Objective To investigate the regulative effect of the extract of Radix Ranunculi Ternati,Radix Sophorae Flavescenti,Prunella vulgaris L.and Stellera chamaejasme L.on cellular immunity induced by multiple drugs resistant bacillus tuberculosis(MDR-TB) from pneumoconiosis patients complicated with tuberculosis in rats.Methods MDR-TB model in rats was induced by MDR-TB.Normal control group were feed by standard feed,model group were irrigated by normal saline,and the other groups were respectively feed by the extract of Chinese herbal medicines.The content of IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-10 and IL-12 were examined by ELISA.RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of them.Results The content of IFN-γof the four extracts of Chinese herbal medicines were (2.01 ±0.73 ),( 1.92±0.56),( 1.98 ±0.67 ) and (1.94±0.59) pg/ml,IL-4 were (6.01±1.46),(6.12±1.35),(6.47±1.46) and (6.15±1.44) pg/ml,IL-10 were (12.09±3.07),( 12.45±4.01 ),( 12.13±3.43) and (12.54±3.78) pg/ml,IL-12 were (2.99±0.89),(2.75±0.84),(3.02±0.86) and (2.89±0.75) pg/ml.Compared to the model group,they resulted in significant in serum IFN-γ,IL-12,IL-4 and IL-10 (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ),the mRNA levels of them were significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ).Conclusion The four extracts of Chinese herbal medicines can enhance the cellar immunological function in rats from up-regulation of the level of genetic transcription,accordingly provide the theory base of healing of pneumoconiosis patients complicated with tuberculosis with them.

Objective To examine the expressions of AQP1 and VEGF in human hepatitis B associated hepatocellular c arcinoma and to investigate its relationship with the occurrence and development of hepatocellularcarcinoma. Methods AQP1 and VEGF expressionsin the cancer tissues and AQP1 and VEGF levels in the serum were detected in 62 cases of hepatocellula carcinomaby immunohistochemistry and ELISA , respectively. Results The expressions of AQP1 and VEGF in the liver cancers were significantly higher than in the normal tissues (P<0.01). The higher expression was related to pathologic type,degrees of differentiation and lymph node metastasis, but not related to sex, age and TNM stages. In the serum of liver cancer, the concentrations of AQP1 and VEGF were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion High expressions of AQP1 and VEGF in the patients with liver cancer may be correlated to the occurrence and development of liver cancer. Plasma levels ofAQP1 and VEGF may be more meaningful for the evaluation of clinical prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Chinese medical constitutions and chemotherapy-induced leucopenia (CIL) of primary breast cancer patients.

METHODSTotally 306 breast cancer patients undergoing adjunctive chemotherapy for the 1st time, and effective 291 breast cancer patients were recruited in this study.Nine Basic Constitutional Scale was used before first chemotherapy. Chinese medical constitutions were classified and quantitatively scored. The highest grading for any item of adverse reactions in each case during the whole chemotherapy course was recorded after chemotherapy. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS16.0.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in CIL between different chemotherapy regimens and various Chinese medical constitutions of breast cancer patients (P > 0.05). Yang deficiency constitution is one risk factor for CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the more severe the CIL.

CONCLUSIONSYang deficiency constitution was correlated with the degree of CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the greater the risk of III-IV grade CIL in breast cancer patients.

Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yang Deficiency

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of serum galactemannan(GM) for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients. Methods Study was conducted between February 2007 and July 2008. Included patients on admission ICU who suffer from suspected IPA. GM test and culture were collected 2 weekly. Chnical feature, mycological evidence and optical density index (ODI) were noted. Clinically invasive fungal infection(IFI) were defined proven, probable and possible. The patients were classified into neutropenia, non-neutropenia and treated with immunosuppressive agents, non-neutropenia and non-immunosuppressive agents. To compared of the sensitivity and specificity of GM in different patients. Results 94 patients were included, 4 patients were proven, 29 patients were probable, 34 patients were possible IFI, 27 patients were non-IPA. The positive rate of the GM was 31.9% (30/94). The sensitivity and specificity of GM in proven cases and probable cases are 66.7% and 92.6%. GM assay tended to become positive earlier than the culture 2-10(5.33±2.17)d. We found that differences in patient diagnosis and selection might account for the disparities seen for positive rate for the GM test. There was positive in three of the four patients with proven, the positive rate of GM was 65.5% for probable cases, for possible cases was 17.6%, for non-IPA cases was 7.4% (P=0.001). For patient with neutropenia , treated with immunosuppressive agents and without immunosuppressive agents, the positive rate of GM was 52.9%vs 41.7% vs 34. 6% (P=0.015) ;the sensitivity was 80.0% vs 70. 0% vs 53.8% (P=0.011), the ODI was 1.365 (0.582-6.736) vs 1. 123 (0. 623-6.868) vs 0.554 (0.522-0.823), P=0. 005, respectively. Conclusion These results show that GM test is useful for early diagnosis IPA in critically ill patients. Differences in patient selection and diagnosis might account for the disparities seen for positive rate and sensitivity for the GM test. It has been higher sensitivity and ODI in the patient treated by immunosuppressive agents.

OBJECTIVE To study the influence of glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β) over expres?sion in the hippocampus on the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of total flavoids from Xiaobuxin Tang (XBXT-2). METHODS Adeno-associated virus containing GSK3β(S9A) mutation was microinjected into the hippocampus. After three weeks of recovery, GSK3βand p-GSK3βwere detected by Western blotting, and open field test (OFT) was used to evaluate the locomotor activity. Then, AAV group and GSK3β over expression group were divided into administration group and solvent group, respectively. XBXT-2 (100 mg · kg-1) and solvent were ig administered chronically. After 14 d and 16 d of administra?tion, the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) were used to investigate the influence of GSK3βover expression on the antidepressant effect of XBXT-2, respectively. After 18 d and 20 d of administration, the elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and staircase test (ST) were used to investigate the influence of GSK3β over expression on the anxiolytic effects of XBXT-2, respectively. RESULTS Western blotting analysis showed that the protein level of GSK3βincreased significantly in GSK3βover expression group (P<0.01) compared with AAV group, but there was no significant difference in p-GSK3β. In OFT, the number of crossings and rearings showed no difference between AAV group and GSK3β over expression group. The results of TST and FST showed that compared with AAV group, the immobility time was significantly reduced in AAV+XBXT-2 group (P<0.05, P<0.01), but compared with GSK3β over expression group, the immobility time showed no difference in GSK3β over expression+XBXT-2 group. In EPMT, compared with AAV group, the percentage of entrances and time into open arms in AAV+XBXT-2 group was significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), but compared with GSK3βover expression group, these indexes showed no difference in GSK3βover expression+XBXT-2 group. In ST, compared with AAV group, the number of rearings was significantly reduced in AAV+XBXT-2 group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between GSK3β over expression+XBXT-2 group and GSK3βover expression group. CONCLUSION GSK3βover expression in the hippocampus can reverse the antidepressant effects of XBXT-2 in the TST and FST, and the anxiolytic effects in the EPM and ST.

Objective To evaluate the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on intraoperative pulmonary function in the patients undergoing urological retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery in the mode of protective ventilation.Methods Forty patients of both sexes,aged 30-64 yr,with body mass index of 16-29 kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotorny,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and PEEP group (group P).After induction of general anesthesia,the patients were endotracheally intubated.Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (tidal volume [Vr] 6 ml/kg,respiratory rate [RR] 12 breaths/min,inspiratory/expiratory ratio [I:E] 1:2,fraction of inspired oxygen 50％) was performed from the end of intubation until the onset of pneumoperitoneum.After the onset of pneumoperitoneum,the patients were ventilated (VT 6 ml/kg,RR 22 breaths/min,I:E 1.0:1.5),and the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide was maintained at 35-45 mmHg in group C.After the onset of pneumoperitoneum,the patients were ventilated (VT 6 ml/kg,RR 22 breaths/min,I:E1.0:1.5,PEEP 5 cmH2O),and the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide was maintained at 35-45 mmHg in group P.At 5 min before pneumoperitoneum (T1),at 10,30 and 60 min of pneumoperitoneum (T2-4),immediately after the end of pneumoperitoneum (T5),and at 5 min before extubation (T6),arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis.Peak airway pressure and mean airway pressure were also recorded.Dynamic lung compliance,oxygenation index,respiratory index,dead space fraction and alveolararterial oxygen gradient were calculated.Results Compared with group C,mean airway pressure was significantly higher at T2-4,oxygenation index was significantly higher at T3,alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient difference was significantly lower at T3 and T6,and respiratory index was significantly lower at T6 (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the peak airway pressure,dynamic lung compliance and dead space fraction at each time point in group P (P＞0.05).Conclusion PEEP (5 cmH2O) can improve the intraoperative pulmonary function in the patients undergoing urological retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery in the mode of protective ventilation.

Guinea pigs were given orally with a daily dose of 0.5 mg ascorbic acid per 100 g body weight 20 days before and 4 days after a whole-body r-irradiation and then injected subcutaneously with 10 mg ascorbic acid at 24 hours intervals. During the injection period, the daily urinary output of total ascorbic acid in the animals irradiated with 500 or 1000 r was significantly higher than that in controls, but the difference of 24 hours excretions of total ascorbic acid between the group irradiated with 150 or 250 r and the control group was not statistically significant.As shown in the urinary output of dehydroascorbic acid and diketo- gulonic acid estimated by our modified Roe's method, r-irradiation has no effect on its excretion in guinea pigs and rats.The levels of ascorbic acid in plasma, spleen and adrenals were significantly lower in the irradiated group than in the control group, but might increase with the increase of the injected dose of ascorbic acid.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the influence of combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for early postoperative pulmonary function, and to study the relative factors for postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODSFrom September 2009 to December 2010, 61 patients with esophageal cancer had undergone esophagectomy surgery, of which 32 patients had undergone combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (CTLE group), and 29 patients had undergone open three-field esophagectomy (open group). Pulmonary function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) were measured on the 1(th) preoperative day, 5(th) and 10(th) postoperative day, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed during the same period. Meanwhile, pain scores and other potentially relevant factors were recorded as well.

RESULTSPreoperative pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis, including FEV(1)%, FVC%, PaO2 in two groups had no significant difference (t = -1.608 to 0.709, P = 0.113 to 0.481). On the 10(th) postoperative day, FEV(1)%, FVC%, PaO2, and SaO2 of two groups were significantly different (FEV(1)%: 77% ± 17% vs. 53% ± 13%, t = 6.241, P = 0.000; FVC%: 78% ± 13% vs. 57% ± 16%, t = 5.549, P = 0.000; PaO2: (87 ± 9) mmHg vs. (79 ± 14) mmHg, t = 2.477, P = 0.017; SaO2: 96% ± 3% vs. 94% ± 2%, t = 2.313, P = 0.024; 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). Pain score of CTLE group was lower than open group, and the scores of two groups had significant difference before the 5(th) day after surgery (t = -4.398 to -1.815, P = 0.000 to 0.049). Postoperative pulmonary complications of CTLE group was lower than open group (6/32 vs. 12/29, χ(2) = 3.745, P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONSCombined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy has advantages on early postoperative pulmonary function. It can relatively reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications after surgery.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thoracoscopy

BACKGROUNDSnake venom contains a number of components with different pharmacological and biological activities, especially in cancer therapy, and has increasingly become a research focus. This study was designed to isolate and purify a novel anti-clotting protein component from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus, and to explore its physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

METHODSThe venom of Agkistrodon was isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose Fast Flow, molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G75, SP-Sepharose Fast Flow and molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G50. We detected the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the eluant to select the anti-clotting protein component of interest. The molecular weight was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid gel electrphoresis (SDS-PAGE) and liquid chromatography. Its protein content was detected by bicinchoninic acid (BCA).

RESULTSSDS-PAGE vertical gel electrophoresis showed that the anticoagulant factor is a tripolymer composed of three proteins whose molecular weights are 25 KDa, 30 KDa and 50 KDa. The factor contains about 65% percent protein.

CONCLUSIONSA novel anti-clotting protein component was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve filtration from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and was found to be composed of three kinds of proteins.

Agkistrodon ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anticoagulants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Crotalid Venoms ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVEConcentration of extracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](o)) in the central nervous system decreases substantially in different conditions. It results in facilitating neuronal excitability. The goal of this study is to examine the mechanisms of enhanced neuronal excitation in low [Ca(2+)](o) in order to provide new clues to treat the hyperexcitability diseases in clinic.

METHODSWhole-cell patch-clamp technique and neuron culture were used in the study.

RESULTSThe firing threshold of cultured hippocampal neurons decreased markedly in low [Ca(2+)](o) saline. Unexpectedly, apamine and isoprenaline, antagonists of medium afterhyperpolarization (mAHP) and slow AHP (sAHP) respectively, had no statistic significant effect on excitability of neurons. TTX at a low concentration was sufficient to inhibit I(NaP), which blocked the increase of firing frequency in low [Ca(2+)](o). It also reduced the number of spikes in normal [Ca(2+)](o).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that in cultured hippocampal neurons, modulation of spiking threshold but not AHP may cause the increased excitability in low [Ca(2+)](o).

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Apamin ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electric Stimulation ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Sodium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Tetrodotoxin ; pharmacology