AIM: To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on corneal neovascularization(CNV)induced by alkali burnin rats and on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF).METHODS: CNV was induced by alkaline burn in rats which were then administered pioglitazone subconjunctivally.Corneal angiogenesis was evaluated and observed with a slit lamp microscope and the VEGF and b-FGF level were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot at different intervals.RESULTS: The CNV of the rats was shown two days after alkaline burn, and reached its highest level in 7-10 days. The mean values of the area and length of neovascularization and the VEGF and b-FGF levels in the pioglitazone-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group at various time.CONCLUSTON: Local application of pioglitazone could remarkably inhibit CNV, probably by means of downregulation of VEGF and b-FGF expression.

Objective To further understand the effect of anti-fluoride water on intellectual development of children and dental fluorosis in drinking water-type of endemic fluorosis area Pucheng county Shaanxi province.Methods Two hundred 8 to 12 years old children were randomly selected in endemic fluorosis area with changed water or unchanged water, in 2009 in Pucheng county Shaanxi province. Intelligence quotient(IQ) of children was measured by Raven's test. Children's dental fluorosis was examined by Dean's classification scheme. Results The rates of child dental fluorosis in changed water and unchanged water endemic fluorosis areas were 28.50%(57/200), 87.88%(203/231) , respectively, the difference was statistically significant(x2 = 159.19, P＜ 0.01),while dental fluorosis indices were 0.57,1.97, was marginal, moderate epidemic. Children with IQ above 90 was accounted for 89.5% (179/200), 91.5% (183/200) in changed water and unchanged water endemic fluorosis area,respectively, the difference was not significant (x2 = 0.46, P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions Changed water may decrease the incidence of child dental fluorosis, but has no obvious effect on children's IQ development in endemic fluorosis area.

Objective To investigate the association between the target organ damage and morning blood pres- sure surge(MBPS) in the elderly hypertensives.Methods Three hundred thirty-two patients submitted to 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were categorized as with MBPS (n=173),and non-MBPS(n=149).Total cholesterol,body mass index(BMI),left ventricular mass index (LVMI),carotid endothelial medium thickness (CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT) and corrected QT dispersion(QTcd) were determined.Results 24 h,day and night mean systolic blood pressure in MBPS group were significantly higher than that in the non-MBPS group(P

The influence of L-arginine on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) was observed in experimental pulmonary thromboembolism and the action mechanism on pulmonary thromboembolism was explored. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. Pulmonary thromboembolism models were established by auto-blood back transfusion, and L-Arg 100 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected after successful model preparation. The animals were sacrificed at 3 h, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after embolism. Plasma NO, TXB2 and 6-Keto-PGFla were detected. The expression of eNOS and COX2 protein and mRNA in pulmonary tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. The results showed that pulmonary thrombosis could be seen post pulmonary embolism and inflammatory reaction was significant. Plasma NO was decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of TXB2, 6-Keto-PGF1alpha and T/P ratio were all elevated. The expression of eNOS protein and mRNA in the pulmonary tissue was down-regulated (P<0.05), while that of COX2 protein and mRNA was upregulated (P<0.01). In treatment group, the level of NO was increased, the levels of TXB2 and T/P ratio were decreased, but the level of 6-Keto-PGF1alpha was increased. The expression of eNOS protein and mRNA in pulmonary tissue was upregulated (P<0.05), while that of COX2 protein and mRNA was down-regulated (P<0.05). In conclusion, L-arginine can educe the role of pulmonary tissue protection through up-regulating the expression of intra-pulmonary NOS and down -regulating COX2 in pulmonary thromboembolism.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of high frequency echocardiography on mice with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and find out the most valuable monitoring indexes for early doxorubicin-induced myocardial damage.Methods Forty mice were divided into doxorubicin-injection group (ADM group) and control group randomly.Twenty mice in each group were injected with doxorubicin and saline at the same dose for 5 weeks continuously.The parameters of cardic function of ADM group and contol group were observed by high-frequency echocardiography after infection.Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) tested by euzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and pathological findings were used as the golden standard.Results ①The left ventricular long axis view and the apical four chamber view could be displayed clearly by transthoracic high-frequency echocardiography.②After 5 weeks intervention,weight,heart rate,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS),E/A,E wave deceleration time(EDT) and other parameters showed marked difference between ADM group and control group(P ＜0.05).③The decrease of diastolic function was earlier than systolic function in ADM group.④LVEF and E/A presented good negative linear correlation to BNP(r =-0.622,P ＜0.05; r =-0.593,P ＜0.01).EDT showed positive linear correlation to BNP(r =0.501,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Cardic function of mice with doxorubicin-induced myocardial damage could be early evaluated accurately by high-frequency echocardiography,which contained good relativity with BNP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Cell Count ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; blood ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; Young Adult

Aged ; Cause of Death ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; Male ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage ; etiology ; mortality ; Postoperative Period

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of castration with 125I brachtherapy in middle and late stage prostate cancer. Methods Sixty-six patients with prostate cancer from 2004 to 2009 were analyzed, 40 were at clinical stage C and 26 were at clinical stage D, 42 had a pathologic grade G2 and 24 had a pathologic grade G3. The first endocrinal therapy used was total androgen blockade (chemical castration and anti-androgen drugs). The therapeutic time was three months before bilateral orchidectomy and brachtherapy. A 3D radiotherapy planning system was used for brachtherapy with transrectal ultrasound-guided radioactive 125I seed uniform implantation. Follow-up endocrinal therapy was decided according to a monthly check of serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. After six months, serum PSA, IPSS and volume of the prostate before and after treatment were compared. Results The operations were completed successfully in all cases. The mean number of 125I seeds implanted was 55. The mean follow-up was 10 to 62 months, with an average of 49 months. Serum PSA, IPSS and the volume of the prostate was reduced significantly six months after operation (P<0.05). Conclusions Castration with 125I brachtherapy is an effective approach in combination therapy for treating middle and late stage prostate cancer.

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract endometriosis.Methods Retrospective review of 10 female cases of urinary tract endometriosis was carried out. All cases age was from 28-49, and the average age was 39-year-old. The course of this disease was from 6 months to 3 years. Four of 10 cases were bladder endometriosis. The clinical presentations included the urgency, frequency, pain at micturition and lower abdomen pain during menstruation, gross hematuria coinciding with menstruation 1 case. B-ultrasound and CT showed the mass of bladder from 2. 0 -3.5 cm but were not specific. Four of 6 cases ureteral endometriosis were the left side and 2 cases were the right side. This clinical presentation included non-specific flank or abdomenal discomfort in 4 cases, intermittent gross hematuria in 1 case and 1 case renal hydronephrosis was found incidentally by B-ultrasound. B-ultrasound indicated unilateral upper urinary tract dilation and hydrops in all cases,with pyelic separation from 2.0-4.5 cm and ureteral separation from 1-2 cm. CT indicated stenosis of the lower ureter in 5 cases, ureter tumor in 1 case. Results All cases were treated surgically.Partial cystectomy were performed in 4 cases of bladder endometriosis, of which, 1 case bilateral oophorectomy and hysterectomy. Five cases were performed ureteral segmental resection, of which, 3 ureterocystostomy and 2 terminoterminal anastomosis. 1 case was performed radical nephrectomy and ureterectomy. Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of endometriosis. Postoperative oral hormone therapy was given to 9 cases for 6-12 months. All cases were followed for 12-60months. 2 cases ureteral endometriosis had recurrent hydronephrosis in 18-24 months. The 2 cases received ureteral stent and cured by oral hormone therapy or goserelin subcutaneous injection for 3 months. Conclusions Urinary tract endometriosis usually shows non-specific symptoms. The diagnosis can be missed on both clinical examination and preoperative work-up. Surgical treatment is effective and adjuvant hormone therapy is often recommended to prevent the recurrence.

Objective To study the antitumor effect of toremifene on MCF7 cell lines,and investigate the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Methods Inhibitory effect of toremifene alone or combined with MEK inhibitor PD98059 on MCF7 cells was measured by SRB test,and that on phosphorylated ERK was detected by Western blotting.Results Toremifene exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the activity of MCF7 cells.Phosphorylated ERK was significantly inhibited by 5,10 and 20 mmol/L toremifene.Combined with PD98059,toremifene had a significantly enhanced cytotoxity effect,which exceeded that of application alone. Conclusion Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway may play an important role in the antitumor effect of toremifene which is independent of estrogens.Combined with PD98059,the antitumor effect of toremifene can be reinforced,indicating a synergistic effect of these two drugs.