The present study sought to investigate the anti-inflammation and immunoloregulation effect of 17 Guizhi Fuling capsule ingredients. The anti-inflammatory ingredients on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cell injury were assessed with ELISA and immunofluorescence. The release of IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2 were detected with ELISA and the expression of COX-2 was detected with immunofluorescence. The effects of them on promoting splenic lymphocyte proliferation were assessed with MTT and Hoechst 33342 staining method. The results showed that 15 ingredients had obviously anti-inflammatory activity on LPS- induced injury and play the immunoloregulation roles. This study suggested that the 15 ingredients may be the active ingredients on pelvic infection.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Capsules ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; enzymology ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

A label-free method for sensitive and selective detection of thrombin ( Tb) was constructed based on rare earth ion mediated fluorescence switch of graphene quantum dots ( GQDs) . Rare earth ion ( Er3+) can assemble onto the surface of GQDs through the coordination interaction between Er3+ ions and the carboxylate groups located on the surface or edge of the GQDs, resulting in the aggregation of the GQDs and thereby decrease of the fluorescence of the GQDs. In the presence of Tb, the oxygen and nitrogen-donor atoms in Tb can coordinate with Er3+ ions and compete with the carboxylate groups on GQDs to coordinate Er3+ ions, thus the interaction between GQDs and Er3+ ions is reduced, which lead to the restoration of the GQDs fluorescence. In this study, the sensing mechanism was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The limit of detection for Tb assay was as low as 0. 049 nmol/L. Moreover, this assay was successfully applied to the selective determination of Tb in real samples.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience about surgical treatment of aortic dissection.

METHODSThe clinical data of 51 patients with aortic dissection admitted from December 2004 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 35 male and 16 female patients with a mean age of 55.7 years (ranged from 18 to 83-years-old). Twenty-seven patients of type I was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selected cerebral perfusion with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch. Five patients of type II was performed including Bentall operation in 3 patients, Wheat operation in 1 patient, ascending aorta replacement in 1 patient. Nineteen patients of type III was performed with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

RESULTSThe time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in type I patients was 250 to 290 min with an average of (274 +/- 53) min, and the arrest time was 40 to 59 min with an average of (53 +/- 14) min. CPB time of type II patients was 130 to 159 min with an average of (146 +/- 43) min, and the cross clamp time was 60 to 79 min with an average of (66 +/- 15) min. CPB time of type III patients was 240 to 280 min with an average of (260 +/- 28) min, and the arrest time was 20 to 27 min with an average of (24 +/- 3) min. The mean hemorrhage volume of the entire group was (500 +/- 250) ml. The mean ICU retention time was (5.0 +/- 1.5) d and the length of stay was (15.0 +/- 2.5) d. Three patients died during perioperative period. Two patients appeared cerebrovascular accident after operation. One patient appeared descending aorta dilation in the follow-up of 2 to 21 months.

CONCLUSIONDifferent clinical manifestations and treatment should be selected according to the different condition of aortic dissection aneurysm.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlations between extranodal metastasis(EM)and clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer and the relationship between EM and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODSData of patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma were studied retrospectively to evaluate the prognostic factors in gastric cancer by univariate and multivariate analyses of Cox regression with SPSS 13.0 software. Two hundred and seventy-six patients with primary gastric cancer undergone operation in Tianjin Cancer Hospital from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2001 were studied and followed up until Dec. 2006 or death.

RESULTSEMs were found in 58(21.0%) of the 276 patients. The overall 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of the patients without EM were 71.2%, 55.4%, and 45.1% respectively. The overall 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of the patients with EM were 24.1%, 15.5%, and 8.0% respectively. Postoperative overall survival rates were significantly lower for patients with EM than those without EM(P=0.000). EM was correlated with differentiation (r=0.163, P=0.008), invasive depth (r=0.215, P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (r=0.368, P=0.000), distant metastasis (r=0.375, P=0.000), advanced stage(r=0.441, P=0.000), and tumor size (r=0.167, P=0.007). Multivariate analysis identified EM as an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONSEM is correlated with many clinicopathological features of gastric cancer. EM is an independent prognostic factor of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue ; pathology ; secondary ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo identify prognostic factors predicting survival after radical resection of ampullary carcinoma.

METHODSClinical data of sixty- five patients with cancer of the ampulla of Vater underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and regional lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSA total of 1380 lymph nodes dissected from the resected specimens was examined to detect the presence of metastasis. The median follow- up period was 83 months. Univariate analysis revealed that factors associated with poor survival included the number and the location of positive nodes. Thirty- three of the 65 patients had a total of 116 positive lymph nodes, of whom 20 had 1- 3 positive regional nodes lymph and 13 had > or = 4 positive regional lymph nodes. Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of positive nodes lymph was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.007), while the locations of lymph nodes failed to remain as an independent variable. The survival rate in patients with > or = 4 positive lymph nodes was significantly lower than that in those with 1- 3 positive lymph nodes. The median survival time was 49 months with a 5- year survival rate of 43% in patients with 1- 3 positive lymph nodes, whereas all patients with > or = 4 positive nodes died of the disease within 23 months after resection (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe number of positive regional lymph nodes is an independent prognostic factor in patients with ampullary carcinoma after resection.

Adult ; Aged ; Ampulla of Vater ; pathology ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; pathology ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pattern of solitary lymph node metastasis in order to offer more suitable treatment for patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSSixty-five patients received operation between July 1999 and June 2004 with only 1 metastatic lymph node identified by postoperative pathological examination were included in the study. Data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSUnivariable analysis showed that only the tumor diameter differed significantly between patients with skipping metastatic (SM) lymph node and those without SM (chi(2)=4.447, P=0.035). No clinicopathological factors showed statistically differences between patients with lymph node transverse metastasis (TM) and those without TM. However, both of two comparative groups showed statistically differences in long-term survival (P=0.000, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSMost lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer follows the rule of "near-to-far", but some special metastasis patterns (SM, TM) are not rare. Proper lymph node dissection especially for patients with high risk should be performed to reduce tumor recurrence and improve long-time survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

BACKGROUNDMost patients with epilepsy want to learn as much as possible about the disease, and many have turned to the internet for information. Patients are likely to use information obtained from the internet to control their epilepsy, but little is known about the accuracy of this information. In this survey, we have assessed the feasibility and usability of internet-based interventions for the treatment of epilepsy.

METHODSData were collected from an internet search. Different search terms were used to obtain general information on epilepsy together with information about medication, types of epilepsy, treatment, women's health, and other information. The accuracy of the information was evaluated by a group of experts.

RESULTSA total of 1320 web pages were assessed. The majority were websites related to health. A large number (80.2%) of web pages contained content related to the search term. A significant number of web pages 450/1058 (42.5%) claimed to provide information from a credible source; however, only 206/1058 (19.5%) of the information was accurate and complete; 326/1058 (30.8%) was accurate but incomplete; 328/1058 (31.0%) was correct but nonstandard, and 198/1058 (18.8%) was inaccurate. The authenticity of the information was not significantly different between the two search engines (χ2 = 0.009, P = 0.924). No significant difference was observed in the information obtained from a specialist or nonspecialist source (χ2 = 7.538, P = 0.057). There was also no correlation between the quality of the information and the priority (χ2 = 6.880, P = 0.076).

CONCLUSIONSSearching for information about epilepsy on the internet is convenient, but the information provided is not reliable. Too much information is inaccurate or for advertisement purposes, and it is difficult for patients to find the useful information. Turning to the internet for medical knowledge may be harmful. Physicians should be aware that their patients may search for information on the internet and guide them to safe, reputable websites.

Chi-Square Distribution ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Internet ; Software

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of penyan pill (PP) in treating ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection patients of qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome (QDBSS).

METHODSTotally 188 UU infection patients of QDBSS were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with PP (10 g each time, thrice daily, 14 consecutive days as one therapeutic course), while those in the control group took azithromycin (10 g each day, 7 consecutive days as one therapeutic course). They were continually treated for 3 therapeutic courses. The clinical symptom integrals were observed in the two groups before and after treatment. The short-term efficacy was judged. Their recurrence rates were followed-up to assess their long-term efficacies.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the comprehensive efficacy in the treatment group was 91.4%, while it was 79. 3%in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Better effects were obtained in improving Chinese medical clinical symptoms in the treatment group (P <0.01). There was no statistical difference in the negative conversion rate between the two groups after treatment (P >0. 05). There was statistical difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups (12. 82% vs 54.76%,P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSPP showed equivalent effects in treating UU infection patients of QDBSS to those of azithromycin. But PP showed obvious advantages over azithromycin in improving Chinese medical syndromes.

Adult ; Azithromycin ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ureaplasma Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

OBJECTIVETo investigate the age and pathological features of prostate cancer patients in recent years.

METHODSAn analysis was made of the age and pathological features of 481 cases of prostate cancer pathologically diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2004, 39 cases in 1998, 69 in 1999, 73 in 2000, 68 in 2001, 72 in 2002, 121 in 2003, and 39 in the first four months of 2004.

RESULTSThe patients ranged in age from 40 to 91 years, averaging 72, 95% between 55 and 84, and 84.2% over 65 years. Pathologically, 14 cases were well, 29 moderately, and 83 poorly differentiated according to the three-grade system (WHO, the Mostofi system), with 355 cases ungraded. Forty cases (8.3%) were microcarcinoma (< 1 cm), and 20 cases (4.2%) incidental carcinoma. Of the total number, 473 cases (98.1%) were pathologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 1 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 signet ring cell carcinoma, 1 adenosquamous cell carcinoma, 1 small cell carcinoma, 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 1 transitional cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONProstate cancer commonly develops in men over 65 years, and adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type. The disease has become a major malignant tumor to endanger elderly males.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression profile of male germ cell-associated genes during the spontaneous differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and assess the potency of their spontaneous differentiation into male germ cells in vitro.

METHODSEmbryoid body (EB) formation was used to promote the spontaneous differentiation of iPS into male germ cells, and the expressions of germ cell-associated genes were detected by real-time PCR and PCR.

RESULTSReal-time PCR and PCR revealed different expression levels of relevant genes at different times of iPS spontaneous differentiation into male germ cells. Each of the 9 genes analyzed exhibited one of the four temporal expression patterns: wavelike increase of Oct4, progressive decrease of Dppa3 and Stra8, wavelike decrease of Dazl, and decrease following initial increase of Tex14, Msy2, Scp1, Scp3 and Akap3.

CONCLUSIONInduced pluripotent stem cells express male germ cell-associated genes and male haploid genes during their spontaneous differentiation through EB formation, and have the potency of differentiating into male gametes.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR