OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) flavonoids on proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells in vitro and to probe the mechanism.

METHODThe effects of ASMq flavonoids on proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression of HepG2 cells were investigated respectively by MTT assay, gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and RT-PCR.

RESULTASMq flavonoids significantly inhibited growth of HepG2 cells in vitro, arrested HepG2 in the sub-G, phase, induced cell apoptosis and significantly down-regulated expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA, and up-regulated expression of p53, p21, Bax gene mRNA expressions.

CONCLUSIONASMq flavonoids has significantly regulative action on growth, apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression of cancer cells in vitro, which possibly are the important way to excert anticancer effect, and flavonoids are possibly a main active component of ASMq for exerting the anticancer effect.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of intra-operative intravenous fluids on post-operative hemodynamic stability.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective cohort study of 98 preterm infants who underwent a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation in one NICU between 2001 and 2007. The primary outcome was the need for cardiotropic support within 24 hrs of ligation.

RESULTSTwenty-seven infants (28%) required post-operative cardiotropic support. The amount of intra-operative fluids varied between 0 and 50.4 mL/kg (median: 10.2 mL/kg). No intra-operative fluid was recorded in 26 patients. Fluids were not associated with the need for post-operative cardiotropic support (P=0.10). Using a multivariate logistic regression model, age at ligation, weight at ligation and pre-operative FiO2 were significant predictors of post-operative cardiotropic support.

CONCLUSIONSIntra-operative fluids do not appear to be associated with the need for post-operative cardiotropic support. A prospective cohort study may help identify modifiable risk factors and improve outcomes in this population.

Cohort Studies ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Ligation ; Retrospective Studies