZD abuse were: relief of anxiety (14.1%), curiosity (13.3%), peer pressure (10.8%), and fun seeking (9.85%), etc. The source of drugs was from their families (29%). By Multinomial logistic regression, the risk factors of abuse BZD were: ignorance of drug prescription, sex, regular alcohol intake, knowing that BZD use can bring amusement regular, smoking cigarettes, relationship with parents, mother's way of providing education, schooling of fathers, relationship between parents.

CONCLUSIONDifference was seen in the use of BZD between gender and age of the students. Multiple factors showed that: personal, family and social factors were related to the use of BZD.

Adolescent ; Benzodiazepines ; administration & dosage ; classification ; supply & distribution ; therapeutic use ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; statistics & numerical data ; Demography ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Schools ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance-Related Disorders ; epidemiology ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To reveal and forecast the incidence trend of Brucellosis, in order to provide acientific basis for future intervention and policy-making. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze and statistically describe the distribution of the disease in different times, different locations and different (7.0783/10 million to 13.1257/10 million) and Qingxu ( 1.4811/10 million to 8.5241/10 million) were higher,followed by Yangqu county(0 to 5.8232/10 million), Xiaodian(0.8108/l0 million to 2.4229/10 million) and Jinyuan district ( 0.5329/ 10 million to 1.5896/10 million), and the remaining counties(districts) in the annual There were 223 cases of Brucellosis patients from 2006 to 2009 in Taiyuan. Vocational high risk population was farmers, with a total of 140 cases, accounting for 62.78% of the total number of incidence, followed by students and workers, respectively, 13, 14 cases, accounting for 5.83% and 6.28%, other occupational groups, 56 cases,77.58%;28 cases aged above 60 years, accounting for 12.56%;22 cases aged younger than 19 years, accounting identical in the four years, most cases occurred in spring and summer and showing a clear seasonal high.Conclusions The incidence trend of Brucellosis is on the rise from 2006 to 2009. High risk population is farmer,and the number of younger patients is on the rise, we propose strengthen protection for high risk groups.

OBJECTIVETo investigate synergistic killing effect of anti-human DR5 (death receptor 5 of TRAIL) monoclonal antibody (mDRA-6) and adriamycin(Adr) on HL-60 cells.

METHODSmDRA-6 was prepared by immunizing BALB/c mice with DR5 protein. DR5 expression on Adr-treated HL-60 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic changes of HL-60 cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 and Adr on HL-60 cells were measured by MTT analysis. DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSAdr induce DR5 expression on HL-60 cells. Cell budding, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation were observed in HL-60 cells treated by mDRA-6 and Adr. Death and apoptosis of these cells and DNA ladder were exhibited on agarose gel electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONmDRA-6 and Adr have synergistic killing effect on HL-60 cells.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology

Objective To establish a method performance verification project and experimental method for the clinical chemiluminescence immunoassay.Methods Referring to CLSI evaluation protocols and pertinent literature,and by combining our actual works,we designed a verification procedure and experimental method.By Using these above,the precision,accuracy,analytical sensitivity,analytical measurement range,clinical reportable range and biotic interval of AFP on the Bayer Centaur 240 chemiluminescence immunoassay system were verificated.Results would be compared with the declaration of the manufacturer or desirable specifications derived from biologic variation.Results The results showed that the between-day inaccuracy on AFP levels at 77.4 ng/ml and 168.0 ng/ml was 5.70% and 4.84% respectively,these were consistent with manufacturer's inaccuracy claimed.The relative bias between the results measured for calibrator at four levels and target value was less 5.0%,and the relative bias between the results measured for EQA control sample at five levels and target value was-3.4% to 11.9%.Lower limit of detection was 1.04 ng/ml,lower slightly manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claimed.Biologic limit of detection was 2.65 ng/ml-3.53 ng/ml,functional sensitivity was 3.53 ng/ml.Analytical measurement range was 3.53-912.00 ng/ml,within manufacturer's liner range claimed.Clinical reportable range was 3.53-182 400.00 ng/ml.Reference interval was 0.6-7.7 ng/ml,within manufacturer' s claimed.Conclusions The main performances of the detection system are accorded with the declaration of the manufacturer.The performance verification procedure and experimental method of our research ars simple and practical,which has important significations for building medical laboratory and laboratory accreditation, improving quality of the chemiluminescence immunoassay.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the evolution of medically treated atherosclerotic aortic ulcers by computed tomography (CT).

METHODSThirty-five patients (31 men and 4 women, aged from 40 to 79 years, mean 56.2 +/- 10.8 years) with known aortic ulcers were monitored by CT (follow up time 7 - 730 days, mean 135 days), 80 - 100 ml contrast media (Ultravist 300 or 320, or Omnipaque 300 or 320 mg/ml) was injected with a rate of 3.5 - 4.5 ml/s. The scan delayed time was 18 - 30 s. Ulcers dimensions were measured according to maximum depth, maximum length and maximum width.

RESULTSThirty-one patients with intramural hematomas and 1 patient with atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm without intramural hematoma were medically treated and another 3 patients were surgically treated. Intramural hematoma regression was monitored in 31 medically treated patients with intramural hematomas. CT was repeated at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months. Intramural hematoma resolved gradually during follow up [thickness: (7.69 +/- 4.24) mm at 3 months, (3.06 +/- 1.67) mm at 6 months, P < 0.05 vs. 1st CT: (11.96 +/- 4.16) mm while ulcer maximum depth (11.17 +/- 6.03) mm at 3 months, (11.35 +/- 5.59) mm at 6 months, P < 0.05 vs. 1st CT: (7.36 +/- 6.61) mm, maximum width (14.40 +/- 6.35) mm at 3 months, (18.55 +/- 10.94) mm at 6 months, P < 0.05 vs. 1st CT: (7.15 +/- 6.39) mm, maximum length (17.12 +/- 7.15) mm at 3 months, (18.13 +/- 10.89) mm at 6 months, P < 0.05 vs. 1st CT: (11.64 +/- 10.06) mm increased progressively during follow-up].

CONCLUSIONCT was a useful tool for deflecting atherosclerotic aortic ulcers and monitoring therapeutic effects.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortography ; Atherosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer ; diagnostic imaging

BACKGROUNDAs an important determinant of patient satisfaction, waiting time, has gained increasing attention in the field of health care services. The present study aimed to illustrate the distribution characteristics of waiting time in a community hospital and explore the impact of potential measures to reduce outpatient waiting time based on a computer simulation approach.

METHODSDuring a one-month study period in 2006, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a community hospital located in Shanghai, China. Baseline data of outpatient waiting time were calculated according to the records of registration time and payment time. A simulation technique was adopted to investigate the impact of perspective reform methods on reducing waiting time.

RESULTSData from a total of 10,092 patients and 26,816 medical consultations were collected in the study and 19,947 medical consultations were included. The average of the total visit time for outpatients in this hospital was 43.6 minutes in the morning, 19.1 minutes in the afternoon, and 34.3 minutes for the whole day studied period. The simulation results suggested that waiting time for outpatients could be greatly reduced through the introduction of appointment system and flexible demand-orientated doctor scheduling according to the numbers of patients waiting at different time of the workday.

CONCLUSIONAdoption of an appointment system and flexible management of doctor scheduling may be effective way to achieve decreased waiting time.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Appointments and Schedules ; Computer Simulation ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hospitals, Community ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Patient Satisfaction ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

METHODSWe searched comprehensively the databases, CBMDisc, CMCC, CMAC, CNKI (from 1978 to January 6, 2009), and PubMed (from 1965 to January 6, 2009) using the key words "vasectomy" and "prostate cancer", screened the retrieved literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, performed a Meta-analysis with the software RevMan 4.2 after identification of the relevant data, and calculated the overall pooled OR (95% CI) as well as that of the association of prostate cancer with <20 and > or =20 yr vasectomy.

RESULTSA total of 20 088 cases and 232 506 controls in 27 reports (7 cohort and 20 case-control studies) were included in this investigation. The overall pooled OR (95% CI) was 1.10 (0.97-1.24), and those of <20 and > or =20 yr vasectomy were 0.94 (0.83-1.06) and 1.05 (0.90-1.23), respectively.

CONCLUSIONNo existing literature show any positive association between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Vasectomy ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the characteristic of late stent malposition after drug-eluting stent implantation by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODSThe study comprised of 32 patients (target vessels: 51, total stents: 71) underwent drug eluting stent implantation one year ago [average (14.8 +/- 5.2) months]. OCT images of the stent were analyzed at interval of 0.5 mm. The stent malposition was detected, the thickness of intima and gap between the stent strut and vessel wall were measured.

RESULTSStent malposition was detected in 7 patients without clinical cardiac events, including positive remodeling (n = 4), overlapping stents (n = 1) and stent struts covered with thrombus (n = 2). Stent strut apposition with complete intima coverage was about 97.6%, stent struts malposition was 2.4% including half of struts located at the ostium of side branch. The intima coverage of stent struts is similar between the struts at the side branch and others [(0.06 +/- 0.05) mm vs. (0.05 +/- 0.03) mm, P > 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe causes of late stent malposition include the primary malposition after stent implantation, positive remodeling, overlapping stents and stent struts located at the ostium of side branch. Thinner intima coverage was also observed on the stent struts with malposition.

Aged ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Treatment Failure