Objective To evaluate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in inflammatory responses in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury using gene knockout.Methods Twenty-four male C578L/6J wild type mice and 24 male B6.129P2-Nos3tm1Unc/NJU (eNOS gene knockout) mice,aged 10-12 months,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S) and mechanical ventilation group (group MV).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 1％ pentobarbital sodium 70 mg/kg,and mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation.The animals were mechanically ventilated for 4 h (oxygen flow rate 0.5 L/min,FiO2 50％,VT 15 ml/kg,RR 70 bpm,PEEP 2 cmH2O).After 4 h of ventilation,blood samples were obtained from the internal carotid artery for detection of PaO2.The animals were then sacrificed and the lungs were removed for determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio,myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,contents of malondialdehyde (MDA),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and pulmonary microvascular permeability,and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of lung (with electron microscope).Results Compared with group S of wild type mice,PaO2 was significantly decreased,while W/D ratio,MPO activity,contents of MDA,IL-6,TNF-oα and NO,and pulmonary microvascular permeability were increased in MV groups of wild type and gene knockout mice,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group S of gene knockout mice.Compared with group MV of wild type mice,PaO2 was significantly increased,while W/D ratio,MPO activity,contents of MDA,IL-6,TNF-α and NO and pulmonary microvascular permeability were decreased in group MV of gene knockout mice.The pathological changes of lung were significantly attenuated in group MV of gene knockout mice as compared with group MV of wild type mice.Conclusion eNOS is involved in inflammatory responses in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury.

This study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of puerarin on DNA damage of HaCaT cells induced by UVB. Puerarin pre-treated cells were irradiated with UVB at 30 mJ x cm(-2). Twenty four hours after irradiation, DNA damage was detected by comet assay, ceramide was measured by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography, intracellular free calcium ion was analyzed by flow cytometry, the phosphorylation level of p38 protein was examined by Western blotting method. Levels of DNA damage, ceramide, free calcium ion and p-p38 protein were elevated in UVB model cells. Contrary to the model group, all indicators above were reduced in all groups pre-treated by puerarin. Puerarin restrains the ceramide accumulation to block downstream p38 MAPK pathway and calcium ion rising, therefore reduces DNA damage in HaCaT cells induced by UVB.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Ceramides ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEExtraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is a rare, rapidly growing, round-cell, malignant tumor that can develop in the soft tissues at any location. This study was to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of EES.

METHODSClinical data of 18 patients with EES, treated at between Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between 1995 and 2007, were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 18 patients, 13 were male and 8 were female, aged from 8 months to 60 years. Twelve (66.7%) patients were between 5-25 years of age. Eight (44.4%) patients had tumors originated from low extremities.Sixteen patients had masses at their first visit. Sixteen patients were treated by the combined modality therapy, and 2 patients were treated by the single modality therapy. The 1-, 3- and 5- year actuarial survival rates were 82.4%, 64.2% and 32.1%, respectively. The presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and the mode of treatment were prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSEES is common in adolescent. It often manifests as a localized mass. The combined modality therapy is recommended for this disease. The presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and the mode of treatment are prognostic factors.

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lower Extremity ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Survival Rate ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

A new species of genus shewarella Shewanellade decolorations S12, was isolated from activated sludge of a textile-printing waste-water treatment plant. In the anaerobic condition, S12 could conserve energy for growth by using Fe3 + as the terminal electron acceptor. At the optimal condition of pH8, temperature 30℃, ferric citrate 800mg/L, sodium lactate 2g/ L, yeast extract 0. 5g/ L , the cell growth increased with the raise of the amount of the Fe3+ reduction in 8k The effect of different carbon soucres, nitrogen sources, pH values and growth temperatures on the anaerobic Fe3 + reduction of Shewanella decolorations S12 was investigated. LB was favorable for Fe3 + reduction. Glucose and sodium lactate also were favorable for Fe3+ reduction. The cell growth and Fe3 + reduction increased with the raise of the amount of the yeast extract from 0 to 4g/L The amounts of the sodium lactate of 6g/ L and ferric citrate of 800mg/L were suitable for strain S12 growth and Fe3+ reduction. In the optimum initial pH value range of 6 -8 for Fe3+ reduction, strain S12 growth increased with the raise of the pH val- ue. Strain S12 could growth and reduce Fe3+ at the temperature range of 20 -40℃. The best temperature for strain S12 growth and Fe3 + reduction was 301.

The concept of relieving exterior-interior syndrome combined with diaphoretic,harmonizing,clearing and purga-tive method is put forward for the treatment of influenza,which can be divided into the common syndrome and deteriorated syndrome based on syndrome differentiation.This preliminary scheme provides new thoughts and methods for treating influen-za from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of soluble human recombinant tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody on inducing apoptosis of leukemia K562 cells. The inhibitory rates and apoptotic rates of K562 cells treated with TRAIL and anti-VEGF antibody alone and their combination for 48 hours were examined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry respectively. The results indicated that the apoptotic rates of K562 cells induced with 75, 100 and 150 ng/ml TRAIL after culture for 48 hours were (4.26±0.67)%, (8.91±0.55)% and (11.71±0.78)% respectively. The apoptotic rates of K562 cells induced with 2.5, 5 and 7.5 µg/ml anti-VEGF antibody after culture for 48 hours were (3.95±0.69)%, (7.98±0.74)% and (10.26±0.83)% respectively. The apoptotic rates of K562 cells treated with combination use of 2.5 µg/ml anti-VEGF antibody and 75 ng/ml TRAIL, 5 µg/ml anti-VEGF antibody and 100 ng/ml TRAIL, and 7.5 µg/ml anti-VEGF antibody and 150 ng/ml TRAIL for 48 hours were (22.16±0.93)%, (36.32±1.31)% and (49.19±0.71)% respectively. The combined use of above mentioned agents induced significantly higher apoptosis and cytotoxicity than that of TRAIL or anti-VEGF antibody alone (p<0.05). It is concluded that the combination use of TRAIL and anti-VEGF antibody can significantly increase the sensitivity of K562 cells to apoptosis.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of irinotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFifteen patients (10 males and 5 females) aged from 32 to 58 years (median age of 47 years) with KPS>70 and the diagnosis of advanced NSCLC by pathology or cytology were treated with cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) plus irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) by intravenous infusion on 1, 8, 15 days, and the treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. After treatment for at least 2 cycles, the therapeutic effects and adverse drug reactions were evaluated.

RESULTSOf all the cases, PR was achieved in 4 (26.7%), SD in 9 (60%), and PD in 2 (13.3%), with an overall response rate of 26.7%. The median survival time was 11 months and 1-year survival rate was 46.7% (7/15). The main toxicities were delayed diarrhea and granulocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONIrinotecan plus cisplatin is an effective and tolerable treatment for advanced NSCLC with low incidence of adverse effects.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin on gut mucosal apoptosis and bacterium translocation in a rat model of sepsis.

METHODSFifty rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups, namely the control (n=5, no operation or drugs), ulinastatin pretreatment (n=15, treated with 25,000 U/kg ulinastatin 2 h before operation), ulinastatin treatment (n=15, treated with 25,000 U/kg ulinastatin 2 h after operation) and sepsis model (n=15, without drug treatment) groups. The rats in the later 3 groups were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At 3, 6 and 12 h after CLP, the rats were sacrificed and the ileum was removed to examine the pathology and apoptosis of the mucosa. The DNA of Bacillus coli in the whole blood was detected using PCR.

RESULTSSepsis caused of epithelial cell loss in the ileal villi, ulceration and blebbing of the lamina propria. Ulinastatin treatment administered before and after the operation both significantly alleviated these morphological anomalies. The sepsis rats showed significantly increased intestinal mucosal apoptotic index as compared with the other 3 groups (P<0.05). Ulinastatin pretreatment, in comparison ulinastatin treatment 12 h after CLP, significantly increased the intestinal mucosal apoptotic index (P<0.05). Bacillus coli DNA was positive in sepsis and postoperative ulinastatin treatment groups but negative in the control and pretreated groups.

CONCLUSIONIncreased intestinal musocal apoptosis and gut bacterial translocation occur in rats following sepsis, and ulinastatin can effectively decrease intestinal mucosal apoptosis and inhibit bacterial translocation.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bacterial Translocation ; drug effects ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ileum ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; Trypsin Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel (Taxotere) (DTX) and oxaliplatin (OXA) for treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODSThirty-six patients with histologically confirmed recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer received chemotherapy with DTX and OXA. DTX at the dose of 75 mg/m(2) was administered on day 1 by intravenous infusion in 60 min, followed by OXA at 100 mg/m(2) given by a 2 h infusion. The chemotherapy cycles were repeated every 21 days, and the patients received at least 2 cycles.

RESULTSAll the patients were available for response evaluation, among whom 3 (8.3%) showed complete responses and 17 (47.2%) showed partial responses, with an overall response rate of 55.6%. The main adverse effects included hematological toxicities and peripheral neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONCombination of DTX and OXA produces good therapeutic effect with tolerable toxicity profile for treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; drug therapy ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; drug therapy ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo clarify the resource of medicinal plants of genus Polygonum s. lat. distributed in Anhui Province.

METHODConducting field investigation and consulting related specimens and data.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe distribution, growing environment and medicinal use of 32 taxa have been clarified. A scientific basis for further study for these medicinal plants has been provided.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; pharmacology ; Antidiuretic Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Polygonum ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification