Urocortin,a novel peptide of the cortiotropin releasiong hormone(CRH)family,was discovered in 1995 in the rat brain and subsequently cloned and localized to human chromosome 2.It can bind to both CRH type 1 receptor and CRH type 2 receptor,as well as CRH binding protein.Especially to CRH type 2 receptor,urocortin binds to it with 40 times more potency than CRH does.Therefore,urocortin is thought to be an endogenous ligand for CRH type 2 receptor.Immunoreactive urocortin and urocortin mRNA were localized in many areas such as mammalian brain,cardiovascular system,placenta.It is believed that urocortinmay play important physiological roles as a neuropeptide not only in the central nervous system but also in peripheral tissues.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab combined with standard chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. This report presents the result of a preplanned subanalysis of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital's patients enrolled in SAiL study. Methods: Between July 2007 and March 2008, 44 patients with untreated locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer were recruited into this phase 4 study. Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically documented inoperable, locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease (stages ?B-?); an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0-1; and adequate haematological, hepatic, and renal functions. Patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) plus standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel-carboplatin) every 3 weeks for up to six cycles, followed by single-agent bevacizumab until disease progression. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary end points included time to disease progression and overall survival. Results: The rates of clinically significant adverse events (= grade 3) of special interest were relatively low in this population (13.6%); proteinuria (7%), hypertension (2%) and bleeding (2%) were the most common adverse events. One patient died because of hemoptysis. The partial remission and stable disease rates were 52.3% (23/44) and 45.5% (20/44), respectively. One patient had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 97.7%. The median time to progression was 8.13 months, and the median overall survival was 17.73 months. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab-based treatment in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital's patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer is satisfying with benefits in time to progression and overall survival. There were no new safety signals to be reported. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.

BackgroundHypoxia and hyperglycemia are the common causes of retinal neovascularization.In these states,H+ accumulates because of the elevated glycolysis and failure of retinal circulation,thus the retinas readily acidified. ObjectiveThe present study was to explore whether retinal acidosis independently regulates the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and whether the regulation is related to oxidative stress.Methods The retinas from 2-week-old male SD rats were cultured with explant method in DMEM modulated by NaHCO3,and culture retinas were randomly divided into pH 7.2,6.8 and 6.5 groups for 24 hours.In addition,after 24 hours of culture as above described,retinas were washed using PBS two times and then followed by again culture in DMEM with pH 7.2 for another 24 hours.Also,antioxidant was added in different pH values of DMEM for culture as above described.The retinal samples were prepared for histopathological examination.The expressions of VEGF and PEDF proteins and their mRNA in retina tissue were detected by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) respectively.Results The retina showed the clear structure and morphology in pH 7.2 group and pH 6.8 group,but retinal vacuoles change was seen in pH 6.5 group after culture for 24 hours.No significant difference was seen in the expressing level of VEGF mRNA in retina between normal group and pH 7.2 group( 112％ ±11％ vs 100％ ±7％ ) (P=0.55),but those in pH 6.8 group and pH 6.5 group were significant increased in comparison with pH 7.2 group( 196％ ±43％ vs 100％ ±7％ ;251％ ±29％vs 100％ ±7％ )( P＜0.05 ).The expressing level of PEDF mRNA in retina in normal group was similar to that of pH7.2 group(86％ ±19％ vs 100％ ±33％) (P=0.64),but that in pH 6.5 group was significantly higher than pH 7.2 group( 230％ ±66％ vs 100％ ±33％ ) ( P＜0.05 ).The resemble results were found in the expressions of VEGF and PEDF protein.After pH reversion,the expressing levels of VEGF mRNA were 100％ ±13％,111％ ±9％,113％ ±9％ in pH 7.2 group,pH 6.8 group and pH 6.5 group respectively without significant difference among them (F=2.51,P=0.16).The expressing levels of PEDF mRNA were 100％ ±13％,110％ ±9％,108％ ±11％in different groups ( F =0.98,P =0.43 ).Under the presence of antioxidant,the expressing level of VEGF mRNA in pH 6.5 group increased in comparison with pH 7.2 group and pH 6.8 group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The expressing levels of PEDF mRNA were significant different among pH 7.2 group( 100±31 )％,pH 6.8 group( 282±45 )％ and pH 6.5 group(480±117)％ (F=20.73,P=0.00). Conclusions VEGF can be induced by retinal acidification alone,which may be regulated by oxidative stress.Under the retinal acidification,antioxidants promote the expression of PEDF,suggesting that oxidative stress inhibits the production of PEDF.

China ; epidemiology ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; ultrastructure ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology

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Objective To clone, express and purify human PIF1 protein and analyze its ATPase activity. Methods The PIF1 cDNA was amplified by PCR from HeLa cell cDNA library and inserted to pET24b with histidine tag at its terminus to form pET24b-PIF1 plasmid. The recombinant pET24b-PIF1 plasmid was transformed to RosettaTM 2 (DE3) and the expression of PIF1 protein was monitored by SDS-PAGE analysis. By using fast protein liquid chromatograph (FPLC) system, the PIF1 protein was purified by affinity chromatograph and gel filtration. The ATPase activity of PIF1 was checked by thin layer chromatograph(TLC). Results The PIF1 protein was successfully cloned and expressed in E.coli. Conclusions The purification procedure of PIF1 protein was established using FPLC. The overexpressed and the purified PIF1 helicase has DNA and Mg2+ dependent ATPase activity.

Objective To explore a three-dimensional examination method for retinal vessels. Design Experimental study. Participants Retinal vascular digest preparations of rat. Methods After deep anaesthesia, rats were sacrificed and perfused till eyeballs pale. Then 4% paraformaldehyde was perfused for vascular internal fixation. Eyeballs were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24hr, and the retinal vessels were isolated with collagenase digest technique. After immunofluorescence staining, the retinal vessels were observed with laser scanning confocal microscope. Main Outcome Measures The digest state of retinal vascular digest preparations and three-dimensional observation of the preparations. Results Ideal complete retinal vascular digest preparations were obtained after collagenase digestion. Three-dimensional characteristics of retinal vessels can be observed with laser scanning confocal microscope. Conclusions Modified retinal vascular digest preparations combined with laser scanning confocal microscope provided us a method for retinal vascular three-dimensional structure observation.(phthalmol CHN,2006,15:138-141)

Objective: To explore the effect of cognitive therapy on obsessional compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: Forty-seven patients with OCDO were randomly assigned to cognitive therapy group and conventional treatment group, the later with paroxetine treatment only as control. The results were assessed with Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Yale-Brown Obsessional Compulsive Scale and social disability screening scale. Result: The cognitive therapy group had lower scores in HAMA and Y-BOCS than the control group after 8 weeks therapy, this difference remained in the follow-up after 6 months, when the cognitive group had also lower score in social disability. Conclusion: Cognitive therapy can benefit patients with OCD more than medication only.

Objective To evaluate the value of combined use of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of infertility. Methods Clinical data of 168 cases of infertility receiving examinations with laparoscopy and hysteroscopy from June 1999 to October 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.Results Hysteroscopic examinations found intrauterine diseases in 79 cases(79/168,47.0%),including 46 cases of endometrial hyperplasia or polyps(46/79,58.2%).Laparoscopic examinations showed organic pelvic diseases in 99 cases,including 85 cases of chronic pelvic inflammation,endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome(85/99,85.9%).Both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy gave normal findings in 15 cases and abnormal findings in 39 cases.Unilateral or bilateral tubal obstruction was found in 90 cases by tubal patency tests under hysteroscope(90/168,53.6%) and in 78 cases by laparoscopy(78/168,46.4%). Conclusions Combined use of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy offers accurate diagnostic evidences in examinations of infertility.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of flexirigid thoracoscopy in patients with malignant pleural effusion. Methods: From October 2007 to June 2010, 32 patients with malignant pleural effusion were retrospectively reviewed. In these patients, the routine, biochemistry, microbiology and cytology laboratory tests all failed to make the diagnosis. Then these patients received flexirigid thoracoscopy and the diagnosis of cause was identified. Results: In thirty-two patients with malignant pleural effusion, twenty-eight were diagnosed as having lung cancer (twenty-two had adenocarcinoma and six had poorly differentiated carcinoma), two were diagnosed as having lymphoma, and two were diagnosed as having malignant pleuralmesothelioma. No other serious adverse events occurred except for one case with postoperative fever. Conclusion: Flexirigid thoracoscopy is a simple, safe and effective clinical technique in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. When the routine examinations can not identify the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion, the thoracoscopy should be applied.