Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of itraconazole in prevention of invasive fungal infections in allogeneic hema-topoietic stem cell transplantion .Methods In this retrospective study ,110 patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants were administed itraconazole or fluconazole for prevention of fungal infection .The occurrence and prognosis of invasive fungal infection ,and the side effect of both pyrroles were observed .Results Proven and probable invasive fungal infections occurred in 5 of 69 itraconazole recipients(7 .2% ) and in 8 of 41 fluconazole recipients(19 .5% ) during the first 180 days after transplanta-tion ,the difference had statistical significance(P<0 .05) .The fatality rate related to fungal infection had no statistical difference be-tween the two groups(2 .9% vs .7 .3% ) .The occurrence of itraconazole adverse reactions were more than fluconazole (26 .9% vs . 7 .0% ) ,and both itraconazole and fluconazole were well tolerated .Conclusion Itraconazole significantly reduces the incidence of inva-sive fungal infection in the patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants ,and it is a effective and safe prophylaxis .

Objective To study the change and the significance of T-lymphocyte immune function in peripheral blood in population living in arsenic-contaminated area. Methods Fifty-three cases of patients with arsenism symptoms were selected into experimental group, inhabitants who had no chronic arsenism symptoms into control group in the endemic area of Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province in 2006. Vein blood samples were taken and analyzed with SAP assay to measure the percentage of CD3+ ,CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Results It was found that the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ [(41.89 ± 11.58)%, (25.60 ± 9.05)% and 1.02 ± 0.41] in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group [(68.38 ± 7.23)%, (39.17± 4.28)% ,1.69 ± 0.56, t = 13.61,18.72,14.79, all P < 0.05], while there was no statistical differences of CD8+ [(25.30 ± 6.85)%] compared to the control group[(23.54 ± 8.35)%,t = 3.07,P > 0.05]. The gender-related effect of arsenic on CD4+ and CD8+ was found by multiple linear step regression analysis(t = - 3.05, - 4.30, all P < 0.05). In case group, there were no statistical differences in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+[(40.65±10.06)%, (24.48 ± 6.29)%, (24.52 ± 8.16)%,0.98 ± 0.25] between males and females [(43.07±12.96)%, (26.77±3.12)%, (26.50 ±9.32)%, 1.07 ±0.41, t = - 0.76,3.05,0.30,2.10, all P > 0.05]. Conclusions The immune function of T-lymphocytes of patients with chronic arsenism has been suppressed. It is of active significance to detect T-lymphocyte subpopulation in peripheral vein in patients with chronic arsenism aiming at estimating the function of cell immune and providing early diagnosis index.

Objective To explore the DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats exposed to sodium arsenite. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats, weighing 180 - 200 g, equal male and female, were randomly divided into 4 groups, 8 in each group. Sodium arsenite 0(control) ,0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L were given through drinking water for 30 days. Body weight and drinking water consumption were measured every day. Blood were collected and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined by single cell gel electrophoresis.Results The increase of body mass[( 121.00 ± 38.57), ( 120.62 ± 42.80), ( 125.38 ± 48.68)g]and water intake [(36.9 ± 6.2), (37.9 ± 5.8), (39.3 ± 4.2)ml/d]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were compared with the control group[( 119.25 ± 47.27)g, (38.4 ± 5.1 )ml/d], and the difference were not significant (F = 0.040,0.828, all P ＞ 0.05). The tail ratios[46.25%(185/400) ,57.00%(228/400),64.00%(256/400)], tail lengths [(32.89 ± 17.18), (58.74 ± 36.28), (77.55 ± 35.73 ) μm]and tail moments [(6.29 ± 3.74), ( 11.20 ± 9.64),(17.30 ± 12.60)μm]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were significantly higher than those of the control group[39.25%(157/400), (18.73 ± 15.83),(2.61 ± 1.05)μm, all P ＜ 0.01], and the tail ratios,tail lengths and tail moments in lymphocytes increased with increased doses of arsenic concentration. Conclusions Low doses of arsenic exposure can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats.

Objective To compare the two kinds of purification method for purifying recombinant human cardiac troponin I(cT-nI)to obtain the stable cTnI and promote the study of cTnI diagnosis standardization.Methods The cTnI inclusion body was ob-tained by the ultrasonic broken engineering,after washing by 2% Tritonx-100,2M urea,dissolved in 8M urea,then purified by the column refolding on CM-FF and the dilution refolding respectively.The cTnI yields were compared between the two kinds of meth-od and the stability at 4 ℃,20 ℃,-80 ℃ and on the freeze-dried condition was compared.Then the purification method to effi-ciently obtain the stable cTnI was established.Results The protein about 2 mg and 1.4 mg could be obtained by CM-FF on the col-umn refolding and the dilution refolding from 0.1 g of wet inclusion body,respectively.The former method had the short cycle and high efficiency.The cTnI purified by the column refolding on CM-FF was more stable at 4 ℃,20 ℃,-80 ℃ and on the freeze-dried condition.Conclusion The column refolding on CM-FF is more stable and highly efficient in purification of cTnI than the dilution refolding.

Objective To explore the changes of structure and function of mitochondria in liver tissue of mice with acute liver injury induced by volatile oils from ArtemisiaeArgyi Folium(VOAAF).Methods VOAAF was obtained by hydrodistillation extraction.specific pathogen free (SPF) Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice in half male and half female were randomized into five groups,including control group(n =10),model (carbon tetrachloride,CCl4) group (n =10),low dose (1.9 g · kg-1,n=10),middle dose (2.3 g · kg-1,n =10),and high dose(2.7 g· kg-1,n =12) VOAAF group(test group).The biological samples were obtained in 6 h after gavaging equal volume (20 mL · kg-1) drugs or solvent to mice at single dose.Aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum was detected.Morphological change of mitochondria in hver tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope.Change of mitochondrial membrane potential in liver tissue was examined by JC-1.Change of mitochondrial swelling sensibility in liver tissue was observed by spectrophotometer.Activity change of Na +-K +-ATPase,Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in liver tissue were detected by phosphorus determination method.Results The levels of AST in control group and low,middle,high dose test group were (154 ± 27),(224 ±56),(251 ±64),(316 ± 101) U · L-1 (P ＜0.05).The mitochondria got swollen and hydropic in some degree,mitochondrial membrane potemial were 31.35 ±9.14,22.06-6.18,21.34 ±5.99,16.48 ±4.88(P ＜0.05).The mitochondrial swelhng sensibility were (1.43 ±0.69) +10-2,(0.68 ±0.28) ×10-2,(0.40 × ±0.18) + 10-2,(0.26 ±0.10) × 10-2 (P ＜ 0.05).The activity change of Na+-K+-ATPase were 4.40 ± 0.90,2.60 ± 0.60,2.20±0.80,2.10 ±0.80(P ＜0.05).The Ca2 +-ATPase were 4.20 ±0.80,2.70 ±0.50,2.50 ±0.80,2.20 ± 0.60 (P ＜ 0.05).The Ca2 +-Mg2 +-ATPase were 3.90 ± 0.70,2.80 ± 0.60,2.60 ± 0.90,2.50 ± 0.70 (P ＜ 0.05).All changes were related to dose variation trend of volatile oils.Conclusion The disorder of the structure and function of mitochondria could be the mechanism of acute liver injury induced by VOAAF in mice.

This study was aimed to reveal how the swelling properties and release behavior of a model drug from pectin gel beads were influenced by its crosslinking with different metal ions. Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 was chosen as the model drug. Pectinate beads were prepared by the dropping method and crosslinked with Ca2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, Ba2+, respectively. The release behavior and swelling properties were investigated. The results showed that there were significant differences between the pectinate beads that were crosslinked with different ions. Pectinate gel beads, as a potential cell microencapsulation and drug vehicle, could be acquired for different release profile by crosslinking with different ions.
Calcium ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gels ; chemistry ; Metals ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Microspheres ; Pectins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo verify the hypothesis that selected nestin positive cells derived from human fetal pancreas (according as medical ethnics) have surface markers similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and that these cells have multilineage potential.

METHODThe cell surface markers were determined by flow cytometry, and then the potential that these cells might be differentiated into adipocytes and osteoplasts were explored.

RESULTThese cells have similar surface markers as MSCs of bone marrow origin. These cells was induced to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoplasts.

CONCLUSIONSelected nestin positive cells derived from human fetal pancreas have certain characteristics of MSCs.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Stem Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Nestin ; Pancreas ; cytology ; embryology

OBJECTIVETo describe survival conditions of patients with stroke and to analyze the factors associated with survival, a seven-year follow-up study was carried out.

METHODSFrom Nov. 1995 to Dec. 1996, 189 stroke patients were selected in the Department of Neurology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University. Cases were followed up since the onset of stroke. Data collected would include case history, illness and survival conditions. Kaplan-Meier methods were used for survival description. Cox regression was used for prognostic factors analyses.

RESULTSA total number of 82 patients had been dead during the period of study and among them,58 cases died from stroke. The survival rate was 79.86% in one year, 65.46% in three years and 57.46% in seven years. Factors with statistical significance that associated with survival would include: age (RR = 1.065, P < 0.001), physical exercises before stroke (RR = 0.308, P<0.001), hypertension history (RR = 1.785, P < 0.05) and stroke history (RR =2.493, P < 0.001) while factors associated with severity of the illness were: area of cerebral lesion, conditions when discharged from the hospital, rehabilitative treatment of post-discharge and recurrence. We also found that social-psychical factors as rehabilitative confidence, repression, negative event, support from relatives and friends were related to survival of stroke.

CONCLUSIONSHistories on hypertension, stroke and brain injury condition were related to the rate survival on stroke. Patients persisting physical exercises before stroke had better prognosis. The survival rate of patients with recurrence was lower than those without while social psychic factors might be related to survival.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of serum sex hormones and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the biochemical markers of bone turnover in aged men.

METHODSWe collected the laboratory data of 465 men aged 60- 93 (73. 1 +/- 8. 3) years old, who came for routine physical examinations in our hospital. We obtained the levels of serum follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), PTH, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH) D3), and bone turnover markers C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), osteocalcin (OC) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP). We also determined free testosterone (FT) , bioactive testosterone (BT) , testosterone secretion index (TSI) and FT index (FTI), and analyzed the correlation of each index with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

RESULTSThe concentrations of serum FSH, LH, and SHBG increased, while the levels of FT, BT, TSI, FTI, PTH, CTX, OC and PINP decreased with age, especially in those over 80 years old (P <0.05). PTH was positively correlated with CTX, OC and PINP (r =0. 227, 0. 269 and 0. 162, P <0. 01), even after the adjustment for age, while SHBG negatively correlated with OC (r = -0. 100, P <0.05). The bone turnover markers increased with the elevation of the PTH quartiles, with significant differences between the first and the fourth quartile (P <0. 01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age was correlated inversely with CTX, OC and PINP ( beta = -0. 126, -0. 141 and -0. 122, P <0.05) , PTH positively with the three markers (beta = 0. 196, 0.279 and 0.189; P <0. 001), and SHBG negatively with OC ( beta = -0. 100, P <0.05) .

CONCLUSIONAging is the fundamental cause of reduced bone turnover in aged men. The levels serum PTH and SHBG are significantly associated with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Bone Density ; Bone Remodeling ; physiology ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Hormone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood