Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Recurrence ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; drug therapy

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of lupus flares on maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).MethodsData was obtained from 46 pregnancies of 44 pregnant women with SLE.The relationship between lupus flares and pregnant outcomes,and the risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal prognosis were analyzed.T-test,X2 test or Fisher's exact test and Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results① Lupus flares occurred in19(41％)pregnancies(group A) and stable lupus disease was observed in 27(59％) pregnancies(group B) during pregnancy.Compared to pregnancies in patients with stable lupus disease at the conception(n=32),pregnancies in patients with unstable lupus disease at the conception(n=8) had higher lupus flare during pregnancy( 100％ vs 16％,P＜0.05).(②) The common manifestations of lupus flares during pregnancy were lupus nephritis (LN) (11 cases),skin rashes (10 cases),arthritis (7 cases),and the common complication was infection ( 11 cases).(③) The incidence of premature labor,fetal growth retardation (FGR) and fetal loss in group A was 42％,47％ and 26％ respectively,which was significantly higher than that of the group B (7％,15％ and 0 respectively)(P＜0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of preeclampsia,fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia between the two groups ( 16％ vs 7％,16％ vs 19％,5％ vs O,respectively,P＞0.05).The incidence of premature labor and FGR in patients with active LN was higher than that of patients without active LN (55％ vs 11％,64％ vs 17％,respectively,P＜0.05).(④)The binary Logistic regression analysis showed that renal impairment,hypocomplementemia,aPL and serum urea nitrogen level were independent risk factors for premature delivery,FGR,fetal loss and fetal distress.Conclusion(①) Lupus flares during pregnancy increase the incidence of premature labor,FGR and fetal loss.Active LN during pregnancy can increase the incidence of premature labor and FGR.② Renal impairment,hypocomplementemia,aPL and serum urea nitrogen level are associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant patients with SLE.

AIMTo fabricate multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) modified electrode and study the electrochemical behaviors of diethylstilbestrol at the MWNT-modified electrode.

METHODSCyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry.

RESULTSThe oxidation peak current of diethylstilbestrol increased remarkably and the peak potential shifted negatively at the MWNT-dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate (DHP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), in contrast to that at the bare GC electrode and DHP-modified GC electrode. The oxidation peak current is linear with the concentration of diethylstilbestrol over the range from 1 x 10(-8) to 2 x 10(-6) mol.L-1. The detection limit was 2.5 x 10(-9) mol.L-1. The relative standard deviation (n = 10) was 2.9% for 1 x 10(-6) mol.L-1 diethylstilbestrol.

CONCLUSIONThe MWNT-DHP modified GCE exhibits catalytic activity to the oxidation of diethylstilbestrol.

Carbon ; chemistry ; Diethylstilbestrol ; analysis ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; Electrodes ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nanotechnology

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of the Trp-p8 protein in the prostate tissue of the PSA "grey zone" with different PSA density of the transition zone (PSADTZ) and explore the value of determining Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSThis study involved 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and another 30 cases of PCa with different PSADTZ values. Using a data imaging and analysis system, we determined the expression levels of Trp-p8 in BPH and PCa tissues and analyzed their correlation with PSADTZ.

RESULTSThe expression of Trp-p8 was weak or negative in the BPH but strong in the PCa tissue and even stronger in the PCa tissue with high PSADTZ (F = 34. 05, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Trp-p8 protein is expressed differently in BPH and PCa tissues of the PSA " grey zone" and its expression is positively correlated with PSADTZ. Determination of the Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ contributes to the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Early Detection of Cancer ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; TRPM Cation Channels ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo measure the plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), the protein expression of alpha-SMA in hepatic stellate cells and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and study on the relationships between the plasma levels of TGFbeta1, the protein expression and the serum hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with different grades of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThirty seven cases with hepatic fibrosis of different grades were classified according to HE and VG staining categories from 0 to 4, in which there were 8 cases in grade 1, 9 cases in grade 2, 7 cases in grade 3, 13 cases in grade 4. The plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the serum levels of HA were detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSWith the progression of hepatic fibrosis, the plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the protein expression of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were increased. In grade 3 and 4, the plasma levels of TGFbeta and the protein expression of a-SMA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were significantly increased, but the protein expression of uPA in cirrhosis liver tissue did not increased.

CONCLUSIONTGFbeta1, a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 play an important role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Inhibiting the early activation of latent TGFbeta1 or increasing uPA and inhibiting PAI-1 over express may contribute to matrix degradation and retard the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Actins ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

OBJECTIVESTo measure the plasma levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and study the relationship between the plasma levels of uPA, PAI-1 and the serum albumin (Alb), collagen type IV (CIV), the serum hyaluronic acid (HA), prothrombin time (PT) and prothrombin activity (PTA) in patients with different stages of liver cirrhosis following chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS72 cases with liver cirrhosis of different stages were classified according to child-pugh's categories A, B, C, in which there were 23 cases in child A, 29 cases in child B, and 20 cases in child C. The plasma levels of uPA, uPAR, PAI-1 and the serum levels of HA, CIV were detected by ELISA. The serum PCIII concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSWith the progression of hepatic fibrosis, the plasma levels of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 were (1.36+/-0.43) microg/L, (3.03+/-1.48) microg/L and (24.09+/-7.14) microg/L respectively in group A, (1.79+/-0.62) microg/L, (4.80+/-2.22) microg/L and (41.40+/-17.52) microg/L respectively in group B. The highest levels were in child C, whose levels were (1.88+/-0.64) microg/L, (4.82+/-2.02) microg/L and (52.60+/-16.87) microg/L respectively, compared with group A and group B, t value were from 2.81 to 7.38, all of P value were less than 0.01. There was negative correlation between the plasma levels of uPA and the serum PCIII (r=-0.4785, P<0.05) in child A, but, positive correlation between the plasma PAI-1 and the serum HA (r=0.5447, P<0.01) in child C. The value of PAI-1/uPA was significantly decreased in child A, but increased in child B and child C.

CONCLUSIONIn the late of liver cirrhosis, increased PAI-1 together with uPA, uPAR are associated with overall inhibition of matrix degradation. The plasma levels of uPA and PAI-1 were correlation to the progression of liver cirrhosis.

Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis is a rare benign tumor, accounting for only 4 per cent of all epididymal tumors. Histologically, it can be confused with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This extremely rare lesion may occur sporadically or as a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) disease. The present paper reported a case of papillary cystadenoma accompanied by testicular atrophy with no signs of VHL syndrome or infertility. To date, no similar case was reported in the literature. The tumor measured 5.0 cm x 4.0 cm x 4.0 cm and was located in the right epididymis. Histopathologic examination of a surgically removed specimen indicated a primary papillary cystadenoma. Histomorphologically, these tumors are characterized by cysts with colloid-like contents and papillary formations of light epithelium. Since metastatic renal cell carcinoma may be histologically similar to papillary cystadenoma, the importance of long-term urologic follow-up for possible presentation of renal cell carcinoma is discussed.
Adult ; Atrophy ; etiology ; Cystadenoma, Papillary ; complications ; pathology ; Epididymis ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Testis ; pathology

AIM AND METHODSTo investigate the effect of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg losartan intraperitoneally (i.p) on arterial blood pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) in rat and the involvement in the activity of habenulas neurons. Glass micropipette was used to record any changes of unit discharging of neurons in LHb and MHb before and after losartan was intraperitoneally injected.

RESULTSAP and HR were not significantly changed by 2 mg/kg losartan (i.p). However, AP was apparently decreased by 10 mg/kg losartan (i.p), but HR was unchanged. After 10 mg/kg losartan (i.p), 66.66% (12/18) unit discharging of neurons in LHb were increased in frequency, and 61.90% (13/21) in MHb were decreased.

CONCLUSIONAP of rat was significantly decreased by 10 mg/kg losartan (i.p). Depressor effect of losartan (i.p) was involved in the excision of neurons in LHb and the inhibition in MHb.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Habenula ; drug effects ; physiology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of urokinase on hepatic fibrogenesis in rats.

METHODSHepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by complex pathogenic factors including subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride, alcohol and cholesterol feeding. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, hepatic fibrosis group (complex pathogenic factors for 6 weeks), UK prevention group (complex pathogenic factors+UK for 6 weeks). The animals were sacrificed at the end of week 6. The expression of alpha-SMA, uPA, PAI-1, TGFb1, TIMP-1, collagen type I and type III proteins in hepatic fibrosis tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, the expression of PAI-1 and TGFb1 mRNA in the hepatic fibrosis tissue was quantified by real time RT-PCR. The serum levels of hyaluronicacid (HA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin (TBil) and the content of liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) were detected using ELISA kits.

RESULTSThe serum ALT, AST, TBil, HA and the content of liver Hyp were (46.66+/-6.30) U/L, (126.26+/-31.65) U/L, (31.11+/-4.20) micromol/L, (109.70+/-18.81) microg/L and (0.98+/-0.09) mg/(g liver), respectively, in UK prevention group, which were significantly lower than those [(101.57+/-11.97) U/L, (205.89+/-56.26) U/L, (67.75+/-2.75) micromol/L, (184.43+/-32.36) microg/L and (1.65+/-0.16) mg/(g liver), respectively] in hepatic fibrosis group (q = 3.3801-20.0061, P < 0.01). The levels of a-SMA, collagen type I, type III, TIMP-1, PAI-1, TGFb1 proteins were (299.27+/-37.36), (210.05+/-27.17), (192.94+/-24.48), (213.70+/-32.21), (204.25+/-17.92), (205.97+/-23.81), respectively, in UK prevention group, which were significantly lower than those [(418.83+/-30.21), (323.77+/-21.53), (302.37+/-31.43), (376.63+/-25.19), (313.53+/-26.67) and (327.42+/-36.75), respectively] in hepatic fibrosis group. The level of uPA protein was increased, and the expression of PAI-1, TGFb1 mRNA in hepatic fibrosis tissue was decreased in UK prevention group.

CONCLUSIONIn the early stage of hepatic fibrogenesis, urokinase can attenuate the progression of rat hepatic fibrosis via upregulation of uPA, downregulation of TGFb1, and inhibition of HSC activation.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship between smoking, alcohol intake and hyperlipidemia in fishermen.

METHODS115 fishermen were randomly recruited and divided into case and control groups according to the result of blood lipoprotein. A questionnaire was used to record general information and the history of smoking and alcohol intake. Statistics were gathered to compare the difference of lipoprotein and apolipoprotein level between exposure and control groups and to calculate the OR value of smoking and alcohol intake.

RESULTSThe OR of smoking was 3.417 (95% CI: 1.132 - 10.308), with significant dosage-effect relationship between smoking index and hyperlipidemia. The serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels in smoking group was higher than that of control group. The OR value of alcohol intake at early age (early than 20) were 3.275 (95% CI: 1.249 - 8.580) and 4.016 (95% CI: 1.475 - 10.952) respectively. The LDL-C, apoB, the serum total cholesterol (TC)/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in alcohol abuse group were higher than that of control group.

CONCLUSIONSmoking and alcohol abuse were important risk factors of hyperlipidemia, through changing the level of LDL-C and apoB. There was synergistic action between smoking and alcohol abuse in the development of hyperlipidemia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Fisheries ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires