OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Rg3 on inhibiting and inducing apoptosis of bladder cancer cells.

METHODThe bladder cancer cell line EJ was treated with Rg3 of various concentrations. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Morphological changes of cells were observed by fluorescent staining of Hoechst 33258. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of caspase-3 in cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. DNA ladder was showed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTRg3 inhibited proliferation of EJ cells in a manner of concentration-dependent relationship, IC50 of Rg3 in 48 h treatment was 125.5 mg x L(-1) to EJ cells. When treated with 150 mg x L(-1) of Rg3 for 24 h and 48 h, the cells showed apoptotic morphological characteristics including the condensed chromatin, the nuclear fragmentation, the apoptotic body and bright fluorescent granules as well as a higher caspase-3 expression. FCM assay indicated that Rg3 regulated cell cycle and induced apoptosis of EJ cells. When treated for 24 h and 48 h with 75 mg x L(-1) of Rg3 as well as for 48 h with 150 mg x L(-1) of Rg3, the percentages of cells in S phase and G2/M phase were increased, whereas the percentage of cells in G0-G1 was decreased. The apoptosis rates were increased from (1.05 +/- 0.17)% in control group cells to (8.41 +/- 0.98)%, (18.57 +/- 2.20)% and (33.98 +/- 1.64)%, respectively. Remarkable DNA ladders were revealed. The effects showed a manner in dose and time dependent of Rg3.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 exerts an inhibiting effect on proliferation of EJ cells by inducing apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Flow Cytometry ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To investigate the various factors that influencing the flap thickness after laser operation in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods 369 LASIK eyes (192 cases;among them, 15 patients for surgery monocular) with M2 130 microkeratome heads, grouped by left or right eye were analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis based on age, sex, occupation, family history of myopia and ophthalmologic examination results before and after LASIK. The result of analysis of one-way variance which P＜0.05 as the variance to described with logistic regression analysis. Results Results from logistic regression analysis showed that the flap thickness after LASIK of right eye group was related to two factors: the preoperative refractive power (P = 0. 017, OR = 0. 832,95% CI : 0. 715-0. 968), and the corneal thickness ( P = 0. 000, OR = 1. 023,95% CI : 1.011-1. 036) while left eye group was related to three factors: the preoperative astigmatism power (P = 0.044, OR = 2.094, 95% CI: 1.021-4.294),negative pressure suction time ( P = 0. 019, OR = 1. 418,95% CI : 1. 059-1. 898) and the corneal thickness(P = 0. 000, OR = 1. 049, 95% CI : 1. 025-1. 073 ). Conclusion Corneal thickness, the preoperative astigmatism power and the negative pressure suction time tended to make the flap thicker while the preoperative refractive power tended to make the flap thinner. Results showed that the flap thickness performed at the first time was more obvious than at the second time.[ Key words] Laser in situ keratomileusis; Flap thickness; Multi-factor analysis

Objective To investigate the roles of mouse erythroid differentiation and denucleation factor (MEDDF), newly cloned in our laboratory, in erythroid terminal differentiation. Methods Mouse erythroleukemia cells (MEL) were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA-MEDDF. The changes of cell growth rate, mitotic index and colony-forming rate in semi-solid medium were investigated.The expressions of c-myc and β-globin genes were analysed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results MEL cells transfected with pcDNA-MEDDF showed significant lower growth rate, mitotic index, and colony-forming rate in semisolid medium(P＜0.01).The percentage of benzidine-positive cells was 32.8% after transfection. The expression of β-globin in cells transfected with pcDNA-MEDDF was 3.43 times higher than that of control (MEL transfected with blank vector, pcDNA3.1 ), and the expression of c-myc was decreased by 66.3%.Conclusions MEDDF can induce differentiation of MELcell, and suppress its malignancy likely.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSPatients with ACS underwent PCI in our hospital from December 2004 to September 2005 were included in this study. Plasma BNP (n = 189) and CRP (n = 141) were measured at a median of (34.2 +/- 16.3) hours from symptom onset, total mortality and the risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, recurrent MI, recurrent angina, heart failure, readmission for any reason) at 30 days and at 3 months was analyzed.

RESULTSPatients were divided into 4 groups according to their BNP levels (BNP 100 ng/L to 300 ng/L to 600 ng/L) and the 3-month mortality was 0%, 1.4%, 7.7%, 48.3% and 3-month incidence of MACE was 7.9%, 17.1%, 57.7%, 79.3% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the plasma BNP level predicted 30-day (r = 0.8515, P < 0.01) and 3-month (r = 0.9201, P < 0.01) mortality and 30-day (r = 0.7066, P < 0.01) and 3-month (r = 0.7090, P < 0.01) incidence of MACE independent of other known prognostic factors such as age, gender, family heredity, hypercholesterolemia diabetes, hypertension, smoking and LVEF. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their CRP levels (CRP 8.0 mg/L to 32.0 mg/L) and 3-month mortality was 2.7%, 7.7% and 28.6% and 3-month incidence of MACE was 28.4%, 41.0% and 60.7% respectively. CRP predicted 30-day (r = 0.5882, P = 0.0044) and 3-month (r = 0.5235, P = 0.0038) mortality independent of traditional risk factors, and predicted 30-day (r = 0.2705, P = 0.0380) and 3-month (r = 0.2290, P = 0.0429) incidence of MACE after adjustment for patient age. CRP lost its predictive value after BNP was introduced into the model, while BNP was still an independent predictor for mortality and incidence of MACE at 30 days and 3 months in ACS patients underwent PCI.

CONCLUSIONBoth plasma BNP and CRP are good predictors for early mortality and MACE incidence in ACS patients underwent PCI.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo make multi-central clinical evaluation of the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel for treatment of infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.

METHODSBy using multi-central, randomized and controlled method, 275 cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 137) and a control group (n = 138). The observation group were treated by the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel, and the control group by routine massage therapy in Tuina Science, a teaching material for college and school of TCM. After treatment for 7 days, their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe cured rate was 83.2% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with a signifi cant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being better than the latter. The mean cured time was (3.22 +/- 1.04) days in the observation group and (4.20 +/- 1.11) days in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being shorter than the latter.

CONCLUSIONThe massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel has a definite therapeutic effect on infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, with rapid effect.

Combined Modality Therapy ; Diarrhea, Infantile ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Massage ; Qi ; Splenic Diseases ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and therapeutic efficacy during the early phase of lamivudine treatment.

METHODSTotally 595 patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated with lamivudine 100 mg/day for 12 months. HBV genotypes, contents of HBV DNA, HBeAg/anti-HBe and YMDD mutation after lamivudine treatment for 12 months were determined. The data were analyzed with SPSS software.

RESULTSIn 595 patients, 8 (1.4%) were genotype A; 53 (8.9%) genotype B; 360 (60.5%) genotype C; 112 (18.8%) were coinfection of genotype B and C; 14 (2.4%) of A and C; 15 (2.5%) A and B; 6 (1.0%) of A, B, and C, and remaining 27 (4.5%) were unspecified. Patients were treated with lamivudine 100 mg/day for 12 months. Genotype B with HBV DNA levels turned to be negative (HBV DNA < 0.1 ng/L) was 87.2%, genotype C was 89.51%, coinfection of genotype B and C was 93.04% (P > 0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of genotype B was 11.65%, of genotype C was 20.64%, and of coinfection of genotype B and C was 18.57% (P > 0.05). All 69 strains of YMDD mutation were detected after lamivudine treatment for 12 months, in which genotype B was in 16.98%, genotype C in 15.38%, and coinfection of genotype B and C was in 13.86% (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere was no difference in HBV genotypes and the rate of development of YMDD mutations, HBeAg seroconversion, descending of HBV DNA level in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.

China ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with long-QT syndrome (LQTs) accompanied with torsade de pointes.

METHODSThirty-two eligible patients were included in this study. Clinical and electrocardiographic data were analyzed and telephone or out-patient follow-up were made in all patients.

RESULTSThere were 15 patients with inherited LQTs (h-LQTs) and 17 patients with acquired LQTs (a-LQTs). There are more women (n = 24) than men (n = 8). β blockers, potassium and magnesium supplement were the basic therapy for h-LQTs patients, bivent pacemaker was implanted in 2 patients and implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted in 5 patients. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias and syncope occurred in 4 patients during (39.4 ± 25.1) months follow-up. In 17 a-LQTs patients, one patient with dilated cardiomyopathy died suddenly and another patient with implanted cardioverter defibrillator experienced one ventricular tachycardia during (30.9 ± 13.3) months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis in h-LQTs and a-LQTs patients with structure heart disease is poor. ICD or CRT-D therapy is suggestive for a-LQTs patients with structure heart disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Torsades de Pointes ; complications ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences between the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) data from the infants at 38-58 weeks of postconceptual age in three hospitals in Chongqing, China and the America norms, and to provide a reference for the introduction and application of TIMP in China.

METHODSTIMP was used to assess 642 infants with 38-58 weeks of postconceptual age who visited the departments of preterm infants or child healthcare in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Shapingba Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chongqing, and Chongqing Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January and December, 2016. The assessment scores were analyzed and compared with the America norms.

RESULTSThe TIMP scores increased with the increasing postconceptual age, with 37±5 points in the 38-39week group and 83±12 points in the 56-57week group. All age groups had a significantly lower mean score than the America norms (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTIMP scores can reflect the motor performance in infants with various postconceptual ages. The TIMP scores from the infants with a postconceptual age of 38-58 weeks in three hospitals in Chongqing are significantly different from the America norms, suggesting that it is very necessary in China to establish the Chinese norms for assessing motor performance in infants using TIMP.

Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Behavior ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Motor Skills

BACKGROUNDIt is the first multicenter clinical study in China to investigate zanamivir use among Chinese adolescents and adults with influenza-like illness (ILI) since 2009, when inhaled zanamivir (RELENZA(®)) was marketed in China.

METHODSAn uncontrolled open-label, multicentre study to evaluate the antiviral activity, and safety of inhaled zanamivir (as Rotadisk via Diskhaler device); 10 mg administered twice daily for 5 days in subjects ≥ 12 years old with ILI. Patients were enrolled within 48 hours of onset and followed for eight days. Patients were defined as being influenza-positive if the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test had positive results.

RESULTSA total of 400 patients ≥ 12 years old were screened from 11 centers in seven provinces from March 2010 to January 2011. Three hundred and ninety-two patients who took at least one dose of zanamivir were entered into the safety analysis. The mean age was 33.8 years and 50% were male. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were the most common comorbidities. All the reported adverse events, such as rash, nasal ache, muscle ache, nausea, diarrhea, headache, occurred in less than 1% of subjects. Mild sinus bradycadia or arrhythmia occurred in four subjects (1%). Most of the adverse events were mild and did not require any change of treatment. No severe adverse events (SAE) or fatal cases were reported. Bronchospasm was found in a 38 years old woman whose symptoms disappeared after stopping zanamivir and without additional treatment. All the 61 influenza virus isolates (43 before enrollment, 18 during treatment) proved to be sensitive to zanamivir.

CONCLUSIONSZanamivir is well tolerated by Chinese adolescents and adults with ILIs. There is no evidence for the emergence of drug-resistant isolates during treatment with zanamivir.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Zanamivir ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDMyocardial tissue-level perfusion failure is associated with adverse outcomes following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) despite successful epicardial recanalization. We have developed a new quantitative index-thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) myocardial perfusion frame count (TMPFC)--for assessing myocardial tissue level perfusion. However, factors affecting this novel index of myocardial perfusion are currently unknown.

METHODSA total of 255 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty were enrolled. Myocardial tissue level perfusion was assessed by TMPFC, which measures the filling and clearance of contrast in the myocardium using cine-angiographic frame counting. We differentiate three groups with two cut off values for TMPFC: a TMPFC of 90 frames was the upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the TMPFC observed in normal arteries, and a TMPFC of 130 was the 75th percentile of TMPFC.

RESULTSSTEMI patients with TMPFC > 130 frames (68 patients, 26.7%) had higher clinical and angiographic risk factor profiles as well as a higher 30-day MACE rate compared with those with TMPFC ≤ 90 frames and those with TMPFC > 90 and ≤ 130 frames. Multivariable analysis identified that the independent predictors of TMPFC > 130 frames were age ≥ 75 years (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.21 to 3.58, P = 0.007), diabetes (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.86, P = 0.042), Killip class ≥ 2 (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.05 to 2.21, P = 0.027), and prolonged pain-to-balloon time (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.07 to 2.79, P = 0.013). TMPFC > 130 frames was identified as the strongest independent predictor of 30-day major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (OR 2.77, 95%CI 1.21 to 6.31, P = 0.008), along with age ≥ 75 years (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.11 to 4.33, P = 0.016), female gender (OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.03 to 2.70, P = 0.038), and Killip class ≥ 2 (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.07 to 3.14, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONSSTEMI patients with poor myocardial perfusion assessed by TMPFC had higher risk factor profiles. Advanced age, diabetes, higher Killip class, and longer ischemia time were independent predictors of impaired TMPFC after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. These results emphasize that particular attention should be paid on myocardial microvascular reperfusion in STEMI patients with these risk factors.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology