OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus injection (ASI) on the activities of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and natural killer cell (NKC) in the patients with lung cancer and the underlying mechanism.

METHOD73 cases with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the treatment group (n = 39) and observation group (n = 34); 61 cases with or without other diseases were respectively divided into control A (n = 30) and B (n = 31) groups. The patients in treatment group were injected with ASI for 21 days. The activities of human TNF and NKC and the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were detected respectively.

RESULTAfter injection with ASI the activity of TNF-alpha in treatment group was comparable with that in the two control groups and was significant lower that that in observation group. The activity of TNF-beta and the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were significantly higher than those in observation group and two control groups (P < 0.01). The activity of NKC was also remarkably higher than observation and two control groups.

CONCLUSIONASI can regulate the cellular immunity and factor, indicating that ASI can be used as an assistant drug to regulate the function of cellular immunity in the patients with lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphotoxin-alpha ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEImpaired active fluid transport of alveolar epithelium may involve in the pathogenesis and resolution of alveolar edema. The objective of this study was to explore the changes in alveolar epithelial liquid clearance during lung edema following acute lung injury induced by oleic acid.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., injured, amiloride, ouabain, amiloride plus ouabain and terbutaline groups. Twenty-four hours after the induction of acute lung injury by intravenous oleic acid (0.25 ml/kg), 5% albumin solution with 1.5 microCi (125)I-labeled albumin (5 ml/kg) was delivered into both lungs via trachea. Alveolar liquid clearance (ALC), extravascular lung water (EVLW) content and arterial blood gases were measured one hour thereafter.

RESULTSAt 24 h after the infusion of oleic acid, the rats developed pulmonary edema and severe hypoxemia, with EVLW increased by 47.9% and ALC decreased by 49.2%. Addition of either 2x10(-3) M amiloride or 5x10(-4) M ouabain to the instillation further reduced ALC and increased EVLW. ALC increased by approximately 63.7% and EVLW decreased by 46.9% with improved hypoxemia in the Terbutaline (10(-4) M) group, compared those in injured rats. A significant negative correlation was found between the increment of EVLW and the reduction of ALC.

CONCLUSIONSActive fluid transport of alveolar epithelium might play a role in the pathogenesis of lung edema in acute lung injury.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Epithelium ; metabolism ; Oleic Acid ; adverse effects ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Terbutaline ; pharmacology

To explore the difference of negative regulatory factors among T lymphocyte subsets in bone marrow (BM) of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and their relations to apoptotic gene Fas, different lymphocyte subsets in BM were categorized by monoclonal antibodies with 3 color fluorescence using flow cytometry, and the intracellular cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined following marrow cells culture. Then Fas mRNA of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were examined by RT-PCR. The results showed that TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma levels in BM of MDS both increased, the former produced by cells CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RO+, the latter by cells CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RO+, CD8+CD45RA+, in which the cells CD8+CD45RO+ were dominant. Fas mRNA expression had relationship with IFN-gamma produced by T cells but not with TNF-alpha. It is concluded that in hematopoietic microenvironment of MDS, not only the T lymphocyte subsets are in disorder, but also negative regulatory factors secreted by T lymphocyte increase. T lymphocytes play an important role in producing IFN-gamma in patients with MDS.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; fas Receptor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of phenyl-hexyl isothiocyanate (PHI) on acetylation and methylation of histone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Molt4.

METHODSThe inhibition of cell proliferation was observed by MTT method and clone suppression test. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were measured by flow cytometry. The alterations in histone acetyltransferase and acetylation and methylation of histones were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSPHI could up-regulate the expression of acetyltransferase (P300/CBP), markedly induced the accumulation of acetylated histone H3, H4 and methylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), and inhibited methylation on lysine 9 of H3 (H3K9). The epigenetic regulation resulted in cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, and induction of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSPHI can modulate both histone methylation and acetylation. It may serve as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and might be a potential novel anti-leukemia agent.

Acetylation ; drug effects ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histone Deacetylases ; metabolism ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isothiocyanates ; pharmacology ; Methylation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience in the treatment of lower eyelid pouches orbital rim.

METHODSAn incision was made along the margin of lower eyelid and dissection was performed under the orbicularis muscle to expose the orbital septum and periosteum of lower orbital rim. The fat released from orbital septum was transposed just below the lower orbital rim and fixed on the periosteum. If lacrimal groove deformity was not corrected completely, the musculocutaneous flap, which may be excised beside the incision, was kept to correct the deformities further with only the muscle portion.

RESULTS72 cases with lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformities were treated with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps. Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients after a follow-up period of 3-6 months.

CONCLUSIONIt is an effective and feasible technique to correct lacrimal groove deformities with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Aged ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Humans ; Orbit ; Periosteum ; surgery

Objective To explore the associations between fasting serum lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP).Methods Serum triglyceride ( TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hsCRP were measured in residents of Chengdu,China.Subjects with potential factors which might influence lipids and hsCRP were excluded,580 subjects [ mean age ( 62.3 ± 6.6 ) years ; male:58.7％ ] were finally recruited by random sampling methods.Results There was a weak positive relationship between TG and hsCRP ( r =0.108,P =0.01 ) and a weak negative relationship between HDLC and hsCRP (r =- 0.197,P ＜ 0.001 ),this was also true in the sub-group with BMI ＜ 24 kg/m2 ( r =0.236,-0.140 respectively,all P ＜0.001 ).In subjects with BMI ＜24 kg/m2,the hsCRP concentration was significantly higher in subjects with higher TG or lower HDL-C ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).hsCRP increased in proportion with the degree of dyslipidemia.After adjusting for gender,age,TC,LDL-C,fasting blood glucose,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,history of hypertension and diabetes,smoking and alcohol drinking,logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio for increased hsCRP was 1.970 in subjects with either increased TG or lower HDL-C (P =0.105) and 9.098 in subjects with both higher TG or lower HDL-C levels (P =0.031 ).However,the observed relationship between TG,HDL-C and hsCRP in subjects with BMI ＜ 24 kg/m2 could not be observed in subjects with subjects with BMI ＞ 24 kg/m2despite significant more cardiovascular risk factors in these subjects.Conclusions A weak positive correlation between TG and hsCRP as well as a weak negative correlation between HDL-C and hsCRP was evidenced in the whole cohort suggesting dyslipidemia might be related to enhanced inflammatory status.However,this relationship is not observed in subjects with BMI ＞ 24 kg/m2 despite existence of more cardiovascular risk factors in these subjects.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the prevalence of oncogenic type of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and identify the high risk population for conducting immuno/chemoprevention of cervical cancer.

METHODSAll married women aged 30 to 50 with no history of hysterectomy, pelvic radiation and non-pregnant from certain villages of Xiangyuan and Yangcheng County were invited. This study was conducted through two phases. In phase one, subjects sampled the vaginal secretions using the collectors after signing the informed consent. And physicians sampled exfoliated cells from cervix in the phase two. All the specimens were tested with the Hybrid Capture 2 test. The data was managed and analyzed by VFP and SPSS software.

RESULTSThere were 9,683 women participated in this study. Local women welcomed this study and population compliance rate was 75.4%. In tested population, we found 2,666 subjects of HPV DNA positive and HPV prevalence was 27.5%. The rates of different age group were 24.5% (30-34 yrs), 27.4% (35-39 yrs), 28.2% (40-44 yrs), 27.4% (45-50 yrs) respectively and had no significant differences (P = 0.604). The rates were slightly increased with the higher education level and had no differences (P = 0.106). The rate in mountain areas was higher than that in half-mountain areas (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of HPV infection is indeed high in this region. Local women and health professionals welcome the activities of cervical cancer screening and prevention. It is an emergent task to improve their sanitary condition and prevent them from cervical cancer in these women. A women health cohort is established successfully among high HPV exposed women in rural China. The extensive biologic specimen repository has been successfully established to simultaneously study the etiology, early detection, and immuno/chemoprevention of cervical cancer.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Prevalence ; Tumor Virus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Vaginal Smears

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship of six single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and their haplotypes of angiotensinogen(AGT) gene to essential hypertension(EH) in Chinese Han population.

METHODSThe genotypes in 185 patients with EH and 185 healthy controls were determined by the method of ABI PRISM SNaPshot Multiplex Kit using six AGT gene polymorphisms at position -217(G/A), -152(G/A), -20(A/C) and -6(G/A) in the promoter region and T174M, M235T in exon 2.

RESULTSThe distribution of AGT genotypes and alleles frequencies showed no significant difference between the group of EH and group of controls (P>0.05). However, haplotype analysis revealed that H4 haplotype frequency, which included -152A, -20C, -6A and 235T alleles, was significantly increased in the group of EH (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONG-152A, A-20C, G-6A and M235T polymorphisms of AGT gene might play an important role in the occurrence of EH in Chinese Han population.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiotensinogen ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of strontium ranelate on osteoporosis induced by simulated weightlessness in male rats.

METHODSTwenty-seven male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the normal control group (group A) and two groups of weightlessness simulated by tail suspension (groups B and C). The rats in group C were treated with strontium ranelate, and those in the other two groups were given the same dose of normal saline for 28 consecutive days.

RESULTSThe rats in group B showed significantly lower levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) than those in group A (P<0.05), but serum calcium and phosphonium concentrations underwent no significant changes in the 3 groups (P>0.05). In the rats of group B, the trabeculae of the femur became thinner, fragile, and discontinuous with reduced quantity as compared with those in group A. The rats in group C had greater number of the trabeculae than those in group B with decreased resorption surface and more regular arrangement of the collagen fibers.

CONCLUSIONStrontium ranelate may produce beneficial effect on the bone microstructure, reduce bone loss and stimulate bone formation in male rats subjected to simulated weightlessness.

Animals ; Male ; Organometallic Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Osteoporosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiophenes ; therapeutic use ; Weightlessness Simulation ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological and clinical features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSGrades and stages of liver lesions in 41 patients with NAFLD were analyzed. The relationships between pathohistological features of the livers, serum biochemical parameters, ultrasound examination and other clinical data of the patients were studied.

RESULTSAmong the 41 patients with NAFLD (there were 21 with their liver fatty degeneration in grade 1, 15 in grade 2, and 5 in grade 3). There were 2 of grade 0, grade 1 had 25, grade 2 had 10, grade 3 had 3, and grade 4 had 1. Stage 0 of fibrosis was 20, stage 1 was 14, stage 2 was 4, stage 3 was 2, and stage 4 was 1. Degree of fatty degeneration was not positively associated with the body mass index (BMI) of the patients and the ultrasound findings in their livers. Grading of the inflammation was positively related to the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood and ultrasound findings in their livers, but negatively to the platelet counts. Staging of fibrosis of the livers was positively related to the blood ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP, and negatively to triglyceride levels and platelet counts.

CONCLUSIONSDegree of liver fatty degeneration was not associated with grades of inflammation and staging of fibrosis of the liver. BMI, ALT and AST level, platelet counts, and ultrasound grades of fatty liver were associated with the liver histopathological changes of NAFLD patients. Liver biopsy is the essential way to make a diagnosis of NAFLD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Fatty Liver ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography