Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin with parecoxib sodium on early cellular immunology function and cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement.Methods One hundred patients (aged 65-80 years,ASA grade Ⅱ) undergoing elective total hip replacement were randomly assigned into 4 groups: group W(n=25),group P(n=25),group WP(n=25) and group C(n=25).The patients in group W received intravenous injection of ulinastatin with a dose of 5 000 U/kg before skin incision and at the moment of the end of operation.Patients in group P accepted intravenous injection of parecoxib sodium of 40 mg before anesthesia and at a 12 h intervals for six times.Patients in group WP accepted intravenous injection of ulinastatin with a dose of 5 000 U/kg before skin incision and at the moment of the end of operation,and accepted intravenous injection of parecoxib sodium with a dose of 40 mg before anesthesia and at a 12 h interval for six times.Patients in group C were given normal saline at the same time as placebo.The operation time,the volume of bleeding and autologous blood receiving and the intraoperative fentanyl consumption were recorded in four groups.Blood samples were obtained before induction (T0),at the end of operation (T1),on 6 h (T2),24 h (T3),72 h (T4) after operation for determination of plasma concentration of S100β protein,neuron-specific enolase(NSE),IL-6,TNF-α.The percentages of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+,CD4+,CD8+) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were detected with flow cytometry.The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to test the cognitive function of the patients at T0,T4 and 7 d after operation (T5).Results Compared with T0,the percentages of CD3+,CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ in groups C,W and P were significantly decreased,the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased at T1-T4,concentration of NSE and S100 protein were significantly increased at T2 and T3 (P<0.05).the percentages of CD3+,CD4+T lymphocyte and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in groups W and P at T2,T3 and group WP at T1-T4 was significantly higher than that of group C,the concentration of IL-6,TNF-α,NSE and S100β protein content was significantly lower than in group C (P<0.05);the percentages of CD3+,CD4+T lymphocyte and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in group WP was significantly higher than those of groups W and P,the concentrations of TNF-α,IL-6,NSE and S100β protein content was significantly lower than those of group W and P at T2,T3 (P<0.05).Compared with T0,MMSE score in group C was significantly lower at T4,T5 (P<0.05).MMSE score of groups W,P and WP was significantly higher than that of group C at T4 (P<0.05).MMSE score of group WP was significantly higher than those of groups W and P at T4 (P<0.05).Conclusion Ulinastatin combined with parecoxib sodium ameliorates early cellular immunology function and cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement,and it is more effective than using ulinastatin or parecoxib sodium alone.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the formulation of an emollient for treatment of atopic dermatitis prepared using ceramide, sodium hyaluronate, paeonol, and camellia-seed oil.

METHODSThe emollients with different ratios of the 4 components were designed according to the L9(34)orthogonal table with 4 factors and 3 levels. The efficacy of the prepared emollients was tested in 4-6 week-old BALB/c mouse models of atopic dermatitis to determine the optimal formulation of the emollient by evaluating skin water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pharmacodynamics and skin irritation.

RESULTSRange analysis of the orthogonal table and analysis of variance showed that ceramide and camellia seed oil contents had the greatest impact on the skin water content and TEWL, respectively, and the optimal composition of the emollient contained the 4 components at the ratios of D1E1F1G1. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that at high, medium and low doses, the emollient with the optimal formulation significantly improved the skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mice (P<0.05) with similar effects in the positive control group (P>0.05) and a skin irritation test score of 0.

CONCLUSIONThe emollient we prepared can significantly improve skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mouse model of atopic dermatitis without skin irritations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the anti-proliferation effect of baicalein and extracellular signal-regulated kinase and focal adhesion kinase(ERK-FAK) signal pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: The study included two parts and each part contained 4 groups, including control, 20 μmol/L BAI, 40 μmol/L BAI, 80 μmol/L BAI or control, 40 μmol/L BAI, MEK inhibitor(0.33 nmol/L),MEK inhibitor(0.33 nmol/L)+40 μmol/L BAI.Each group was treated in triplicate for 24 hours and 48 hours.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to detect the inhibitory effect of baicalein; Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and Western blot were used to analysis the effect of Baicalein on E-cadherin and Vimentin. The expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK), phosphorylated (p-ERK), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase(p-FAK) were detected by Western blot. The regulatory effect of MEK inhibitor(U0126) on Baicalein was tested by Western blot assay. RESULTS: The survival rate of cells treated with BAI is much lower than that of control group(<0.01); the mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin were obviously higher than those of control group, while the mRNA and protein levels of Vimentin were lower than those of control group(<0.01).The protein levels of p-ERK and p-FAK treated with BAI were much lower than those of control group(<0.01), but the total ERK and FAK had no obvious changes (<0.05).The protein level of E-cadherin treated with MEK inhibitor was higher than that of control group(<0.01) and the protein levels of Vimentin, p-ERK and p-FAK were lower than those of control group (<0.01), while the total protein levels of ERK and FAK were the same(<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Baicalein can inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of OSCC, which may be mediated by ERK-FAK signal pathway.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Flavanones ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and select excellent germplasm resources of Artemisia annua L., providing basic data for data base and breeding of A. annua.

METHODSeventy-two germplasms of A. annua, which were collected from main production areas, were planted in germplasm resources garden in Jingxi and Nanning under the same conditions. The samples were gathered in the squaring stage. Artemisinin was extracted by supersonic wave and determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

RESULTThe leaf's yield and the content of artemisinin in the samples of different germplasms were varied significantly. Effect of environment on artemisinin content was more than that of hereditary factors. The content of artemisinin was different when the same material of A. annua grew in different place. The content of artemisinin in next year's plant was decreasing.

CONCLUSIONSSeven germplasms from south of China have been selected, their content of artemisinin was above 0.9% and calculated yield was more than 2250 kg x hm(-2). The content of artemisinin has been affected by hereditary factors and variation of the growth environment.

Artemisia annua ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Artemisinins ; metabolism ; China

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of CHEK2 c.1100delC mutation among non-BRCA1/BRCA2 familial/early-onset breast cancer patients in Shanghai.

METHODSOne hundred and fourteen non-BRCA1/BRCA2 hereditary breast cancer patients were analyzed, among whom 76 cases had at least one first-degree relative affected with breast cancer and 38 cases were diagnosed as breast cancer below the age of 40 years without family history. The mutation genotyping of CHEK2 c.1100delC were carried out through long-range PCR amplifying of exons 10-14, and followed by amplification of exon 10 and then DNA direct sequencing.

RESULTSNo c.1100delC frame-shift mutation was identified in our studied population. One novel missense mutation 1111C>T (p.His371Tyr), located in kinase catalytic domain, was found in 3 familial breast cancer cases but no one in control group.

CONCLUSIONCHEK2 c.1100delC is rare variant for Chinese population and may not contribute to predisposition for hereditary breast cancer in Shanghai. Novel variant -1111C>T could be in association with genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. A further study is needed to confirm the results.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; BRCA1 Protein ; genetics ; BRCA2 Protein ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Breast Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Sequence Deletion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate a non-syndromic deafness family in which potential interaction between the GJB2 gene and a mitochondrial gene appeared to be the cause of hearing impairment.

METHODSAudiological examination was performed by pure-tone audiometry (PTA). Blood samples from 8 members of the pedigree were obtained. DNA was extracted from the leukocytes. The coding region of the GJB2 gene and mitochondrial DNA target fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were analyzed by sequencing.

RESULTSDirect sequencing showed that the proband had both a heterozygous mutation of 235delC in the GJB2 gene and a mitochondrial 1555 A to G mutation. The proband had profound hearing loss. The maternal relatives had sensorineural hearing loss in the higher frequencies or no hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONThe GJB2 mutations may be an aggravating factor in the phenotypic expression of the non-syndromic hearing loss associated with the A1555G mitochondrial mutation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hearing Loss ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Recovery of Function ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the changes of the spermatozoa ultrastructures before and after renal transplantation in uremic patients.

METHODSThe sperm of five uremic patients before and after transplantation and four healthy volunteers were collected and examined by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSAbnormal spermatozoa were found in patients pre-transplantation; abnormalities included deletion of the acrosome, absence of the postacrosomal and postnuclear ring, dumbbell-like changes of the head, tail curling, and absence of the mitochondrial sheath in the mid-segment. After renal transplantation, most of the spermatozoa became normal.

CONCLUSIONThere are many abnormalities with regard to the appearance and structure of the head, acrosome, mitochondria and tail of the spermatozoa in uremic patients. The majority of the spermatozoa returned to normal after renal transplantation, but a few still presented some abnormalities possibly relating to the administration of immunosuppressants.

Acrosome ; pathology ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Renal Dialysis ; Sperm Head ; pathology ; Sperm Tail ; pathology ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of manipulation and traction combined with Nimodipine on the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) in cervical vertigo of high flow velocity,and to evaluate clinical therapeutic effects between two methods.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to Feburary 2009,70 patients who were diagnosed as high flow velocity of cervical vertigo were randomly divided into treatment group (35 cases) and control group (35 cases). Among 70 patients, 32 were male and 38 were female. The age ranged from 21 to 45 years with an average of 37.6 years. The disease course ranged from one day to two years with an average of 12.6 days. Patients of the treatment group were treated with manipulation for total three weeks, three times once week. The patients in the control group were treated with traction (weight ranged from 5 to 6 kg, 20 minutes each time, once every other day) and Nimodipine for total three weeks (three times each day, and with a dose of 40 mg each time). After three weeks, the changes of flow velacity of VBI and score before and after treatment were observed using transcranil Doppler (TCD) and Evaluation Scale for Cervical Vertigo. After six weeks, the therapeutic effects were assessed.

RESULTSThe mean velocity in left vertebral artery (LVA), right vertebral artery (RVA) and basilar artery (BA) were obviously lower than those before treatment in two groups (P < 0.01). The LVA, RVA and BA of the treatment group was lower than those of control group after 3 weeks (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in vertigo score after treatment between the two groups. The improvement rate of double-sides sign in X-ray image and the therapeutic effects of treatment group was superior to that of control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of manipulation on flow velocity of VBA is superior to that of traction combined with Nimodipine, and there are better therapeutic effects in treating cervical vertigo of high flow velocity in comparison with traction combined with Nimodipine. But there are more higher demands for manipulation's application.

Adult ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Cervical Vertebrae ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Vertigo ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEAromatase, encoded by CYP19A1, play an important role in estrogens biosynthesis from androgens. The present study is to investigate effect of R264C single nucleotide polymorphism in CYP19A1 gene on genetic susceptibility for hereditary breast cancer without BRCA1/2 mutant.

METHODSOne hundred and fourteen BRCA1/2 -negative hereditary breast cancer patients from independent families and 121 age-matched healthy control subjects were analyzed. Genotype analysis was performed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then DNA direct sequencing. The odd-ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by unconditional Logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe frequency of R264C single nucleotide polymorphism CC, CT and TT genotype in case group and controls was 84(77.8%), 22(20.4%), 2(1.8%) and 87(77.7%), 24(21.4%), 1(0.9%), respectively. CT genotype (OR=1.16, 95%CI: 0.53-2.55) and TT genotype (OR=1.44, 95%CI: 0.12-17.15) did not confer a significantly increased risk for breast cancer. No significant association was found between T allele and susceptibility for breast cancer under analysis according to menopausal status and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONR264C polymorphism in CYP19A1 gene is not a candidate locus for low penetrance breast cancer susceptibility in Shanghai group of Chinese population and not recommended in clinical genetic test. Homozygous T allele of R264C is not common in Shanghai group of Chinese population.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; BRCA1 Protein ; genetics ; BRCA2 Protein ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; Young Adult