Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Dan-Hong Injection and Methycobal combined therapy in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN).Methods 72 cases of peripheral neuropathy and type 2 diabetes(conformed to ADA standard published in 1999)were randomly separated into an experimem group and a control group.Members in the experiment group were treated with Dan-Hong injection 20ml/day i.v.and Methycobal 500ug/day i.m.Members in the control group were treated with Methycobal only.At the end of 2 weeks'therapeutic courses,motor nerve conducdon velocity (MNCV)and sural nerve conduction velocity(SNCV)were evaluated.Results The overall effective rate was 92.1% in the experiment group and 67.6% in the control group,showing significant difference between the two groups(P＜0.01).The post-therapeutic values of both SNCV and MNCV were significantly different from those of previous treatment.(P＜0.01)The post-therapeutic values of SNCV and MNCV of the experiment group were also significantly different from those of the control group(P＜0.05).No evidently relative adverse effects were observed in both groups.Conclusions Combined therapy of Dan-Hong injection and Methycobal was more effective in controlling the clinical activity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective To observe the clinical role of Qiliqiangxin capsules uniting conventional western medicine interfering with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods 61 cases of CHF were randomly recruited into a control group(31 cases)and a treatment group(30 cases).The control group was treated with conventional anti-hean failure treatment,and the treatment group was added Qiliqiangxin capsules on the treatment of the control group.After having been treated for 2 courses (fonr weeks),such indexes as clinical efficacy,body weigbt,urine volume,6 min walking distance(6MWD),electrocardiogram,and cardiac ultrasound were measured for both groups.Results The overall efficiency of cardiac function was 93.33%for the treatment group and 74.19%for the control group.There was significant difierence between the two groups(χ~2=4.07985,P＜0.05).The enhance rate of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was(16±4)%in the treatment group as compared to(11±3)%in the control group,also showing statistical difierence between the two groups(t=5.509,P＜0.001).Conclusion Qiliqiangxin capsules combined with conventional western medicine could effectively improve the cardiac function,LVEE clinical symptoms,and quality of life in the patients with ehronic heart failure.

Objective To observe the perioperative complications for metastatic cervical tumor,and explore their possible risk factors.Methods From January 2012 to January 2016,57 patients undergoing surgery for cervical spine metastasis were retrospectively analyzed,who were followed-up for at least 12 months or until death.Data collected included pain (a 10-point visual analogue scale,VAS),Karnofsky performance status score,neurologic status according to Frankel scale,perioperative complications,postoperative mortality and so on.Results The VAS score decreased significantly postoperation (P＜0.001).The Frankel grade was significantly improved (P=0.025).The Karnofsky score was also significantly improved (P＜0.001).The rate of local recurrence was 12.3％.Perioperative mortality rate (30 days after surgery) was 3.5％.Perioperative complication incidence was 24.6％.Univariate analysis found that comorbidity,preoperative Karnofsky score ＜60,multisegmental resection,and intraoperative blood loss ＞300ml were significant risk factors for the complication.Multivariable analysis showed that iIntraoperative blood loss ＞300ml and preoperative Karnofsky score ＜60 were the independent predictors for the complication.Conclusions Surgical management for cervical spinal metastasis is effective in terms of neurological recovery,pain control,and performance status recovery.However,the surgery had a high risk of complications that special attention should be paid to.Furthermore,complications might be related to preoperative Karnofsky score and intraoperative blood loss.

Objective To study the difference between intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for pelvic radiation of post-operative treatment with gynecologic malignant tumor. Methods A prospective investigation study was conducted on 183 patients of post-operative patients with whole pelvic radiation therapy of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital [IMRT group (n=85) and 3D-CRT group (n=98)] from Oct. 2015 to Oct. 2016. The two groups received same dose (45 Gy in 25 fractions). Comparison of two groups with radiation dosimetry:the score according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute radiation injury grading standards before and after radiotherapy reaction, the score from functional assessment of cancer therapy scale-cervix (FACT-Cx) scale and expanded prostate cancer index composite for clinical practice (EPIC-CP) scale were also analyzed. Results (1) There were no significant effect with age, culture level, family economic condition and ratio of radiochemotherapy between two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Dosimetric comparison for IMRT vs 3D-CRT:the average dose of planning target volume (PTV) decreased(46.1 ± 0.4) vs(46.4 ± 0.5)Gy, V45 dose percentage increased(95.2 ± 1.0)%vs (93.3 ± 2.0)%, intestinal bag dose of V40 decreased(24.4 ± 6.8)%vs (36.5 ± 15.9)%, rectal V40 dose percentage decreased(73.9 ± 12.3)%vs (85.4 ± 8.4)%, and lower rectal V45 dose percentage(32.8 ± 13.4)%vs (71.5 ± 13.7)%, bladder V40 dose percentage decreased(55.5 ± 13.0)% vs (84.4 ± 13.0)%. Bone marrow V20 lower:(67.9 ± 5.4)% vs (79.5 ± 6.6)%, V10 lower:(82.1 ± 6.0)% vs (86.3 ± 6.6)%; there were significant differences (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the dose of V45 in the intestinal pouch and bladder (P>0.05). (3) Acute radiation injury classification for IMRT vs 3D-CRT:big or small intestine:Ⅱ-Ⅲreaction [13%(11/85) vs 24% (24/98); χ2=3.925, P=0.048], there was significant difference. Bladder: Ⅲ reaction [19% (16/85) vs 26% (25/98); χ2=1.171, P=0.279], there was no significant difference. Radiochemotherapy of bone marrow suppression:Ⅲ-Ⅳreaction (14/20), the incidence rate [26%(14/54) vs 31%(20/65);χ2=0.339, P=0.562], the difference was not statistically significant. (4) Quality of life scale by FACT-Cx scale in IMRT vs 3D-CRT:there were no significant difference before radiotherapy (82 ± 16 vs 85 ± 16;t=1.279, P=0.203), while there was significant difference after radiotherapy (76 ± 14 vs 71 ± 18;t=-2.160, P=0.032). EPIC-CP scale score:before radiotherapy they were (16±7 vs 15±6;t=-0.174, P=0.862) ,but after radiotherapy (18±7 vs 22± 7; t=3.158, P=0.002), there was significant difference between them. Before and after radiotherapy, the increased EPIC-CP scale of the IMRT group vs 3D-CRT group were 3 ± 4 and 6 ± 4, the 3D-CRT group was significantly higher, the difference was statistically significant (t=5.500, P=0.000). Conclusion IMRT has shown that there are a significant benefit for the post-operative patients with cervical cancer and endometrial cancer compared to 3D-CRT.

OBJECTIVEIt has been known that the intrahepatic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the fibrogenesis in livers. Aldosterone (Aldo), the principal effector molecule of the RAAS, exerts local effects on cell growth and fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the effects of Aldo on hepatic fibrogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the signal transduction mechanism underlying the effects of Aldo on the signal passageway of active protein-1 (AP-1).

METHODSIn vitro, HSCs-T6 cell line was treated with Aldo for 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min and 180 min, and protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was detected by Western blot. In addition, HSCs-T6 cell line was preincubated for 60 min or not with U0126 (an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK kinase), and also with antioxidant-N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prior to exposure to Aldo for the indicated times. Protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was measured by Western blot. DNA biding activity of AP-1 was analyzed by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). By means of RT-PCR, expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA was detected.

RESULTSAldo stimulated HSC via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. Time course experiments showed that Aldo induced Phospho-P42/44 expression, which was abrogated by U0126, reaching a maximum at 10 minutes, and then declined progressively. NAC inhibited the Phospho-P42/44 expression. EMSA showed that stimulation of HSC by Aldo markedly increased AP-1 DNA binding activity. U0126 markedly reduced AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by Aldo; NAC partly decreased AP-1 activity induced by Aldo. Aldo up-regulated expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA, which was attenuated by U0126 and NAC.

CONCLUSIONStimulation of HSC by Aldo results in activation of AP-1 via ERK1/2 pathway, leading to up-regulation of AP-1 target gene alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA expression.

Aldosterone ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of angiotensin (1-7) on hepatic sinusoid angiogenesis using a rat model of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSEighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups for sham operation (untreated/uninduced control group), bile duct ligation (BDL) (untreated model group), or BDL with angiotensin (1-7) treatment (treated model group). Histological analysis was used to assess the liver fibrosis score, by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the level of fibrosis, by Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of the angiogenesis markers vWF, VEGFA, and CD31.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated/uninduced control group, the untreated BDL model group showed remarkably higher fibrosis score, area of the type I collagen expression, and expression levels of vWF, VEGFA, and CD31. However, the angiotensin (1-7)-treatment protected against the BLD-related changes, as evidenced by decreased robustness and down-regulation of the corresponding indicators. Moreover, the expression level of VEGFA was highly correlated to the expression level of vWF (r = 0.956, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONBDL-induced hepatic fibrosis is accompanied by significant increases in angiogenesis-related factors, but angiotensin (1-7) treatment may inhibit hepatic sinusoid angiogenesis during the liver fibrosis process.

Angiotensin I ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bile Ducts ; surgery ; Hepatic Veins ; pathology ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Peptide Fragments ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

Drugs, Investigational ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; United States

OBJECTIVETo analyze the incidence and the risk factors of late-onset non-infectious pulmonary complications (LONIPC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSClinical data from 144 patients who underwent allo-HSCT and survived more than 3 months at our institution between January 2003 and August 2006 were collected, and the incidence and its risk factors of LONIPC were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSWith a median follow-up time of 1149 (103 - 2151) d, 24 patients (16.7%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for LONIPC. The median time to diagnosis of LONIPC was 235 days after transplantation (range, 116 - 950 days). Three variables were associated with LONIPC on univariate analysis: CMV antigenaemia (P = 0.000), grade II-IV aGVHD (P = 0.026) and cGVHD (P = 0.002). By using a Binary Logistic regression model for multivariate analysis, cGVHD (OR = 18.804, P = 0.004) and CMV antigenaemia (OR = 14.376, P = 0.000) were the risk factors of LONIPC.

CONCLUSIONLONIPC is one of the major complications after allo-HSCT and cGVHD and CMV antigenaemia are the risk factors for developing LONIPC.

Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEIt is known that intrahepatic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in liver fibrogenesis. Aldosterone (Aldo), the principal effector molecule of the RAAS, exerts local effects on cell growth and fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the effects of Aldo on hepatic fibrogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the signal transduction mechanism underlying the effects of Aldo on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), early growth response-1 (EGR-1) and on the platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B).

METHODSIn vitro, hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-T6 cell line was treated with Aldo for 10 min, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h. Protein expression of phospho-p42/44 was detected by Western blot. In addition, HSC-T6 were preincubated for 1 h or not at all with U0126 (an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK kinase), and antioxidant-N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prior to exposure to Aldo for the indicated times. Protein expressions of phospho-p42/44 and PDGF-B were measured by Western blot. DNA biding activity of EGR-1 was analyzed by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). By means of immunohistochemistry, expression of PDGF-B was detected.

RESULTSAldo induced phospho-p42/44 expression could be abrogated by U0126; NAC did not inhibit phospho-p42/44 expression. Gel shift study showed that stimulation of HSC by Aldo markedly increased the EGR-1 DNA binding activity, which was abrogated by U0126, reaching a maximum at 60 minutes, and then declined progressively. NAC did not reduce the EGR-1 activity. Aldo increased the PDGF-B protein level in HSC, which was not attenuated by NAC and U0126.

CONCLUSIONSStimulation of HSC by Aldo results in activation of EGR-1 via ERK1/2 pathway, leading to up-regulation of PDGF-B expression.

Aldosterone ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Kupffer Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics