Objective To explore the elinical characteristics and the effects of thrombolytic and anti-coagulation therapy on pulmonary embolism(PE)in over 60-year-old patients. Methods The clinical findings,diagnostic techniques,effects of thrombolytic and anti coagulation therapy in 72 patients with PE aged over 60-year were analyzed retrospectively. Results Each one of 72 patients in this study suffered from two or more chronic diseases.Hypertension(56.9%)and deep venous thrombosis(DVT)in lower limbs(53.6%)were the most common thrombosis risk factors in the study.The clinical findings were atypical in elderly patients with PE.Different degree of dyspnea was the main characteristics(91.7%).Other findings were cough(30.6%),chest pain(27.8%),cyanosis (18.1%),faint(13.9%)and emptysis(12.5%).The objective signs showed edema of lower extremity (44.4%),moist rales(31.9%),P2 accentuation(18.1%),vascular murmur(5.6%).Blood gas analysis in 61 cases showed that 53 patients suffered from hypoxemia(86.9%)along with 37 cases of hypocapnia(60.7%).The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was increased in 27/31 cases(87.1%)and blood D-dipolymer was positive in 50/61 cases(82.0%).Spiral CT pulmonary angiogram(CTPA)in 62 cases and radioactive nuclear ventilation perfusion scan in 16 cases demonstrated PE in 58(93.5%) and 16(100%)patients respectively.The cure rate of thrombolytic therapy combined with anti-coagulation versus anti-coagulation therapy alone was 86.2%versus 30.2%(P=0.000).There was no haemorrhagia phenomenon during thrombolytic and anti-coagulation therapy. Conclusions The most common risk factors of PE in the elderly are hypertension and DVT in Iower limbs.The clinical symptoms are atypical and variable.Dyspnea is the main characteristics.Thrombolytic with anti-coagulation therapy is safe and effective,but anti-coagulation therapy alone has no benefit.

Objective To clone and to identify the core promoter of human TSLCI used for exploring of transcrip-tion regulatory mechanism.Methods A series of different fragments located in the upstream of translation start site of TSLC1 were amplified from human genomic DNA by PCR,and then constructed into pGL3-Basic luciferase re-porter vector.The activity of different fragments in A549 and NCI-H446 cells was examined by a dual-luciferase as-say after transient transfection,and then the core promoter of TSLC1 was identified.Results Among the different constructs,the fragment of -68 ～ -329 bp located in the upstream of ATG showed the strong activity both in A549 cells and NCI-H446 cells,which played an important role in the transcription of TSLC1.Conclusion The fragment of -68 ～ -329 bp located in the upstream of translation start site of TSLC1 might be the core promoter region.

Objective Motility is an important physiological characteristic of a mature sperm.Nerve growth factor(NGF) is a protein essential for the development,maintenance and survival of the peripheral and central nervous systems.NGF and its receptors TrkA and p75 are widely expressed in the testis,accessory reproductive organ,and the epididymal sperms.In the present study,we investigated the role of NGF on human sperm motility.Methods Use 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L concentrations of NGF,on sperm motility study to investigate the optimal concentration.Use CASA to detect Sperm motility changes every 10 minutes in an hour after 10 μmol/L NGF was added to the semen.Results The parameters of sperm motility increased after NGF incubation had significant difference, in particular,VAP,VSL,VCL,BCF and LIN mean were significantly increased more than 32%.MAD,STR,ALH and WOB mean had no notable difference.Furthermore,NGF promotes the sperm motility in a time- and dose- dependent manner.In addition,the enhancement of NGF on sperm motility was more stronger than those of sperm culture medium.Conclusion Our findings suggest that NGF plays a promoted role in human sperm motility.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nucleosides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the effects of four interior-warming drugs( galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger)on the tension of ileum smooth muscle and Ca2+-ATPase on the cell membrane in rabbits. Methods The effects of galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger were examined on normal ileum smooth muscle,in vitro intestinal muscle contraction caused by acetylcholine(ACh),barium chloride(BaCl2 )and histamine(His), and ACh-induced calcium release by using BL-420E+ biological signal collection and processing system.The average tension was measured within 1 min before delivery and within 3 minutes after the treatment,and the inhibition rate was calculated according to the average tension value.The effects of sera containing galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger on Ca2+-ATPase activity on the cell membrane of the intestinal smooth muscle were examined by phosphorus method. Results Galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger at high concentrations could restrain in vitro intestinal contraction in normal circumstances(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Significant inhibitory effects on intestinal contraction caused by ACh,His and BaCl2 were found in low,medium and high concentration groups(P<0.01).There was a dose-effectiveness relationship between the inhibition rate and final drug concentrations.The ACh-induced intracellular and extracellular calcium dependent contraction were significantly inhibited by the four interior-warming drugs( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01). The Ca2+-ATPase activities were( 0. 384 ± 0.070),(0.302±0.016),(0.307±0.016),(0.296±0.016),(0.313±0.003)U·mg-1 ,respectively,in intestinal smooth muscle in normal control group and high concentration groups of galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger(P<0.01). Conclusion Interior-warming drugs may relax intestinal smooth muscle by reducing the intracellular calcium release and the extracellular calcium inflow via receptor-controlled calcium channels,and inhibiting the Ca2+-ATPase activity in smooth muscle.

AIM: To determine the effect of heat treatment on rat primary cultured neurons, and give fundamental research for candidate molecule to protect the neurons from heat injury. METHODS: Neurons from rat striatum were primary cultivated in D-MEM with 15% horse serum, and when got mature, cells were identified by immuno-cytochemical staining with neurofilament protein (NF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) antibodies. Cells in heat treatment groups were put in an 43 ℃ CO 2 incubator for 1 h, and the control groups at 37 ℃ as normal. Striatum neurons were stained with trypan blue and dual fluorscence dye (PI/H33258) immediately followed heat treatment, and necrosis rate of neurons was estimated. At the same time, activated caspase-3 immuno-cytochemical and TdT TUNEL methods were applied to determine apoptosis rate, and cell volume was also identified with micro-photography. RESULTS: During day 7 to day 9, the cultured striatum neurons got mature, and many neuronal fibers starched out and formed neuron network, NF, TH, and NSE staining positive. Treatment at 43 ℃ for 1 h, cell number decreased greatly, while NF+ percentage kept unchanged, and the heat treatment survived neurons were processing cell necrosis and apoptosis, but necrosis percentage was much greater than that of apoptosis. While cell volume kept unchanged after heat treatment. CONCLUSION: Heat treatment greatly affects the growth and survival of the cultured striatum neurons, and the injury effect is most due to cell necrosis process.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the middle cerebral artery occlusion on the density of the brain surface vessels in the rat.MethodsForty one male Wistar rats with an average body weight of 170±10g were randomly divided into three groups: group A(n=3) underwent no operation, group B(n=3) underwent sham operation, group C(n=35) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury. The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of group C rats were induced by 5/0 monofilament nylon suture for 2 hours. The time points of reperfusion was 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days following MCAO. The regional cerebral blood flow in the right brain, the morphology, number, length of the right hemisphere surface vessels were measured. ResultsThe number, length of the right hemisphere vessels increased with the progress of reperfusion time. Conclusions The ischemia induced the production of vessels in the brain in the rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenesis, clinical features, radiographic findings and therapeutic outcomes of non-acute intracranial deep venous thrombosis in adults.

METHODSFive patients who presented with increased intracranial pressure were examined with computed tomography, magnetic resonance and angiography, diagnosed as having non-acute intracranial deep venous thrombosis, and treated with thrombolytic therapy. They were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were 3 men and 2 women, aged from 22 to 49 years. Symptom duration ranged from 1 month to 7 months, and 4 of the 5 patients were associated with venous sinus thrombosis. Two patients developed cold and fever before the onset of disease, and 3 patients had no evident predisposing factors. After the infusion of thrombolytic and systemic anti-coagulant therapy, the neurological symptoms and signs of the patients were alleviated.

CONCLUSIONSDigital subtraction angiography (DSA) is more sensitive and accurate than MRI on diagnosing intracranial deep venous thrombosis. It may play an important role in the assessment of the treatment of intracranial deep venous thrombosis. Thrombolysis and anticoagulation of intracranial deep venous thrombosis appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment not only in the acute stage but also in the non-acute stage.

Adult ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Cerebral Veins ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; therapeutic use ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe expression of TSLC1 is downregulated or abrogated in many kinds of tumors, and its downregulation is highly associated with DNA hypermethlyation. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between TSLC1 silencing and DNA methylation of its promoter region in lung cancer cells.

METHODSWe detected the expression pattern of TSLC1 in human normal lung tissue and three lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCI-H446 and Calu-3) by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Real-time PCR. Then we detected the status of DNA methylation in TSLC1 promoter region with bisulfite sequencing in above normal lung tissue and lung cancer cell lines. After treatment of above cell lines with the inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC), we detected the expression change of TSLC1 by Real-time PCR before and after the treatment of 5-Aza-dC.

RESULTSThere was no methylation in TSLC1 promoter region in normal lung tissue and A549 cell line in which TSLC1 expressed; while there was DNA hypermethylation in TSLC1 promoter region in NCI-H446 and Calu-3 cell lines in which TSLC1 was abrogated, also the expression of TSLC1 in NCI-H446 and Calu-3 cell lines could be restored after treatment of 5-Aza-dC.

CONCLUSIONThe silencing of TSLC1 in lung cancer cells is due to the hypermethylation of its promoter region.

Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) on endogenous avidin-binding activity (EABA) and to establish an effective way to block EABA in immunohistochemistry.

METHODSSystematically screening EABA in 164 (679 samples) formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded human tissues including 76 (102 samples) normal tissues and 88 (577 samples) tumor tissues as well as 4 (80 samples) formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded rat normal tissues using tissue array (tissue chip), HIER, immunohistochemistry and egg white solution blocking. In addition, EABA was also examined in 9 (15 samples) human frozen tissues.

RESULTS(1) EABA was detected in frozen tissues. (2) No staining for EABA was seen in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues. (3) EABA was revealed after the tissues treated with microwave HIER. (4) The density of signal for EABA was variable from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. (5) The signals of EABA expressed in scatter or diffuse in tissues and in granular form in cytoplasm. (6) EABA was found in a wide range of epithelial tissues, especially in gland epithelia of normal and tumor tissues. These included kidney, adrenal cortex, liver, C cells of thyroid gland, oxyphil cells of parathyroid, fundal gland of stomach, sebaceous gland of skin, duct of salivary; oncocytoma and papillary adenocarcinoma of kidney and thyroid gland, adenolymphoma of parotid, carcinoma of liver cell, adenocarcinoma of stomach, colon, prostate, gall bladder and endometrium, and so on. (7) EABA was easier revealed by higher pH value buffer (EGTA pH 9.0) than that with lower pH value (EDTA pH 8.0 and citrate pH 6.0). (8) The revealed EABA could be effectively blocked using 20% egg white solution.

CONCLUSIONSHIER could unmask EABA in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues. The unmasked EABA present in a wide range of human normal and tumor tissues as well as in rat normal tissues. The EABA could influence routine immunohistochemistry staining when using (strept)avidin-horseradish peroxidase detective system. The egg white solution could effectively block EABA and eliminate the influence of EABA on immunohistochemistry.

Animals ; Avidin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Biotin ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Egg Proteins ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Epitopes ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats