Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Residues ; analysis ; Electrochemistry ; Ethidium ; analysis ; Luminescent Measurements ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To establish a simple and sensitive method for the determination of serum copper by spectrophotometry.Methods Nitro-PAPS was used as a coloring agent for serum copper in the presence of surfactants Tween-80 and Triton X-100 and the formed complex was measured by spectrophotometry.Results The maximum absorption wavelength of the complex was 570 nm and the molar absorption coefficient was 7.95?10~4 L/(mol?cm).The lineafity of the method was up to 63.0 ?mol/L and the recoveries ranged from 98.6% to 103.1%.The within-run and between-run CVs were 2.1%-3.3% and 2.7%-3.8%.The method(Y)was compared with an AAS method(X)and a correlation of Y=1.01X -0.27(r=0.998 2)was obtained.A reference interval(x~-?2s)determined with this method on 68 individuals was 9.7-24.1 ?moL/L.Conclusions A simple and sensitive method for serum copper has been established.It may used for the analysis of serum copper in clinical laboratories.

Background and purpose:Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of breast carcinoma by inhibiting the tumor growth and inducing the apoptosis.MAPK transduction pathway is closely related to proliferation and apoptosis of varieties of tumor cells,inhibition of MAPK pathway may increase the efficiency and decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy.Our study was to investigate the effect of MEK inhibitor PD98059 in response of breast cancer cell lines to Epirubicin.Methods:Human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR were used as cell models.Epirubicin(EADM),PD98059(inhibitor of MAPK Kinase-MEK),or EADM+PD98059 was added into the culture medium,the expression of MEK2 and p-ERK were measured by Western blot,the growth of the two cell lines were measured by MTT.Results:ERK activity was elevated in MCF-7 after the treatment of EADM,the cells were more sensitive to EADM if combined with PD98059,while in MCF-7/ADR,ERK activity kept unchanged after EADM treatment,and PD98059 has no effect on the sensitivity of cells to EADM.Conclusion:MAPK signal transduction may be activated in some cells treated by EADM,adding inhibitor of MAPK signal transduction could improve the sensitivity of the cells to EADM.

OBJECTIVE To investigate enhanced immune function of methionine encephalin (MENK) and its anti-tumor mechanism in CT26 colon cancer mouse model. METHODS 3×106 CT26 cells were implanted subcutaneously in BALB/c mice. Four days after, MENK was peritoneally administrated at the concentration of 20 mg·kg-1 for 14 d. The percentage of MDSCs in bone marrow, spleen, blood, tumor and liver were detected by flow cytometry. Non- esterified fatty acid (NEFA), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (T-CHO) in liver homogenate were tested by a NEFA test kit, a TG test kit and a T- CHO test kit respectively. qRT- PCR and Western blot were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of inflammation-, glycometabolsim- and lipometabolsim-associated indexes in liver. RESULTS MENK decreased percentages of MDSCs in bone marrow, spleen, blood and tumor in colon cancer mice. MENK-treated mice displayed elevated ratio of CD4+T and CD8+T cells in spleen as well as increased T and B lymphocytes proliferation. Meanwhile, MENK also ameliorated liver damage reflected by lower levels of GPT and GOT in serum and reduced risks of cancer- associated index including inflammation, high lipid and high glucose. Furthermore, MENK lowered down the levels of NEFA, TG and T- CHO in liver homogenate. MENK treatment decreased expression of p- STAT3, increased expression of p-AKT, IRS1 and Glut4 at protein level as well as reduced lipogenesis-associated genes and elevated glycolysis-associated genes in liver of tumor bearing mice. Also, abated expression of genes associated with MDSCs generation (M-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-1β) and migration (S100A9, KC) was observed within shrunken subcutaneous tumor by MENK intervention. CONCLUSION MENK has the ability to strength immune function against colon cancer by reducing MDSCs and improving liver metabolism.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the indications for non-surgical management of traumatic splenic rupture.

METHODSFrom Jan. 2002 to Jan. 2008, 36 patients with traumatic splenic rupture underwent non-surgical management in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.

RESULTSOf the 36 cases, 32 were successfully managed without surgical interventions, and 4 converted to open surgery. No death occurred in these patients, nor was delayed splenic rupture identified 1 to 5 years after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONHemodynamically index is an important reference to select the patients, and the degree of splenic rupture, the patient's age and conditions of the hospital should be considered.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splenic Rupture ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo measure anatomic data of laminar of C7 and evaluate the possibility of the placement of C7 laminar screw.

METHODSTwenty-two specimens of C7 were measured with an vernier caliper and a goniomete and finded out the anatomic data for prominent vertebra laminar screw placement. The indicators included the thickness of the superior, median and inferior part of C7 laminar (T1, T2, T3), the height of the laminar(H), the distance of the anchor point to the medial wall of C7 pedicle and the lateral wall of the lateral mass (L1, L2) and the angle between the axis of C7 lamina and sagittal plane(alpha).

RESULTSThe mean thickness of superior part of C7 lamina (T1) was (4.30 +/- 0.27) mm, (5.32 +/- 0.27) mm in median part (T2) with 27% (6 cases) of specimens thickness less than 4.50 mm and (4.78 +/- 0.26) mm in inferior part (T3). Both median part and inferior part were thicker than 4.50 mm. The mean height of C7 laminar (H) was (14.83 +/- 0.26) mm. The distance from the laminar anchor point to the medial wall of C7 pedicle (L1) and the lateral wall of the lateral mass (L2) was (26.99 +/- 0.48) mm and (41.60 +/- 1.10) mm respectively. The mean angle between the axis of C7 laminar and sagittal plane(alpha) was (49.3 +/- 1.1) degrees.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to place screw in C7 laminar and this technique can be applied in 73% of Chinese. Compared with C7 pedicle screw technique, this technique is simple with little risk to the nerve and vascular structures.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo characterize the clinical features of Chinese hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) families and to evaluate the value of Chinese HNPCC criteria.

METHODSTwenty-six families were involved in this study. Eight families fulfilled both the Amsterdam criteria and the Chinese HNPCC criteria (named group A), while the other 18 families fulfilled the Chinese HNPCC criteria only (named group B). The clinical features of these HNPCC families were compared with those of 509 sporadic colorectal cancers (CRC) cases. Features of families in group A and in group B were also compared and analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 86 colorectal carcinomas developed in 77 patients in these 26 families. Synchronous or metachronous colorectal cancers developed in seven (9.1%) patients. Thirty-nine percent of colorectal carcinomas were developed in the proximal colon. Fifty-one out of 71 patients (71.8%) were diagnosed before the age of 50. A total of 24 extracolonic malignancies were identified in these families. Gastric carcinoma was the most common type of extracolonic malignancy (37.5%). Compared with sporadic CRCs, HNPCC patients were significantly younger at the age of diagnosis, namely, higher proportion of patients less than 50 years old, and more frequent development of multiple colorectal cancers. Except for the average number of colorectal carcinomas developed per family (4.5:2.3, P = 0.022), there was no significant difference between group A and B regarding the age of diagnosis, the location of colorectal cancer, the development of multiple colorectal cancers and the distribution of extra-colonic malignancies.

CONCLUSIONChinese HNPCC families have certain specific clinico-pathological features. Families in accord with the Chinese HNPCC criteria have similar clinical features as those with the Amsterdam criteria. The Chinese criteria are, however, more suitable for the diagnosis of patients from small families.

Adult ; Age of Onset ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Family ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Second Primary ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics

AIMTo determine whether serotonin, a major neurotransmitter in brain, can modulate the production of secretory beta-amyloid protein precursor (sAPP) by activation of serotonin 5-HT2C receptor.

METHODSThe hippocampal slices of rats were incubated with various concentrations of serotonin, M-110, or L-107. sAPP released into the incubation medium were assayed by Western blot analysis assay with monoclonal antibody 22C11 for 2 h.

RESULTSVarious concentrations of serotonin (1.0 x 10(-2) - 1.0 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), M-110, a serotonin 5-HT2C agonist (1.5 x 10(-6) - 1.5 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), showed positive effect on the production of sAPP while L-107, a serotonin 5-HT2C antagonist (1.0 x 10(-9) - 1.0 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), showed negative effect on the production of sAPP over controls.

CONCLUSIONSerotonin modulates production of secretory amyloid beta-protein precursor through serotonin 5-HT2C receptor in incubated rat hippocampal slices.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; secretion ; Animals ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C ; Serotonin ; pharmacology ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of (-)doxazosin(DOX), (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX on serum lipid levels and the mortality rates of the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet.

METHODSMale white New Zealand rabbits were fed by an atherogenic diet for 4 weeks. 8 rabbits whose serum TC <10 mmol/L were confirmed as normal diet group and were fed normally. 40 rabbits whose serum TC >10 mmol/L were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): atherogenic diet group, atherogenic diet with (-)DOX group, atherogenic diet with (+)DOX group and atherogenic diet with (+/-)DOX group, which were intraperitoneally injected with (-)DOX, (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX for 9 weeks respectively. Normal and atherogenic diet group were intraperitoneally injected with double distilled water. After 9 weeks administration of (+/-)doxazosin and its enantiomers, effects of the three agents on serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were observed.

RESULTSThe mortality rate of the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet for 13 weeks was 40%, and it was much higher than that of the rabbits fed by a normal diet (10%). The mortality rates in the rabbits treated with (-)DOX and (+/-)DOX were lower than that in the rabbits fed by a normal diet (10%). Serum LDL-C level of the rabbits was increased markedly after 4 weeks of atherogenic diet, and it was further increased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) during the continued 9 weeks of atherogenic diet. However, serum LDL-C levels were not further increased significantly (P > 0.05) during the continued 9 weeks of atherogenic diet in the rabbits treated with (-)DOX, (+)DOX and (+/-)DOX, respectively.

CONCLUSION(-)DOX and (+/-)DOX increase the survival rate and improve LDL-C disorder mildly in the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet. The improvements in LDL-C induced by (-)DOX and (+/-)DOX, however, might not be the reason for exploration about the increased survival rate in the rabbits fed by an atherogenic diet.

Animals ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Doxazosin ; pharmacology ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stereoisomerism