OBJECTIVETo study and evaluate the curative effect and mechanism of Qiangxin Granule (QXG) in intervening chronic heart failure (CHF) rats with Xin-qi deficiency complicated blood stasis and edema syndrome (XQD-BS-ES).

METHODSTotally 72 SD rats of clean grade were randomly divided to the normal control group (n =10) and the model group (n = 62). The XQD-BS-ES rat model was established by adriamycin plus propylthiouracil method. Survived modeled rats were then randomly divided to 5 groups i.e., the model group (n = 11, administered with normal saline by gastrogavage), the Western medicine (WM) group (n =11 , administered with perindopril and hydrochlorothiazide by gastrogavage), the low dose QXG (QXG(L)) group (n = 11, administered with 9.26 g/kg QXG by gastrogavage), the middle dose QXG (QXG(M)) group (n = 11, administered with 18.52 g/kg QXG by gastrogavage), the high dose QXG (QXG(H)) group (n = 11, administered with 37.04 g/kg QXG by gastrogavage). After 4 weeks of treatment, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), urine output, ear temperature, exhaustive swimming test (EST), tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as heart, lung, liver weight index and their pathological sections, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), angiotensin II (Ang II), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) were detected and compared.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, LVEF, LVFS, BNP, HR, RR, urine output, ear temperature, EST, T3, T4, TSH, HS-CRP, Ang II, and CA125 changed significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group after treatment, LVEF, LVFS, BNP, urine output, EST, T4, heart and liver weight index, HS-CRP, Ang II, CA125 were significantly improved in each QXG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, TSH was improved in the QXGL and QXG(M) groups (P < 0.05); ear temperature and T3 in the QXG(M) were also improved (P < 0.05); the lung weight index decreased in the QXG(M) and QXG(H) groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the WM group, T4 and CA125 were obviously improved in all QXG groups (P < 0.01); BNP and ear temperature were obviously improved in QXG(L) and QXG(M) groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); LVEF, LVFS and TSH were obviously improved in the QXG(M) group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). And as far as each treatment group, LVEF, LVFS, urine output increased significantly after treatment (P < 0.01); EST obviously increased in QXG(M) and QXG(H) groups (P < 0.01); ear temperature increased in all QXG groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, compared with the model group, pathological changes of heart, lung, and liver were improved to some degree in each treatment group, especially in the QXG(M) group.

CONCLUSIONSGood curative effect was shown in each QXG group. QXG could improve LVEF, LVFS and BNP of CHF rats of XQD-BS-ES, as well as T3, T4, TSH, EST, urine output, and ear temperature. Moreover, QXG showed superiority than WM group in this respect.

Angiotensin II ; Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Edema ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Heart Ventricles ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syndrome ; Thyrotropin ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo establish and evaluate chronic heart failure (CHF) rat model of Xin-qi deficiency complicated blood stasis and edema syndrome (XQD-BSES).

METHODSTotally 40 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (Control), the propylthiouracil (PTU) group, the adriamycin (ADR), and the ADR + PTU group. Normal saline was used as equivalent solvent of each group. Rats in the Control group were intragastrically and intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. Rats in the PTU group were intragastrically injected with PTU suspension and intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. Rats in the ADR group were intragastrically injected with ADR solution and intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. And rats in the ADR + PTU group were intragastrically injected with PTU suspension and intraperitoneally injected with ADR solution. The dose of PTU was 0.2% of daily forage weight, once daily. The dose of ADR was 3.5 mg/kg, once per week. The modeling lasted for 6 weeks. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), urine output, ear temperature, exhaustive swimming test (EST), Tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine(T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as well as heart, lung, liver weight indices and their pathological sections were integrated and compared.

RESULTSCompared with the Control group, LVEF, LVFS, BNP, HR, RR, heart, lung, liver weight indices, urine output, ear temperature, EST, and T3, T4, and TSH changed significantly in the ADR group, the PTU group, and the ADR + PTU group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and pathological changes of heart failure occurred in pathological sections of heart, lung, and liver. Compared with the ADR group, LVEF, LVFS, BNP, and lung, liver weight indices, urine output, ear temperature, T3, T4, and TSH changed significantly in the ADR + PTU group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and pathological changes of heart failure were more serious in pathological sections of heart, lung, and liver. Compared with the PTU group, LVEF, LVFS, BNP, HR, RR, urine output, EST, T4, heart and lung weight indices changed significantly in the ADR + PTU group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and pathological changes of heart failure were quite serious in pathological sections of heart, lung, and liver.

CONCLUSIONADR + PTU was an appropriate method to establish CHF rat model of XQD-BSES.

Animals ; Edema ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Judgment ; Models, Animal ; Qi ; Rats ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of siHybrids technique on inhibiring the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in vitro. MethodsTargeting the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ,we designed and synthesized three siHybrids molecule and one negative scamble siHybrids molecule. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were intervened by the siHybrids molecules in 50 nmol/L, respectively. And the experiments were made of control groups[blank and scamble (sc) -001]and intervened groups[siHybrids( si ) -001, siHybrids( si ) -002 and siHybrids(si) -003]of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The targeting efflux pump gene mexB mRNA expressions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, including all groups, were measured by real-time PCR in 12 h and 24 h after interference in vitro. Further, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlormycetinCP, erythrocin( EM ), levofloxacin ( L-OFLX), ceftazidime ( CAZ), meropenem (MER) to those groups were detected by using Mueller-Hinton broth dilution before and after interference. ResultsThe relative mexB mRNA amounts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 intervened by different siHybrids were not much more different from each other after 12 h,but the expression of mexB mRNA of the intervened group ( si-001 ,si-002 ,si-003 ) was much lower than control groups after interference for 24 h. The relative mexB mRNA amounts, comparing 12 h with 24 h, we would find the blank control and negative control submit escalating trend. And the intervened control ,three different siHybrids were all with a downward tendency. However, in presence of 50 nmol/L siHybrids, the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of CP, EM, L-OFLX, CAZ, MER to those controls were not much more different before and after interference. Conclusion On level of the mRNA expressions, siHybrids could inhibit the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in vitro, and within 24 h would be able to function effectively. Further, the effect was time-dependent.

DNA Methylation ; Glioma ; metabolism ; Humans ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of serum Golgi protein-73 (GP73) in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and determine its clinical value for differential diagnosis.

METHODSSerum protein expressions of GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence assay, respectively, in patients with PHC (n=80), liver cirrhosis (n=65), and healthy controls (n=50). Inter-group changes were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and significance of these differences was assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and determine the cut-off values for GP73 and AFP. Sensitivity and specificity were compared by the Chi-squared test. Correlation between serum GP73 expression and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe PHC group showed significantly higher serum GP73 (282.0 mug/L) than the liver cirrhosis group (211.8 mug/L) and control group (58.3 mug/L) (H = 93.30, P less than 0.01). For differential diagnosis of PHC and liver cirrhosis, the cut-off value was 318.1 mug/L for GP73 and 13.4 mug/L for AFP. Sensitivity of GP73 was lower than AFP (45% (36/80) vs. 65% (52/80); X2 = 8.02, P less than 0.05). Specificity of GP73 was lower than AFP but no significance was found (83.1% (54/65) vs. 87.7% (57/65); X2=0.27, P more than 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between GP73 and AFP (0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54~0.72) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z = 1.88, P more than 0.05). The area under the ROC curves increased but not significantly (0.80 (95% CI: 0.73~0.88) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z=2.61, P more than 0.05). Serum GP73 was correlated with liver cirrhosis (r=0.27), vascular invasion (r=0.29), and TNM staging (r=0.27) (all P less than 0.05), but not with sex (r=0.13), age (r=0.10), enhanced AFP (> 13.4 mug/L; r=0.03), tumor size (r=0.18), or distant metastasis (r=0.04), all P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSerum GP73 and AFP have comparable diagnostic efficiency, but the sensitivity of AFP is superior for differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma. Elevated serum GP73 may be correlated with liver tumor load and aggressiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

Objective To explore the establishment of a rat model of acute radiation-induced liver injury and sig-nificance of the dynamic changes of TGF-β1 expression.Methods Forty healthy 6-week old male SD rats were randomly divided into model group (n=30) and control group (n=10).The right liver of rats in the model group was given a single dose of 25 Gy 6 MV X-ray irradiation.Histopathological examination using HE staining and transmission electron microsco-py were conducted to observe the liver pathological changes in rats at 3, 5, and 10 days after irradiation, serum TGF-β1 was detected, and relevant indicators of liver function ( ALT, AST, ALP) were determined.Statistical analysis was per-formed using SPSS 17.0 software.Results At 3, 5 and 10 days after irradiation, early pathological changes in the liver cells were observed by electron microscopy, the expression of TGF-β1 was gradually increased with the time prolongation, and significant differences were found between the model group and the control group at different time points (P<0.05). The light microscopic observation of liver tissues did not show significant differences between the control group and model group.The liver ALT, AST, ALP at different time points did not show significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05).Conclusion Electron microscopy can be used to evaluate the early changes of radiation-induced liver injury, pri-or to the alterations visible by routine light microscopy.TGF-β1 can be used to predict the degree of radiation-induced liver injury, and may be used as a sensitive serum cytokine in predicting the degree of radiation-induced acute liver injury.

Objective To explore the risk factors of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis (endemic fluorosis) and to provide a scientific basis for making prevention and control strategy.Methods One hundred children with dental fluorosis and 30 adults with skeletal fluorosis who lived in Wushan county and Fengjie county,the endemic fluorosis regions northeast of Chongqing were randomly selected as the case group in 2010.One hundred healthy children and 30 healthy adults were selected from the population where the cases were selected from as the control group and 30 healthy external adults control were selected from Yubei district,a non-endemic fluorosis area.Fasting venous blood was draw from all subjects and the content of zinc (Zn),copper(Cu),calcium (Ca),magnesium(Mg),and ferrum(Fe) in venous blood was measured by atomic spectrophotometric.Instant urine was collected from all subjects and urinary fluorine was measured by fluorine selective electrode.We also did questionnaire survey to 100 dental fluorosis children and 100 control children about their situation of fluorine pollution and knowledge related to endemic fluorosis.Results Children's blood Zn of the ease group[(70.88 ±9.28) μmol/L] was lower than that of the control group [(75.53 ± 10.78)μmol/L],and the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).But the average blood Cu content[(30.28 ± 2.58)μ mol/L] and the average urinary fluorine of the case group [(0.74 ± 0.36)mg/L] were significantly higher than that [Cu (28.45 ± 4.05)μmol/L and urinary fluorine (0.48 ± 0.21)mg/L] of the control group in children,respectively,and the differences was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).The average blood Zn content of adults in the case group[(91.13 ± 10.29)μ mol/L] was lower than that of the control group[(99.57 ± 11.73)μmol/L],and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The average content of Mg[(1.57 ± 0.19)mmol/L],Fe[(8.17 ± 1.01) mmol/L] and urinary fluorine[(2.37 ± 1.01)mg/L] in the case group were higher than that [Mg(1.46 ± 0.16) mmol/L,Fe(7.72 ± 0.96) mmol/L and urinary fluorine(0.92 ± 0.85)mg/L] of the control group,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(P ＜0.05).In the questionnaire survey,we found that the following were important related factors (OR values were 2.7335,0.3339,2.8428,0.4633,0.5439,0.4009,0.4805 and 0.3994,P ＜ 0.05) between the case group and the control group:using local coal for heating,furnaces and stoves improvement,eating local coal fire baked food,knowing the harm of endemic fluorosis to the health of human body,knowing endemic fluorosis can be prevented,knowing consuming baked food can cause endemic fluorosis,knowing drinking milk can prevent endemic fluorosis and having the habit of eating calcium tablets.Conclusions In addition to the main pathogenic element of fluorine,body Zn content is closely related to the process of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in the two counties,fluorosis patients have lower blood Zn levels,Zn deficiency is an auxiliary factor in the etiology of fluorosis.Reduce the use of local coal for heating,do not consume the baked food,improve stoves,learn more knowledge about endemic fluorosis and ingest anti-fluoride elements can reduce the risk of endemic fluorosis.

OBJECTIVETo identify the differentially expressed proteins or peptides and potential biomarkers of tumorigenesis for colorectal cancers.

METHODSImmobilized pH gradient two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to separate and obtain the differentially expressed protein spots between colorectal cancers and matched normal mucosa. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to characterize these proteins. Selected candidate proteins were further studied by Western blot, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThirty-five protein spots showed marked expression changes (more than 5-fold) in colorectal carcinoma compared to normal mucosa. Fifteen proteins were up regulated and 20 were down regulated. Fourteen of these proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry, among which secretagogin (SCGN) was down-regulated and glucose-related protein (GRP) 78 was up-regulated in the tumors. The SCGN down-regulation was further supported by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. Immunohistochemistry revealed that SCGN was strongly expressed in neuroendocrine cells of the colonic crypts and 53 of 54 (98%) neuroendocrine tumors. At protein level, although GRP78 was up regulated in colorectal carcinoma, there was no difference in the mRNA expression level between the tumor and paired normal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONSThe 2-DE combined with MS is a powerful tool for screening potential tumor biomarkers. The differentially expressed candidate proteins identified by 2-DE may be of significance in understanding the tumorigenesis of the colon cancer. SCGN is a potential biomarker for neuroendocrinal differentiation. GRP78 up-regulation in colorectal carcinomas may be related to its post-translational modification.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Secretagogins

Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy, Rolandic ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) analog in premenopausal patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer.

METHODSLH-RH analog (enantone 3.75 mg/2 ml) were administered to 28 premenopausal patients with advanced recurrent breast cancer and its efficacy and side effect were observed.

RESULTSThe response rate (complete response and partial response) was 42.9%, and after 8 weeks of treatment, the plasma estrogen in all patients decreased to the level of postmenopause. No major adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONSLH-RH analog is effective and safe for premenopausal breast cancer with low adverse reaction and its administration method is easy.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Humans ; Leuprolide ; therapeutic use ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Premenopause