OBJECTIVETo study the effect of aqueous extract of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (AETC) combined Erlotnib on the growth of A549 xenograft in nude mice and its mechanism.

METHODSThe xenograft model in nude mice was established by inoculating A549 cells subcutaneously. BALB/c nude mice bearing A549 xenograft were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the low dose Erlotinib group (A) , the standard dose Erlotnib group (B) , the low dose Erlotinib combined AETC group (C), the standard dose Erlotnib combined AETC group (D), the AETC group (E), the control group (F), 12 in each group. Different medication was performed for 7 successive weeks after 24 h. One mL blood was withdrawn and tumor tissues taken. The tumor inhibition rate was calculated. The combined effect was analyzed by Jin's Formula [Q = Ea + b/(Ea + Eb-Ea x Eb) ]. mRNA and protein expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in xenografts were detected using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with Group F, the xenograft weight was obviously lowered in Group B-E (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The q value was 0.92 in Group C and 0.96 in Group D, which was obtained by simple adding of the two drugs. Compared with Group F, EG- FR mRNA expression in Group D and E, COX-2 mRNA expression in Group A-E; Bcl-2 mRNA expression in Group B-D; COX-2 protein expression in Group B-E; Bcl-2 protein expression in Group C and D were obviously lowered with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAETC combined low dose and standard dose Erlotinib had synergistic effect on tumor inhibition. Its mechanism might be associated with down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; pharmacology ; Heterografts ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Taxus ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arsenic Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

BACKGROUND:Currently, conventional treatment methods for heart failure are al ineffective. OBJECTIVE:To explore the combined effects of human umbilical cord stem cel s and CD133+cel s in mice with heart failure, providing a new insight into the treatment of heart failure. METHODS:Ful-term newborn umbilical cord from vaginal delivery was col ected to isolate CD133+cel s and human umbilical cord stem cel s using lymphocyte separation medium method. Twenty Balb/C nude mice were randomly subjected to mononuclear cel injection (mononuclear cel group) or injection of CD133+cel s combined with human umbilical cord stem cel s (combined group) via the tail vein after establishing heart failure models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fourteen days after injection, the body weight and liver, heart and lung mass of mice were significantly larger in the combined group than the mononuclear cel group (P<0.05). After 30 days, myocardial cel s arranged regularly in the combined group, but disorderly in the mononuclear cel group;compared with the mononuclear cel group, the average area of myocardial col agen fibers was significantly decreased in the combined group (P<0.05), and the level of serum matrix metal oproteinase-9 was also significantly lower in the combined group (P<0.05). Masson staining showed that blue-stained col agen fibers in the combined group were less but arranged neatly;however, in the mononuclear cel group, the number of col agen fibers that arranged irregularly was increased to different extents. To conclude, the combined use of CD133+cel s and human umbilical cord stem cel s has desired outcomes in the treatment of heart failure in mice, indicating a higher clinical value.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of the acupoint catgut implantation on postpartum pain of uterine contraction with qi and blood deficiency.

METHODSOne hundred and ten primiparas of natural delivery differentiated as qi and blood deficiency pattern in TCM were selected as the subjects. They were randomized into an acupoint catgut implantation group (55 cases) and a routine nursing group (55 cases). In the acupoint catgut implantation group, the catgut was implanted in Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20) and Geshu (BL 17) in 6 h after delivery; additionally, the routine post-delivery nursing was adopted. In the routine nursing group, the routine post-delivery nursing was applied simply. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain relief time of uterine contraction were compared in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS Scores in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation in the acupoint catgut implantation group were lower apparently than those in the routine nursing group (3.31 +/- 0.39 vs 4.31 +/- 0.29, 1.86 +/- 0.29 vs 2.66 +/- 0.25, 0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 1.59 +/- 0.24, 0.35 +/- 0.10 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, all P < 0.05). The pain relief was achieved in (72.06 +/- 6.83) h in the acupoint catgut implantation group and was (123.42 +/- 11.12) h in the routine nursing group. The pain relief in the acupoint catgut implantation group was achieved more quickly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe intervention of acupoint catgut implantation in 6 h after natural delivery in primiparas prevents effectively postpartum pain of uterine contraction.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Postpartum Period ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Qi ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of procalcitonin(PCT) in early diagnosis of neonatal infections.Methods Rapid hemi-quantitative immunoassay was used to measure PCT levels in 196 hospitalized neonates, who were divided into sepsis group,(local-)infection group, virus-infection group and non-infection group.Results If plasma PCT≥0.5 ?g/L was taken as positive,the positive rates in sepsis group,local-infection,virus-infection,non-infection group were 87.87%,41.66 %,12.0%,11.11%,respectively.The positive rate of sepsis group was significantly higher than that of the other 3 groups(all P

Objective:To evaluate the changes of left ventricular (LV) myocardial systolic strain and twist motion including global longitudinal strain(GLS), global circumferential strain(GCS), global radial strain(GRS), global area strain(GAS), LV basal segment rotation angle (Rotation-basal), LV apical segment rotation angle (Rotation-apical), LV twist angle (Twist), LV torsion(Torsion) by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI) in adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and further to analyze the correlations between LV twist and its morphology and global systolic function.Methods:A total of 45 patients with HCM from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2017 to June 2019 were enrolled. In addition, 50 healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. Left atrial dimension(LAD), interventricular septal end-diastole dimension(IVSD), LV posterior wall end-diastole dimension (LVPWD), LV mass index(LVMI) and other parameters were respectively measured by conventional two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. LV end-diastole volume(EDV), LV end-systole volume(ESV), calculated stroke volume(SV) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were respectively measured by 3D transthoracic echocardiography. Full-volume 3D dynamic images were performed using matrix transducer X5-1. LV Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion, GLS, GCS, GRS and GAS were respectively analyzed by off-line TomTec software. The differences of those parameters between the two groups were compared. The correlations between 3D-Torsion parameters and those parameters by two-dimensional echocardiography was further analyzed.Results:Compared with control group, LAD, IVSD, LVPWD and LVMI of HCM group were increased(all P<0.01), EDV, ESV, SV, LVEF and E/A were decreased(all P<0.01). Compared with control group, GLS, GCS and GRS of HCM group were decreased(all P<0.01). Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion were increased(all P<0.01), and there was no significant difference of GAS between the two groups( P>0.05). In HCM group, IVSD was not correlated with Rotation-basal ( P>0.05), but negatively correlated with Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion ( r=-0.327, -0.439, -0.374; all P<0.05); LVEF and LVMI were not correlated with Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion (all P>0.05). Conclusions:①3D-STI can detect the earlier subtle changes of left ventricular three-dimensional systolic strain in HCM patients; ②LV three-dimensional Twist inereases considerably in HCM patients; ③LV Twist, Torsion and Rotation-apical are significantly decreased with the increase of IVSD in HCM patients; However, LVEF and LVMI are not significantly correlated with Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion.

Background Hypoxia is a crucial factor of neovascularization.Many researches found that stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) play an important role in the neovascular disease.However,effect of SDF-1 and ILK in eye neovascular disease is below understood.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expressions of SDF-1 and ILK in cultured retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells in vitro.Methods RPE tissue was isolated from 4-week-old C57BL/6 mouse and was digested and cultured in DMEM/F12 with 10％ fetal bovine serum (FBS).The cells with 80％ confluence were collected and passaged.The third generation of cells were identified with cytokeratin 18 (CK18) antibody by immunochemistry.The cells were inoculated at the density of 5×104 cells/ml to free-serum DMEM/F12 for 24 hours and then were cultured in regular medium in the normoxic control group.RPE cells were cultured for 1 hour and 3,6,12,24,48,72 hours with 200 μmol/L CoCl2 in the hypoxia group.Reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the expressing change of SDF-1 mRNA and ILK mRNA in RPE cells,and Western blot was used to assay the expressing change of SDF-1 protein and ILK protein in RPE cells in different time points.The detected outcomes were represented as the ratio of target gene A value/β-actin A value.Results Cultured cells showed the polygon in shape with the black pigment granules in cytoplasm.Over 90％ cells were positive response for CK18.Expressions of the SDF-1 mRNA and ILK mRNA were increased in different time points after CoCl2 co-cultured(SDF-1 mRNA:F=281.875,P=0.000 ;ILK mRNA: F=187.566,P=0.000),with the highest expressing value in hypoxia at 12 hours.No significant change in the expression of SDF-1 mRNA and protein was found 1 hour after CoCl2 co-cultured,but expressions of SDF-1 mRNA and ILK mRNA were significantly higher in 3,6,12,24,48 and 72 hours than the normoxic control group(P＜0.01).The expressions of SDF-1 protein and ILK protein were gradually ascended with the time increase of CoCl2 co-culture,showing a significant difference among different time points(SDF-1: F=44.719,P =0.000 ; ILK: F =144.481,P =0.000),and the up-regulation of SDF-1 protein and ILK protein expression was seen mainly in 3,6,12,24,48 and 72 hours after CoCl2 co-cultured in comparison with the normoxic control group (P＜0.01).Conclusions SDF-1 and ILK are involved in the hypoxic response of RPE cells and may play a potential role in ischemic/hypoxic retinopathy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colistimethate sodium (CMS) for the treatment of critical patients infected by pan-drug resistantAcinetobacter baumannii (PDR-AB) or pan-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PDR-PA).Methods 321 isolates of PDR-AB and 204 isolates of PDR-PA from critical patients admitted to 35 intensive care units (ICUs) of grade two or above were collected from the Anhui Antimicrobial Resistance Investigation Net (AHARIN) program from September 2012 to September 2015, while the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of colistin were determined by the E-test. A series of Monte Carlo simulations was performed for CMS regimens (1 MU q8h, 2 MU q8h, and 3 MU q8h, and MU meant a million of unit), and the probability of achieving a 24-hour area under the drug concentration time curve (AUC24)/MIC ratio > 60 and risk of nephrotoxicity for each dosing regimen was calculated. Each simulation was run over three CLCr ranges: < 60, ≥ 60-90, ≥ 90-120 mL/min. The probability of target attainment (PTA)for the AUC24/MIC ratio was calculated using the partial MIC value, while the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was determined by integrating each PTA with the MIC distributions, the value greater than or equal to 90% or more than 80% was set as the optimal dosing regimen or suboptimal dosing regimen respectively. The probability of average 24-hour serum concentrations up to 4 mg/L for three dosage regimens was used to predict the risks of nephrotoxicity.Results All 321 isolates of PDR-AB and 204 isolates of PDR-PA were susceptible to colistin, the MIC50/90 against PDR-AB were 0.5mg/L and 1.0 mg/L, and those against PDR-PA were 0.5 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. When recommended dose (1 MU q8h) was used for patients with CLCr of < 60 mL/min, high CFR value (89.78% for PDR-AB, 81.06% for PDR-PA) were obtained, but with a high risks of nephrotoxicity (> 32.51%). Moreover, low value of PTA (< 66.56%) was yielded for isolates with MIC of ≥ 1 mg/L. Recommended dose also yielded a low CFR value (56.97%-69.31% for PDR-AB, 44.76%-56.94% for PDR-PA) in patients with CLCr of ≥ 60-120 mL/min. When dose was increased to 2 MU q8h, CFR (77.45%-92.87%) and the risks of nephrotoxicity (< 0.15%) was optimal for patients with CLCr ≥ 60-120 mL/min, but low value of PTA (< 75.36%) was also yielded for isolates with MIC of ≥ 1 mg/L. The most aggressive dose of 3 MU q8h provided high CFR (> 89.24%) even in patients with CLCr ≥ 90-120 mL/min, and PTA was < 76.20% only for isolates with MIC of ≥ 1.5 mg/L, but this dosing scheme was associated with unacceptable risks of nephrotoxicity (> 33.68%).Conclusion Measurement of MIC, individualized CMS therapy and therapeutic drug-level monitoring should be considered to achieve the optimal drug exposure and ensure the safety of CMS.

Objective To elevate student nurses' hand hygiene compliance through knowledge,attitude,belief,and practice(KAP) model.Methods 82 student nurses were selected and received KAP hand hygiene training.The knowledge,practical compliance and qualification of hand hygiene were observed before and after training.Results Hand hygiene and washing hand indication awareness rate were 92.68％ and 97.56％ after training,which were higher than those before training (46.34％ and 64.63％,respectively),and the difference was significant (x2 =36.03,25.04,respectively; P ＜ 0.01 ) ; Other awareness rates of hand hygiene after training were significantly improved than those before training ( P ＜ 0.01 ).The total compliance rate of hand hygiene of student nurses after training ( 82.97％ ) was significantly higher than that before training (50.92％) (x2 =316.08,P＜0.01 ).The qualified hand hygiene ratio was elevated from 58.54％ to 92.68 ％( x2 =25.92,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions KAP model was effective towards student nurses' hand hygiene compliance and worthy for application.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this article was to prepare apatite-porous fibers composite through biominetic synthesis and to investigate its cytocompatibility.

METHODSPhosphate groups were incorporated into the surface of natural porous fiber-corncob by chemical modification. After precalcification, corncob was immersed into simulated body fluid. The surface of composite was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. Infant rat calvarias osteoblasts were isolated and expanded in vitro and the cells were seeded onto composite. Osteoblasts growth, proliferation and differentiation were assessed through SEM, MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

RESULTSApatite crystal was formed on the surface of corncob after reaction. Cell adhered and spread well on the surface of the composite, having high abilities of proliferation and synthesis of ALP.

CONCLUSIONThere is good compatibility between the osteoblast and apatite-porous fibers composite. This composite may serve as a potential biomaterial used in bone repair and regeneration.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Apatites ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Differentiation ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; X-Ray Diffraction