Objective To study the alterations of serum amino acid level in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Methods Blood levels of 17 amino acids were measured in 17 SBS patients on admission to the hospital, and 15 healthy volunteers. Results Compared with the control group, serum concentrations of Val, Leu, Ile, Lys, Met, Ser, His, Cys in patients with SBS significantly decreased ( P

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of depression and quality of life(QoL)in lung cancer patients before and after diagnosis , and to investigate the potential related factors. Methods The subjects consisted of 115 consecutive adult patients newly diagnosed for lung cancer in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between April 2008 and October 2008. Depression and QoL were evaluated before the diagnosis for baseline; the same evaluation was repeated after surgery. The median interval was 34.6 days (ranged 28-44 days). Patients' biomedical characteristics were noted from patients' medical records, while the demographic factors were obtained during the interview at the out-patients department. Statistical analysis was used to identify the significant predictors. Results The overall incidence of depression before final diagnosis and after surgery was 22.6% and 17.4 %, respectively. No significant change in the prevalence of depression was found in our study. Education, cost of hospitalization, and smoking status were associated with an increased risk of depression before final diagnosis. Age, having confidant, performance status, and type of surgery were found related with postoperative depression. Patients' QoL had a decrease in every subscale after surgery. Changes in role, social functioning scales and fatigue, pain symptom scales were found significantly. In QoL subsc ales, preoperative dyspnea, postoperative role functioning, fatigue , and pain were associated with changes of depression. Conclusion Depression may be present prior to final diagnosis in lung cancer patients and it does not seem to decrease significantly after surgery, indicating the need for psychological screening and appropriate intervention during theperioperative period. A poorer QoL was detected after surgery, which maybe partly contributed to depression symptoms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiography ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of water soluble coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)against rotenone induced injury on PC12 cells model.Methods PC12 cells were cultured with rotenone,water-soluble CoQ1 0 was added to the culture media 3 hours prior to the rotenone incubation.We determined cell viability by CCK8;reactive oxygen species (ROS)was detected by spectrophotometer;and Bcl-2, Bax,active Caspase-3,Caspase-9 and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)were measured by Western blotting after 24-hour rotenone incubation.Results After the treatment by rotenone,cell viability decreased significantly (P＜0.01)and ROS level increased (P＜0.01).CoQ10 could improve PC12 cell viability (P＜0.01)and reduce the level of ROS (P＜0.01).Western blotting experiments showed that CoQ10 could reduce rotenone-induced Caspase-9 (P＜0.05),active Caspase-3 (P＜0.05)and Bax (P＜0.01)expressions,increase the expression of Bcl-2 (P＜0.01),and prevent nuclear translocation of AIF (P＜0.05).Conclusion CoQ10 has a protective effect on rotenone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells,the mechanism of which may be through scavenging ROS in cells;decreasing caspase-9 ,active caspase-3 and Bax expressions;and increasing the expression of Bcl-2 ;and preventing AIF nuclear translocation.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) V3 loop amino acid mutations among HIV-1 infected people in Liaoning province.

METHODSThe whole blood samples of the HIV carriers and AIDS patients were collected in Liaoning province, China and were extracted PBMC genome DNA. HIV-1 V3 and flanking region sequences were amplified by nest-polymerase chain reaction (nest-PCR) with env specific primers: ED5/ED12 and ED31/ED33. Products were sequenced directly and sequences were aligned, translated and analyzed.

RESULTSIn AIDS group, some amino acid mutations at specific position of V3 loop: S to R at position 11, H to S, T and N at position 13, A to V at position 19, F to Y at position 20, Q or D to N at position 25 and 29, were found and all common mutations were associated with T tropic/SI phenotype. The frequency of such amino acid mutations in specific positions was higher in AIDS group than that of the asymptomatic infection group (P < 0.05). In addition, we found some unusual tetramer compositions on the tip of V3 loop: GQGR, APGR and RPGA, GLGR, RPGA in addition to some rare mutations, such as: N to H at position 5 and H to S, F at position 34.

CONCLUSIONThe amino acid mutations on the V3 loop of HIV-1 epidemic in Liaoning province were in agreement with the results of subtype B, but we observed some rare mutations and unusual tetramer compositions on the tip of V3 loop.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genes, env ; genetics ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDElevated levels of interleukin-7 (IL-7) have been correlated with CD4(+) T cell depletion and the emergence of syncytium-inducing (SI) variants in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, and suggested as an indicator of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) disease progression. Therefore, we investigated the effects of IL-7 on disease progression and virus phenotype in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study of 71 untreated HIV-1 seropositive individuals and 12 healthy donors, plasma IL-7 levels were determined by an ultra sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and its relations to CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, plasma viral loads and HIV phenotypes were analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant higher IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients [(3.33 +/- 3.60) pg/ml] than those of health controls [(1.2 +/- 0.81) pg/ml] (P < 0.05), and IL-7 levels were inversely associated with CD4(+) T cell counts (r = -0.497, P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-7 levels were significant higher in patients with SI variants [(9.12 +/- 4.55) pg/ml] than those with non-syncytium-inducing variants [(1.50 +/- 2.69) pg/ml] (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIncreased IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients and significantly associated with disease progression, thus increased IL-7 plasma levels may indicate disease progression.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Disease Progression ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Interleukin-7 ; blood ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides on testicular injury induced by exposure to high power microwave (HPM) in rats.

METHODSA total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the microwave radiation model group, the treatment group, the new microwave radiation model group, and the prevention group, 6 in each group. All rats, except those in the normal control group, were exposed to microwave at an average power density of 200 mW/cm2 for 6 min. Rats in the control group and the model group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once a day. Rats in the treatment group and the prevention group were given with Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides by gastrogavage, 2 mL each time (400 mg/kg body weight), once a day. All rats were sacrificed on the 11th day.The sperm density and the rate of sperm deformity were determined. Pathological changes of testis were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSShort-term HPM irradiation could significantly reduce the sperm density and increase the sperm deformity rate (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, obvious pathological changes of testes occurred. Compared with the two model groups, the sperm density increased and the sperm deformity rate decreased in the treatment group and the prevention group (P < 0.05). Under the light microscope, injuries of spermatogenic cells and stromal cells, as well as vascular dilatation and congestion were obviously alleviated in the treatment group and the prevention group. Mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum expansion shown by ultrastructural observation were also significantly alleviated. Of them, injuries of spermatogenic cells and inflammation response were milder in the treatment group than in the prevention group.

CONCLUSIONSInonotus obliquus polysaccharides had significant protective effect on microwave radiation induced testicular injury. Better effect was obtained by therapeutic medication than preventive medication.

Animals ; Basidiomycota ; chemistry ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; prevention & control ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of D-AP5 (D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate, a specific NMDA-antagonist) on the increase of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by glutamate in isolated cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs), and to detect the autoreceptors of the IHC membrane.

METHODSWhen a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used, the exogenous glutamate (Glu)-induced changes in [Ca2+]i of isolated IHCs and OHCs of guinea pig cochlea were observed with fluo-3, a fluorescent probe for [Ca2+]i. After D-AP5 or CNQX (6--cyano--7--nitroguinoxaline--2, 3--dione, a specific AMPA- antagonist) was administered, the exogenous glutamate (Glu)-induced changes in [Ca2+]i of isolated IHCs were recorded.

RESULTSIn the presence of a low concentration Glu (3.85 mumol/L), there was an increase of [Ca2+]i in IHCs, whereas there was no change in OHCs. When 50 mumol/L of D-AP5 was administrated in advance, Glu did not induce a corresponding increase in [Ca2+]i in IHCs, and 50 mumol/L of CNQX did not completely block the increase of [Ca2+]i in IHCs.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the autoreceptors existing in the IHC membrane are mainly of NMDA type, while there are relatively few AMPA receptors. Exogenous Glu is capable of increasing [Ca2+]i in IHCs by acting on the NMDA autoreceptor of IHCs in a positive feedback manner.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate ; pharmacology ; 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner ; drug effects ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors

Multi-central randomized controlled method was used to scientifically verify indications of 33 acupoints and provide definite clinical basis for the indications of single acupoint. Of the 52 studies, 40 studies showed that the therapeutic effect in acupuncture observation groups were better than the control group; 11 studies showed similar therapeutic effect of the two groups, and 1 study showed the acupuncture observation group was worse than the control group. Therefore, results indicate that in a certain observation cycle, acupuncture at single acupoint have different effects on diseases.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

BACKGROUNDThe factors affecting the outcome of patients referred for lung transplantation (LTx) still have not been investigated extensively. The aim of this study was to characterize the patient outcomes and identify the prognostic factors for death while awaiting the LTx.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to November 2013, the clinical data of 103 patients with end-stage lung disease that had been referred for LTx to Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between predictors and survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTSTwenty-five patients (24.3%) died while awaiting the LTx. Fifty patients (48.5%) underwent LTx, and 28 patients (27.2%) were still on the waitlist. Compared to the candidates with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) had a higher mortality while awaiting the LTx (40.0% vs. 12.3%, P = 0.003). Patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) had a higher mortality while waiting than others (50.0% vs. 20.2%, P = 0.038). Two variables, using MV and IPF but not COPD as primary disease, emerged as significant independent risk factors for death on the waitlist (hazard ratio [HR] = 56.048, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.935-798.263, P = 0.003 and HR = 14.859, 95% CI: 2.695-81.932, P = 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe type of end-stage lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and MV may be distinctive prognostic factors for death while awaiting the LTx.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; complications ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; mortality ; Lung Diseases ; mortality ; Lung Transplantation ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Waiting Lists