Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mediastinal Cyst ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Respiratory Sounds ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo explore the function of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) of Xin-blood-stasis syndrome.

METHODSSome vasoactive substances produced by VEC were detected and analyzed in patients with CHD of or without Xin blood stasis syndrome in group A (n=112) and group B (n=108) respectively, also in patients with non-CHD but of Xin-blood-stasis syndrome in group C (n=110), and healthy persons in group D (n=100), including nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), angiotensin H (Ag II), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule -1 (sVCAM-1).

RESULTSThe abnormality degree of ET, Ag II , sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in various groups showed such a tendency as group A> group B> group D (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while no significant difference in these criteria between group A and group C was shown (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe vasoactive substances secreted by VEC are closely related to the formation and progression of CHD, and are likely to be important pathological markers of blood-stasis syndrome in CHD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Endothelins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

Objective To understand the prevalence,drug resistance and clinical features of children with acute lower respiratory tract infection(ALRI) caused by escherichia coli.Methods From Oct. 2005 to Oct. 2006,659 patients with ALRI who were admitted to hospital were chosen and their nasopharyngeal secretions were obtained and cultured.K-B disc diffusion for antibiotic susceptibility were performed for these clinical isolates.Results Among 659 patients,118 cases were isolated escherichia coli,the rate was 17.99% which had 90 boys and 28 girls.Eighty-seven of 118 E.coli strains were with extended-spectrum ?-lactamase(ESBLs),the rate was 73.73%.All of strains were sensitive to imipenem.For ESBLs-producing strains,the ratio of resistance tocefotaxime,ceftriaxone,cefuroxime,ampicillin,piperacillin were 78.81%,73.73%,73.73%,76.27%,78.81%,respectively.Conclusions The positive rate of ESBLs producing E coli in Kunming area is high and drug resistance is severe gradually.Imipenem can be the first selection for treatment on these infections.

Humans ; Diverticulum, Colon/surgery* ; Cholecystectomy/adverse effects* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nephrotoxic effects of methyl cantharidimide tablets on urinary protein and enzymes in Beagle dogs.

METHODBeagle dogs were randomly divided into negative control group(blank tablet), methyl cantharidimide tablets group (6.11,12.21, 24.42 mg x kg(-1)), continuously 30 days of oral adminiStration, once a day. The drug and control group were collected and determined fresh urine in 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of the administration; Serum urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Crea), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) as well as sodium, potassium, chloride electrolyte were determined on 15 and 30 days of the administration; Urine albumin (mAlb), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin( NGAL), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), clusterin, beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG), alanine aminopeptidase( AAP) and im- munoglobulins IgG were tested on 15 and 30 days of the administration.

RESULTCompared with the control group, urine protein and white blood cells was significantly increased in each dose group. On 15 days of the administration, mAlb were higher in each dose group, KIM-1, NGAL, clusterin, NAG and AAP were significantly higher in high-dose group, while the middle and low dose group had no significant difference, as well as blood SCr and BUN no obvious abnormalities. On 30 days, mAlb, KIM-1, clusterin, NAG, AAP were increased in each dose group, appearing dose-effect relationship, beta2-MG and NGAL levels were significantly increased in high-dose group. Contents above indicators were increased with significant dose and time relationship, and serum BUN, Scr were correlated, suggesting that urine mAlb, KIM-1, clusterin, NAG and AAP indicators that can sensitively respond the changes of proteins and enzymes in urine.

CONCLUSIONMethyl cantharidimide tablets has a renal toxicity, urine mAlb, KIM-1, clusterin, NAG and AAP can be used as the early nephrotoxic biomarkers of methyl cantharidimide tablets.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Dogs ; Female ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Male ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Tablets ; adverse effects ; Urine ; chemistry

Objective：This study was designed to evaluate the application of three markers in diagnosing lung cancer and calculate Bergman Parameter to raise the sensitivity and validity in detecting the lung cancer. Methods：Using immunoradiometric and chemiluminescence assay, we observed serum NSE (neuron-specific enolase), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), and CA50(cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens 50) in 107 cases of lung cancer and 118 cases of benign pulmonary diseases. Bergman parameter was calculated with Bergman’s formula. Results：The sensitivity of NSE, CEA, CA50 for lung cancer were 51.4％ , 54.2％ , and 31.7％ , respectively. The specificity was 85.7％ , 89.8％ , and 93.0％ , respectively, while diagnostic accuracy rates were 64.3％ , 72.9％ , and 55.8％ . The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy rate of Bergman parameter (95.2％ , 87.5％ and 92.1％ ) were higher than these three markers in lung cancer (P<0.05). We found that Bergman parameter could be used to moniter the prognosis of advanced lung cancer. Conclusion： Serum NSE, CEA, and CA50 are of value in detecting lung cancer. Bergman parameter, calculated with NSE, CEA, CA50, is able to increase specificity and accuracy in diagnosis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of curcumine on the migration and invasion of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

METHODSRat hepatic stellate cells were cultured and activated with ConA. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and activity was determined by Western blot and gelatin zymography. Migration and invasion of HSC was assessed by wound healing assay and modified Boyden chamber assay.

RESULTSCurcumine reduced the level and activity of MMP-2 expression in activated HSC in a dose-dependent manner. When treated with 25, 50 or 100 micromol/L curcumine, the expression of MMP-2 was reduced by 21.8%+/-5.1%, 65.5%+/-9.2% or 87.9%+/-11.5% (P < 0.05), and the activity of MMP-2 was also significantly reduced by curcumine. Migration and invasion of activated HSC was also inhibited by curcumine in a dose-dependent way. When treated with 25, 50 or 100 micromol/L curcumine, the migration of activated HSC was reduced by 27.5%+/-5.8%, 54.4%+/-7.6% or 67.1%+/-9.3% (P < 0.05), and the invasion of activated HSC was also significantly reduced by curcumine.

CONCLUSIONCurcumine inhibits migration and invasion of activated HSC by reducing MMP-2 expression and activity.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Concanavalin A ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; prevention & control ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grape skin, grape products, and peanuts as well as red wine, has been reported to have various biological and pharmacological properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effect of resveratrol-amplified grape skin extracts on adipocytes. The anti-obesity effects of grape skin extracts were investigated by measuring proliferation and differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. The effect of grape skin ethanol extracts on cell proliferation was detected by the MTS assay. The morphological changes and degree of adipogenesis of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were measured by Oil Red-O staining assay. Treatment with extracts of resveratrol-amplified grape skin decreased lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity without affecting 3T3-L1 cell viability. Grape skin extract treatment resulted in significantly attenuated expression of key adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins, and their target genes (FAS, aP2, SCD-1, and LPL). These results indicate that resveratrol-amplified grape skin extracts may be useful for preventing obesity by regulating lipid metabolism.
3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; Adipogenesis ; Arachis ; Cell Proliferation ; Ethanol ; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase ; Lipid Metabolism ; Obesity ; Peroxisomes ; Proteins ; Sesquiterpenes ; Skin ; Stilbenes ; Transcription Factors ; Vitis ; Wine

The most appropriate time to introduce androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer remains controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of early versus delayed surgical castration on prostate cancer progression and survival in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. TRAMP mice were randomly divided into three groups: the early castration group (on which castration was performed at the age of 4 weeks), the delayed castration group (on which castration was performed when abdominal tumours could be palpated), and the sham-castrated group. Mice were monitored daily throughout their lives until cancer-related death or the development of an obviously moribund appearance, at which time the individual mouse was killed. Androgen receptor expression in prostate tumours was also evaluated. The results shows that the average lifespan in early castration, delayed castration and sham-castrated groups were 54.1 weeks, 59.9 weeks and 39.1 weeks, respectively. Both early castration and delayed castration conferred a statistically significant survival advantage when compared with the sham-castrated group (P<0.001). However, the difference in lifespan between the early castration group and the delayed castration group was not statistically significant (P=0.85). The increase in lifespan in the TRAMP mice that received either early or delayed castration correlated with lower G/B value (genitourinary tract weight/body weight) at death than the sham-castrated mice. In conclusion, early and delayed castrations in TRAMP mice prolonged survival to a similar extent. This finding may provide a guide for clinical practice in prostate cancer therapy.
Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Orchiectomy ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Transgenes ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo optimize the acupuncture treatment programs for facial paralysis.

METHODSSixty-three patients of facial paralysis were randomly divided and treated according to the table of L9 (3)4 in orthogonal test. They were treated with different combined programs of 4 factors and 3 levels, including factor A (acupuncture op portunity), B (acupoints prescription), C (quantity of stimulus) and D (time of electroacupuncture). The change of facial nerve function score was observed to choose the best acupuncture treatment program for facial paralysis from factor A (acupuncture opportunity), B (acupoints prescription), C (quantity of stimulus), D (time of electroacupuncture) and their 3 levels in each factor.

RESULTSB (acupoints prescription) and D (time of electroacupuncture) were significant factors (P < 0.05), and B (acupoints prescription) was the most important influential factor. B3 (alternative use of two groups of acupoints) was the best one among the 3 levels of B (acupoints prescription), and D3 (electroacupuncture in disperse-dense wave for 30 min) was the best one of D (time of electroacupuncture).

CONCLUSIONTwo groups of acupoints alternatively used with electroacupuncture in disperse-dense wave for 30 min is the best treatment program for facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult