Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; Child ; Humans ; Sotalol ; therapeutic use

Objective To use peer education to guide community diabetic patients to adopt diet therapy using food exchange method in order to explore effective method for diet therapy of diabetes mellitus. Meth-ods 91 diabetic patients were selected using simple sampling method and randomly divided into the peer ed-ucation(45 cases) and the common education group(46 cases), the two groups adopted food exchange method for diet therapy for 1 year. The blood glucose, blood lipid, glycosylated hemoglobin and body weight index were compared between the two groups using t test. Results The blood glucose, blood lipid, glycosylated hemoglobin and body weight index all decreased in the two groups after intervention, but the the decreased de-gree in the peer education group was more obvious. The fasting blood glucose, 2 hour postprandial blood glu-cose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, low-donordensity lipid protein and body weight index in the peer education were lower thanthose of the common education group, but HDL-C was higher. Conclusions Peer education is more effective in health education of food exchange method.

This paper was designed to study the effects of cellulose, pectin and ag-ar at 10% level on the concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), trigly-ceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in rats. Male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and fed on basal diet, hypercholesterolemic diet (control diet) and 3 test diets (contain 10% cellulose, pectin or agar respectively) for 6 weeks. The results showed that all three fibrous diets were significantly lowered serum TC (P

Objective:This study aims to investigate the protein expression of CD133, CD117, and Ki-67 in human osteosarcoma tissues and explore their relationships with the clinico-pathological features and risk of osteosarcoma. Methods:Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the protein expression of CD133, CD117, and Ki-67 gene in the paraffin specimens of 55 and 20 cases of osteosarcoma and osteochondroma, respectively. SPSS17.0 statistical software was used to explore the relationships among the expressions of CD133, CD117, and Ki-67 gene and the biological behavior and prognosis of osteosarcoma. Test criterion:P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The positive expression rates of CD133, CD117, and Ki-67 were significantly higher in the osteosarcoma tissues than in the benign osteochondroma tissues, and the differences were significant (P=0.016, P=0.008, and P<0.001, respectively). The mean survival and metastasis time were shorter in the CD133 or Ki-67 positively expressed osteosarcoma patients than in those with CD133 or Ki-67 negatively expressed osteosarcoma. The differences were significant (P<0.05). The expression of CD133 and Ki-67, surgical staging, and distal metastasis were relevant to the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. The expression of CD133 and distal metastasis are the independent risk factors that affect the prognosis of these patients. Conclusion:The positive expressions of CD133 and Ki-67 closely correlated with the occurrence and progression of osteosarcoma, and may be used as an indicator for prognosis of the cancer.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of curcumin on TGF-β2 regulated peroxisome proliferater activated receptor y (PPAR-γ)/platelet derived growth factor β (PDGF-β) signaling pathway in lung fibroblasts of mice.

METHODSC57BL/6 mouse lung fibroblasts were in vitro cultured with TGF-β2, curcumin, or TGF-β2 plus curcumin. The cell proliferation was detected by cell growth counting in the blank control group, low, middle, and high dose curcumin groups (5, 25, 50 μmol/L), the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) group, TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin (5, 25, 50 μmol/L) groups. mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β), fibroblast growth factor R1 (FGFR1) were detected using reverse transcription PCR. Protein levels of PPAR-γ and collagen-1 were detected using Western blot and ELISA in the blank control group, the TGF-β2 group, the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 μmol/L group.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, curcumin 50 μmol/L showed the most significant inhibition on cell proliferation at 48 h and 72 h. Compared with the TGF-β2 group, TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 mol/L also showed the most significant inhibition on cell proliferation at 48 h and 72 h. Compared with the blank control group, mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ and PDGF-β, as well as protein expression of PPAR-γ increased, the collagen-1 expression also increased in the TGF-β2 group (P < 0.05). Compared with the TGF-β2 group, mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ obviously increased in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 25 μmol/L group and the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 μmol/L group, higher than that in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 5 [μmol/L group (P < 0.05). mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ was higher in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 μmol/L group than in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 25 μmol/L group (P < 0.05). mRNA expressions of PDGF-β was lower in TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin groups than in the TGF-β2 group (P < 0.05). Besides, PDGF-β mRNA expressions were lower in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 μmol/L group than in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 5 μmol/L group and the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 25 μmol/L group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in FGFR1 mRNA expressions between the TGF-β2 group and 3 TGF-β2 plus curcumin groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the TGF-β2 group, PPAR-γ protein expressions increased and collagen-1 protein expressions decreased in the TGF-β2 (10 ng/mL) plus curcumin 50 μLmol/L group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCurcumin not only could inhibit TGF-β2 induced proliferation of lung fibroblasts, but also could inhibit the synthesis of collagens. These might be associated with up-regulating PPAR-γ expressions and down-regulating PDGF-β expressions. Therefore, curcumin might inhibit the occurrence and developing of lung fibrosis through blocking PPAR-γ/PDGF-β signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; metabolism

Background Although remarkable progress has been made in microsurgery, surgery of intracranial aneurysm still encounters various complications. Cerebral ischemia and postoperative disorders of nervous system could be induced by various specific operation procedures. To improve the outcomes in intracranial aneurysm surgery and to minimize the occurrence of postoperative ischemic complications, it is necessary to perform real-time monitoring on ischemic damages for the corresponding functional areas. To elevate the sensitivity of Eps changes for the detection of cerebral ischemia induced by operation, we monitored Motion Evoked Potential ( MEPs), Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEPs)and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEPs) in microsurgical operations of intracranial aneurysms. And then the correlation between Eps changes and clinical outcome was investigated.Methods MEPs, SSEPs, and BAEPs were recorded intra-operatively for 25 cases in intracranial aneurysms. Monitored results and clinical outcome were analyzed in a prospective observational design.Results The MEPs in 5 of 21 cases, the SSEPs in 5 of 25 cases and the BAEPs in 1 of 3 cases showed inadequate temporary clipping, inadvertent occlusion, inadequate retraction, vasospasm, or compromise to perforating vessels. 3 patients developed advanced weakness, which showed abnormal SSEPs in only one patient while showed abnormal MEPs in all 3 cases.Conclusions The MEPs is more sensitive than SSEPs in monitoring the motor ischemic impairments. The monitoring results were correlated to the clinical outcome closely. Monitoring Eps in keyhole microsurgery of intracranial aneurysms could improve the sensitivity in detecting insufficient distal collateral flow. And then successful completion of potentially hazardous maneuvers would be attained.

BACKGROUND:The therapeutic effects of donkey-hide glue reinforcing bone oral solution on osteoporosis have been determined, but the exact effective mechanism is to be approached. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of donkey-hide glue reinforcing bone oral solution (DGRBOS) medicated serum on osteoprotegerin (OPG)and its ligand(OPGL)mRNAexpression of osteoblast in fetal rats and explore the molecular mechanism of treating osteoporosis with DGRBOS. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out from June 2003 to October 2004 in Bone Metabolic Laboratory of Department of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Technology and Science. Totally 30 3-month-oldWistar rats (15 males and 15 females) were randomly divided into 3 groups, I.e. DGRBOS group, estrogen group and control group, with 10 rats in every group. 12 clean newborn SD rats were selected to isolate and cul ture osteoblast. METHODS: ①After intragastric administration for 7 days, medicated serum was prepared respectively from the three groups. ②Skull osteoblast isolated from newborn SD rats was made into single cell suspension, then after digestion and passage, the subcultured osteoblast cell was made into cell suspension. The cultured osteoblasts were divided into 5 groups and given equal volumes of drug liquor. The DGRBOS group was given DGRBOS-medicated serum at the concentration of 100, 500 and 1 000 g/L which was diluted by nutrient solution; the estrogen group was given tibolone-medicated serum of 100 and 1 000 g/L; the control group was givenonly culture fluid. Meanwhile every group was given calf serum (100 g/L) for further culture. ③The osteoblast proliferation was measured by antigenic MTT colorimetric analysis and 3H-TdR penetration method. The in tra-cellular BGP contents were evaluated by radioimmunity .The mRNA expression of OPG and RANKL in osteoblast was analyzed by Rt-PCR. ④ One-way analysis of variance was applied to compare data among groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mRNA expression of OPG and PAN KL in osteoblasts from fetal rats after intervention by medicated serum ofDGRBOS or Livial. RESULTS: ①The osteoblast proliferation measured by antigenic MTT colorimetric analysis and 3H-TdR penetration method showed that the proliferation in the DGRBOS group and tibolone group was enhanced moresignificantly than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), and reached maximal effect at the concentration of 500 g/L (P ＜ 0.01), but when the concentration was over 500 g/L, the effect tended to saturate. The medicated serum with all concentrations from DGRBOS and estrogen groups could increase the contents of BGP in osteoblasts (P ＜ 0.05). ②The mRNA expression of OPG reached the peak when the DGRBOS medicated serum was 1 000 g/L, and was obviously higher than that at the concentration of 100 and 500 g/L (P ＜ 0.05). The expression in DGRBOS group at the concentration of 1 000 g/L and in the estrogen group at the concentration of 100 and 1 000 g/L was apparently higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.01). ③The mRNAexpression of RANKL was the highest in DGR BOS group with 1 000 g/L concentration, and was markedly lower than that of the concentration of 100 and 500 g/L (P ＜ 0.05). The expression in DGRBOS group at the concentration of 1 000 g/L and in the estrogen group at the concentration of 100 and 1 000 g/L was noticeably lower than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: ①The DGRBOS could remarkably enhance osteoblast proliferation in dose-dependent and a dose-saturable manner, and the effect was close to that of tibolone. ②Partial mechanism of DGRBOS in treating osteoporosis might be promoting osteoblast proliferation and regulating OPG/RANKL expression.

Objective To build the indicators system for clinical pathway management as required by clinical pathway control.Methods An indicators system was proposed by means of evidence-based review,focus group discussions,and ratings of the indicators' importance by doctors and nurses.A multidisciplinary panel of 60 experts from across the country were selected.A 3-round Delphi survey was made on the proposed indicators.The weights of the indicators were established by analytical hierarchy process (AHP).The response rate,Cronbach's α,and the authority coefficient of experts were used as a measure of reliability.Results The response rates of the 3 rounds were 85％,70％,and 94％; the experts authority coefficient was 0.80.The ccoefficient of variation falls with the rising number of consultations.The Kendall's W ranged from 0.40 to 0.83.Following the 3 rounds,consensus was achieved among experts as such a system comprising three first-level,9 second-level,and 36 third-level indicators.Conclusion The expert consultation has achieved reliable results.The established indicators system can serve as a useful instrument for standardized development of clinical pathways management and constant improvement.

Objective: To identify Persicae Semen and its sibling species, and to secure the quality and clinical safety of this medicinal material. Methods: The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA of Persicae Semen and its sibling species were amplified and bidirectionally sequenced by DNA barcoding. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed by the CodonCode Aligner 4.1. The genetic distances were computed by MEGA 5.0 in accordance with the Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model, and the phylogenetic tree constructed by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Results: The length of ITS2 sequences of the two origin plants of Persicae Semen was between 212 bp to 213 bp. Their intraspecific genetic distance was much lower than the interspecific genetic distance with their sibling species. The ITS2 sequence possessed the character of good stability and low intra-specific sequence variation. In the NJ tree, both Prunus persica and P. davidiana were clustered into one large branch, and clearly separated with their sibling species. Conclusion: ITS2 can be used to effectively distinguish Persicae Semen from its sibling species, which can provide a reference for the iden-tification of other Chinese medicine and its sibling species.

Objective: This study aimed to discriminate between Eupatorii Herba and its adulterants in order to guarantee the quality and clinical curative effect of this medicinal material. Methods: Genomic DNA extracted from Eupatorii Herba was used as templates. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed by CodonCode Aligner. The intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances of Eupatorii Herba and its adulterants were computed by MEGA5 and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Results: The length of ITS2 sequence of Eupatorii Herba was 218 bp. The maximum intraspecific genetic distance (K2P distance) of Eupatorii Herba was 0.0092. The minimum interspecific genetic distance of Eupatorii Herba and its adulterants was 0.024. The NJ trees showed that the ITS2 sequence would be used to identify Eupatorii Herba and its adulterants. Con-clusion: ITS2 sequence was able to identify Eupatorii Herba and its adulterants correctly and it provided a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicines.