The study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PPK/PD) model of warfarin. PCR-RFLP technique was used to genotype the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms of 73 patients. RP-HPLC-UV method was used to determine the 190 plasma concentrations of warfarin. Application of NONMEM, the clinical information and 263 international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring data were used to investigate the effect of genetic, physiological, pathological factors, other medication on clearance and anticoagulant response. The final model of warfarin PPK/PD was described as follows: CL = θCL · (WT/60)θWT · θCYP · eηCL (if CYP2C9*1/*1, θCYP = 1; if *1/*3, θCYP = 0.708); EC50 = θEC50 · θVKOR · eηEC50 (if VKORC1- 1639AA, θVKOR = 1; if GA, θVKOR = 2.01; V = θV; K(E0) = θK(E0); Emax = θEmax; E0 = θE0 · eηE0. Among them, the body weight (WT), CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype had conspicuous effect on warfarin PK/PD parameters. The goodness diagnosis, Bootstrap, NPDE verification showed that the final model was stable, effective and predictable. It may provide a reference for opitimizing the dose regimen of warfarin.
Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Body Weight ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases ; genetics ; Warfarin ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the sexual problems during early postpartum period and the awareness of postpartum sexual health. Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out in 109 women who received routine postpartum check-up in our outpatient department between October and November 2010 to identify postpartum sexual problems and the awareness of postpartum sexual health. Results The first postpartum check-up was received 6 to 12 weeks after the delivery. Of 109 participants,6 (5.5%), 17(15.6%) and 46 (42.2%) resumed sexual activity within 6,6 to 8,and 12 weeks after the delivery,respectively. Postpartum sexual problems included dyspareunia (35/46,76. 09% ), vaginal dryness (29/46,63.04% ), hypoactive sexual desire (25/46,54. 35% ) and lack of orgasm ( 11/46,23.91% ). 10. 87% (5/46)took contraceptive measures,21.10% (23/109) understood the appropriate time to resume sexual activity, 12. 84% (14/109) was aware of the possible postpartum sexual problems, 13.76% (15/109) knew how to avoid pregnant,6.42% (7/109) would visit a doctor in case of the sexual disorders,and 9. 17%(10/109) hoped that their husband know about sexual health. Conclusion Postpartum sexual problems may be common and maternal awareness of postpartum sexual health could be low.

Objective To investigate the role of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) signaling pathway in serum amyloid A (SAA)-induced angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The expression and location of SR-B1 in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry.And SR-B1 expression in the resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was detected by immunoflourescence.Wound repair assessement and tube formation assessement were employed to evaluate the effect on cell migration and tube formation stimulated by SAA and/or anti-SR-B1 antibody.The t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis.Results ① SR-B1 was significantly highly expressed in RA tissue samples (A=6 788±819) when compared to the minimal expression in OA (A =31 849±6 977,t=3.567,P＜0.01).Positive staining of SR-B1 was observed in RA synovial vascular endothelial cells and perivascular areas.② Strong staining for SR-B1 was observed in all HUVECs tested.③ Significant wound healing induced by SAA (MI=2.50±0.17) was found compared with the untreated controls (MI=1.00±0.09,q=14.38,P＜0.01),and the effects were inhibited in the presence of anti-SR-B1 antibody (MI=1.16±0.14,q=13.02,P＜0.01).④ Compared to the untreated group (branch point number:6.6±0.8),there was an enhanced formation of branched and capillary-hke tube structure followed by SAA stimulation (branch point number:19.0±1.1,q=25.04,P＜0.01) after culturing for 72 h,whereas,tube formation decreased markedly upon pre-treated with anti-SR-B1 antibody (branch point number:7.6±1.3,vs SAA,q =23.32,P＜0.01).Conclusion Our present study suggests that serum amyloid A may induce angiogenesis via SR-B1 signaling pathway in RA.

Objective To explore whether serum amyloid A (SAA) can induce the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in neutrophils in vitro. Methods A stable method for inducing NETs formation in vitro was established, in-cluding isolation of peripheral blood neutrophils, cell culture, and NETs formation and observation. The neutrophils were iso-lated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. And cells were cultured in vitro and classified into three groups:negative control (NC) group, SAA group and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group. Following the distinct stimulation in three groups, NETs formation was observed and its percentage was calculated. The concentration of hinstone (h) 3 in supernatant was detected by ELISA. Results The purification and vitality of isolated neutrophils were both more than 95%. The nuclei of neutrophils lost their shape and spread, NETs formation was found. More NETs formation was found in SAA group than that in NC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of h3 in supernatant was significantly higher in SAA group than that in NC group (P<0.05). Conclusion SAA can induce the formation of NETs in vitro.

A total of 121 subjects comprising 40 normal subjects,58 patients with overweight or obesity and 23 patients with Cushing's syndrome were recruited in the study.The modified radioimmunoassay (RIA) for salivary cortisol test was established'and its normal range was determined.Then the diagnostic value of the salivary cortisol for the initial diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was evaluated and single midnight salivary cortisol test demonstrated a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 91.4 %.Salivary cortisol test can be recommended as a first-line diagnostic parameter for Cushing's syndrome.

Multi-component traditional Chinese medicines are an innovative research mode for traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, there are many design methods for developing multi-component traditional Chinese medicines, but their common feature is the lack of effective connection of the traditional Chinese medicine theory. In this paper, the authors discussed the multi-component traditional Chinese medicine design methods based on medicinal property combination modes, provided the combination methods with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine for the prescription combinations, and proved its feasibly with hypertension cases.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats

Objective To compare the 7th edition of International Union Against Cancer ( UICC) staging system with the Chinese 2008 staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) , and to provide evidence for further updating of the staging system. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed among 767 patients who were pathologically and newly diagnosed with non?metastatic NPC and treated with intensity?modulated radiotherapy from 2006 to 2012. Based on the main prognostic indices, overall survival ( OS) , locoregional failure?free survival( LFFS) local relapse?free survival ( LRFS) , and distant metastasis?free survival ( DMFS) rates, the value of T stage, N stage, and clinical stage in prognostic prediction was compared between the two staging systems. The Kaplan?Meier method was used for calculating survival rates. The log?rank test was used for survival difference analysis. The Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results In terms of T stage, the Chinese 2008 staging system was a significantly better predictor of the OS and LRFS rates than the 7th edition of UICC staging system. In terms of N stage, they were comparable in the prediction of the OS and DMFS rates. In terms of clinical stage, the 7th edition of UICC staging system was a significantly better predictor of the OS rate than the Chinese 2008 staging system. For the new staging system proposed based on the statistical results, the T, N, and clinical staging gave significantly better prognostic prediction. Conclusions The 7th edition of UICC staging system and the Chinese 2008 staging system for NPC have their own advantages in prognostic prediction. The new staging system proposed in this study could contribute to the updating of the current staging system for NPC.

Objective To evaluate the value of differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid lesions by susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI).Methods 53 patients with 20 malignant thyroid lesions and 71 benign thyroid lesions confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All cases received conventional MRI and SWI preoperatively.Location,volume,SWI parameters including signal to noise ratio(SNR),contrast noise ratio(CNR)and intratumor susceptibility hypointensity (ITSHIA)datas in benign and malignant lesions were compared and analyzed.Results There was no statistical significance between benign and malignant thyroid lesions in the location,volume,SNR and CNR(χ2 or t =0.014,0.286,0.927,1.169;P =0.907,0.778,0.368,0.259 respectively).The maximum diameter (1.90 mm±0.32 mm),degree of maximum diameter(1.33±0.47),frequence(1.40±0.20)and area ratio(1.09±0.28)for benign thyroid lesions were less than those for malignant lesions(3.39 mm±0.79 mm,2.25±0.44,1.40±0.68,1.70±0.47)respectively (t or Z =12.629,5.788,3.41 5,5.795;P =0.000,0.000,0.001,0.000).Conclusion SWI semiquantitative assessment of pathlogical vascularity is useful in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibits renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT),and to determine whether Smurf2 expression induced by TGF-β1 can be reversed by HGF in normal rat kidney epithelial cells (NRK-52E).Methods Using rat NRK-52E cell line as an in vitro system,NRK-52E cells were incubated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1 for 0-24 h.Part of cells were pretreated with 20 μg/L HGF for 30 min or not,then incubated with or without 5 μg/L TGF-β1 for 1 h or 48 h.The other cells were transfected with pFlag-Smurf2 or Smurf2 siRNA for 24 h,then treated with or without 20 μg/L HGF for 24 h.The expressions of Smurf2,SnoN,E-cadherin,alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) were detected by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence staining assays.Results Compared to normal control,TGF-β1 could rapidly induce Smurf2 protein expression in a short time (P＜0.01).Meanwhile,the expressions of FN and α-SMA were significantly induced,and the expression of E-cadherin was reduced in NRK-52E cells by TGF-β1.In contrast,in the NRK-52E cells pretreated with HGF,HGF could obviously inhibit Smurf2 expression induced by TGF-β1,and reversed the down-regulation of SnoN (P＜0.01) and E-cadherin (P＜0.05),the up-regulation of α-SMA (P＜0.01) and FN (P＜0.01) induced by TGF-β1.Moreover,overexpression of Smurf2 in NRK-52E cells could partly inhibit the up-regulation of SnoN protein by HGF,while down-regulation of Smurf2 could up-regulate the expression of SnoN induced by HGF.Conclusions HGF can abolish EMT induced by TGF-β1 in renal tubular epithelial cells through down-regulating Smurf2 expression and suppressing ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation of SnoN.

Objective To investigate the effect of Amp activated protein kinase(AMPK)activity in radiosensitivity of human na-sopharyngeal carcinoma cells .Methods Human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells ,CNE-2 ,were treated with AMPK inhibitor ,Com-pound C(CC) ,for 1 h .Then cells were explored in X-ray .The expression of total AMPK (t-AMPK) ,phosphorylation AMPK (p-AMPK) ,and MAPlLC3 were detected by Western blot .The number of autophagosomes were observed and calculated by transmis-sion electron microscope(TEM) .Cells processed with CC were explored in X-ray .MTT assay was used to detect the difference of two groups in cell proliferation .Cell apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry .Results The expression of p-AMPK in CC group cells were significantly downregulated compared to the negative control group cells (P< 0 .01) ,while no significant change of t-AMPK expression were found(P>0 .05) .The expression of MAPlLC3 and the number of autophagosomes in CC group cells were significantly decreased compared to the control group cells (P<0 .05) .Correspondingly ,the cell proliferation rate in CC group was lower than in control group ,and the percent of apoptosis cells was higher in CC group than in control group (P<0 .05) .Conclusion Suppression of AM PK activity could inhibited autophagy induced by decreasing the degree of p-AM PK ,then enhanced the effect of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion in CNE-2 cells .The AMPK inhibitor ,CC ,can serve as an effective assistant treatment of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma .