Objective To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2 +] i) and the contraction of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs),and prove that hypercontractility of GMCs induced by TNF-α in hepatorenal syndrome(HRS) was connected with inositol 1,4,5-trisphophate receptors (IP3Rs).Methods GMCs were divided into TNF-α-treated 0 h,4h,and 24 h groups.Another 3 groups were blocked by 2-APB.The effect of TNF-α on [Ca2 +] i was identified and observed whether it could be blocked by 2-APB.Contraction of GMCs was determined by accessing the surface area of cells before and after contraction.Results TNF-α significantly increased ET-induced calcium release,in that we found higher [Ca2 +] i after stimulated by ET in TNF-α-treated 4 h group and 24 h group[4 h:(648.08 ±267.11) nmol/L; 24 h:(879.30 ±-260.29) nmol/L; 0 h:(619.93 ±258.94)nmol/L,F =5.486,4 h vs 0 h:P ＜ 0.05 ; 24 h vs 0 h:P ＜ 0.05 ;24 h vs 4 h:P ＞ 0.05].This phenomenon can be totally blocked by 2-APB in all groups.The change in planar surface area in response to ET was slightly in control cells but significantly enhanced in TNF-α-treated cells [4 h:(2198 ± 340)μm2; 24h:(2260±553)μm2; 0 h:(2436±474)μm2,F =4.001,4 h vs0 h:P ＜0.05; 24 h vs0 h:P ＜0.05;24 h vs 4 h:P ＞ 0.05].Conclusion TNF-α can enhance ET-induced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + release and increase the contractile responses of GMCs to ET,which is associated with IP3Rs.TNF-α is responsible for hyperconstractility of glomeruli in HRS.

Objective To observe the effects of berberine on neuralogical function,serum oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL),and matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9) in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Ninety-two patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into treatment group and control group (n=46).Control group received routine treatment,while treatment group was given 0.3 g of berberine three times a day besides routine treatment for 14 days.In both groups,decubitus venous blood was harvested before,7 and 14 days after treatment.Serum ox-LDL and MMP-9 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Before and 7 and 14 days after treatment,the neural function defect was graded by the US National Institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results The neurological function was improved significantly in 7 and 14 days after the treatment for both two groups according to NIHSS and mRS,and the difference between treatment group and control group was statistically significant (P<0.05).After treatment,ox-LDL and MMP-9 declined significantly in both groups,and were lower in treatment group than in control group (all P<0.05).Conclusion Berberine significantly reduces ox-LDL and MMP-9 levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction and improves the degree of neurological function deficit.

Objective To investigate relationship of platelet (PLT) count with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with breast cancer,and explore the susceptibility index to evaluate prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 498 patients with breast cancer in January 1995 to December 2005 was carried out.PLT count was tested.Those patients were divided into group A (PLT ＜ 150 × 109/L),group B[(150-250) × 109/L],and group C (PLT ＞ 250 × 109/L) according to PLT count level.The relationship of platelet count with clinicopathological features was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model were used for univariate analysis and multivariate analysis of PLT impact on survival time.Results There was positively correlated between PLT count and clinicopathological features (Pearson coefficient ＞ 0,P ＜ 0.05).There was negative correlated between PLT count and survival time (Pearson coefficient =-O.583,P ＜ 0.05).The survival time of groups A,B and C were significantly different (P =0.018).Cox proportional hazards model multi-factor analysis showed that PLT count was an independent factors affecting survival time (OR =2.256,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with breast cancer associated with increased emphasis and PLT count.PLT count had negative correlation with survival time.PLT count could be a susceptible index to predict the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.

The paper described the necessity of social capital utilization for public hospitals, and analyzed the model and characteristics of public hospital financing. It is pointed out that the key to the public-benefit nature in the financing calls for distinguishing responsibilities of the government and the market, defining the reasonable level and manner for investors' return, and building corresponding incentive mechanism and supervision mechanism.

Content of osteocyte in bone tissue is the most abundant, the most widely distributed, and embedding the cells in the mineralized bone matrix, the life can be close to the life of the body. Osteocyte formed by the cytoplasm dendritic communication network system between osteocyte and bone surface, is of great significance to maintaining the normal physiological function of bone tissue. Bone cells as the direct receptor of bone mechanical stress, through the release of bioactive factors such as PEG2, NO, ATP and classic Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway mechanical stress signal can be converted to bone formation and bone resorption of biochemical signals, and the biochemical signals were transfer to the other type cells of the tissue to regulate its function activities and cause bone reconstruction function. The microcracks surrounding osteocyte can disrupt the microtubule network system,cause surrounding osteocyte autophagy. In addition, osteocyte is very important for regulation of the body mineral balance, fat metabolism, and hematopoietic function.
Animals ; Autophagy ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Minerals ; metabolism ; Osteocytes ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate clonal evolution of abnormal Philadelphia chromosome-negative cells (Ph- CE) after imatinib mesylate therapy in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML).

METHODSBone marrow cells G-banding karyotype was evaluated every 3 months in 100 patients with Ph+ CML after achieving hematologic responses on the course of imatinib therapy. There were 54 patients in chronic phase (CP), 37 in accelerated phase (AP) and 9 in blast phase (BP).

RESULTSAfter a median follow-up of 32 months (ranged 25-34 months), 11 patients, including 5 cases in CP, 5 in AP and 1 in BP, developed transient, interrupted or continuous Ph- CE after 3 - 29 months on imatinib therapy. Ph- CE emerged at the beginning of Ph+ cells decreasing or after Ph+ cells disappearing. The proportion of Ph- CE, was negatively correlated with the proportion of Ph+ cells (P < 0.05). Ph- CE commonly included +8 (45.5%) and +Y (27.3%). Five patients had additional cytogenetic abnormalities besides Ph+ in Ph- CE. Seven of the patients with Ph- CE achieved a major cytogenetic response while 9 of them achieved a complete hematologic response. One patient with Ph- CE in AP progressed to BP 20 months after the initiation of the therapy while the rests remained in hematologic or cytogenetic responses.

CONCLUSIONPh- CE occurred in about 11% of the patients with Ph+ CML who achieved major or minor cytogenetic responses on imatinib therapy. After a median follow-up of more than 2 years, most of the patients with Ph- CE were in a stable status with no disease progression.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; Clone Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic, Atypical, BCR-ABL Negative ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chronic hepatic damage in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients long-term treated with tetra-arsonic tetra-sulfide (As(4)S(4)).

METHODSThe periodical liver biochemical examinations and ultrasonography results and hepatic fibrosis indicators (P III NP and type IV collagen) of patients were analysed.

RESULTS106 APL patients treated with As(4)S(4), the median follow-up time was 36 months (6 - 72). The HCV(-) group includes 84 APL patients. During the first course the abnormal rate of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 16.7% and 14.5% (higher than the two times of the normal value), the ALT, AST, gamma-glyoxylate aminotransferase (GGT) levels during the first course were statistically higher than As4S4 treatment before (P < 0.05). There were no statistically differences between the ALT, AST, GGT levels after and before treating with As(4)S(4) in half a year, one year, two year, more than three years (P > 0.05). Other biochemical indicators such as ALP, LDH, TBIL, DBIL, TP, ALB, A/G, BUN, CRE, there were no significantly differences before and after As(4)S(4) treatment (P > 0.05). The HCV(+) group includes 22 APL patients, during the first course, the abnormal rate of the ALT, AST were 63.6% and 59.1%, but at the 2 year, more than 3 years there were no significantly differences compared with As(4)S(4) treatment before (P > 0.05). 42 APL patients were treated with As(4)S(4) more than 3 years, in 33 HCV(-) APL patients, two APL patients had splenomegaly, one APL patient's breadth of the portal vein was wider than 1.4 cm, 21 APL patients had fatty liver (63.6%). The hepatic fibrosis indicators of the 16 APL patients were all normal. In 9 HCV(+) APL patients, 4 APL patients had splenomegaly, 2 APL patients, breadth of portal vein were wider than 1.4 cm, 6 APL patients had fatty liver (66.7%). 6 patients were examined with the hepatic fibrosis indicators, 2 patients, were higher than the normal value.

CONCLUSIONLong term As(4)S(4) treatment for APL patients had no obvious effects on hepatic function, no obvious hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension signs at more than 3 years, excepting for the rate of fatty liver was high.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arsenicals ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sulfides ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Young Adult

In order to study the role of PML-RARalpha fusion gene and its expression product during apoptotic process in NB4 cells induced by arsenic trisulfide (As(2)S(3)), the apoptotic effects of NB4 cells were observed by cell morphology, flow cytometry and DNA electrophoresis. The change of PML-RARalpha fusion gene and its expression product were also assayed by chromosomal G banding, RT-PCR and Western blot. The results showed that arsenic trisulfide induced apoptosis of NB4 cells, during this process, PML-RARalpha fusion gene had no significant changes, but the expression of PML-RARalpha fusion protein and wild-type RARalpha were all reduced. It is concluded that arsenic trisulfide can induce apoptosis of NB4 cells, the degradation of PML-RARalpha fusion protein and wild-type RARalpha may play an important role during apoptotic process.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sulfides ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Adolescent ; Aortic Valve ; abnormalities ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Endocarditis ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Male ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; complications ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To analyze the features of bone minimal density and bone quantitative ultrasound in men with different osteoporotic risk graded by osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asian (OSTA).Methods After exclude the secondary osteoporosis,724 subjects over 50 years old were involved.The parameters of hight,weight,quantitative ultrasound index (QUI),QUS-T score were examined.The bone density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)in 120 elderly men.All subjects were grouped into low (osteoporotic) risk group,moderate risk group and high risk group by OSTA index.120 subjects measured BMD were grouped into normal bone mass group,osteopenia group and osteoporosis group by WHO standard.The differences and correlation analysis in BMD,QUST,and QUI between these groups were analysed.Results The percents of low risk people,moderate risk people and high risk people were 56.4％ (408 cases),28.2％ (204cases),15.5％ (112 cases),respectively.There were 30.0％ (36 cases) normal bone mass people,58.3％ (70 cases) osteopenia people and 11.7％ (14 cases) osteoporosis people in groups measured BMD.QUS-T score,QUI were gradually decreased in groups of low risk,moderate risk and high risk (-0.56±1.09,-0.88±-1.28,-1.21±1.40; 98.47±19.04,92.62±22.49,87.68±24.43; all P ＜0.05) and had statistical significant differences between low risk and moderate risk,high risk groups,while had no differences between moderate risk and high risk groups.The femoral neck BMD and total BMD were gradually decreased in all the three groups (0.89±0.12,0.85±0.10,0.77± 0.10; 1.0±0.15,0.93 ± 0.11,0.83±0.1; all P＜0.01).Osteoporosis in the three groups were 3.4％ (2 cases),13.0％ (6 cases),37.5％ (6 cases),respectively and osteoporosis percents in moderate risk group and high risk group were higher compared with low risk group (x2=11.77,P＜0.01).QUS-T score and QUI decreased gradually in groups of normal mass,osteopenia and osteoporosis (0.99±0.08,-0.70±1.07,-1.96±0.73; 109.26±17.05,96.15±18.20,72.54±10.00; F=10.47,11.73,all P＜ 0.01).Except for lumbar BMD,a positive linear correlation emerged between OSTA and QUS-T score,QUI,hip BMD(all P＜0.01).The values of R with femoral neck BMD,torch BMD and total hip BMD were 0.45,0.38,0.39,respectively.And the same value with QUS-T score and QUI was 0.23.Conclusions With the decreasing of OSTA index,risk of osteoporosis is increased and QUS-T score,QUI and BMD are decreased gradually.There are positive linear correlation between OSTA index and QUS-T score,QUI,hip BMD.