BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been considered as an effective therapy for prevention and cure of cerebral infarction traditionally.However, some scholars suggested that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could also result in cerebral infarction, although the mechanism is unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cause of cerebral infarction due to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.DESIGN: Case-control trial with patients as subjects.SETTING: Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: From December 1996 to March 1998, 192 inpatients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy were recruited into the trial from the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. There were 127 males and 65 females aged 9-78 years. Patients admitted to the department of hyperbaric oxygen were eligible if they had hypoxia or ischemia induced disease and had no contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Patients were recruited into the study regardless of the gender, and all patients and their family gave informed consent before enrollment. Patients were excluded if they did not receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. According to the Diagnosis and Curing Criteria of Clinical Diseases, 6 patients developed into cerebral infarction during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 3 males and 3 females, at the age of 51-76 years.METHODS: Patients were exposed to oxygen at 0.2 MPa in hyperbaric chamber used for many persons, and inhaled oxygen with a facemask once a day for 80 minutes with an interval of 10 minutes at the 40th minute. Ten days was considered as one course. Background and risk factors were analyzed in 6patients with cerebral infarction and 186 patients without cerebral infarction.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of distribution of risk factors among cerebral infarction patients, and risk factor levels in patients without cerebral infarction.RESULTS: Among the 6 patients with cerebral infarction, hyperlipidemia was in all 6 cases, hypertension in 5 cases, primary cerebral infarction or hemorrhage in 5 cases, ≥ 60 years old or hyperviscosity in 4 cases, and diabetes mellitus in 1 case. Risk factor aggregation existed in the patients with over four risk factors. Of the 6 patients with cerebral infarction due to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 5 cases had 4 risk factors and 1 had 5 risk factors. Of the 186 patients without cerebral infarction, 25 cases had 4 risk factors, and no case had 5 risk factors. The risk factor aggregation was relatively impossible (x2 = 54. 37, P ＜ 0. 05 ).CONCLUSION: Risk factor aggregation was found in all cerebral infarction patients, which is closely associated with the probability of cerebral infarction resulting from hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of different temperature moxibustion on serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents in acute adjuvant arthritis rats and provide a basis for the mechanism of local anti-inflammatory and immune action of moxibustion. Methods A rat model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) was made by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) modeling method. Of 32 SD rats, 8 were randomly selected as a normal group and the other 24 for model making. After successful model making, the rats were randomly allocated to model, treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups, 8 rats each. Treatment 1 and 2 groups received moxibustion. Local temperature at moxibustion point was controlled at (38±1)℃in treatment 1 group and at (45±1)℃in treatment 2 group. Rat serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results There were statistically significant differences in serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents between the model, treatment 1 or treatment 2 group and the normal group (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in serum IL-2 content between treatment 1 and the model groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents between treatment 2 group and the model or treatment 1 group (P<0.01). Conclusions Moxibustion has a reducing effect on serum IL-1βand TNF-αcontents and a raising effect on IL-2 content. 45℃moxibustion temperature can improve the effect of moxi bustion. The anti-inflammatory action of moxibustion may be through the mechanism of reducing serum IL-1βand TNF-αcontents and raising IL-2 content, which relieve body inflammatory reaction. The action of moxibustion needs proper moxibustion temperature.

This study was aimed to analyze the major protein composition of centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L.Koch.), and the ACE inhibitory activity of its hydrolysis. Albumins, gulbulins, coixins and glutelins were sequentially extracted from centipedes flour with corresponding buffer and then quantified by Kjeldahl method and Brandford. Hydrolysation of four kinds of proteins of centipedes and the residues were conducted with pepsin. The hydrolysis was ultrafiltrated (MWCO=3 000) and lyophilized. The peptides (≤3 kD) were obtained to evalu-ate the ACE inhibitory activity by RP-HPLC. The results showed that the total protein content of centipedes was (62.69±1.41)%. Among which the contents of albumins, globulins, coixins, glutelins and residual were account-ing for (6.42±0.31)%, (7.94±0.24)%, (4.31±0.34)%, (40.66±0.56)% and (25.78±0.60)%, respectively. The inhibition rate of hydrolysis of four kinds of protein and residual were 50.28%, 57.37%, 31.15%, 58.99%, 80.81%, respectively. It was concluded that centipedes were rich in protein and the hydrolyzate of all proteins manifested ACE inhibitory activity at different extent. The residual and glutelins indicated strong ACE inhibitory potential by hydrolysis. This research provided valuable sights for exploring hypotensive activity and functional food from centi-pedes.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of vitamin K 2 on sevoflurane-induced cognitive decline in aged mice. Methods:A total of 72 SPF healthy female C57BL/6J mice, aged 12 months, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: control+ corn oil group (group Con+ Oil), sevoflurane+ corn oil group (group Sevo+ Oil), control+ vitamin K 2 group (group Con+ K 2) and sevoflurane+ vitamin K 2 group (group Sevo+ K 2). The mice in Sevo+ Oil and Sevo+ K 2 groups were anesthetized with 2.5% sevoflurane+ 33% oxygen for 2 h. The mice in Con+ Oil and Con+ K 2 groups were treated with 33% oxygen only.The animals in Con+ Oil and Sevo+ Oil groups were intraperitoneally injected with corn oil 100 μl at 30 min before oxygen or sevoflurane inhalation.Vitamin K 2 (dissolved in corn oil, concentration 1 mg/ml) 100 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in Con+ K 2 and Sevo+ K 2 groups.At 24 h after sevoflurane inhalation, 8 mice from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissues were removed for determination of activity of ATPase, contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the expression of AT8 and PHF1 (by Western blot). The remaining 10 mice in each group received standardized feeding, and the cognitive function was assessed using Y-maze at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after sevoflurane inhalation. Results:Compared with group Con+ Oil, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased, expression of AT8 and PHF1 were up-regulated, activity of ATPase was decreased, and spontaneous alternation percentage was decreased at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after sevoflurane inhalation in group Sevo+ Oil ( P<0.05). Compared with group Sevo+ Oil, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, expression of AT8 and PHF1 were down-regulated, activity of ATPase was increased, and spontaneous alternation percentage was increased at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days in group Sevo+ K 2 ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between group Con+ K 2 and group Sevo+ K 2 ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Vitamin K 2 can improve sevoflurane-induced cognitive decline in aged mice, the mechanism is related to increasing activity of ATPase and inhibiting the up-regulation of AT8 and PHF1 expression in hippocampus.

Objective: To investgate the role of Toll-like receptor(TLR) 2 and TLR4 in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis(AD) and the effect of topical tacrolimus ointment on expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in lesional AD skin.Methods: Immunohistochemistry was employed to study the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in normal skin and lesional AD skin before and after using topical tacrolimus ointment.Results: The basal keratinocytes in normal skin constitutively expressed TLR2 and TLR4. In contrast,lesional epidermis from 9 patients with acute AD overexpressed TLR2 and TLR4 on the whole epidermis keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern.After using topical tacrolimus ointment for three weeks,TLR2 and TLR4 were expressed on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern.Conclusion: These data suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 expressed by epidermal keratinocytes constitute part of the innate immune system of the skin,and increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression may be related to the skin innate immuno-inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis.Topical tacrolimus may directly or indirectly inhibit or downregulate TLR2 and TLR4 expression in KC and inhibit skin innate immuno-inflammatory response related to TLR-NF?B signal transduction and regulation in atopic dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. METHOD A total of 68 patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma sensitized to dust mite were recruited into the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: SIT group n = 34 and symptomatic therapy (ST) group: n = 34. Patients in ST group received medication to treat, the symptoms, patients in SIT group received medication and 3 years of standardized allergen vaccine therapy. Evaluation index of therapy includes: rhinitis symptoms score, asthma symptoms score, drug score, skin prick test, serum specificity IgE (sIgE) , peripheral eosinophil (Eos) counting, lung function. The new sensitinogen rate was also assessed. RESULT: Clinical symptom scores, drug scores, lung function, blood eosinophil numbers and skin test result were all improved significantly after 3-year treatment in SIT group compared to those in ST group (P < 0.01). Although the level of serum slgE was decreased,there exited no statistic diferences between two groups. Only 8.8% patients have the new sensitization in SIT group, and 52.9% in ST group. There were no serious adverse reactions in treatment process. CONCLUSION SIT for patients with AR and asthma can obtain excellent clinical efficacy.
Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Tests

ABSTRACT:Objective To study the effects of propofol on the metastasis of tumor cells related PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Methods The breast cancer model was established by transplanting human derived breast cancer cell lines into immunodeficient mice with naked gene.The mice,inoculated successfully,were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group (C group,n =6),propofol group (P group,n =6),propofol+PI3K inhibitor (BYL71 9)group (P+B group,n =6),and PI3K inhibitor group (BYL71 9)(B group,n =6).The expressions of PI3K,p-Akt and Akt were examined by Western blot at week 4 after administration;the gene levels of PI3KR1, Akt1 and Akt2 were detected by RT-PCR at week 4 after administration;the number of metastatic lung nodules from both lungs was also observed at week 4 after administration.Results Compared with those in C group,the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were significantly higher in P group (P <0.05),the level of PI3KR1 mRNA but not Akt1 and Akt2 mRNA was significantly increased(P < 0.05 ),and metastatic lung nodules significantly decreased (P <0.05).In B group,the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were significantly decreased (P <0.05 ),the levels of PI3KR1,Akt1 and Akt2 mRNA were not significantly increased (P >0.05),but metastatic lung nodules significantly increased (P < 0.05 ).Compared with those in B group,in P+ B group the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were markedly higher (P <0.05),the level of PI3KR1 mRNA but not Akt1 and Akt2 mRNA was significantly increased (P <0.05),and metastatic lung nodules significantly decreased (P <0.05).Conclusion Propofol can inhibit the metastasis of tumor cells through the upregulated and activated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and safety of CT guided percutaneous 125Ⅰ seeds implantation in elderly patients of stage Ⅰperipheral non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ).MethodsClinical data of 16 elderly peripheral stage Ⅰ NSCLC patients ( 10 squamous carcinoma and 6adenocarcinoma;13 stage ⅠA and 3 stage ⅠB ) who received radioactive 125Ⅰ seeds implantation because of refusal or being unsuited to operation or external radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Prescribed dose was 140 - 160 Gy. Under CT guidance, 125Ⅰ seeds were implanted percutaneously into tumors for interstitial radiotherapy according to treatment plan system. ResultsMean number of 125Ⅰ seeds each patient received was21.1. 12 complete response (CR) and 4 partial response (PR) were achieved. Total response rate ( CR + PR) was 100％. 100％ patients completed 10 to 56 months of follow-up, 15, 13, 8 and 6 patients completed 1-, 2-, 3-and 4-years'follow-up, respectively. The median local progression free time was 14months. The 1-,2-,3-and 4-year overall survival rate were 60％, 54％, 50％ and 33％, respectively (median:14 months). 7 cases died of non-tumor disease and 5 died of metastasis. No severe complications were observed. ConclusionsCT guided 125Ⅰ seeds implantation is a safe, reliable and effective radical treatment method for elderly stage Ⅰ peripheral NSCLC patients, who refuse to or are unsuitable to operation or external radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of endovascular embolization in treating spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae, and to discuss its imaging manifestations. Methods A total of 7 patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae were included in this study. Endovascular embolization was carried out in all the 7 patients. The clinical data, including epidemiology, spinal MRI and DSA manifestations, therapeutic method and follow-up findings, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Abnormal MRI manifestations of spinal cord were demonstrated in all 7 patients. After the diagnosis was confirmed by DSA, endovascular embolization was carried out. All patients were followed up for 6 months, and their clinical symptoms were improved in different degrees. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue was used as embolization agent in 4 cases, and no recurrence was observed in them. Onyx liquid glue was used in 3 patients, and in one of them the arteriovenous fistula recurred. Conclusion For the treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae, endovascular embolization is effective and safe although further investigation is still needed.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen (H2) inhalation on brain injury in septic mice.Methods One hundred and eighty male ICR mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =45 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (SH group),H2 group,sepsis group (S group) and sepsis + H2 group (S + H2 group).Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in chloral hydrate-anesthetized mice.H2 and S + H2 groups inhaled 2％ H2 for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after CLP.At 7,12 and 24 h after CLP,6 mice in each group were sacrificed and brains were removed for determination of Evans Blue (EB) and water contents in brain tissues.Another 6 mice in each group were chosen at 7,12 and 24 h after CLP,blood samples were obtained,the mice were then sacrificed and brains were removed to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum and brain tissues by ELISA.Three mice in each group were sacrificed at 24 h after LPS and brains were removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region.Six mice in each group were sacrificed at 24 h after LPS and brains were removed for determination of the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in brain tissues by Western blot.Results Compared with SH group,the contents of EB and water in brain tissues were significantly increased,and the levels of TNF-α,HMGB1 and IL-10 in serum and brain tissues were increased at 7,12 and 24 h after CLP,and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in brain tissues was up-regulated at 24 h after CLP in S and CLP + H2 groups,and no significant difference was found in the index above in H2 group.Compared with S group,the contents of EB and water in brain tissues were significantly decreased,the levels of TNF-α and HMGB1 in serum and brain tissues were decreased and the level of IL-10 in serum and brain tissues was increased at 7,12 and 24 h after CLP,and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in brain tissues was up-regulated at 24 h after CLP and the pathological changes were attenuated in group CLP + H2.Conclusion H2 inhalation can attenuate brain injury in septic mice and the mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and inhibition of inflammatory responses.