Objective To observe the short-term curative effect and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin(rHu-EPO)on patients with primary brain stem injury. Methods Sixty patients with primary brain stem injury were recruited at Liaocheng People' Hospital from July 2010 to July 2013. All cases were randomly divided into EPO group and control group. The patients in EPO group were injected subcutaneous with rHu-EPO five times at dose of 6 000 U,while patients in the control group were treated with placebo in 2 weeks. All other conventional treatments were the same. NIHSS score and GOS score were evaluated in two weeks and three months respectively. Moreover,blood pressure and hemoglobin were also measured. Results NIHSS score in EPO group was 11. 37 ± 7. 78,significant higher than that of control group after two weeks(19. 41 ± 8. 26,P = 0. 019). GOS score in EPO group was also significant differences in two groups after three months (Z = - 2. 367,P = 0. 009 ). However,no significant difference was observed in the followed-up blood tests. Conclusion Recombinant human erythropoietin could be the exact nerve protective effect,and might be an effective therapy for patients with primary brain stem injury.

Objective To investigate the prognosis and efficiency of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressor in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)in children. Methods A retrospective analysis of 35 cases of biopsy - proven membranous nephropathy without secondary factors was performed,who were found present with ne-phrotic proteinuria and admitted to hospital from March 2004 to July 2013,to explore the efficiency of treatment with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressor and its prognosis. Results The 35 IMN cases included 18 boys and 17 girls,and the ratio was 1. 1∶ 1. 0. The mean age at onset was(11. 3 ± 0. 5)years with a range of 3. 0 - 17. 1 years. Five cases with gross hematuria,24 cases present with microscopic hematuria,8 cases with hypertension,1 case with chronic renal insufficiency,and 2 cases were complicated with thrombosis. According to membranous nephropathy staging criteria,9 cases(25. 7% )were in stage Ⅰ,16 cases(45. 7% )in stage Ⅱ,10 cases(28. 6% )in stage Ⅲ;about 94. 3%(33 / 35 cases)had mesangial cells and mesangial matrix with mild to moderate hyperplasia. They were all treated with glucocor-ticoid initially and one of them showed sensitive to flucocorticoid but developed flucocorticoid resistance after relapse, while all the others were flucocorticoid - resistant. Cyclophosphamide A(CsA)was introduced to 17 cases and at least lasted for 3 months,in which 13 cases(76. 5% )reached complete remission and 3 cases reached partial remission, while 1 case didn't achieve remission,and the mean time for proteinuria to disappear was(4. 9 ± 3. 7)months;5 cases were treated with Mycophenolate mefetil( MMF),among which 4 cases reached complete remission in 2 months,4 months,5 months,and 9 months separately,while 1 case reached partial remission. Cyclophosphamide(CTX)was intro-duced to 6 cases,in which the mean cumulative dosage was(91. 2 ± 46. 5)mg/ kg,among them 1 case(87 mg/ kg) reached complete remission,1 case(160 mg/ kg)partial remission,but 4 cases didn't achieve remission. One case reached remission after Rituximab(RTX)was introduced. One case got partial remission after Leflunomide(LEF)was introduced,and the complete remission rate was higher in those treated with combined therapy of glucocorticoid and CsA than those treated with glucocorticoid only(76. 5% vs 12. 5% ,P = 0. 004),but the total efficacy showed no difference (94. 2% vs 62. 5% ,P = 0. 081). The complete remission rate(76. 5% vs 38. 5% ,P = 0. 042)and total efficacy (94. 1% vs 61. 5% ,P = 0. 040)were higher in those with combined therapy of steroid and CsA than those treated with steroid and other immunosuppressor. The complete remission rate(76. 5% vs 16. 7% ,P = 0. 018)and total efficacy (94. 1% vs 33. 3% ,P = 0. 008)were also higher than those treated with steroid and CTX,but the complete remission rate(76. 5% vs 80. 0% ,P = 0. 687)and total efficacy(94. 1% vs 100. 0% ,P = 0. 773)showed no difference com-pared with those treated with steroid and MMF. Conclusions IMN shows glucocorticoid resistance mostly,while CsA had definite efficiency and may be better than CTX. And the efficiency of MMF should be noted.

Spleen kidney Yang deficiency (SKYD) diarrhea is a common syndrome in tranditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Until now, there is not an ideal SKYD diarrhea rat model for the research. In this study, we compared single factor way (method I, injecting hydrocortisone and gavaging Sennae Folium) with compound factors way(method II, gavaging adenine, improper diet, exhaustion, and gavaging Sennae Folium) on establishing SKYD diarrhea rat model. After modelling, diarrhea index, D-xylose excretory rate, NOS/cGMP signal transduction system, organ index and histopathology examination were used to evaluate the two ways. The results showed that, compared with health group, all the assessment criterias of method I and method II had significant differences (P < 0.01, 0.05). In addition, the index such as diarrhea index, NOS/cGMP signal transduction system, organ index (kidney, testis and thymus) and histopathology examination had significant differences (P < 0.01, 0.05) between method I and method II. In conclusion, the compound factors modelling method better conforms to the symptom of diarrhoea model caused by SKYD. This new modelling method provides a basis for studying on TCM astringents warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney, relieving diarrhea.
Animals ; Diarrhea ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Xylose ; metabolism ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

ObjectiveTo explore the short-term curative effect and safety of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in patients with primary brain stem injury.MethodsFifty-four cases with primary brain stem injury were hospitalized during Jul.2007 to Jul.2010 at Liaocheng Brain Hospital,Shandong Province.All cases were randomized into transplantation group( n =30)or control group( n =24 ).The transplantation group was treated with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation by subarachnoid space injection (n =30).The control group were selected from primary brain stem injury patients without stem cell transplantation who were hospitalized at the same period with patients from the transplantation group.Respectively,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was employed to evaluate the condition of patients in the two groups one month after treatment,and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score was used to evaluate curative effects of the two groups at sixth months after treatment.Meanwhile,some other parameters were observed,including blood routine,clotting mechanisms,biochemicalitemsand tumor markers.ResultsThere was significant difference between the transplantation group and the control group in N IHSS score at one month after treatment [ ( 10.86 ± 7.48) vs.( 18.26 ± 8.74),t =2.681,P ＜ 0.05 ].GOS score was significantly different( Z =2.306,P ＜ 0.05 ) between the transplantation group and the control group at sixth month after transplantation.There was no significant difference between the two groups in the blood examination results during the followed-up period.Conclusion Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation is confirmed to be an effective and safe therapy in patients with primary brain stem injury in the short-term.Further evaluation still needs for its long-term efficacy on primary brain stem injury

Taking guizhi fuling capsule (GZFL) for instance, a new method about reference Chinese medicine preparation which was used as standard substance for the quality evaluation of complex Chinese medicine preparation by the fingerprint of reference preparation instead of standard fingerprint was proposed. It could eliminate the errors from different instruments, chromatographic columns and solve the problem of similarity matching in the absence of standard fingerprint. The qualification of reference GZFL was evaluated according to the quality control method of GZFL from Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Then multiple batches of GZFL were estimated, taking fingerprint of reference preparation and standard fingerprint as references, respectively, at different instruments and chromatographic columns. Finally, the packaging and expiration date for reference GZFL were confirmed according to the results of stability investigation. The results indicated that the fingerprint of reference GZFL could be used to assess the quality of GZFL better than standard fingerprint. The data of accelerated stability and long-term stability test demonstrated that reference GZFL was stable in the conditions of double blister package. Therefore, reference GZFL can be used as standard substance in quality control of GZFL.
Capsules ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Reference Standards

BACKGROUNDIcariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear. The aim of the study was to research the effect of Icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

METHODSHuman osteoblasts were obtained by inducing human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally and were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of Icariine. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used to observe the effect of Icariine on cell proliferation. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the amount of calcified nodules were assayed to observe the effect on cell differentiation. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIcariine (20 microg/ml) increased significantly the proliferation of human osteoblasts. And, Icariine (10 microg/ml and 20 microg/ml) increased the activity of ALP and the amount of calcified nodules of human osteoblasts significantly (P < 0.05). BMP-2 mRNA synthesis was elevated significantly in response to Icariine (20 microg/ml).

CONCLUSIONSIcariine has a direct stimulatory effect on the proliferation and differentiation of cultured human osteoblast cells in vitro, which may be mediated by increasing production of BMP-2 in osteoblasts.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of epimedium pubescens icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

METHODHuman osteoblasts were obtained by inducting human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally. MTT was used to observe the proliferation and activity of ALP was assayed to observe the differentiation of the third passage human osteoblasts cultured in vitro. The expression of BMP-2 mRNA was checked by RT-PCR.

RESULTEpimedium pubescens icariine at the dose of 20 microg x mL(-1) increased greatly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts and promoted the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONEpimedium pubescens icariine enhances significantly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts, which may be mediated by increasing the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol in the treatment of Chinese childhood and adolescent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL).

METHODSForty-two untreated childhood and adolescent B-NHL were enrolled in the present study. Of them 18 cases were Burkitt's lymphoma, 16 diffuse large B cell lymphoma and 8 anaplastic lymphoma. There were 10 cases in stage II and 32 in stage III/IV. The patients were grouped by risk factors into low, medium and high risk groups. All patients were treated with the B-NHL-BFM 90 (Berlin-Frankfurt- Münster) protocol. The low risk group received A, B courses for 4 cycles, the medium risk group AA, BB courses for 6 cycles, and the high risk group AA, BB, CC courses for 6 cycles.

RESULTSComplete remission (CR) was obtained in 37 patients (88%), and partial remission (PR) in 5 (12%). Of the 5 PR patients, I received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 3 received radiotherapy for residual disease and 1 just under watching. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis, especially in AA, BB and CC cycles, but was tolerant and manageable. Median follow-up was 20 (4 - 89) months. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyse survival data. Two year event free survival (EFS) for all patients was 86. 24%, being 100% for stage II and 80.95% for stage III/IV.

CONCLUSIONShort term and intensive chemotherapy can improves the efficacy and survival rate of childhood and adolescent B-NHL, especially for advanced stage patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe brain is one of the most common metastatic sites of breast cancer. Brain metastases develop in 10%-15% of patients with breast cancer and are associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and survival of patients with brain metastases due to breast cancer of different subtypes and to identify the prognostic factors that affect clinical outcome.

METHODSA total of 89 patients with breast cancer brain metastases diagnosed between October 1997 and July 2008 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were included in this study. Among the 89 patients, the number of luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and triple-negative (TN) subtypes were 30, 20, 16, and 14, respectively; 9 patients had an unknown subtype. The clinical characteristics, pathologic features, and prognostic factors were analyzed both at the initial diagnosis and at the diagnosis of brain metastases. Endocrine therapy for patients with luminal subtypes was further studied.

RESULTSThe median age of patients was 46 years (range 28-74 years). The median survival time was 8.0 months (range, 0-80 months), the 1-year survival rate was 32% and the 5-year survival rate was 4%. The time to brain metastasis differed according to clinical stage at the initial diagnosis, and the time for patients with the luminal A subtype was the longest (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that performance status score > 1, multiple brain metastases and without whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in combination with chemotherapy were associated with poor prognosis. Compared with the luminal A subtype, features of the HER-2 and TN subtypes included early metastases, rapid progression after first-line treatment (8.0 months vs. 11.0 months), and poor overall survival (25.0 months vs. 63.0 months). The luminal A subtype showed a tendency for good prognosis and slow growth. Tamoxifen could improve the survival of luminal A/B subtypes (median survival 24.0 months vs. 7.0 months, respectively, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis of brain metastases from breast cancer was poor, especially in patients with HER-2 and TN subtypes. Generally, WBRT in combination with chemotherapy was the standard treatment modality. Patients with the luminal subtypes could benefit from tamoxifen.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; therapy ; Breast Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; classification ; pathology ; secondary ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cranial Irradiation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; blood ; Receptors, Estrogen ; blood ; Receptors, Progesterone ; blood ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of DPC4 gene expression on the growth of colon cancer cells and its mechanism.

METHODSExpression plasmid pcDNA3.1-DPC4 was constructed and transfected into the colon cancer cell line SW620 by use of lipofectamine gene transfer technique. DPC4 protein expression was detected by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. The effect of DPC4 gene on the growth of SW620 cells was monitored by population doubling time (PDT) and cloning efficiency. The influence of DPC4 expression on p21WAF1 transcription was investigated by RT-PCR to detect p21WAF1 mRNA.

RESULTSSuccessful expression of DPC4 protein was detected in the transfected SW620 cells. Compared with the control cells, PDT (74 h) of the DPC4 expressing cells was prolonged and the cloning efficiency (21%) decreased. In addition, the mRNA level of p21(WAF1) in DPC4 transfected cells was increased.

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of DPC4 gene inhibits the growth of colon cancer in vitro, and induction of p21(WAF1) expression may be an important functional aspect of DPC4.

Carcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Division ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Smad4 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured