To select the most effective parameters of electroacupuncture (EA) at Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6), a traditional acupuncture formula that induces labor, by comparing its effects on uterine contraction in late-stage pregnant rats, so as to improve the effects of acupuncture on induction of labor and its clinical maneuverability and provide the basis for further mechanism research.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of adenosine and exercise stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for detecting coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight patients with CHD were randomly divided into two groups: adenosine stress group (n = 69)and exercise stress group (n = 69). All patients underwent myocardial SPECT evaluation. Coronary angiography (CAG), referred as "gold standard" , was performed in each patient within 1 week before or after MPI. The diagnostic value of the two stress MPI was compared with χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results In adenosine stress group, the sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy were 88.2% (45/51),72.7% (16/22), 88.4% (61/69), respectively, which were not significantly different from those of the exercise stress group (91.7% (44/48), 66.7% (8/12), 81.2% (52/64); χ2 =0. 571, 0. 714, 0.249, P >0.05). However, the false positive rate of adenosine stress (11.1%, 2/18) was significantly lower than that of exercise stress (50.0%, 8/16), P = 0.023. Conclusions Adenosine and exercise stress MPI have similar value for CHD diagnosis in women, however, adenosine stress MPI may have an advantage of low false positive rate.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the efficacy of radiotherapy on nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and to explore the prognostic factors. Methods Between January 2000 and December 2008, 62 patients with nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma were treated with radiotherapy in our hospital. Their clinic data and efficiency were reviewed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier methods were applied in unifactorial analysis and the COX regression model was applied in multivariate analysis. Results The median overall survival time was 69.7 months (95 % CI, 63.0-78.0 months), and 3, 5-year survival rate was 66.1% and 46.8 %. Metastasis was 61.8 % for the first reason which resulted in failure. The median survival time was 72.6 months in the increased group of numbers of T lymphocyte CD3 and 39.6 months in the decreased group, the difference was significant(x2 =4.9309, P =0.0264). Multivariate analysis confirmed that modified IPI 0-1 (x2 = 7.5266, P =0.0061), the numbers increased for CD3 (x2 =9.0912, P =0.0266), and complete remission(x2 = 9.0912, P =0.0106) were significant favorable prognostic factors for survival. Conclusion The radiotherapy was effective for patients with nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, but was failure on account of distant metastasis, so systematic therapy still has an important role. modified IP1 0-1, the number increased for CD3 and complete remission were significant favorable prognostic factors for survival.

AIM: To investigate the affected proteins by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? in endothelial cells, and further explore the potential molecular mechanism of TNF-? on endothelial cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured by a NO assay kit. Proteomic alterations were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: NO production in HUVECs decreased significantly after TNF-? treatement. Proteomics analysis showed 21 protein spots were changed including 9 spots that were increased and 11 spots that were decreased after TNF-? stimulation, and 1 spot was only detected in TNF-? activated cell gels. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased expression of ecNOS by TNF-? might result in decrease in NO production. Up-regulated MAP/ERK kinase 3 expression might imply that TNF-? activates the expression of adhesion molecules. Cytoskeletal protein actin is also involved in TNF-? injuried HUVECs. Proteomic analysis can find some clues for identifying new potential target of TNF-?. [

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents in the active parts of Huoxue Yiqi Tang.

METHODThe silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 were used to isolate the compounds, El, FAB-MS and 1D, 2D-NMR were used to identify the obtained compounds.

RESULT14 compounds were obtained from the prescription.

CONCLUSIONThey were all first time obtained from the prescription. Among them, 7, 3'-dihydroxyl-5'-methoxyisoflavone is new.

Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Emodin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Purpose To examine the expression of Fascin-1 and β-catenin protein and K-ras gene mutation in colorectal adenocarcinoma, and to explore their role in progression of colorectal neoplasm and their relevance. Methods Fascin-1 and β-catenin were analyzed by use of immunohistochemistry En Vision two-step. K-ras gene mutation was detected by ARMS method.Relationship between overexpression of Fascin-1, the nuclear expression of β-catenin, and the mutations of K-ras gene and clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed, the correlation between them was also analyzed. Results In 112 colorectal adenocarcinoma samples, the overexpression rate of Fascin-1 protein was 27.7％ (31/112), significantly higher than non-neoplastic mucosa (P < 0.01). The high nuclear expression rate of β-catenin was 29.5％ (33/112) in adenocarcinoma and non-neoplastic mucosa respectively with a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01). High expression rate of Fascin-1 protein and β-catenin were correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.022, P = 0.027), and TNM staging (P =0.042, P = 0.019) in colorectal adenocarcinoma. The overexpression of Fascin-1 protein was correlated with tumor location (P = 0.004). The mutation rate of K-ras gene was 34.8％ (39/112), which showed no correlation with age, gender, tumor size, grade of differentiation, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P> 0.05). There was a correlation between the overexpressison of Fascin-1 protein, the nuclear expression of β-catenin and the mutation of K-ras gene (rs= 0.252, rs= 0.258, P < 0.05). The overexpression of Fascin-1 protein positively correlated with the nuclear expression of β-catenin (rs= 0.213, P < 0.05). Conclusion Fascin-1 protein and β-catenin protein are involved in invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer and are associated with K-ras gene mutation. K-ras may promote the overexpression of Fascin-1 by virtue of nuclear expression ofβ-catenin, which provided a new research direction on the treatment of K-ras gene mutated colorectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUNDIn China the ginseng root began to be used in medicine over 2000 years ago. Ginsenosides are the most important component isolated from ginseng. The authors investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the spectrum of gene expression in the endothelial cells stimulated by TNF-alpha and further explored the potential molecular mechanism of endothelial protection by ginsenoside Rg1.

METHODSNitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured by using an NO assay kit. A home-made oligonucleotide microarray containing approximately 400 cardiovascular disease-related genes was constructed. The alteration of the spectrum of gene expression induced by ginsenoside Rg1 in HUVECs which were activated by TNF-alpha were detected by oligonucleotide microarray analysis.

RESULTSNO production in HUVECs was decreased significantly after TNF-alpha treatment, while pretreatment with ginsenoside Rg1 enhanced NO production in TNF-alphastimulated HUVECs. Ginsenoside Rg1 affected the expression levels of genes involved in vascular constriction, cell adherence, coagulation, cell growth and signal transduction in TNF-alphastimulated HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONSGinsenoside Rg1 could enhance NO production and the expression of eNOS mRNA in TNF-alpha stimulated HUVECs. Ginsenoside Rg1 regulated sets of genes in endothelial cells and protected endothelial cells from TNF-alpha activation. Microarray analysis provided us with valuable insights into the atheroprotective mechanism by gingsenoside Rg1.

Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of the extracts from Decoction for resuscitation (DRE) and its component herbs on prostacyclin (PGI2), thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and nitric oxide (NO) release from rat vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia.

METHODAfter treatment with the extracts from DRE and its component herbs, the contents of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha(6-keto-PGF1alpha), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) as well as nitrite (NO), which were degradation products of PGI2, TXA2 and NO respectively, in culture medium of rat vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia were measured with radioimmunoassay and Griess Reaction.

RESULTCompared with the control group, the results indicated that DRE, prepared licorice root extract (LE), dried ginger extract (GE), aconite root extract (AE), extracts of aconite root and prepared licorice root (ALE), extracts of aconite root and dried ginger (AGE) increased significantly the content of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and the ratio of 6-keto-PGF1alpha/TXB2, but had no effect on the content of TXB2 in culture medium of rat vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia. The content of 6-keto-PGF1alpha in the DRE group was higher than that in the groups of LE, GE, AE, ALE, AGE. The ratio of 6-keto-PGF1alpha/TXB2 in the DRE group was higher than that of the groups of GE, AE, ALE. Compared with the control group, DRE, LE, GE, AE, ALE, AGE increased significantly the content of NO2- in culture medium of rat vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia. Moreover, the content of NO2- in the DRE group was higher than that of the groups of GE, AE, ALE.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that DRE increased significantly the content of PGI2 and the ratio of PGI2/TXA2 as well as the content of NO. The effect of DRE on the parameters in culture medium of rat vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia was better than that of the extracts from its component herbs.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; metabolism ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; cytology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thromboxane B2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the occurrence and prognosis of telbivudine (LdT) therapy-associated elevations in creatine kinase (CK) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSForty-nine patients treated with LdT from 2004 to 2010 were evaluated for development of CK elevation. In particular, the occurrences of grade 3/4 CK elevations (7-times the upper limit of normal (ULN)) and muscle damage were assessed over duration of the LdT treatment.

RESULTSThe rate of CK elevation increased with duration of LdT treatment (1 year: 61.2%; 5 years: 95.9%). In addition, the severity of CK elevation showed a trend for increasing with duration of LdT treatment, with grade 1/2 CK elevations increasing from 57.1% at year 1 to 81.6% at year 5 and grade 4 increasing from 4.1% at year 1 to 14.3% at year 5. Grade 3/4 CK elevations were observed in seven patients between LdT treatment weeks 36 and 168, but occurred most frequently between weeks 52 and 104, when the maximum peak value occurred (35.8-times the ULN). LdT treatment was stopped in two patients due to excessive CK elevation and one patient due to myositis. The majority of cases of LdT-associated grade 3/4 CK elevations were self-limiting, transient (decreasing to grades 0 or 2 within 2-3 weeks), and present without myalgia.

CONCLUSIONElevation of CK was not rare in CHB patients treated with LdT, but most cases resolved spontaneously. In general, the severity and persistence of CK elevation was not sufficient to warrant withdrawal of LdT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Creatine Kinase ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To study the proliferative inhibition and apoptosis promoting activity of oxymatrine on human lung cancer cells (A549) and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) in vitro,and make a comparison.Methods Effect of oxymatrine on the proliferation activity of two kinds of tumor cells were compared by MTT method and growth curve method.HE staining,Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to compare morphological changes.Results MTr results showed that,compared with control group,the survival rate of oxymatrine 200,400,and 800 μg/mL concentration group in A549 and HepG-2 cells decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05,0.01),half inhibitory concentration (IC50) were 1055.45 and 774.11 g/mL respectively;The growth curve showed that,compared with control group,the number of cells in oxymatrine group of HepG-2 cells cultured for fourth and fifth day and A549 cells cultured for fifth day decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05,0.01).Oxymatrine affected morphological changes of HepG-2 cells more significantly than A549 cells.The number of cells in the oxymatrine group was significantly reduced;And the cell villi was decreased,the nucleus was small and round,and the cell apoptosis morphological characteristics were obvious.Conclusion Oxymatrine can inhibit the proliferation cells and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells.It affected HepG-2 cells more obviously,which suggests that it may have different sensitivity to different tumor cells.