OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Bushen Zhuangjin Decoction (BZD) containing serum on the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by mechanics stimulus.

METHODSThe BZD containing serum was extracted. The chondrocyte nutritive media was divided into 3 groups, i.e., the common nutritive medium group, the blank rabbit serum medium group, and the BZD nutritive medium group. The apoptosis of chondrocytes was induced by continuing mechanics stimulus in 24 h. Then the chondrocytes were collected. The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes was determined by flow cytometry. The contents of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and nitric oxide (NO) in the corresponding media were determined.

RESULTSThe apoptosis of chondrocytes in the BZD nutritive medium group (19.55 +/- 7.98)% was lower than that of the common nutritive medium group (39.32 +/- 13.45)% and the blank rabbit serum medium group (37.87 +/- 9.67)%, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The contents of IL-1beta and NO were also lower in the BZD nutritive medium group with statistical difference when compared with those of the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBZD containing serum could protect mechanics stimulus induced apoptosis of chondrocytes.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Serum

The purpose of the present study was to explore whether substance P (SP) modulates the response mediated by GABAA receptors. Experiments were carried out on cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons of rats. GABA-activated inward currents were recorded using the whole-cell-patch-clamp techique. The majority of the neurons examined (66/92, 72%) were sensitive to both GABA and SP. When the neurons were treated with SP prior to application of GABA, the GABA-activated current (IGABA) was inhibited markedly, which was concentration-dependent and could be blocked by spantide, an NK1 receptor antagonist. With 10－8, 10－7, 10－6 and 10－5 mol/L SP, IGABA was inhibited by 18%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 28% respectively. Intracellular application of H7, a potent inhibitor of PKC, abolished inhibition of IGABA by SP, suggesting that the inhibition of IGABA by SP may be a result of intracellular phosphorylation of the GABAA receptor.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on ischemia and reperfusion cochlea in guinea pigs.

METHODSThe guinea pigs were randomly allocated into four groups: experiment groups (A1 and B1) and control groups (A2 and B2). Cochlear ischemia and reperfusion was induced by thrombus and thrombolysis method. In experiment group A1, ANP was administered 10 min before the ischemic insult. In experiment group B1, ANP was administered at the beginning of reperfusion. In control groups, instead of ANP, normal sodium was injected. The blood flow of cochlea (CoBF) was monitored continuously with laser Doppler flow meter and the threshold of auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured.

RESULTSBefore the induction of ischemia, the CoBF of experiment group A1 was higher than that of the control group A2. From the reperfusion moment to the end of the experiment, there was no difference between the CoBF of the two groups. In B1 and B2 groups, no difference could be seen between the two groups before the induction of ischemia. After reperfusion, the blood flow of control group B2 recovered to 70% of the base level, while the CoBF of experiment group B1 restored to almost the same level of the beginning. Before ischemia, the ABR threshold of the four groups had no difference. At 30 min of ischemia, the threshold of experiment group Al was lower than that of control group A2. And there was no difference in experiment group B1 and control group B2. At 30 min and 60 min of reperfusion, the threshold of experiment group B1 was significantly lower than that of control group B2. No difference could be seen between experiment group A1 and control group A2.

CONCLUSIONSAdministration of ANP at the beginning of reperfusion protects the cochlea from ischemia and reperfusion injury. The administration can not only increase the CoBF, but lower the ABR threshold.

Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; Cochlea ; blood supply ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Guinea Pigs ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of IEMAD (modified MIME) composed of isofosfamide, VM26 or VP16, methotrexate, cytarabine, dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, in treatment of refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty-five patients with refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (11 refractory NHL patients, 14 relapsed NHL patients) were treated with IEMAD regimen. The results showed that the complete remission rate was 24.0% (6/25) and the partial remission rate was 28.0%, having an overall response rate of 52%. The median survival duration was 13 months and the median duration of progression-free survival was 8 months. The most frequent complications were gastrointestinal complaint (nausea, vomiting etc.) and myelosuppression. No treatment related mortality was found. It is concluded that the IEMAD (modified MIME) regimen may be a safe and effective regimen that can be used in treatment of patients with refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who did not respond to other regimens.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Ifosfamide ; administration & dosage ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Mitoguazone ; administration & dosage ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVEDual detection of Salmonella and Shigella using modified molecular beacons and real-time PCR was developed. The established method was applied to rapid diagnosis of Salmonella and Shigella' food poisoning, and for routine monitoring programs.

METHODSTwo sets of primers were designed based on the core sequence of invA gene and ssaR gene published on GenBank to detect Salmonella, and ipaH gene were selected to detect Shigella. Three corresponding modified molecular beacons labeled with different fluorophors were designed. The molecular beacons and primer sets were tested against numerous strains from 55 different bacterial species. Then the two assays were combined to establish the dual real-time PCR assay, and were applied to the food poisoning diagnosis and surveillance.

RESULTSFor the modified molecular beacons-based dual real-time PCR assay, the sensitivity achieved was 69-93 fg/microl, 32-64 CFU/ml or 1-2 CFU/PCR reaction. There was no cross-reaction with other bacteria served as control. The dual real-time PCR assay was used to detect 134 Salmonella strains and 67 Shigella strains but no false signals were observed. 1100 food poisoning samples were tested with 569 Salmonella and 42 were Shigella identified by real time PCR. Among the positive samples, 551 were detected Salmonella and 41 were Shigella by traditional culture method. The overall test could be finished within 2 hours to one day starting from sample preparation.

CONCLUSIONThe modified molecular beacons-based dual real-time PCR assay was rapid, sensitive, and specific. It could be applied to the rapid diagnosis of Salmonella and Shigella' food poisoning.

DNA Primers ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; diagnosis ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Salmonella ; genetics ; Salmonella Food Poisoning ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Shigella ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, especially in relation to metastasis.

METHODSSerum VEGF expression level, measured by quatitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, R&D system), was measured before, 3 days and 4 weeks after TACE in 30 patients with HCC. The development of metastasis was evaluated at the end of the third month after TACE.

RESULTS1. The serum VEGF level in 30 patients was 154.47 +/- 90.17 pg/ml, 2. Post-TACE total serum VEGF level increased as compared with their basal level in 30 patients (P < 0.05) and serum VEGF level had a tendency to increase in patients with heterogeneous uptake of iodized oil and portal vein thrombosis. During the follow-up of 1 - 2 years, metastatic foci were found in 74% (20) patients with SVEGF increase, while none of the patients showing SVEGF decrease developed metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSerum VEGF expression increase is associated with the development of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between pressure-derived collateral coronary flow (PDCF) and Rentrop grade of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSPDCF, determined by the ratio of P(w)/P(a), was measured in 29 patients with AMI of the first onset who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 h after the onset. Sufficient collateral flow (group A, n=19) was defined as PDCF>0.24 and insufficient collateral flow (group B, n=10) as PDCF< or =0.24. Rentrop grade of the collateral flow was evaluated by coronary angiography. Echocardiography was performed on the 3rd and 30th day after PCI. The left ventricular ejection fraction, end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, and the related indexes were obtained.

RESULTRentrop grade was significantly related to PDCF (r=0.75, P<0.01), but a wide range of PDCF was observed in patients with Rentrop grade< or =1.

CONCLUSIONPDCF measurement allows quantitative evaluation of the collateral flow in patients with AMI.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Collateral Circulation ; physiology ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Circulation ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Regional Blood Flow

In order to evaluate the effects of FLAG regimen in treatment of refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 27 patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (10 refractory AML patients, 17 relapsed AML patients) were treated with FLAG regimen. The results show that the rate of complete remission was 48.2% (13/27), the rate of partial remission was 14.8% (4/27), and the overall response rate was 63.0%. Main toxicities were gastrointestinal side effectes, myelosupression and neutropenia. It is concluded that FLAG regimen can be employed in treatment of the refractory or relapsed patients who were not respond to other regimen, and the regiment was safe.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; chemically induced ; Treatment Outcome ; Vidarabine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives

In order to get clinical information about safety and feasibility of successively double autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplants (SD-AHSCT) in malignant hematological disease patients, the complications and hematological reconstitution after SD-AHSCT in 20 patients were analyzed retrospectively. 20 patients with hematologic malignancies received autologous peripheral blood stem/progenitor cell transplantation at the first transplant, and then were given autologous bone marrow transplantation as the second transplant at 4-10 months. The results showed that all the patients tolerated mobilization and collection of peripheral blood stem/progenitor cells as well as bone marrow collection. All the patients got enough hematological stem/progenitor cells for SD-AHSCT and achieved hematological reconstitution after SD-AHSCT. The speed of hematological reconstitution was positively correlated with the transfused quantity of hematological stem/progenitor cells (r = 0.968). The hematological reconstitution after the first autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) was earlier than that of the second (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the first and the second AHSCT for the incidence of skin or mucous membrane bleeding (P > 0.05). No patients occurred massive hemorrhage during SD-AHSCT. The quantity of platelet transfusion in the second AHSCT was larger than that in the first AHSCT (P < 0.01). The incidence of oral ulcer in the first AHSCT was significantly higher than that in the second (P < 0.01). No statistical difference between the first and the second AHSCT was there in infectious sites, infectious pathogens and infection incidence (P > 0.10). All the complications were improved or cured, and no patients died of SD-AHSCT complications. In conclusion, SD-AHSCT is safe and feasible, and worthy to be further popularized.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Ulcer ; etiology ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Platelet Transfusion ; statistics & numerical data ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous

Purpose To investigate the value of application of D2-40/CD34-CK cocktail antibodies by double immunohistochemical staining for assessment of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and to determine its prognostic significance in colorectal cancer with insufficient lymph node harvest. Methods Specimens from 133 cases of colorectal cancer with less than 12 lymph nodes were selected. HE staining and double immunohistochemical staining of the cocktail antibodies were performed to compare the difference of the two methods in screening for LVI. The The relationship between LVI confirmed by cocktail antibody immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) of patients was analyzed. Results (1) The detection rates of cocktail antibody double immunohistochemical staining and HE staining for LVI were 42.9％ (57/133) and 21.8％ (29/133) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). (2) The presence of LVI confirmed by double staining was significantly associated with Dukes staging, depth of invasion, clinical stages, lymph node metastasis and tumor budding (P < 0.05). (3) The presence of LVI, the location and extent of LVI, and the number of tumor cells in thrombus ≥5.5 for cases with LVI ≤2 clusters, were significantly associated with OS (P < 0.05). Conclusion D2-40/CD34-CK cocktail antibodies double staining is superior to routine HE staining in assessing LVI. LVI is intimately associated with tumor stage, lymph nodes metastasis and tumor budding, and it is an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients. It should be a supplementary examination for these patients with insufficient lymph node harvest.