OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of magnesium sulfate, Nifedipine Tablet (NT) combined Salvia Injection (SI) on endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), thromboxane A2(TXA2), prostacyclin I2(PG2), and hemorheology of preeclampsia patients.

METHODSTotally 704 preeclampsia patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 352 cases in each group. All patients were treated with magnesium sulfate combined NT (on the first day: slow intravenous injection of magnesium sulfate 5 g + intravenous dripping of magnesium sulfate injection 10 g + oral administration of NT 30 mg; on the second and third day, intravenous dripping of magnesium sulfate injection 10 g + oral administration of NT 30 mg), while those in the treatment group were dripped with SI additionally at 20 mL per day for 3 consecutive days. Before and after treatment plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), TXA2, PGi2, and hemorheology indicators [such as high blood viscosity (HBV), low blood viscosity (LBV), plasma viscosity (PV), erythrocyte rigidity index (ERI), fibrinogen (FIB)] of two groups were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the same group before treatment, serum levels of ET-1, TXA2, HBV, LBV, PV, ERI, and FIB decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 05), but levels of NO and PG2 increased (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group in the same period, levels of ET-1, TXA2, HBV, LBV, PV, ERI, and FIB decreased in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05), but levels of NO and PGI2 increased (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMagnesium sulfate, NT combined SI could effectively regulate the balance of ET-1/NO and TXA2/PGI2, and improve hemorheology of preeclampsia patients.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Epoprostenol ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Injections ; Magnesium Sulfate ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pre-Eclampsia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Salvia ; Tablets ; Thromboxane A2 ; metabolism

Blepharoptosis ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications

OBJECTIVETo appraise the effect of single- and two-layer Percoll density gradient centrifugation in sperm separation.

METHODSTwenty semen specimens underwent single-(50%) and two-layer (90% and 45%) density gradient centrifugation, respectively. The sperm class analyzer (SCA) was used to analyze sperm density, motility and dynamic parameters and round cell density before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter separation, the sperm recovery rate of the single-layer method was (65.5 +/- 12.8)%, significantly higher than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.01). The percentages of grade a sperm of the single- and two-layer method were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), that of the single-layer was significantly lower than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.05), but the percentage of grade c sperm of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the percentage of grade a + b sperm of the two-layer method was significantly higher (P < 0.05), while that of the single-layer method showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), and the round cell density of both the methods was significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with no significant differences between the two methods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe single-layer method yields a higher rate of sperm recovery and causes little change in the sperm motility, while the two-layer method effects a lower rate and significantly improves sperm motility. Both the methods can efficiently separate sperm from round cells, and each has its own advantages and its application value in in vitro treatment of sperm.

Cell Separation ; methods ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Povidone ; Silicon Dioxide ; Sperm Count ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

BACKGROUNDPatient characteristics may be an internal factor influencing patient complaints, but in China patient characterization is restricted to patient satisfaction surveys, and few studies have considered the relationship between patient characteristics and patient complaints. The aim of this research was to determine the reasons for complaints.

METHODSIn this study, we analyzed the characteristics of hospitalized patients and explored their relationship with medical complaints.

RESULTSThe significant factors were age (P = 0.045), hospital cost (P = 0.003), household nature (P < 0.001), and education (P < 0.001). The complaint rate decreased when the patients' age increased (regression coefficient, -0.606; OR, 0.545, and 95%CI, 0.301 - 0.987). The complaint rate increased with an increase in hospital cost (regression coefficient, 0.818; OR, 2.266; and 95%CI, 1.320 - 3.889). Patients from non-agricultural households had a higher complaint rate (regression coefficient, 1.051; OR, 2.861; and 95%CI, 1.611 - 5.082). Patients with higher education levels had lower complaint rates (regression coefficient, -0.944; OR, 0.389; and 95%CI, 0.234 - 0.647).

CONCLUSIONThe survey confirms that older patients and patients with higher education levels had lower complaint rates, while non-agricultural population and patients with higher hospital expenses had higher complaint rates.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Data Collection ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAssessment of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is important in early gastric cancer (EGC) and affects treatment decisions. However, the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and LNM in EGC remains unclear. This study therefore explored favorable predictors of LNM in EGC.

METHODSA total of 716 specimens from gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between 1996 and 2003 at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were reviewed. Forty-five cases were EGC, and clinicopathological characteristics such as gender, age, tumor size, location, gross type, differentiation, invasion depth, and vessel involvement were assessed to identify predictive factors for LNM and survival time.

RESULTSThe overall cumulative 5-year survival rate of EGC patients was 88.92%. Among these, 22.4% developed LNM, which was associated with a poor 5-year survival rate of only 72.7%. Patients with tumors larger than 2 cm in diameters, with depth of tumor invasion to the submucosa, and with positive lymphatic or nerve involvement were also inclined to have poorer survival performances. EGC limited to the mucosa but poorly differentiated also had a high risk for LNM. Multivariate analysis identified lymphatic invasion and tumor size as independent prognosis factors related to survival in EGC patients.

CONCLUSIONSCareful planning is required in EGC patients at high risk of lymph node metastases. Endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection and laparoscopic partial gastrectomy should be cautiously used in EGC, and curative gastrectomy including lymphatic dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy might be considered to improve the prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shenfu Injection (SF) on the apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSWe divided prostate cancer PC-3 cells into a blank control group and three experimental groups, the latter treated with SF at 50, 100, and 200 microl/ml, respectively, for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Then we determined the proliferation of the cells by MTT assay, measured their apoptosis by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and detected the expression of P53 mRNA by RT-qPCR.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the survival rates of the prostate cancer PC-3 cells in the 50, 100, and 200 microl/ml SF groups were (93.76 +/- 2.63)%, (81.21 +/- 1.80)% and (18.01 +/- 3.84)% at 24 hours, (94.67 +/-1.11)%, (78.33 +/- 2.89)% and (10.34 +/- 1.44)% at48 hours, and (91.30 +/- 0.47)%, (36.67 +/- 1.56)% and (1.33 +/- 0.32)% at 72 hours, all significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The expression of p53 mRNA was also markedly increased in all the three experimental groups at 48 hours (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSF can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of PC-3 cells, which may due to its upregulation of the p53 mRNA expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of metoprolol on the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 (GRK2) in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS32 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were divided into control group and metoprolol group, 16 each. Conventional therapy was used in the control group, conventional therapy plua metoprolol was used in metoprolol group. The treatment courses were 8 weeks in both groups.

RESULTSLeft ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different between the two groups. Lymphocyte GRK2 mRNA level in metoprolol group was lower than that in control group.

CONCLUSIONMetoprolol can inhibit the expression of GRK2 in lymphocyte of advanced elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDIn the process of hepatic fibrosis, the accumulation of collagen fibers is strongly related to the hepatic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional architecture of the collagen network in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSHealthy adult male Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into a control group (n = 16) and a hepatic fibrosis group (n = 16). In the control group, the rats were treated with peanut oil while the rats in hepatic fibrosis group were treated for 10 weeks with 60% CCl(4) diluted in peanut oil. The quantity of collagen fibers was detected by Western blotting; distribution of the collagen was detected by sirius red staining and polarized microscope; the three-dimensional architecture of collagen in the liver was observed under the scanning electron microscope after fixed tissues were treated with cell-maceration using NaOH. Statistical analysis was performed using the u test.

RESULTSThe quantity of collagen fibers increased significantly in the hepatic fibrosis group. With the aggravation of hepatic fibrosis, collagen fibers gradually accumulated. They interlaced the reticulation compartment and formed a round or ellipse liver tissue conglomeration like a grape framework that was disparate and wrapped up the normal liver lobule. The deposition of collagen fibers was obvious in adjacent hepatic parenchyma, especially around the portal tracts.

CONCLUSIONOur experiment showed the collagen proliferation and displays clearly the three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibers in rat liver with hepatic fibrosis by scanning electron microscope. It can provide a morphological foundation for the mechanisms of changed haemodynamics and portal hypertension in hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Collagen ; ultrastructure ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective The activation of NF-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of helicobacter pylori associated gastritis (HAG). The article aimed to investigate the effects of polygonum capitatum on the treatment of HAG in NF-κB signaling pathway and observe whether the regulation of NF-κB acetylation by silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) affects the therapeutic effects of HAG. Methods The immortalized human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) were cultured and the H.pylori stand- ard strain ATCC700392 was used for the replication of HAG cell model by 100∶1. The cells were divided into model group,drug group and normal control group. Cells were treated with 80 μg/mL in drug group,H.pylori and GES-1 were cultured together in model group and untreated GES-1 cells were taken as control group. Real time PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of SIRT1,NF-κB/p65 and TNF-α. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of SIRT1,NF-κB/p65 and its acetylated protein in the total protein,as well as the expression levels of SIRT1 and NF-κB/p65 in cytoplasm and nuclear protein. Results At 12 h after the infection of H. pylori,the level of TNF-α in the supernatant was higher than that in the normal control group(P<0.05). The expression of SIRT1 de-creased in the cytoplasm of model group,while the expression levels of NF-κB/p65,acetyl-NF-κB p65(Lys310) and TNF-α in the nu-cleus increased (P<0.05). But after the treatment of polygonum capitatum,the expression of SIRT1 in the nucleus increased(P<0.05) while the expression of NF-κB/p65,acetyl-NF-κB p65(Lys310) and TNF-α decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Polygonum capita-tum can activate the SIRT1 in the nucleus,which makes activated NF-κB/p65 in the nucleus carry out deacetylation modification in or-der to antagonize the cell damage induced by H.pylori.

OBJECTIVEChildren aged 3 - 6 years in the urban areas of China were surveyed for the first time to find out the state of child neglect (CN) as well as the major relevant risk factors so as to provide evidence for developing intervention measures.

METHODS1163 children (of whom 49.6% were males and 4.5% were minority nationality) were randomly sampled under multistage stratification, from 25 cities which representing 15 provinces of China. Based on the Child Neglect Norms used by China, prevalence of CN was identified and SPSS-Windows 11.0 was employed for statistical analysis. Scores, frequency/degrees, age, sex and 5 types (physical, emotional, educational, medical and safety) of CN on every group of the regions, were calculated. Multifactorial analysis was conducted through Binary Logistic Regression and multiple linear regression to determine the relevant risk factors.

RESULTS(1) The average degree of CN for the 3 - 6 year-olds was 42.2, with its prevalence as 28.0%. Degrees of CN for the groups of 3, 4, 5, 6-year-olds were 41.7, 42.2, 42.1 and 43.1 (F = 0.988, P > 0.05), with frequencies of 25.0%, 25.3%, 27.9% and 35.4% (chi(2) = 4.798, P > 0.05), respectively. Degrees for CN in males and females were 42.7 and 41.8 (F = 2.502, P > 0.05) with the frequencies as 32.6% and 23.7% (chi(2) = 6.585, P < 0.05), respectively. Degrees of CN for the five types were 39.4-43.4 with the frequencies as 5.1%-12.9%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the frequency of the types (with an exception on 'physical neglect') between males and females (P > 0.05). The highest frequency (42.9%) of CN was seen in the single-parent families and the lowest in large family with three generations (25.5%). (2) According to monofactorial chi(2) test, the possible risk factors of CN would include: educational background, occupation and decrease of income of the parents during last year, etc. (3) Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the influential factors to the occurrence of CN would include: father's educational background, sex of the child and mother's occupation, etc. (4) Multiple linear regression showed that the influential factors to the degree of CN were: family structure, number of supporting family members, relationship between parents and children, etc.

CONCLUSIONThe degree and frequency of CN among children aged 3 to 6 in the urban areas of China were high but similar among the four age groups. Male children had a higher frequency of neglect than females, but with similar degree. Children in single-parent families had the highest frequency. The major influential factors of CN would include: educational background, occupation, family structure, family income of the parents which were similar to the results reported from foreign literature.

Child ; Child Abuse ; statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Parenting ; Parents ; psychology ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population