Animals ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Physical Endurance ; physiology ; Quadriceps Muscle ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of fiberoptic ductoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of patients with galactophoritis or mammary duct ectasia. Methods From November 2005 to March 2008, fiberoptic ductoscopy were performed in 120 women with nipple discharge. The duct of 95 cases as non-malignant lesion were insufflated and perfusioned with entamycin and dexamethasone. Results Ninty-five of 120 cases were non-malignant disease,which contained one side 81 and two sides 14; the discharge was bloody,ivory, stramineous in 21, 17, 57 patinents, respectively; and the dignosis were 17 mammary duct ectasia, 53 galactophoritis, and 25 mammary duct ectasia with galactophoritis. Of the 95 cases, hich were intradutal insufflated and perfusioned with gentamycin and dexamethasone, the nipple discharge were decreased or disappeared in 81 cases, the effective rate was 85.3%. Conclusion Fiberoptic ductoscopy is a convenient,safe, accurate method in diagnosis and treatment of patients with galactophoritis or mammary duct ectasia.

Objective:To investigate the azole susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) from vulvovaginal candidosis patients and to analyze the relationship between ERG11 gene mutations in these isolates and azole resistance.
Methods:Three hundred and two clinical isolates of Candida species were collected. Azole susceptibility was tested in vitro in microdilution studies. The ERG11 genes of 17 isolates of C. albicans (2 susceptibles, 5 dose-dependent resistants and 10 resistants) were amplified and sequenced.
Results:Of the 302 isolates collected, 70.2%were C. albicans, of which 8.5%, 3.8%and 4.2%were resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole, respectively. In total, 27 missense mutations were detected in ERG11 genes from resistant/susceptible dose-dependent isolates. Among them, Y132H, A114S, and Y257H substitutions were most prevalent and were known to cause fluconazole resistance. G464S and F72S also has been proved to cause fluconazole resistance. Two novel substitutions (T285A, S457P) in hotspot regions were identified.
Conclusions:Twenty seven mutations in the ERG11 gene were identified in azole-resistant C. albicans isolates, which indicated a possible relation with the increase in resistance to azole drugs and the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis. The relationship of two novel substitutions (T285A, S457P) with fluconazole resistance needs to be further verified by site-directed mutagenesis.

OBJECTIVEThe indication, surgical techniques and results had been discussed through clinical analysis of percutaneous pinning for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures.

METHODSForty-nine patients with 49 shoulders treated with percutaneous pinning had been reviewed with a mean follow-up period of 16.9 months. All were acute fractures, with a mean age of 40.4 years. There were 39 2-part surgical neck fractures, 6 impacted 2-part greater tuberosity fractures and 4 valgus-impaction 4-part fractures. SST (Simple Shoulder Test) questionnaire, ASES (American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon) score, Constant-Murley score and UCLA score had been adopted for final evaluation at the latest follow-up.

RESULTSThe mean ASES score was 91.4, the mean VAS score was 1.7, the mean forward flexion was 146.7 degrees, external rotation 39.6 degrees, internal rotation at T(8)-T(9) level; the mean Constant-Murley score was 88.2; the mean UCLA score was 31.2; the mean number of questions for "yes" in SST questionnaire was 10.1. All fractures healed with a mean period of 8.8 weeks. No patient had been found for any evidence of humeral head necrosis at the latest follow-up The total satisfaction rate for pain relieve was 95.9% (47/49), and for functional recovery was 91.8% (45/49).

CONCLUSIONSMost 2-part surgical neck fractures, impacted 2-part greater tuberosity fractures and 4-part valgus-impaction fractures are good indications for percutaneous pinning. With appropriate and intense rehabilitation, satisfactory results can be expected in percutaneous pinning for the treatment of certain types of proximal humerus fractures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Shoulder Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of close needling in the treatment of calcifying tendonitis.

METHODSSeventeen patients with calcifying tendonitis who had received close needling treatment were followed-up for 9.3 months on average. An 18-gauge or 16-gauge needle was used during needling. X-ray examination was given 4, 6, 8 and every 4 weeks after needling. SST (simple shoulder test) questionnaire, ASES (American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon) score, constant-Murley score and UCLA score were adopted for evaluation before and after treatment.

RESULTSCalcium deposition disappeared within 4 - 20 weeks mean 9.4 weeks in 15 of the 17 patients after needling for 1 - 3 times. Average ASES score before treatment was 47.7 (34 - 59), forward elevation was 90 degrees (70 degrees - 100 degrees ), external rotation was 15 degrees (0 degrees - 30 degrees ), and internal rotation was L3-4 (L1-buttock). Average constant-Murley score before treatment was 44.6 (34 - 54), UCLA score was 11.6 (8 - 15), and numbers of questions for "yes" in SST questionnaire was 3.4 (2 - 5). After needling the average ASES score was 87.1 (72 - 91), forward elevation was 143.5 degrees (120 degrees - 160 degrees ), external rotation was 40 degrees (30 degrees - 50 degrees ), internal rotation was T(8)-T(9), constant-Murley score was 87.8 (64 - 94), UCLA score was 29.5 (19 - 33), and numbers of questions for "yes" in SST questionnaire was 9.1 (6 - 12). Significant difference was found between before and after needling (ASES: P < 0.01, forward elevation, external rotation and internal rotation: P < 0.01, constant-Murley: P < 0.01, UCLA: P < 0.01, SST: P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSClose needling is an effective method for the treatment of calcifying tendonitis. Symptoms and disability are greatly relieved non-surgically in most of patients. Care should be taken in differential diagnosis of degenerative calcification in chronic rotator cuff disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Calcinosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; methods ; Rotator Cuff ; innervation ; Tendinopathy ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of lovastatin on the expression of IkappaBalpha and cell-cycle regulating proteins in MCF-7 cells.

METHODSMCF-7 cells were treated with 4, 8 and 16 micro mol/L lovastatin for 48 - 72 h. The distribution of cell cycles was assayed by flow cytometry (FCM). The protein expression of IkappaBalpha, CDK4, p16, pRb in cytoplasm and IkappaBalpha in the nucleus were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSLovastatin could arrest cellcycle in the G(0)/G(1) phase in a dose- and time-dependent manner, obviously lowering the expression of IkappaBalpha, CDK4 and pRb protein level in the cytoplasm and increasing IkappaBalpha in the nucleus, but not on p16 protein level.

CONCLUSIONLovastatin can induce the arrest of cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) phase by affecting the expression of IkappaBalpha and cell-cycle regulating protein in MCF-7 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Lovastatin ; pharmacology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect of Bailian Caogen granule.

METHODThe antipyretic effects of Bailian Caogen granule was evaluated in rabbit fever model induced by peptone. The analgesic effect of the drug was studied with pain model of mice induced by acetic acid and hot plate, The severity of oedema in inflamed animal was observed to study the anti-inflammatory effects of Bailian Caogen granule.

RESULTBailian Caogen granule could obviously inhibit the fever of rabbits. The number of writhing induced by acetic acid was reduced and the pain threshold of mice was increased by Bailian Caogen granule. Bailian Caogen granule also had anti-inflammatory activity against xylene-induced mouse ear swelling and carrageenin-induced rat paw edema.

CONCLUSIONBailian Caogen granule has significant analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Acetic Acid ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Body Temperature ; drug effects ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Edema ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fever ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Hyperalgesia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Pain ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Phellodendron ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hematological characteristics of co-inheritance of α-thalassemia (α-thal) and β-thalassemia (β-thal) and to survey the incidence of co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal in Guangxi.

METHODSDNA samples from 370 primary and middle school students who were β-thal carriers in Guangxi were further processed for the α-goblin gene mutation screening, and were grouped based on the genotype of β- and α-goblin gene. The hematological indexes to the different groups were compared by One-way ANOVA.

RESULTSOf the total 370 β-thal carriers, 79 were found to carry α-thal, which gave a frequency of 21.35% for β-thal carriers and 1.36% for coincidence of these two common disorders in the local population. As expected, the 79 patients presented very variable α-globin alterations in combination with β-globin mutations, showing 31 genotype combined with the coincidence of both Hb disorders. Except the genotypes of 3 β-thal heterozygotes combined with ααα(anti3.7) triplication and 2 β-thal carriers with IVS-II-654(C→T)/N combined-α(3.7)/αα presented the phenotype of thalassemia intermedia, and other 74 carriers with co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal all presented the phenotype of β-thal trait. There were significant differences between β-thal heterozygotes and the carriers with a co-inheritance of both β+α(0) thal in MCH, MCV and Hb. In addition, there existed significant difference between the carriers with a co-inheritance of both β+α(+) thal and a co-inheritance of both β+α(0) thal in MCV, MCH and Hb.

CONCLUSIONCompared to that of β-thal heterozygotes, the carriers with a co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal had slighter phenotype with hematological characteristics. It's difficult to distinguish the double heterozygotes with the co-inheritance of α-thal and β-thal from β-thal heterozygotes by hematological indexes, the molecular diagnosis should be performed.

Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; alpha-Thalassemia ; blood ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; blood ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo look into the serological characteristics of a hepatitis E outbreak.

METHODSSera from the first five patients with acute icteric hepatitis who developed the disease successively within ten days and the 1,675 employees routinely having their lunch in a dining hall of a department (outbreak population) were examined for anti.HEV IgM and IgG at 26th days after the outbreak, and the 883 employees of a neighboring department not having their lunch in the hall were selected as control (control population).

RESULTSThe five patients were all positive for anti-HEV IgM and IgG. The positive rates of anti-HEV IgM and IgG in outbreak population were 8.7% and 38.4% respectively, both significantly higher than those in control population which were only 0.1% and 28.6%. The numbers with abnormal ALT in the 145 individuals with anti-HEV IgM(+) of outbreak population were significantly higher than those in the IgM(-) individuals of the same group as well as in control, while the abnormal ALT ratio in the IgM(-) individuals of the outbreak was not higher than that in control. The results from the four patients' serial sera showed that the anti-HEV IgM titers declined gradually and were undetectable at about 4th month after infection, and the IgG titers increased to peak in about 2-3 months after infection, then declined very slowly. The mean IgG titer of the anti-HEV IgM(+) individuals was significantly higher than that of the IgM(-) but IgG(+) individuals in outbreak population, and the latter was significantly higher than the IgG(+) individuals in control, which suggested that the post-infection individuals' immunities to HEV were boosted during the outbreak. There was no difference between sex or age groups for the anti-HEV IgM(+) ratio, but the abnormal ALT was much more frequent in the anti-HEV IgM(+) male than in the female, and no difference was observed between age groups.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogen of the outbreak of acute icteric hepatitis was hepatitis E virus and associated with food intake. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were used not only for diagnosis of hepatitis E but also for surveilance in mass population. The attack risk was not associated with age or sex, but the abnormal ALT was much more frequent fresh infectors in male.

Adult ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

OBJECTIVETo establish an improved three-dimension (3D) and serum-free approach to differentiate human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into endothelial cells, and detect the endothelial functions of the obtained cells.

METHODSWe cultured undifferentiated H9 human embryonic stem cell line in low-adhesion dishes to form embryonic bodies (EBs). After 12 days, EBs were harvested, re-suspended into rat tail collagen type I, and put into the incubator (37℃). After 30 minutes, EGM-2 culture medium was added to the solidified collagen, and the EBs were cultured for another 3 days to form embryonic body-sproutings (EB-sproutings). EB-sproutings were digested with 0.25% collagenase I and 0.56 U/ml Liberase Blendzyme for 20 minutes respectively, and the CD31(+) cells were sorted by FACS. The endothelial functions were tested by Dil-ac-LDL uptake assay and tube formation assay.

RESULTSThis approach raised the efficiency of endothelial differentiation to 18%, and also avoided the contamination with animal materials. The obtained hESC-derived endothelial cells (hESC-ECs) had the similar pattern of surface biomarkers as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and their endothelial functions were confirmed by the uptake of Dil-ac-LDL and the tube formation on Matrigel.

CONCLUSIONSThe improved 3D approach can enhance the efficiency of differentiation from hESCs into endothelial cells. Furthermore, serum free differentiation system may be applied in future hESC-based therapies for various ischemic diseases.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans