Objective To examine the inhibitory effect of Chinese herbal Compound Dongju on 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide(4NQO)-induced tongue carcinogenesis in rats. Methods A total of 85 Wistar rats were divided into four groups: model group(n=35),administration group(n=35),normal control group(n=5) and herb control group(n=10).4NQO dissolved in drinking water was administered orally to induce tongue carcinogenesis in rats.The herb compound was injected into the stomach of the rats during oral carcinogenesis.Rats were sacrificed at 9,13,20,24 and 32 weeks from the beginning of the experiment.The tongues of the rats were dissected for gross and histological assessment,and SP immunohistochemical method was also employed to detect the expression of cyclin D1 in the specimens. Results Compared with the model group,the incidence of dysplasia and the positive rate of cyclin D1 were suppressed by Compound Dongju(P

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,pathogen distribution and outcome of lower respiratory tract fungal infection in patients with mechanical ventilation in emergency intensive care unit(EICU). Methods The clinical data of patients with lower respiratory tract fungal infection treated with mechanical ventilation in EICU were retrospectively analysed. Results Eighty(64.5%) of the 124 patients with mechanical ventilation experienced lower respiratory tract infection,among whom 21(26.2%) were complicated with fungal infection.The predominant pathogen was Candida(Candida albicans,n=11;Candida tropicalis,n=5;Candida smooth,n=3;Candida parapsilosis,n=2).Compared with patients with non-fungal infection(n=59),those with fungal infection(n=21) had higher APACHE II score,longer mechanical ventilation time and longer ICU stay duration(P

Biomarkers, Tumor ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; Precancerous Conditions ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective To compare the changes in serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)and uric acid(UA)before and after atorvastatin treatment for the patients with both essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia,and to evaluate its effects on blood pressure and left ventricular remodeling.Methods One hundred and twenty-six hypertensive patients complicated with hypercholesterolemia were randomized into group A with amlodipine 10 mg/d(n = 65)and group B with amlodipine 10 mg/d plus atorvastatin 20 mg/d(n = 61),for three months continuously.Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),triglyeerides(TG),hs-CRP and UA,as well as blood pressure,were determined for both groups before and after treatment.Left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LPWT)and interventricular septum thickness(IVST)were measured by echocardiography and left ventricle mass index(LVMI)was calculated.Results Serum levels of TC,LDL-C,HDL-C,TG,hs-CRP and UA decreased significantly in gr6up B after three-month treatment with atorvastatin,while serum level of HDL-C increased significantly. And,systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduced in both groups,but significantly lower in group B than those in group A,after treatment(P

Objective To evaluate the safety of coronary intervention using iodixanol in patients with diabetic renal insufficiency.Methods Clinical data of 97 patients with diabetic renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention during June 2004 to June 2006 were retrospectively analyzed,50 of them with iodixanol,an iso-osmolar contrast medium (iodixanol group),and 47 with iopromide,a hypotanic contrast medium (iopromide group).Judkin's coronary angiography showed 167 diseased vessels in the patients,65 in anterior descending branches,44 in circumflex branches,and 58 in right coronary arteries. Levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were determined before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),on the day of the procedure,the 3rd and 7th days after PCI,respectively,as well as radiocontrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) was observed.Results Totally,192 drug-eluting stents were successfully implanted in 167 diseased vessels,and all patients' angina pectoris symptom disappeared soon after the procedure,with a full success.No acute or subacute stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred.Two patients (4%) in iodixanol group and 10 (21%) in iopromide group got CIN,with a statistical significance (P

Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

A in vitro platelet aggregation bioassay was developed for the quality control of XST capsules. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation effect in rats was observed to detect the bioactivity of XST capsules. Panax notoginseng saponins and Xuesaitong lyophilizedpowder for injection were taken as standard control substances to determine the potency. According to the results, XST capsules showeda significant inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. The in vitro anti-platelet activity oflyophilized powder for injection was stabler than that of Panax notoginseng saponins, and so suitable to serve as a standard control substance. The biological potency of XST capsules compared with standard control substance was detected by using parallel line assay. According to the results, the established bioassay method had a good repeatability (RSD 2.92%). The sample test results could pass thereliability test(linear deviation P > 0.05, parallel deviation P > 0.05). This bioassay method could be used as one of the complementary quality control methods for XST capsules.
Animals ; Capsules ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDIn obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, it is often difficult to detect the bleeding sites located in the small bowel with conventional radiological, scintigraphic or angiographic techniques. Push enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy are currently considered to be the most effective diagnostic procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the detection rates between capsule endoscopy and push enteroscopy.

METHODSFrom May 2002 through January 2003, we prospectively examined by capsule endoscopy 39 patients with suspected small bowel diseases, in particular GI bleeding of unknown origin in Renji Hospital. Among them, 32 complained of obscure recurrent GI bleeding. Between January 1993 and October 1996, we used push enteroscopy on 36 patients who suffered from unexplained GI bleeding. All patients had prior normal results on gastroscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel barium radiography, scintigraphy and/or angiography.

RESULTSM2A capsule endoscopy disclosed abnormal small bowel findings in 26 (82%) out of 32 patients. Twenty-one of them had significant pathological findings explaining their clinical disorders. Diagnostic yield was therefore 66% (21 of 32 patients). Definite bleeding sites diagnosed by capsule endoscopy in 21 patients included angiodysplasia (8), inflammatory small-bowel (5), small-bowel polyps (4), gastrointestinal stromal tumour (2), carcinoid tumour and lipoma (1), and hemorrhagic gastritis (1). Push enteroscopy detected the definite sources of bleeding in 9 (25%) of the 36 patients. Patients with definite bleeding sources included angiodysplasias (2), leiomyosarcoma (2), leiomyoma (1), lymphoma (1), Crohn's disease (1), small-bowel polyps (1) and adenocarcinoma of ampulla (1). Suspected bleeding sources were shown by push enteroscopy in two additional patients (6%), and in other five patients (16%) by capsule endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study of patients with obscure GI bleeding showed that capsule endoscopy significantly superior to push enteroscopy in detecting GI bleeding (P < 0.001). Capsule endoscopy is safe and painless, and should become the initial diagnostic choice for patients with obscure GI bleeding.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of vascular smooth muscle cells calcium channel α1C subunit (LTCCα1C) in rats exposed in low temperature.

METHODSCold-induced hypertension was established and blood pressure was measured every two weeks. The mRNA expression of L type calcium channel α1C was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe blood pressure of the rats exposed to cold environment increased. The blood pressure of experimental groups [(102.8 ± 2.25) mm Hg] began to increase from the first two weeks, compared with the control group [(89.2 ± 3.73) mm Hg], there were significant difference (P < 0.05). The blood pressure of experimental groups were (114.5 ± 4.21), (121.9 ± 3.03) mm Hg respectively at 4, 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, the expression of LTCCα1C mRNA of the cold exposure group increased significantly (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the expression of LTCCα1C mRNA and the blood pressure of the rats (r = 0.86, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONRepeated cold exposure can establish cold-induced hypertension, and the level of vascular smooth muscle cells LTCCα1C expression increase.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Hypertension ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate selcnium(Se) levels of environment and human body in Gaomi City and Zichuan District of Shandong. Methods Lijiaying Township in Gaomi City of Weifang City, Zhaili Township and Longquan Township in Zichuan District of Zibo City were selected. Two farming soil samples at different spot, local wheat and corn, residents nail samples from 3 to 4 families were collected in each natural village in the investigated towns. The contents of Se were detected by 2,3-diamino naphthalene fluorescence method. Results Se level of the soil, wheat, corn, and nails in Lijiaying [(0.054 ± 0.019), (0.022 ± 0.009), (0.018 ± 0.007), (0.365 ± 0.108)mg/kg] was significantly lower than that in Zhaili [(0.425 ± 0.080), (0.130 ± 0.043), (0.098 ± 0.026), (0.751 ± 0.134)mg/kg] and Longquan[(0.487 ± 0.153), (0.112 ± 0.030), (0.097 ± 0.029), (0.735 ± 0.145)mg/kg;P < 0.01]. In Lijiaying, Se was deficient in soil, wheat, corn(< 0.200, < 0.025 mg/kg), above Se deficiency diagnosis and below Se-adequate level in the nail, while in Zhaili and Longquan, the Se level in the soil (0.425, 0.487 mg/kg), wheat(0.130, 0.112 mg/kg), corn (0.098, 0.097 mg/kg), nails (0.751, 0.735 mg/kg) was adequate (≥0.400 mg/kg). Conclusions The external environment is Se-deficient in Lijiaying, Se-adequate in Longquan and Zhaili. The selenium level in human body is consistent with the external environment.