China ; Heart Transplantation ; methods ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo summarize the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) on severe acute biliary pancreatitis (SABP), and to discuss the opportunity of operation.

METHODSThe hospitalization duration, incidence of complications, operation transmitting rate and mortality were analyzed in 96 senile SABP patients (Group A) treated by ICWM, and 32 senile SABP patients treated by conventional Western medicine, they were hospitalized from January 2000 to December 2007.

RESULTS(1) The average hospitalization duration in Group A and B was 28.2 +/- 11.3 days and 32.7 +/- 14.3 days respectively, showing insignificant difference between them (P>0.05); (2) The early stage incidence of complications being 29.2% (28/96) in Group A and 34.4% (11/32) in Group B, no significant difference between groups was shown, but a significant difference did show at the late stage, 36.5% (35/96) vs 53.1% (17/32), the incidence in Group A was lower significantly (P<0.05). (3) The two groups were not different in operation transmitting rate 36.4% (35/96) vs 43.8% (14/32), P>0.05. (4) The mortality in Group A, 21.9% (21/96) was lower than that in Group B, 37.5% (12/32), P <0.05.

CONCLUSIONICWM has good effect in treating SABP, and the opportunity of operation transmitting should be decided according to whether there obstruction of biliary tract exists or not.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholelithiasis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy

ObjectiveTo identify the early predictors of refractory epilepsy (RE). MethodsAll 173 epileptic patients with correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment were enrolled. The 106 patients were classified as drug non-responsive epilepsy (DNR-EP). The remaining 63 patients were classified as drugresponsive epilepsy (DR-EP). With multiple logistic regression, the clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared to identify the early predictors of RE. ResultsMultiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that more than 10 seizures before treatment (OR =4. 46, 95％ CI 1.60-12. 40, P =0. 004),mental retardation at early time ( OR =19. 87, 95％ CI 3. 60-109. 78, P =0. 001 ) and abnormal electroencephalogram(EEG) with epileptiform wave after treatment ( OR =7.57, 95％ CI 2. 54-22. 56,P ＜0. 01 ) were independent predictors of RE.Response to initial therapy was a protective factor of RE (OR=0.05, 95％ CI 0.018-0. 139, P＜0.01). ConclusionPatients who have many seizures before treatment, mental retardation at the early time, epileptiform abnormality in EEG after treatment and who are resistant to initial therapy are likely to develop into refractory epilepsy.

Objective To explore the relationships of serum leptin(LP),tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)and insulin resistance in simple obesity children.Methods Forty-seven children with simple obesity were divided into two groups: high insulin group(HIG) and normal insulin group(NIG) according to the levels of fasting state of serum insulin and glucose.The fasting state of serum insulin(FINS),LP,TNF-? and fasting blood glucose(FBG) were measured.The relationships of LP,TNF-? and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) were also analyzed.Results 1.The BMI,waist,hip,waist hip ratio(WHR),LP,TNF-?,HOMA-IR were obviously higher in the HIG than those in the NIG and NCG groups(Pa0.05).3.In the HIG group,the FINS was positively correlated to LP,TNF-? and HOMA-IR(r=0.560,0.413,0.864 P

0.05). Conclusion Preproghrelin-Leu72Met is not significantly associated with T2DM and DN in Shanghai Han populations,while T2DM with AA genotype is characterized by significant declination in urine microalbumin when compared with CA and CC genotypes.Leu72Met polymorphism(C→A)may postpone the development of microalbuminuria in T2DM subjects.

Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Uvula ; surgery

BACKGROUNDBudd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a posthepatic portal hypertension caused by the obstruction of the lumen of the hepatic veins or the proximal inferior vena cava (IVC). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical experience of interventional therapy for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

METHODSIVC venography was carried out first, the obliteration or stenosis in the IVC was opened or dilated with the hard guided wire or Rups100 puncture needle and balloon, then a stent was routinely implanted for the type of obliteration or stenosis.

RESULTSThe procedure was successful in 821 out of 903 cases including IVC intervention in 760 cases, and hepatic vein intervention in 61 cases. An IVC stent was used in 517 cases and hepatic vein stent in 19 cases. There were no pulmonary embolisms, but acute renal failure occurred in eight cases, hepatic coma in two cases and acute heart failure in 43 cases. Two patients died in this group and five cases were complicated with acute IVC thrombosis. Follow up of 7 to 124 months was made in 679 cases with recurrence found in 59 cases.

CONCLUSIONSInterventional therapy is safe and effective with a fast recovery for most types of BCS. It is gradually becoming the first therapeutic choice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; surgery ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of pravastatin on platelet-derived nitric oxide system in hypercholesterolemia (HC) and atherosclerosis (AS) in rabbits, and the relationship between these changes and atherosclerosis courses.

METHODSThirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, 12 in group A, 12 in group B, and 6 in group C. All of them were fed daily with cholesterol-rich food during the first 12 weeks. In addition, in group A, pravastatin (10 mg) was orally administered daily. At the end of the 12th week, 6 in group A and B were killed randomly and their aortas were removed and the pathologic changes were observed. In the following 12 weeks, food enriched with cholesterol was substituted with normal food in all three groups. Pravastatin treatment was continued or started in the remaining members of group A and group B, but not in group C. At the end 24th week, all rabbits were killed and their aortas were examined for the fatty-streaks or atherosclerotic plaques. The expressions of endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA and inducible NOS (iNOS ) mRNA, NOS activity, NO production and the level of the serum lipids were measured at 0, 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th week.

RESULTSThe expression levels of platelet-derived NOS mRNA, eNOS mRNA ratio in group A had no difference at above time points, while in group B were reduced significantly at 6th week and 12th week compared with at 0 week (P <0.01), and increased at 18th week and 24th week compared with 12th week (P <0.05). The expression levels of eNOS mRNA in group C were reduced at 6th, 12th and 18th, 24th week compared with 0 week (P <0.05 and P <0.01, respectively), and were reduced in groups B and C compared with group A at 6th ,12th week (P < 0.05) and increased in group A and B compared with group C at 18th, 24th week (P <0.01). The expression levels of iNOS/mRNA among the three groups had no difference. Pathologic finding of the arteries: AS was not found in group A from the 12th to 24th week. While in group B, there were a lot of fatty-streaks on the entire intima of all large arteries at the 12th week. There were also fatty-streaks in the ascending aorta, but were improved at the 24th week. In group C, there were marked plaques in the entire aorta at the 24th week.

CONCLUSIONSThe expressions of platelet-derived eNOS mRNA, NOS activity, NO production are decreased in HC or AS rabbits. Pravastatin can up-regulate expressions of platelet-derived eNOS mRNA, NOS activity, leading to preventing or improving the pathological courses of AS.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; pathology ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; genetics ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; genetics ; Pravastatin ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of 2A-1-1 (purified component from Panax notoginsengs saponins) on the aggregation of and Ca2+ influx into human platelets.

METHODSThe aggregation of platelets was tested by nephelometry, Fura-2 fluorescent technique was used for detecting cell [Ca2+]i. The effects of 2A-1-1, nifedipine and SK&F96365 on Ca(2+) influx into human platelets induced by ADP or CPA were observed separately.

RESULTSNifedipine (< 20 micromol/L) could not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP or the Ca(2+) influx induced by ADP or CPA. SK&F96365 at 20 micromol/L could inhibit the maximal aggregation of platelets induced by ADP with a inhibitory rate of 59.83%, at 15 micromol/L could inhibit the Ca2+ influx induced by CPA or ADP. 2A-1-1 (5, 10 and 20 micromol/L) could inhibit the maximal aggregation of platelets induced by ADP with the inhibitory rates of 47.06%, 53.47% and 71.52%, respectively. 2A-1-1 at 10 and 20 micromol/L could inhibit the Ca2+ influx induced by CPA or ADP.

CONCLUSIONS2A-1-1 can inhibit platelets aggregation, block the ROC (Receptor-dependent Ca2+ channels) and inhibit Ca2+ influx of human platelets.

Adenosine Diphosphate ; pharmacology ; Adult ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nifedipine ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to clarify whether valproic acid (VPA) induces apoptosis of leukemia HL-60 cell line and its possible mechanism. The effect of different concentrations and treatment time of VPA on HL-60 cell proliferation was assayed by cytotoxicity test (CCK-8 method) and fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. The expressions of telomerase subunit h-tert mRNA and apoptosis-related protein as well as caspase-3 activity were detected by real time-quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA respectively. The results indicated that VPA inhibited proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner (r = -0.87). The expressions of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and h-tert mRNA were significantly decreased while the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and caspase-3 activity increased after treatment with VPA. The apoptosis rate of HL-60 cell was negatively correlated with expression of h-tert mRNA. It is concluded that VPA can inhibit leukemia HL-60 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. The VPA displays anti-leukemia activity possibly through reducing h-tert mRNA and BCL-2 protein expression, increasing BAX expression and activity of caspase-3.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism