Objective To explore the effects of dichloromethane(DCM)exposure on serum biochemical indexes among furniture manufacturing workers. Methods A total of 65 workers who engaged in adhesive operations in furniture manufactory and 56 workers who would be recruited into another factory as new employees were investigated. Twenty two pairs of workers were selected as occupationally exposure group and control group,respectively. The concentration of DCM in workplace of adhesive operations in furniture manufactory was determined. Serum levels of TP,ALB,GloB,A/ G, ALT,AST,GGT,AFU,GPDA,ADA,ALP,CHE,CHOL,TG,TBA,TBIL,DBIL and IBIL were tested by automatic biochemical analyzer in all groups. Results The mean levels of serum TP,ALB,GloB in exposure group( the concentrations of DCM in workplace were 1 300 - 7 760 mg/ m3 )were 73. 7 ± 3. 6,47. 5 ± 2. 3 and 26. 2 ± 2. 8 g/ L,which were significantly lower than that of control group(P < 0. 05). Compared to the control group,the mean levels of CHE, ADA,AST and ALT activity in exposure group(7 477. 8 ± 1 240. 8,7. 3 ± 1. 7,21. 6 ± 5. 6 and 13. 0 ± 5. 6 U/ L)were significantly lower(P < 0. 05). The mean levels of TBIL,DBIL and IBIL were 13. 9 ± 7. 6,6. 4 ± 4. 3 and 7. 5 ± 3. 4μmol/ L,respectively,which were significantly higher than that of control group(P < 0. 05). No significant difference in the mean levels of the other biochemical indexes in serum was observed between exposure and control group. However,no correlation was found between the levels of ALB and TBIL,ALB and DBIL,or ALB and IBIL. Conclusion Occupational exposure to DCM is associated with the decrease of TP,ALB,GloB and CHE levels in serum. Meanwhile,DCM occupational exposure is correlated with the increase of TBIL,DBIL and IBIL levels in serum. Our data suggest that occupational exposure to DCM may be related to inhibition of synthetic function in live,damage of blood cells and declined metabolism of bilirubin.

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of detecting bacterial 16S rRNA with 23S rRNA in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).

METHODSA prospective study was conducted among 67 patients with previous total hip arthroplasty (THA) undergoing a reoperation for infection (23 patients) or aseptic loosening (44 patients). Bacterial 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA in the interface membrane were detected by real-time PCR and their value in diagnosis of PJI was assessed.

RESULTSThe 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA showed no significant difference in their power in the diagnosis of PJI. The detection of 16S rRNA/23S rRNA showed a higher sensitivity and a greater negative predictive value in PJI diagnosis than the detection of 16S rRNA+23S rRNA (95.7% vs 52.2%, P<0.01; 97.6% vs 79.6%, P=0.01). The specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of the 4 diagnostic strategies were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnostic power of 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA was similar in detecting PJI. Compared with the diagnostic strategy with 16S rRNA+23S rRNA, 16S rRNA/23S rRNA is more sensitive in detecting PJI.

Arthritis, Infectious ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Prosthesis-Related Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; RNA, Bacterial ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S ; isolation & purification ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reoperation ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo seek a safe, efficient, and cost-effective technique for local thermo-ablation of hepatic cancer.

METHODSThe livers from 16 healthy rabbits were thermocoagulated by diode-laser with scanner fiber tip, 6 w for 10 mins. At the same time, the temperatures were measured at 0, 5 and 10 mm from laser tip. The pre-thermocoagulative liver function was compared with that of 7 days post-thermocoagulation. The pathologic changes were also observed 1 month after laser thermocoagulation.

RESULTSAll the rabbits survived and hepatic tissue temperatures at 0, 5, 10 mm from laser tip reached 96.39 degrees C +/- 3.97 degrees C, 60.79 degrees C +/- 6.21 degrees C, 46.10 degrees C +/- 4.58 degrees C respectively after 10 minutes of thermocoagulation. There were no significant differences in liver function parameters between rabbits of pre-laser thermocoagulation and of post-laser thermocoagulation. Thermocoagulated necrosis of liver tissue with surrounding fibrosis in a diameter of 26.0 mm was formed. Light microscopy revealed coagulative necrosis in the center of the coagulated area without surviving hepatic cells.

CONCLUSIONThe hepatic tissue can be coagulated safely and effectively by diode-laser with scanner fibertip, and such a technique may provide a new method for the treatment of hepatic carcinoma.

Animals ; Female ; Laser Coagulation ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) level and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a community population.

METHODSA total of 255 residents (aged 45-85 years) were randomly selected from 4 communities in Guangzhou to examine the fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure (BP), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum A-FABP and fasting insulin (FINs) levels. The cases were divided into 3 groups according to blood glucose level, namely the normal group (group A, n=90), impaired glucose tolerance group (group B, n=85), and diabetic group (group C, n=80), and the A-FABP levels were compared between them.

RESULTSCompared with group A, the subjects in groups B and C showed significantly increased FPG, 2hPGh, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and waist circumference (P=0.000) as well as FINs, WHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) , TG, and HDL-C (P=0.038, 0.047, 0.01, and 0.046, respectively). Compared with group B, group C showed significantly higher FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c, TG, and SBP (P=0.00), with also higher levels of FINs, BMI, WC, DBP, and HDL-C (P=0.012, 0.006, 0.03, 0.019, and 0.029, respectively). A-FABP increased significantly in the order of group A, B, and C (P=0.00), and this result was not affected by the differences in age between the 3 groups (P>0.05). A-FABP level was positively correlated to FPB, 2hPG, FINS, WHR, BMI, WC, SBP, and HOMA-IR, but inversely to TG and HDL-C (P=0.00).

CONCLUSIONElevated serum A-FABP is closely related to glucose metabolism disorder, and A-FABP may serve as a useful marker for the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes in the community population.

Adipocytes ; chemistry ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; etiology ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Serum ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEObserve the effects of Goutengsan on SOD, MAO-B, GSH-PX, NO, LDH, index of brain, rate of death and so on in rats to study therapeutic effects and mechanism of Goutengsan on Alzheimer dementia (AD) model.

METHODOne hundred and twenty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, 3 experimental groups of which were daily administrated with Goutengsan extract whereas the model and control groups were given NS (0.01 mL x g(-1)). Aniracetam at 0.1 g x kg(-1) served as a positive control. At the 5th day after administration, all groups except the control were administrated (ip) with AlCl3 (100 mg x kg(-1) ) for successive 50 days at 1 day interval. After administration, the death rate, body weight, training scores, brain index, MAO-B, SOD, GSH-Px in brain and NO, LDH in serum were determined.

RESULTThe brain index, SOD, GSH-Px activities as well as NO content of drug-treated groups were strikingly higher that of model group, and had not obvious difference from that of normal group except content of LDH was higher.

CONCLUSIONGoutengsan could increase the brain index, cut down the rate of death, stable increase of body weight, promote the endogenous antioxidant activity, enhance the clearance of lipid peroxide and other metabolic waste, inhibit the MAO-B activity, reduced the leakage of LDH and maintain the content of NO at a normal level. Therefore Goutengsan could protect cells, delay senile, improve symptoms of AD.

Aluminum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Chlorides ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pyrrolidinones ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the autoimmune injuries of diabetic macrovascular disease (aorta) and the protective effects of immunosuppressive agent (cyclosporine A, CsA) on aortic injuries in streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rats. Methods STZ-induced diabetic rats were assigned randomly to 6 groups which received low (BML or AML, 1 mg·kg-1·d-1) , middle ( BMM or AMM, 4 mg · kg-1 ·d-1) or high (BMH or AMH, 8 mg ·kg-1 · d-1) dose of CsA from 1 week before or after STZ for 8 weeks.Diabetic rats without any treatment, insulin-treated diabetic rats and normal rats were also monitored simultaneously and served as control groups. The pathologic abnormalities of the aorta were verified by HE, Masson staining and electromicroscopy. The depositions of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence methods. Results At the end of study, lymphocytes infiltration and collagen content (26 582 ±6901) were significantly higher in diabetic aorta than those in non-diabetic aorta ( Collagen: 7482 ± 3491, P < 0. 01). The deposited IgG and IgA were also significantly increased in diabetic aorta compared with non-diabetic aorta (IgG: H 789 ±2491 vs. 2S18 ± 1066, P<0. 01; IgA: 17 430 ±3159 vs. 1135 ±758, P<0.01). These changes were not affected by insulin while CsA intervention significantly reduced aortic collagen content (BMH: 13 518 ±5440, P <0. 01 vs. STZ) and immunoglobulin deposition (BMH: IgG:7584 ±4462; IgA: 6176 ±1900, all P<0.01 vs. STZ). These immunoglobulin deposition changes were confirmed by results of immunofluorescence. Aortic collagen accumulation was positively correlated to aortio immunoglobulin deposition (IgG, r = 0. 556, P < 0. 01; IgA, r =0. 661, P<0. 01). Conclusions Our data suggest that the autoimmune injuries might be a promoting factor in the pathogenesis of the diabetic macrovascular disease which could lead to the development of macrovascular disease. Immunosuppressive agent, such as CsA, could inhibit the abnormal deposition of immunoglobulins and therefore, delay the development of diabetic macrovascular disease in this model.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of three localization methods, including methylene blue, metal clips and intraoperative colonoscopy in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed to review the clinical data of 64 patients who underwent the laparoscopic colorectal operations in Cancer Hospital of Fudan University from December 2009 to June 2012. Three methods of tumor localization were used perioperatively, including 23 cases of methylene blue, 20 of metal clips and 21 of colonoscopy.

RESULTSOperations were successfully performed in this cohort and there were no deaths or complications. In methylene blue group, intraoperative colonoscopy was performed in two cases because of the inability to visualize blue dye on the serosal surface of the intestinal wall, another 2 cases were converted to open operation because of methylene blue diffusion and inability to identify resection margin. Intraoperative colonoscopic localization was required for 3 cases of sigmoid colon or upper rectal tumor because of inaccurate tumor localization by metal clips. Poor operative exposure due to obvious bowel distension prompted the conversion to open surgery in 2 cases of colonoscopy localization group, and the accurate position of the lesion was not found in another 2 cases due to long pedunculated adenoma.

CONCLUSIONSColorectal tumor can be localized effectively by endoscopic methylene blue tattooing at a maximum of 2 tumors before operation and the method of 4-point positioning can significantly improve the accuracy of colorectal tumor localization. Tumor localization preoperatively on the day of surgery by metal clip is accurate for the right or left colon cancer. Intraoperative colonoscopy can localize tumor accurately and rapidly for rectosigmoid or descending tumor, and the incidence of bowel distension can be significantly reduced. Localization method should be considered according to the tumor location and surgical procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and (or) massotherapy plus behavior therapy for cervical spondylosis.Methods Three hundred patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly allocated to three groups (A, B and C) by random number generated from calculator, 100 cases each. In addition to cupping and behavior therapy, group A received electroacupuncture; group B, massotherapy; group C, electroacupuncture and massotherapy. The clinical symptom and sign score was recorded in the three groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared.Results There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical control rate, marked control rate and total efficacy rate among the three groups after four and eight weeks of treatment and at the 4-month and 6-month follow-ups after treatment (P>0.05). In the three groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the clinical symptom and sign score between before treatment and after four and eight weeks of treatment or at the 4-month and 6-month follow-ups after treatment (P<0.01) and between after four weeks of treatment and after eight weeks of treatment or at the 4-month and 6-month follow-ups after treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant differences in the clinical symptom and sign score among the three groups after four and eight weeks of treatment and at the 4-month and 6-month follow-ups after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Electroacupuncture and (or) massotherapy plus behavior therapy is an effective protocol for preventing and treating cervical spondylosis. It is characterized by simplicity, convenience, easiness and cheapness and can be provide for clinical application.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of nipple-areola complex (NAG) involvement in stage I - II a breast cancer patients who underwent skin-sparing mastectomy and to determine the associated risk factors, to provide a theoretical basis for modified radical mastectomy preserving NAC and breast reconstruction in early stage breast cancer patients.

METHODSA total of 68 women with primary breast cancer were included in this study. The following associated risk factors of NAC involvement were assessed and compared with those of non-involvement: the distance from the tumor site to the edge of areola (D), axillary lymph node status, over-expression of HER-2/neu, location of tumor, TNM stage, abnormal nipple (nipple indentation, erosion, discharge), tumor size, age, histological type, as well as status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), by Chi-square test.

RESULTSThe positive rate of NAG involvement was 13.2%. It decreased with an increase in the distance from the tumor site to the edge of the areola (D) (chi2 = 10.68, P <0.01)), and higher incidence of NAG involvement was found in patients with axillary lymph node metastasis (chi2 = 14. 61, P < 0.01) and over-expression of HER-2/neu (chi2 =6.83, P <0.01). Location of tumor (P <0.01), TNM stage (chi2 =3.85, P <0.05), abnormal nipple (chi2 = 11.65, P<0.01), and tumor size (chi2 =4.13, P <0.05) also had influence on the NAG involvement. No significant correlation between NAC involvement and age (P > 0.05)), histological type (chi2 = 0.07, P > 0.05)), as well as status of estrogen receptor (ER) (chi2 = 0.06, P > 0.05) and progesterone receptor (PR) (chi2 = 0.04, P > 0.05) was found. Most of the NAG involvement was caused by ductal infiltration.

CONCLUSIONIn the stage I - II a breast cancer patients, location of tumor, TNM stage, the distance from the tumor site to the edge of areola (D), abnormal nipple, over-expression of HER-2 and metastases in axillary lymph nodes are the primary influential factors of NAG involvement.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nipples ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden

Kv4.3 channel is present in many mammalian tissues, predominantly in the heart and central nervous system. Its currents are transient, characterized by rapid activation and inactivation. In the hearts of most mammals, it is responsible for repolarization of the action potential of ventricular myocytes and is important in the regulation of the heart rate. Because of its central role in this important physiological process, Kv4.3 channel is a promising target for anti-arrhythmic drug development. Jingzhaotoxin-V (JZTX-V) is a novel peptide neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the spider Chilobrachys jingzhao. Whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that it partly blocked the transient outward potassium channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult rats with an IC(50) value of 52.3 nmol/L. To investigate the effect of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 channel, JZTX-V was synthesized using the solid-phase chemical synthesis and separated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The purity was tested by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MOLDI-TOF mass spectrometry). Two-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to characterize the action of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. As a result, JZTX-V displayed fast kinetics of inhibition and recovery from inactivation. Furthermore, it could inhibit Kv4.3 channel current in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 425.1 nmol/L. The application of JZTX-V affected the activation and inactivation characteristics of Kv4.3 channel and caused a shift of the current-voltage relationship curve and the steady-state inactivation curve to depolarizing direction by approximately 29 mV and 10 mV, respectively. So we deduced that JZTX-V is a gating modifier toxin of Kv4.3 channel. Present findings should be helpful to develop JZTX-V into a molecular probe and drug candidate targeting to Kv4.3 channel in the myocardium.
Animals ; Ganglia, Spinal ; cytology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neurotoxins ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Shal Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Spider Venoms ; pharmacology ; Xenopus laevis