Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin pretreatment on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)injury to the spinal cord in rats. Methods Ninety-six healthy male SD rats weighing 220-280 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=32 each): Ⅰ group sham operation (group S); Ⅱ group I/R and Ⅲ group simvastatin pretreatment (group Si). The animals were anesthetized with 10% chloral hydrate 0.4 ml/100g. I/R to the spinal cord was induced by cross-clamping the aorta below renal artery for 45 min followed by reperfusion according to Zivin in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ. In group Ⅲ simvastatin 20 mg/kg was administered via gastric tube in the morning for 3 days before operation. Neurological function was assessed and scored (0 = no spontaneous movement of the hindlimbs, 7 = normal gait) at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h (n = 8 at each time point). The animals were then sacrificed and the lumbar segment (L2-5) of the spinal cord was removed for microscopic examination and determination of expression of TLR4 mRNA, NF-κB protein activity and TNF-α and ICAM-1 contents in the spinal cord. Results I/R to the spinal cord significantly increased TLR4 mRNA expression, NF-κB protein activity and TNF-α and ICAM-1 content in the spinal cord and decreased neurological scores in group Ⅱ compared with group C. Simvastatin pretreatment significantly attenuated the I/R-induced increase in the above-mentioned variables and ameliorated I/R-induced neurological dificit and histopathological damage. Conclusion Simvastatin pretreatment has neuroprotective effects on the spinal cord against I/R injury by attenuating inflammatory response.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the data of patients with T3N0-1M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who underwent radiotherapy (RT) alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and to investigate the relationship between therapeutic modality and prognosis. Methods From January 2004 to December 2004, 781 patients with biopsy-proven newly diagnosed non-metastatic NPC were analyzed in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, who had MRI data of nasopharynx and neck. With restaged based on the Chinese 2008 staging system, 82 cases of T3N0-1M0 patients who were treated by RT alone or CCRT were enrolled. They were divided into group A (46 cases, RT) and group B (36 cases, CCRT). Results The clinical data was comparable between the two groups. The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) was 93.5 % (group A) and 100 % (group B)(P =0.046), while the 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 85.2 % (group A) and 91.7 % (group B) (P =0.498). N-Staging was the factor affecting the DFS. Stratified analysis showed that the 5-year OS of T3N0M0 patients was 94.7 % (group A) and 100 % (group B) (P =0.432), those of T3N1M0 patients were 92.6 %(group A) and 100 %(group B) (P =0.066), while the 5-year DFS was 73.7 % (group A) and 89.3 % (group B) (P =0.244). Multifactor analysis showed that CCRT was not the independent factor affecting the OS(HR =0.019; 95 % CI, 0 to 21.793), and N-stage was not the independent factor affecting the DFS (HR = 0.203; 95 % CI, 0.135 to 1.231×104). Conclusion For T3N0M0, NPC patients, CCRT is not superior to RT alone. Whether CCRT can improve survival of T3N1M0 NPC patients needs further study.

Chlorine ; Computer Simulation ; Computers, Analog ; Diffusion ; Software

Objective To study the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist(exendin-4)on insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle of mice with insulin resistance(IR). Methods Thirty male KM mice were divided into normal control group(NC group, n=10)and IR group(n=20). The mice in NC group and IR group were fed with routine diet and high-fat diet for 16 weeks, respectively. After IR models were successfully established, 10 mice in IR group were treated with exendin-4(Ex group, 3μg·kg-1·d-1)for 4 weeks. NC group and IR group were given the same dose of normal saline. Body weight, fasting blood glucose(FBG), and fasting insulin(FINS)were measured before and after the intervention, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR ) was calculated . The muscle glycogen content were measured by Periodic Acid-Schiff Stain ( PAS ) . The expressions of insulinreceptor(IRC), insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)in the skeletal muscle were measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results Before intervention, the body weight, FBG, and HOMA-IR of IR group and Ex group were higher compared with NC group(all P<0. 05), but FINS did not rise significantly(P>0. 05). Compared with before intervention, the body weight of three groups after intervention were all increased, but increased more significantly in the IR group. After intervention, the FBG and HOMA-IR in Ex group decreased, compared with IR group and Ex group of non-intervention (all P<0. 05), but FINS did not decrease significantly(P>0. 05). The skeletal muscle cells in NC control were colored extensively and more colored granules, while IR group were less colored, and Ex group were between NC group and IR group. Compared with NC group, the expressions of IRC, IRS-1, and PI3K in the skeletal muscle of IR group were significantly decreased(P<0. 05), not in Ex group(P>0. 05). Compared with IR group, the expressions of IRC, IRS-1 and PI3K in Ex group were higher(P<0. 05). Conclusions Exendin-4 improves insulin resistance by up-regulating the expressions of IRC, IRS-1, and PI3K in the skeletal muscle and promoting the synthesis of muscle glycogen.

Retrospective analyses were conducted for the clinical data of two cases with pseudoMeigs' syndrome at our hospital.Both had respiratory symptoms,such as cough and dyspnea.Radiological examinations revealed ascites,pleural effusion and pelvic mass.The definite pathological diagnosis was pelvic malignant tumor.After surgical tumor removal,ascites and pleural effusion disappeared without recurrence.Along with reviewed cases from PubMed in the last decade,a total of 49 cases had pseudoMeigs' syndrome.The age range was 11-73 years.Their clinical manifestations include dyspnea (78％),abdominal distension (69％),cough (14％),abdominal pain (12％),fatigue (10％),weight loss (6％) chest pain (4％),fever (4％),abdominal mass (4％),and oliguria (2％).CA125 was commonly elevated.The primary tumors in pelvic cavity accounted for 78％.And ovarian metastasis from colon cancer was one of the most common in metastatic tumor.

Acetamides ; metabolism ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the methods of rectifying the excessive width of fold line and conglutination of the upper eyelid following blepharoplasty. Methods The width of double eyelid was redesigned, ranging from 6 mm to 8 mm. Then the scar of upper eyelid was excised about 1 mm to 2 mm, and the orbital septum fat flap, orbicularis oculi flap, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap and injection of lipochondria were utilized to fill the depression of upper eyelid. Results In our series, there were 20 eyelids of 16 cases receiving rectification. Orbital septum fat flap was used to correct 2 eye-lids, orbicularis oculi flap 4 eyelids, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap 10 eyelids and injection of lipochon-dria 4 cases. Among 12 eases of following-up, 10 of them were satisfied with the postoperative effects. The results were acceptable in other 2 cases. Conclusion It is a good approach to correct the excessive width of fold line and conglutination of the upper eyelid with local flaps, including the orbital septum fat flap, orbicularis oculi flap, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap and injection of lipochondria.

Objective To explore the contents,routes and ways of the training of clinical teachers in teaching hospitals.Methods According to the requirement of teachers' professional development,the characteristic of clinical teachers in teaching hospitals,setting from the cultivating of fundamental ability and occupation quality,to reinforce the training of clinical teachers,especially young teachers' basic teaching skills,job skills and professional ethics in order to improve the teaching team's overall quality unceasingly. Results According to the results of the classroom teaching mass and practice teaching mass' test from the year 2005 to 2007,the teaching ability and consciousness of clinical teachers were reinforced after the training. Conclusion With the dual role of doctor and teacher,the clinic teachers should be trained to reinforce their basic teaching skills and professional competence,so that they can have the ability to cultivate the high-qualified medical talent.

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of taurine on rabbit corneal endothelial cells. Methods Six rabbits (12 eyes) were selected, and 6 histologic sections were prepared from each of the eyes. Rabbit corneal endothelial cells were cultured by explant culture method. Cells were innoculated on a 12-well tissue culture plate, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% taurine solutions were added respectively (cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit were added the same concentration of taurine solution), and blank control was established. The growth of corneal endothelial cells was observed by inverted microscopy, and cell morphology on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th day of culture was observed with Wright staining. Results Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 2%, 4% and 6% taurine solutions and those of blank control formed endothelial cell layers after culture for one week, and the cells exhibited hexagonal or round-like morphology. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 8% taurine solution appeared to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 4th day, and cell death occurred on the 8th day. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 10% taurine solution turned out to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 2nd day, and cell death had occurred. The same growth velocity and cell morphology were observed in the corneal endothelial cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit. Conclusion Taurine with concentration between 2% and 6% has no adverse effects on the growth of rabbit corneal endothelial cells.

Biomarkers ; blood ; Dimethylformamide ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure